Station operation equipment and station operation program

Abstract

To reduce the possibility that a user makes a pressing mistake.SOLUTION: Provided is station service equipment according to an embodiment, including: an item determination unit that determines whether a station name input signal has been received; a button control unit that in a case where it is determined that the station name input signal has been received, outputs first flick button information for causing a display unit to display a first flick input type button; and a station name control unit that retrieves a candidate station based on text information input through the button, and outputs display information for causing the display unit to display the first flick input type button and the candidate station.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD An embodiment of the present invention relates to station service equipment and a station service program. [Background technology]

[0002] Currently, station service equipment operated by an attendant may be used to sell, change, or refund tickets or commuter passes.

[0003] For example, when selling a commuter pass, the station service equipment for attendants displays the necessary items for selling the pass as well as buttons in an alphabetical display format on the screen, and accepts input of information according to where the attendant touches the button. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-148937 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, when the 50-sound display buttons are displayed on the screen of station equipment, the buttons displayed on the screen become smaller, making it easier for staff to make input errors. Also, in order to reduce the labor required for staff, it is being considered to have passengers operate the station equipment for staff as station equipment to provide the necessary services. Passengers are less accustomed to inputting information than staff, and there is a problem that when using the 50-sound display buttons to input information, they are more likely to make input errors than staff.

[0006] The present invention has been made in light of the above-mentioned circumstances, and its object is to provide a technology that reduces input errors when passengers operate station equipment. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The station service equipment according to the embodiment includes an item determination unit that determines whether a station name input signal has been received, a button control unit that outputs first flick button information for displaying a first flick input method button on the display unit if it is determined that a station name input signal has been received, and a station name control unit that searches for candidate stations based on character information input via the button and outputs display information for displaying the first flick input method button and the candidate stations on the display unit. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of station service equipment according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the software configuration of the station service equipment in relation to the hardware configuration shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure of the station service equipment shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an initial display screen displayed on the display unit. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an input screen displayed on the display unit. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a case where buttons in the 50-sound display format are displayed on the display unit. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display unit when the user inputs a name. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example in which buttons of the flick input method are displayed on the display unit. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display unit when the user inputs a station name. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display unit when the user inputs a station name. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The station service equipment and the station service program will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, parts with the same numbers perform the same operations, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0010] (composition) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of station service equipment 1 according to an embodiment. The station service equipment 1 is realized by a computer such as a PC (Personal Computer). The station service equipment 1 includes a control unit 11, a memory unit 12, an input / output interface 13, an input unit 14, and a display unit 15. The control unit 11, the memory unit 12, and the input / output interface 13 are connected to each other via a bus so that they can communicate with each other. Furthermore, the input / output interface 13 is connected to the input unit 14 and the display unit 15 so that they can communicate with each other.

[0011] The control unit 11 controls the station service equipment 1. The control unit 11 includes a hardware processor such as a central processing unit (CPU).

[0012] The storage unit 12 is a storage medium. The storage unit 12 is configured by combining a nonvolatile memory that can be written to and read from at any time, such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD), a nonvolatile memory such as a read only memory (ROM), and a volatile memory such as a random access memory (RAM). The storage unit 12 has a storage area including a program storage area and a data storage area. The program storage area stores an operating system (OS), middleware, and application programs required to execute various processes.

[0013] The input / output interface 13 is an interface that enables transmission and reception of information between the input unit 14 and the display unit 15. The input / output interface 13 may be equipped with a wired or wireless communication interface. In other words, the station service equipment 1 and the input unit 14 and display unit 15 may transmit and receive information via a network such as a LAN or the Internet.

[0014] The input unit 14 is, for example, an input detection sheet that employs an electrostatic or pressure method and is placed on the display screen of the display device that is the display unit 15, and outputs a signal corresponding to the position touched by the user to the control unit 11 via the input / output interface 13. For example, the input unit 14 and the display unit 15 may be a touch screen in which input and output are integrated. That is, the input unit 14 may receive input of necessary information when the user touches a button or the like displayed on the touch screen, and output a signal corresponding to the received information to the control unit 11.

[0015] The input unit 14 may also include, for example, a keyboard, a pointing device, or the like, which is used by a user of the station service equipment 1 (for example, an attendant, a passenger, or the like) to input instructions to the station service equipment 1. Furthermore, the input unit 14 may also include a reader for reading various information stored in media including tickets, commuter passes, IC cards, and the like. The reader may be a magnetic information reader, an IC card reader, a QR Code (registered trademark) reader, an NFC (Near Field Communication) reader, or the like. Of course, the reader may also be a reader / writer capable of writing various information to a medium.

[0016] The display unit 15 is a display device that uses, for example, liquid crystal, organic EL (Electro Luminescence), or the like, and displays images and messages according to signals input from the input / output interface 13. The display unit 15 may also include a printer or the like that can print necessary information (for example, fares, commuter routes, etc.) on the surface of a medium or the like.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the software configuration of the station service equipment 1 in relation to the hardware configuration shown in FIG. The storage unit 12 includes a display information storage unit 121, an input information storage unit 122, and a station name storage unit 123.

[0018] The display information storage unit 121 stores information that each control unit 11 (described later) of the control unit 11 causes to be displayed on the display unit 15. The information to be displayed includes, for example, items necessary when purchasing a commuter pass.

[0019] The input information storage unit 122 stores information that each control unit 11 (described later) of the control unit 11 acquires from the display unit 15. The input information storage unit 122 stores information input by the user, such as the user's name, station name, and start date of use.

[0020] The station name storage unit 123 stores the names of stations at which the station service equipment 1 can be sold. For example, if the station service equipment 1 is installed at station A, it is sufficient to store the names of stations that can be reached from station A. Alternatively, the station name storage unit 123 may store the names of stations at which the railway company that manages the station service equipment 1 can be sold.

[0021] The control unit 11 includes an initial display control unit 111, an item determination unit 112, a button control unit 113, a station name control unit 114, and an input confirmation determination unit 115.

[0022] The initial display control unit 111 controls the information that is initially displayed when a user attempts to use station service equipment 1. For example, upon receiving a signal indicating that the user has touched display unit 15, the initial display control unit 111 obtains initial display information stored in display information storage unit 121 and outputs it to display unit 15. The user selects the items they wish to use from the screen displayed on display unit 15. For example, if the user selects that they wish to purchase a new commuter pass, the initial display control unit 111 obtains information for purchasing a new commuter pass from display information storage unit 121 and outputs it to display unit 15. The information for purchasing a new commuter pass includes items that the user must input, such as their name, the section of use, and their age.

[0023] Item determination unit 112 determines which item on display unit 15 the user is attempting to input. For example, when a name input signal indicating that the user has touched the name item is received from display unit 15, item determination unit 112 outputs the name input signal to button control unit 113.

[0024] The button control unit 113 controls buttons for the user to input information into each item. For example, the button control unit 113 outputs button information to display flick input buttons on the display unit 15 according to information from the item determination unit 112. The button control unit 113 also receives information input by the user from the display unit 15. Furthermore, when the user inputs a station name, the button control unit 113 may output the information to the station name control unit 114. The button control unit 113 may store the received information in the input information storage unit 122.

[0025] The station name control unit 114 outputs candidate station names that could be the destination station to the display unit 15, for example, based on information input by the user about the station name. For example, the station name control unit 114 searches for candidate station names from the station names stored in the station name storage unit 123 based on information received from the button control unit 113, and outputs candidate station information, which is display information. Here, the candidate station information may be information for displaying flick input buttons and candidate stations on the display unit 15.

[0026] When the input confirmation determination unit 115 receives input confirmation information from the display unit 15 indicating that the user has touched the input confirmation button, the input confirmation determination unit 115 refers to the information stored in the input information storage unit 122 and determines whether the required information has been entered.

[0027] (operation) Figure 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure of the station service equipment 1 shown in Figure 1. The operation of this flowchart is realized by the control unit 11 of the station service equipment 1 reading and executing a program stored in the storage unit 12.

[0028] This flowchart starts when the control unit 11 receives from the display unit 15 a selection signal indicating that the user has touched the display unit 15 and selected the purchase or refund of a commuter pass, or the purchase or refund of a limited express ticket, etc. This flowchart may also start when the input unit 14 acquires various information from a medium and the user selects the purchase or refund of a commuter pass, etc. In this case, the control unit 11 may control the display unit 15 to display the various information acquired from the medium.

[0029] The initial display control unit 111 outputs initial input screen information (step ST11). When the initial display control unit 111 receives a selection signal, it acquires initial input screen information corresponding to the selection signal from the display information storage unit 121. Then, the initial display control unit 111 outputs the initial input screen information to the display unit 15 via the input / output interface 13. The initial input screen information may be information for displaying items such as a person's name, station name, and start date of use. Furthermore, when various information is acquired from a medium, the initial display screen information may include information corresponding to the various information in each item. For example, when the information acquired from the medium includes a commuter pass section, the initial display control unit 111 may include information about the commuter pass section in the initial display screen information. In other words, the screen displayed on the display unit 15 will be displayed with information about the departure station and arrival station already entered.

[0030] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an initial display screen displayed on display unit 15. As shown in FIG. The example shown in Figure 4 is an example of the initial display screen that is displayed when purchasing, renewing, or refunding a commuter pass. For example, the initial display screen includes the following items: name 21, date of birth, etc. 22, category 23, departure and arrival stations, etc. 24, start date, etc. 25, ticket information 26, input confirmation 27, and reset 28.

[0031] Name 21 is an item for inputting the user's name. Date of birth, etc. 22 includes items such as date of birth, age, adult or child, gender, and phone number. Category 23 includes items such as new or renewal, commuter or student, general or discount. Departure and arrival stations, etc. 24 includes items such as departure station, arrival station, and via station. Start date, etc. 25 includes items such as start date, end date, validity period, and original ticket issue date. Ticket information 26 includes original ticket number, original ticket fare, original ticket purchase, payment type, refund conditions, refund application date, fees, etc.

[0032] In the example shown in FIG. 4, these items are blank. However, if the information acquired from the medium includes any of these pieces of information, the initial display control unit 111 can include that information in the initial display screen information. For example, if the medium information includes information about the name 21, the initial display screen shown on the display unit 15 may be displayed with the name 21 item entered. Furthermore, the items shown in the ticket information 26 may be optional. In other words, if there is an item in the ticket information 26 that does not need to be displayed to the user, it may not be displayed.

[0033] The input confirmation 27 may be displayed on the initial display screen as shown in FIG. 4, but may not be displayed and may be displayed only when information is entered into each item.

[0034] Reset 28 is a button for resetting the input information.

[0035] 4 is merely an example, and it goes without saying that it may also be used for the purchase or refund of a ticket, express ticket, etc. In this case, the initial display screen may only display items such as the departure station, arrival station, route, date of use, etc.

[0036] The item determination unit 112 determines whether a name input signal has been received (step ST12). The user touches the name item among the items displayed on the display unit 15. In this case, the item determination unit 112 receives a name input signal indicating that a name will be input from the display unit 15 that has detected the touch. Then, if the name input signal has been received, the item determination unit 112 determines that the name input signal has been received, and outputs the name input signal to the button control unit 113. On the other hand, if it is determined that the name input signal has not been received, the process proceeds to step ST17.

[0037] The button control unit 113 outputs flick button information to the display unit 15 (step ST13). The button information is, for example, flick button information for the user to input information by a flick input method, and is output to the display unit 15. The flick button information includes a guide indicating which character will be input when the user touches a predetermined button and flicks in which direction.

[0038] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an input screen displayed on the display unit 15. As shown in FIG. Compared to Figure 4, Figure 5 adds a button for flick input method 29 to the right side. The example shown in Figure 5 also shows an example of the flick input method for kana characters. The user touches this button to input their name.

[0039] The button control unit 113 determines whether or not it has received a 50-sound change signal (step ST14). For example, if the user touches a button displaying the 50 sounds when inputting a name, the button control unit 113 receives the 50-sound change signal from the display unit 15. In this case, the button control unit 113 determines that it has received the 50-sound change signal. On the other hand, if the user has touched another button, the process proceeds to step ST16.

[0040] If it is determined that the 50-sound change signal has been received, the button control unit 113 outputs 50-sound button information to the display unit 15 through the input / output interface 13 (step ST15).

[0041] Here, an example has been described in which flick button information is displayed in step ST13 and whether or not a 50-sound display signal has been received in step ST14, but this is merely an example. For example, the button control unit 113 may output button information displaying the 50 sounds in step ST13 and determine whether or not a flick change signal has been received in step ST14. If a flick change signal has been received, the button control unit 113 may output flick button information in step ST15. Furthermore, if a signal indicating that the user has touched the "English" button to change to English characters is received, the button control unit 113 outputs button information for the English flick input method and accepts input from the user.

[0042] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the display of the buttons of the 50-sound display method 30 on the display unit 15. In FIG. As shown in Fig. 6, when the buttons of the 50-sound display method 30 are displayed on the display unit 15, the buttons are smaller than the buttons of the flick input method 29 shown in Fig. 5. That is, the buttons of the flick input method 29 can be displayed larger than the buttons of the 50-sound display method 30. In other words, the area of ​​the buttons of the 50-sound display method 30 is larger than the area of ​​the buttons of the flick input method 29. Therefore, in the case of the 50-sound display method 30, the entire blank space on the right side is used as a button and cannot be used for any other purpose.

[0043] After outputting the 50-sound button information, or if the 50-sound change signal has not been received, the button control unit 113 receives the name information input via the button (step ST16). That is, the button control unit 113 receives information corresponding to the name input by the user from the display unit 15. The button control unit 113 also stores the received information in the input information storage unit 122.

[0044] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display unit 15 when the user inputs a name. For example, FIG. 7 shows a case where a user inputs name information using the flick input method 29. As shown in FIG. 7, when the user touches "ka", a guide 31 may be displayed. For example, when the user touches "ka", the guide 31 is displayed above the button of the flick input method 29. It goes without saying that the location where the guide 31 is displayed is not limited to the above the button, and it may be displayed anywhere in a blank area where there is no button. The guide 31 indicates that, according to the flick input method, if the user releases the guide 31, "ka" will be input, if the user flicks left, "ki" will be input, if the user flicks up, "ku" will be input, if the user flicks right, "ke" will be input, and if the user flicks down, "ko" will be input.

[0045] After receiving the name information, the process returns to step ST12. For example, if the user touches "OK" or another item, the process may return to step ST12. In addition, while inputting the name information, the user may touch "English" or "Switch", and in this case, the process may perform the same operations as steps ST14 to ST15.

[0046] If it is determined in step ST12 that a name input signal has not been received, the item determination unit 112 determines whether a station name input signal has been received (step ST17). The user touches an item that requires input of a station name among the items displayed on the display unit 15. In this case, the item determination unit 112 receives a station name input signal from the display unit 15 that detects the touch, indicating that a station name will be input. Then, if the station name input signal has been received, the item determination unit 112 determines that a station name input signal has been received, and outputs the station name input signal to the button control unit 113. On the other hand, if it is determined that a station name input signal has not been received, the processing proceeds to step ST29.

[0047] The button control unit 113 outputs the flick button information to the display unit 15 (step ST18). As for the button information, for example, the flick button information is output to the display unit 15 in the same manner as in step ST13.

[0048] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a case where buttons of the flick input method are displayed on the display unit 15. In FIG. FIG. 8 shows the buttons, station names 33, and spaces 34 of the flick input method 32. The buttons of the flick input method 32 are displayed smaller than the buttons of the flick input method 29 displayed when inputting a name in FIG. 5. This is because candidate stations are displayed in the spaces 34, which will be described later. The station names 33 are a place to display the characters input using the flick input method 32. The spaces 34 are a place to display candidate stations according to the characters input in the station name 33. Comparing FIG. 8 with FIG. 6, the buttons of the flick input method 32 can be displayed larger than the buttons of the 50-sound display method 30. In other words, the area of ​​the buttons of the 50-sound display method 30 is larger than the area of ​​the buttons of the flick input method 32.

[0049] The button control unit 113 determines whether or not it has received a 50-sound change signal (step ST19). For example, if the user touches a button displaying the 50 sounds when inputting a station name, the button control unit 113 receives a 50-sound change signal from the display unit 15. In this case, the button control unit 113 determines that it has received a 50-sound change signal. On the other hand, if the user has touched another button, the process proceeds to step ST25.

[0050] If it is determined that the 50-sound change signal has been received, the button control unit 113 outputs 50-sound button information to the display unit 15 through the input / output interface 13 (step ST20).

[0051] Here, as described in steps ST13 to ST15, the operations of steps ST18 to ST20 are merely examples. For example, the button control unit 113 may output button information for displaying the Japanese syllabary in step ST18, and determine whether or not a flick change signal has been received in step ST19. If a flick change signal has been received, the button control unit 113 may output flick button information in step ST20. Furthermore, if a signal indicating that the user has touched the "English" button to change to English characters is received, the button control unit 113 outputs button information for an English input method and accepts input from the user.

[0052] After outputting the 50-syllable button information, the button control unit 113 receives station name information input via the button (step ST21). That is, the button control unit 113 receives station name information corresponding to the station name from the display unit 15. Note that the station name information does not need to be the complete station name, and may be a partial character string representing the station name. Furthermore, the button control unit 113 stores the received station name information in the input information storage unit 122.

[0053] The button control unit 113 receives the search request (step ST22). Upon receiving the search request, the button control unit 113 outputs the search request to the station name control unit 114. For example, when the user touches the "OK" button in the 50-sound display format 30 shown in FIG. 6, the button control unit 113 receives the search request from the display unit 15.

[0054] The station name control unit 114 outputs the search result based on the station name information (step ST23). When the station name control unit 114 receives the search request, it acquires the station name information stored in the input information storage unit 122. Then, the station name control unit 114 searches the station names stored in the station name storage unit 123 for a station name corresponding to the station name information. Then, the station name control unit 114 outputs the searched station name to the display unit 15 as a search result. For example, if a station name corresponding to a character string in the station name information is stored in the station name storage unit 123, the station name control unit 114 outputs the station name to the display unit 15 as a search result. Furthermore, if the character string in the station name information is part of a station name, the station name control unit 114 outputs a station name that matches the part to the display unit 15 as a search result. Note that if the character string in the station name information is part of a station name, the station name control unit 114 may output a station name similar to the part to the display unit 15 as a search result. For example, the station name control unit 114 may determine that a station name that matches one or more characters from the beginning of a character string is a similar station name.

[0055] The station name control unit 114 determines whether station selection information has been received (step ST24). The user selects a destination station from the station names output as the search results. If the destination station is found, the user touches the destination station. The station name control unit 114 then receives station selection information from the display unit 15 indicating that a specific station name has been touched. On the other hand, if the destination station name is not found among the station names output as the search results, the user will need to input a station name again, and the process returns to step ST21. If a station name has been selected, the process moves to inputting a different item, and the process returns to step ST12.

[0056] If it is determined in step ST19 that the 50-sound change signal has not been received, the button control unit 113 receives character information input via the button (step ST25). Here, the character information received using the flick input method may be at least one character. In other words, the character information does not need to be the complete station name. The button control unit 113 outputs the received character information to the station name control unit 114. Note that the button control unit 113 may output each received character to the station name control unit 114 as character information.

[0057] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display unit 15 when the user inputs a station name. FIG. 9 shows an example in which a user inputs station name information using the flick input method 32. For example, when the user touches the "Ka" button, a guide 35 is displayed. As shown in FIG. 9, the guide 35 is displayed overlapping the "Ka" button. By overlapping the guide 35 with the button in this way, a space 34 is secured.

[0058] The station name control unit 114 searches for candidate stations from the character information (step ST26). The station name control unit 114 searches for stations that can be the user's destination station based on the character information. For example, if the character information is "Ka" (i.e., the user first inputs "Ka"), the station name control unit 114 extracts station names that start with "Ka" from the station name storage unit 123, and may further extract a predetermined number of station names in alphabetical order as candidate stations.

[0059] The station name control unit 114 outputs the candidate station information, which is display information, to the display unit 15 (step ST27). The station name control unit 114 outputs the candidate station information including the multiple candidate stations searched in step ST26 to the display unit 15. Here, the candidate station information may be information for displaying flick input buttons and candidate stations on the display unit 15.

[0060] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display unit 15 when the user inputs a station name. FIG. 10 shows an example in which "ka" is entered in station name 33, and candidate station 36 is displayed in the place where space 34 was. Note that in FIG. 10, candidate station 36 is represented as NNNN. Also, as shown in FIG. 10, candidate stations are displayed on display unit 15 in response to the user entering part of the station name (at least one character). That is, the user can find a target station without entering the entire station name. Here, when a station name is entered using the 50-sound display method described in steps ST20 to ST24, a search is first performed (by touching the OK button) and the search results are displayed on display unit 15. On the other hand, when a button for flick input method 32 is displayed, candidate stations are displayed on display unit 15 as characters are entered. That is, input using flick input method 32 eliminates the need to touch the OK button to search for a station name after entering the station name as in the 50-sound display method, thereby reducing the user's effort.

[0061] The station name control unit 114 determines whether station selection information has been received (step ST28). The user selects a destination station from the candidate stations 36. If the destination station is displayed among the candidate stations 36, the user touches the destination station name. The station name control unit 114 then receives station selection information from the display unit 15 indicating that a specific station name has been touched. On the other hand, if the destination station name is not among the station names output as the search results, the user will need to input more text information, and the process returns to step ST25. If a station name has been selected, the user will move on to inputting a different item, and the process returns to step ST12.

[0062] If it is determined in step ST17 that a station name input signal has not been received, the item determination unit 112 determines whether a numeric input signal has been received (step ST29). The user touches an item that requires input of a number, such as age, among the items displayed on the display unit 15. In this case, the item determination unit 112 receives a numeric input signal from the display unit 15 that detects the touch, indicating that a number will be input. Then, if the numeric input signal has been received, the item determination unit 112 determines that the numeric input signal has been received, and outputs the numeric input signal to the button control unit 113. On the other hand, if it is determined that the numeric input signal has not been received, the processing proceeds to step ST32.

[0063] The button control unit 113 outputs the numeric button information to the display unit 15 (step ST30). The numeric button information may be, for example, a general numeric keypad button, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

[0064] The button control unit 113 receives numeric information input via the button (step ST31). That is, the button control unit 113 receives numeric information corresponding to age or the like from the display unit 15. When the numeric information is received, the user moves on to inputting a different item, so the process returns to step ST12.

[0065] If it is determined in step ST29 that a numeric input signal has not been received, the item determination unit 112 determines whether an input confirmation signal has been received (step ST32). When the user has input data for all items, the user touches the input confirmation 27. In this case, the item determination unit 112 receives an input confirmation signal from the display unit 15 that detected the touch, indicating that input for all items has been completed. Then, if the input confirmation signal has been received, the item determination unit 112 outputs the input confirmation signal to the input confirmation determination unit 115.

[0066] The input confirmation determination unit 115 determines whether the necessary information has been entered (step ST33). Upon receiving the input confirmation information, the input confirmation determination unit 115 checks the input information stored in the input information storage unit 122 and determines whether information has been entered in all the necessary fields. If it is determined that the necessary information has been entered in all the fields, the processing ends. On the other hand, if it is determined that the necessary information has not been entered in any of the fields, the input confirmation determination unit 115 outputs information indicating that the necessary information has not been entered to the display unit 15. Then, the processing returns to step ST12. Note that the information indicating that the necessary information has not been entered may be, for example, information indicating an item that has not been entered or has been entered incorrectly.

[0067] (Effects of the embodiment) According to the embodiment described above, the station service equipment 1 prompts the user to input the station name using the flick input method when displaying the station name. The flick input method requires less space to display the buttons than the 50-sound display method. Therefore, the flick input method allows the buttons to be larger than the 50-sound display method. This reduces the possibility that the user will touch an adjacent button, reducing the possibility that the user will make a typing error.

[0068] Furthermore, by using the flick input method to input, it is possible to create space for displaying candidate stations on the display unit 15. As a result, it becomes possible to display candidate stations on the display unit 15 by simply inputting part of the station name, thereby reducing the user's effort.

[0069] [Other embodiments] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, in the embodiment, the input unit 14 and the display unit 15 are disposed in the station service equipment 1, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the input unit 14 and the display unit 15 may be external devices of the station service equipment 1. That is, the input unit 14 and the display unit 15 may be installed in a ticket vending machine or the like, and the station service equipment 1 may be a device such as a central server that manages the ticket vending machines connected to the ticket vending machines.

[0070] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] 1…Station equipment 11...Control unit 111...initial display control unit 112...Item judgment section 113...Button control unit 114...Station name control section 115...input confirmation judgment unit 12...Storage section 121...Display information storage unit 122...input information storage unit 123...Station name memory section 13...Input / output interface 14...Input section 15...Display section 21...Name 22...Date of birth, etc. 23…Category 24...Departure and arrival stations, etc. 25…Start date, etc. 26…Ticket information 27...Confirm input 28...Reset 29...Flick input method 30…50 tone display method 31... Guide 32...Flick input method 33...Station name 34...Space 35... Guide 36...Candidate station

Claims

1. an item determination unit that determines whether a station name input signal has been received; a button control unit that outputs first flick button information for displaying a button of the first flick input method on the display unit when it is determined that the station name input signal has been received; a station name control unit that searches for candidate stations based on character information input via the buttons and outputs display information for displaying the buttons of the first flick input method and the candidate stations on the display unit; Station equipment equipped with:

2. The station service equipment described in claim 1, wherein the button control unit outputs 50-sound button information for displaying buttons of a 50-sound display method on the display unit in accordance with a signal input via the button, and the area of ​​the buttons of the 50-sound display method displayed on the display unit is larger than the area of ​​the buttons of the first flick input method.

3. The station service equipment according to claim 2 , wherein the buttons of the Japanese syllabary display method displayed on the display unit are smaller than the buttons of the first flick input method.

4. the item determination unit determines whether a name input signal has been received; When it is determined that the name input signal has been received, the button control unit outputs second flick button information for causing a display unit to display a button of a second flick input method; The station service equipment according to claim 1 , wherein the button for the second flick input method is larger than the button for the first flick input method.

5. The station service equipment of claim 4, wherein the second flick button information includes a second guide to be displayed on the display unit when the user touches the button, and the second guide is displayed above the button touched by the user.

6. The station service equipment described in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first flick button information includes a first guide to be displayed on the display unit when the user touches a button, and the first guide is displayed superimposed on the button touched by the user.

7. A station service program that causes a processor to function as each unit of station service equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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