Ticket gates and entry / exit control methods

Abstract

When a user possesses multiple forms of payment, the process for passing through the ticket gate must be carried out appropriately. [Solution] The ticket gate 100 according to this embodiment includes an entry detection unit 121, a media detection unit 122, a specification unit 123, and a ticket gate passage processing unit 124. The entry detection unit 121 detects when a user enters the ticket gate area. The media detection unit 122 detects each of the multiple media 200 held by the user detected by the entry detection unit 121. The specification unit 123 identifies, from among the multiple media 200 detected by the media detection unit 122, the media 200 whose fare collected when the user passes through the ticket gate is subject to a discount. The ticket gate passage processing unit 124 performs processing related to passing through the ticket gate for the media 200 identified by the specification unit 123.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a ticket gate and an entrance / exit control method.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, touchless gates that do not require users to hold an IC card or a 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 makes an entrance / exit determination 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, when a user has a plurality of media, it may not be possible to appropriately perform the processing related to passing through the ticket gate. For example, in the prior art related to touchless ticket gate passage, when a user who has entered the ticket gate has a plurality of media that are targets of the fee collection process related to passing through the ticket gate, it is not possible to identify which media is the target of the fee collection related to passing through the ticket gate, so the processing related to passing through the ticket gate cannot be appropriately performed.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] To solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the objective, the ticket gate of the present invention is characterized by comprising: an entry detection unit that detects a user's entry into the ticket gate area; a media detection unit that detects each of the multiple media possessed by the user detected by the entry detection unit; an identification unit that identifies the media from among the multiple media detected by the media detection unit for which the fare collected when the user passes through the ticket gate is subject to a discount; and a ticket gate passage processing unit that performs processing related to passing through the ticket gate for the media identified by the identification unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present invention, when a user has multiple media, the process related to passing through ticket gates without using contactless methods can be appropriately implemented. [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 terminal device 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 is a diagram showing an example of the types of discounts available for passing through ticket gates according to this embodiment. [Figure 9]Figure 9 shows an example of processing when a media for disabled persons and a media for caregivers are detected simultaneously 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, with reference to the drawings, an embodiment of the ticket gate and entry / exit control method according to the present application. Note that this embodiment does not limit the ticket gate and entry / exit control 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 shows an example in which a ticket gate 100 that manages the entry and exit of users by touchless processing and multiple media 200-1 and media 200-2 held by users passing through the ticket gate are each connected in a way that enables communication.

[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 medium 200 owned by a user who has entered the ticket gate area and transmits and receives information, thereby enabling users to pass through the gate without touching anything.

[0011] The medium 200 is a medium for passing through the ticket gate owned by the user passing through the ticket gate, and is realized by an IC card, a smartphone having the function of an IC card, or the like. Here, the medium 200 is equipped with, for example, a function that enables communication connection with the ticket gate 100, establishes a wireless connection with the ticket gate 100, and realizes the transmission and reception of information related to the ticket gate passing process. Note that the medium 200 can function as a single medium having a wireless connection function by the terminal device that realizes the function capturing the information of an IC card that does not have a wireless connection function, for example.

[0012] Here, the number of the media 200 included in the ticket gate system 10 shown in FIG. 1 is not particularly limited. For example, when it is detected that the user has entered the ticket gate, all of the media 200 detected by the ticket gate 100 can be set as the processing targets of the ticket gate system 10.

[0013] (Mechanism of touchless processing by the ticket gate 100) Next, the mechanism of touchless processing by the ticket gate 100 will be described. When the ticket gate 100 according to the present embodiment detects the entry of the user into the ticket gate, the antenna of the ticket gate 100 and the medium 200 or the terminal device having the function of the medium 200 establish a wireless communication connection, and by transmitting and receiving information related to the ticket gate passing process, it is possible to determine whether entry and exit are permitted without requiring the conventional touch processing of the user. Hereinafter, an example of a series of flows of touchless processing by the ticket gate 100 will be sequentially described. <​​​​​​First, the ticket gate machine 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 processing according to the embodiment. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the ticket gate machine 100 detects that a user has entered the ticket gate by means of a human presence sensor provided on the entrance side of the ticket gate machine 100. Here, when the ticket gate machine 100 detects that a user has entered the ticket gate, it can notify the user of the state of the ticket gate machine 100 by displaying the fact that the user is in the state of having entered the ticket gate on a monitor. In addition to displaying on the monitor, the ticket gate machine 100 can also output sounds, lights, etc. to notify the user that the user is in the state of having entered the ticket gate.

[0016] Next, simultaneously with the detection of the user's entry, the ticket gate machine 100 transmits beacon signals in sequence at individual timings between a plurality of antennas installed in the ticket gate machine 100 and a terminal device having the function of a medium possessed by the user, and selects an antenna that is optimal for establishing wireless communication. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the antenna selection process for communicating with the terminal device in the touchless processing according to the embodiment.

[0017] For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the ticket gate machine 100 transmits a beacon signal from an antenna simultaneously with the detection of the user's entry into the ticket gate. Then, the ticket gate machine 100 detects the terminal device possessed by the user who has entered the ticket gate by receiving the beacon response from the terminal device.

[0018] For example, the ticket gate machine 100 transmits and receives beacon signals in sequence between a plurality of antennas and the terminal device, measures the reception intensity between each antenna and the terminal device, 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 terminal device.

[0019] Next, the ticket gate 100 establishes a wireless connection between the antenna with the optimal communication state selected in the aforementioned process and the terminal device, and enters a communication-ready state (link up). Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating the wireless connection establishment process in the touchless process according to the embodiment. In the example shown in Figure 4, the ticket gate 100 establishes a wireless connection between the antenna selected as the antenna with the optimal communication state and the terminal device.

[0020] The ticket gate 100 then transmits and receives data related to the ticket gate passage process via an antenna and terminal device with which a wireless connection has been established. Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating the ticket gate passage process in the touchless processing according to this embodiment.

[0021] As shown in Figure 5, the ticket gate 100 performs the ticket gate passage process for the terminal device of the user by sending and receiving packet data within a certain period (e.g., 100 msec) via wireless communication between an antenna and a terminal device with which a wireless connection has been established.

[0022] Here, if, for example, the communication status deteriorates due to the movement of a user and the ticket gate passage process is not completed within a certain period of time, the ticket gate 100 can return to the process of selecting the optimal antenna based on the aforementioned communication status and perform the process sequentially to establish a wireless connection with the newly selected antenna and complete the ticket gate passage process.

[0023] Subsequently, when the ticket gate 100 completes the ticket gate passage process within a certain period, it determines whether the user is permitted to pass through and disconnects the connection between the antenna and the terminal device. Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating the process for determining whether a user has passed through the ticket gate in the touchless processing according to this embodiment.

[0024] As shown in Figure 6, the ticket gate 100, for example, disconnects communication between the antenna and the terminal device 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 with the terminal device 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 notify the user that they have been permitted to pass through the ticket gate by outputting sounds or lights associated with the permission to pass through the ticket gate.

[0025] Through the series of processes described above, the ticket gate 100 can appropriately establish a wireless connection with the terminal device 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, without being affected by the orientation of the terminal device held by the user, the location where it is being held, or any other circumstances related to the user's terminal device, such as physical shielding.

[0026] (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.

[0027] However, with conventional technology, if a user who has entered the ticket gate area has multiple media that are subject to the ticket gate passage process, it is not possible to identify which media is subject to the ticket gate passage process.

[0028] In other words, while conventional touch-based ticket gates accept only one IC card or terminal device at a time based on the user's touch operation, touchless ticket gates automatically detect the IC cards and terminal devices held by users entering the gate area, resulting in the detection of multiple IC cards and terminal devices. As a result, it becomes impossible to identify which of the detected IC cards and terminal devices is the terminal device that should be processed for passing through the ticket gate, making it impossible to properly perform the ticket gate passage process.

[0029] (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 detects each of the multiple media 200 held by the user. The ticket gate 100 then identifies from the multiple detected media 200 which media 200 are eligible for a discount on the fare collected when the user passes through the ticket gate, and performs the ticket gate passage process for the identified media 200.

[0030] For example, the ticket gate 100 detects a user entering the ticket gate area using a motion sensor installed on the entrance side of the ticket gate 100. The ticket gate 100 then detects each of the user's multiple IC cards using multiple antennas installed on the ticket gate 100. The ticket gate 100 then determines whether a discount will be applied to the fare for the user passing through the ticket gate for each of the detected IC cards, and identifies the IC card to which the discount will be applied.

[0031] The ticket gate 100 then sends and receives information related to passing through the gate, such as updating the user's entry and exit history, calculating admission fees and other charges, and collecting the calculated charges, for IC cards that are eligible for fare discounts.

[0032] As a result, the ticket gate 100 determines whether there is a discount on the fare for passing through the ticket gate for each of the multiple media 200 held by the user who has entered the ticket gate area, and performs the ticket gate passage process for the media 200 for which the fare is discounted. Therefore, even when a user has multiple media, the ticket gate passage process can be performed appropriately.

[0033] [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.

[0034] The communication unit 110 controls processes such as transmitting beacons using an antenna installed on the ticket gate 100, and establishing a wireless connection between the ticket gate 100 and the medium 200 via a terminal device.

[0035] 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, information about the medium 200 detected by the medium detection unit 122 (described later), and conditions for determining fare discounts.

[0036] Here, an example of fare discount conditions stored in the memory unit 130 will be explained. Figure 8 is a diagram showing an example of fare discount types related to passing through the ticket gate according to the embodiment. As shown in Figure 8, the memory unit 130 stores discount types such as "round-trip discount," "disability discount (disabled person + caregiver)," "disability discount (disabled person alone)," "student discount," "member discount," "transfer discount," "special ticket (free pass)," "special ticket (round-trip ticket + free pass)," and "other (stopover)."

[0037] The "Round-trip discount" is applicable when the one-way trip is longer than a specified distance and the same route is used for both the outbound and return journeys. The "Disability discount (Disabled Person + Caregiver)" is applicable when a person with a Class 1 disability and their caregiver use the service together. The "Disability discount (Disabled Person Only)" is applicable when the user has a Class 1 or Class 2 disability and the one-way trip is longer than a specified distance. The "Member discount" is applicable when the user falls under a membership category or membership attribute that qualifies for discounts for specific paid memberships, etc., and the discount is applied according to the details.

[0038] "Student discounts" are available to students traveling a specified distance or longer. "Transfer discounts" are available for transfers between different railway companies at specific lines or stations. "Special tickets (free passes)" are discounts that allow unlimited boarding and alighting within a specific area for a specified period. "Special tickets (round-trip tickets + free passes)" are discounts that include a round-trip ticket to a certain area and a free pass as a set. "Other (stopovers)" are discounts that allow unlimited stopovers as long as you do not backtrack, for tickets covering a specified distance or longer.

[0039] The memory unit 130 stores the determination conditions for each of the aforementioned discount types, thereby realizing the processing of the identification unit 123 described later. Specific examples of the determination conditions for each discount type will be explained in the section on the identification unit 123 described later.

[0040] 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 medium detection unit 122, a specification unit 123, and a ticket gate passage processing unit 124.

[0041] 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 motion sensor installed on the entrance side of the ticket gate area 100 detects a human body.

[0042] Furthermore, the entry detection unit 121 acquires information regarding the number of users entering the ticket gate area. For example, in addition to the aforementioned human presence sensor, the entry detection unit 121 acquires the number of users entering the ticket gate area from information obtained through analysis of image data captured by a camera and P2P distance measurement technology. In addition to the number of users, the entry detection unit 121 can also acquire characteristics of users passing through the ticket gate by analyzing image data of users, for example, whether they are accompanied by a young child and pushing a stroller, or whether they are overweight.

[0043] The media detection unit 122 detects each of the multiple media 200 held by the user detected by the entry detection unit 121. For example, when the entry detection unit 121 detects a user's entry into the ticket gate 100, the media detection unit 122 transmits beacon signals from multiple antennas installed in the ticket gate 100 and detects the media 200 in which information has been captured by a terminal device that responds to the beacon signal.

[0044] Furthermore, the media detection unit 122 changes the detection cycle for the media 200 according to the number of users detected by the entry detection unit 121. For example, the more people detected by the entry detection unit 121, the shorter the cycle for transmitting the beacon signal, thereby increasing the number of attempts to detect the media 200.

[0045] Here, the media detection unit 122 can, for example, avoid detecting media 200 that have already completed the ticket gate passage process, by saving the power of the beacon signal until a user who has already completed the ticket gate passage process has passed outside the ticket gate.

[0046] Furthermore, the media detection unit 122 can also change the detection cycle of the media 200 according to the characteristics of the user acquired by the entry detection unit 121, for example. For example, if the media detection unit 122 acquires characteristics such as being accompanied by a child, carrying a stroller, or being overweight, it can determine that the interval between users entering the ticket gate area will be relatively long and adjust the cycle for transmitting the beacon signal to be relatively long.

[0047] The identification unit 123 identifies, from among the multiple media 200 detected by the media detection unit 122, the media 200 for which the fare collected when a user passes through the ticket gate is eligible for a discount. For example, the identification unit 123 identifies the media 200 eligible for the discount by determining whether each of the multiple media 200 detected by the media detection unit 122 meets the conditions for a discount on the fare related to passing through the ticket gate.

[0048] For example, the identification unit 123 can use the usage history information registered for each of the multiple media 200 detected by the media detection unit 122 to identify the media 200 that are eligible for the discount, or, if the multiple media 200 detected by the media detection unit 122 include media 200 for persons with disabilities and media 200 for caregivers, it can identify the media 200 for persons with disabilities and the media 200 for caregivers as the media 200 that are eligible for the discount.

[0049] The identification unit 123 identifies the media 200 linked to member information when the multiple media 200 detected by the media detection unit 122 include media 200 linked to member information that is eligible for a discount. For example, if the user information registered for each of the multiple media 200 detected by the media detection unit 122 matches member information to which a discount applies, the identification unit 123 identifies the media 300 linked to that member information as the media 300 eligible for the discount.

[0050] Furthermore, if the multiple media 300 detected by the media detection unit 122 include a discounted media 300 and a media 300 held by a companion of the discounted media 300, the identification unit 123 identifies the discounted media 300 and the media 300 held by the companion as the discounted media 300. For example, if the multiple media 300 detected by the media detection unit 122 include a media 300 for a group discount (a discount for simultaneous use by a certain number of users or more), the identification unit 123 identifies the media 300 for the group discount and the media 300 for the companion registered as a companion of the group discount as the media 300 for the group discount as the discounted media 300.

[0051] Here, the processing described above is not limited to cases where the media 300 for group discounts and the media 300 for accompanying persons are detected simultaneously. For example, if the media 300 for group discounts is detected, the identification unit 123 can determine whether the media 300 detected for subsequent ticket gate entrants is the media 300 for accompanying persons, and identify the media 300 for accompanying persons as the media 300 eligible for the discount.

[0052] Now, referring again to Figure 8, the criteria for determining the discount on charges implemented by the identification unit 123 will be explained. For example, if the previous usage history of the medium 200 detected by the medium detection unit 122 shows that it traveled a predetermined distance or more, the identification unit 123 identifies the medium 200 as eligible for a discount.

[0053] For example, if the media 200 detected by the media detection unit 122 includes media 200 for persons with disabilities owned by persons with disabilities of the first type and media 200 for caregivers owned by caregivers, the identification unit 123 identifies the media 200 for persons with disabilities and the media 200 for caregivers as media 200 eligible for the discount.

[0054] For example, the identification unit 123 identifies the medium 200 detected by the medium detection unit 122 as a medium 200 eligible for a discount if it is the aforementioned medium 200 for disabled persons and the previous usage history shows a movement of a predetermined distance or more. The identification unit 123 can also identify the medium 200 as a medium 200 eligible for a discount if the user information registered in the detected medium 200 or the user information obtained by searching the medium 200 on an external server indicates that the user is a Class 1 disabled person or a Class 2 disabled person, and the previous usage history shows a movement of a predetermined distance or more.

[0055] For example, the identification unit 123 identifies the medium 200 as eligible for a discount if the user information registered in the medium 200 detected by the medium detection unit 122, or the user information obtained by searching the medium 200 on an external server, indicates that the user is a student and the previous usage history involves travel of a predetermined distance or more.

[0056] For example, the identification unit 123 identifies the media 200 as eligible for a discount if the user information registered in the media 200 detected by the media detection unit 122, or the user information obtained by searching the media 200 on an external server, matches the membership type or membership attributes of a paid member or other member eligible for a discount.

[0057] For example, the identification unit 123 identifies the medium 200 as eligible for a discount if the previous usage history of the medium 200 detected by the medium detection unit 122 indicates that the person used a railway line or station that has been pre-set as eligible for a discount.

[0058] For example, the identification unit 123 identifies the medium 200 as eligible for the discount if the information registered in the medium 200 detected by the medium detection unit 122 matches the information of a pre-registered special ticket, and if the station within the valid area of ​​the special ticket is a station where a ticket gate 100 is installed.

[0059] For example, the identification unit 123 identifies the medium 200 as eligible for the discount if the information registered in the medium 200 detected by the medium detection unit 122 matches the information of a pre-registered special ticket, and if the station where the ticket gate 100 is installed is within the valid area of ​​the special ticket or a station designated as eligible for the special ticket.

[0060] For example, the identification unit 123 identifies the medium 200 as eligible for a discount if the medium 200 detected by the medium detection unit 122 has ticket information registered that indicates travel of a predetermined distance or more, and the station where the ticket gate 100 is installed satisfies the conditions for a stopover in the registered ticket.

[0061] Furthermore, the identification unit 123 can also identify the media 200 that are subject to the ticket gate passage process using information other than the result of the determination of whether or not the media 200 meets the discount conditions. For example, the identification unit 123 calculates the number of times the media 200 has been used on the same day of the week and time of day as the current day from the usage history of the media 200, and identifies the media 200 with the highest number of uses on the same day of the week and time of day among the detected media 200 as the media 200 that are subject to the ticket gate passage process.

[0062] Furthermore, the identification unit 123 obtains the processing priority of the media 200, which has been set in advance by the user, by, for example, searching for the identification number of the media 200 on an external server, and identifies the media 200 with the highest priority among the detected media 200 as the media 200 that will be processed for passing through the ticket gate.

[0063] The ticket gate passage processing unit 124 performs processing related to passing through the ticket gate for the medium 200 identified by the identification unit 123. For example, the ticket gate passage processing unit 124 performs the ticket gate passage processing for the medium 200 identified by the identification unit 123 by sending and receiving communication data related to determining whether the user is allowed to pass through the ticket gate and collecting fees such as admission fees.

[0064] Here, the ticket gate passage processing unit 124, for example, when collecting the fare at the same time as the user enters, calculates the discounted fare for the specified medium 200, and then updates the amount of the electronic money registered in the medium 200 to the amount after deducting the discounted fare, thereby collecting the admission fee at the same time as the user enters.

[0065] Furthermore, for example, when collecting the fee at the same time as the user exits, the ticket gate processing unit 124 of the ticket gate 100 at the entry station updates the entry history information of the ticket gate 100 for the media 200 that may be eligible for a discount as identified by the identification unit 123. Then, the ticket gate processing unit 124 of the ticket gate 100 at the exit station collects the entry fee at the same time as the user enters by updating the amount of electronic money registered in the media 200 whose latest usage history is in the entry state to the amount after deducting the regular fare or the discounted fare.

[0066] Furthermore, the ticket gate passage processing unit 124 can determine whether the amount deducted from the medium 200 is the regular fare or the discounted fare by, for example, calculating the distance between the entry station registered as the latest usage history and the exit station the user passes through, or by obtaining the user's registration information, and determining whether the user's actions meet the discount determination conditions described in the identification unit 123.

[0067] [Specific examples] Next, a specific example of the process for identifying the medium 200 that is subject to the ticket gate passage process of the ticket gate machine 100 according to the embodiment will be described. Figure 9 is a diagram showing an example of the process when a medium for a disabled person and a medium for a caregiver are detected simultaneously in the embodiment. Figure 9 shows an example of the process when a disabled person using a wheelchair and a caregiver pushing the wheelchair are detected by the ticket gate machine 100 at the entrance station.

[0068] As shown in Figure 9, first, the ticket gate 100 detects the media 200 held by each user who enters the ticket gate area (Figure 9(1)). Specifically, the entry detection unit 121 detects a user using a wheelchair and a user pushing a wheelchair. Then, the media detection unit 122 transmits a beacon signal to the two users detected by the entry detection unit 121 and detects three media 200, from media 200-1 to media 200-3, in which information has been captured by a terminal device that responded to the beacon signal.

[0069] The ticket gate 100 then identifies the media 200 that are subject to the ticket gate passage process from the detected media 200 (Figure 9(2)). Specifically, the identification unit 123 identifies that, for the detected media 200, media 200-1 is an IC card for disabled persons, media 200-2 is an IC card for caregivers, and media 200-3 is a regular IC card.

[0070] The identification unit 123 then determines that the conditions for disability discounts are met because the detected media 200 includes an IC card for a disabled person and an IC card for a caregiver, and identifies media 200-1, which is the IC card for a disabled person, and media 200-2, which is the IC card for a caregiver, as media 200 that are subject to the ticket gate passage process.

[0071] The ticket gate passage processing unit 124 then registers the entry station in the usage history for each of the identified media 200-1 and media 200-2, and permits the user to pass through the ticket gate.

[0072] As a result, even if a user passing through the ticket gate possesses multiple media 200, the ticket gate 100 can perform the ticket gate passage process for the media 200 that is eligible for the discount from among the detected media 200, thus enabling the ticket gate passage process to be properly carried out when a user possesses multiple media.

[0073] 〔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.

[0074] 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). Finally, the ticket gate 100 determines whether or not multiple mediums 200 have been detected (S103).

[0075] If no multiple media 200 are detected (S103; No), the ticket gate 100 performs a ticket gate passage process on the detected media 200 (S104) and terminates the process. On the other hand, if multiple media 200 are detected (S103; Yes), the ticket gate 100 identifies the media 200 that is eligible for the discount on the usage fee (S105). Then, the ticket gate 100 performs a ticket gate passage process on the identified media 200 (S106) and terminates the process.

[0076] 〔effect〕 The ticket gate 100 according to this embodiment includes an entry detection unit 121, a media detection unit 122, a specification unit 123, and a ticket gate passage processing unit 124. The entry detection unit 121 detects when a user enters the ticket gate area. The media detection unit 122 detects each of the multiple media 200 held by the user detected by the entry detection unit 121. The specification unit 123 identifies, from among the multiple media 200 detected by the media detection unit 122, the media 200 whose fare collected when the user passes through the ticket gate is eligible for a discount. The ticket gate passage processing unit 124 performs processing related to passing through the ticket gate for the media 200 identified by the specification unit 123.

[0077] As a result, the ticket gate 100 can perform the transaction for passing through the gate for the medium whose usage fee is eligible for the discount, which is selected from among the multiple media held by the user. Therefore, when a user has multiple media, the transaction for passing through the gate can be performed appropriately.

[0078] Furthermore, the identification unit 123 uses the usage history information registered for each of the multiple media 200 detected by the media detection unit 122 to identify the media 200 that are eligible for the discount. This allows the ticket gate 100 to determine whether or not the usage fee is eligible for a discount based on the previous usage history of the media 200.

[0079] Furthermore, the identification unit 123 identifies the media 200 linked to member information if the multiple media 200 detected by the media detection unit 122 include a media 200 linked to member information that is eligible for a discount. This allows the ticket gate 100 to appropriately identify media that have been pre-linked to member information as eligible for a discount.

[0080] Furthermore, if the multiple media 200 detected by the media detection unit 122 include media 200 for persons with disabilities and media 200 for caregivers, the identification unit 123 identifies the media 200 for persons with disabilities and media 200 for caregivers as the media 200 eligible for the discount. This allows the ticket gate 100 to identify the media to which the discount applies when a person with a disability and a caregiver pass through the ticket gate at the same time.

[0081] Furthermore, the entry detection unit 121 of the ticket gate 100 acquires information regarding the number of users entering the ticket gate area, and the media detection unit 122 changes the detection cycle of the media 200 according to the number of users detected by the entry detection unit 121. As a result, the ticket gate system 10 changes the detection cycle of the media according to the spacing between users entering the ticket gate area, so that even when the ticket gate area is crowded, the detection of users' media can be carried out without fail.

[0082] 〔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.

[0083] 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.

[0084] 〔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.

[0085] 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.

[0086] 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.

[0087] 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.

[0088] 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]

[0089] 100 ticket gates 110 Communications Department 120 Control Unit 121 Intrusion detection unit 122 Media detection unit 123 Specific part 124 Ticket Gate Passage Processing Unit 130 Storage section 200, 200-1, 200-2, 200-3 medium

Claims

1. An entry detection unit that detects when a user enters the ticket gate area, A media detection unit that detects each of the multiple media owned by the user that have been detected by the entry detection unit, A selection unit identifies, from among the plurality of media detected by the media detection unit, the media whose fare collected when the user passes through the ticket gate is subject to a discount, A ticket gate passage processing unit that performs a process related to passing through a ticket gate for the medium identified by the specified unit, A ticket gate characterized by having the following features.

2. The ticket gate according to claim 1, characterized in that the identifying unit identifies the medium eligible for the discount using information on the usage history registered for each of the multiple media detected by the media detection unit.

3. The ticket gate according to claim 1, characterized in that the identifying unit identifies the media linked to member information when the plurality of media detected by the media detection unit include media linked to member information that can receive a discount.

4. The ticket gate according to claim 1, characterized in that the identifying unit identifies the medium to be discounted and the medium held by the accompanying person as the medium to be discounted when the plurality of media detected by the media detection unit include the medium to be discounted and the medium held by the accompanying person.

5. The entry detection unit acquires information regarding the number of users entering the ticket gate area. The ticket gate according to claim 1, characterized in that the media detection unit changes the period for detecting the media according to the number of users detected by the entry detection unit.

6. An entry and exit control method performed by a ticket gate, An entry detection process that detects when a user enters the ticket gate area, A media detection step that detects each of the multiple media owned by the user that were detected by the entry detection step, A selection step, in which, among the plurality of media detected by the media detection step, the media whose fare collected when the user passes through the ticket gate is subject to a discount, A collection step which performs a process related to passing through a ticket gate for the medium identified by the specified step, An entry / exit control method characterized by including the following.

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