Automatic ticket gate

Abstract

To provide a ticket gate capable of properly detecting adults regardless of the manner in which passengers pass in a passage.SOLUTION: An automatic ticket gate includes: an enclosure defining a passage through which a user passe;, and a plurality of detecting units that receive irradiated light. In a passing direction of the user, the plurality of detection units include at least one first detection unit arranged near a middle part of the passing direction, one second detection unit arranged near an entrance of the passage, and one third detecting unit arranged near an exit of the passage. The first detection unit emits light toward a height position corresponding to a predetermined height on a center line of the passage. The second detection unit emits light toward a height position corresponding to a predetermined height on a first imaginary line parallel to and different from the center line. The third detection unit emits light toward a height position corresponding to a predetermined height on a second imaginary line parallel to the center line and opposite to the first imaginary line with the center line in between.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to an automatic ticket gate.

Background Art

[0002] In transportation such as railways and buses, an automatic ticket gate (hereinafter simply referred to as a ticket gate) that performs ticket checking using a magnetic ticket, an IC (Integrated Circuit) card, or the like is used. In the ticket gate, as attributes of passengers who are users, adults and children (hereinafter collectively referred to as adults, etc.) for whom fares are generated and infants who are passengers for whom fares are not generated are discriminated.

[0003] Such discrimination (hereinafter referred to as adult detection) is performed, for example, based on the height of a passenger passing through the ticket gate. Specifically, when a passenger passes through the ticket gate, the magnitude relationship between the height of the passenger and a reference value is detected by a sensor. As an example, if the height of the passenger is equal to or greater than the reference value, the passenger is an adult, etc., and if it is less than the reference value, the passenger is an infant. For example, when determined to be an infant, the ticket gate opens regardless of other conditions. The reference value is set in advance, for example, as the average height value of a 6-year-old child when a passenger under 6 years old is an infant.

[0004] Conventionally, adult detection has been performed by a reflective sensor provided in the ticket gate. Such sensors are arranged, for example, at three locations on the upper part of the ticket gate at intervals along the passage direction of the passenger. The passage through which the passenger passes is formed, for example, as a space sandwiched between two housings of the ticket gate. In this case, adult detection is performed by three sets of sensors provided on the two housings. Each set of sensors is arranged at positions facing each other in a direction substantially orthogonal to the passage direction of the passenger, and projects light, for example, at a predetermined height position (hereinafter referred to as a pointing position) on the center line of the passage. The predetermined height is the height corresponding to the reference value. As a result, the three pointing positions defined by the three sets of sensors are arranged at intervals along the passage direction of the passenger. That is, all three pointing positions are set directly above the center line of the passage.

[0005] Therefore, when a passenger passes along the approximate center line of the passage, the light projection from each set of sensors hits the passenger near the pointing position and reflects. On the other hand, for example, when a passenger passes through the passage near one of the casings across the center line of the passage, among the light projections from each set of sensors, the light projection from the sensor provided on one of the casings hits the passenger in front of the pointing position and reflects. On the one hand, the light projection from the sensor provided on the other casing passes through the pointing position, passes over the passenger's head, and may not reflect even when the passenger passes through the passage. For example, this situation is likely to occur when a passenger passing through the passage near one of the casings further passes while leaning their body towards the casing. In this case, each set of sensors cannot detect adults. Therefore, for example, when a passenger deliberately passes through the passage near one of the casings, there is a risk that the detection of adults may be bypassed and unauthorized passage may be overlooked depending on the passenger's passing mode.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] The problem to be solved by the present embodiment is to provide a ticket gate capable of appropriately detecting adults regardless of the passing mode of passengers in the passage.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] The automatic ticket gate of the embodiment includes a housing and a plurality of detection units. The housing defines a passage through which users pass. The plurality of detection units are provided above the housing and detect the presence or absence of users with a predetermined height or more in the passage by receiving light irradiated thereto. In the passing direction of the users in the passage, the plurality of detection units each include at least one first detection unit arranged near the middle part of the passing direction, a second detection unit arranged near the entrance of the passage, and a third detection unit arranged near the exit of the passage. The first detection unit irradiates the light toward a height position corresponding to the predetermined height on the center line of the passage. The second detection unit irradiates the light toward a height position corresponding to the predetermined height on a first virtual line parallel to the center line and different from the center line. The third detection unit irradiates the light toward a height position corresponding to the predetermined height on a second virtual line parallel to the center line and on the opposite side of the first virtual line across the center line. The first virtual line is located closer to the housing side than the center line. When the passage is one-way, the second virtual line coincides with the first virtual line.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the disclosure is merely an example, and the invention is not limited by the content described in the following embodiments. Modifications that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art are naturally included in the scope of the disclosure. For the sake of clarity, in the drawings, the sizes, shapes, etc. of each part may be changed with respect to the actual embodiment and represented schematically. In a plurality of drawings, the same reference numerals may be assigned to corresponding elements, and detailed descriptions may be omitted.

[0011] (First Embodiment) Figs. 1 to 4 show a schematic configuration of a ticket gate (hereinafter simply referred to as a ticket gate) 10 according to the first embodiment. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the schematic configuration of the ticket gate 10. Fig. 2 is a side view showing the schematic configuration of the ticket gate 10. Fig. 3 is a top view showing the schematic configuration of the ticket gate 10. Fig. 4 is an end view showing the schematic configuration of the ticket gate 10. Figs. 1 to 4 show, as an example of a ticket gate, a device installed at a ticket gate of a railway station or the like that performs a ticket checking operation to permit or prohibit the passage (entry / exit) of users. The users include passengers (boarding and alighting passengers) using the railway, persons entering and leaving the station premises, station staff, maintenance workers, etc. In this embodiment, passengers are assumed as an example of users.

[0012] In the following description, as shown in Figs. 1 to 4, a first direction X, a second direction Y, and a third direction Z are respectively defined. These directions X, Y, and Z are directions orthogonal to each other. Also, a plane defined by the first direction X and the second direction Y is defined as a first plane S1, a plane defined by the first direction X and the third direction Z is defined as a second plane S2, and a plane defined by the second direction Y and the third direction Z is defined as a third plane S3.

[0013] In the example shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the first direction X is the passing direction of the passage PW1 and the depth direction of the ticket gate 10, the second direction Y is the width direction of the passage PW1 and the ticket gate 10, and the third direction Z is the height direction of the passage PW1 and the ticket gate 10. The passage PW1 is a space defined by the housing 17 of the ticket gate 10 as described later and through which users pass. Also, the first surface S1 is a surface parallel to the passage PW1, and specifically, a horizontal plane. The second surface S2 is a vertical plane orthogonal to the first surface (horizontal plane) S1 in parallel with the passage PW1. The third surface S3 is a vertical plane orthogonal to both the first surface S1 and the second surface S2.

[0014] The ticket gate 10 includes a reading unit 11, a feeding unit 12, a discharging unit 13, opening / closing doors 14 (14a, 14b), display units 15 (15a, 15b), detection units 16 (16a, 16b, 16c), a housing 17, a control unit 18 described later, and the like. In the example of the ticket gate 10 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a pair of two housings 171, 172 are arranged side by side in opposite directions, and a passage PW1 for users is formed in the space sandwiched between these housings 171, 172. The ticket gate 10 defines the passage PW1 with each housing 17 such that the passing directions of the passage PW1 are opposite to each other (arrows A1, A2). In the present embodiment, defining the passage PW1 corresponds to the housing 17 being located on the right side in the passing direction of the passage PW1. In other words, the housing 17 defines the passage PW1 on the left side of the housing 17 in the passing direction. As shown by the arrows A1, A2, the passage PW1 allows users to enter from either the first passing port E1 or the second passing port E2. The arrows A1, A2 correspond to the passing directions of users in the passage PW1.

[0015] However, simultaneous entry into the passage PW1 from the two access gates E1 and E2 is restricted by the opening / closing door 14. When the housing 171 defines the passage PW1, the first access gate E1 serves as the entrance to the passage PW1, and the second access gate E2 serves as the exit of the passage PW1. In this case, the user enters from the first access gate E1 and exits from the second access gate E2. That is, the direction of passage through the passage PW1 is the direction indicated by the arrow A1. On the other hand, when the housing 172 defines the passage PW1, the second access gate E2 serves as the entrance to the passage PW1, and the first access gate E1 serves as the exit of the passage PW1. In this case, the user enters from the second access gate E2 and exits from the first access gate E1. That is, the direction of passage through the passage PW1 is the direction indicated by the arrow A2.

[0016] In the examples shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the housings 171 and 172 of the ticket gate 10 are arranged side by side with opposite defined passage directions, but they may be arranged side by side with the same passage direction. For example, in FIGS. 3 and 4, if the housing 172 is arranged in the opposite direction to the illustration, the passage PW1 is defined by the housing 171, and it becomes a one-way passage where the user can enter only from the first access gate E1 as shown by the arrow A1. Therefore, the user enters the passage PW1 from the first access gate E1 and exits the passage PW1 from the second access gate E2.

[0017] The reading unit 11 reads the information recorded on the medium. In the present embodiment, the reading unit 11 reads the boarding information by wireless communication with the medium. The medium may be, for example, an IC card embedded with an IC (Integrated Circuit) chip, or an electronic device such as a smartphone. The boarding information includes identification information unique to the medium, identification information of the user, and various information regarding the valid section, expiration date, entry record, exit record, etc. The reading unit 11 has a reading surface 11a. The reading surface 11a is the surface on which the medium having the boarding information is held in the reading unit 11. In addition, an elliptical light-emitting unit 11b is provided in the reading unit 11.

[0018] The reading surface 11a corresponds to the surface of a cover 11c formed of a material such as resin. The cover 11c covers an antenna or the like provided in the reading unit 11. Note that the shape of the cover 11c is not limited to the illustrated example, and may be other shapes such as an elliptical shape or a semi-circular shape. Further, the reading unit 11 has an effective range (communication area) capable of communicating with a medium. Such an effective range spreads hemispherically above the reading surface 11a, for example.

[0019] In the examples shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the ticket gate 10 includes a reading unit 11 that reads boarding information from a medium such as an IC card as described above. However, the ticket gate 10 may be provided with a reading unit that reads boarding information from a medium different from an IC card or the like instead of or in addition to the reading unit 11. As the different medium, for example, an electronic device such as a smartphone capable of displaying an information code, a paper ticket printed with an information code, or the like can be applied. The information code is a display object in which boarding information is converted into a shape, pattern, color, or a combination thereof, and is, for example, an optically readable barcode or two-dimensional code.

[0020] The insertion unit 12 and the discharge unit 13 are provided on the upper surface portion 17a of the housing 17. The insertion unit 12 of the housing 17 is, for example, an insertion port into which a magnetic ticket is inserted, and is located on the front side (upstream side) in the passing direction of the passage PW1 defined by the housing 17, that is, near the entrance. Further, the insertion unit 12 is arranged close to the reading unit 11 in the passing direction of the passage PW1. The reading unit 11 and the insertion unit 12 are parts where the user operates on the ticket gate 10 when entering the passage PW1. The magnetic ticket is a magnetic-type ticket for riding, which is an example of a medium. The discharge unit 13 is, for example, a discharge port from which a magnetic ticket is discharged, and is located on the back side (downstream side) in the passing direction of the passage PW1 defined by the housing 17, that is, near the exit. Inside the ticket gate 10, between the insertion unit 12 and the discharge unit 13, a magnetic ticket processing unit 19 (see FIG. 5) for performing various processes on the magnetic ticket is provided. The insertion unit 12 and the discharge unit 13 are part of the components of the magnetic ticket processing unit 19. The magnetic ticket inserted from the insertion unit 12 is conveyed inside the housing 17 by the magnetic ticket processing unit 19, and various processes such as reading and writing of information, printing of information, and punching are performed, and is discharged from the discharge unit 13 as necessary. Note that the ticket gate 10 may be, for example, an IC card dedicated machine provided only with the reading unit 11, or a magnetic ticket dedicated machine provided only with the magnetic ticket processing unit 19 including the insertion unit 12 and the discharge unit 13.

[0021] The opening / closing door 14 is disposed on the side surface portion 17b of the housing 17 and is rotatably supported with respect to the housing 17. The side surface portion 17b is a surface portion of the housing 17 facing the passage PW1 in the housing 17. The opening / closing door 14 includes an entrance opening / closing door 14a disposed on the entrance side of the passage PW1 defined by the housing 17 and an exit opening / closing door 14b disposed on the exit side. The entrance opening / closing door 14a rotates around the first rotation axis 141 and can be in either an open state where a user can enter the passage PW1 or a closed state where entry is impossible. That is, the entrance opening / closing door 14a restricts the entry of the user beyond the entrance of the passage PW1 (for example, the first passage opening E1). The exit opening / closing door 14b rotates around the second rotation axis 142 and can be in either an open state where a user can exit from the passage PW1 or a closed state where exit is impossible. That is, the exit opening / closing door 14b restricts the exit of the user who has passed through the entrance opening / closing door 14a from the exit of the passage PW1 (for example, the second passage opening E2).

[0022] The display unit 15 has two display units 15a and 15b that display different information. These display units 15a and 15b are arranged at different positions respectively. The first display unit 15a is provided on the upper surface portion 17a of the housing 17. In the example shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the first display unit 15a is disposed between the discharge unit 13 in the housing 17 and the exit of the passage PW1 defined by the housing 17. The first display unit 15a includes, for example, a display panel having a plurality of point light sources, and displays, for example, the result of the ticket inspection process on the medium by the medium control unit 181 described later, to inform the user.

[0023] The second display unit 15b is provided on the end surface portion 17d of the housing 17. In the example shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the second display unit 15b is provided on the end surface portion 17d located on the entrance side of the passage PW1 defined by the housing 17. The second display unit 15b includes, for example, a display panel having a plurality of point light sources, a control circuit for controlling the display panel, etc., and displays passage information including whether entry into the passage PW1 is possible or not, to inform the user.

[0024] The housing 17 includes a reading unit 11, a feeding unit 12, a discharging unit 13, opening and closing doors 14 (an entrance opening and closing door 14a and an exit opening and closing door 14b), and a detection unit 16, and houses a control unit 18. The housing 17 has an upper surface portion 17a, side surface portions 17b, 17c, and end surface portions 17d, 17e that define the flat rectangular outer shape of the ticket gate 10. The upper surface portion 17a is mainly a surface parallel to the first surface (horizontal plane) S1. The side surface portions 17b, 17c are mainly surfaces parallel to the second surface (vertical plane orthogonal to the first surface S1 and parallel to the passage PW1) S2. The side surface portion 17b is the surface facing the passage PW1, and the side surface portion 17c is the back surface of the side surface portion 17b. The end surface portions 17d, 17e are mainly surfaces parallel to the third surface (vertical plane orthogonal to both the first surface S1 and the second surface S2) S3. The end surface portion 17d is the surface on the entrance side of the passage PW1 defined by the housing 17, and the end surface portion 17e is the surface on the exit side of the passage PW1 defined by the housing 17.

[0025] Further, the housing 17 has a pole portion 17f. The pole portion 17f is a portion that raises the housing 17 in the height direction (third direction Z) of the ticket gate 10. The pole portion 17f protrudes from the upper surface portion 17a over the entire length in the depth direction (first direction X) of the ticket gate 10 so as to be narrower in width than the width of the housing 17 in the second direction Y, specifically, the distance between the side surface portions 17b, 17c, and to be substantially flush with the side surface portion 17c.

[0026] Also, the housing 17 defines a passage PW1 through which users pass as described above. For example, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, in the ticket gate 10, the housing 171 defines the passage PW1 with the adjacent housing 172 in the second direction Y. When the housing 171 defines the passage PW1, the passing direction of the passage PW1 is the direction indicated by the arrow A1. Also, the housing 172 defines the passage PW1 with the adjacent housing 171 in the second direction Y. When the housing 172 defines the passage PW1, the passing direction of the passage PW1 is the direction indicated by the arrow A2.

[0027] In the example shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a passage PW1 is formed as a space between the side faces 17b of both housings 171 and 172. Note that the housing 171 may define the passage PW1 not with the adjacent housing 172 but with a wall, a fence, or the like adjacent in the second direction Y. Similarly, the housing 172 may define the passage PW1 not with the adjacent housing 171 but with a wall, a fence, or the like adjacent in the second direction Y.

[0028] The width of the passage PW1 (hereinafter referred to as the passage width) W1 is the distance of separation in the second direction Y between these side faces 17b. The one-dot chain line CL1 shown in FIG. 3 is a virtual line connecting the midpoints of the passage width W1 and is the center line (hereinafter referred to as the center line CL1) of the passage PW1. The two-dot chain line CL2 shown in FIG. 3 is a virtual line (hereinafter referred to as the bisecting line CL2) connecting the midpoints of the width W2 that is half of the passage width W1. The width W2 is the shortest distance between the center line CL1 and the side face 17b of the housing 171. In other words, the width W2 is the width between the center line CL1 and the housing 171 in the direction orthogonal to the center line CL (the second direction Y). The two-dot chain line CL3 shown in FIG. 3 is a virtual line (hereinafter referred to as the bisecting line CL3) connecting the midpoints of the width W3 that is half of the passage width W1. The width W3 is the shortest distance between the center line CL1 and the side face 17b of the housing 172. In other words, the width W3 is the width between the center line CL1 and the housing 172 in the direction orthogonal to the center line CL (the second direction Y). Therefore, the passage width W1 is divided into four equal parts by the center line CL1, the bisecting line CL2, and the bisecting line CL3. In other words, the center line CL1, the bisecting line CL2, and the bisecting line CL3 are virtual lines that divide the passage width W1 into four equal parts.

[0029] The detection unit 16 detects the presence or absence of a user having a predetermined height or more in the passage PW1. The detection unit 16 provides the detection control unit 185, which will be described later, with the presence or absence of such a user as a detection result. The detection control unit 185 discriminates (adult detection) whether the user, specifically, a passenger is an adult or a child (hereinafter collectively referred to as an adult or the like) for whom a fare is generated or an infant for whom no fare is generated according to the presence or absence of the user detected by the detection unit 16. Note that the detection unit 16 may be configured to detect the presence or absence of such a user and to discriminate whether the user (passenger) is an adult or the like or an infant.

[0030] The detection unit 16 is disposed at the upper part of the housing 17 and transmits a detection wave. In the example shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the detection unit 16 is disposed at the pole portion 17f of the housing 17. However, the detection unit 16 may be disposed, for example, at the upper surface portion 17a of the housing 17 or at the upper part of the side surface portion 17b (a portion near the upper surface portion 17a). The detection unit 16 is a reflection type sensor incorporating a light projecting unit and a light receiving unit (both not shown), and receives the light irradiated (projected) from the light projecting unit and reflected by the subject at the light receiving unit. Therefore, in a state where the detection unit 16 is disposed at the pole portion 17f, the light projecting unit and the light receiving unit face the passage PW1 respectively.

[0031] In the present embodiment, in order to detect the presence or absence of a user (passenger) having a predetermined height or more, the detection unit 16 irradiates light toward a predetermined height position (hereinafter referred to as a pointing position) in the passage PW1. The height in the passage PW1 is the distance along the third direction Z from the road surface of the passage PW1. The predetermined height is, for example, a height corresponding to the average height (about 1250 mm) of a 6-year-old child (the distance H shown in FIG. 2, hereinafter referred to as a reference height H). Therefore, the pointing position is set as the position of the reference height H along the third direction Z from the road surface of the passage PW1. The reason for using a 6-year-old child is that it is assumed, for example, that a passenger who does not generate a fare is a child under 6 years old. However, the pointing position and the reference height H are not limited to such setting criteria.

[0032] The ticket gate 10 includes a plurality of detection units 16. The detection unit 16 includes detection units 16a, 16b, and 16c disposed at three different positions in the passing direction of the passage PW1 defined by the housing 17. Each of these detection units 16a, 16b, and 16c includes at least one reflection type sensor.

[0033] In this embodiment, as an example, the ticket gate 10 has three detection units 16a, 16b, and 16c, one at each of three locations in the passing direction of the passage PW1. These detection units 16a, 16b, and 16c are arranged in the passing direction of the passage PW1 defined by the housing 17. The first detection unit 16a is located near the middle part in the passing direction. The second detection unit 16b is located on the front side (upstream side) in the passing direction, that is, near the entrance. The third detection unit 16c is located on the back side (downstream side) in the passing direction, that is, near the exit.

[0034] In the example shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the first detection unit 16a is arranged such that its position in the passing direction overlaps with the middle part 17m of the housing 17, specifically the pole part 17f, as viewed from the second direction Y. The middle part 17m corresponds to the depth direction (first direction X) of the pole part 17f, that is, the middle part in the passing direction, in other words, the middle part of the depth of the ticket gate 10 (distance PL shown in FIG. 2). The second detection unit 16b is arranged closer to the entrance of the passage PW1 than the first rotation axis 141 of the entrance opening / closing door 14a. As an example, the second detection unit 16b is arranged such that its position in the passing direction overlaps with the reading unit 11 as viewed from the second direction Y. That is, the second detection unit 16b is arranged near the reading unit 11. The third detection unit 16c is arranged closer to the exit of the passage PW1 than the second rotation axis 142 of the exit opening / closing door 14b. As an example, the third detection unit 16c is arranged such that its position in the passing direction overlaps with the display unit 15 as viewed from the second direction Y. However, the positions of these detection units 16a, 16b, and 16c are not limited to the illustrated positions.

[0035] The first detection unit 16a irradiates light toward a height position corresponding to a predetermined body length on the center line CL1 of the passage PW1, that is, the reference height H. The pointing position P1 of the first detection unit 16a is a position corresponding to the reference height H on the center line CL1 on the third surface S3 where the first detection unit 16a is located. Therefore, the optical axis (arrow L11 shown in FIGS. 2 to 4) connecting the starting point and the arrival target point of the light irradiated from the first detection unit 16a exists on the surface of the third surface S3, but does not exist on the surfaces of either the first surface S1 or the second surface S2. In this case, the arrival target point is the pointing position P1. The pointing position P1 is located above the midpoint PM1 of the passage PW1. The midpoint PM1 is a point corresponding to the middle of the length of the center line CL1 in the passing direction. The first detection unit 16a irradiates light from the light projecting unit toward the pointing position P1 which is the arrival target point, and receives, with the light receiving unit, the light reflected by a user passing through the passage PW1.

[0036] The second detection unit 16b irradiates light toward a height position (reference height H) corresponding to a predetermined body length on a virtual line (hereinafter referred to as the first virtual line) parallel to the center line CL1 and different from the center line CL1. The first virtual line is located closer to the housing 17 that defines the passage PW1 than the center line CL1. For example, the first virtual line is located at the middle of the width between the center line CL1 and the housing 17 in a direction (second direction Y) orthogonal to the center line CL1 or closer to the housing 17 side than the middle.

[0037] The pointing position P2 of the second detection unit 16b is a position corresponding to the reference height H on the first virtual line on the third surface S3 where the second detection unit 16b is located. Therefore, the optical axis (arrow L12 shown in FIGS. 2 to 4) connecting the starting point of the light irradiated from the second detection unit 16b and the arrival target point exists on the surface of the third surface S3, but does not exist on the surfaces of either the first surface S1 or the second surface S2. In this case, the arrival target point becomes the pointing position P2. The second detection unit 16b irradiates light from the light projecting unit toward the pointing position P2 which is the arrival target point, and receives, with the light receiving unit, the light reflected when hitting a user passing through the passage PW1. In the examples shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first virtual line corresponding to the second detection unit 16b of the housing 171 is taken as the bisecting line CL2, and the first virtual line corresponding to the second detection unit 16b of the housing 172 is taken as the bisecting line CL3. However, the bisecting lines CL2 and CL3 are merely examples of the first virtual line, and the position of the first virtual line is not limited thereto.

[0038] The third detection unit 16b irradiates light while pointing at a height position (reference height H) corresponding to a predetermined body height on a virtual line (hereinafter referred to as the second virtual line) that is parallel to the center line CL1 and on the opposite side of the first virtual line with the center line CL1 interposed therebetween. The second virtual line is located on the housing 17 side that defines the passage PW1 between the center line CL1 and the first virtual line. For example, the second virtual line is spaced apart from the center line CL1 by the same distance as the separation distance between the center line CL1 and the first virtual line in the direction (second direction Y) orthogonal to the center line CL1.

[0039] The pointing position P3 of the third detection unit 16c is a position corresponding to the reference height H on the second imaginary line on the third surface S3 where the third detection unit 16c is located. Therefore, the optical axis (arrow L13 shown in FIGS. 2 to 4) connecting the starting point of the light emitted from the third detection unit 16c and the arrival target point exists on the surface of the third surface S3, but does not exist on the surfaces of either the first surface S1 or the second surface S2. In this case, the arrival target point becomes the pointing position P3. The third detection unit 16c irradiates light from the light projecting unit toward the pointing position P3 which is the arrival target point, and receives the light reflected when hitting a user passing through the passage PW1 with the light receiving unit. In the examples shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the second imaginary line corresponding to the third detection unit 16c of the housing 171 is the bisector CL3, and the second imaginary line corresponding to the third detection unit 16c of the housing 172 is the bisector CL2. However, the bisectors CL2 and CL3 are merely examples of the second imaginary line, and the position of the second imaginary line is not limited thereto.

[0040] In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, two casings 171 and 172 are arranged side by side in opposite directions, and the passage PW1 is defined by each of the casings 171 and 172 such that the passing directions of the passage PW1 are opposite to each other (arrows A1 and A2). The casings 171 and 172 are arranged such that their detection units 16a, 16b, and 16c are in the following positional relationship shown in FIG. 3. The first detection unit 16a of the casing 171 overlaps with the first detection unit 16a of the casing 172 in terms of the position in the passing direction as viewed from the second direction Y. The second detection unit 16b of the casing 171 overlaps with the third detection unit 10c of the casing 172 in terms of the position in the passing direction as viewed from the second direction Y. The third detection unit 16c of the casing 171 overlaps with the second detection unit 10b of the casing 172 in terms of the position in the passing direction as viewed from the second direction Y. For example, the second detection unit 16b and the third detection unit 16c are arranged at positions that are substantially symmetric with each other with the first detection unit 16a interposed therebetween in the passing direction of the passage PW. In other words, the second detection unit 16b and the third detection unit 16c are arranged such that the distances from the first detection unit 16a in the passing direction of the passage PW (the distances Dab and Dac shown in FIG. 3) are substantially the same. The distances Dab and Dac correspond to, for example, the shortest distances between the first detection unit 16a and the second detection unit 16b and the third detection unit 16c in the passing direction of the passage PW.

[0041] By being arranged in this way, in the ticket gate 10, the first detection units 16a of the respective casings 171 and 172 form a set of two. Similarly, in the casings 171 and 172, the respective second detection units 16b form a set of two, and the respective third detection units 16c form a set of two. In this embodiment, the detection units 16 of these three sets are used to detect adults in the passage PW1.

[0042] Here, let the pointing position P1 of the first detection unit 16a in the housing 171 be P1a, the pointing position P2 of the second detection unit 16b be P2a, and the pointing position P3 of the third detection unit 16c be P3a. Let the pointing position P1 of the first detection unit 16a in the housing 172 be P1b, the pointing position P2 of the second detection unit 16b be P2b, and the pointing position P3 of the third detection unit 16c be P3b. When distinguished in this way, these pointing positions have the following positional relationship shown in FIG. 3. That is, the pointing position P1a substantially coincides with the pointing position P1b. The pointing position P2a substantially coincides with the pointing position P3b. The pointing position P1c substantially coincides with the pointing position P2b.

[0043] Therefore, these pointing positions are the pointing positions P1a, P1b corresponding to the position at the reference height H on the center line CL1, the pointing positions P2a, P3b corresponding to the position at the reference height H on the bisecting line CL2, and the pointing positions P3a, P2b corresponding to the position at the reference height H on the bisecting line CL3. That is, these pointing positions are arranged at three different positions in the width direction (second direction Y) of the passage PW1. The pointing positions P1a, P1b are located near the midpoint PM1 of the passage PW1, that is, near the middle part of the center line CL1. The pointing positions P2a, P3b are located near the reading unit 11 of the housing 171, that is, near the reading unit 11 on the entrance (first passage opening E1) side of the passage PW1 defined by the housing 171. The pointing positions P3a, P2b are located near the reading unit 11 of the housing 172, that is, near the reading unit 11 on the entrance (second passage opening E2) side of the passage PW1 defined by the housing 172. For this reason, these pointing positions are arranged along a straight line that reaches from near the reading unit 11 of the housing 171, passes through the middle part of the center line CL1, and reaches near the reading unit 11 of the housing 172.

[0044] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a control block of the ticket gate 10. The ticket gate 10 includes a reading unit 11, a magnetic ticket processing unit 19, an opening / closing door 14, a display unit 15 (a first display unit 15a and a second display unit 15b), and a detection unit 16 (a first detection unit 16a, a second detection unit 16b, and a third detection unit 16c). The control unit 18 controls operations of the reading unit 11, a magnetic ticket processing unit 19 (an input unit 12 and a discharge unit 13) described later, the opening / closing door 14, the display unit 15, the detection unit 16, and the like. The control unit 18 is connected to the reading unit 11, the magnetic ticket processing unit 19, the opening / closing door 14, the display unit 15, and the detection unit 16 via control lines, respectively.

[0045] The reading unit 11 includes an antenna 111, a communication control unit 112, and a light emitting unit 113. The communication control unit 112 performs operations such as transmitting radio waves via the antenna 111 and demodulating information included in the radio waves acquired via the antenna 111 from a medium shielded by the reading surface 11a shown in FIG. 1. The light emitting unit 113 enters a light emitting state when the medium can be used, in other words, when the information (boarding information) recorded on the medium is in a state where the reading unit 11 can read it. Thereby, the user can visually recognize that the reading unit 11 is available. In this state, the reading unit 11 continuously transmits (polls) a signal (capture command) for requesting a response from the medium at a predetermined period. On the other hand, the light emitting unit 113 does not enter a light emitting state (is in a non-light emitting state) when the medium cannot be used, in other words, when the information recorded on the medium is in a state where the reading unit 11 cannot read it. Thereby, the user can visually recognize that the reading unit 11 is unavailable.

[0046] The magnetic ticket processing unit 19 includes an input unit 12, a discharge unit 13, a transport mechanism, a magnetic processing unit, a printing unit, a punching unit, and the like. The transport mechanism sequentially transports the magnetic tickets input from the input unit 12 according to the process of magnetic processing. The magnetic processing unit reads magnetic information from the magnetic ticket and writes magnetic information to the magnetic ticket. The printing unit prints information on the magnetic ticket as necessary. The punching unit punches the magnetic ticket as necessary.

[0047] The control unit 18 includes a medium control unit 181, a display control unit 182, a door control unit 183, a magnetic ticket control unit 184, a detection control unit 185, etc.

[0048] When the detection unit 16 detects that a user has entered the passage PW1, for example, the medium control unit 181 drives the reading unit 11 to receive the medium and read the boarding information from the medium. Next, the medium control unit 181 performs writing to the medium, such as the entrance station, entrance start time, entrance end time, SF balance, etc., as the ticket inspection process at the time of entry, or writing to the medium, such as the exit station, exit start time, exit end time, SF balance, etc., as the ticket inspection process at the time of exit.

[0049] When the ticket inspection process is performed on the medium by the medium control unit 181, the display control unit 182 causes the first display unit 15a to display the processing result. The display control unit 182 displays, for example, the SF balance as the result of the ticket inspection process at the time of entry and exit, and notifies the user. In addition, the display control unit 182 causes the second display unit 15b to display passage information including whether entry into the passage PW1 is permitted. For example, when the passage PW1 can be traveled in both directions as in this embodiment, the display control unit 182 switches the passage information to be displayed on the second display unit 15b as follows. While the housing 17 defines the passage PW1, the display control unit 182 causes the second display unit 15b to display information indicating that entry into the passage PW1 is permitted (entry into the passage PW1 is possible), for example, a circle mark. On the other hand, while the housing 17 does not define the passage PW1, the display control unit 182 causes the second display unit 15b to display information indicating that entry into the passage PW1 is not permitted (entry into the passage PW1 is impossible), for example, a cross mark.

[0050] When the detection unit 16 detects, for example, the entry of a user into the passage PW1, the door control unit 183 drives an actuator or the like to rotate the entrance opening / closing door 14a around the first rotation axis 141 to open it. Also, when the boarding information read by the reading unit 11 is not appropriate, for example, the door control unit 183 drives an actuator or the like to rotate the exit opening / closing door 14b around the second rotation axis 142 to close it. Note that when the door control unit 183 determines that the user is an infant for whom no fare is generated according to the detection result of the detection unit 16, the door control unit 183 opens the exit opening / closing door 14b regardless of other conditions.

[0051] The magnetic ticket control unit 184 operates the magnetic ticket processing unit 19 to perform various processes on the magnetic ticket. When a magnetic ticket is inserted from the insertion unit 12, for example, the magnetic ticket control unit 184 sequentially conveys the magnetic ticket by a conveyance mechanism according to the steps of magnetic processing, reads and writes information in the magnetic processing unit, prints information in the printing unit, perforates in the perforation unit, etc., and discharges the magnetic ticket that has undergone these processes from the discharge unit 13 as necessary.

[0052] The detection control unit 185 operates the detection unit 16 to transmit a detection wave. The detection control unit 185 drives a light projecting unit such as a light emitting element to irradiate (project) light, for example, and receives the light reflected from the user as the object to be detected by a light receiving unit such as a light receiving element. Then, the detection control unit 185 discriminates whether the user is an adult or an infant according to the presence or absence of a user with a predetermined height or more in the passage PW1 detected by the detection unit 16. Specifically, when the detection unit 16 is receiving the reflected light from the pointing position, the detection control unit 185 determines that the user is an adult or the like on the assumption that the height of the user is equal to or more than the height corresponding to the pointing position. On the other hand, when the detection unit 16 is not receiving the reflected light from the pointing position, the detection control unit 185 determines that the user is an infant, that is, not an adult or the like, on the assumption that the height of the user is less than the height corresponding to the pointing position.

[0053] For example, when any one of the first detection unit 16a, the second detection unit 16b, and the third detection unit 16c receives the reflected light from the pointing positions P1, P2, and P3, the detection control unit 185 can determine that the user is an adult or the like. In the example shown in FIG. 3, in the passage PW1, among the first pointing positions P2a and P3b located near the first passage E1, the second pointing positions P1a and P1b located near the midpoint PM1, and the third pointing positions P3a and P2b located near the second passage E2, when the reflected light from the pointing position is received by the detection units 16 of both housings 171 and 172 at at least one location, the detection control unit 185 determines that the user is an adult or the like. That is, when any one of the three sets of detection units 16 in the ticket gate 10 receives the reflected light, the detection control unit 185 determines that the user is an adult or the like. As described above, the three sets of detection units 16 are one set for the first detection unit 16a, one set for the second detection unit 16b, and one set for the third detection unit 16c. For example, when the reflected light from both pointing positions is received at any one of the three locations of the pointing positions P2a and P3b, the pointing positions P1a and P1b, and the pointing positions P3a and P2b, the detection control unit 185 determines that the user is an adult or the like.

[0054] On the other hand, when none of the first detection unit 16a, the second detection unit 16b, and the third detection unit 16c receives the reflected light from the pointing positions P1, P2, and P3, the detection control unit 185 can determine that the user is a child, that is, not an adult or the like. In the example shown in FIG. 3, in the passage PW1, among the first pointing positions P2a and P3b located near the first passage opening E1, the second pointing positions P1a and P1b located near the midpoint PM1, and the third pointing positions P3a and P2b located near the second passage opening E2, when the reflected light from the pointing position is not received by at least one of the detection units 16 of the housings 171 and 172 at all locations, the detection control unit 185 determines that the user is not an adult or the like. That is, in the ticket gate 10, when none of all the three sets of detection units 16 receives the reflected light, the detection control unit 185 determines that the user is not an adult or the like. For example, when the reflected light from at least one of the pointing positions is not received at all locations of the three locations of the pointing positions P2a and P3b, the pointing positions P1a and P1b, and the pointing positions P3a and P2b, the detection control unit 185 determines that the user is not an adult or the like.

[0055] As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the passing direction of the passage PW1, the first detection unit 16a is disposed near the middle part (midpoint PM1), the second detection unit 16b is disposed near the entrance, and the third detection unit 16c is disposed near the exit. Further, the pointing position P1 of the first detection unit 16a is above the center line CL1 of the passage PW1, the pointing position P2 of the second detection unit 16b is above the first virtual line, and the pointing position P3 of the third detection unit 16c is above the second virtual line. The first virtual line is located closer to the housing 17 that defines the passage PW1 than the center line CL1. Therefore, the pointing position P2 of the second detection unit 16b can be moved closer to the housing 17 that defines the passage PW1 than the center line CL1.

[0056] When a user enters the passage PW1, the user operates the reading unit 11 or the insertion unit 12. In the passing direction of the passage PW1, the reading unit 11 and the insertion unit 12 are arranged adjacent to each other, and the second detection unit 16b is arranged in the vicinity of the reading unit 11. When using the ticket gate 10, the user approaches the housing 17 that defines the passage PW1 rather than the center line CL1 and operates the reading unit 11 or the insertion unit 12 to pass through the passage PW1. At this time, since the pointing position P2 of the second detection unit 16b is located on the side of the housing 17 that defines the passage PW1 rather than the center line CL1, it is possible to suppress the light irradiated from the second detection unit 16 from passing over the head of the user who has leaned towards the housing 17. That is, the light can be surely irradiated from the second detection unit 16b toward the user passing through the passage PW1, and the reflected light can be received by the second detection unit 16b. Thereby, compared with the case where the pointing position P2 of the second detection unit 16b is located above the center line CL1, adult detection in the passage PW1 can be performed more reliably.

[0057] For example, when the user approaches the housing 17 and further passes while leaning the body against the housing 17, it is likely to be a situation where adult detection is bypassed. However, by setting the pointing position P2 of the second detection unit 16b to the side of the housing 17 where the reading unit 11 or the insertion unit 12 is operated rather than the center line CL1, even in the case where the user passes while leaning the body as described above, bypassing of adult detection can be suppressed.

[0058] Also, as described above, the pointing positions P3 of the third detection unit 16c are respectively located above the second virtual line. Therefore, for example, even when the user approaches the housing 17 on the side opposite to the housing 17 where the reading unit 11 or the insertion unit 12 is operated and further passes while leaning the body against the opposite housing 17, the light can be surely irradiated from the third detection unit 16c toward the user, and the reflected light can be received by the third detection unit 16c. That is, also in this case, compared with the case where the pointing position P3 of the third detection unit 16c is located above the center line CL1, adult detection in the passage PW1 can be performed more reliably.

[0059] Therefore, according to this embodiment, even when the user deliberately passes through the passage PW1 near one of the casings 17, it is possible to suppress the bypass of adult detection. That is, it is possible to avoid a situation where unauthorized passage through the passage PW1 due to the user's passage mode is overlooked.

[0060] In many cases, since the user passes on the center line CL1 of the passage PW1, in this case, as in the conventional case, the first detection unit 16a in which the pointing position P1 is located above the center line CL1, and further by the second detection unit 16b and the third detection unit 16c, adult detection can be surely performed.

[0061] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the above-described embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and its equivalent scope.

[0062] In the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the ticket gate 10 defines the passage PW1 by the respective casings 171 and 172 such that the passing directions of the passage PW1 are opposite to each other (arrows A1, A2). Instead of this, as in the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the casings 171 and 172 of the ticket gate 10 may be arranged side by side such that the passing directions are the same. Hereinafter, the second embodiment will be described.

[0063] (Second Embodiment) Figures 6 and 7 show the schematic configuration of the ticket gate 10a of the second embodiment. Figure 6 is a top view showing the schematic configuration of the ticket gate 10a. Figure 7 is an end view showing the schematic configuration of the ticket gate 10a. In the second embodiment, the basic configuration of the ticket gate 10a is the same as that of the ticket gate 10 of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 5. For this reason, in the second embodiment, for each component of the ticket gate 10a that is the same as or similar to the ticket gate 10, reference is made to the configuration of the ticket gate 10 shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, and the description is omitted by using the same reference numerals.

[0064] In the second embodiment, the second detection unit 16b of the housing 171 irradiates light toward a height position (reference height H) corresponding to a predetermined body length on the first virtual line. The third detection unit 16b of the housing 171 irradiates light toward a height position (reference height H) corresponding to a predetermined body length on the first virtual line, rather than the second virtual line.

[0065] Also, the second detection unit 16b of the housing 172 irradiates light toward a height position (reference height H) corresponding to a predetermined body length on the first virtual line. The third detection unit 16b of the housing 172 irradiates light toward a height position (reference height H) corresponding to a predetermined body length on the first virtual line, rather than the second virtual line. Therefore, the pointing position P2 of the second detection unit 16b and the pointing position P3 of the third detection unit 16c of the housings 171 and 172 are located on the side of the housing 171 where the user operates the reading unit 11 or the insertion unit 12, rather than the center line CL1.

[0066] That is, in the housing 171 and the housing 172, the second virtual line coincides with the first virtual line. In the example shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the first virtual line corresponding to the second detection unit 16b and the third detection unit 16c of the housing 171 is the bisecting line CL2. Also, the first virtual line corresponding to the second detection unit 16b and the third detection unit 16c of the housing 172 is the bisecting line CL2. However, the bisecting line CL2 is only an example of the first virtual line, and the position of the first virtual line is not limited to this.

[0067] Therefore, even when the user approaches the housing 17 that defines the passageway PW1 rather than the center line CL1 and operates the reading unit 11 or the insertion unit 12, and then passes through the passageway PW1 while still approaching the housing 17, in addition to the second detection unit 16b, the third detection unit 16c can also more reliably detect an adult. Thus, when the user deliberately approaches the housing 171 and passes through the passageway PW1, for example, when the user approaches the housing 171 and then passes through while tilting the body further towards the housing 171, it is possible to suppress the bypass of adult detection.

[0068] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, it is assumed that the ticket gate 10 is installed at the ticket gate of a railway station. However, the use of the ticket gate is not limited to the ticket inspection service of transportation facilities. For example, it is also possible to use the ticket gate as an entrance / exit gate installed at the entrances and exits of office buildings, event halls, art museums, and museums.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0069] 10, 10a... Ticket gate, 11... Reading unit, 12... Insertion unit, 13... Discharge unit, 14, 14a, 14b... Opening / closing door, 15, 15a, 15b... Display unit, 16(16a, 16b, 16c)... Detection unit (First detection unit, Second detection unit, Third detection unit), 17, 171, 172... Housing, 17a... Upper surface part, 17b, 17c... Side surface parts, 17d, 17e... End surface parts, 17f... Pole part, 17m... Intermediate part, 18... Control unit, 19... Magnetic ticket processing unit, 141... First rotation axis, 142... Second rotation axis, 181... Medium control unit, 182... Display control unit, 183... Door control unit, 184... Magnetic ticket control unit, 185... Detection control unit, A1, A2... Passageway travel directions, CL1... Center line of the passageway, CL2, CL3... One-fourth lines (equidistant lines) of the passageway width, Dab... Separation distance between the first detection unit and the second detection unit, Dac... Separation distance between the first detection unit and the third detection unit, E1... First passage opening, E2... Second passage opening, H... Reference height, L11... Optical axis of the first detection unit, L12... Optical axis of the second detection unit, L13... Optical axis of the third detection unit, P1, P1a, P1b... Pointing positions of the first detection unit, P2, P2a, P2b... Pointing positions of the second detection unit, P3, P3a, P3b... Pointing positions of the third detection unit, PL... Depth of the housing, PM1... Intermediate point of the passageway, PW1... Passageway, S1... First surface, S2... Second surface, S3... Third surface, W1... Passageway width, W2, W3... Half widths of the passageway width, X... First direction, Y... Second direction, Z... Third direction.

Claims

1. A housing that defines a passage for users to pass through, and a plurality of detection units provided on the upper part of the housing, and detecting by receiving light irradiated to detect the presence or absence of users with a predetermined height or more in the passage. In the passing direction of the user in the passage, the plurality of detection units each include at least one first detection unit arranged near the middle part of the passing direction, a second detection unit arranged near the entrance of the passage, and a third detection unit arranged near the exit of the passage. The first detection unit irradiates the light toward a height position corresponding to the predetermined height on the center line of the passage. The second detection unit irradiates the light toward a height position corresponding to the predetermined height on a first virtual line parallel to the center line and different from the center line. The third detection unit irradiates the light toward a height position corresponding to the predetermined height on a second virtual line parallel to the center line and on the opposite side of the first virtual line across the center line. The first virtual line is located closer to the housing side than the center line. When the passage is one-way, the second virtual line coincides with the first virtual line. An automatic ticket gate.

2. The first virtual line is located at the middle of the width between the center line and the housing in the direction orthogonal to the center line or closer to the housing side than the middle. The second virtual line is separated from the center line by the same distance as the separation distance between the center line and the first virtual line in the direction orthogonal to the center line. The automatic ticket gate according to Claim 1.

3. The second detection unit is arranged near a part of the housing where the user performs an operation when entering the passage. The third detection unit is arranged at a position symmetric to the second detection unit with the first detection unit sandwiched therebetween in the passing direction. The automatic ticket gate according to Claim 1 or 2.

4. An entrance opening and closing door that rotates around a first rotation axis and restricts the entry of the user beyond the entrance of the passage, and an exit opening and closing door that rotates around a second rotation axis and restricts the exit of the user from the exit of the passage, are further provided. The second detection unit is disposed closer to the entrance than the first rotation axis in the passage direction. The third detection unit is disposed closer to the exit than the second rotation axis in the passage direction. The ticket gate according to claim 3.

Images