Automatic ticket vending machine, automatic ticket vending method, and automatic ticket vending program

Abstract

To cause an automatic ticket vending machine to display detour routes when there are traffic restrictions and to enable users to purchase a ticket for the detour routes.SOLUTION: An automatic ticket vending machine according to an embodiment includes: an acquisition unit that receives an arrival station in response to an input and acquires a route from a station where the automatic ticket vending machine is located to the arrival station; a communication control unit that transmits a first request for an available detour route from the station to the arrival station to a management server when there are traffic restrictions on the route, and receives first route operation information indicating whether there are traffic restrictions on the available detour route; and a display control unit that displays the available detour route and the first route operation information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to an automatic ticket vending machine, an automatic ticket vending method, and an automatic ticket vending program. [Background technology]

[0002] Train passengers can usually keep track of train operation status by checking information boards installed in stations, public broadcasting, and dedicated operation information. If train traffic is restricted due to an accident or other reason, passengers can search for alternative routes using mobile devices, etc., and then board the train using IC cards or by purchasing a ticket from an automatic ticket machine.

[0003] However, many passengers who use the automatic ticket vending machines are unaware of the detour route. Such passengers must then ask station staff or other personnel about the detour route and then buy a new ticket, which reduces convenience for passengers. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-246456 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Currently, if there are traffic restrictions on the route where a user is trying to purchase a ticket from an automatic ticket vending machine, detour routes are not displayed to the user. Therefore, there is a need for an automatic ticket vending machine that can display detour routes when there are traffic restrictions on the route a user is using, and allows the user to purchase a ticket for the detour route. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The ticket vending machine of the embodiment includes an acquisition unit that receives a destination station according to an input and acquires a route from the destination station where the ticket vending machine is located to the destination station, a communication control unit that, if there are traffic restrictions on the route, sends a first request to a management server for an available detour route from the destination station to the destination station and receives first route operation information indicating whether there are traffic restrictions on the available detour route, and a display control unit that displays the available detour route and the first route operation information. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of an automatic ticket vending system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an automatic ticket vending machine. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a ticket issuing process procedure in the automated ticket vending system shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of information displayed on the display unit. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation status notification process in the automatic ticket vending system shown in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of information displayed on the display unit. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a transfer ticket issuing process procedure in the automated ticket vending system shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] The automatic ticket vending machine, the automatic ticket vending method, and the automatic ticket vending program will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that in the following embodiments, the parts with the same numbers perform the same operations, and the repeated description will be omitted.

[0009] [First embodiment] In the first embodiment, a case will be described in which a user purchases a ticket from an automatic ticket vending machine when traffic restrictions are in place between a station to be used and a destination station.

[0010] (composition) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of an automatic ticket vending system 10 according to an embodiment. The automatic ticket vending system 10 is a system for purchasing a ticket from an automatic ticket vending machine 20 in a transportation facility such as a train or bus.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1, an automatic ticket vending system 10 includes an automatic ticket vending machine 20, a management server 30, and the like.

[0012] The automatic ticket vending machine 20 is a device that is installed, for example, in a railway station and sells passenger tickets, reserved seat tickets, limited express tickets, etc. The automatic ticket vending machine 20 is a device that issues various types of tickets processed by station service equipment such as an automatic ticket gate or an automatic fare adjustment machine in response to operation by the user himself / herself.

[0013] The automatic ticket vending machine 20 includes, for example, a control unit 201, a touch panel unit 202, and a communication unit 203.

[0014] The control unit 201 comprehensively controls various processing operations performed by the automatic ticket vending machine 20. That is, the control unit 201 has a built-in CPU (central processing unit) and the like, and receives operation information from a user and controls each processing unit so that the operation content is reflected.

[0015] The control unit 201 uses a memory. This memory mainly includes a ROM (read only memory) that stores a control program executed by the CPU, a RAM (random access memory) that provides a working area for the CPU, and a non-volatile memory that stores various setting information, control information, and the like.

[0016] The touch panel unit 202 includes a liquid crystal display device or the like incorporating a touch panel as a means for a user to operate. This touch panel unit 202 displays various information to be provided to the user on the touch panel based on the control of the control unit 201. In addition, this touch panel unit 202 receives operations from the user by having the user touch a predetermined portion displayed on the touch panel, and outputs the operation information to the control unit 201.

[0017] The communication unit 203 is a communication interface including one or more wired or wireless communication modules. For example, the communication unit 203 includes a communication module that wirelessly connects to the management server 30. The communication unit 203 may be a general one as long as it can communicate with the management server 30 under the control of the control unit 201 and transmit and receive various information.

[0018] The management server 30 includes, for example, a control unit 301, a storage unit 302, and a communication unit 303.

[0019] The management server 30 is a device that collects information when train operations are disrupted due to traffic restrictions such as train cancellations, delays, and accidents, and also collects information on how long it will take to restore service.

[0020] The control unit 301 comprehensively controls various processing operations performed by the management server 30. That is, the control unit 301 has a built-in CPU (central processing unit) and the like, and receives operation information from an administrator of the management server 30 and controls each processing unit so that the operation content is reflected.

[0021] The control unit 301 uses a memory. This memory mainly includes a ROM (read only memory) that stores a control program executed by the CPU, a RAM (random access memory) that provides a working area for the CPU, and a non-volatile memory that stores various setting information, control information, and the like.

[0022] The storage unit 302 stores route operation information. When a traffic regulation occurs, the route operation information records information collected about the traffic regulation, including, for example, which section the traffic regulation occurs in and what the cause is, and the expected time until recovery.

[0023] The communication unit 303 is a communication interface including one or more wired or wireless communication modules. For example, the communication unit 303 includes a communication module that connects to the automatic ticket vending machine 20 by wire. The communication unit 303 also includes a communication module for communicating with a device that manages the operation status when a disruption occurs in the operation of a train. The communication unit 303 may be a general one that can communicate with the automatic ticket vending machine 20 and the like under the control of the control unit 301 and transmit and receive various information.

[0024] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the automatic ticket vending machine 20. As shown in FIG. In addition to a control unit 201, a touch panel unit 202, and a communication unit 23, the automatic ticket vending machine 20 is equipped with a memory unit 204, a card insertion slot 205, a reader / writer 206, an encoding / decoding unit 207, a banknote insertion slot 208, a coin insertion slot 209, a change validation unit 210, a ticket issuing unit 211, a ticket ejection slot 212, a change unit 213, a change ejection slot 214, a printing unit 215, and a printing medium ejection slot 216.

[0025] The control unit 201 of the automatic ticket vending machine 20 includes a communication control unit 2011 , a display control unit 2012 , an acquisition unit 2013 , an issuance control unit 2014 , and a determination unit 2015 .

[0026] The communication control unit 2011 controls the communication unit 203. For example, the communication control unit 2011 controls the communication unit 203 to connect to the management server 30 and acquire various types of information such as route operation information.

[0027] The display control unit 2012 controls the touch panel unit 202. The display control unit 2012 causes various pieces of information to be displayed to the user on the touch panel through the touch panel unit 202. The display control unit 2012 also outputs information touched by the user on the touch panel to the communication control unit 2011, the acquisition unit 2013, the issuance control unit 2014, the determination unit 2015, etc.

[0028] The acquisition unit 2013 acquires information stored in the storage unit 204. For example, the acquisition unit 2013 acquires various information stored in the storage unit 204 and outputs it to the display control unit 2012 or the like. Furthermore, the acquisition unit 2013 acquires information stored in an IC card using the card insertion slot 205, the reader / writer 206, and the encoding / decoding unit 207. The acquisition unit 2013 can also acquire various information stored in a mobile terminal having an IC card function.

[0029] The issuance control unit 2014 issues a ticket and a medium such as paper. The issuance control unit 2014 pays or receives a fare in cash using, for example, a bill insertion slot 208, a coin insertion slot 209, a change validation unit 210, a change unit 213, and a change discharge slot 214. The issuance control unit 2014 then prints various information using a ticket issuing unit 211 and discharges the ticket from a ticket discharge slot 212. The issuance control unit 2014 also issues a medium on which information about a detour route is printed using a printing unit 215, and discharges the medium from a print medium discharge slot 216. The issuance control unit 2014 also writes various information into an IC card inserted into the automatic ticket vending machine 20. For example, the issuance control unit 2014 controls the encoding / decoding unit 207 to write ticket information into a card inserted into a card insertion slot 205.

[0030] The determination unit 2015 determines, based on various information received by the communication control unit 2011 from the management server 30, whether or not traffic restrictions are in place on the way to the destination station entered by the user.

[0031] The touch panel unit 202 includes a display unit 2021 and a reception unit 2022. The display unit 2021 is, for example, a touch panel. When a user touches information displayed on the touch panel, the reception unit 2022 outputs information corresponding to the touched portion to the display control unit 2012.

[0032] The storage unit 204 stores account information 2041 and route information 2042 . The account information 2041 includes, for example, information on the arrival station, which is the destination that the user touched on the touch panel unit 202, and the transfer station if a transfer is required to travel to the arrival station.

[0033] The route information 2042 stores train route information 2042 from a station where the automatic ticket vending machine 20 is installed. For example, the acquisition unit 2013 acquires a route based on the route information 2042 and the account information.

[0034] The card insertion slot 205, reader / writer 206, encoding / decoding unit 207, banknote insertion slot 208, coin insertion slot 209, coin validation unit 210, ticket issuing unit 211, ticket ejection slot 212, change unit 213, change ejection slot 214, printing unit 215 and printing medium ejection slot 216 may be arranged in a typical ticket vending machine 20, and detailed explanation thereof will be omitted here.

[0035] (operation) Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a ticket issuing process procedure in the automatic ticket vending system 10 shown in Fig. 1. The operation of this flowchart is realized by the control unit 201 of the automatic ticket vending machine 20 reading and executing a program stored in the memory arranged in the control unit 201 or the storage unit 204.

[0036] First, a user wishes to purchase a ticket from the automatic ticket vending machine 20 to use a train. Then, the user touches the touch panel that is the display unit 2021, thereby starting the process. If the automatic ticket vending machine 20 is equipped with a human sensor, the process may start when the user stands in front of the automatic ticket vending machine 20. Here, it is assumed that each unit in the control unit 201 shares what is necessary for the acquired information. In other words, each unit in the control unit 201 transmits and receives various information as appropriate, and is capable of acquiring various information even if not explicitly stated here.

[0037] The acquisition unit 2013 receives the user's account information 2041 (step ST101). For example, when the user touches the display unit 2021 (touch panel) at the location where the user wishes to purchase a ticket, the display control unit 2012 causes the display unit 2021 of the touch panel unit 202 to display the name of the destination station. The display method may be any method, for example, the order may be alphabetical, or the line name may be displayed and the station name along the line selected by the user may be displayed. Then, when the user inputs the account information 2041 using the touch panel, the reception unit 2022 outputs the account information 2041 to the acquisition unit 2013. Here, the account information 2041 indicates a transfer station and a destination station. The destination station is a station where the user wishes to go. Furthermore, the account information 2041 may be stored in the storage unit 204.

[0038] The acquisition unit 2013 searches for a route from the station to be used to the destination station (step ST102). Here, the station to be used is a station where the user starts using the train, that is, a station where the automatic ticket vending machine 20 is installed. The station to be used is stored in the memory or storage unit 204 of the control unit 201, and the control unit 201 acquires information on the stored station to be used as necessary. Of course, the station to be used is not limited to the station where the automatic ticket vending machine 20 is installed. The acquisition unit 2013 searches for a route from the station to be used to the destination station via a transfer station included in the account information 2041 based on the route information 2042. The route is searched so that, for example, the shortest and cheapest route is prioritized. Then, the acquisition unit 2013 outputs a route acquisition request R1 for acquiring route operation information L1 for the searched route. Here, the route operation information for the route includes information on whether there is a traffic regulation on the route and, if there is a traffic regulation, what kind of traffic regulation it is. The acquisition unit 2013 may acquire all available detour routes from the station to the destination station. The acquisition unit 2013 also acquires information on fares according to the route from the route information 2042.

[0039] The communication control unit 2011 inquires of the management server 30 about route operation information (step ST103). The communication control unit 2011 transmits a route acquisition request R1 to the management server 30 through the communication unit 203. When the control unit 301 of the management server 30 receives the route acquisition request R1, it acquires route operation information L1 for the route from the route operation information stored in the memory unit 302. Then, the control unit 301 transmits the route operation information L1 for the route to the automatic ticket vending machine 20 through the communication unit 303. Here, the route operation information L1 for the route may include route operation information L2 for all detour routes.

[0040] The determination unit 2015 determines whether there are traffic restrictions such as delays or cancellations on the route (step ST104). The communication control unit 2011 receives route operation information through the communication unit 203. Then, the determination unit 2015 determines whether there are traffic restrictions such as delays or cancellations on the searched route based on the received route operation information L1 on the route. If there are no traffic restrictions, the determination unit 2015 outputs an issuance request. The issuance request includes information on transfer stations and arrival stations. Then, since it is expected that the user will use the searched route, the process proceeds to step ST105. On the other hand, if there are traffic restrictions such as delays or cancellations on the route, the process proceeds to step ST106.

[0041] If there are no traffic restrictions such as delays or cancellations along the route, the issuance control unit 2014 discharges the ticket (ST105). The display control unit 2012 causes the fare acquired by the acquisition unit 2013 to be displayed to the user through the display unit 2021. The user pays the displayed fare by various means. For example, if the user requests to purchase a ticket using a credit card or IC card, the issuance control unit 2014 performs payment with the credit card or IC card using the card insertion slot 205, the reader / writer 206, and the encoding / decoding unit 207. Similarly, if the user requests to purchase a ticket with cash, the issuance control unit 2014 receives the fare amount using the bill insertion slot 208, the coin insertion slot 209, and the change validation unit 210. Furthermore, the issuance control unit 2014 returns change to the user using the change unit 213 and the change discharge slot 214 as necessary. Then, the issuance control unit 2014 uses the ticket issuing unit 211 to issue a ticket on which information such as a transfer station, a destination station, and a fare is written, and ejects the ticket from the ticket ejection slot 212. The ticket may be a magnetic ticket or a ticket with a QR code (registered trademark) printed on it.

[0042] On the other hand, if there is a traffic regulation such as a delay or suspension on the route, the communication control unit 2011 inquires about the line operation information L2 of all available detour routes (step ST106). If there is a traffic regulation on the detour route, the determination unit 2015 outputs a line acquisition request R2 for all detour routes. The line acquisition request R2 for all detour routes requests the line operation information L2 of all detour routes. When acquiring all detour routes, the acquisition unit 2013 may or may not consider transfer stations. Also, if all available detour routes have been acquired in step ST103, the acquired all routes may be used. Furthermore, the acquisition unit 2013 acquires all available detour routes from the station to be used to the destination station using the line information 2042. Then, the communication control unit 2011 transmits the line acquisition request R2 for all detour routes through the communication unit 203. When the control unit 301 of the management server 30 receives the route acquisition request R2 for all detour routes, it acquires route operation information L2 for all detour routes stored in the storage unit 302. Then, the control unit 301 transmits the route operation information L2 for all detour routes to the automatic ticket vending machine 20 via the communication unit 303. Note that, if the route operation information in step ST103 includes route operation information for all routes, the acquisition unit 2013 uses the route operation information without transmitting the route acquisition request R2 for all detour routes to the management server 30.

[0043] The display control unit 2012 displays the route information for each of all routes (step ST107). The display control unit 2012 displays the received route operation information for all routes on the display unit 2021 via the display unit 2021.

[0044] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of information displayed on the display unit 2021. As shown in FIG. For example, as shown in Figure 4, the message "Service has been suspended on the route you selected. Service is expected to resume around J:K. If you would like to select an alternative route, please select your preferred 'Alternative Route'." will be displayed at the top of the screen. If the customer wishes to purchase a route that has already been set, please press "Regular Route." " is displayed. Here, J and K represent any time. Then, detour route 1, detour route 2, detour route 3, and regular route are displayed. Detour routes 1 to 3 display the route from the station to be used to the destination station, and the arrival time at the destination station, whether there is a delay or suspension on the detour route, and the fare are displayed. For example, detour route 1 represents the route from MMMM station, which is the station to be used, to NNNN station, and indicates that the arrival time is A hours and B minutes, there is no delay, and the fare is NN1 yen. Here, A and B represent any time. Detour route 2 and detour route 3 also display the same information as above. Also, although three detour routes are shown in FIG. 4, the display control unit 2012 may display route information for all routes that have been acquired, or may display any predetermined number of routes.

[0045] In addition, the detour routes may be arranged in order from the shortest route, or may be displayed randomly. For example, if the shortest route is arranged in order, users may concentrate on the same route. However, by displaying them randomly, users are more likely not to purchase the route with the shortest route, so the number of users using the same route can be reduced, and traffic dispersion is possible.

[0046] The display control unit 2012 can also switch between displaying detour routes in order of shortest route or displaying detour routes in random order depending on the mode. For example, during rush hour (e.g., from 7:00 to 10:00 in the morning), users are likely to be in a hurry and therefore want to select the route with the shortest route. On the other hand, outside rush hour, users are often not in a hurry. Therefore, the display control unit 2012 may display detour routes in order of shortest route during rush hour and display detour routes in random order during non-rush hour.

[0047] On the other hand, the normal route shows the route from MMMM station to NNNN station, the arrival time is G:H including the restoration time I, indicates that a service suspension has occurred on the route, and displays that the fare is NNN yen. That is, the display control unit 2012 displays the arrival time to the destination station taking into account the traffic regulations along with the normal route. By displaying in this way, it becomes easy for the user to decide whether to wait until the traffic regulations are lifted and use the normal route, or to use a detour route.

[0048] The issuance control unit 2014 receives the route selection information (step ST108). When the user selects a route from the routes displayed on the display unit 2021 as shown in FIG. 4, the reception unit 2022 outputs route selection information corresponding to the selected route (normal route or detour route) to the issuance control unit 2014.

[0049] Then, the process proceeds to step ST105. The process in step ST105 is to charge the fare based on the route selection information and to issue a ticket corresponding to the selected route. In other words, since this is the same as the process described in step ST105 above, a description thereof will be omitted.

[0050] (Effects of the first embodiment) According to the first embodiment described above, if there is a traffic regulation on the route selected by the user, the automatic ticket vending machine 20 recognizes the traffic regulation, informs the user of the traffic regulation, and displays a detour route.

[0051] This allows users to know about traffic regulations and alternative routes to their destination station, enabling them to take a better route to their destination station.

[0052] In addition, by switching between arranging the detour routes according to the shortest route or randomly according to the mode, it is possible to prevent users from concentrating on only the shortest route.

[0053] [Second embodiment] In the second embodiment, a case where a user searches for train operation status using the automatic ticket vending machine 20 will be described.

[0054] (composition) The configuration according to the second embodiment is similar to that shown in FIG. 2, and therefore will not be described here.

[0055] (operation) Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation status notification processing procedure in the automatic ticket vending system 10 shown in Fig. 1. The operation of this flowchart is realized by the control unit 201 of the automatic ticket vending machine 20 reading and executing a program stored in the memory arranged in the control unit 201 or the storage unit 204.

[0056] First, a user wishes to search for train operation status on the automatic ticket vending machine 20 when using a train. The user then touches the touch panel that is the display unit 2021, which starts the process. If the automatic ticket vending machine 20 is equipped with a human sensor, the process may start when the user stands in front of the automatic ticket vending machine 20. Here, it is assumed that each unit in the control unit 201 shares what is necessary for the acquired information. In other words, each unit in the control unit 201 transmits and receives various information as appropriate, and is capable of acquiring various information even without being explicitly stated here.

[0057] The acquisition unit 2013 receives the user's account information 2041 (step ST201). For example, when the user touches the display unit 2021 (touch panel) at the location where the user wishes to purchase a ticket, the display control unit 2012 causes the display unit 2021 of the touch panel unit 202 to display the name of the destination station. The display method may be any method, for example, the order may be alphabetical, or the line name may be displayed and the station name along the line selected by the user may be displayed. Then, when the user inputs the account information 2041 using the touch panel, the reception unit 2022 outputs the account information 2041 to the acquisition unit 2013. Here, the account information 2041 indicates a transfer station and a destination station. The destination station is a station where the user wishes to go. Furthermore, the account information 2041 may be stored in the storage unit 204.

[0058] The acquisition unit 2013 searches for a route from the station to be used to the destination station (step ST202). Here, the station to be used is a station where the user starts using the train, that is, a station where the automatic ticket vending machine 20 is installed. The station to be used is stored in the memory or storage unit 204 of the control unit 201, and the control unit 201 acquires information on the stored station to be used as necessary. Of course, the station to be used is not limited to the station where the automatic ticket vending machine 20 is installed. The acquisition unit 2013 searches for a route from the station to be used to the destination station via a transfer station included in the account information 2041 based on the route information 2042. For example, the route is searched so that the shortest and cheapest route is prioritized. Then, the acquisition unit 2013 outputs a route acquisition request R1 for acquiring route operation information L1 for the searched route. Here, the route operation information for the route includes information on whether there is a traffic regulation on the route and, if there is a traffic regulation, what kind of traffic regulation it is. The acquisition unit 2013 may acquire all available detour routes from the station to the destination station. The acquisition unit 2013 also acquires information on fares according to the route from the route information 2042.

[0059] The communication control unit 2011 inquires of the management server 30 about route operation information (step ST203). The communication control unit 2011 transmits a route acquisition request R1 to the management server 30 through the communication unit 203. When the control unit 301 of the management server 30 receives the route acquisition request R1, it acquires route operation information L1 for the route from the route operation information stored in the memory unit 302. Then, the control unit 301 transmits the route operation information L1 for the route to the automatic ticket vending machine 20 through the communication unit 303. Here, the route operation information L1 for the route may include route operation information L2 for all detour routes.

[0060] The determination unit 2015 determines whether there are traffic restrictions such as delays or cancellations on the route (step ST204). The communication control unit 2011 receives route operation information through the communication unit 203. Then, the determination unit 2015 determines whether there are traffic restrictions such as delays or cancellations on the route searched based on the route operation information L1 of the received route. If there are no traffic restrictions, the process proceeds to step ST205. On the other hand, if there are traffic restrictions such as delays or cancellations on the route, the process proceeds to step ST206.

[0061] If there are no traffic restrictions such as delays or cancellations along the route, the display control unit 2012 displays the normal route, and the issuance control unit 2014 ejects the medium (ST206). If there are no traffic restrictions along the route, the display control unit 2012 displays the normal route on the display unit 2021, and asks the user whether to print this information. If the user selects to print, the issuance control unit 2014 uses the printing unit 215 and the print medium ejection port 216 to print information such as transfer stations, arrival stations, and fares along the normal route on a medium such as paper, and ejects the medium from the print medium ejection port 216. The issuance control unit 2014 may transmit information such as transfer stations, arrival stations, and fares to a mobile terminal carried by the user via the communication unit 203.

[0062] On the other hand, if there is a traffic regulation such as a delay or suspension on the route, the communication control unit 2011 inquires about the line operation information L2 of all available detour routes (step ST206). If there is a traffic regulation on the detour route, the determination unit 2015 outputs a line acquisition request R2 for all detour routes. The line acquisition request R2 for all detour routes requests the line operation information L2 of all detour routes. When acquiring all detour routes, the acquisition unit 2013 may or may not consider transfer stations. Also, if all available detour routes have been acquired in step ST203, the acquired all routes may be used. Furthermore, the acquisition unit 2013 acquires all available detour routes from the station to be used to the destination station using the line information 2042. Then, the communication control unit 2011 transmits the line acquisition request R2 for all detour routes through the communication unit 203. When the control unit 301 of the management server 30 receives the route acquisition request R2 for all detour routes, it acquires route operation information L2 for all detour routes stored in the storage unit 302. Then, the control unit 301 transmits the route operation information L2 for all detour routes to the automatic ticket vending machine 20 via the communication unit 303. Note that, if the route operation information in step ST203 includes route operation information for all routes, the acquisition unit 2013 uses the route operation information without transmitting the route acquisition request R2 for all detour routes to the management server 30.

[0063] The display control unit 2012 displays the route information for all routes, and the issuance control unit 2014 prints the route information for all routes (step ST207). The display control unit 2012 causes the display unit 2021 to display the route operation information for all routes that it has received.

[0064] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of information displayed on the display unit 2021. As shown in FIG. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the message "The route you selected is out of service. If you want information on detour routes, please press the issue button." is displayed at the top of the screen. Then, the operation status, detour route 1, detour route 2, detour route 3, and the normal route are displayed. For example, the operation status is displayed as "Service is out of service due to a train breakdown at N station. Restoration is expected at around J:K." Here, J and K represent any time. Detour routes 1 to 3 display the destination station from the station used, and the arrival time at the destination station, whether there is a delay or suspension on the route, and the fare are displayed. For example, detour route 1 shows the route from MMMM station, which is the station used, to NNNN station, and indicates that the arrival time is A:B, there is no delay, and the fare is NN1 yen. Here, A and B represent any time. Detour routes 2 and 3 also display the same information as above. Although three detour routes are shown in FIG. 6, the display control unit 2012 may display route information for all of the acquired routes, or may display any predetermined number of routes.

[0065] The display control unit 2012 may display the detour routes in order of the shortest time, or may display the detour routes randomly. For example, if the detour routes are arranged in order of the shortest time, there is a possibility that users will concentrate on the same detour route. However, by displaying the detour routes randomly, users are more likely not to select information on the detour route with the shortest time, i.e., not to purchase a ticket for the detour route with the shortest time, so that the number of users using the same detour route can be reduced, and traffic dispersion becomes possible.

[0066] It is also possible to switch between arranging the detour routes in order of shortest time or randomly depending on the mode. For example, during rush hour (e.g., from 7:00 to 10:00 in the morning), users are in a hurry and would prefer to select the route with the shortest time. On the other hand, outside rush hour, users are often not in a hurry. Therefore, the display control unit 2012 may display the detour routes in order of shortest time during rush hour and randomly arranged during non-rush hour.

[0067] Furthermore, when the user presses the issue button, the reception unit 2022 outputs an issue instruction to the issue control unit 2014. The issue control unit 2014 prints operation information for all detour routes on a medium, such as paper, and discharges it. The issue control unit 2014 uses the printing unit 215 and the print medium discharge port 216 to print information such as transfer stations, arrival stations, fares, etc. of all detour routes on a medium, such as paper, and discharges it from the print medium discharge port 216. The issue control unit 2014 may also transmit information such as transfer stations, arrival stations, fares, etc. of all detour routes to a mobile terminal carried by the user via the communication unit 203.

[0068] (Effects of the second embodiment) According to the second embodiment described above, a user can know operation information on the automatic ticket vending machine 20. Furthermore, the automatic ticket vending machine 20 can print information about a detour route according to the operation status on a medium and hand it over to the user.

[0069] This allows users to know about traffic regulations and alternative routes to their destination station, enabling them to take a better route to their destination station.

[0070] [Third embodiment] In the third embodiment, a case where a transfer ticket is issued by an automatic ticket vending machine 20 will be described.

[0071] (composition) The configuration according to the third embodiment is similar to the configuration diagram shown in FIG. 2, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted here.

[0072] (operation) Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a transfer ticket issuing process procedure in the automatic ticket vending system 10 shown in Fig. 1. The operation of this flowchart is realized by the control unit 201 of the automatic ticket vending machine 20 reading and executing a program stored in the memory arranged in the control unit 201 or the storage unit 204.

[0073] First, the process begins when a user desires to issue a transfer ticket and touches display unit 2021. If ticket vending machine 20 is equipped with a human sensor, the process may begin when the user stands in front of ticket vending machine 20. Here, each unit in control unit 201 is assumed to share what is necessary for the acquired information. In other words, each unit in control unit 201 transmits and receives various information as appropriate, and is capable of acquiring various information even if not explicitly stated here.

[0074] The acquiring unit 2013 confirms that an IC card having regular information has been inserted into the card insertion slot 205 (step ST301). For example, when a user inserts an IC card having regular information into the card insertion slot 205, the acquiring unit 2013 acquires the regular information from the IC card using the reader / writer 206 and the encoding / decoding unit 207. The acquiring unit 2013 may acquire the regular information from a mobile terminal having an IC card function owned by the user.

[0075] The communication control unit 2011 receives the transfer ticket issuance request (step ST302). The display control unit 2012 uses the display unit 2021 to display information on what service the user is trying to use on the IC card. The services displayed here include general services offered by the ticket vending machine 20, such as the renewal purchase of a commuter pass, as well as transfer ticket issuance. When the user presses transfer ticket issuance from among the displayed services, the reception unit 2022 outputs a transfer ticket issuance instruction to the communication control unit 2011.

[0076] The communication control unit 2011 inquires of the management server 30 about route operation information (step ST303). The communication control unit 2011 transmits a route acquisition request R3 for the regular route to the management server 30 through the communication unit 203. When the control unit 301 of the management server 30 receives the route acquisition request R3 for the regular route, it acquires route operation information L3 for the regular route stored in the storage unit 302. Then, the control unit 301 transmits the route operation information L3 for the regular route to the automatic ticket vending machine 20 through the communication unit 303.

[0077] The determination unit 2015 determines whether there is a delay or cancellation on the regular route (step ST304). The communication control unit 2011 receives regular route operation information via the communication unit 203. Then, the determination unit 2015 determines whether there is a delay or cancellation on the regular route based on the received route operation information L3 on the regular route. If there is no delay or cancellation, the process proceeds to step ST305. On the other hand, if there is a delay or cancellation on the route, the process proceeds to step ST306.

[0078] If there are no delays or cancellations along the route, the display control unit 2012 causes the display unit 2021 to display a message indicating that a replacement ticket cannot be issued because there are no delays or cancellations along the regular route (ST306).

[0079] On the other hand, if there is a delay or cancellation along the route, the issuance control unit 2014 issues a substitute ticket using the printing unit 215 and the print medium outlet 216 (step ST306).

[0080] (Effects of the third embodiment) According to the third embodiment described above, the automatic ticket vending machine 20 can issue a substitute ticket, which reduces the burden on station staff when traffic restrictions occur.

[0081] [Other embodiments] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment. For example, the first embodiment and the second embodiment can be combined. For example, the operation status of the entire route may be printed on a medium such as paper while purchasing a ticket.

[0082] In short, this invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and various modifications can be made in the implementation stage without departing from the gist of the invention. Moreover, each embodiment may be implemented in combination as appropriate as possible, and in that case, the combined effect can be obtained. Furthermore, the above-mentioned embodiment includes inventions at various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriate combinations of the disclosed constituent elements. [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] 10. Automatic ticket vending system 20...Ticket vending machine 23…Communications Department 201...Control unit 202…Touch panel section 203…Communications Department 204...Storage section 205…Card slot 206...Reader / writer 207…Encoder / Decoder 208…Banknote slot 209…Coin slot 210…Coin Validation Department 211…Ticket issuing department 212…Ticket outlet 213…Change section 214…Change outlet 215…Printing section 216…Print media outlet 2011…Communication control section 2012…Display control unit 2013…Acquisition Department 2014…Issuance Control Unit 2015…Judgment Department 2021…Display section 2022…Reception 2041...Account information 2042…Route information 30…Administration server 301...Control unit 302...Storage section 303…Communications Department

Claims

1. An acquisition unit that acquires a route from a station where a ticket vending machine is installed to a destination station; a communication control unit that transmits a first request for an available detour route from the use station to the destination station to a management server when a traffic regulation exists on the route, and receives first line operation information indicating whether or not a traffic regulation exists on the available detour route; a display control unit that displays the available detour route and the first route operation information; Equipped with an automatic ticket vending machine.

2. The communication control unit transmits a second request to the management server and receives second route operation information for the route; The automatic ticket vending machine according to claim 1 , further comprising a determination unit that determines whether or not there is a traffic regulation on the route based on the second route operation information.

3. The ticket vending machine according to claim 1 , wherein the display control unit displays an arrival time to a destination station taking into consideration the traffic regulations together with the route.

4. The ticket vending machine according to claim 1 , further comprising an issuance control unit that, when route selection information indicating that a user has selected the route or the detour route is received, issues a ticket according to the selected route.

5. The automatic ticket vending machine according to claim 1 , further comprising an issuance control unit that prints out route information for each of all of the available detour routes.

6. 6. The ticket vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the available detour routes are displayed in order of shortest time.

7. The ticket vending machine according to claim 1 , wherein the available detour routes are displayed randomly.

8. The ticket vending machine according to claim 1 , wherein the display control unit switches between displaying the available detours in the shortest time order and displaying the available detours randomly depending on the mode.

9. An automatic ticket vending method executed by an automatic ticket vending machine, comprising: receiving a destination station according to the input; Acquiring a route from a station where the ticket vending machine is located to the destination station; sending a first request to a management server for an available detour route from the use station to the destination station if a traffic regulation exists along the route; receiving first route operation information indicating whether a traffic restriction exists along the available detour route; Displaying the available detour route and the first route operation information; The automatic ticket vending method includes:

10. An automatic ticket vending program that causes a control unit of the automatic ticket vending machine to execute the automatic ticket vending method according to claim 9.

Images