Ticket gates and display methods

Abstract

In contactless user authentication, the authentication status should be appropriately communicated to the user. [Solution] The ticket gate 100 according to this embodiment includes an entry detection unit 121, a touchless processing unit 122, and a display unit 123. The entry detection unit 121 detects when a user enters the ticket gate area. The touchless processing unit 122 performs touchless processing related to the user's passage through the ticket gate for the user detected by the entry detection unit 121. The display unit 123 displays information that has been set in advance and associated with the user when the touchless processing by the touchless processing unit 122 is completed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a ticket gate and a display method.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, touchless gates that do not require users to hold an IC card or communication terminal near the ticket gate housing when passing through the ticket gate have been installed at railway and airplane boarding gates. The touchless gate authenticates the user and determines entry and exit by using technologies such as biometric authentication and frequency beams.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the prior art, in touchless user authentication, the authentication status may not be appropriately notified to the user in some cases. For example, in the prior art related to touchless ticket gate passage, whether the authentication of the user related to ticket gate passage has succeeded is notified by sound or gate control, etc., but when a plurality of users or a plurality of media are simultaneously the targets of processing, it may not be possible to appropriately notify which user or medium is the target of processing.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the ticket gate of the present invention includes an entry detection unit that detects the entry of a user into the ticket gate, a touchless processing unit that performs touchless processing related to the passage of the user detected by the entry detection unit, and a display unit that displays information preset in association with the user when the touchless processing by the touchless processing unit is completed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present invention, in touchless user authentication, the user can be appropriately notified of the authentication status. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows an example of a ticket gate system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 illustrates the user entry detection process in the touchless processing according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 illustrates the process of selecting an antenna to communicate with a medium in a touchless process according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 illustrates the process of establishing a wireless connection in the touchless processing according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 illustrates the ticket gate passage process in the touchless processing according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 illustrates the process for determining whether a user has passed through a ticket gate in the touchless processing according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of a ticket gate according to an embodiment. [Figure 8] Figure 8 shows an example of data stored in the storage unit according to this embodiment. [Figure 9] Figure 9 shows an example of processing for a user who owns multiple media in an embodiment. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a flowchart showing the processing flow performed by the ticket gate according to this embodiment. [Figure 11] Figure 11 shows an example of a computer running a program. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] The following describes in detail an embodiment of the ticket gate and display method according to the present application, based on the drawings. Note that this embodiment does not limit the ticket gate and display method according to the present application. Furthermore, in the drawings, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are omitted as appropriate.

[0009] [Introduction] (Overview of ticket gate system 10) First, an overview of the ticket gate system 10 according to this embodiment will be described. Figure 1 is a diagram showing an example of the ticket gate system according to this embodiment. The ticket gate system 10 shown in Figure 1 has a ticket gate 100 that manages the entry and exit of users by touchless processing, and a medium 200 that the user has when passing through the ticket gate.

[0010] The ticket gate 100 is a ticket gate device that manages the entry and exit of users by authenticating users passing through the gate and determining whether or not they are allowed to pass through the ticket gate area. For example, the ticket gate 100 establishes a wireless connection with a terminal device or medium 200 such as an IC card owned by a user who has entered the ticket gate area and performs touchless processing related to passing through the gate.

[0011] The medium 200 is a medium owned by a user passing through a ticket gate and is implemented by an IC card, a dedicated terminal device for establishing wireless communication incorporating the functions of an IC card, or a smartphone with IC card functionality. For example, by establishing a wireless connection with the ticket gate 100, the medium 200 transmits and receives information related to passing through the ticket gate, and information such as the remaining balance of the fare and the history of passing through the ticket gate registered in the medium 200 is updated.

[0012] (Mechanism for contactless processing by ticket gate 100) Next, the mechanism of the touchless process by the ticket gate 100 will be described. When the ticket gate 100 according to this embodiment detects the entry of a user into the ticket gate, the antenna of the ticket gate 100 and the medium 200 establish a wireless communication connection and transmit and receive information related to the ticket passing process, so that it is possible to determine whether entry or exit is permitted without the need for a touch such as an IC card by a conventional user. Hereinafter, a series of processes of the touchless process by the ticket gate 100 will be described in order.

[0013] First, the ticket gate 100 detects a user who has entered the ticket gate. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the user entry detection process in the touchless process according to the embodiment. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the ticket gate 100 detects that a user has entered the ticket gate by means of a human sensor provided on the entrance side of the ticket gate 100. Here, when the ticket gate 100 detects that a user has entered the ticket gate, it can notify the user of the state of the ticket gate 100 by displaying the fact that the user is in the ticket gate entry state on the monitor. In addition to displaying on the monitor, the ticket gate 100 can also output sound, light, etc. to notify the user that the user is in the ticket gate entry state.

[0014] Next, simultaneously with the detection of the user's entry, the ticket gate 100 transmits beacon signals in sequence at individual timings between a plurality of antennas installed in the ticket gate 100 and the medium 200 possessed by the user, and selects the optimal antenna for establishing wireless communication. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the antenna selection process for communicating with the medium in the touchless process according to the embodiment.

[0015] The ticket gate 100, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, transmits a beacon signal from the antenna simultaneously with the detection of the user's entry into the ticket gate. Then, the ticket gate 100 detects the medium 200 possessed by the user who has entered the ticket gate by receiving the beacon response from the medium 200.

[0016] For example, the ticket gate 100 causes a plurality of antennas and the medium 200 to transmit and receive beacon signals in sequence, measures the reception intensity between each antenna and the medium 200, and selects the antenna with the highest average value of the measurement results of the reception intensity over a plurality of times as the antenna with the optimal communication state with the medium 200.

[0017] Subsequently, the ticket gate 100 establishes a wireless connection between the antenna with the optimal communication state selected in the above-described process and the medium 200 to enter a communicable state (link up). FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the wireless connection establishment process in the touchless process according to the embodiment. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the ticket gate 100 establishes a wireless connection between the antenna selected as the antenna with the optimal communication state and the medium 200.

[0018] Then, the ticket gate 100 transmits and receives data related to the ticket passing process between the antenna with the established wireless connection and the medium 200. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the ticket passing process in the touchless process according to the embodiment.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 5, the ticket gate 100 performs a ticket passing process on the medium 200 possessed by the user, for example, by transmitting and receiving packet data that can be transmitted and received within a certain period (for example, 100 msec) by wireless communication between the antenna with the established wireless connection and the medium 200.

[0020] Here, for example, when the communication state deteriorates due to the movement of the user and the ticket passing process is not completed within a certain period, the ticket gate 100 returns to the selection process of the antenna with the optimal communication state described above and sequentially performs the processes, thereby establishing a wireless connection with the newly selected antenna and completing the ticket passing process.

[0021] After that, when the ticket passing process is completed within a certain period, the ticket gate 100 determines whether to permit the user to pass and disconnects the connection between the antenna and the medium 200. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the determination process of the user's passing through the ticket gate in the touchless process according to the embodiment.

[0022] As shown in Figure 6, the ticket gate 100, for example, disconnects communication between the antenna and the medium 200 when the transmission and reception of communication data is completed within a certain period of time, and determines whether it is permissible for the user possessing the medium 200 to pass through the ticket gate. The ticket gate 100 then notifies the gate control device of the permission to pass through the ticket gate and opens the gate. The ticket gate 100 also displays the permission to pass through the ticket gate on a monitor it has, allowing the user to know that they have been permitted to pass through the ticket gate. In addition to displaying on the monitor, the ticket gate 100 can also output sounds or lights associated with the permission to pass through the ticket gate to notify the user that they have been permitted to pass through the ticket gate.

[0023] Through the series of processes described above, the ticket gate 100 can appropriately establish a wireless connection with the medium 200 held by the user moving within the ticket gate area and send and receive communication data related to the ticket gate passage process, thereby enabling it to determine whether or not the user is allowed to pass through the ticket gate via touchless processing. Furthermore, by selecting the antenna with the optimal communication status from multiple antennas, the ticket gate 100 can complete the ticket gate passage process within a certain period of time, regardless of the orientation of the medium 200 held by the user, its location, and any other circumstances related to the user's possession of the medium 200, such as whether it is being shielded by the user's body.

[0024] (Challenges of conventional technology) Next, we will describe the problems of the conventional technology regarding the touchless processing of ticket gates according to this embodiment. Conventionally, there are ticket gates that can determine whether or not a user can pass through the gate by touchless processing, without requiring the user to touch the gate.

[0025] However, with conventional technology, when contactless processing is automatically initiated for a user entering the ticket gate area, the user cannot determine whether the contactless processing has been properly completed for them. Furthermore, if a user possesses multiple payment methods for passing through the ticket gate, it is impossible to determine which method the contactless processing was performed on.

[0026] In conventional touch-based ticket gates, the system processes the transaction for passing through the gate based on the user's touch operation. As a result, the user is aware that a ticket gate passage process is being performed for them and that the touched medium is the target of the transaction. In contrast, touchless ticket gates automatically detect the medium held by the user upon entering the gate area and perform touchless processing. Therefore, the user is unaware that a ticket gate passage process is being performed for them and that the medium is the target of the transaction.

[0027] (Summary of the processing at ticket gate 100) Next, the processing details of the ticket gate 100 according to this embodiment will be described. In view of the aforementioned problems, the ticket gate 100 according to this embodiment detects the user's entry into the ticket gate area and performs touchless processing related to the user's passage through the gate. Then, when the touchless processing is completed, the ticket gate 100 displays information that has been set in advance and associated with the user.

[0028] For example, the ticket gate 100 detects a user's entry into the ticket gate area using a motion sensor installed on the entrance side of the ticket gate 100. The ticket gate 100 then establishes a wireless communication connection between its antenna and the user's medium 200, and performs touchless processing by sending and receiving information related to the ticket gate passage process. When the touchless processing is completed, the ticket gate 100 displays data such as an icon image, which is pre-associated with the ID of the user who was the target of the touchless processing, on a monitor installed in the ticket gate 100.

[0029] As a result, the ticket gate 100 can display to users who are subject to the touchless processing for passing through the ticket gate that the touchless processing for that user has been properly completed, thus allowing the user to be properly informed of the authentication status during touchless user authentication.

[0030] [Configuration of ticket gate 100] The following describes an example of the functional configuration of the ticket gate 100 described above. Figure 7 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a ticket gate according to the embodiment. As shown in Figure 7, the ticket gate 100 has a communication unit 110, a control unit 120, and a storage unit 130.

[0031] The communication unit 110 controls processes such as transmitting beacons using an antenna installed on the ticket gate 100, establishing a wireless connection between the ticket gate 100 and the medium 200, and mediating communication between the various components inside the ticket gate 100.

[0032] The memory unit 130 is implemented by a storage device such as RAM (Random Access Memory) or a hard disk. The memory unit 130 stores data and programs necessary for various processes performed by the control unit 120. The storage device may be implemented by a storage system installed outside the ticket gate 100. The memory unit 130 stores, for example, a medium 200 held by a user who wishes to pass through the ticket gate 100, and display information registered in association with the medium 200.

[0033] Here, an example of data stored in the storage unit 130 will be explained using Figure 8. Figure 8 is a diagram showing an example of data stored in the storage unit according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 8, the storage unit 130 stores information for items such as "User ID," "Media ID," and "Display Information."

[0034] The "User ID" stores unique identification information set for each user who wishes to pass through the ticket gate 100. The "Media ID" stores unique identification information set for each media 200, such as an IC card owned by the user, or a terminal device or smartphone that has IC card functionality. The "Display Information" stores information such as image data of icons registered in association with each user and media 200, and the number assigned to each icon. For example, the storage unit 130 stores that for user A, the display information associated with media 200 A001 is icon 1.

[0035] The control unit 120 is implemented by a processor such as an integrated circuit (CPU), MPU, ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), which executes various programs stored in the memory device inside the ticket gate 100 using RAM or the like as a working area. In the example shown in Figure 7, the control unit 120 includes an entry detection unit 121, a touchless processing unit 122, and a display unit 123.

[0036] The entry detection unit 121 detects when a user enters the ticket gate area. For example, the entry detection unit 121 determines that a user has entered the ticket gate area when a human presence sensor installed on the entrance side of the ticket gate area 100 detects a human body. For example, in addition to the human presence sensor mentioned above, the entry detection unit 121 can analyze image data captured by a camera and information obtained through P2P distance measurement technology to determine the number of users who have entered the ticket gate area, and analyze image data of users to determine if they are accompanied by a child and pushing a stroller, or if they are overweight, thereby acquiring characteristics of users passing through the ticket gate.

[0037] The touchless processing unit 122 performs touchless processing related to the user's passage through the ticket gate for users detected by the entry detection unit 121. For example, the touchless processing unit 122 establishes a wireless communication connection between the media 200 owned by the user detected by the entry detection unit 121 and the antenna of the ticket gate 100, and sends and receives information related to the ticket gate passage process, thereby enabling the user to send and receive information related to passing through the ticket gate without requiring the user to touch an IC card or the like in the conventional method. The touchless processing unit 122 then stores user information such as the user ID associated with the media 200 that was the target of the touchless processing, as well as information such as the execution time of the touchless processing, in the storage unit 130.

[0038] Here, the touchless processing performed by the touchless processing unit 122 is not limited to the process of establishing wireless communication between the ticket gate 100 and the medium 200 as described in Figures 2 to 6 above, but can also include, for example, the process of authenticating a user by performing facial recognition using the user's facial image data acquired by the ticket gate 100 and then executing the process related to passing through the ticket gate. In other words, the content of the touchless processing unit 122 is not particularly limited as long as it can perform the process related to passing through the ticket gate without requiring a user touch operation.

[0039] The display unit 123 displays information that has been pre-set and associated with the user when the touchless processing by the touchless processing unit 122 is completed. For example, when the display unit 123 receives notification from the aforementioned touchless processing unit 122 that the processing related to the user passing through the ticket gate is completed, it displays an icon image pre-stored in the storage unit 130 on a display device such as a monitor attached to the ticket gate 100.

[0040] Furthermore, the display unit 123 displays information associated with the media 200 that were processed by the touchless processing unit 122 when the user possesses multiple media 200 related to passing through the ticket gate. For example, if the user detected by the entry detection unit 121 possesses multiple media 200 such as IC cards, terminal devices with IC card functionality, or smartphones, the display unit 123 displays information such as icon images and IDs of the media 200 that were processed by the touchless processing unit 122.

[0041] In addition to the processing performed by the display unit 123 described above, the ticket gate 100 may also notify the user that the processing related to passing through the ticket gate is complete, or the type of medium 200 that was the target of the processing related to passing through the ticket gate, by outputting, for example, sound or light. To give a specific example, if the ticket gate 100 changes the color of the light output when the processing related to passing through the ticket gate is completed for each type of medium 200 that was the target of the touchless processing, the ticket gate 100 can notify the user of the type of medium 200 that was the target of the processing by shining light on the user passing through the ticket gate, such as green when an IC card is the target of processing, and blue when a smartphone is the target of processing.

[0042] [Specific examples] Next, a specific example of the processing content of the ticket gate 100 according to the embodiment will be described. Figure 9 is a diagram showing an example of processing for a user who possesses multiple media according to the embodiment. In Figure 9, a user detected by the entry detection unit 121 possesses one terminal device with IC card functionality and one IC card, and two media 200 may be subject to processing by the touchless processing unit 122.

[0043] The ticket gate 100 stores, as a pre-configuration, a dog icon image associated with the terminal device and a rabbit icon image associated with the IC card. The ticket gate 100 then detects the two media 200, the terminal device and the IC card, for a user who enters the ticket gate area (Figure 9(1)).

[0044] The ticket gate 100 then selects the IC card as the target for touchless processing and performs touchless processing on the IC card (Figure 9(2)). The selection of the medium 200 to be processed for touchless processing may, for example, be the medium 200 first detected by the antenna installed on the ticket gate 100, or it may be a medium 200 that has been previously set by the user as the target for processing.

[0045] Then, when the ticket gate 100 completes the process for passing through the ticket gate for an IC card that has been selected for contactless processing, it displays a rabbit icon image associated with the IC card on a monitor installed in the ticket gate 100 (Figure 9(3)).

[0046] As a result, even if a user who has entered the ticket gate area possesses multiple media 200, the ticket gate 100 can display an icon image associated with the media 200 that was processed once the processing related to passing through the ticket gate is completed. Therefore, in touchless user authentication, the authentication status can be appropriately communicated to the user.

[0047] 〔flowchart〕 Next, an example of processing performed by the ticket gate 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 10. Figure 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing performed by the ticket gate according to this embodiment. Note that each step in the flowchart shown in Figure 10 can be executed in a different order, and additional processing may be added or omitted.

[0048] First, the ticket gate 100 detects the user's entry into the ticket gate area (S101). Then, the ticket gate 100 detects the medium 200 held by the user (S102). Next, the ticket gate 100 performs a touchless process on the detected medium 200 (S103). Finally, the ticket gate 100 displays an icon associated with the medium 200 on which the touchless process was performed (S104), and the ticket gate 100 completes the process.

[0049] 〔effect〕 The ticket gate 100 according to this embodiment includes an entry detection unit 121, a touchless processing unit 122, and a display unit 123. The entry detection unit 121 detects when a user enters the ticket gate area. The touchless processing unit 122 performs touchless processing for the user detected by the entry detection unit 121 to allow the user to pass through the ticket gate. The display unit 123 displays information that has been pre-set and associated with the user when the touchless processing by the touchless processing unit 122 is completed.

[0050] As a result, the ticket gate 100 can display to users who are subject to the touchless processing for passing through the ticket gate that the touchless processing for that user has been properly completed, thus allowing the user to be properly informed of the authentication status during touchless user authentication.

[0051] Furthermore, the display unit 123 displays an icon pre-set by the user. This allows the ticket gate 100 to display a pre-set icon image for a user when the process related to passing through the ticket gate is completed. Therefore, even when multiple people pass through at the same time or when users pass through consecutively, each user can be informed that the process related to passing through the ticket gate has been properly completed for them.

[0052] Furthermore, the display unit 123 displays information associated with the medium 200 that was processed by the touchless processing unit 122 when the user possesses multiple media 200 related to passing through the ticket gate. As a result, even if a user who has entered the ticket gate area possesses multiple media, the ticket gate 100 can display information associated with the medium that was processed for passing through the ticket gate, thereby informing the user of which medium was processed.

[0053] 〔others〕 Furthermore, among the processes described in the above embodiments, all or part of those described as being performed automatically may be performed manually. Conversely, all or part of those described as being performed manually may be performed automatically by known methods. In addition, the processing procedures, specific names, and various data and parameters shown in the above documents and drawings may be changed at will unless otherwise specified.

[0054] Furthermore, each component of the illustrated device is a functional concept and does not necessarily have to be physically or functionally configured as shown. In other words, the specific forms of distribution and integration of each device and functional configuration are not limited to those shown, and all or part of them can be functionally or physically distributed and integrated in any unit according to various loads and usage conditions. In addition, the embodiments described above and the processes carried out in each embodiment may be combined as appropriate, as long as the processing content is not contradictory.

[0055] 〔program〕 Furthermore, the ticket gate 100 according to the above-described embodiment is implemented by a computer 1000 having a configuration such as that shown in Figure 11. Figure 11 is a diagram showing an example of a computer that executes a program. The computer 1000 is connected to an output device 1010 and an input device 1020, and has a configuration in which a central processing unit 1030, memory 1040, storage 1050, output IF (Interface) 1060, input IF 1070, and communication interface 1080 are connected by a bus 1090.

[0056] The central processing unit 1030 operates based on programs stored in the memory 1040 and storage 1050, as well as programs read from the input device 1020, and executes various processes. The memory 1040 is a memory device, such as RAM, that temporarily stores data used by the central processing unit 1030 for various calculations. The storage 1050 is a storage device where data used by the central processing unit 1030 for various calculations and various databases are registered, and is implemented using ROM (Read Only Memory), HDD (Hard Disk Drive), flash memory, etc.

[0057] Output IF1060 is an interface for transmitting information to be output to output devices 1010 that output various types of information, such as monitors and printers. It can be implemented using connectors of standards such as USB (Universal Serial Bus), DVI (Digital Visual Interface), or HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface). Input IF1070 is an interface for receiving information from various input devices 1020, such as mice, keyboards, and cameras. It can be implemented using USB, for example. Input devices 1020 may also be devices that read information from optical recording media, magneto-optical recording media, tape media, magnetic recording media, or semiconductor memory, or external storage media such as USB memory.

[0058] The communication interface 1080 receives data from other devices via the network N and sends it to the central processing unit 1030, and also transmits data generated by the central processing unit 1030 to other devices via the network N. The central processing unit 1030 controls the output device 1010 and input device 1020 via the output IF 1060 and input IF 1070. For example, the central processing unit 1030 loads a program from the input device 1020 or storage 1050 into memory 1040 and executes the loaded program.

[0059] Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, these are illustrative examples, and the present invention may be implemented in various modified and improved forms based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art, starting with the embodiments described in the disclosure section of the invention. Furthermore, the terms "section, module, unit" used above can be read as "means" or "circuit," etc. For example, the "applying part" can be read as the "applying means" or "applying circuit." [Explanation of Symbols]

[0060] 100 ticket gates 110 Communications Department 120 Control Unit 121 Intrusion detection unit 122 Touchless Processing Unit 123 Display section 130 Storage section 200 medium

Claims

1. An entry detection unit that detects when a user enters the ticket gate area, A touchless processing unit performs touchless processing for the user passing through the ticket gate for the user detected by the entry detection unit, When the touchless processing by the touchless processing unit is completed, a display unit displays information that has been set in advance and associated with the user. A ticket gate characterized by having the following features.

2. The ticket gate according to claim 1, characterized in that the display unit displays an icon that has been set in advance by the user.

3. The ticket gate according to claim 1, characterized in that the display unit displays the information associated with the medium that has been processed by the touchless processing unit when the user possesses multiple media related to passing through the ticket gate.

4. An entry detection process that detects when a user enters the ticket gate area, A touchless processing step is performed for the user detected by the entry detection step, which involves performing a touchless process related to the user's passage through the ticket gate. When the touchless processing by the aforementioned touchless processing step is completed, a display step is performed to display information that has been set in advance and associated with the user. A method of display characterized by including

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