Information processing device and passenger information management system

Abstract

To reduce the time required for passengers to board an aircraft. [Solution] The information processing device 10 includes a ticketing request receiving unit 12 that receives a request to issue a boarding pass TK or boarding information receipt RC, a storage unit 11 that stores boarding rule information 112 for each passenger aircraft AP, a rule assignment unit 13 that uses the boarding rule information 112 to assign a boarding group 111A to a seat 114C specified by the ticketing request and generates boarding rule assignment information 117, and an output unit 14 that outputs the boarding rule assignment information 117. The boarding group 111A includes a first boarding group 111A4 to which at least a portion of the seats 111B on the front F side of the passenger aircraft AP are assigned, and a second boarding group 111A3 to which seats 111B covering at least a portion of the first boarding group 111A4 from the left and right LR directions of the passenger aircraft AP, and seats 111B on the rear B side are entitled to priority boarding over the first boarding group 111A4.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and a boarding information management system, and more particularly, to an information processing apparatus and a boarding information management system capable of shortening the time required for a passenger to board an aircraft.

Background Art

[0002] In the operation of an aircraft, in order to improve customer satisfaction, it is important to improve both convenience and punctuality. In order to improve punctuality while ensuring a large number of flight frequencies, shortening the time required for passengers to board an aircraft at an airport is one of the effective solutions.

[0003] As an aircraft boarding system, an aircraft boarding system that enables passengers to efficiently take their seats in the reserved seats in a short time is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] By the way, among the time required for a passenger to board an aircraft, for example, the following factors may affect the delay of the boarding time when the passenger moves through the aisle in the aircraft and takes a seat assigned to himself / herself after boarding the aircraft. The first factor is that when a passenger stores carry-on luggage in the storage shelf on the seat, the aisle is blocked. The second factor is that, among passengers assigned seats in the same row (same seat number) in the front-to-back direction of an aircraft, if the passenger assigned to the aisle seat is seated first and the passenger assigned to the window seat is seated later, the passenger assigned to the aisle seat will need to stand up, move to the aisle, and then guide the passenger assigned to the window seat to take their seat. Therefore, it is desirable to prevent delays in boarding time by mitigating the effects of the above factors through the establishment of certain rules for passengers to board passenger aircraft.

[0006] This invention has been made in view of the above problems, and aims to shorten the time required for passengers to board a passenger aircraft. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An information processing device according to a typical embodiment of the present invention includes: a ticket request receiving unit that receives a request to issue a boarding pass or a boarding information receipt issued at a security checkpoint, which includes at least information specifying a passenger aircraft and information specifying a seat on the passenger aircraft; a storage unit that stores boarding rule information for each passenger aircraft, which is information that associates a plurality of boarding groups divided according to the order in which passengers board the passenger aircraft with the seat identification information; and an information processing device that uses the boarding rule information for the passenger aircraft specified by the ticket request to assign the boarding groups to the seats specified by the ticket request and identify the assigned boarding groups. The aircraft has a rule assignment unit that generates boarding rule assignment information which includes at least information and seat identification information, and an output unit that outputs the boarding rule assignment information as a response to the ticketing request, wherein the boarding group includes a first boarding group and a second boarding group which can board with priority over the first boarding group, and in the boarding rule information, at least a portion of the seats on the front side in the longitudinal direction of the aircraft are associated with the first boarding group, and seats that cover at least a portion of the first boarding group from the left and right sides of the aircraft and the rear seats are associated with the second boarding group. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the time required for passengers to board an aircraft. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This figure shows the configuration of a passenger information management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This diagram shows the functional block structure of the passenger information management system. [Figure 3] This diagram shows the functional block configuration of the information processing device. [Figure 4] This diagram shows the hardware configuration of an information processing device. [Figure 5] This table shows an example of a method for assigning passenger groups according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of a method for assigning passenger groups according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] This table shows an example of a boarding gate allocation method according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] This figure shows an example of a boarding gate allocation method according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] This figure shows an example of a boarding pass printed by an output device. [Figure 10] This figure shows an example of a boarding announcement output by an output device. [Figure 11] This figure shows an example of boarding information displayed by the first display device. [Figure 12] This figure shows an example of boarding gate information displayed by the second display device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] 1. Overview of the Embodiment First, a general overview of a typical embodiment of the invention disclosed in this application will be provided. In the following description, as an example, the reference numerals in the drawings corresponding to the components in each embodiment are indicated in parentheses.

[0011] [1] An information processing device (10) according to one aspect of the present invention includes a ticketing request receiving unit (12) that receives a request to issue a boarding pass (TK) or a boarding information receipt (RC) issued at a security checkpoint, which includes at least information (114A) specifying a passenger aircraft (AP) and information (114C) specifying seats (111B1, 111B2, ..., 111BN) on the passenger aircraft (AP); a plurality of boarding groups (111A) divided according to the order in which passengers board the passenger aircraft (AP); and the seats (111B1, 111B2, ..., A storage unit (11) stores boarding rule information (112), which is information associated with the identification information (111B) of the passenger aircraft (AP) specified by the ticketing request, and assigns the boarding group (111A) to the seat (114C) specified by the ticketing request using the boarding rule information (112) of the passenger aircraft (AP) specified by the ticketing request, and the identification information (117A) of the assigned boarding group (111A) and the assigned seat (111B1, 111B2, ..., 111BN) The aircraft has a rule assignment unit (13) that generates boarding rule assignment information (117) which includes at least identification information (117B) and a boarding rule assignment unit (14) that outputs the boarding rule assignment information (117) as a response to the ticketing request, wherein the boarding group (111A) includes a first boarding group (111A4) and a second boarding group (111A3) which can board with priority over the first boarding group (111A4), and the boarding rule information (112) includes the forward and backward (FB) directions of the passenger aircraft (AP) At least a portion of the forward (F) seats (111B1, 111B2, ..., 111BN) are associated with the first passenger group (111A4), and at least a portion of the first passenger group (111A4) is associated with the second passenger group (111A3) with the seats (111B1, 111B2, ..., 111BN) that cover the left and right (LR) directions of the passenger aircraft (AP), and the seats (111B1, 111B2, ..., 111BN) located on the rear (B) side of the first passenger group (111A4).

[0012] 〔2〕In the boarding rule information (112) of the information processing apparatus (10) described in 〔1〕 above, among the seats (111B1, 111B2, ···, 111BN) on the rear (B) side of a specific position in the front-back (FB) direction of the passenger aircraft (AP), and the seats (111B1, 111B2, ···, 111BN) on the front (F) side of the specific position, the leftmost (L) seat and the rightmost (R) seat in the left-right (LR) direction (111B1, 111B2, ···, 111BN) are associated with the second boarding group (111A3), and at least a part of the seats (111B1, 111B2, ···, 111BN) other than the seats (111B1, 111B2, ···, 111BN) assigned to the second boarding group (111A3) are associated with the first boarding group (111A4), which is preferable.

[0013] 〔3〕In the information processing apparatus (10) described in 〔1〕 or 〔2〕 above, based on the boarding rule information (112), further including a boarding guidance information generation unit (15) that generates boarding guidance information (118A), which is information for prompting the passenger to board the passenger aircraft (AP), and outputs it externally. After generating and outputting the boarding guidance information (118A) for prompting the second boarding group (111A3) to board the passenger aircraft (AP), it is preferable that the boarding guidance information generation unit (15) generates and outputs the boarding guidance information (118A) for prompting the first boarding group (111A4) to board the passenger aircraft (AP).

[0014] [4] The information processing device (10) described in any one of [1] to [3] above further comprises a determination unit (16) that determines whether or not the passenger has a reservation for the passenger aircraft (AP), and when the determination unit (16) receives the ticketing request, it determines the passenger's reservation information for the passenger aircraft (115) which is associated with the passenger's identification information (115B) that has been reserved, the passenger aircraft's identification information (115A) that has been reserved, and the seat's identification information (115C) that has been reserved (111B1, 111B2, ..., 111BN), and the information included in the ticketing request The system determines whether the passenger identification information (114B), the passenger aircraft (AP) identification information (114A), and the seat identification information (114C) (111B1, 111B2, ..., 111BN) match, and outputs a determination result (116) indicating a match or mismatch. The rule assignment unit (13) preferably generates the boarding rule assignment information (117) when the determination result (116) indicating a match is output, and does not generate the boarding rule assignment information (117) when the determination result (116) indicating a mismatch is output.

[0015] 〔5〕In the information processing apparatus (10) according to any one of 〔1〕 to 〔4〕 above, the storage unit (11) stores boarding gate rule information (113) which is information in which the identification information (111C) of boarding gates (111C1, 111C2, …, 111CN) used when the passenger boards the aircraft (AP) is associated with the identification information (111B) of the seats (111B1, 111B2, ···, 111BN) for each aircraft (AP). Based on the boarding gate rule information (113), a boarding gate guidance information generation unit (17) generates boarding gate guidance information (118B) which is information for guiding the boarding gates (111C1, 111C2, …, 111CN) used when the passenger boards the aircraft (AP), and outputs it to the outside. The rule assignment unit (13) uses the boarding gate rule information (113) of the aircraft (AP) specified by the ticket issuance request to assign the boarding gates (111C1, 111C2, …, 111CN) to the seat (114C) specified by the ticket issuance request, generates and outputs boarding rule assignment information (117) including at least the identification information (117C) of the assigned boarding gates (111C1, 111C2, …, 111CN). It is preferable that the boarding gate guidance information generation unit (17) generates and outputs the boarding gate guidance information (118B) in which the information (111B) of the seats (111B1, 111B2, ···, 111BN) is associated with the information (111C) of the boarding gates (111C1, 111C2, …, 111CN) to be used.

[0016] [6] In the information processing device (10) described in any one of [1] to [5] above, the boarding gates (111C1, 111C2, ..., 111CN) include a first boarding gate (111C1) and a second boarding gate (111C2) located on the rear (B) side of the passenger aircraft (AP) in the front-to-back (FB) direction from the first boarding gate (111C1), and in the boarding gate rule information (113), seats (111B1) located on the rear (B) side of a specific position in the front-to-back (FB) direction of the passenger aircraft (AP) It is preferable that, among seats (111B1, 111B2, ..., 111BN), seats (111B1, 111B2, ..., 111BN) that are closer to the second boarding gate (111C2) than a specific position in the left-right (LR) direction are associated with the second boarding gate (111C2), and seats (111B1, 111B2, ..., 111BN) other than those associated with the second boarding gate (111C2) are associated with the first boarding gate (111C1).

[0017] [7] A boarding information management system (100) according to one aspect of the present invention comprises an information processing device (10) described in any one of [1] to [6] above, and an output device (30) that transmits the ticketing request to the information processing device (10) in response to an operation input, receives the response output from the information processing device (10), and outputs the boarding pass (TK) or boarding information receipt (RC) containing the information included in the response.

[0018] [8] The boarding information management system (100) described in [7] above preferably further comprises a first display device (42) that displays the boarding information (118A) output from the boarding information generation unit (15).

[0019] [9] In the boarding information management system (100) described in [7] or [8] above, it is preferable to further include a second display device (51) that displays the boarding gate information (118B) output from the boarding gate information generation unit (17).

[0020]

[10] In the boarding information management system (100) described in either [7] or [9] above, it is preferable that the system further comprises a reservation information management device (20) that stores the reservation information (115), and when the information processing device (10) receives the ticketing request, it requests the reservation information management device (20) to transmit the reservation information (115), and the reservation information management device (20) transmits the reservation information (115) to the information processing device (10) in response to the request to transmit the reservation information (115).

[0021] 2. Specific Examples of Embodiments Specific examples of embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, common components in each embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and repeated explanations will be omitted. It should also be noted that the drawings are schematic, and the dimensional relationships and ratios of each element may differ from reality. There may also be parts where the dimensional relationships and ratios differ between drawings.

[0022] ≪Boarding Information Management System≫ Figure 1 shows the configuration of a passenger information management system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] The boarding information management system 100 shown in Figure 1 is a system that assigns multiple boarding groups, divided according to the order in which passengers board the aircraft, and a boarding gate to be used for each passenger, as rules for when passengers board an aircraft, and guides passengers to the boarding group and boarding gate assigned to them.

[0024] As shown in Figure 1, the boarding information management system 100 includes an information processing device 10, a reservation information management device 20, an output device 30, a boarding gate ticket gate terminal 40, and a boarding gate information display device 50. When the boarding information management system 100 receives a request from the output device 30 installed at the airport to issue a boarding pass TK (see Figure 9) or a boarding information receipt RC (see Figure 10) (hereinafter also referred to as "check-in"), it outputs a boarding pass TK or boarding information receipt RC containing boarding rule assignment information 117 (see Figure 3) assigned to each passenger as a response to the request. Furthermore, when a passenger terminal 200 held by a passenger requests the issuance of a boarding information receipt RC (see Figure 10), the boarding information management system 100 may output a boarding information receipt RC containing boarding rule assignment information 117 (see Figure 3) assigned to each passenger as a response to the request. Furthermore, the boarding information management system 100 displays boarding information 118A (see Figure 3), which is information that prompts passengers to board the passenger aircraft AP, and boarding gate information 118B (see Figure 3), which is information that guides passengers to the boarding gate to use when boarding the passenger aircraft.

[0025] First, we will describe the hardware configuration of the information processing device 10, the reservation information management device 20, the output device 30, the boarding gate ticket gate terminal 40, and the boarding gate information display device 50. Figure 4 shows the hardware configuration of the information processing device.

[0026] The information processing device 10 is a device that, in response to a ticketing request from a passenger, outputs boarding rule assignment information 117 as a response to the ticketing request, which includes boarding group assignment information 117A, which is information about boarding groups that assign the order in which each passenger will board the passenger aircraft AP; seat assignment information 117B, which is information about the seat assigned to each passenger; and boarding gate assignment information 117C, which is information that assigns each passenger the boarding gate to be used when boarding the passenger aircraft AP.

[0027] The reservation information management device 20 is a device that receives reservation information 115 transmitted from the passenger terminal 200 and transmits the reservation information 115 to the information processing device 10 in response to a request from the information processing device 10.

[0028] The output device 30 is a kiosk terminal that outputs various information related to passenger boarding. A kiosk terminal is an information processing device equipped with an input interface that accepts user operations. Examples of output devices 30 include a terminal 30A (hereinafter also referred to as "security checkpoint terminal 30A") installed at a security checkpoint and issuing boarding information receipts RC (see Figure 10) in response to operational input from passengers passing through the security checkpoint, and a terminal 30B (hereinafter also referred to as "departure lobby terminal 30B") installed at an airport check-in counter and issuing boarding passes TK (see Figure 9) in response to operational input from passengers arriving in the airport departure lobby.

[0029] The boarding gate ticket gate terminal 40 is a device that displays boarding information 118A, which is information that prompts passengers to board the passenger aircraft AP, in the vicinity of the boarding gate ticket gate.

[0030] The boarding gate information display device 50 is a device that displays boarding gate information 118B, which is information that guides passengers to the boarding gates 111C1, 111C2, ..., 111CN used when boarding the passenger aircraft AP, around the boarding bridge.

[0031] The information processing device 10, reservation information management device 20, security checkpoint terminal 30A, departure lobby terminal 30B, boarding gate ticket gate terminal 40, and boarding gate information display device 50 are configured to include a program processing device that performs data processing according to a program stored in a storage device, such as a PC (Personal Computer), server, tablet terminal, kiosk terminal, digital signage, and smartphone. In embodiments of the present invention, the information processing device 10 and the reservation information management device 20 are servers, the security checkpoint terminal 30A and the departure lobby terminal 30B are kiosk terminals (client terminals), the boarding gate ticket gate terminal 40 is a PC with a first display device 42, and the boarding gate information display device 50 is digital signage, but is not limited to these. In other words, the information processing device 10, the reservation information management device 20, the security checkpoint terminal 30A, the departure lobby terminal 30B, the boarding gate ticket gate terminal 40, and the boarding gate information display device 50 only need to include a program processing device that performs data processing according to a program stored in a storage device.

[0032] The information processing device 10 and the reservation information management device 20 are installed, for example, in a server room managed by an airline or in a data center managed by a cloud service provider. The security checkpoint terminal 30A is installed, for example, at a security checkpoint. The departure lobby terminal 30B is installed, for example, at the check-in counter at the airport. The boarding gate ticket gate terminal 40 is installed, for example, around the boarding gates at an airport. The boarding gate information display device 50 is installed, for example, around the boarding bridge at an airport.

[0033] The information processing device 10 includes, as hardware resources, an arithmetic unit 101, a storage device 102, an input device 103, an I / F (Interface) device 104, an output device 105, and a bus 106. The reservation information management device 20 includes, as hardware resources, a processing unit 201, a storage device 202, an input device 203, an I / F (Interface) device 204, an output device 205, and a bus 206. The security checkpoint terminal 30A and the departure lobby terminal 30B are equipped with hardware resources including a computing unit 301, a storage device 302, an input device 303, an I / F (Interface) device 304, an output device 305, and a bus 306. The boarding gate ticket terminal 40 is equipped with hardware resources including a computing unit 401, a storage device 402, an input device 403, an I / F (Interface) device 404, an output device 405, and a bus 406. The boarding gate information display device 50 includes, as hardware resources, a processing unit 501, a storage device 502, an input device 503, an I / F (Interface) device 504, an output device 505, and a bus 506. In the following, among the arithmetic units 101, 201, 301, 401, 501, memory devices 102, 202, 302, 402, 502, input devices 103, 203, 303, 403, 503, I / F (Interface) devices 104, 204, 304, 404, 504, output devices 105, 205, 305, 405, 505, and buses 106, 206, 306, 406, 506, any overlapping sections will be described under a single reference numeral.

[0034] The arithmetic units 101, 201, 301, 401, and 501 are composed of processors such as CPUs (Central Processing Units) and DSPs (Digital Signal Processors). The storage devices 102, 202, 302, 402, and 502 have storage areas that store programs for causing the arithmetic units 101, 201, 301, 401, and 501 to perform various data processing, as well as data such as parameters and calculation results used in the data processing by the arithmetic units 101, 201, 301, 401, and 501. These storage devices are composed of, for example, ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), HDDs, and flash memory.

[0035] Here, programs 1021, 2021, 3021, 4021, and 5021 include programs for causing the computer to function as an information processing device 10, a reservation information management device 20, a security checkpoint terminal 30A, a departure lobby terminal 30B, a boarding gate ticket gate terminal 40, and a boarding gate information display device 50. For example, programs 1021, 2021, 3021, 4021, and 5021 are programs for enabling the boarding information management system 100 according to this embodiment to assign boarding groups and boarding gates to each passenger and to guide passengers to the boarding groups and boarding gates assigned to them (native application), and are, for example, downloaded in advance from an external device (e.g., an external storage medium) and stored in storage devices 102, 202, 302, 402, and 502 within the information processing device 10, the reservation information management device 20, the security checkpoint terminal 30A, the departure lobby terminal 30B, the boarding gate ticket gate terminal 40, and the boarding gate information display device 50.

[0036] Furthermore, data 1022, 2022, 3022, 4022, and 5022 include data such as various parameters necessary for assigning boarding groups and gates to each passenger in programs 1021, 2021, 3021, 4021, and 5021, calculation results from data processing for assigning boarding groups and gates to each passenger, and data such as various parameters necessary for informing passengers of the boarding groups and gates assigned to them. For example, data 1022 includes boarding group information 111A, seat information 111B, boarding gate information 111C, boarding rule information 112, boarding gate rule information 113, ticketing request information 114, reservation information 115, judgment result 116, boarding rule assignment information 117, boarding rule guidance information 118, flight information 119, etc. Furthermore, for example, data 2022 includes reservation information 115, flight information 119, etc.

[0037] Furthermore, programs 1021, 2021, 3021, 4021, and 5021, and data 1022, 2022, 3022, 4022, and 5022 may be distributed via a network, or they may be written to a computer-readable storage medium such as a CD-ROM and distributed therein.

[0038] Input devices 103, 203, 303, 403, and 503 are functional units that detect information input from the outside, and consist of, for example, a keyboard, mouse, pointing device, buttons, or touch panel. I / F devices 104, 204, 304, 404, and 504 are functional units that send and receive information with the outside, and consist of a communication control circuit, input / output ports, antennas, etc., for wired or wireless communication.

[0039] Output devices 105, 205, 305, 405, and 505 are functional units that output information obtained through data processing by the arithmetic units 101, 201, 301, 401, and 501. Examples of output devices 105, 205, 305, 405, and 505 include external storage devices such as SSDs (Solid State Drives) and HDDs (Hard Disk Drives), and display devices such as console units. Buses 106, 206, 306, 406, and 506 are functional units that interconnect the arithmetic units 101, 201, 301, 401, and 501, the memory devices 102, 202, 302, 402, and 502, the input devices 103, 203, 303, 403, and 503, the I / F (Interface) devices 104, 204, 304, 404, and 504, and the output devices 105, 205, 305, 405, and 505, enabling the exchange of data between these devices.

[0040] Next, we will describe in detail each functional block of the boarding information management system 100. Figure 2 shows the functional block configuration of the passenger information management system. Figure 3 shows the functional block configuration of the information processing device.

[0041] As shown in Figure 3, the information processing device 10 assigns a boarding group and boarding gate to each passenger and has the following functional blocks for guiding passengers to the assigned boarding group and boarding gate: a ticketing request receiving unit 12, a rule assignment unit 13, an output unit 14, a boarding guidance information generation unit 15, a determination unit 16, a boarding gate guidance information generation unit 17, a reservation information request unit 18, a reservation information receiving unit 19, and a storage unit 11.

[0042] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, the reservation information management device 20 includes a reservation information receiving unit 22, a reservation information transmission unit 23, and a storage unit 21 as functional blocks for assigning boarding groups and boarding gates to each passenger.

[0043] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, the security checkpoint terminal 30A and the departure lobby terminal 30B have a ticketing request receiving unit 31, a ticketing request transmission unit 32, a response receiving unit 33, and an output unit 34 as functional blocks for assigning boarding groups and gates to each passenger and guiding passengers to the boarding groups and gates assigned to them.

[0044] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, the boarding gate ticketing terminal 40 has a boarding rule information receiving unit 41 and a first display device 42 as functional blocks for guiding passengers to the boarding group assigned to them.

[0045] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, the boarding gate information display device 50 has a second display device 51 as a functional block for guiding passengers to the boarding gate assigned to them.

[0046] These functional blocks are realized through the cooperation of the aforementioned hardware resources and software that constitute the information processing device 10, reservation information management device 20, security checkpoint terminal 30A, departure lobby terminal 30B, boarding gate ticket gate terminal 40, and boarding gate information display device 50. That is, in the information processing device 10, reservation information management device 20, security checkpoint terminal 30A, departure lobby terminal 30B, boarding gate ticket gate terminal 40, and boarding gate information display device 50, the arithmetic units 101, 201, 301, 401, 501 process the programs 1021, 2021, 3021, 4021, 5021 and data 1022, 2021 Various calculations are performed according to 022, 3022, 4022, and 5022, and the storage devices 102, 202, 302, 402, and 502, input devices 103, 203, 303, 403, and 503, and the I / F (Interface) device 104 in the information processing device 10, reservation information management device 20, security checkpoint terminal 30A, departure lobby terminal 30B, boarding gate ticket gate terminal 40, and boarding gate information display device 50. By controlling 204, 304, 404, 504, output devices 105, 205, 305, 405, 505, and buses 106, 206, 306, 406, 506, the above-mentioned functional blocks (ticketing request reception unit 12, rule assignment unit 13, output unit 14, boarding guidance information generation unit 15, determination unit 16, boarding guidance information generation unit 17, reservation information request unit 18, reservation information reception unit 19, storage unit 11, reservation information reception unit 22, reservation information transmission unit 23, storage unit 21, ticketing request reception unit 31, ticketing request transmission unit 32, response reception unit 33, output unit 34, boarding rule guidance information reception unit 41, first display device 42, and second display device 51) in the information processing device 10, reservation information management device 20, security checkpoint terminal 30A, departure lobby terminal 30B, boarding gate ticket gate terminal 40, and boarding gate information display device 50 are realized. Furthermore, at least one of the above functional blocks may be implemented by a dedicated circuit.

[0047] First, let's explain the functional blocks of the information processing device 10. The ticketing request reception unit 12 is a functional unit that receives requests for the issuance of boarding passes TK, which include at least information 114A (hereinafter also referred to as "passenger aircraft identification information 114A") specifying the passenger aircraft AP (see Figure 6) and information 114C (hereinafter also referred to as "seat assignment information 114C") specifying the seats 111B1, 111B2, ..., 111BN of the passenger aircraft AP. As a specific example, the ticketing request receiving unit 12 receives ticketing requests transmitted from passenger terminals 200 or output devices 30 connected via a network (not shown), and instructs each functional unit within the information processing device 10 to execute processing in accordance with the received ticketing requests.

[0048] For example, the ticketing request receiving unit 12 receives ticketing request information 114 transmitted from the passenger terminal 200 or output device 30, which includes passenger aircraft identification information 114A, which is information for specifying and identifying the passenger aircraft that the passenger intends to use; passenger identification information 114B, which is information for identifying the passenger's personal information; and seat reservation information 114C, which is information for specifying the seat on the passenger aircraft that the passenger intends to use.

[0049] The ticketing request receiving unit 12 receives ticketing requests transmitted from, for example, a passenger terminal 200 or output device 30 connected via a network (not shown), and stores the ticketing request information 114 in the storage unit 11. The ticketing request information 114 may be stored in the storage unit 11 in advance.

[0050] The rule assignment unit 13 is a functional unit that uses boarding rule information 112, which is information that associates multiple boarding groups 111A, which are divided according to the order in which passengers board each passenger aircraft AP as specified by the ticketing request, with identification information 111B for seats 111B1, 111B2, ..., 111BN, to assign boarding groups 111A to seats 114C specified by the ticketing request, and generates boarding rule assignment information 117 which includes at least the identification information 117A of the assigned boarding group 111A and the identification information 117B of the assigned seats 111B1, 111B2, ..., 111BN. Specifically, the rule assignment unit 13, based on the ticketing request, assigns one seat 111BN, selected from among multiple boarding groups 111A1, 111A2, ..., 111AN included in the boarding group information 111A, to one seat 111BN designated by the passenger, from among the seats 111B1, 111B2, ..., 111BN included in the seat information 111BB, which is information about seats on the passenger aircraft AP. Based on the boarding rule information 112, it assigns one boarding group 111AN to one of the multiple boarding groups 111A1, 111A2, ..., 111AN included in the boarding group information 111A, and generates boarding rule assignment information 117, which includes the identification information 117A of the assigned boarding group 111AN and the identification information 117B of the assigned seat 111BN. Details of the method for generating boarding rule information 112 that associates identification information 111B with boarding groups 111A1, 111A2, ..., 111AN and seats 111B1, 111B2, ..., 111BN, and the method for generating boarding rule assignment information 117 using the boarding rule information 112 will be described later.

[0051] The rule assignment unit 13 generates boarding gate rule information 113, which is information that associates identification information 111C of boarding gates 111C1, 111C2, ..., 111CN used when passengers board the passenger aircraft AP, with identification information 111B of seats 111B1, 111B2, ..., 111BN, and stores it in the storage unit 11. Furthermore, the rule assignment unit 13 uses the boarding gate rule information 113 of the passenger aircraft AP specified by the ticketing request to assign boarding gates 111C1, 111C2, ..., 111CN to the seat 114C specified by the ticketing request, and generates and outputs boarding rule assignment information 117 which includes at least the identification information 117C of the assigned boarding gates 111C1, 111C2, ..., 111CN. Details of the method for generating boarding gate rule information 113 by associating identification information 111C for boarding gates 111C1, 111C2, ..., 111CN with identification information 111B for seats 111B1, 111B2, ..., 111BN, and the method for generating boarding rule assignment information 117 using the boarding gate rule information 113 will be described later.

[0052] The output unit 14 is a functional unit that outputs boarding rule assignment information 117 as a response to the ticketing request. Specifically, the output unit 14 transmits the boarding rule assignment information 117 generated by the rule assignment unit 13 to the passenger terminal 200 or output device 30 as a response to the ticketing request received by the ticketing request reception unit 12.

[0053] For example, the output unit 14 instructs the output device 30 to output a boarding pass TK or boarding information receipt RC containing boarding rule assignment information 117. The output unit 14 may also transmit a boarding pass TK containing boarding rule assignment information 117 to the passenger terminal 200. The boarding pass TK may be in paper form or as an electronic record.

[0054] The boarding information generation unit 15 is a functional unit that generates boarding information 118A, which is information prompting passengers to board the passenger aircraft AP, based on the boarding rule information 112, and outputs it to the outside. Specifically, the boarding information generation unit 15 generates boarding information 118A based on boarding group information 111A and seat information 111B, transmits the boarding information 118A to the boarding gate ticket gate terminal 40, and outputs a command to the boarding gate ticket gate terminal 40 to display the boarding information 118A on the first display device 42.

[0055] Furthermore, the boarding information generation unit 15 generates and outputs boarding information 118A prompting the second boarding group 111A3 to board the passenger aircraft AP, and then generates and outputs boarding information 118A prompting the first boarding group 111A4 to board the passenger aircraft AP. Specifically, the boarding information generation unit 15 generates boarding information 118A to encourage the second boarding group 111A3 to board the aircraft AP, and outputs a command to the boarding gate ticket gate terminal 40 to display the boarding information 118A on the first display device 42. After that, it generates boarding information 118A to encourage the first boarding group 111A4 to board the aircraft AP, and outputs a command to the boarding gate ticket gate terminal 40 to display the boarding information 118A on the first display device 42.

[0056] The determination unit 16 is a functional unit that determines whether or not a passenger has a reservation for an AP (Airport Passenger) on an aircraft. Specifically, when the ticketing request receiving unit 12 receives a ticketing request, the determination unit 16 determines whether the passenger's aircraft reservation information 115, which is associated with the reserved passenger's identification information 115B, the reserved aircraft's identification information 115A, and the identification information 115C of the reserved seats 111B1, 111B2, ..., 111BN, matches the ticketing request information 114, which is associated with the passenger's identification information 114B, the aircraft AP's identification information 114A, and the identification information 114 of the seats 111B1, 111B2, ..., 111BN included in the ticketing request, matches, and outputs a determination result 116 indicating whether they match or not. In this case, the rule assignment unit 13 generates boarding rule assignment information 117 if a judgment result 116 indicating a match is output, and does not generate boarding rule assignment information 117 if a judgment result 116 indicating a mismatch is output.

[0057] The boarding gate information generation unit 17 is a functional unit that generates boarding gate information 118B, which is information that guides passengers to the boarding gates 111C1, 111C2, ..., 111CN used when passengers board the passenger aircraft AP, based on boarding gate rule information 113, which is information that associates identification information 111C of boarding gates 111C1, 111C2, ..., 111CN used when passengers board the passenger aircraft AP, with identification information 111B of seats 111B1, 111B2, ..., 111BN, and outputs this information to the outside. Specifically, the boarding gate information generation unit 17 generates boarding gate information 118B based on boarding gate information 111C, which includes seat information 111B and information on boarding gates 111C1, 111C2, ..., 111CN to be used, transmits the boarding gate information information 118B to the boarding gate information display device 50, and outputs a command to the boarding gate information display device 50 to display the boarding gate information information 118B on the second display device 51.

[0058] Furthermore, the boarding gate information generation unit 17 generates and outputs boarding gate information 118B, which associates information 111B about seats 111B1, 111B2, ..., 111BN with information 111C about boarding gates 111C1, 111C2, ..., 111CN to be used. Specifically, the boarding gate information generation unit 17 generates boarding gate information 118B and outputs a command to the boarding gate information display device 50 to display the boarding gate information 118B on the second display device 51.

[0059] The reservation information request unit 18 is a functional unit that requests the reservation information management device 20 to transmit reservation information 115 based on the flight information 119. The reservation information request unit 18 requests the reservation information management device 20 to transmit reservation information 115, for example, 48 hours before the scheduled boarding time for each passenger aircraft flight.

[0060] The reservation information receiving unit 19 is a functional unit that receives reservation information 115 transmitted from the reservation information management device 20 and stores the reservation information 115 in the storage unit 11.

[0061] The memory unit 11 is a functional unit for assigning boarding groups and boarding gates to each passenger and storing various data such as parameters and data processing results necessary for data processing to guide passengers to the assigned boarding group and boarding gate. For example, the memory unit 11 stores the above-mentioned boarding group information 111A, seat information 111B, boarding gate information 111C, boarding rule information 112, boarding gate rule information 113, ticketing request information 114, reservation information 115, judgment result 116, boarding rule assignment information 117, boarding rule guidance information 118, and flight information 119.

[0062] Boarding group information 111A includes information on multiple boarding groups, divided according to the order in which passengers board the passenger aircraft AP, specifically Group 1 (111A1), Group 2 (111A2), ..., and Group N (111AN). Hereinafter, boarding group information 111A will also be referred to as boarding group 111A.

[0063] Boarding group 111A is assigned by the rule assignment unit 13 to each seat 111B1, 111B2, ..., 111BN specified in the ticketing request received by the ticketing request reception unit 12. When boarding the passenger aircraft AP, passengers are instructed to board in the order of their assigned boarding group, based on boarding group information 111A assigned to their seat.

[0064] As shown in Figure 6, boarding group 111A includes a first boarding group 111A4 and a second boarding group 111A3, which has priority boarding over the first boarding group 111A4. Details regarding the first boarding group 111A4 and the second boarding group 111A3 will be provided later.

[0065] Seat information 111B includes information such as the seat arrangement, number, and identification number of the passenger aircraft AP, as defined for each aircraft type of passenger aircraft AP. For example, as shown in Figures 6 and 8, seat information 111B includes information that, relative to the nose of the passenger aircraft AP, there are 12 seats in 6 rows (A, C, D, G, H, K) in the front-to-back (FB) direction in rows 1 to 2, 6 seats in the left-to-right (LR) direction in rows A, C, D, E, F, G, H, K in rows 5 to 19 in the front-to-back (FB) direction in rows 5 to 19, 94 seats in 8 rows (A, C, D, E, F, G, H, K) in the left-to-right (LR) direction in rows 27 to 61, 263 seats in 9 rows (A, B, C, D, E, G, H, J, K) in the left-to-right (LR) direction in rows 27 to 61, for a total of 369 seats, as well as information regarding an identification number to uniquely identify each of the 369 seats. Each seat included in seat information 111B is uniquely identified by an identification number. The seat information included in seat information 111B is stored as seat 1 (111B1), seat 2 (111B2), ..., seat N (111BN). Hereafter, seat information 111B will also be referred to as seat 111B.

[0066] Gate information 111C includes information on gates 1 (111C1), 2 (111C2), ..., and N (111CN), which are designated for each aircraft type of passenger aircraft AP and are used when passengers board passenger aircraft AP. Hereinafter, gate information 111C will also be referred to as gate 111C.

[0067] Gate 111C is assigned by the rule allocation unit 13 to each seat 111B1, 111B2, ..., 111BN specified in the ticketing request received by the ticketing request reception unit 12. When boarding an aircraft AP, passengers are instructed to board from the gate designated based on the gate information 111C assigned to their seat.

[0068] As shown in Figure 8, boarding gate 111C includes a first boarding gate 111C1 and a second boarding gate 111C2 located on the rear B side in the front-to-rear FB direction of the passenger aircraft AP, relative to the first boarding gate 111C1. Details regarding boarding gate 111C1 and boarding gate 211C2 will be provided later.

[0069] The boarding rule information 112 is information that associates multiple boarding groups 111A, which are divided according to the order in which passengers board the passenger aircraft AP, with identification information 111B for seats 111B1, 111B2, ..., 111BN, and includes information specified for each passenger aircraft AP. Specifically, the boarding rule information 112 includes a table showing the correspondence between the boarding groups 111A assigned to each seat 111B1, 111B2, ..., 111BN, as shown in Figure 5.

[0070] The boarding gate rule information 113 is information that associates identification information 111C of boarding gates 111C1, 111C2, ..., 111CN used when a passenger boards an aircraft AP with identification information 111B of seats 111B1, 111B2, ..., 111BN, and includes information specified for each aircraft AP. Specifically, the boarding gate rule information 113 includes a table showing the correspondence between the boarding gates 111C assigned to each seat 111B1, 111B2, ..., 111BN, as shown in Figure 7.

[0071] The ticketing request information 114 is information included in the ticketing request transmitted from the passenger terminal 200 or output device 30. The ticketing request information 114 is associated with, for example, passenger aircraft identification information 114A, which is information for specifying and identifying the passenger aircraft that the passenger plans to use; passenger identification information 114B, which is information for identifying the passenger's personal information; and seat assignment information 114C, which is information for specifying the seat on the passenger aircraft that the passenger plans to use.

[0072] Reservation information 115 is information received by the reservation information management device 20 from the passenger terminal 200 and stored in the storage unit 21. In response to a transmission request from the information processing device 10, the reservation information management device 20 transmits the information to the information processing device 10, and the information processing device 10 receives the information transmitted from the reservation information management device 20 and stores it in the storage unit 11. Reservation information 115 is associated with, for example, passenger aircraft identification information 115A, which is information for specifying and identifying the passenger aircraft that the passenger has reserved to use; passenger identification information 115B, which is information for identifying the personal information of the passenger who made the reservation; and seat assignment information 115C, which is information for specifying the seat on the passenger aircraft that the passenger has reserved to use.

[0073] Passenger aircraft identification information 114A and passenger aircraft identification information 115A include, for example, the flight number that the airline plans to operate, as information to identify the passenger aircraft designated by the passenger.

[0074] Passenger identification information 114B and passenger identification information 115B include, but are not limited to, the passenger's name as information for identifying the passenger's personal information. Passenger identification information 114B and passenger identification information 115B may include, for example, the passenger's gender, age, address, etc., as information for identifying the passenger's personal information.

[0075] Seat reservation information 114C and seat reservation information 115C include information for selecting at least one seat from among the seats included in seat reservation information 111B, as information for selecting a seat on a passenger aircraft.

[0076] The determination result 116 includes the result of determining whether the passenger's aircraft reservation information 115, to which the reserved passenger identification information 115B, the reserved aircraft identification information 115A, and the reserved seat identification information 115C 111B1, 111B2, ..., 111BN are associated, matches the ticketing request information 114, to which the passenger identification information 114B, the aircraft AP identification information 114A, and the seat identification information 114 included in the ticketing request are associated.

[0077] Specifically, the determination result 116 includes the results of the determination unit 16's determination of whether the passenger aircraft identification information 114A and passenger aircraft identification information 115A match, whether the passenger identification information 114B and passenger identification information 115B match, and whether the seat assignment information 114C and seat assignment information 115C match. The determination unit 16 determines that the reservation information 115 and the ticketing request information 114 match only if the passenger aircraft identification information 114A and passenger aircraft identification information 115A match, the passenger identification information 114B and passenger identification information 115B match, and the seat assignment information 114C and seat assignment information 115C match, and outputs a determination result 116 indicating a match.

[0078] The boarding rule assignment information 117 is information generated by the rule assignment unit 13 when the determination unit 16 outputs a determination result 116 indicating that the reservation information 115 and the ticketing request information 114 match. The boarding rule assignment information 117 is information obtained when the rule assignment unit 13 uses the boarding rule information 112 of the passenger aircraft AP specified by the ticketing request to assign boarding group 111A to seat 114C specified by the ticketing request, and generates information that includes at least the identification information 117A of the assigned boarding group 111A and the identification information 117B of seats 111B1, 111B2, ..., 111BN.

[0079] Furthermore, the boarding rule assignment information 117 is information obtained when the rule assignment unit 13 uses the boarding gate rule information 113 of the passenger aircraft AP specified by the ticketing request to assign the boarding gate 111C to the seat 114C specified by the ticketing request, and generates information that includes at least the identification information 117C of the assigned boarding gate 111C.

[0080] The boarding rule assignment information 117 includes boarding group assignment information 117A, which is the identification information of the boarding group 111A assigned to each passenger; seat assignment information 117B, which is the identification information of the seats 111B1, 111B2, ..., 111BN assigned to each passenger; and gate assignment information 117C, which is the identification information of the gates 111C1, 111C2, ..., 111CN that the passenger will use when boarding the passenger aircraft AP.

[0081] Boarding rules information 118 includes boarding information 118A, which is information prompting passengers to board the passenger aircraft AP, and boarding gate information 118B, which is information indicating the boarding gates 111C1, 111C2, ..., 111CN that passengers will use when boarding the passenger aircraft AP. The boarding information 118A is information obtained by the boarding information generation unit 15 based on the boarding rule information 112. The boarding gate information 118B is information obtained by the boarding gate information generation unit 17 based on the boarding gate rule information 113.

[0082] Flight information 119 contains information about passenger aircraft AP flights planned by the airline. Flight information 119 includes, but is not limited to, the flight number, aircraft used for the flight, departure and arrival airports, date of travel, and departure and arrival times.

[0083] Next, we will describe the functional blocks of the reservation information management device 20. The reservation information receiving unit 22 is a functional unit that receives reservation information 115 transmitted from the passenger terminal 200 and stores the reservation information 115 in the storage unit 11. Specifically, the reservation information receiving unit 22, in response to a communication request from the passenger terminal 200, sends a screen for the passenger to make a boarding reservation for the passenger aircraft AP to the browser of the passenger terminal 200. Furthermore, when the reservation information receiving unit 22 receives the reservation information 115 entered by the passenger on the boarding reservation screen and transmits it from the passenger terminal 200, it stores the reservation information 115 in the storage unit 21.

[0084] The reservation information transmission unit 23 is a functional unit that transmits reservation information 115 to the information processing device 10 in response to a request from the reservation information request unit 18.

[0085] The reservation information request unit 18 is a functional unit that requests the reservation information management device 20 to transmit reservation information 115 based on the flight information 119. The reservation information transmission unit 23 receives a request from the reservation information request unit 18 when it is 48 hours before the scheduled boarding time for each passenger flight, and transmits the reservation information 115 stored in the storage unit 21 to the information processing device 10.

[0086] The memory unit 21 is a functional unit for assigning boarding groups and boarding gates to each passenger and for storing various data such as parameters and data processing results necessary for data processing to guide passengers to the assigned boarding group and boarding gate. For example, the memory unit 21 stores the reservation information 115 and flight information 119 mentioned above.

[0087] Next, the functional blocks of the output device 30 will be described. The ticketing request reception unit 31 is a functional unit that receives requests for the issuance of boarding passes TK (see Figure 9) or boarding information receipts RC (see Figure 10) from passengers arriving at the airport departure lobby or passing through security checkpoints, in response to operational inputs on the output device 30. Furthermore, if the passenger enters seat reservation information 114C that is different from the seat reservation information 115C, the ticketing request reception unit 31 stores that information in the storage unit 11.

[0088] The ticketing request transmission unit 32 is a functional unit that transmits a ticketing request for a boarding pass TK (see Figure 9) or boarding information receipt RC (see Figure 10) to the information processing device 10, in response to the operation input on the output device 30 by a passenger arriving at the airport departure lobby or passing through the security checkpoint. Furthermore, if a passenger enters seat reservation information 114C that is different from the seat reservation information 115C, the ticketing request transmission unit 32 corrects the seat reservation information 115C to the seat reservation information 114C entered by the passenger, includes the corrected seat reservation information 115C in the information to be transmitted, and then sends the ticketing request to the information processing device 10.

[0089] The response receiving unit 33 is a functional unit that receives responses output from the information processing device 10. Specifically, the response receiving unit 33 receives the boarding rule assignment information 117 output by the output unit 14.

[0090] The output unit 34 is a functional unit that outputs a boarding pass TK (see Figure 9) or boarding information receipt RC (see Figure 10) containing the information included in the response. Specifically, the output unit 34 outputs a boarding pass TK or boarding information receipt RC that includes boarding rule assignment information 117. The boarding pass TK may be in paper form or as an electronic record.

[0091] Next, we will explain the functional blocks of the boarding gate ticket terminal 40. The boarding rules information receiving unit 41 is a functional unit that receives boarding information 118A output from the boarding information generation unit 15.

[0092] The first display device 42 is a device that displays boarding information 118A received by the boarding rule information reception unit 41 near the boarding gate ticket gate. The first display device 42 is, for example, a PC having multiple displays.

[0093] Next, we will describe the functional blocks of the boarding gate information display device 50. The second display device 51 is a device that displays boarding gate information 118B output from the boarding gate information generation unit 17 in the vicinity of the boarding bridge. The second display device 51 is, for example, a digital signage display.

[0094] Next, we will describe a method for generating boarding rule information 112 that associates boarding group 111A with seat information 111B, and a method for generating boarding rule assignment information 117 (boarding group assignment information 117A) using the boarding rule information 112. Figure 5 is a table showing an example of a method for assigning passenger groups according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 shows an example of a method for assigning passenger groups according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0095] Figure 5 shows boarding rule R11 as boarding rule information 112, which associates boarding group 111A with seat information 111B. Furthermore, Figure 6 shows the boarding groups 111A assigned to each seat by the boarding rule information 112 generated based on boarding rule R11.

[0096] In this embodiment, the passenger group 111A has four subgroups: group 1 (111A1), group 2 (111A2), group 3 (111A3), and group 4 (111A4). The order in which passengers board the AP aircraft is in order of decreasing priority: Group 1 (111A1), Group 2 (111A2), Group 3 (111A3), Group 4 (111A4), and Group 5 (111A5).

[0097] In other words, passengers with seats assigned to Group 1 (111A1) will have priority boarding over passengers with seats assigned to Group 2 (111A2), Group 3 (111A3), and Group 4 (111A4). Similarly, passengers with seats assigned to Group 2 (111A2) will have priority boarding over passengers with seats assigned to Group 3 (111A3) and passengers with seats assigned to Group 4 (111A4). Similarly, passengers with seats assigned to Group 3 (111A3) will have priority boarding over passengers with seats assigned to Group 4 (111A4).

[0098] As previously mentioned, seat information 111B shows that, relative to the nose of the passenger aircraft AP, rows 1 and 2 in the forward / backward direction have 12 seats in 6 rows (A, C, D, G, H, K in the left / right direction), rows 5 to 19 in the forward / backward direction have 94 seats in 8 rows (A, C, D, E, F, G, H, K in the left / right direction), and rows 27 to 61 in the forward / backward direction have 263 seats in 9 rows (A, B, C, D, E, G, H, J, K in the left / right direction), for a total of 369 seats.

[0099] Here, in order to uniquely identify each seat on the passenger aircraft AP, the identification numbers in the front-to-back FB direction will be numbered 1, 2, ..., 61, starting from the front F side and moving towards the rear B side. However, please note that due to equipment management considerations, numbers 3, 4, 11 through 15, 20 through 26, and 40 through 44 do not exist.

[0100] Furthermore, in order to uniquely identify each seat on a passenger aircraft AP, the identification numbers for the left and right (LR) directions are designated as A, B, ..., K, starting from the left (L) side and moving towards the right (R) side. However, please note that for equipment management purposes, column I does not exist, and columns B, E, F, and J do not exist in numbers 1 and 2, columns B, D, E, F, G, and J do not exist in number 5, columns B and J do not exist in numbers 6 through 11 and 16 through 19, columns A, B, C, H, J, and K do not exist in numbers 12 and 15, column F does not exist in numbers 27 through 39 and 45 through 59, columns A, B, C, F, H, J, and K do not exist in numbers 40 and 61, and columns B, F, H, J, and K do not exist in number 60.

[0101] Each seat on a passenger aircraft (AP) can be uniquely identified by an identification number that combines an identification number in the front-to-back (FB) direction and an identification number in the left-to-right (LR) direction. For example, the seat located second from the front F side and third from the left L side will be referred to as row 2D or row 2D.

[0102] The rule assignment unit 13 assigns seats as boarding rule R11 such that at least a portion of the seats on the forward F side in the front-to-back FB direction of the passenger aircraft AP are associated with group 4 (111A4), and the seats that cover at least a portion of group 4 (111A4) from the left-to-right LR direction of the passenger aircraft AP, and the seats on the rear B side of group 4 (111A4) are associated with group 3 (111A3).

[0103] Specifically, the rule assignment unit 13 assigns, as boarding rule R11, seats 1 to 2 to group 1 (111A1), seats 1 to 2 to group 2 (111A2), seats 40 to 61, seats 5 to 39 in rows A and K, and seat 45 in rows A to C and rows H to K to group 3 (111A3), and seats 5 to 39 in rows B to J to group 4 (111A4). Please note that seats in rows A through C and H through K of seat 45 are seats located near emergency exits, also known as emergency exit seats.

[0104] In other words, the rule assignment unit 13 assigns seats such that, as boarding rule R11, the seats on the B side behind a specific position (seat 40) in the front-to-back FB direction of the passenger aircraft AP, and the seats on the F side in front of the specific position (seat 40), specifically the leftmost L seat (row A) and the rightmost R seat (row K) in the left-to-right LR direction, are associated with group 3 (111A3), and at least some of the seats other than those assigned to group 3 (111A3) are associated with group 4 (111A4).

[0105] The rule assignment unit 13 generates boarding rule information 112 using the boarding group 111A assignment method described above, and generates boarding rule assignment information 117 (boarding group assignment information 117A) when a ticketing request is received from each passenger using the boarding rule information 112.

[0106] Next, we will describe a method for generating boarding gate rule information 113 by associating boarding gate information 111C with seat information 111B, and a method for generating boarding rule assignment information 117 (boarding gate assignment information 117C) using the boarding gate rule information 113.

[0107] Figure 7 is a table showing an example of a boarding gate allocation method according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 shows an example of a boarding gate allocation method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0108] Figure 7 shows boarding rule R21 as boarding rule information 112, which associates boarding gate 111C with seat information 111B. Furthermore, Figure 8 shows the boarding gates 111C assigned to each seat according to the boarding gate rule information 113 generated based on boarding rule R21.

[0109] The passenger aircraft AP of this embodiment has eight boarding gates: boarding gate 111C1 located on the left L side of the passenger aircraft AP and provided on the forward F side; boarding gate 2 (111C2) provided on the rear B side of boarding gate 1 (111C1); boarding gate 3 (111C3) provided on the rear B side of boarding gate 2 (111C2); boarding gate 4 (111C4) provided on the rear B side of boarding gate 3 (111C3); boarding gate 5 (111C5) located on the right R side of the passenger aircraft AP and provided on the forward F side; boarding gate 6 (111C6) provided on the rear B side of boarding gate 5 (111C5); boarding gate 7 (111C7) provided on the rear B side of boarding gate 6 (111C6); and boarding gate 8 (111C8) provided on the rear B side of boarding gate 7 (111C7). However, in this embodiment, only the two boarding gates 111C1 and 111C2 located on the left L side of the passenger aircraft AP, on the forward F side, are used.

[0110] The rule assignment unit 13 assigns seats as boarding rule R21 such that, among the seats on the B side behind a specific position (seat 27) in the front-to-back FB direction of the passenger aircraft AP, the seat 111C2 on the left-to-right LR direction closer to the boarding gate than a specific position (row E) is associated with boarding gate 2 (111C2), and all seats other than those associated with boarding gate 2 (111C2) are associated with boarding gate 1 (111C1).

[0111] Specifically, the rule assignment unit 13 assigns, as boarding rule R21 (boarding gate rule information 113), seats 1 through 19, seats 27 through 61 in rows F through K, and emergency exit seats (boarding gate information 111C1) to boarding gate 1 (111C1), and seats 27 through 61 in rows A through E (excluding emergency exit seats) (boarding gate information 111C2) to boarding gate 2 (111C2).

[0112] The rule assignment unit 13 generates boarding gate rule information 113 using the boarding gate 111C assignment method described above, and generates boarding rule assignment information 117 (boarding gate assignment information 117C) when a ticketing request is received from each passenger using the boarding gate rule information 113.

[0113] Next, we will describe a method for informing passengers of the boarding rule assignment information 117 generated by the information processing device 10. Figure 9 shows an example of a boarding pass printed by the output device. Figure 10 shows an example of a boarding announcement output by the output device. Figure 11 shows an example of boarding information displayed by the first display device. Figure 12 shows an example of boarding gate information displayed by the second display device.

[0114] The boarding pass TK shown in Figure 9 is obtained when the output unit 34 outputs a response containing boarding rule assignment information 117 generated by the rule assignment unit 13 in response to a passenger's ticketing request.

[0115] The boarding pass TK contains the aircraft AP identification information 114A, passenger identification information 114B, boarding group assignment information 117A, and seat assignment information 117B. Specifically, the boarding pass TK includes the passenger's name, flight number, departure and arrival airports, date of travel, departure time, boarding gate number, boarding deadline, seat number, and boarding group number.

[0116] By checking their boarding pass TK, passengers can identify the boarding group assigned to them when boarding the passenger aircraft AP they are scheduled to use.

[0117] The boarding information receipt RC shown in Figure 10 is obtained when the output unit 34 outputs a response containing boarding rule assignment information 117 generated by the rule assignment unit 13 in response to a passenger's ticketing request at the security checkpoint.

[0118] The boarding information receipt RC contains the aircraft identification information 114A, passenger identification information 114B, boarding group assignment information 117A, and seat assignment information 117B. Specifically, the boarding information receipt RC includes the passenger's name, flight number, departure and arrival airports, date of travel, departure time, boarding gate number, seat number, and boarding group number.

[0119] By checking their boarding information receipt RC, passengers can identify the boarding group assigned to them when boarding the passenger aircraft AP they are scheduled to use.

[0120] The first display device 42 shown in Figure 11 has multiple displays and displays boarding information 118A received by the boarding rule information reception unit 41 around the boarding gate ticket gate G1. Specifically, display 421 displays the boarding gate number, display 422 displays the flight number and departure time, display 423 displays important information for passing through the boarding gate, display 424 displays the boarding group number, indicating that only passengers assigned to a specific boarding group are currently being boarded, and display 421 displays the boarding group number of the boarding group currently being boarded and the specific seat number corresponding to that boarding group.

[0121] Passengers can check the first display device 42 while referring to their boarding pass TK or boarding information receipt RC to determine whether their assigned boarding group is currently available for boarding.

[0122] The second display device 51 shown in Figure 12 is a digital signage display that shows the boarding gate information 118B output from the boarding gate information generation unit 17 around the boarding bridge. Specifically, the second display device 51 shows the location of the boarding gate 111C assigned to each seat.

[0123] Passengers can determine the location of their assigned boarding gate by referring to their boarding pass TK or boarding information receipt RC and checking the second display device 51.

[0124] As described above, the information processing device 10 according to this embodiment includes a ticketing request receiving unit 12 that receives a request to issue a boarding pass TK or boarding information receipt RC, a storage unit 11 that stores boarding rule information 112 for each passenger aircraft AP, a rule assignment unit 13 that uses the boarding rule information 112 to assign boarding group 111A to the seat 114C specified by the ticketing request and generates boarding rule assignment information 117, and an output unit 14 that outputs the boarding rule assignment information 117 as a response to the ticketing request, and boarding group 111A is the first boarding The boarding rules information 112 includes group 111A4 and a second boarding group 111A3 which has priority boarding over the first boarding group 111A4, and at least a portion of the seats 111B on the forward F side in the front-to-back FB direction of the passenger aircraft AP are associated with the first boarding group 111A4, and seats 111B that cover at least a portion of the first boarding group 111A4 from the left-to-right LR direction of the passenger aircraft AP, and seats 111B located on the rear B side of the first boarding group 111A4 are associated with the second boarding group 111A3.

[0125] According to this, the information processing device 10 can assign a boarding group 111A to each seat 111B of the passenger aircraft AP, and then output a boarding rule assignment information 117, which includes at least boarding group assignment information 117A and seat assignment information 117B, as a response to the ticketing request for each passenger, as a boarding pass TK or boarding information receipt RC. Therefore, each passenger can board the aircraft AP in the order of boarding group 111A, while checking the boarding rule assignment information 117 printed on their boarding pass TK or boarding information receipt RC.

[0126] Furthermore, the information processing device 10 assigns seats as boarding rule information 112 such that at least a portion of the seats on the front F side in the front-to-back FB direction of the passenger aircraft AP are associated with the first boarding group (111A4), and at least a portion of the seats covering the first boarding group (111A4) from the left and right LR directions of the passenger aircraft AP, and the seats on the rear B side are associated with the second boarding group (111A3). As a result, passengers in the rear B side seats, who require more time to board and then sit in their assigned seats, are guided to board first, and passengers assigned to window seats are also guided to board first.

[0127] Therefore, it is possible to prevent passengers assigned to aisle seats from sitting down first and those assigned to window seats from sitting down later. Furthermore, since passengers assigned to window seats will store their luggage in the overhead compartments first before passengers assigned to aisle seats board, the possibility of blocking the aisle when storing luggage in the overhead compartments is reduced. Therefore, according to the information processing device 10 of this embodiment, it is possible to shorten the time required for passengers to board an aircraft.

[0128] Furthermore, in the information processing device 10 according to this embodiment, the seats 111B1, 111B2, ..., 111BN on the rear B side of a specific position in the front-to-rear FB direction of the passenger aircraft AP, and the seats 111B1, 111B2, ..., 111BN on the front F side of a specific position, specifically the leftmost L side seat and the rightmost R side seat 111B1, 111B2, ..., 111BN in the left-to-right LR direction, are associated with the second boarding group 111A3, and at least some of the seats 111B1, 111B2, ..., 111BN other than those assigned to the second boarding group 111A3 are associated with the first boarding group 111A4.

[0129] According to this, the information processing device 10 can specifically determine whether to assign each passenger assigned to a seat to the first boarding group (111A4) or the second boarding group (111A3). Furthermore, it can more reliably ensure that passengers assigned to window seats are seated before passengers assigned to aisle seats, thereby shortening the time required for passengers to board the aircraft.

[0130] Furthermore, the information processing device 10 according to this embodiment further includes a boarding guidance information generation unit 15 that generates boarding guidance information 118A, which is information prompting passengers to board the passenger aircraft AP, based on boarding rule information 112, and outputs it to the outside. The boarding guidance information generation unit 15 generates and outputs boarding guidance information 118A prompting the second boarding group 111A3 to board the passenger aircraft AP, and then generates and outputs boarding guidance information 118A prompting the first boarding group 111A4 to board the passenger aircraft AP.

[0131] According to this, boarding information 118A can be sequentially transmitted to an external device. For example, by transmitting boarding information 118A to the first display device 42, passengers around the boarding gate can be more reliably encouraged to board in accordance with the boarding rules.

[0132] Furthermore, the information processing device 10 according to this embodiment further includes a determination unit 16 that determines whether or not a passenger has a reservation for an aircraft AP. When the determination unit 16 receives a ticketing request, it determines the passenger's aircraft reservation information 115, which is associated with the passenger's identification information 115B, the aircraft identification information 115A, and the seat identification information 115C of the reserved seats 111B1, 111B2, ..., 111BN, and the passenger's information included in the ticketing request. The system determines whether the identification information 114B, the identification information 114A for passenger aircraft AP, and the identification information 114C for seats 111B1, 111B2, ..., 111BN match, and outputs a determination result 116 indicating a match or mismatch. The rule assignment unit 13 generates boarding rule assignment information 117 if a determination result 116 indicating a match is output, and does not generate boarding rule assignment information 117 if a determination result indicating a mismatch is output.

[0133] According to this, the information processing device 10 can prevent assigning passengers incorrect boarding rule information 117 by matching reservation information 115 with ticketing request information 114.

[0134] Furthermore, in the information processing device 10 according to this embodiment, the storage unit 11 stores boarding gate rule information 113 for each passenger aircraft AP, which is information that associates identification information 111C of boarding gates 111C1, 111C2, ..., 111CN used when a passenger boards the passenger aircraft AP with identification information 111B of seats 111B1, 111B2, ..., 111BN. Based on the boarding gate rule information 113, it generates boarding gate guidance information 118B, which is information that guides passengers to the boarding gates 111C1, 111C2, ..., 111CN used when a passenger boards the passenger aircraft AP, and outputs it to the outside. The gate assignment unit 13 uses the gate rule information 113 of the passenger aircraft AP specified by the ticketing request to assign gates 111C1, 111C2, ..., 111CN to the seat 114C specified by the ticketing request, and generates and outputs boarding rule assignment information 117 which includes at least identification information 117C of the assigned gates 111C1, 111C2, ..., 111CN. The gate guidance information generation unit 17 generates and outputs gate guidance information 118B which associates the information 111B of seats 111B1, 111B2, ..., 111BN with the information 111C of the gates to be used 111C1, 111C2, ..., 111CN.

[0135] According to this, it becomes possible to transmit the boarding gate information 118B to an external device. For example, by transmitting the boarding gate information 118B to the second display device 51, the boarding gate that the passenger should use can be shown to the passenger near the boarding bridge, thereby supporting smooth boarding for passengers.

[0136] Furthermore, in the information processing device 10 according to this embodiment, the boarding gates 111C1, 111C2, ..., 111CN include a first boarding gate 111C1 and a second boarding gate 111C2 located on the rear B side in the front-to-rear FB direction of the passenger aircraft AP from the first boarding gate 111C1, and in the boarding gate rule information 113, seats 111B1, 111B2 located on the rear B side of a specific position in the front-to-rear FB direction of the passenger aircraft AP, ..., of the seats 111B1, 111B2, ..., 111BN that are on the side of the second boarding gate 111C2 side of a specific position in the left / right L direction are associated with the second boarding gate 111C2, and the seats 111B1, 111B2, ..., 111BN other than the seats 111B1, 111B2, ..., 111BN that are associated with the second boarding gate 111C2 are associated with the first boarding gate 111C1.

[0137] According to this, the information processing device 10 can specifically determine whether to assign each passenger assigned to a seat to the first boarding gate 111C1 or the second boarding gate 111C2. Furthermore, the information processing device 10 can assign seats such that, among the seats on the rear B side of the passenger aircraft AP from a specific position (seat 27) in the front-to-back FB direction, seats on the left-to-right LR direction from a specific position (row E) to the second boarding gate 111C2 are associated with the second boarding gate 111C2, and all seats other than those associated with the second boarding gate 111C2 are associated with the first boarding gate 111C1.

[0138] Therefore, the information processing device 10 can alleviate congestion caused by passengers boarding seats on the rear B side of the aircraft by assigning passengers assigned seats on the second boarding gate 111C2 side to the second boarding gate 111C2 side, and passengers assigned seats on the opposite side of the second boarding gate 111C2 side to the first boarding gate 111C1 side, which is necessary for passengers to take time to move down the aisle and sit in their assigned seats from the moment they board the aircraft.

[0139] Furthermore, the boarding information management system 100 according to this embodiment includes an information processing device 10 and an output device 30 that transmits a ticketing request to the information processing device 10 in response to an operation input, receives a response output from the information processing device 10, and outputs a boarding pass TK or boarding information receipt RC containing the information included in the response.

[0140] According to this, the output device 30 can output a boarding pass TK containing boarding rule assignment information 117 in response to a ticketing request from a passenger arriving at the airport departure lobby or security checkpoint.

[0141] Furthermore, the boarding information management system 100 according to this embodiment further includes a reservation information management device 20 that stores reservation information 115. When the information processing device 10 receives a ticketing request, it requests the reservation information management device 20 to transmit the reservation information 115, and the reservation information management device 20 transmits the reservation information 115 to the information processing device 10 in response to the request to transmit the reservation information 115.

[0142] According to this, the reservation information management device 20 can receive reservation information 115 transmitted from the passenger terminal 200 and transmit the reservation information 115 to the information processing device 10 in response to a request from the information processing device 10. In other words, the amount of information and processing content held by the information processing device 10 can be reduced, and the overall information processing performance of the boarding information management system 100 can be improved.

[0143] <<Extension of the Embodiment>> Although the present inventors have described the invention in detail based on embodiments, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited thereto and can be modified in various ways without departing from its essence.

[0144] For example, in the boarding information management system 100, the information processing device 10 and the reservation information management device 20 are configured separately, but the system is not limited to this, and the information processing device 10 may be equipped with each functional part of the reservation information management device 20 (reservation information receiving unit 22, reservation information transmission unit 23, and storage unit 21). [Explanation of Symbols]

[0145] 10 Information Processing Devices 11 Storage section 12 Ticket Request Reception Department 13. Rule Assignment Section 14 Output section 15. Boarding Information Generation Unit 16 Judgment section 17. Gate Information Generation Unit 18 Reservation Information Request Department 19 Reservation Information Reception Department 20 Reservation Information Management Device 21 Memory section 22 Reservation Information Department 23 Reservation Information Transmission Section 30 Output device 30A Security Inspection Terminal 30B Departure Lobby Terminal 31 Ticket Request Reception Department 32 Ticket Issuance Request Transmission Unit 33 Response Reception Department 34 Output section 40 Boarding Gate Ticket Terminal 41 Boarding Rules Information Desk 42 1st display device 50 Gate information display 51 2nd display device 100 Boarding Information Management System 101, 201, 301, 401, 501 Arithmetic unit 102, 202, 302, 402, 502 storage device 103, 203, 303, 403, 503 Input devices 104, 204, 304, 404, 504 I / F (Interface) devices 105, 205, 305, 405, 505 output devices Buses 106, 206, 306, 406, and 506 111A Boarding Group Information 111B Seat Information Gate 111C boarding information 112 Boarding Rules Information 113 Boarding Gate Rules Information 114 Ticket Issuance Request Information 114A Airliner identification information 114B Passenger identification information 114C Seat Reservation Information 115 Reservation Information 115A Passenger aircraft identification information 115B Passenger identification information 115C Seat Reservation Information 116 Judgment result 117 Boarding Rules Assignment Information 117A Boarding Group Assignment Information 117B Seat Assignment Information Gate assignment information for boarding gate 117C 118 Boarding Rules Information 118A Boarding Information Gate 118B boarding gate information 119 Flight Information 200 Passenger Terminals 421, 422, 423, 424, 425 displays G1 boarding gate ticket gate RC boarding pass receipt TK boarding pass Programs 1021, 2021, 3021, 4021, and 5021 1022, 2022, 3022, 4022, 5022 data

Claims

1. A ticketing request reception unit that receives requests for the issuance of a boarding pass or boarding information receipt which includes at least information specifying the aircraft and information specifying the seat of the aircraft, A storage unit stores boarding rule information for each passenger aircraft, which is information that associates multiple boarding groups, divided according to the order in which passengers board the passenger aircraft, with the seat identification information. A rule assignment unit that uses the boarding rule information of the passenger aircraft specified by the ticketing request to assign the boarding group to the seat specified by the ticketing request, and generates boarding rule assignment information that includes at least the identification information of the assigned boarding group and the identification information of the assigned seat, It has an output unit that outputs the boarding rule assignment information as a response to the ticketing request, The aforementioned boarding group includes a first boarding group and a second boarding group which has priority over the first boarding group. In the boarding rule information, at least a portion of the seats on the front side of the passenger aircraft in the longitudinal direction are associated with the first boarding group, and seats that cover at least a portion of the first boarding group from the left and right sides of the passenger aircraft, and seats located behind the first boarding group are associated with the second boarding group. Information processing device.

2. In the boarding rule information of the information processing device according to claim 1, The seats behind a specific position in the longitudinal direction of the passenger aircraft, and the leftmost and rightmost seats in the lateral direction of the seats in front of the specific position, are associated with the second passenger group. At least some of the seats other than those assigned to the second passenger group are associated with the first passenger group. Information processing device.

3. In the information processing apparatus according to claim 2, The system further includes a boarding guidance information generation unit that generates boarding guidance information, which is information prompting the passenger to board the aircraft, based on the boarding rule information, and outputs it externally. The boarding information generation unit generates and outputs the boarding information prompting the second boarding group to board the aircraft, and then generates and outputs the boarding information prompting the first boarding group to board the aircraft. Information processing device.

4. In the information processing apparatus described in claim 3, The system further includes a determination unit that determines whether the passenger has a reservation for the aforementioned passenger aircraft. When the determination unit receives the ticketing request, it determines whether the passenger's identification information, the passenger aircraft's identification information, and the seat's identification information, which are associated with the passenger's identification information, the passenger aircraft's identification information, and the seat's identification information included in the ticketing request, match, and outputs a determination result indicating a match or mismatch. The rule assignment unit generates the boarding rule assignment information when the judgment result indicating a match is output, and does not generate the boarding rule assignment information when the judgment result indicating a mismatch is output. Information processing device.

5. In the information processing apparatus according to claim 4, The memory unit stores, for each passenger aircraft, boarding gate rule information, which is information that associates the identification information of the boarding gate used by the passenger when boarding the passenger aircraft with the identification information of the seat. The system further includes a gate guidance information generation unit that generates gate guidance information, which is information that guides the passenger to the gate to use when boarding the aircraft, based on the gate rule information, and outputs it to the outside. The rule assignment unit uses the boarding gate rule information of the passenger aircraft specified by the ticketing request to assign the boarding gate to the seat specified by the ticketing request, and generates and outputs boarding rule assignment information which includes at least the identification information of the assigned boarding gate. The boarding gate information generation unit generates and outputs boarding gate information that associates the seat information with the information of the boarding gate to be used. Information processing device.

6. In the information processing apparatus according to claim 5, The boarding gate includes a first boarding gate and a second boarding gate located aft of the first boarding gate in the longitudinal direction of the passenger aircraft. In the aforementioned boarding gate rule information, Of the seats in the passenger aircraft located behind a specific position in the longitudinal direction, the seats located on the lateral side of a specific position closer to the second boarding gate are associated with the second boarding gate. The seats other than those associated with the second boarding gate are associated with the first boarding gate. Information processing device.

7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6, The system includes an output device that transmits the ticketing request to the information processing device in response to an operation input, receives the response output from the information processing device, and outputs the boarding pass or boarding information receipt containing the information included in the response, Boarding information management system.

8. In the boarding information management system according to claim 7, The system further includes a first display device that displays the boarding information output from the boarding information generation unit. Boarding information management system.

9. In the boarding information management system according to claim 8, The system further includes a second display device that displays the boarding gate information output from the boarding gate information generation unit. Boarding information management system.

10. In the boarding information management system according to claim 9, The device further comprises a reservation information management device that stores the aforementioned reservation information, When the information processing device receives the ticketing request, it requests the reservation information management device to transmit the reservation information. The reservation information management device transmits the reservation information to the information processing device in response to a request to transmit the reservation information. Boarding information management system.

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