Information processing device, information processing system, information processing method, and information processing program

Abstract

To provide an information processing device, an information processing system, an information processing method, and an information processing program that facilitate preventing the use of tickets using a medium different from that used at the time of issuance.SOLUTION: In a ticket information processing system in which a ticket information management server, a ticket reservation server, a ticket issuance server, ticket examination devices installed at respective stations on a railway line, a ticket issuance device, and user terminals carried by respective users using the ticket information processing system are connected via a communication network, the ticket issuance server 130 includes: a communication unit 133 that acquires ticket contents information D2; and a control unit 131 that creates two-dimensional code data for each piece of the ticket contents information D2. The two-dimensional code data created by the control unit 131 includes issuance medium information which is information relating to a medium used for issuance of a ticket.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device, an information processing system, an information processing method, and an information processing program. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, technology has been developed to issue train tickets, which were previously issued using magnetic cards, using a specified one-dimensional or two-dimensional code such as a QR code (registered trademark) (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). Unlike conventional magnetic card tickets or the IC card tickets which have become increasingly common in recent years, such one-dimensional or two-dimensional codes can be issued without the use of a dedicated card, for example by displaying it on a smartphone, tablet device, etc., or by printing it on ordinary paper, making it possible to issue tickets to users to use for boarding trains cheaply and easily. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2006-59249 A [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 5380338 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Tickets with such one-dimensional or two-dimensional codes can easily be made usable on a medium other than that used for issue by, for example, printing the ticket as electronic data on a terminal device used by the user, such as a smartphone or tablet, onto a print medium such as paper, or conversely, photographing the ticket printed on a print medium such as paper, converting it into electronic data, and saving it on a terminal device used by the user, such as a smartphone or tablet.Therefore, there was a risk that such tickets that were made usable on a medium other than that used for issue could be used for illegal riding, such as fare evasion. This issue was particularly evident when tickets were issued by printing on a printing medium such as paper, which makes it difficult to implement measures to prevent counterfeiting when digitized, and were then converted into electronic data that could be easily distributed to others.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to make it easier to prevent a ticket from being used with a medium other than that used when it was issued. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, the present invention provides an information processing device, comprising: A first acquisition means for acquiring ticket content information which is information related to the content of a ticket; For each of the ticket content information, Including issuance medium information which is information indicating whether the ticket is issued to a mobile terminal or is printed on a predetermined print medium such as paper and issued. A generating means for generating ticket stored information which is information to be stored in a ticket; A second acquisition means for acquiring the ticket stored information read by a reading device; a third acquiring means for acquiring read medium information, which is information related to a medium from which the ticket storage information is read by the reading device; a first determination means for determining whether a medium related to the issuing medium information included in the ticket storage information acquired by the second acquisition means matches a medium related to the reading medium information acquired by the third acquisition means; Equipped with El It is characterized by:

[0008] Claim 2 The invention described in claim 1 to In the information processing device described, a storage control means for storing the ticket content information in a storage means; an assigning means for assigning ticket identification information, which is information capable of identifying each of the ticket content information stored in the storage means, to each of the ticket content information stored in the storage means; Equipped with The ticket storage information further includes the ticket identification information.

[0009] Claim 3 The invention described in claim 2 In the information processing device according to the At least a portion of the ticket storage information is encoded; The issuing medium information and the ticket-specific information are characterized in that they are included in encoded information.

[0011] Claim 4 The invention described in is an information processing system, From claim 1 3 and a reading device that reads the ticket stored information from a ticket, The reading device is A reading means for reading the ticket stored information; an identification means for identifying a medium from which the reading means has read the ticket stored information and acquiring read medium information which is information relating to the medium from which the ticket stored information has been read; The present invention is characterized by comprising:

[0012] Claim 5 The invention described in claim 4 In the information processing system according to the present invention, The reading device is The ticket storage device is characterized in that it is provided with a second judgment means for determining whether the medium relating to the issuing medium information contained in the ticket storage information read by the reading means matches the medium relating to the reading medium information identified by the identification means.

[0013] Claim 6 The invention described in claim 4 or 5 In the information processing system according to the present invention, The reading device is a ticket gate device installed at a railway station.

[0014] Claim 7 The invention described in By information processing device In the information processing method, An acquisition step of acquiring ticket content information which is information related to the content of the ticket; For each of the ticket content information, Including issuance medium information which is information indicating whether the ticket is issued to a mobile terminal or is printed on a predetermined print medium such as paper and issued. A creating step of creating ticket storage information which is information to be stored in the ticket; A second acquisition step of acquiring the ticket stored information read by a reading device; a third acquisition step of acquiring read medium information, which is information related to the medium from which the ticket storage information is read by the reading device; a determination step of determining whether a medium related to the issuing medium information included in the ticket storage information acquired in the second acquisition step matches a medium related to the reading medium information acquired in the third acquisition step; Including It is characterized by the fact that

[0015] Claim 8 The invention described in is an information processing program, Computer, Acquires ticket content information, which is information related to the contents of the ticket. No. 1 acquisition means, For each of the ticket content information, Including issuance medium information which is information indicating whether the ticket is issued to a mobile terminal or is printed on a predetermined print medium such as paper and issued. A generating means for generating ticket stored information which is information to be stored in a ticket; a second acquiring means for acquiring the ticket stored information read by a reading device; a third acquiring means for acquiring read medium information, which is information relating to a medium from which the ticket storage information has been read by the reading device; a determination means for determining whether a medium related to the issuing medium information included in the ticket storage information acquired by the second acquisition means matches a medium related to the reading medium information acquired by the third acquisition means; Function as Ruko It is characterized by: Effect of the Invention

[0016] According to the present invention, it is possible to easily prevent a ticket from being used with a medium other than that used when it was issued. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of the configuration of a ticket information processing system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2]2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a ticket information management server in the ticket information processing system according to the embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 3] 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a ticket reservation server in the ticket information processing system according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a ticket issuing server in the ticket information processing system according to the embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 5] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a ticket gate device in a ticket information processing system according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a ticket issuing device in a ticket information processing system according to an embodiment. [Figure 7] 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a user terminal in the ticket information processing system according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 8] 2 is a flowchart showing an outline of an overall flow of operations of the ticket information processing system according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the ticket information processing system according to the embodiment when a ticket is issued (when the ticket is issued to a user terminal). [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the ticket information processing system according to the embodiment when a ticket is issued (when the ticket is issued to a user terminal). [Figure 11] 2 is a diagram showing a data structure of two-dimensional code data in the ticket information processing system according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 12] 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the ticket information processing system according to the embodiment when a ticket is issued (when a ticket is issued by a ticket issuing device). [Figure 13] 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the ticket information processing system according to the embodiment at the time of entering and exiting through a ticket gate (when a match between media and an entry / exit determination are performed in the ticket issuing server). [Figure 14]11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the ticket information processing system according to the embodiment at the time of ticket gate entry / exit (when a match between media is determined and entry / exit is determined at the ticket gate device). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] A ticket information processing system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 14. However, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the illustrated examples.

[0019] [First Configuration Description] The ticket information processing system 100 is a system for providing users of the system with tickets using a specified one-dimensional or two-dimensional code, and for assisting in entering and exiting ticket gates using the tickets.As shown in FIG. 1, the system is configured with various servers managed by a railway operator or the like that manages and operates the ticket information processing system 100, namely, a ticket information management server 110, a ticket reservation server 120, and a ticket issuing server 130, as well as a ticket gate device 140 and a ticket issuing device 150 installed at each station on the railway line, and a user terminal 160 carried by each user who uses the ticket information processing system 100. Moreover, each device is connected to the others via a communication network N, as shown in FIG.

[0020] It should be noted that the above-mentioned servers do not necessarily need to be provided separately, and a single information device such as a PC (Personal Computer) or WS (Work Station) may function as multiple servers. Conversely, each of the above servers does not necessarily have to be realized by a single information device such as a PC or WS, and the functions of each server may be realized by a plurality of information devices such as PCs or WSs connected via a communication network N. In this case, such a plurality of information devices connected via the communication network N corresponds to each server in the present invention. Moreover, the ticket gate device 140, the ticket issuing device 150, and the user terminal 160 do not necessarily have to be realized by a single device, and may be realized by a plurality of devices.

[0021] [1 Ticket information management server] The ticket information management server 110 is an information device such as a PC or a WS, and as described below, manages information required for ticket issuance, such as operating train information D3 and reservation status information D4, and also creates ticket content information D2 and transmits it to other servers. As shown in FIG. 2, the ticket information management server 110 includes, for example, a control unit 111, a storage unit 112, and a communication unit 113.

[0022] The control unit 111 is a part that controls the operation of the ticket information management server 110, and includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), The storage unit 112 is configured with a storage device (not shown) and a CPU, and controls each unit of the ticket information management server 110 in cooperation with the programs and the like stored in the storage unit 112.

[0023] The memory unit 112 is a part where various information required for the operation of the ticket information management server 110 is stored, and is composed of, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), semiconductor memory, etc., and stores data required for the operation of the ticket information management server 110, such as program data, in a manner that can be read and written by the control unit 111.

[0024] The storage unit 112 includes a ticket content information issuing program 1121, a running train information storage unit 1122 in which running train information D3 is stored, and a reservation status information storage unit 1123 in which reservation status information D4 is stored.

[0025] The ticket content information issuance program 1121 is a program that includes various commands to the control unit 111 for operating the ticket information management server 110, and the operation of the ticket information management server 110 described in the operation explanation below is performed in accordance with the ticket content information issuance program 1121. The information stored in each storage unit will be described in detail in the explanation of the operation.

[0026] The communication unit 113 is a part used for communication between the ticket information management server 110 and the ticket reservation server 120, the ticket issuing server 130 and the ticket issuing device 150, and is, for example, a communication interface having a communication IC (Integrated Circuit) and a communication connector, and performs data communication via the communication network N using a predetermined communication protocol under the control of the control unit 111.

[0027] [2 Ticket Reservation Server] The ticket reservation server 120 is, for example, an information device such as a PC or a WS, and performs operations such as obtaining information related to a ticket that a user wishes to purchase from a user terminal 160, as will be described later. As shown in FIG. 3, like the ticket information management server 110, the ticket reservation server 120 includes, for example, a control unit 121, a storage unit 122, and a communication unit 123.

[0028] The configurations of the control unit 121 and the communication unit 123 are the same as those of the control unit 111 and the communication unit 113 in the ticket information management server 110, respectively. The memory unit 122, like the memory unit 112 in the ticket information management server 110, is composed of, for example, an HDD, a semiconductor memory, etc., and is equipped with a ticket reservation program 1221 and a ticket information memory unit 1222 in which ticket content information D2, ticket purchase information D6, ticket reservation information D8, ticket number information D11, and two-dimensional code usage time information D14 are stored.

[0029] The ticket reservation program 1221 is a program that includes various commands to the control unit 121 for operating the ticket reservation server 120, and the operation of the ticket reservation server 120 described below in the operation explanation is performed in accordance with the ticket reservation program 1221. The information stored in each storage unit will be described in detail in the explanation of the operation.

[0030] In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, the ticket reservation server 120 is connected to the ticket information management server 110, the ticket issuing server 130, and the user terminal 160 via a communication network N by the communication unit 123, making it possible to send and receive data between the ticket information management server 110, the ticket issuing server 130, and the user terminal 160.

[0031] [3 Ticket issuing server] The ticket issuing server 130 is, for example, an information device such as a PC or a WS, and performs operations such as creating data relating to a two-dimensional code used as a ticket, as described later. As shown in FIG. 4, the ticket issuing server 130 is configured to include, for example, a control unit 131, a storage unit 132, and a communication unit 133, similar to the ticket information management server 110 and the like.

[0032] The configurations of the control unit 131 and the communication unit 133 are no different from those of the control unit 111 and the communication unit 113 in the ticket information management server 110, respectively. The memory unit 132, like the memory unit 112 in the ticket information management server 110, is composed of, for example, an HDD, semiconductor memory, etc., and is equipped with a ticket issuance program 1321, a ticket information memory unit 1322 in which ticket content information D2, ticket purchase information D6, ticket identifier information D10, ticket number information D11 and two-dimensional code usable time information D14 are stored, an encoded information memory unit 1323 in which encoded information D16 is stored, and a test processing information memory unit 1324 in which test processing information D18 is stored.

[0033] The ticket issuing program 1321 is a program that includes various instructions to the control unit 131 for operating the ticket issuing server 130, and the operation of the ticket issuing server 130 described in the operation explanation below is performed in accordance with the ticket issuing program 1321. The information stored in each storage unit will be described in detail in the explanation of the operation.

[0034] In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, the ticket issuing server 130 is connected to the ticket information management server 110, the ticket reservation server 120, the ticket gate device 140, and the ticket issuing device 150 via a communication network N by a communication unit 133, and data can be sent and received between the ticket information management server 110, the ticket reservation server 120, the ticket gate device 140, and the ticket issuing device 150.

[0035] [4 Ticket gates] The ticket gate device 140 is installed at each station on a railway line and automatically performs ticket gate operations such as determining whether or not a person can enter or exit the ticket gate. As described below, the ticket gate device 140 opens and closes the opening / closing section 145 depending on whether or not a user holding a ticket can enter or exit the ticket gate. As shown in FIG. 5, the ticket gate device 140 is configured similarly to the ticket information management server 110, for example, by including a control unit 141, a memory unit 142, and a communication unit 143, as well as a ticket information reading unit 144 and an opening / closing unit 145.

[0036] The configurations of the control unit 141 and the communication unit 143 are the same as those of the control unit 111 and the communication unit 113 in the ticket information management server 110, respectively. The memory unit 142, like the memory unit 112 in the ticket information management server 110, is composed of, for example, an HDD, semiconductor memory, etc., and is equipped with an entry / exit processing program 1421, a test processing information memory unit 1422 in which test processing information D18 is stored, and an equipment information memory unit 1423 in which ticket gate device installation station information D21 and ticket gate device equipment information D22 are stored.

[0037] The entrance / exit processing program 1421 is a program that includes various commands to the control unit 141 for operating the ticket gate device 140, and the operation of the ticket gate device 140 described in the operation explanation below is performed in accordance with the entrance / exit processing program 1421. The information stored in each storage unit will be described in detail in the explanation of the operation.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 1, the ticket gate device 140 is connected to the ticket issuing server 130 via a communication network N by a communication unit 143, and is capable of transmitting and receiving data to and from the ticket issuing server 130.

[0039] Ticket information reading unit 144 is a part for reading the stored contents of a ticket issued with a predetermined one-dimensional or two-dimensional code as described below, that is, a ticket printed on a print medium such as paper by ticket issuing device 150 and issued, or a ticket issued using user terminal 160 as a medium and displayed on display unit 164, and is made up of a reader for a predetermined one-dimensional or two-dimensional code corresponding to the type of code used when issuing the ticket. When a user holds the ticket over ticket information reading unit 144, it reads the stored contents of the ticket.

[0040] In addition, the ticket information reading unit 144 is configured to be able to read both tickets printed on a printing medium such as paper and issued by the ticket issuing device 150, and tickets issued using the user terminal 160 as a medium and displayed on the display unit 164, and to be able to identify which one has been read.

[0041] In other words, when reading a one-dimensional or two-dimensional code printed on a print medium such as paper, since such print medium is not self-luminous (the medium itself does not emit light), light is irradiated from the ticket information reading unit 144 and the one-dimensional or two-dimensional code is read by the reflection. In contrast, the display unit 164 of the user terminal 160 described below, which is composed of a display such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), is self-luminous (the display unit 164 itself emits light), and since shining light on it would cause reflection and make it difficult to read the displayed content, the one-dimensional or two-dimensional code is read by the self-luminescence of the display unit 164 without shining light from the ticket information reading unit 144.

[0042] Therefore, the ticket information reading unit 144 can read both tickets printed on a print medium such as paper and issued by the ticket issuing device 150, and tickets issued using the user terminal 160 as a medium and displayed on the display unit 164, by repeatedly switching between reading by irradiating light to read a one-dimensional or two-dimensional code printed on a print medium such as paper, and reading without irradiating light to read a one-dimensional or two-dimensional code displayed on the display unit 164. In addition, by storing the timing at which the one-dimensional or two-dimensional code was read, either when light was shone on it or when it was not shone on it, it is possible to determine whether a ticket printed on a print medium such as paper and issued by the ticket issuing device 150, or a ticket issued using the user terminal 160 as a medium and displayed on the display unit 164, was read.

[0043] Note that the configuration of the ticket information reading unit 144 described above is just one example, and other existing methods may be used as a method for reading one-dimensional or two-dimensional codes by the ticket information reading unit 144 as long as it is possible to read both tickets printed on a print medium such as paper and issued by the ticket issuing device 150, and tickets issued using the user terminal 160 as a medium and displayed on the display unit 164, and it is possible to identify which one has been read.

[0044] For example, a separate reading unit may be provided, which emits light to read a one-dimensional or two-dimensional code printed on a print medium such as paper, and a separate reading unit that does not emit light to read a one-dimensional or two-dimensional code displayed on the display unit 164, and depending on which of these succeeds in reading, it may be possible to determine whether a ticket printed on a print medium such as paper and issued by the ticket issuing device 150, or a ticket issued using the user terminal 160 as a medium and displayed on the display unit 164, has been read.

[0045] The opening / closing section 145 is a means for switching the ticket gate device 140 between an open and closed state, and has a fence that can be opened and closed freely. As described below, based on the result of a determination as to whether the user can enter or exit the station where the ticket gate device 140 is installed, the opening section 145 is set to an open state when entry or exit is permitted, and the closing section 145 is set to a closed state when entry or exit is not permitted.

[0046] In addition, in an unused state where the user is not holding the ticket over the ticket information reading unit 144 and the ticket gate device 140 is not being used, the opening / closing unit 145 may be in either an open state or a closed state. However, it is preferable to set it to the open state in the unused state, and to keep it in the open state when a user who holds the ticket is permitted to enter or exit, and to set it to the closed state when a user who holds the ticket is not permitted to enter or exit, or when a user attempts to enter or exit without holding the ticket. In this embodiment, keeping opening / closing section 145 in the open state when the user holds a ticket over it, which was open when not in use, is also considered to be included in keeping opening / closing section 145 in the open state.

[0047] [5 Ticket issuing device] The ticket issuing device 150 is a device installed at each station on a railway line and used by users when purchasing tickets to board a train. In this embodiment, as described below, the ticket issuing device 150 is used when issuing tickets by printing a specified one-dimensional or two-dimensional code on a specified printing medium such as paper. As shown in FIG. 6, the ticket issuing device 150 is configured to include a control unit 151, a memory unit 152, and a communication unit 153, similar to the ticket information management server 110, and further includes a display unit 154, an operation unit 155, and a ticket issuing unit 156.

[0048] The configurations of the control unit 151 and the communication unit 153 are the same as those of the control unit 111 and the communication unit 113 in the ticket information management server 110, respectively. The memory unit 152, like the memory unit 112 in the ticket information management server 110, is composed of, for example, an HDD, a semiconductor memory, etc., and is equipped with a ticket content information issuance program 1521, an operating train information memory unit 1522 in which operating train information D3 is stored, and a reservation status information memory unit 1523 in which reservation status information D4 is stored.

[0049] The ticket content information issuance program 1521 is a program including various commands to the control unit 151 for operating the ticket issuing device 150, and the operation of the ticket issuing device 150 described in the operation explanation given below is performed in accordance with the ticket content information issuance program 1521. The information stored in each storage unit will be described in detail in the explanation of the operation.

[0050] In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, the ticket issuing device 150 is connected to the ticket information management server 110 and the ticket issuing server 130 via a communication network N by a communication unit 153, making it possible to send and receive data between the ticket information management server 110 and the ticket issuing server 130.

[0051] The display unit 154 includes a display such as an LCD, and displays an image based on a display control signal output from the control unit 151 on the display screen.

[0052] The operation unit 155 includes, for example, a keyboard having character input keys, number input keys, and other keys associated with various functions, and receives operation input from a user who purchases a ticket on the ticket issuing device 150 and outputs an operation signal corresponding to the operation input to the control unit 151. The operation unit 155 may be, for example, a touch panel formed integrally with the display unit 154, and is not particularly limited as long as it can receive operation input from a user who purchases a ticket on the ticket issuing device 150.

[0053] The ticket issuing unit 156 is a part that issues tickets to users under the control of the control unit 151. In this embodiment, the ticket issuing unit 156 issues tickets by printing a predetermined one-dimensional or two-dimensional code on a predetermined printing medium such as paper based on data received from the ticket issuing server 130 as described below.

[0054] [6 User terminals] The user terminal 160 is an information device (mobile terminal) such as a smartphone or tablet terminal carried by each user who uses this system to receive tickets, etc., and is used when entering or exiting the ticket gate device 140 using a ticket issued by a specified one-dimensional or two-dimensional code, as described below. As shown in FIG. 7, the user terminal 160 is configured to include, for example, a control unit 161, a storage unit 162, a communication unit 163, a display unit 164, and an operation unit 165, similar to the ticket issuing device 150.

[0055] The configurations of the control unit 161, communication unit 163, display unit 164, and operation unit 165 are the same as those of the control unit 151, communication unit 153, display unit 154, and operation unit 155 in the ticket issuing device 150, respectively. The memory unit 162, like the memory unit 152 in the ticket issuing device 150, is composed of, for example, an HDD, a semiconductor memory, etc., and is equipped with a user terminal application 1621 and a ticket information memory unit 1622 in which two-dimensional code image data D19, ticket number information D11, and ticket reservation information D8 are stored.

[0056] The user terminal application 1621 is a program that includes various instructions to the control unit 161 for operating the user terminal 160, and the operation of the user terminal 160 described in the operation explanation below is performed in accordance with the user terminal application 1621. The information stored in each storage unit will be described in detail in the explanation of the operation.

[0057] The user terminal 160 is also connected to the ticket reservation server 120 via a communication network N through a communication unit 163 , and is capable of transmitting and receiving data to and from the ticket reservation server 120 .

[0058] [7 Communication Networks] The communication network N is, for example, the Internet, a telephone line network, a mobile phone communication network, a wireless LAN communication network, etc., and connects the devices constituting the ticket information processing system 100 as shown in FIG. The communication network N is not particularly limited as long as it can connect the devices as described above and transmit and receive data between them.

[0059] [Second operation explanation] The operation of the ticket information processing system 100 according to this embodiment during use is described below. As shown in the flowchart of Fig. 8, the operation of the ticket information processing system 100 is roughly divided into two steps: step S1 (issuing a ticket) and step S2 (entering and exiting the ticket gate).

[0060] [1 Step S1: Issuing a ticket] First, the operation of the system when issuing a ticket to a user for boarding a train will be explained separately for when the ticket is issued to the user terminal 160 via data, and when the ticket is issued by the ticket issuing device 150 on a specified printing medium such as paper.

[0061] [(1) Step S11: Issuing to user terminal] First, the flow of operations when a ticket is issued to the user terminal 160 by data will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIG. 9 and FIG.

[0062] When a user of the ticket information processing system 100 wishes to use this system to be issued a ticket for boarding a train, the user first uses the operation unit 165 of the user terminal 160 to input information related to the ticket he or she wishes to reserve, i.e., the desired ticket purchase information D1 including information related to, for example, the train boarding station, disembarking station, departure time, arrival time, seat number, etc. (step S11-1). Once the desired ticket purchase information D1 has been input, the control unit 161 transmits the input information from the communication unit 163 to the ticket reservation server 120 via the communication network N (step S11-2).

[0063] The user may input information related to the ticket he / she wishes to reserve by, for example, specifying the train and seat he / she wishes to reserve on a specific ticket reservation website provided by the ticket reservation server 120 and configured to allow the user to specify the train, seat, boarding station, and disembarking station he / she wishes to reserve. Also, a specific application may be downloaded in advance to storage unit 162 of user terminal 160, and input may be performed according to that application.

[0064] In the ticket reservation server 120, when the communication unit 123 receives the desired purchase ticket information D1, the control unit 121 transmits the received desired purchase ticket information D1 from the communication unit 123 via the communication network N to the ticket information management server 110, together with a specified request to transmit ticket content information D2 corresponding to the data (step S11-3).

[0065] In the ticket information management server 110, when the communication unit 113 receives the desired ticket purchase information D1 and a request to send ticket content information D2, the control unit 111 checks the train's available seats based on the operating train information D3 stored in the operating train information memory unit 1122 and the reservation status information D4 stored in the reservation status information memory unit 1123 if a seat needs to be reserved, and if a ticket can be purchased for a seat on the train for which the user related to the desired ticket purchase information D1 wishes to purchase a ticket, creates and obtains corresponding ticket content information D2 (step S11-4).

[0066] Ticket content information D2 is information that constitutes the content of the ticket to be used to board the train corresponding to the ticket purchase request information D1, and includes, for example, information such as the specific ticket validity area (boarding station, disembarking station, intermediate stations, etc.) and the validity period of the ticket.

[0067] In addition, the ticket content information D2 includes the status of the ticket, i.e., the entry and exit history, and information related to the sections traveled, specifically, information related to the state of each ticket, such as unused (before entry), used (after exiting at the disembarking station), in use (after entry but before exiting), in use (after exiting at an intermediate station), etc.

[0068] For example, immediately after purchasing a ticket, the status stored is that the ticket is unused, and when use begins (for example, entry through the ticket gate device 140), the status is updated to indicate that the ticket is in use (after entry but before exiting), and when the ticket exits at an intermediate station, the status is updated to indicate that the ticket is in use (after exiting from an intermediate station), and when use is completed (exiting through the ticket gate device 140 at the disembarking station), the status is updated to indicate that the ticket has already been used.

[0069] Once the ticket content information D2 has been created, the control unit 111 in the ticket information management server 110 transmits the created ticket content information D2, together with the purchase result information D5, to the ticket reservation server 120 from the communication unit 113 via the communication network N (step S11-5). The purchase result information D5 is information related to whether or not the user can purchase the ticket corresponding to the desired ticket purchase information D1, and when the ticket content information D2 is created, the information necessarily indicates that the ticket is available for purchase. If the user cannot purchase the ticket corresponding to the desired ticket purchase information D1, the ticket content information D2 is not sent, and only the purchase result information D5 indicating that the ticket cannot be purchased is sent to the ticket reservation server 120.

[0070] In the ticket reservation server 120, when the communication unit 123 receives the ticket content information D2 and the purchase result information D5, the control unit 121 transmits the purchase result information D5 from the communication unit 123 via the communication network N to the user terminal 160 that transmitted the purchase request ticket information D1 in step S11-2 (step S11-6). In the user terminal 160 that receives this via the communication unit 163, the control unit 161 displays the ticket purchase result on the display unit 164 based on the received data (step S11-7).

[0071] Once the ticket reservation server 120 has completed sending the purchase result information D5 to the user terminal 160, it then creates ticket purchase information D6 and ticket reservation information D8 relating to the ticket purchased by the user, links these to the ticket content information D2, and stores them in the ticket information storage unit 1222 of the storage unit 122 (step S11-8).

[0072] The ticket purchase information D6 is information for linking together each piece of information related to an issued ticket, such as ticket content information D2, purchase result information D5, and ticket reservation information D8, including ticket purchase number information D7, which is information related to a purchase number assigned to each ticket. The ticket purchase information D6 also includes information related to the content of the ticket corresponding to the desired ticket purchase information D1, similar to that included in the ticket content information D2, and information related to the status of the ticket.

[0073] The ticket reservation information D8 is data relating to the specific reservation contents made by the user for the reserved ticket, for management by the ticket reservation server 120. The ticket reservation information D8 also includes information relating to the contents of the ticket corresponding to the desired ticket purchase information D1, similar to that included in the ticket content information D2, and information relating to the status of the ticket.

[0074] In the ticket reservation server 120, once the above data has been created, the control unit 121 transmits the ticket content information D2 and ticket purchase information D6 from the communication unit 123 via the communication network N to the ticket issuing server 130 (step S11-9). In the ticket issuing server 130, which receives this data via the communication unit 133, the control unit 131 links the received ticket content information D2 and ticket purchase information D6 and stores them in the ticket information memory unit 1322 of the memory unit 132 (step S11-10).

[0075] It should be noted that the transmission of the ticket content information D2 and the ticket purchase information D6 from the ticket reservation server 120 to the ticket issuing server 130 in step S11-9 does not necessarily have to be performed immediately after the creation of the ticket purchase information D6 and the ticket reservation information D8 in step S11-8. For example, multiple pieces of ticket content information D2 and ticket purchase information D6 may be transmitted to the ticket issuing server 130 together at a predetermined timing.

[0076] After the information is stored in the ticket reservation server 120 and the ticket issuance server 130 as described above, if the user wishes to have a two-dimensional code issued for the purchased ticket, the user first uses the operation unit 165 of the user terminal 160 to input specific information (ticket issuance request information D9) requesting the issuance of a ticket with a two-dimensional code (step S11-11). When the ticket issuance request information D9 is input, the control unit 161 of the user terminal 160 transmits the input information from the communication unit 163 to the ticket reservation server 120 via the communication network N (step S11-12).

[0077] The information relating to the ticket for which the user wishes to have a two-dimensional code issued may be entered, for example, by selecting the ticket for which the user wishes to have a two-dimensional code issued on a specific website provided by ticket reservation server 120 and configured to allow the user to select the ticket for which the user wishes to have a two-dimensional code issued from a list of ticket reservation information D8 relating to tickets that the user has purchased and which is stored on ticket reservation server 120. Also, a specific application may be downloaded in advance to the storage unit 162 of the user terminal 160, and input may be performed according to the application.

[0078] In the ticket reservation server 120, when the communication unit 123 receives the ticket issuance request information D9, the control unit 121 searches the ticket information memory unit 1222 of the memory unit 122 based on the received ticket issuance request information D9, extracts the corresponding ticket purchasing information D6, and transmits the ticket purchase number information D7 included in the extracted ticket purchasing information D6 from the communication unit 123 via the communication network N to the ticket issuance server 130 together with static / dynamic issuance identification information D13, which is information regarding whether the issued two-dimensional code is a static one with no time limit for use or a dynamic one with a time limit for use that must be created in real time by the user at the time of use (step S11-13).

[0079] In the ticket issuing server 130, when the communication unit 133 receives the ticket purchase number information D7 included in the ticket purchase information D6 related to the ticket issuance request information D9, the control unit 131 extracts the corresponding ticket purchase information D6 stored in the ticket information storage unit 1322 of the storage unit 132 according to the received ticket purchase number information D7, sets an ID (identifier) ​​for each of the extracted ticket purchase information D6 according to a predetermined rule, creates ticket identifier information D10 which is information related to the identifier to be assigned to each two-dimensional code data D12 described later, and generates a number to create ticket number information D11 which is information related to the number to be assigned to each two-dimensional code data D12 described later, and stores it in the ticket information storage unit 1322 of the storage unit 132 in association with the corresponding ticket content information D2 and ticket purchase information D6 (step S11-14). Both the ticket identifier information D10 and the ticket number information D11 are information that can identify and specify each ticket assigned to each ticket.

[0080] Next, the control unit 131 uses the ticket purchase information D6 and the created ticket identifier information D10 to create two-dimensional code data D12 in accordance with a predetermined two-dimensional code format (step S11-15). As the two-dimensional code format, for example, a format related to QR Code (registered trademark) can be used.

[0081] In addition, when creating the two-dimensional code data D12, the control unit 131 refers to the received static / dynamic issuance identification information D13, and if this information indicates that the two-dimensional code to be issued is dynamic, creates two-dimensional code usage time information D14, which is information related to the usage time of the two-dimensional code related to the two-dimensional code data D12 to be created, and stores the created two-dimensional code usage time information D14 in the ticket information memory unit 1322 of the memory unit 132 in association with the corresponding ticket content information D2, ticket purchase information D6, ticket identifier information D10, and ticket number information D11. The two-dimensional code available time information D14 may be set, for example, in the form of the time when the two-dimensional code data D12 was created in step S11-15 and a predetermined time (such as 5 minutes) from that time.

[0082] The two-dimensional code data D12 is the original data for a two-dimensional code created according to a specified two-dimensional code format, and includes information to be stored on a ticket issued by the two-dimensional code, as described below. Note that, although it is not preferable due to the relationship of data capacity to area, it is possible to use a one-dimensional code instead of a two-dimensional code.

[0083] The two-dimensional code data D12 has multiple storage areas, for example, a basic information section D12-1 and a validity checking section D12-2 as shown in Fig. 11, and only a part of the information in the basic information section D12-1 is encoded using the encoding information D16 stored in the encoding information storage section 1323 of the storage section 132. The encoding information D16 is data related to a predetermined conversion rule used by the ticket issuing server 130 when encoding the two-dimensional code data D12.

[0084] Among these, the basic information section D12-1 includes attribute information related to the issuer, issuance time, etc., as well as the ticket identifier information D10 created in step S11-14 and issuance medium information D15. Note that the ticket identifier information D10 and issuance medium information D15 are included in the information encoded using the encoding information D16.

[0085] The issuing medium information D15 is information related to the medium on which the ticket related to the two-dimensional code data D12 is issued, i.e., information indicating whether the ticket is issued to the user terminal 160 or is printed on a specified printing medium such as paper by the ticket issuing device 150 and issued.

[0086] The format of the information is not particularly limited, and any information including a predetermined identifier or the like can be used that can identify whether the ticket relating to the two-dimensional code data D12 read by the ticket information reading unit 144 in the ticket gate device 140 when entering or exiting the ticket gate in step S2 described below was issued to the user terminal 160 or was printed on a printing medium such as paper and issued by the ticket issuing device 150. The control unit 131 creates such information according to the type of medium on which the ticket related to the two-dimensional code data D12 is issued, and creates the two-dimensional code data D12 including the information.

[0087] In step S11, since the ticket related to the two-dimensional code data D12 is issued to the user terminal 160, information indicating that it is issued to the user terminal 160 (issued using the user terminal 160 as a medium) is included in the basic information section D12-1 of the two-dimensional code data D12 as issuance medium information D15.

[0088] The validity testing section D12-2 also includes testing information D17, which is information related to the results of a predetermined conversion or calculation for testing based on the data included in the basic information section D12-1. The testing information D17 is created by the control section 131 inputting the data included in the basic information section D12-1 into a predetermined conversion rule or calculation formula stored as testing processing information D18 in the testing processing information storage section 1324 of the storage section 132.

[0089] Once the two-dimensional code data D12 is created, the control unit 131 in the ticket issuing server 130 transmits the created two-dimensional code data D12 together with the corresponding ticket number information D11 from the communication unit 133 via the communication network N to the ticket reservation server 120 (step S11-16). In addition, when the control unit 131 creates the two-dimensional code usage time information D14 in step S11-15, it also transmits the two-dimensional code usage time information D14, together with the ticket number information D11 and the two-dimensional code data D12, from the communication unit 133 via the communication network N to the ticket reservation server 120.

[0090] In the ticket reservation server 120, when the communication unit 123 receives the information transmitted from the ticket issuing server 130, the control unit 121 stores the received ticket number information D11 in the ticket information storage unit 1222 of the storage unit 122 in association with the corresponding ticket content information D2, ticket purchase information D6, and ticket reservation information D8, and then creates two-dimensional code image data D19, which is data that has been converted into image data based on the received two-dimensional code data D12 (step S11-17). In addition, when two-dimensional code usage time information D14 is received from the ticket issuing server 130, the control unit 121 also stores the two-dimensional code usage time information D14 in the ticket information storage unit 1222 of the storage unit 122 in association with the corresponding ticket content information D2, ticket purchase information D6, ticket reservation information D8, and ticket number information D11.

[0091] After creating the two-dimensional code image data D19, the control unit 121 transmits the created data together with the corresponding ticket number information D11 and ticket reservation information D8 from the communication unit 123 via the communication network N to the user terminal 160 (step S11-18).

[0092] Furthermore, when the above transmission process is completed, in ticket reservation server 120, control unit 121 updates the information relating to the status of the ticket, which is included in ticket content information D2, ticket purchase information D6, and ticket reservation information D8 related to the ticket stored in ticket information storage unit 1222 of storage unit 122, to information indicating that a two-dimensional code has been issued (step S11-19), and transmits status update information at the time of issuance of two-dimensional code D20, which is information relating to the content of the status update, to ticket issuing server 130 (step S11-20). Similarly, in ticket issuing server 130, control unit 131 updates the information relating to the status of the ticket, which is included in ticket content information D2 and ticket purchase information D6 related to the ticket stored in ticket information storage unit 1322 of storage unit 132, to information indicating that a two-dimensional code has been issued (step S11-21).

[0093] In step S11-19, it is also possible to update only the information relating to the ticket status contained in the ticket purchase information D6 and the ticket reservation information D8, without updating the information relating to the ticket status contained in the ticket content information D2.

[0094] In the user terminal 160, when the communication unit 163 receives the two-dimensional code image data D19, the ticket number information D11, and the ticket reservation information D8, the control unit 161 links the received data and stores it in the ticket information storage unit 1622 of the storage unit 162 (step S11-22). This makes it possible for the user terminal 160 to display on the display unit 164 an image of the two-dimensional code relating to the two-dimensional code image data D19 stored in the ticket information memory unit 1622 of the memory unit 162 and the ticket number relating to the ticket number information D11.

[0095] Alternatively, instead of creating the two-dimensional code image data D19 in the ticket reservation server 120, the control unit 121 of the ticket reservation server 120 may transmit the two-dimensional code data D12 from the communication unit 123 to the user terminal 160 via the communication network N instead of the two-dimensional code image data D19, and upon receiving the data in the user terminal 160, the control unit 161 may create the two-dimensional code image data D19 in accordance with the user terminal application 1621, thereby acquiring the two-dimensional code image data D19.

[0096] [(2) Step S12: Issuance at the ticket issuing device] Next, the flow of operations when the ticket issuing device 150 issues a ticket on a predetermined print medium such as paper will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0097] When a user wishes to have a ticket issued by the ticket issuing device 150 for use in boarding a train, the user first uses the operation unit 155 of the ticket issuing device 150 to input information relating to the ticket he or she wishes to reserve, i.e., the desired ticket purchase information D1 including, for example, information relating to the train's boarding station, disembarking station, departure time, arrival time, seat number, etc., and then performs the required purchase operation (step S12-1).

[0098] The user may input information related to the ticket he or she wishes to reserve by, for example, using the operation unit 155 to specify the train and seat he or she wishes to reserve in accordance with a specific ticket reservation screen displayed on the display unit 154 of the ticket issuing device 150 and configured to allow the user to specify the train and seat he or she wishes to reserve.

[0099] When the desired ticket purchase information D1 is input, the control unit 151 creates ticket purchase information D6 based on the input information (step S12-2).

[0100] Next, the control unit 151 checks the availability of seats on the train based on the operating train information D3 stored in the operating train information memory unit 1522 and the reservation status information D4 stored in the reservation status information memory unit 1523, and if it is possible to purchase a ticket for a seat on the train for which the user related to the ticket purchase information D6 wishes to purchase a ticket, creates corresponding ticket content information D2 (step S12-3).

[0101] After creating the ticket content information D2, the control unit 151 transmits the ticket content information D2 created in step S12-3, together with the ticket purchasing information D6 created in step S12-2, from the communication unit 153 via the communication network N to the ticket issuing server 130 (step S12-4).

[0102] In the ticket issuing server 130, when the communication unit 133 receives the ticket content information D2 and the ticket purchase information D6, the control unit 131 links the received ticket content information D2 and the ticket purchase information D6 and stores them in the ticket information memory unit 1322 of the memory unit 132 (step S12-5).

[0103] Next, the control unit 131 of the ticket issuing server 130 sets an ID (identifier) ​​for each ticket purchasing information D6 in accordance with a predetermined rule, creates ticket identifier information D10, assigns a number to it, creates ticket number information D11, and stores it in the ticket information storage unit 1322 of the storage unit 132 in association with the corresponding ticket content information D2 and ticket purchasing information D6 (step S12-6).

[0104] Next, the control unit 131 uses the ticket purchasing information D6 and the created ticket identifier information D10 to create two-dimensional code data D12 in accordance with a predetermined two-dimensional code format (step S12-7).

[0105] The two-dimensional code data D12, similar to that described in step S11, has a basic information section D12-1 and a validity testing section D12-2, as shown in FIG. 11, with the encoded portion of the basic information section D12-1 containing ticket identifier information D10 and issuing medium information D15, and the validity testing section D12-2 containing testing information D17. However, in step S12, since the ticket related to the two-dimensional code data D12 is printed on a predetermined printing medium such as paper by the ticket issuing device 150 and issued, information indicating that the ticket will be printed on a predetermined printing medium such as paper by the ticket issuing device 150 and issued is included in the basic information section D12-1 of the two-dimensional code data D12 as issuing medium information D15.

[0106] When the two-dimensional code data D12 is created, the control unit 131 in the ticket issuing server 130 transmits the created two-dimensional code data D12 together with the corresponding ticket number information D11 from the communication unit 133 via the communication network N to the ticket issuing device 150 (step S12-8).

[0107] In the ticket issuing device 150, when the communication unit 153 receives the two-dimensional code data D12 and the ticket number information D11, the control unit 151 creates two-dimensional code image data D19, which is data that has been converted into image data based on the two-dimensional code data D12, and then causes the ticket issuing unit 156 to issue a ticket on which the two-dimensional code related to the two-dimensional code image data D19 and the number related to the ticket number information D11 are stored by printing or other method on a specified printing medium such as paper (step S12-9).

[0108] When the issuance of the ticket is completed, the control unit 151 in the ticket issuing device 150 transmits a predetermined notification that the issuance of the ticket is completed from the communication unit 153 to the ticket issuing server 130 via the communication network N (step S12-10).

[0109] In the ticket issuing server 130 that receives the above notification via the communication unit 133, the control unit 131 updates the ticket content information D2 relating to the ticket stored in the ticket information storage unit 1322 of the storage unit 132 and the information relating to the status of the ticket contained in the ticket purchase information D6 to information indicating that a two-dimensional code has been issued (step S12-11).

[0110] [2 Step S2: Entering and exiting the ticket gate] Next, the operation of the system when a user uses the two-dimensional code issued in step S1 to enter or exit a ticket gate at the ticket gate device 140 will be explained separately for cases where the determination of media match and the entry / exit determination are performed by the ticket issuing server 130 and cases where they are performed by the ticket gate device 140.

[0111] [(1) Step S21: When the ticket issuing server checks whether the media matches and whether the person is entering or leaving the ticket] First, the flow of operations performed by the ticket issuing server 130 to determine whether the media match and whether the user has entered or exited will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

[0112] When the user wishes to enter the station through the ticket gate device 140 before boarding a train, or when the user wishes to exit the station through the ticket gate device 140 after boarding a train, the user holds the two-dimensional code issued in step S1 over the ticket information reading unit 144 of the ticket gate device 140. Specifically, when a two-dimensional code is issued to the user terminal 160 through the process described in step S11, the user performs a predetermined operation using the operation unit 165 of the user terminal 160 to display the two-dimensional code related to the two-dimensional code image data D19 on the display unit 164, and then holds the displayed two-dimensional code over the ticket information reading unit 144. In addition, if the two-dimensional code is printed on a print medium such as paper by the ticket issuing device 150 after going through the process described in step S12, the two-dimensional code printed on the print medium such as paper is held over the ticket information reading unit 144.

[0113] When the two-dimensional code is held over the ticket information reading unit 144, the control unit 141 of the ticket gate device 140 causes the ticket information reading unit 144 to read the two-dimensional code data D12 from the held over two-dimensional code (step S21-1).

[0114] The control unit 141 also identifies the medium that displays the two-dimensional code read in step S21-1 (step S21-2). That is, the control unit 141 identifies whether the two-dimensional code is a two-dimensional code displayed on the display unit 164 of the user terminal 160, or a two-dimensional code printed on a print medium such as paper issued by the ticket issuing device 150.

[0115] The method of identification is not particularly limited, but for example, as described in the explanation of the configuration of the ticket information reading unit 144 of the ticket gate device 140, the ticket information reading unit 144 can be configured to alternately and repeatedly read a two-dimensional code printed on a print medium such as paper by shining light on it, and a two-dimensional code displayed on the display unit 164 of the user terminal 160 without shining light on it, and then, depending on the timing at which the two-dimensional code is read, it can be identified whether the two-dimensional code is a two-dimensional code displayed on the display unit 164 of the user terminal 160 or a two-dimensional code printed on a print medium such as paper and issued by the ticket issuing device 150.

[0116] Next, the control unit 141 determines whether the two-dimensional code is a genuine ticket or not (step S21-3).

[0117] Specifically, as described in step S11, the two-dimensional code data D12 is composed of multiple memory areas, for example, as shown in FIG. 11, a basic information section D12-1 and a validity testing section D12-2, and the validity testing section D12-2 includes testing information D17, which is information related to the result of a specified conversion or calculation for testing based on the data included in the basic information section D12-1, in accordance with a specified conversion rule or formula related to testing processing information D18.

[0118] Moreover, in the ticket gate device 140, a similar predetermined conversion rule or formula is stored in the test processing information storage unit 1422 of the storage unit 142 as test processing information D18.

[0119] Therefore, the control unit 141 performs a specified conversion or calculation for testing based on the data contained in the basic information section D12-1 of the two-dimensional code data D12 read in step S21-1, in accordance with the above-mentioned specified conversion rule or formula stored as testing processing information D18 in the testing processing information storage section 1422 of the storage unit 142. Then, if the result of the above conversion or calculation matches the testing information D17 contained in the validity testing unit D12-2, the control unit 141 determines that the two-dimensional code is a genuine ticket, and if they do not match, it determines that the two-dimensional code is not a genuine ticket.

[0120] If it is determined in step S21-3 that the ticket is an unauthorized one, the control unit 141 closes the opening / closing unit 145 and ends the process. In contrast, if it is determined in step S21-3 that the two-dimensional code data D12 relates to a genuine ticket, in the ticket gate device 140, the control unit 141 transmits the two-dimensional code data D12 read by the ticket information reading unit 144, together with the ticket gate device installation station information D21 and the ticket gate device equipment information D22 stored in the equipment information memory unit 1423 of the memory unit 142, and the reading medium information D23, which is information relating to the identification result in step S21-2, from the communication unit 143 via the communication network N to the ticket issuing server 130 (step S21-4).

[0121] The ticket gate installation station information D21 is information related to the station where the ticket gate 140 is installed, and indicates the station where a user who holds the two-dimensional code over the ticket information reading unit 144 will enter or exit through the ticket gate. The ticket gate device equipment information D22 is information related to the ticket gate device 140, and includes information indicating the operator that installed it, information regarding whether the ticket gate device 140 requires entry / exit determination by the ticket issuing server 130 or whether the ticket gate device 140 performs the entry / exit determination itself, and information regarding detailed settings such as fraud determination that are set for each ticket gate device 140. The read medium information D23 is information relating to the identification result in step S21-2, i.e., information relating to the medium displaying the two-dimensional code read by the ticket information reading unit 144 in step S21-1 (information indicating whether the medium is a user terminal 160 or a printing medium such as paper).

[0122] In the ticket issuing server 130, which receives the information transmitted from the ticket gate device 140 via the communication unit 133, the control unit 131 determines based on the ticket gate device equipment information D22 whether the ticket gate device 140 is a ticket gate device 140 that requires an entry / exit determination by the ticket issuing server 130.If an entry / exit determination by the ticket issuing server 130 is required, the control unit 131 first decodes the encoded information in the basic information section D12-1 of the two-dimensional code data D12 using the encoded information D16 stored in the encoded information memory unit 1323 of the memory unit 132 (step S21-5).

[0123] Next, the control unit 131 determines whether the medium related to the reading medium information D23 received in step S21-4 (the medium displaying the two-dimensional code read by the ticket information reading unit 144 in step S21-1) matches the medium related to the issued medium information D15 included in the basic information section D12-1 of the two-dimensional code data D12 (the medium at the time of issuance in step S1) (step S21-6).

[0124] In other words, if both are user terminals 160 and both are print media such as paper, they are determined to match, but if one is user terminal 160 and the other is a print medium such as paper, they are determined to not match.

[0125] In this case, if the user uses the two-dimensional code issued to the user terminal 160 through the process described in step S11 by displaying it directly on the user terminal 160, and if the user uses the two-dimensional code issued by printing it on a print medium such as paper through the process described in step S12 by using it directly on the print medium, it will inevitably be determined that there is a match. In contrast, if the user prints the two-dimensional code issued to the user terminal 160 through the process described in step S11 onto a print medium such as paper and uses it, or if the user photographs the two-dimensional code printed and issued on a print medium such as paper through the process described in step S12, converts it into electronic data, and displays it on the user terminal 160 for use, it will be determined that there is no match.

[0126] If it is determined in step S21-6 that the medium relating to the reading medium information D23 received in step S21-4 does not match the medium relating to the issuing medium information D15 included in the basic information section D12-1 of the two-dimensional code data D12, the control unit 131 will send a predetermined command to close the opening / closing section 145 from the communication unit 133 via the communication network N to the ticket gate device 140, and terminate the processing.

[0127] Note that the process when it is determined that the medium related to the read medium information D23 received in step S21-4 does not match the medium related to the issued medium information D15 included in the basic information section D12-1 of the two-dimensional code data D12 is not limited to sending a command to close the opening / closing section 145 to the ticket gate device 140. For example, instead of a command to close the opening / closing section 145, a command to change the passing sound of the ticket gate may be sent to the ticket gate device 140 so that the passing sound allows station staff to recognize the mismatch of the media and take action.

[0128] Also, instead of sending a command to the ticket gate device 140, a notification may be sent to another predetermined terminal. For example, a specified notification may be sent to a terminal carried by a station staff member, so that the station staff member using that terminal can recognize the media discrepancy and take appropriate action. Furthermore, for example, in cases where the two-dimensional code issued to user terminal 160 through the process described in step S11 is printed on a printing medium such as paper and used, there is a possibility that fraudulent use has occurred without the involvement of the user to whom the ticket was issued in step S1. Therefore, a predetermined notification may be sent to user terminal 160 to notify the user to whom the ticket was issued in step S1.

[0129] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S21-6 that the medium related to the reading medium information D23 received in step S21-4 matches the medium related to the issuing medium information D15 included in the basic information section D12-1 of the two-dimensional code data D12, the control unit 131 searches the ticket information memory section 1322 of the memory unit 132 based on the ticket identifier information D10 included in the information decoded in step S21-5, extracts the ticket content information D2 and ticket purchase information D6 corresponding to the two-dimensional code data D12 received in step S21-4, and compares the ticket content information D2 with the ticket gate installation station information D21 and ticket gate equipment information D22 received in step S21-4 to determine whether entry or exit is possible (step S21-7). If the ticket content information D2 and ticket purchase information D6 corresponding to the received two-dimensional code data D12 are not extracted, the control unit 131 determines that entry or exit is not possible at that point in time. Therefore, the comparison of the ticket gate station information D21 and the ticket gate device information D22 with the ticket content information D2 as described above is performed only when the ticket content information D2 and ticket purchase information D6 corresponding to the received two-dimensional code data D12 are extracted.

[0130] Specifically, in the case of entry, the entry / exit history is checked from the ticket status information included in the ticket content information D2 and the ticket purchase information D6, and the entry station of the user related to the ticket gate device installation station information D21 is compared with the information related to the valid section (the section passing through intermediate stations between the boarding station and the disembarking station) included in the ticket content information D2. Then, for example, if there is no entry history or the entry is after exiting at an intermediate station, the validity period related to the ticket content information D2 is within, and the entry station of the user related to the ticket gate device installation station information D21 is a station that exists within the validity period in the information related to the validity period included in the ticket content information D2, it is determined that entry is possible, and if there is an entry history and the entry is not after exiting at an intermediate station, the validity period related to the ticket content information D2 is outside, or the entry station of the user related to the ticket gate device installation station information D21 is not a station that exists within the validity period in the information related to the validity period included in the ticket content information D2, it is determined that entry is impossible.

[0131] In addition, in the case of exit, the entry history and exit history are confirmed from the information related to the ticket status included in the ticket content information D2 and the ticket purchase information D6, and the user's exit station related to the ticket gate device installation station information D21 is compared with the information related to the valid section included in the ticket content information D2. Then, for example, if the user is after entry but before exit, is within the valid period related to the ticket content information D2, and the user's exit station related to the ticket gate device installation station information D21 is a station that exists within the valid section in the information related to the valid section included in the ticket content information D2, it is determined that the user can exit, and if the user is before entry or after exit, is outside the valid period related to the ticket content information D2, or the user's exit station related to the ticket gate device installation station information D21 is not a station that exists within the valid section in the information related to the valid section included in the ticket content information D2, it is determined that the user cannot exit.

[0132] In addition, if two-dimensional code usable time information D14 corresponding to the received two-dimensional code data D12 is stored in the ticket information memory unit 1322 of the memory unit 132, the control unit 131 also determines whether the two-dimensional code corresponding to the received two-dimensional code data D12 is within the usable time prior to extracting the ticket content information D2 and the ticket purchase information D6. Specifically, the ticket information storage unit 1322 of the storage unit 132 is searched based on the ticket identifier information D10, and the two-dimensional code usage time information D14 corresponding to the received two-dimensional code data D12 is extracted. After that, for example, the time when the two-dimensional code data D12 contained in the two-dimensional code usage time information D14 was created is compared with the current time, and if the difference is within a specified time period contained in the two-dimensional code usage time information D14, it is determined that the usage time period is within the time period, and if the difference is outside the specified time period contained in the two-dimensional code usage time information D14, it is determined that the usage time period is outside the time period. In this case, the control unit 131 extracts the ticket content information D2 and ticket purchase information D6 corresponding to the received two-dimensional code data D12 and compares the ticket content information D2 with the ticket gate installation station information D21 and the ticket gate equipment information D22 only if it determines that the available time is within the time frame, and if it determines that the available time is outside the time frame, it determines that entry or exit is not possible at that time.

[0133] When the above-mentioned determination is completed, the control unit 131 updates the information relating to the status of the ticket stored in the ticket information storage unit 1322 of the storage unit 132 (step S21-8). Specifically, if entry is possible, the information regarding the ticket status contained in the ticket content information D2 and the ticket purchase information D6 will be set to "ticket in use (after entry but before exit)" and, if exit is possible, the information regarding the ticket status contained in the ticket content information D2 and the ticket purchase information D6 will be set to "already used (after exit at the disembarking station)" or "in use (after exit at an intermediate station)."

[0134] When the above update is completed, the control unit 131 transmits information related to the determination result of the entrance / exit through the ticket gate in step S21-7 (first entrance / exit determination result information D24) from the communication unit 133 via the communication network N to the ticket gate device 140 (step S21-9).

[0135] In the ticket gate device 140, which receives the first entry / exit judgment result information D24 transmitted from the ticket issuing server 130 via the communication unit 143, the control unit 141 opens and closes the opening / closing gate 145 based on the received first entry / exit judgment result information D24 (step S21-10). Specifically, if the received first entry / exit judgment result information D24 allows entry or exit, the opening / closing section 145 will be set to the open state, and if the received first entry / exit judgment result information D24 does not allow entry or exit, the opening / closing section 145 will be set to the closed state.

[0136] In the ticket issuing server 130, after transmitting the first entry / exit judgment result information D24 to the ticket gate device 140, information regarding the update contents of the information relating to the ticket status contained in the ticket content information D2 and the ticket purchase information D6 in step S21-8 (first entry / exit status update information D25) is transmitted from the communication unit 133 to the ticket reservation server 120 via the communication network N (step S21-11).

[0137] In the ticket reservation server 120, when the communication unit 123 receives the first entry / exit status update information D25, the control unit 121 updates the information relating to the ticket status contained in the ticket content information D2, ticket purchase information D6, and ticket reservation information D8 stored in the ticket information memory unit 1222 of the memory unit 122 in the same manner as the update in the ticket issuing server 130 in step S21-8 (step S21-12).

[0138] [(2) Step S22: When determining whether the media match and whether the person entered or exited are determined at the ticket gate device] Next, the flow of operations when the ticket gate device 140 judges whether the media match and whether the ticket gate device 140 detects entry and exit will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

[0139] First, the process from reading the two-dimensional code data (step S22-1) to decoding the two-dimensional code data (step S22-5) is no different from the process from reading the two-dimensional code data (step S21-1) to decoding the two-dimensional code data (step S21-5) when the ticket issuing server 130 determines whether the media match and whether the user is an entry or exit (step S21).

[0140] In the ticket issuing server 130, in step S22-5, the encoded information in the basic information section D12-1 of the two-dimensional code data D12 is decoded. The control unit 131 then searches the ticket information storage unit 1322 based on the ticket identifier information D10 contained in the decoded information, extracts the ticket content information D2 and ticket purchase information D6 corresponding to the received two-dimensional code data D12, and transmits the extracted ticket content information D2 together with the issuing medium information D15 contained in the information decoded in step S22-5 to the ticket gate device 140 that transmitted the information in step S22-4 (step S22-6).

[0141] In addition, if the ticket content information D2 and ticket purchase information D6 corresponding to the received two-dimensional code data D12 are not extracted, the control unit 131 will transmit a predetermined command to close the opening / closing section 145 to the ticket gate device 140 from the communication unit 133 via the communication network N, and terminate the processing.

[0142] Furthermore, if the two-dimensional code available time information D14 corresponding to the received two-dimensional code data D12 is stored in the ticket information storage unit 1322 of the storage unit 132, the control unit 131 determines whether the two-dimensional code corresponding to the received two-dimensional code data D12 is within the available time before extracting the ticket content information D2 and the ticket purchase information D6. The determination method is the same as that described in step S21-7. In this case, the control unit 131 extracts the ticket content information D2 and ticket purchase information D6 corresponding to the received two-dimensional code data D12 and transmits the ticket content information D2 to the ticket gate device 140 only if it determines that the available time is within the time frame, and if it determines that the available time is outside the time frame, the control unit 131 transmits a predetermined command from the communication unit 133 via the communication network N to the ticket gate device 140 to close the opening / closing section 145, and terminates the processing.

[0143] In the ticket gate device 140 that has received the ticket content information D2 and the issuing medium information D15 by the communication unit 143, the control unit 141 determines whether or not the medium related to the reading medium information D23 identified in step S22-2 (the medium displaying the two-dimensional code read by the ticket information reading unit 144 in step S22-1) matches the medium related to the issuing medium information D15 received from the ticket issuing server 130 (the medium at the time of issuance in step S1) (step S22-7). The specific method of determination is the same as that described in step S21-6 for the case where the ticket issuing server 130 determines whether the media match.

[0144] If it is determined in step S22-7 that the medium relating to the read medium information D23 identified in step S22-2 does not match the medium relating to the issued medium information D15 received from the ticket issuing server 130, the control unit 141 closes the opening / closing unit 145 and terminates the processing. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S22-7 that the medium related to the read medium information D23 identified in step S22-2 matches the medium related to the issued medium information D15 received from the ticket issuing server 130, the control unit 141 makes a determination as to whether entry or exit is possible based on the ticket content information D2 received from the ticket issuing server 130 (step S22-8).

[0145] Specifically, for example, similarly to when the ticket issuing server 130 determines whether entry or exit is possible, in the case of entry, it is determined that entry is possible if the information relating to the ticket status included in the ticket content information D2 indicates that there is no entry history or that the user has exited at an intermediate station, the ticket is within the validity period related to the ticket content information D2, and the user's entry station related to the ticket gate device installation station information D21 is a station that is within the validity section related to the ticket content information D2. In the case of exit, it is determined that exit is possible if the information relating to the ticket status included in the ticket content information D2 indicates that the user has entered but has not exited, the ticket is within the validity period related to the ticket content information D2, and the user's exit station related to the ticket gate device installation station information D21 is a station that is within the validity section related to the ticket content information D2.

[0146] When the above determination is completed, the control unit 141 opens or closes the opening / closing unit 145 based on the determination result (step S22-9). Specifically, if the judgment result in step S22-8 is that entry or exit is permitted, the opening / closing section 145 is opened, and if the judgment result is that entry or exit is not permitted, the opening / closing section 145 is closed.

[0147] Next, in the ticket gate device 140, the control unit 141 transmits information relating to the result of the ticket gate entry / exit judgment in step S22-8 (second entry / exit judgment result information D26), together with the ticket content information D2 received in step S22-7, from the communication unit 143 via the communication network N to the ticket issuing server 130 (step S22-10).

[0148] In the ticket issuing server 130 that receives the information transmitted from the ticket gate device 140, the control unit 131 updates the information relating to the status of the ticket contained in the ticket content information D2 and the ticket purchase information D6 stored in the ticket information memory unit 1322 of the memory unit 132 (step S22-11). Specifically, if entry is possible, the information regarding the ticket status contained in the ticket content information D2 and the ticket purchase information D6 will be set to "ticket in use (after entry but before exit)" and, if exit is possible, the information regarding the ticket status contained in the ticket content information D2 and the ticket purchase information D6 will be set to "already used (after exit at the disembarking station)" or "in use (after exit at an intermediate station)."

[0149] When the above update is completed, the control unit 131 transmits information regarding the update contents of the information regarding the ticket status contained in the ticket content information D2 and the ticket purchase information D6 in step S22-11 (second entry / exit status update information D27) from the communication unit 133 via the communication network N to the ticket reservation server 120 (step S22-12).

[0150] In the ticket reservation server 120, when the communication unit 123 receives the second entry / exit status update information D27, the control unit 121 updates the information relating to the ticket status contained in the ticket content information D2, ticket purchase information D6, and ticket reservation information D8 stored in the ticket information memory unit 1222 of the memory unit 122 in the same manner as the update in the ticket issuing server 130 in step S22-11 (step S22-13).

[0151] [Third effect explanation] Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0152] According to this embodiment, the ticket issuing server 130 acquires ticket content information D2 including information related to the contents of the ticket to be issued, and creates two-dimensional code data D12 including information to be stored in the ticket for each ticket content information D2. The two-dimensional code data D12 created by the ticket issuing server 130 includes issuance medium information D15, which is information related to the medium when the ticket related to the two-dimensional code data D12 is issued, that is, information indicating whether the ticket is issued to the user terminal 160 or is printed on a predetermined printing medium such as paper by the ticket issuing device 150 and issued.

[0153] As a result, if a user uses a ticket related to the two-dimensional code data D12 using a medium different from the issuing medium information D15, for example, if the two-dimensional code issued to the user terminal 160 is printed on a printing medium such as paper and used, or if the two-dimensional code printed on a printing medium such as paper and issued by the ticket issuing device 150 is photographed, converted into electronic data, and displayed on a terminal device such as a smartphone for use, by comparing the issuing medium related to the issuing medium information D15 with the medium when the ticket was used, it becomes possible to detect a mismatch between the medium at the time of issuance and the medium at the time of use, making it easier to prevent the ticket from being used using a medium different from the one when it was issued.

[0154] As explained in step S11, when a ticket is issued to the user terminal 160, the available time from issuance can be limited by the two-dimensional code available time information D14. Therefore, even if the ticket issued to the user terminal 160 is printed on a print medium such as paper, such a limit on the available time can reduce to some extent the risk of the ticket being used illegally on a medium other than that used when it was issued.

[0155] On the other hand, as explained in step S12, when the ticket is printed on a print medium such as paper and issued, it is difficult to limit the available time from issuance by the two-dimensional code available time information D14. Also, when the ticket is converted into electronic data, it can be easily distributed to others by sending it by e-mail or posting it on the Internet without the need for physical contact. Therefore, there is a high risk of tickets being used fraudulently, particularly when tickets that are printed on a print medium such as paper and then converted into electronic data and displayed on a terminal device such as a smartphone.

[0156] This embodiment is particularly effective in cases where the risk of fraudulent use is particularly high, in which tickets printed and issued on a print medium such as paper are converted to electronic data and displayed on a terminal device such as a smartphone, and then used, in that it makes it easier to prevent the use of such tickets.

[0157] Furthermore, a portion of the basic information section D12-1 of the two-dimensional code data D12 is encoded using encoding information D16, and the ticket identifier information D10 and issuing medium information D15 are included in the encoded information, making it possible to increase the security of the ticket by encoding the ticket identifier information D10 and issuing medium information D15, which are the core information of the ticket.

[0158] [Fourth Variation] Next, a modification of this embodiment will be described.

[0159] [1 Change in ticket issuing medium] In the above, we have described the case where a ticket is issued to user terminal 160 in step S11, and the case where a ticket is printed on a print medium such as paper by ticket issuing device 150 and issued in step S12, and the case where a determination is made in step S2 as to whether the medium at the time of issuance and the medium at the time of use of the ticket issued to such user terminal 160 or the ticket printed on a print medium such as paper by ticket issuing device 150 match / mismatch, but the medium used to issue the ticket is not limited to these. As long as the ticket gate device 140 is capable of identifying the medium used when the ticket is used, even when a ticket is issued using a medium other than those mentioned above, by applying the configuration of the above embodiment, it is possible to determine whether the medium used when the ticket is issued matches or does not match the medium used when the ticket is used, making it easier to prevent the ticket from being used using a medium different from that used when it was issued.

[0160] [2. Creation of ticket content information by the ticket information management server when issuing a ticket in the ticket issuing device] In the above, in step S12, when a ticket is issued by the ticket issuing device 150, the ticket content information D2 is created in the ticket issuing device 150. However, when a ticket is issued by the ticket issuing device 150, the ticket content information D2 may also be created in the ticket information management server 110, as in step S11.

[0161] In this case, the ticket issuing device 150 transmits the ticket purchasing information D6, along with a specific request to create ticket content information D2 corresponding to the data, from the communication unit 153 via the communication network N to the ticket information management server 110. Upon receiving this, the control unit 111 of the ticket information management server 110 creates the ticket content information D2 and transmits it to the ticket issuing server 130 together with the ticket purchasing information D6 received from the ticket issuing device 150.

[0162] [3. Change in the location for determining whether media matches and for determining whether players enter or exit the stadium] In the above, we have explained the case where both the media match determination and the entry / exit determination are performed by the ticket issuing server 130 in step S21, and the case where both the media match determination and the entry / exit determination are performed by the ticket gate device 140 in step S22, but the location where the media match determination is performed and the location where the entry / exit determination is performed may be separate. For example, the ticket gate device 140 may determine whether the media match, and then the ticket issuing server 130 may determine whether or not the ticket is entering or exiting, or the ticket issuing server 130 may determine whether the media match, and then the ticket gate device 140 may determine whether or not the ticket is entering or exiting. In addition, the possibility of erroneous determination may be reduced by having both the ticket issuing server 130 and the ticket gate device 140 perform the medium match determination and the entrance / exit determination simultaneously. In addition, by storing the encoded information D16 in the ticket gate device 140 and making it possible for the ticket gate device 140 to decode the encoded information in the basic information section D12-1 of the two-dimensional code data D12, it is possible to make it possible for the ticket gate device 140 alone to determine whether the media match and whether entry or exit is possible, without transmitting data to the ticket issuing server 130, and to close the opening / closing section 145 if the media do not match or if it is determined that entry or exit is not possible.

[0163] [4. Change of purpose of ticket use] In the above, a case has been described in which a ticket for use as a means of transport, such as a train, is issued in step S1, and the ticket is read by ticket gate device 140 installed at each station on the railway line in step S2, but the purpose of using the ticket is not limited to use as a means of transport. For example, a ticket for admission to some event such as a sporting event or concert may be issued including issuance medium information D15, and a reading device installed at the event venue for reading the stored information on the ticket may then be able to identify the medium of the ticket that has been read, thereby making it possible to determine whether the media match. [Explanation of symbols]

[0164] 100 Ticket information processing system (information processing system) 110 Ticket information management server 120 Ticket Reservation Server 130 Ticket issuing server (information processing device) 131 control unit (creation means, memory control means, assignment means, first determination means) 132 Storage unit (storage means) 1321 Ticket issuing program (information processing program) 133 Communication Department (first acquisition means, second acquisition means, third acquisition means, acquisition means) 140 Ticket gate device (reading device) 141 Control unit (identification means, second determination means) 142 Storage section 143 Communications Department 144 Ticket information reading unit (reading means) 145 Opening and Closing Section 150 Ticket issuing device 160 User terminals (mobile terminals) D2 Ticket Information D6 Ticket purchase information (ticket content information) D8 Ticket reservation information (ticket content information) D10 Ticket Identifier Information (Ticket Specific Information) D12 Two-dimensional code data (ticket memory information) D15 Publication media information D23 Read media information

Claims

1. A first acquisition means for acquiring ticket content information which is information related to the content of a ticket; a generating means for generating ticket storage information, which is information to be stored on the ticket, including issuing medium information, which is information indicating whether the ticket is issued to a mobile device or is printed on a predetermined printing medium such as paper and issued, for each of the ticket content information; A second acquisition means for acquiring the ticket stored information read by a reader; a third acquiring means for acquiring read medium information, which is information related to a medium from which the ticket storage information is read by the reading device; a first determination means for determining whether a medium related to the issuing medium information included in the ticket storage information acquired by the second acquisition means matches a medium related to the reading medium information acquired by the third acquisition means; An information processing device comprising:

2. a storage control means for storing the ticket content information in a storage means; an assigning means for assigning ticket identification information, which is information capable of identifying each of the ticket content information stored in the storage means, to each of the ticket content information stored in the storage means; Equipped with The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the ticket storage information further includes the ticket identification information.

3. At least a portion of the ticket storage information is encoded; 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the issuing medium information and the ticket identifying information are included in encoded information.

4. 4. An information processing device according to claim 1, and a reading device that reads the ticket stored information from a ticket, The reading device is A reading means for reading the ticket stored information; an identification means for identifying a medium from which the reading means has read the ticket stored information and acquiring read medium information which is information relating to the medium from which the ticket stored information has been read; An information processing system comprising:

5. The reading device is The information processing system according to claim 4, further comprising a second determination means for determining whether the medium relating to the issuing medium information contained in the ticket storage information read by the reading means matches the medium relating to the read medium information identified by the identification means.

6. 6. The information processing system according to claim 4, wherein the reader is a ticket gate device installed at a station on a railway line.

7. An information processing method by an information processing device, comprising: An acquisition step of acquiring ticket content information which is information related to the content of the ticket; a creating step of creating ticket storage information, which is information to be stored on the ticket, including issuing medium information, which is information indicating whether the ticket is issued to a mobile device or is printed on a predetermined printing medium such as paper and issued, for each of the ticket content information; a second acquisition step of acquiring the ticket stored information read by a reading device; a third acquisition step of acquiring read medium information, which is information related to the medium from which the ticket storage information has been read by the reading device; a determination step of determining whether a medium related to the issuing medium information included in the ticket storage information acquired in the second acquisition step matches a medium related to the reading medium information acquired in the third acquisition step; 13. An information processing method comprising:

8. Computer, A first acquisition means for acquiring ticket content information which is information relating to the content of the ticket; a generating means for generating ticket storage information, which is information to be stored on the ticket, including issuing medium information, which is information indicating whether the ticket is issued to a mobile terminal or is printed on a predetermined printing medium such as paper and issued, for each of the ticket content information; a second acquiring means for acquiring the ticket stored information read by a reading device; a third acquiring means for acquiring read medium information, which is information relating to a medium from which the ticket storage information has been read by the reading device; a determination means for determining whether a medium related to the issuing medium information included in the ticket storage information acquired by the second acquisition means matches a medium related to the reading medium information acquired by the third acquisition means; An information processing program characterized by causing the program to function as follows.

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