Ticket gate and ticket checking program

Abstract

To provide a ticket gate and a ticket inspection processing program that can allow for the second presentation of a ticket medium and can also prevent an illegal use.SOLUTION: According to an embodiment, a ticket gate holds a memory, a ticket processing unit, and a processor. The memory holds information. The ticket processing unit reads information from a ticket that a user presents. The processor stores, into the memory, processed ticket information including information about a ticket which has been determined as passable in a case where the information that the ticket processing unit read from the ticket medium indicates passable. The processor allows the passenger to pass if the information read from the ticket medium matches the processed ticket information stored in the memory in a case where the information that the ticket processing unit read from the ticket medium indicates non-passable.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a ticket gate and a ticket gate processing program.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a ticket gate installed at a railway station or the like determines the admissibility of entry or exit (passage) from the information written on the ticket presented by a user in the entry process or the exit process. When determining the admissibility of passage, the ticket gate determines the admissibility of passage based on the valid section and expiration date specified from the information recorded on the ticket, and also determines the admissibility of passage based on whether the entry / exit cycle recorded on the ticket is normal. That is, a conventional ticket gate determines that passage is not allowed when entry or exit is continuous.

[0003] In addition, a conventional ticket gate uses a portable electronic device such as an IC card or a mobile terminal having non-contact communication as a ticket. For example, the ticket gate determines the admissibility of passage based on the information read by non-contact communication from a non-contact IC card held at a predetermined reading position. The ticket gate also determines the admissibility of passage by checking the entry / exit cycle for the non-contact IC card. For this reason, when an IC card that has already been processed as allowing passage is presented again immediately, the ticket gate processes the passage by the IC card as not allowed.

[0004] However, in actual operation, a user may accidentally present an IC card that has already been processed as allowing passage again in a single entry or exit without noticing that the IC card has already been processed. In such a case, since a conventional ticket gate uniformly processes the user who presents the IC card again as not allowed to pass, there is a problem that the user has to pass through the ticket gate with the help of a staff member or the like.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a ticket gate machine and a ticket gate processing program that can allow the re-presentation of a ticket medium while preventing unauthorized use.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] According to an embodiment, the ticket gate machine includes a memory, a ticket processing unit, and a processor. The memory holds information. The ticket processing unit reads information from the ticket medium presented by the user. The processor stores, in the memory, processed ticket information including information on the ticket that has been permitted to pass when the information read from the ticket medium by the ticket processing unit indicates that passage is permitted, and permits the user to pass if the information read from the ticket medium by the ticket processing unit indicates that passage is not permitted and the information read from the ticket medium matches the processed ticket information stored in the memory.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing the overall configuration of the ticket gate system 1 according to the embodiment. The ticket gate system 1 is a system that connects ticket gates 13 installed at the ticket gates of each station. In the configuration example shown in FIG. 1, the ticket gate system 1 includes a server 11, a monitoring panel 12, and ticket gates 13. For example, the server 11 is connected to a monitoring panel 12 installed for each monitoring target such as a ticket gate or a station. A plurality of ticket gates 13 installed at the ticket gates of each station are connected to the monitoring panel 12 of each station.

[0010] The server 11 is connected to the monitoring panel 12 via a network. The server 11 supplies information to be provided to each ticket gate 13 to the monitoring panel 12. Further, the server 11 may acquire information indicating the operating state of each ticket gate 13 and information indicating the result of the ticket gate process in each ticket gate 13 via the monitoring panel 12.

[0011] The monitoring panel 12 is connected to the server 11 and a plurality of ticket gates 13. The monitoring panel 12 is connected to, for example, a ticket gate 13 installed at a ticket gate to be monitored. The monitoring panel 12 monitors the operating state of each connected ticket gate 13 and supplies an operation instruction remotely to each ticket gate 13. Further, the monitoring panel 12 has a function of distributing information supplied from the server 11 to each ticket gate 13.

[0012] Each ticket gate 13 is installed at the ticket gate of each station and executes a ticket gate process (entry process and exit process) at the ticket gate. The server 11, the monitoring panel 12, and the ticket gate 13 constitute a ticket gate system that realizes the ticket gate process at the ticket gate of a station or the like. The ticket gate 13 switches the operation mode according to an instruction from the monitoring panel 12 or executes a ticket gate process using information from the monitoring panel 12.

[0013] In the following description, the ticket gate 13 according to the present embodiment executes a ticket checking process based on a contactless IC card as a ticket medium held by a user. However, the ticket medium that the ticket gate 13 processes as a ticket may be any medium on which information readable by the ticket gate 13 is recorded.

[0014] For example, the ticket medium may be a magnetic recording medium (magnetic ticket) in which information is recorded in a magnetic recording section, a recording medium (code ticket) in which coded information such as a two-dimensional code is recorded (printed or displayed), a contactless IC card that transmits and receives information by contactless communication, a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone having the same function as a contactless IC card, or a mobile terminal that displays coded information such as a two-dimensional code.

[0015] Next, the configuration of the ticket gate 13 according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a side view schematically showing a configuration example of the ticket gate 13 according to the embodiment. The ticket gate 13 forms, for example, a passage for one ticket check (entrance or exit) with a set of two units. The ticket gate 13 may be used as a dedicated machine for only entrance or only exit that allows passage through the ticket check passage in only one direction, or as a dual-purpose machine that allows passage through the ticket check passage in both directions. The ticket gate 13 is set in advance as either a dedicated entrance machine, a dedicated exit machine, or a dual-purpose machine.

[0016] In the configuration example shown in FIG. 2, the ticket gate 13 has a housing 30 that forms a passage for entrance or exit. The housing forming the ticket gate 13 is provided with a ticket processing unit (ticket processing unit for train tickets) 32 that performs ticket processing such as reading information from a ticket held by a user. The reading unit (communication unit) of the ticket processing unit 32 for the user to present a ticket is provided at one end (the entrance side end) on the upper surface of the housing 30 forming the ticket gate 13. The ticket processing unit 32 reads the information recorded on the IC card as the ticket presented by the user to the reading unit.

[0017] For example, the ticket processing unit 32 includes a card reader / writer that reads information from an IC card used as a boarding ticket presented by a user to a predetermined reading unit. Note that the ticket processing unit 32 may be provided with a device that processes a medium other than the IC card used as a boarding ticket. For example, the ticket processing unit 32 may be configured to include a magnetic ticket processing unit that processes a magnetic ticket in which ticket information is recorded on a magnetic recording unit. Further, the ticket processing unit 32 may be configured to include a code reader that reads code information from a medium on which code information as boarding ticket information is printed.

[0018] A display unit 33 for guiding users, attendants, etc. is provided on the upper surface of the housing forming the ticket gate 13. The display unit 33 is constituted by, for example, a liquid crystal display device or the like. The display unit 33 displays a guidance screen for guiding, for example, the result of the ticket gate processing for users passing through the passage. The display unit 33 may be provided at a position where the user can confirm the display content. The display unit 33 is not limited to being set at the end on the exit side of the upper surface of the housing, and may be provided, for example, at the center of the upper surface of the housing or adjacent to the reading unit of the ticket processing unit 32 on the upper surface of the housing.

[0019] At both ends of the side surface on the passage side of the housing 30 forming the ticket gate 13, doors 34 and 35 that can be opened and closed to permit or not permit the passage of pedestrians are provided. In the configuration example shown in FIG. 2, assuming that the direction of arrow a is the direction of progress toward the exit, the door 34 is provided at the end on the exit (exit) side of the passage and prevents the user from passing through the passage. Further, the door 35 is provided at the end on the entrance (entrance) side of the passage and prevents the user from entering the passage.

[0020] Inside the sensor cover on the upper surface of the housing 30 forming the ticket gate 13 and on the side surface of the housing 30, a plurality of detection sensors (human detection sensors) 36 are provided. The detection sensor 36 is constituted by a reflection type detection sensor or a transmission type detection sensor. The output signal from the detection sensor 36 becomes either "bright" or "dark". The detection sensor 36 detects whether a person exists at a predetermined detection position. The ticket gate 13 detects the presence or absence of a person at each detection position in the passage by a plurality of detection sensors 36. Thereby, the ticket gate 13 determines the position of the user passing through the passage based on the detection results of the plurality of detection sensors 36.

[0021] Furthermore, the ticket gate 13 is provided with a proximity sensor 37 on the side surface facing the passage entry direction on the side (the passage entrance side) where the reading unit of the ticket processing unit 32 is provided. The proximity sensor 37 detects a person approaching the ticket gate 13. The ticket gate 13 detects a person approaching the passage by the proximity sensor 37 so that the person can smoothly receive the ticket inspection process. For example, the proximity sensor 37 may be configured to detect a person who is at a position where an IC card as a boarding ticket can be presented to the reading unit of the ticket processing unit 32. In this case, the ticket gate 13 may be controlled to be operable with respect to the ticket processing unit 32 according to the detection result of the proximity sensor 37.

[0022] Also, in the case of an operation mode in which the passage is used in both directions, the ticket gate 13 controls the opening and closing of the door 35 according to the detection result of the proximity sensor 37 to control the passage direction (ticket inspection direction) of the user. Further, the ticket gate 13 may perform switching control between a power saving mode in which power consumption is reduced by turning off the display unit 33 and a normal operation mode (an operation mode for executing the ticket inspection process) according to the detection result of the proximity sensor 37.

[0023] Also, the ticket gate 13 may be provided with a passage guidance display unit on the side surface facing the passage entry direction on the side (the passage entrance and exit side) where the reading unit of the ticket processing unit 32 is provided. For example, the ticket gate 13 may display on the passage guidance display unit whether entry into the passage to the ticket gate is possible or not.

[0024] Next, the configuration of the ticket gate 13 according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a control system in the ticket gate 13 according to this embodiment. In the configuration example shown in FIG. 3, the ticket gate 13 includes a processor 41, a ROM 42, a RAM 43, a storage unit 44, a communication unit 45, a clock 46, a door control unit 47, a ticket processing unit 32, a display unit 33, a detection sensor 36, and a proximity sensor 37.

[0025] The processor 41, the ROM 42, and the RAM 43 function as a control unit that controls the entire ticket gate 13. The processor 41 is an arithmetic unit such as a CPU, for example. The processor 41 realizes various processing functions by executing a program stored in the ROM 42 or the storage unit 44. For example, the processor 41 executes a ticket inspection processing program for executing the ticket inspection processing described later, which is stored in the ROM 42 or the storage unit 44.

[0026] The ROM 42 is a non-volatile memory. The ROM 42 functions as a program memory that stores programs and the like executed by the processor 41. The ROM 42 stores programs, control data, and the like executed by the processor 41.

[0027] The RAM 43 is a memory that temporarily holds data. The RAM 43 functions as a working memory. The RAM 43 loads programs and holds data being processed by the processor 41. The RAM 43 also functions as a buffer memory that temporarily holds communication data and the like.

[0028] The storage unit 44 is a memory that stores data. The storage unit 44 includes a rewritable non-volatile memory such as an HDD or an SSD. The storage unit 44 stores information such as fare information used for ticket inspection processing. Further, the storage unit 44 may store programs, control information, and the like executed by the processor 41.

[0029] The communication unit 45 is a communication interface for communicating with the monitoring panel 12. The communication unit 45 may be an interface for wired communication with the monitoring panel 12 or an interface for wireless communication. The communication unit 45 transmits information indicating the operating state to the monitoring panel 12 and receives control instructions such as the operating mode from the monitoring panel 12.

[0030] The clock 46 measures time. The processor 41 acquires the elapsed time based on the time measured by the clock 46. The clock 46 may be a timer that measures the elapsed time since the time instructed by the processor 41.

[0031] The ticket processing unit 32 processes the boarding ticket medium presented by the user. In the present embodiment, the ticket processing unit 32 is configured by a card reader / writer that performs non-contact communication with a non-contact IC card (or a portable terminal device having the same functions as a non-contact IC card) as the boarding ticket medium. Note that the ticket processing unit 32 may include a mechanism for processing magnetic tickets as the boarding ticket medium.

[0032] The ticket processing unit 32 communicates with a non-contact IC card as the boarding ticket medium shielded in the reading unit (predetermined reading range) and acquires the information recorded on the IC card. In addition, when the ticket processing unit 32 permits the user who has shielded the IC card in the reading unit to pass, the ticket processing unit 32 writes information indicating the result of the ticket gate processing and the like to the shielded IC card.

[0033] The display unit 33 is a display for displaying guidance to the user passing through the ticket gate. The display unit 33 is installed, for example, near the exit side or near the center of the main body of the ticket gate 13 so that it is easily visible to the user passing through the ticket gate. The display content such as the guidance displayed on the display unit 33 is controlled by the processor 41.

[0034] The door control unit 47 includes a door opening / closing mechanism that opens and closes the doors 34 and 35. The door control unit 47 controls the passage of users by opening and closing the doors 34 and 35. For example, the door control unit 47 blocks the passage through the passage formed at the ticket gate by the ticket gate machine 13 by closing the door 34.

[0035] The detection sensor 36 is a sensor that detects the presence or absence of a person (object). As shown in FIG. 2, the detection sensor 36 is installed on the side surface of the ticket gate machine 13 such that each position in the passage becomes a detection position, and outputs a detection signal indicating the presence or absence of a person at each position to the processor 41. The processor 41 can detect the position of a person in the passage and the presence or absence of passage through the passage by the person based on the detection result of the detection sensor (human detection sensor) 36.

[0036] The approach sensor 37 detects a person approaching the ticket gate machine 13. The approach sensor 37 is provided on the entrance side of the housing of the ticket gate machine 13, and outputs a detection signal indicating the presence or absence of a person near the entrance of the ticket gate machine 13 to the processor 41.

[0037] Next, the processing realized by the ticket gate machine 13 in the ticket gate system 1 according to the embodiment will be schematically described. The ticket gate machine 13 according to the present embodiment controls the passage of users not only based on the validity of a ticket such as an effective section or an expiration period, but also according to the entry / exit state (entry / exit cycle). Further, the ticket gate machine 13 according to the present embodiment permits the passage of a user even when the user presents the same IC card again within a specific condition.

[0038] For example, when the ticket gate machine 13 according to the present embodiment permits passage for a certain IC card, if it is within a predetermined re-presentation time, the ticket gate machine 13 permits the passage of the user by allowing the IC card to be presented again. To realize such an operation, the ticket gate machine 13 holds information regarding the IC card determined to be passage-permitted, and when the IC card processed as passage-permitted is presented again within the predetermined re-presentation time, the ticket gate machine 13 may permit the passage of the user who presented the IC card.

[0039] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of information regarding an IC card processed as a pass held by the ticket gate 13 according to the embodiment. When the processor 41 of the ticket gate 13 processes the IC card presented by the user as a pass, the processor 41 stores information as shown in FIG. 4 regarding the IC card in the RAM 43. In the example shown in FIG. 4, as information (processed card information) regarding the IC card processed as a pass, the card number, the processing time, and the writing information are stored in the RAM 43.

[0040] The card number is information for identifying the IC card processed as a pass. The card number may be any unique information that can be read from the IC card. The processing time is information indicating the time when the IC card is processed as a pass. The processing time may be the time when information is read from the IC card, or the time when writing information is written to the IC card. Further, as the processed card information, instead of the processing time, the elapsed time since the IC card was processed as a pass may be updated and stored as needed.

[0041] The writing information is information (writing encoding) written to the IC card processed as a pass. The ticket gate 13 writes, for example, information encoding a processing result including entry / exit information indicating whether the state is an entry state or an exit state to the IC card processed as a pass. Therefore, as the writing information for the processed card information, the encoded information written to the IC card is stored.

[0042] Next, the ticket inspection process (passage control process) based on the IC card presented by the user by the ticket gate 13 according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the ticket inspection process for the IC card presented by the user by the ticket gate 13 according to the embodiment. The processor 41 of the ticket gate 13 monitors the detection results of the proximity sensor 37 and the detection sensor 36 during standby. The processor 41 detects the entry of the user into the passage based on the detection results of the proximity sensor 37 and the detection sensor 36.

[0043] When the processor 41 detects the entry of the user into the passage, it operates the ticket processing unit 32 to make the IC card presented by the user to the reading unit readable. When the user in the passage presents (holds up) an IC card to the reading unit, the ticket processing unit 32 reads the information recorded on the IC card presented to the reading unit. The ticket processing unit 32 supplies the information read from the IC card presented to the reading unit to the processor 41. The processor 41 acquires the information read by the ticket processing unit 32 from the IC card presented to the reading unit (ST11).

[0044] After acquiring the information read by the ticket processing unit 32 from the IC card presented to the reading unit, the processor 41 executes a passage determination to determine whether the user can pass based on the information read from the IC card (ST12). The processor 41 determines whether the user can pass based on the validity of the ticket based on the ticket information such as the valid period and the expiration date specified from the information read from the IC card, and also determines whether the user can pass based on the entry / exit state indicated by the entry / exit information read from the IC card (entry / exit cycle determination).

[0045] That is, the processor 41 determines whether the user can pass based on the validity as a ticket and the entry / exit state. As the entry / exit cycle determination, the processor 41 determines whether the entry / exit information is normal based on whether the entry or exit is not continuous. For example, when the entry / exit information read from the IC card presented by the user passing in the entry direction indicates an entry state, the processor 41 determines that the entry / exit cycle is not normal (passage not allowed) because the entry is continuous. Also, when the entry / exit information read from the IC card presented by the user passing in the entry direction indicates an exit state, the processor 41 determines that the entry / exit cycle is normal.

[0046] When the user determines that passage is permitted based on the information read from the IC card (ST13, YES), the processor 41 generates write information to be written to the IC card for which passage is permitted, encodes the generated write information to obtain encoded write information, and writes the encoded write information to the IC card (ST14). For example, when the processor 41 permits the user to enter, in addition to information such as the entry station and time, the ticket processing unit 32 writes information indicating the entry / exit status as the entry status to the IC card. Also, when the processor 41 permits the user to exit, in addition to information such as the exit station and time, the ticket processing unit 32 writes information indicating the entry / exit status as the exit status to the IC card.

[0047] When writing the write information to the IC card for which passage is permitted, the processor 41 stores the card number (identification information), processing time, and write information (encoded write information) of the IC card for which passage is permitted as processed card information in the RAM 43 (or storage unit 44) (ST15). The processed card information is information regarding the IC card presented by the user in the passage and processed as permitting passage. Also, in an operation assuming that the user continuously waves the IC card multiple times, the processed card information may be information regarding the IC card processed as permitting passage immediately before.

[0048] After storing the processed card information, the processor 41 permits the passage of the user who presented the IC card and executes processing to prompt the passage of the user (ST16). For example, the processor 41 causes the door control unit 47 to open the exit side door 34 and displays a guidance indicating that passage is permitted on the display unit 33 to allow the user to pass through.

[0049] Also, when permitting the passage of the user, the processor 41 monitors the position of the user by the detection sensor 36 until the user passes through the passage (exits from the exit), and measures the elapsed time since the passage of the user in the passage was permitted (when it was determined that passage was permitted) for the users remaining in the passage.

[0050] When it is detected that the user has passed through the passage (exited from the exit) (ST17, YES), the processor 41 clears the processed card information regarding the card presented by the user from the RAM 43 (ST24).

[0051] Also, when the user remains in the passage (ST17, NO), the processor 41 determines whether the elapsed time since passage was permitted exceeds a predetermined re-presentation time (ST18). When the elapsed time since passage was permitted while the user remains in the passage exceeds the predetermined re-presentation time (ST18, YES), the processor 41 clears the processed card information regarding the card presented by the user from the RAM 43 (ST24).

[0052] Thereby, when the ticket gate 13 re-presents an IC card that has been processed as passable for a user who has remained in the passage for a long time exceeding the predetermined re-presentation time, the ticket gate 13 can make the passage of the user impossible. Note that by changing the re-presentation time with respect to the elapsed time, the ticket gate 13 can set the time for permitting the re-presentation (re-passing) of the IC card that has been processed as passable.

[0053] Also, when the time the user remains in the passage is within the predetermined re-presentation time (ST18, NO), the processor 41 accepts the presentation of the IC card by the user while holding the processed card information in the RAM 43. When it is detected that the IC card has been presented to the reading unit within the predetermined re-presentation time since passage was permitted (ST19, YES), the processor 41 returns to ST11 while holding the processed card information and executes the reading of the IC card, and executes the above-described processing.

[0054] When an IC card processed as having passed is presented again to the reading unit of the ticket gate 13, since the re-presented IC card will result in consecutive entry or exit, it is determined that the entry / exit information is not in a normal state. That is, when the IC card that has been re-presented while still holding the processed card information is read, the processor 41 determines that passage is not allowed based on the entry / exit cycle determination in the passage determination of ST12.

[0055] When the IC card presented to the reading unit is determined to be not allowed to pass (ST13, NO), the processor 41 determines whether the card number of the read IC card (the presented IC card) matches the card number in the processed card information (ST20). If the card number of the read IC card matches the card number in the processed card information, the processor 41 can identify that the IC card has been re-presented after being processed as allowed to pass.

[0056] If the card number of the read IC card does not match the card number in the processed card information (ST20, NO), the processor 41 disallows the passage of the user who presented the IC card according to the result of the passage determination that was determined to be not allowed to pass (ST23). If the card number of the read IC card is different from the card number of the processed card information, it can be identified that the read IC card is not an IC card that has been re-presented after the passage determination. Therefore, when the card numbers are different, the processor 41 can prevent unauthorized use by disallowing the passage of the user based on the passage determination result according to the information stored in the IC card.

[0057] Also, if the card number of the read IC card matches the card number in the processed card information (ST20, YES), the processor 41 further determines whether the written information in the processed card information with the matching card number matches the read information read from the IC card presented to the reading unit (ST21).

[0058] When the written information in the processed card information does not match the read information read from the IC card (ST21, NO), the processor 41 prohibits the passage of the user who presented the IC card (ST23). If the information written on the IC card presented again is different from the written information of the processed card information, it is considered that another information has been illegally written or the processing has become abnormal during the period until the IC card is presented again. Therefore, when the written information in the processed card information does not match the read information read from the IC card, the processor 41 can prevent illegal use by prohibiting the passage of the user who presented the IC card and prompting the staff to handle it.

[0059] When the written information in the processed card information matches the read information read from the IC card presented to the reading unit (ST21, YES), the processor 41 calculates the elapsed time (the time until the IC card is presented again) from the processing time in the processed card information where the card number and the written information match and the current time measured by the clock 46, and determines whether the elapsed time is within a predetermined re-presentation time (ST22).

[0060] When the elapsed time exceeds the predetermined re-presentation time (ST22, NO), the processor 41 prohibits the passage of the user who presented the IC card (ST23). Since it is assumed that the user may accidentally present the IC card multiple times in a short period of time, illegal use can be prevented by prohibiting passage when the same IC card is presented again after exceeding the predetermined re-presentation time.

[0061] When the elapsed time is within the predetermined re-presentation time (ST22, NO), that is, when an IC card with the same card number and matching written information is presented again within the predetermined re-presentation time, the processor 41 proceeds to ST15 and permits the passage of the user who presented the IC card to the reading unit (presented again).

[0062] As described above, when the ticket gate according to the embodiment processes the IC card presented by the user as passable, it holds the information regarding the IC card as processed card information in a memory such as a RAM. When the ticket gate determines that the IC card presented by the user is not passable, if the information of the IC card matches the processed card information which is the information regarding the immediately preceding processed IC card, the ticket gate permits the passage of the user who presented the IC card.

[0063] Accordingly, even when the user accidentally presents the same IC card multiple times, if the information of the IC card matches the processed card information, the passage of the user can be processed as passable. As a result, it is possible to provide a ticket gate that can check the information recorded on the IC card to prevent unauthorized use, allow the user to present the IC card again and permit passage while tolerating the user presenting the IC card again, and stress the user less.

[0064] In addition, when the ticket gate according to the embodiment determines that the IC card presented by the user is not passable, if the card number of the IC card matches the card number included in the processed card information which is the information regarding the immediately preceding processed IC card, the ticket gate permits the passage of the user who presented the IC card.

[0065] Accordingly, it is possible to provide a ticket gate that can surely check that the user has presented the same IC card multiple times and can realize passage control that permits the user to accidentally present the IC card again.

[0066] In addition, when the ticket gate according to the embodiment determines that the IC card presented by the user is not passable, if the information of the IC card matches the processed card information and the elapsed time from the processing time indicated by the processed card information is within a predetermined re-presentation time, the ticket gate permits the passage of the user who presented the IC card. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a ticket gate that can realize passage control that permits the user to present the same IC card multiple times within a predetermined re-presentation time.

[0067] Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example 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 the equivalent scope thereof.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0068] 1... Ticket gate system, 11... Server, 12... Monitoring panel, 13... Ticket gate, 41... Processor, 42... ROM, 43... RAM (memory), 44... Storage unit (memory), 45... Communication unit, 46... Clock, 32... Ticket processing unit, 33... Display unit, 34, 35... Doors, 36... Detection sensor, 37... Proximity sensor, 47... Door control unit.

Claims

1. In a ticket gate machine installed at a ticket gate of a station, a memory for holding information, a ticket processing unit for reading information from a ticket medium presented by a user, when the information read from the ticket medium by the ticket processing unit indicates that passage is permitted, the processor stores processed ticket information including information on the ticket that has been permitted passage in the memory; when the information read from the ticket medium by the ticket processing unit indicates that passage is not permitted, if the information read from the ticket medium matches the processed ticket information stored in the memory, the processor permits the user to pass through. A ticket gate machine having the above.

2. When the information read from the ticket medium by the ticket processing unit indicates that passage is permitted, the processor stores processed ticket information including the identification information of the ticket medium that has been processed as permitted passage in the memory; when the information read from the ticket medium by the ticket processing unit indicates that passage is not permitted, if the identification information of the read ticket medium matches the identification information included in the processed ticket information stored in the memory, the processor permits the user to pass through. The ticket gate machine according to Claim 1.

3. Further, when the information read from the ticket medium by the ticket processing unit indicates that passage is permitted, the processor stores processed ticket information including the processing time when the ticket medium has been processed as permitted passage in the memory; when the information read from the ticket medium by the ticket processing unit indicates that passage is not permitted, if the information read from the ticket medium matches the processed ticket information stored in the memory and the elapsed time from the processing time included in the processed ticket information stored in the memory is within a predetermined re-presentation time, the processor permits the user to pass through. The ticket gate machine according to any one of Claims 1 or 2.

4. When the information read from the boarding ticket medium by the ticket processing unit is valid for passage, the processor further stores in the memory the processed ticket information including the written information written to the boarding ticket medium that has been made valid for passage. When the information read from the boarding ticket medium by the ticket processing unit is not valid for passage, if the information read from the boarding ticket medium matches the written information included in the processed ticket information stored in the memory, the user is allowed to pass. The ticket gate machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. Further, it has a detection sensor for detecting passage. When the processor detects that a user who presented a ticket has passed using the detection sensor, the processor deletes the processed ticket information stored in the memory. The ticket gate machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. When a predetermined re-presentation time has elapsed after the ticket processing unit has processed the ticket, the processor deletes the processed ticket information stored in the memory. The ticket gate machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. In a processor of a ticket gate machine installed at a ticket gate of a station, comprising a memory for holding information and a ticket processing unit for reading information from a boarding ticket medium presented by a user, When the information read from the boarding ticket medium by the ticket processing unit is valid for passage, the processor stores in the memory the processed ticket information including information regarding the ticket that has been made valid for passage. When the information read from the boarding ticket medium by the ticket processing unit is not valid for passage, if the information read from the boarding ticket medium matches the processed ticket information stored in the memory, passage is allowed. A ticket gate processing program for causing the above to be executed.

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