Ticket issuing machine

Abstract

To reduce the possibility of exceeding a limitation on the number of characters of a group name.SOLUTION: There is provided a ticket dispenser according to an embodiment for issuing a group ticket, including: a control unit that outputs, to a display, character information for inputting the name of a group name to be written on a group ticket and abbreviation button information including a plurality of abbreviation buttons for inputting classification of the group name, receives, from the display, name information corresponding to the name by pressing of character buttons included in the character information, receives classification information corresponding to the classification by pressing one of the plurality of abbreviation buttons, and outputs an issuance instruction corresponding to the character information and the classification information and including the group name; and an issuance unit that issues the group ticket on which the classification is written by a smaller number of characters than when written in kana characters.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a ticket issuing machine. [Background technology]

[0002] Currently, when passengers board a train as a group, a group ticket is issued. On the group ticket, various information such as the group name is printed.

[0003] When issuing a group ticket, station staff input the group name using the Japanese syllabary or alphabet keys displayed on the ticket issuing machine. Generally, the group name is input in katakana or alphabet. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-025323 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The number of characters in the group name that can be entered on a group ticket is limited to a certain number of characters, for example, 20. Therefore, when entering a category such as "Koutou Gakkou" or "Shougakkou", the number of characters may exceed the limit and the entry may not be possible.

[0006] Furthermore, since the information is entered in katakana or the alphabet, it is time-consuming for station staff to enter the information.

[0007] This invention has been made in light of the above-mentioned circumstances, and its purpose is to provide technology that reduces the possibility of exceeding the character limit when entering an organization name and reduces the amount of input work required by station staff. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A ticket issuing machine for issuing group tickets according to an embodiment includes a control unit that outputs to a display unit character information for inputting the name of the group to be written on the group ticket and abbreviated button information including a plurality of abbreviated buttons for inputting a category of the group name, receives name information corresponding to the name from the display unit when a character button included in the character information is pressed, receives category information corresponding to the category when one of the plurality of abbreviated buttons is pressed, and outputs a ticket issuing instruction including the character information and the group name corresponding to the category information, and a ticket issuing unit that issues the group ticket with the category written in fewer characters than when it is written in kana characters. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a ticket issuing machine according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a group purchase screen displayed on the display unit. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a group purchase screen displayed on the display unit. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a group purchase screen displayed on the display unit. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a group purchase screen displayed on the display unit. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a group purchase screen in which a plurality of abbreviation buttons included in the second abbreviation button information is displayed in the abbreviation button area. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a group purchase screen displayed on the display unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] The ticket issuing machine will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiment, the parts with the same numbers perform the same operation, and the repeated description will be omitted. For example, when there are a plurality of identical or similar elements, a common symbol may be used to describe each element without distinguishing between them, and a sub-number may be used in addition to the common symbol to describe each element with distinction between them.

[0011] (composition) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a ticket issuing machine 1 according to an embodiment. The ticket issuing machine 1 is realized by a computer such as a PC (Personal Computer). The ticket issuing machine 1 includes a control unit 11, a memory unit 12, an input / output interface 13, an input unit 14, and a display unit 15. The control unit 11, the memory unit 12, and the input / output interface 13 are connected to each other via a bus so as to be able to communicate with each other. The input / output interface 13 is also connected to the input unit 14 and the display unit 15 so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0012] The control unit 11 controls the ticket issuing machine 1. The control unit 11 includes a hardware processor such as a central processing unit (CPU).

[0013] The storage unit 12 is a storage medium. The storage unit 12 is configured by combining a nonvolatile memory that can be written and read at any time, such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD), a nonvolatile memory such as a read only memory (ROM), and a volatile memory such as a random access memory (RAM). The storage unit 12 has a program storage area and a data storage area in its storage area. The program storage area stores application programs required for executing various processes, in addition to an operating system (OS) and middleware.

[0014] The input / output interface 13 is an interface that enables transmission and reception of information between the input unit 14 and the display unit 15. The input / output interface 13 may be equipped with a wired or wireless communication interface. In other words, the ticket issuing machine 1, the input unit 14, and the display unit 15 may transmit and receive information via a network such as a LAN or the Internet.

[0015] The input unit 14 is, for example, an input detection sheet that employs an electrostatic or pressure method and is arranged on the display screen of a display device that is the display unit 15, and outputs a signal corresponding to the touch position of the station staff to the control unit 11 via the input / output interface 13. For example, the input unit 14 and the display unit 15 may be a touch screen in which input and output are integrated. That is, the input unit 14 may receive input of necessary information when the station staff touches a button or the like displayed on the touch screen, and output a signal corresponding to the received information to the control unit 11.

[0016] The input unit 14 may also include, for example, a keyboard or a pointing device that allows a station attendant at the ticket issuing machine 1 to input instructions to the ticket issuing machine 1. The input unit 14 may also include a reader for reading various information stored in a medium including a ticket, a commuter pass, an IC card, etc. The reader may be a magnetic information reader, an IC card reader, a two-dimensional code reader, an NFC (Near Field Communication) reader, etc. The reader may also be a reader / writer capable of writing various information to a medium.

[0017] The display unit 15 is a display device that uses, for example, liquid crystal, organic EL (Electro Luminescence), or the like, and displays images and messages according to signals input from the input / output interface 13 .

[0018] The ticket issuing unit 16 issues, for example, a passenger ticket. The ticket issuing unit 16 may also include a printer or the like capable of issuing a passenger ticket with necessary information (for example, group name, fare, section, etc.) printed on the surface of a medium such as a passenger ticket.

[0019] (Example of group purchase screen) In the example described below, it is assumed that a station attendant is requested by passengers to issue a group ticket, and performs input for issuing the group ticket. For example, the control unit 11 first causes the display unit 15 to display information for selecting whether to issue an individual ticket or a group ticket. Then, it is assumed that the control unit 11 receives information indicating that the station attendant wishes to issue a group ticket.

[0020] (First screen example) FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a group purchase screen displayed on the display unit 15. As shown in FIG. In the example of FIG. 2, the group purchase screen includes input items, such as approval number 201, one-way / round trip 202, type 203, group name 204, grade 205, one-way / outbound 206, return 207, start / end date 208, and number of people 209. The group purchase screen also includes a text area 210 that displays buttons for inputting text information. In FIG. 2, the text area 210 shows an example in which 50 kana buttons are displayed. The group purchase screen also includes an input confirmation button 211 and a reset button 212. In the example of FIG. 2, an abbreviated button area 213 including multiple abbreviated buttons is also provided in a blank area not used by the text area 210, i.e., an area different from the text area 210.

[0021] 2 by receiving from control unit 11 input item information for displaying the input items, character information for displaying character area 210, input confirmation button 211, and reset button 212, and omission button information for displaying omission button area 213. Control unit 11 can also receive a signal indicating which input item has been selected from display unit 15, and in the example of FIG. 2, it is assumed that this is after the signal indicating that the organization name has been selected has been received.

[0022] The approval number 201 is an item in which the station staff inputs a predetermined number. The one-way / round trip 202 is an item in which the staff inputs whether the ticket is one-way or round trip. The type 203 is an item in which the staff inputs the type of group, such as a regular group, a student group, etc.

[0023] The organization name 204 is an item for inputting the name and classification of the organization to be used. In addition, in the example of Fig. 2, it is shown that the organization name can be up to 20 characters. Here, the classification indicates, for example, the name of the school such as high school, junior high school, etc., the type of company such as a joint stock company, etc.

[0024] Grade 205 is an item for inputting which grade will be using the service in the case of a student group. Note that in the example of FIG. 2, inputting this item is optional, i.e., inputting it is optional. One-way / outbound 206 is an item for inputting the departure station and arrival station for a one-way or round-trip outbound trip. Return trip 207 is an item for inputting the departure station and arrival station for the return trip of a round-trip trip. Start / end date 208 is an item for inputting the start and end dates of the group's use. Number of people 209 is an item for inputting the breakdown of the number of people in the group using the service.

[0025] Character area 210 includes character buttons for inputting characters into the input field. For example, FIG. 2 shows an example in which a 50-sound kana button is displayed. Character area 210 may include a space button, a delete all button, a delete one character button, a button for switching to alphabetic input, a do not set button, and a confirm button. Furthermore, when a signal indicating that a character button included in character area 210 has been pressed is received, control unit 11 may output the corresponding character to the input field of organization name 204. That is, control unit 11 can receive name information corresponding to the name of organization name 204 by pressing character information.

[0026] The input confirmation button 211 is a button for confirming that there is nothing missing after inputting all items, etc. The reset button 212 is a button for resetting the inputted item contents.

[0027] The abbreviated button area 213 includes a plurality of abbreviated buttons. In FIG. 2, the abbreviated buttons are provided with "high", "middle", "small", "kindergarten", and "nursery". The buttons included in the abbreviated button area 213 are used to input the classification of the group name 204. For example, "high" is an abbreviated button for inputting "high school", "middle" is an abbreviated button for inputting "junior high school", "small" is an abbreviated button for inputting "primary school", "kindergarten" is an abbreviated button for inputting "kindergarten", and "nursery" is an abbreviated button for inputting "nursery school". That is, in the present embodiment, the classification may be displayed in Chinese characters instead of in kana or alphabet.

[0028] For example, when the "high" button is pressed, the control unit 11 outputs to the display unit 15 information for displaying "high school" in the group name 204. That is, when receiving classification information corresponding to one of the plurality of abbreviated buttons being pressed, the control unit 11 outputs information for displaying the classification corresponding to the classification information in the group name 204. In this way, by displaying the classification of the group name 204 in Chinese characters as "high school", it is possible to reduce the number of characters displayed by four characters compared to displaying it in kana as "コウトウガッコウ". Also, if the station staff presses the "high" abbreviated button once, "high school" will be displayed in the group name 204. Therefore, compared with the case of inputting in kana characters as "コウトウガッコウ", the labor of the station staff can be reduced. Note that the abbreviated buttons shown in FIG. 2 are only examples, and of course, they are not limited to these buttons and may include abbreviated buttons for displaying any classification.

[0029] Also, when receiving a signal indicating that the input confirmation button 211 has been pressed, the control unit 11 may output a ticket issuance instruction including the information input in the input items to the ticket issuance unit 16 after confirming that all the input items have been input. The ticket issuance unit 16 issues a group boarding ticket in which the classification of the group name is displayed in Chinese characters, that is, with a smaller number of characters than when the classification is described in kana characters, in response to the ticket issuance instruction.

[0030] (Second screen example) FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a group purchase screen displayed on the display unit 15. In the example of Fig. 3, the group purchase screen includes a character area 301 and an abbreviation button area 302. In the example of Fig. 3, alphabet buttons are arranged in the character area 301.

[0031] The abbreviation button area 302 includes various buttons, "HS," "MS," "ES," "Kdg," and "NS." "HS" is an abbreviation button for "High School," "MS" is an abbreviation button for "Middle School," "ES" is an abbreviation button for "Elementary School," "Kdg" is an abbreviation button for "Kindergarten," and "NS" is an abbreviation button for "Nursery School."

[0032] Display unit 15 can display as shown in Fig. 3 by receiving from control unit 11 input item information for displaying input items, character information for displaying character area 301, input confirmation button 211, and reset button 212, and omission button information for displaying omission button area 302. For example, when a signal indicating that the alphabet input button shown in Fig. 2 has been pressed is received, control unit 11 may output the character information to display unit 15. Conversely, when a signal indicating that the kana input button shown in Fig. 3 has been pressed is received, control unit 11 may output the character information described with reference to Fig. 2 to display unit 15.

[0033] For example, when a signal (category information) indicating that the "HS" button displayed in the abbreviation button area 302 has been pressed is received, the control unit 11 outputs information to the display unit 15 to display "HS" as the category of the organization name 204. That is, in the example shown in FIG. 3, an abbreviation is input as the category of the organization name 204. For example, by displaying the category in the abbreviation form "HS", the number of characters is reduced compared to the case where "High School" is displayed in English. Also, when a station attendant presses the abbreviation button "HS" once, "HS" is displayed in the category of the organization name 204. Therefore, the work of the station attendant can be reduced compared to the case where "High School" is input in English.

[0034] Further, when receiving a signal indicating that the input confirmation button 211 has been pressed, after confirming that all input items have been input, the control unit 11 may output a ticket issuance instruction including the information input in the input items to the ticket issuance unit 16. The ticket issuance unit 16 issues a group boarding ticket in which the classification of the group name is displayed in an abbreviated form according to the ticket issuance instruction.

[0035] Note that in FIG. 3, an example of displaying an abbreviated form of alphabetical characters is shown, but it is of course applicable when displaying an abbreviated form of kana, an abbreviated form of Chinese characters, etc. For example, in FIG. 2, when the abbreviated button of "high" is pressed, the control unit 11 may output information to the display unit 15 to display simply "high" or "high school" instead of displaying "high school" in the classification of the group name 204 of the display unit 15.

[0036] (Third screen example) FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a group purchase screen displayed on the display unit 15. In the example of FIG. 4, the group purchase screen includes a character area 401, small buttons 402, and an abbreviated button area 403. In the example of FIG. 4, in the character area 401, capital kana buttons among the 50 - sound kana buttons are arranged.

[0037] The display unit 15 can be displayed as shown in FIG. 4 by receiving input item information for displaying input items from the control unit 11, character information for displaying the character area 401, the small buttons 402, the input confirmation button 211, and the reset button 212, and abbreviated button information for displaying the abbreviated button area 403. For example, the character information may include capital letter information for displaying the capital kana buttons in the character area 401. Also, when the small button 402 is pressed, the display unit 15 outputs a signal to the control unit 11 indicating that it is necessary to display small kana characters.

[0038] In the example of FIG. 4, lowercase kana characters are not displayed. By not displaying lowercase characters, the area of the omission button area 403 can be made wider compared to the omission button area 213. As a result, it becomes possible to display more omission buttons on the group purchase screen than the omission buttons shown in FIG. 2. In the example of FIG. 4, the buttons for "daigaku" (university), "kabushiki" (corporation), "ai" (hobby), and "dou" (same hobby) are displayed in addition to the omission buttons in FIG. 2. Here, "daigaku" is an omission button for inputting "university", "kabushiki" is an omission button for inputting "corporation", "ai" is an omission button for inputting "hobby club", and "dou" is an omission button for inputting "same hobby club".

[0039] Also, when it is desired to input lowercase kana characters, the small button 402 is pressed. When a signal indicating that the small button 402 has been pressed is received, the control unit 11 may output a signal to the display unit 15 to delete the blank area of the character area 401 and a part of the omission button area 403 and display a lowercase kana character button.

[0040] (Fourth screen example) FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the group purchase screen displayed on the display unit 15. The group purchase screen includes an omission button area 501. The difference between the omission button area 501 and the omission button area 213 shown in FIG. 2 is that the omission button area 501 includes an arrow button 502.

[0041] For example, when a signal indicating that the arrow button has been pressed is received, the control unit 11 may output to the display unit 15 second omission button information including omission buttons different from the plurality of currently displayed omissions.

[0042] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the group purchase screen in which a plurality of omission buttons included in the second omission button information are displayed in the omission button area 501. As shown in FIG. 6, by displaying omission buttons different from those in FIG. 5 in the omission button area 501, it becomes possible to select an omission button from more omission buttons than in the example of FIG. 2.

[0043] (Fifth screen example) FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a group purchase screen displayed on the display unit 15. As shown in FIG. 7, the skip buttons displayed in the skip button area 701 are arranged in order of frequency of use. For example, the control unit 11 stores the number of times the skip buttons are pressed within a predetermined period in the storage unit 12. Then, the control unit 11 generates skip button information for displaying the skip buttons in order of frequency of use from the left in the skip button area 701, and outputs the skip information to the display unit 15.

[0044] For example, in the example of Fig. 7, "high" indicates the highest frequency of use, and "yes" indicates the lowest frequency of use. Of course, an arrow may be placed in the omission button area 701 as in the fourth example screen.

[0045] (Effects of the embodiment) According to the embodiment described above, when entering the group name 204 of a group ticket, the control unit 11 controls the display unit 15 to display the characters written in the division with fewer characters (kanji characters, abbreviated characters, etc.) than if they were written in kana characters. This makes it possible to reduce the possibility of exceeding the character limit for the group name 204.

[0046] Furthermore, the control unit 11 controls the display unit 15 to display an omission button. Then, when the station attendant presses the omission button, it becomes possible to reduce the effort required for the station attendant to input the classification of the organization name 204.

[0047] [Other embodiments] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the arrow button explained in the fourth screen example may be applied to any screen example.

[0048] Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0049] 1. Ticket machine 11...Control section 12...Storage section 13... Input / Output Interface 14...Input section 15…Display section 16…Ticketing Department 201…Approval number 202...One-way / Round trip 203...Type 204…Organization name 205…School year 206…One way / Outbound 207…Return trip 208…Start / End Date 209…Number of people 210, 301, 401...Character area 211...input confirmation button 212...Reset button 213, 302, 403, 501, 701...Omission button area 402…Small button 502...Arrow button

Claims

1. A ticket issuing machine for issuing group tickets, a control unit that outputs to a display unit character information for inputting the name of the group to be printed on the group ticket and abbreviated button information including a plurality of abbreviated buttons for inputting a category of the group name, receives from the display unit name information corresponding to the name when a character button included in the character information is pressed, receives category information corresponding to the category when one of the plurality of abbreviated buttons is pressed, and outputs a ticket issuance instruction including the character information and the group name corresponding to the category information; a ticket issuing unit that issues the group ticket in which the classification is written in fewer characters than when the classification is written in kana characters; A ticket issuing machine equipped with

2. The ticket issuing machine according to claim 1 , wherein the categories are written in Chinese characters.

3. The ticket issuing machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the categories are written in abbreviated letters.

4. The ticket issuing machine according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of abbreviation buttons are displayed in an area different from an area in which the character information is displayed on the display unit.

5. A ticket issuing machine as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the character information includes capital letter information for displaying an capital letter button for the kana character and a small button for outputting a signal indicating that lowercase letters of the kana character need to be displayed, and the abbreviated button information includes information for displaying the plurality of abbreviated buttons in an area where the lowercase letters should be displayed.

6. A ticket issuing machine as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the abbreviation button information includes an arrow button, and when information indicating that the arrow button has been pressed is received, the control unit outputs second abbreviation button information including a second plurality of abbreviation buttons different from the plurality of abbreviation buttons to a display unit.

7. A storage unit that stores the number of times each of the plurality of shortcut buttons is pressed, The ticket issuing machine according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit generates the abbreviated button information so that the multiple abbreviated buttons are displayed from the left in order of frequency of use based on the number of times stored in the memory unit.

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