Gate device, status notification method, and status notification program

Abstract

To suppress a reduction in service for a user in an operation of a variable value system.SOLUTION: A gate device is used in a passage control system of a variable value system in which a magnitude of a value applied to a user passing in a passage is switched at a set switch-over time. A determination unit determines whether passing of the user in the passage is permitted. A passage control unit limits passing of the user in the passage according to a determination result by the determination unit. A notification control unit makes a notification when notification timing determined using a next switch-over time as a reference is reached.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a technology for restricting the passage of users in a passageway.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, at the ticket gates of stations, ticket checking for users entering the station premises and users leaving the station premises has been performed by automatic ticket gates (gate devices). As is well known, an automatic ticket gate accepts the train tickets held by users passing through the ticket checking passage and reads the ticket information recorded on the train tickets. Based on the read ticket information, the automatic ticket gate determines whether to permit the passage of the user in the ticket checking passage, and opens and closes the door provided in the ticket checking passage to restrict the passage of the user according to the determination result.

[0003] Also, recently, railway companies have been considering introducing a variable fare system in which fares are varied according to the estimated congestion situation in order to relieve train congestion (see Patent Document 1, etc.). In this Patent Document 1, the fares applied to each train are published on a web page, and users can confirm the fares applied to the trains they will board by accessing this web page.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] A variable fare system is being considered, which determines the fare applicable to a user based on the time when the user passes through the ticket gate (the time when the ticket checking process is performed by the automatic ticket gate). For example, fare information used to calculate the fare (value) applicable to the user is set for each time period, and the fare calculated using the fare information for the time period to which the time when the user passes through the ticket gate belongs is applied to that user. An operation mode is being considered.

[0006] Also, in the variable fare system, it is desirable to suppress the occurrence of situations where users are dissatisfied with the application of fares. For example, users may be dissatisfied with the applied fare when the fare is switched a short time after passing through the ticket gate.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a technique for suppressing a decrease in service to users in the operation of a variable value system.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0008] The gate device of the present invention is configured as shown below to achieve the above object.

[0009] The gate device is used in a variable value type passage control system in which the magnitude of the value applied to a user passing through the passage is switched at a set switching time. The value referred to here may be, for example, the amount charged to the user, the number of points given to the user, or the cashback amount given to the user. The type of value is determined according to the use of the gate device.

[0010] The determination unit determines whether to permit the passage of a user in the passage. The passage control unit restricts the passage of the user in the passage according to the determination result of the determination unit. For example, when the determination unit determines that the passage of the user is permitted, the passage control unit opens the door provided in the passage. Also, when the determination unit determines that the passage of the user is not permitted, the passage control unit closes the door provided in the passage.

[0011] Furthermore, when the notification timing determined based on the next switching time arrives, the notification control unit performs a notification. The notification timing may be, for example, 5 minutes before or 10 minutes before the next switching time.

[0012] According to this configuration, it is possible to notify the user that the magnitude of the applied value will change after a while. Therefore, in the operation of the variable value system, a decrease in the service to the user can be suppressed. For example, the notification control unit may perform the notification in a form that can be visually confirmed by the user (for example, a form in which the display surface of the display flickers), or may perform the notification in a form that can be aurally confirmed (for example, a notification by sound).

[0013] In addition, for example, when the magnitude of the value applied to the user to be switched at the next switching time is larger than the current time, the notification control unit may blink the display surface of the display with the first emission color, and conversely, when it is smaller than the current time, may blink the display surface of the display with a second emission color different from the first emission color.

[0014] With this configuration, the user can confirm whether the value to be applied will increase or decrease after a while. Therefore, the user can determine whether to immediately pass through the passage or wait for a while and then pass through the passage after the applied value has changed.

[0015] Furthermore, the notification control unit may be configured to switch the display on the display surface according to the magnitude of the value applied to the user passing through the passage at the current time, for example. With this configuration, it is possible to inform the user of the magnitude of the value applied at that time.

Advantages of the Invention

[0016] According to this invention, in the operation of the variable value system, a decrease in the service to the user can be suppressed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described.

[0019] <1. Application Example> FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the appearance of the ticket gate machine in this example. FIG. 2(A) is a plan view seen in the B direction shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 2(B) is a plan view seen in the Z direction shown in FIG. 2(A). The ticket gate machine 1 in this example corresponds to the gate device referred to in the present invention.

[0020] The ticket gate machine 1 in this example is used in a ticket gate system with a variable fare system. The ticket gate machine 1 shown in FIG. 1 performs ticket gate processing on users entering the station premises and users exiting the station premises. For example, a user entering the station premises passes through the ticket gate passage in the A direction shown in FIG. 1, and a user exiting the station premises passes through the ticket gate passage in the B direction shown in FIG. 1.

[0021] Note that the automatic ticket gate 1 may be configured not to perform the ticket checking process for either a user entering the station premises or a user exiting the station premises.

[0022] As is well known, the automatic ticket gate 1 has main body units 2a and 2b arranged opposite each other on both sides sandwiching the ticket checking passage. The main body unit 2a is provided with a first display 31a and a second display 32a for a user passing through the ticket checking passage in the A direction. The main body unit 2b is provided with a first display 31b and a second display 32b for a user passing through the ticket checking passage in the B direction.

[0023] The first display 31a is provided on the end face of the main body unit 2a that is on the entrance side of the ticket checking passage for a user passing through the ticket checking passage in the A direction and is orthogonal to the user's passing direction in the ticket checking passage. Also, the first display 31b is provided on the end face of the main body unit 2b that is on the entrance side of the ticket checking passage for a user passing through the ticket checking passage in the B direction and is orthogonal to the user's passing direction in the ticket checking passage. Therefore, a user passing through the ticket checking passage in the A direction can visually recognize the display surface of the first display 31a before entering the ticket checking passage. Also, a user passing through the ticket checking passage in the B direction can visually recognize the display surface of the first display 31b before entering the ticket checking passage. The first displays 31a and 31b correspond to the displays referred to in this invention.

[0024] The second display 32a is provided in the middle of the ticket checking passage and on the upper surface of the main body unit 2a. The second display 32a provides a guidance display for a user passing through the ticket checking passage in the A direction. The second display 32b is provided in the middle of the ticket checking passage and on the upper surface of the main body unit 2b. The second display 32b provides a guidance display for a user passing through the ticket checking passage in the B direction.

[0025] Further, the automatic ticket gate 1 restricts a user passing through the ticket gate passage in the A direction from passing through the ticket gate passage by opening and closing a door 33 provided on the exit side of the ticket gate passage for this user. Similarly, the automatic ticket gate 1 restricts a user passing through the ticket gate passage in the B direction from passing through the ticket gate passage by opening and closing a door 34 provided on the exit side of the ticket gate passage for this user.

[0026] The ticket gate system to which the automatic ticket gate 1 of this example is applied is operated under a variable fare system that determines the fare to be applied to a user based on the time when the user passes through the ticket gate passage (the time when the ticket gate processing is performed by the automatic ticket gate 1). In this example, fare information used for calculating the fare (value) to be applied to the user is set for each time zone. The fare to be applied to the user is calculated using the fare information set for the time zone to which the time when the user passes through the ticket gate passage belongs. In this example, the fare applied to the user corresponds to the value referred to in this invention.

[0027] Then, when it is a predetermined time (for example, 5 to 10 minutes before) before the switching time to switch the fare to be applied to the user next, the automatic ticket gate 1 of this example blinks the displays of the first displays 31a and 31b until the switching time is reached. The automatic ticket gate 1 does not blink the displays of the first displays 31a and 31b during normal times (more than a predetermined time before the switching time to switch the fare to be applied to the user next). The user can check whether the displays of the first displays 31a and 31b are blinking before entering the ticket gate passage. That is, the automatic ticket gate 1 of this example can notify the user that the fare to be applied will be switched soon. Thereby, the occurrence of a situation where the user is dissatisfied with the application of the fare can be suppressed. Therefore, a deterioration in the service for the user can be prevented.

[0028] <2. Configuration Example> Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the main part of the ticket gate machine in this example. The ticket gate machine 1 in this example includes a control unit 11, a ticket processing unit 12, a first display unit 13, a second display unit 14, a user detection unit 15, a door opening / closing mechanism unit 16, and a communication unit 17.

[0029] The control unit 11 controls the operations of each part of the ticket gate machine 1 main body. Also, the control unit 11 has a determination unit 21, a passage control unit 22, a display control unit 23, and a notification control unit 24. The determination unit 21, the passage control unit 22, the display control unit 23, and the notification control unit 24 that the control unit 11 has will be described later.

[0030] The ticket processing unit 12 accepts the ticket held by the user and reads the ticket information recorded on this ticket. Also, the ticket processing unit 12 writes the ticket information (the ticket information related to this ticket gate processing) to the ticket as necessary. As is well known, tickets include contactless IC tickets, magnetic tickets, optically readable code tickets, etc. A contactless IC ticket is a ticket having a wireless communication function. A magnetic ticket is a ticket with a magnetic sheet attached. An optically readable code ticket is a ticket with an optically readable code (for example, a two-dimensional barcode such as a QR code (registered trademark), etc.) formed on the ticket surface. In this example, for simplicity of explanation, the case where the ticket is a contactless IC ticket will be described as an example.

[0031] The ticket processing unit 12 has an antenna (not shown) provided on the entrance side of the ticket gate passage for the user, and reads the ticket information recorded on this contactless IC ticket and writes the ticket information to this contactless IC ticket through wireless communication with the contactless IC ticket shielded by this antenna.

[0032] The first display unit 13 switches the display of the first displays 31a and 31b according to an instruction from the control unit 11 (notification control unit 24). Also, the second display unit 14 switches the display of the second displays 32a and 32b according to an instruction from the control unit 11 (display control unit 23).

[0033] The user detection unit 15 has a plurality of photoelectric sensors arranged along the ticket gate passage, and tracks the users passing through the ticket gate passage by detecting the positions of the users passing through the ticket gate passage from the detection outputs of the individual photoelectric sensors. The photoelectric sensor may be a reflection type or a transmission type (a type in which a light emitting element and a light receiving element are arranged opposite to each other with the ticket gate passage interposed therebetween).

[0034] The door opening / closing mechanism unit 16 opens and closes the doors 33, 34 provided in the ticket gate passage in accordance with the instructions of the control unit 11 (the passage control unit 22).

[0035] The communication unit 17 communicates with a higher-level device such as a station server. The communication unit 17 may be configured to communicate wirelessly with the higher-level device or may be configured to communicate by wire.

[0036] Next, the determination unit 21, the passage control unit 22, the display control unit 23, and the notification control unit 24 included in the control unit 11 will be described.

[0037] The determination unit 21 determines whether a user who has entered the ticket gate passage with the non-contact IC ticket shielded from the antenna can pass through the ticket gate passage based on the ticket information read from the non-contact IC ticket by the ticket processing unit 12. When the determination unit 21 determines that passage is permitted, it instructs the ticket processing unit 12 to write the ticket information related to the current ticket gate processing to the non-contact IC ticket from which the current ticket information was read. When the writing of the ticket information related to the current ticket gate processing to the non-contact IC ticket from which the current ticket information was read is completed, the determination unit 21 permits the user to pass through the ticket gate passage. In other words, when the writing of the ticket information related to the current ticket gate processing to the non-contact IC ticket from which the current ticket information was read fails (when a write error occurs), the determination unit 21 does not permit the user to pass through the ticket gate passage.

[0038] When the determination unit 21 determines to permit the user to pass through the ticket gate passage, the passage control unit 22 instructs the door opening / closing mechanism unit 16 to open the door 33 (or door 34) provided on the exit side of the user. Further, when the determination unit 21 determines not to permit the user to pass through the ticket gate passage, the passage control unit 22 instructs the door opening / closing mechanism unit 16 to close the door 33 (or door 34) provided on the exit side of the user.

[0039] Note that when the door opening / closing mechanism unit 16 receives an instruction to open the doors 33 and 34 from the passage control unit 22, if the doors 33 and 34 are already in the open state, the door opening / closing mechanism unit 16 does not perform the opening / closing operation of the doors 33 and 34 (once the doors 33 and 34 are closed, they will not be opened thereafter). Similarly, when the door opening / closing mechanism unit 16 receives an instruction to close the doors 33 and 34 from the passage control unit 22, if the doors 33 and 34 are already in the closed state, the door opening / closing mechanism unit 16 does not perform the opening / closing operation of the doors 33 and 34 (once the doors 33 and 34 are opened, they will not be closed thereafter).

[0040] The display control unit 23 generates a guidance screen to be displayed on the second displays 32a and 32b and instructs the second display unit 14. The notification control unit 24 generates a guidance screen to be displayed on the first displays 31a and 31b and instructs the first display unit 13. Further, when it is a predetermined time (for example, 5 to 10 minutes) before the switching time for switching the fare to be applied to the user next, the notification control unit 24 instructs the first display unit 13 to blink the display on the first displays 31a and 31b until the switching time is reached.

[0041] The control unit 11 of the automatic ticket gate 1 is composed of a hardware CPU, a memory, and other electronic circuits. When the hardware CPU executes the status notification program according to the present invention, it operates as the determination unit 21, the passage control unit 22, the display control unit 23, and the notification control unit 24. The memory has an area for expanding the status notification program according to the present invention and an area for temporarily storing data generated during the execution of this status notification program. The control unit 11 may be an LSI integrating the hardware CPU, the memory, etc. Further, the hardware CPU is a computer that executes the status notification method according to the present invention.

[0042] <3. Operation Example> FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the entry process of the ticket gate machine in this example. Further, FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the exit process of the ticket gate machine in this example. In this example, the fare applicable to the user is determined based on the time when the user enters the station premises (the time when the ticket checking process for entry is performed).

[0043] The ticket gate machine 1 for performing the entry process stores in the memory of the control unit 11 the switching time for switching the fare to be applied to the next user. The ticket gate machine 1 may be configured to receive from the upper device at the communication unit 17 the switching time for switching the fare to be applied to the next user, or may be configured to store in advance the time zone for varying the fare to be applied to the user. That is, the ticket gate machine 1 may have any configuration as long as it can determine the switching time for switching the fare to be applied to the next user.

[0044] When the user enters the ticket gate passage, the ticket gate machine 1 determines whether the boarding ticket information has been read from the contactless IC card held by the user (s1, s2). If the boarding ticket information has not been read from the contactless IC ticket held by the user who has entered the ticket gate passage, the passage control unit 22 instructs the door opening / closing mechanism unit 16 to close the door 33 (s6), and returns to s1.

[0045] In addition, when the automatic ticket gate 1 reads the boarding ticket information from the contactless IC ticket held by the user who has entered the ticket gate passage, it performs a passage determination process (s3) to determine whether the user can pass through the ticket gate passage based on the read boarding ticket information. Also, in s3, when the determination unit 21 determines that passage is permitted, it instructs the boarding ticket processing unit 12 to write the boarding ticket information related to the current ticket gate processing to the contactless IC ticket from which the current boarding ticket information was read. The boarding ticket information for which this write instruction is given includes the date and time of the current ticket gate processing (the date and time when the user passed through the current ticket gate passage), the entry station, and the like. When the writing of the boarding ticket information related to the current ticket gate processing to the contactless IC ticket from which the current boarding ticket information was read is completed, the determination unit 21 permits the user to pass through the ticket gate passage. In other words, when the writing of the boarding ticket information related to the current ticket gate processing to the contactless IC ticket from which the current boarding ticket information was read fails, the determination unit 21 does not permit the user to pass through the ticket gate passage.

[0046] When the automatic ticket gate 1 determines that it permits the user to pass through the ticket gate passage, the passage control unit 22 instructs the door opening and closing mechanism unit 16 to open the door 33 (s4, s5), and returns to s1.

[0047] Also, when the automatic ticket gate 1 determines that it does not permit the user to pass through the ticket gate passage, the passage control unit 22 instructs the door opening and closing mechanism unit 16 to close the door 33 (s4, s6), and returns to s1.

[0048] The automatic ticket gate 1 that performs the exit process stores the fare information used for calculating the fare to be applied to the user according to the time zone. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the fare information is the ratio used for calculating the additional amount or discount amount with respect to the normal fare for each time zone. The fare calculated using the fare information shown in this FIG. 6 is Fare = Normal Fare + (Normal Fare × Ratio) That is. Also, the normal fare is not a fixed amount, but an amount determined according to the boarding section where the user boarded the train.

[0049] Note that the fare information may be, for example, information associating a time zone with a surcharge amount or a discount amount in that time zone, or may be information in other formats. That is, the fare information may be in any format as long as it is information that can calculate the fare amount to be applied to the user for each time zone.

[0050] When a user enters the ticket gate passage, the automatic ticket gate 1 determines whether the boarding ticket information has been read from the contactless IC card held by this user (s11, s12). If the automatic ticket gate 1 has not read the boarding ticket information from the contactless IC ticket held by the user who has entered the ticket gate passage, the passage control unit 22 instructs the door opening / closing mechanism unit 16 to close the door 34 (s16), and returns to s11. The processes related to s11 and s12 in the exit process are the same as the processes of s1 and s2 in the entry process.

[0051] Also, when the automatic ticket gate 1 has read the boarding ticket information from the contactless IC ticket held by the user who has entered the ticket gate passage, the automatic ticket gate 1 performs a passage determination process for determining whether the user can pass through the ticket gate passage based on the read boarding ticket information (s13). Also, in s13, the fare for the user is calculated. Specifically, the determination unit 21 acquires the entry date and time written in the contactless IC ticket in the previous entry process, and reads out the fare information (fare information associated with the time zone to which the entry date and time belong) to be applied to the user. The determination unit 21 calculates the normal fare for the boarding section where the user has boarded the train, and calculates the fare to be applied to the user using the calculated normal fare.

[0052] If the determination unit 21 cannot settle the fare calculated using the contactless IC card from which the current ticket information has been read, it determines that passage is not permitted. In other words, if the determination unit 21 can settle the fare calculated using the contactless IC card from which the current ticket information has been read, it determines that passage is permitted. When the determination unit 21 determines that passage is permitted, it instructs the ticket processing unit 12 to write the ticket information related to the current ticket inspection process to the contactless IC card from which the current ticket information has been read. The ticket information for which this write instruction is given includes the date and time of the current ticket inspection process (the date and time when the user passed through the current ticket inspection passage), the departure station, the fare for the current use of the railway, and the like. When the writing of the ticket information related to the current ticket inspection process to the contactless IC card from which the current ticket information has been read is completed, the determination unit 21 permits the user to pass through the ticket inspection passage. In other words, if the writing of the ticket information related to the current ticket inspection process to the contactless IC card from which the current ticket information has been read fails, the determination unit 21 does not permit the user to pass through the ticket inspection passage.

[0053] When the automatic ticket gate 1 determines that passage through the ticket inspection passage is permitted for the user, the passage control unit 22 instructs the door opening / closing mechanism unit 16 to open the door 34 (s14, s15), and returns to s11.

[0054] Also, when the automatic ticket gate 1 determines that passage through the ticket inspection passage is not permitted for the user, the passage control unit 22 instructs the door opening / closing mechanism unit 16 to close the door 34 (s14, s16), and returns to s11.

[0055] In this example, the automatic ticket gate 1 calculates the fare for the user in the determination unit 21. However, a configuration may be adopted in which the automatic ticket gate 1 transmits the ticket information read from the contactless IC card to a higher-level server (so-called sync client server), and acquires the fare for the user from the higher-level server. That is, the fare for the user may be calculated not by the automatic ticket gate 1 but by the higher-level server.

[0056] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the notification process of the ticket gate machine in this example. The notification control unit 24 acquires the time when the fare information used for calculating the fare to be applied to the user is switched next (s21). The notification control unit 24 waits until a predetermined time before the next switching time acquired in s21 (s22). When it reaches a predetermined time before the next switching time, the notification control unit 24 instructs the first display unit 13 to start blinking the display of the first display 31a (s23).

[0057] The first display unit 13 blinks the display of the first display 31a according to the instruction from the notification control unit 24. In this example, as described above, the fare to be applied to the user is determined based on the time when the user passes through the ticket gate when entering the station premises. Therefore, the display of the first display 31a that can be confirmed by the user entering the station is blinked before the user enters the ticket gate passage, and after a while, the user is notified that the applied fare will be switched.

[0058] Note that at this time, the display of the first display 31b may or may not be blinked.

[0059] The notification control unit 24 waits until the time when the fare information used for calculating the fare to be applied to the user reaches the next switching time, and then instructs the first display unit 13 to end the blinking of the display of the first display 31a (s24, s25), and returns to s21. The first display unit 13 ends the blinking of the display of the first display 31a according to the instruction from the notification control unit 24.

[0060] In this way, the ticket gate machine 1 in this example can notify the user that the amount of the applied fare will change after a while before the user enters the ticket gate passage. Therefore, in the ticket gate system operated by the variable fare system, the deterioration of the service for the user can be suppressed.

[0061] <4. Modification Example> · Modification Example 1 In the above example, the fare applied to the user is determined based on the time when the user passes through the ticket gate when entering the station premises. However, the fare applied to the user may be determined based on the time when the user passes through the ticket gate when leaving the station premises.

[0062] Also in this case, the automatic ticket gate 1 performs the entry process shown in FIG. 4. Further, the automatic ticket gate 1 performs the exit process shown in FIG. 5. In the passage determination process of s13, the amount of the fare applied to the user who performs the exit process is calculated using the fare information associated with the time zone to which that point belongs.

[0063] Furthermore, the automatic ticket gate 1 performs the notification process shown in FIG. 7. In this case, the notification control unit 24 instructs the first display unit 13 to start (s23) and end (s25) the blinking of the display of the first display 31b that can be confirmed before a user leaving the station premises enters the ticket gate passage.

[0064] ·Modification Example 2 The automatic ticket gate 1 of this modification example 2 has the configuration shown in FIG. 3, similar to the above-described example. The automatic ticket gate 1 of this modification example 2 executes the entry process shown in FIG. 4 and the exit process shown in FIG. 5, but differs from the above example in that it performs the notification process shown in FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the notification process of the automatic ticket gate of modification example 2. In FIG. 8, the same process as in FIG. 7 is assigned the same step number.

[0065] In the ticket gate machine 1 of this Modification Example 2, the notification control unit 24 acquires the time when the fare information used for calculating the fare to be applied to the user is to be switched next (S21). The notification control unit 24 waits until it reaches a predetermined time before the next switching time acquired in S21 (S22). When it reaches a predetermined time before the next switching time, the notification control unit 24 determines whether the fare calculated based on the fare information to be switched at the next switching time will increase or decrease compared to the current time (S31). If the notification control unit 24 determines in S31 that it will increase, it instructs the first display unit 13 to start blinking the display of the first display 31a (or the first display 31b) in the first emission color (for example, blue) (S32). Also, if the notification control unit 24 determines in S31 that it will decrease, it instructs the first display unit 13 to start blinking the display of the first display 31a (or the first display 31b) in a second emission color different from the first emission color (for example, red) (S33). The first display unit 13 starts blinking the display of the first display 31a in the emission color instructed by the notification control unit 24.

[0066] The notification control unit 24 waits until it reaches the time when the fare information used for calculating the fare to be applied to the user is to be switched next, and then instructs the first display unit 13 to end the blinking of the display of the first display 31a (or the first display 31b) (S24, S25), and returns to S21. The first display unit 13 ends the blinking of the display of the first display 31a according to the instruction from the notification control unit 24.

[0067] According to the ticket gate machine 1 of this Modification Example 2, not only can it be notified to the user that the fare will be switched after a while, but also whether the fare will be switched in the upward direction or the downward direction can be notified. Therefore, the user can easily determine whether it is better to enter the ticket gate passage immediately or wait for the fare to be switched and then enter the ticket gate passage. As a result, when the user is wasting time, the user can also appropriately determine which of the facilities inside the station or the facilities around the station to choose.

[0068] ·Modification Example 3 In addition, in the first displays 31a and 31b, the fare applied at that time may be notified to the user. For example, in the first displays 31a and 31b, the surcharge ratio or discount ratio for the normal fare, the surcharge amount or discount amount, etc. may be displayed. Further, the background color of the first displays 31a and 31b may be changed to a color corresponding to the fare rank.

[0069] Also, in the above example, it was assumed that the first displays 31a and 31b provided in the automatic ticket gate 1 notify the user that the fare will be switched after a while. However, this notification may be made by a notification lamp installed around the ticket gate. Further, a configuration may be adopted in which a guidance message notifying the user that the fare will be switched after a while is emitted by a speaker or the like installed around the ticket gate, or in other forms, the user may be notified that the fare will be switched after a while.

[0070] In the above description, the present invention has been described by taking an automatic ticket gate as an example, but it may be a gate device installed at the entrance and exit of a facility such as a theme park. Further, the present invention is not limited to fares, and other types of values such as points may be applied to the user. The type of value may be determined according to the use of the gate device.

[0071] Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and at the implementation stage, the components can be modified and embodied without departing from the gist thereof. Further, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of components disclosed in the above-described embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, components from different embodiments may be appropriately combined. Also, the order of the processes in the flowchart used in the description of each process may be appropriately changed.

[0072] Furthermore, the correspondence between the configuration according to the present invention and the configuration according to the above-described embodiment can be described as follows in the appended note. <Appended Note> A gate device (1) used in a variable value type access control system in which the value applicable to users passing through a passage is a variable value that is switched at a set switching time, a determination unit (21) that determines whether to permit a user to pass through the passage, an access control unit (22) that restricts the passage of a user in the passage according to the determination result of the determination unit (21), and a notification control unit (24) that performs notification when it is the notification timing determined based on the next switching time. The gate device (1) is provided with these components.

Explanation of Signs

[0073] 1…Automatic ticket gate 2a, 2b…Main body unit 11…Control unit 12…Ride ticket processing unit 13…First display unit 14…Second display unit 15…User detection unit 16…Door opening / closing mechanism unit 17…Communication unit 21…Determination unit 22…Access control unit 23…Display control unit 24…Notification control unit 31a, 31b…First display 32a, 32b…Second display 33, 34…Door

Claims

1. A gate device used in a variable value type access control system in which the magnitude of the value applied to users passing through a passage is switched at a set switching time, comprising: a determination unit that determines whether to permit a user to pass through the passage; an access control unit that restricts the passage of a user in the passage according to the determination result of the determination unit; a notification control unit that starts notification when the notification timing determined based on the next switching time is reached, wherein the notification timing is a predetermined time before the next switching time.

2. The gate device according to claim 1, wherein the notification control unit ends the notification being performed at that time when the switching time is reached.

3. The gate device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the notification is performed in a form visually recognizable by a user.

4. The gate device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the notification is performed by blinking the display surface of a display.

5. When the magnitude of the value applied to a user who will be switched at the next switching time is greater than the current time, the notification control unit blinks the display surface of the display with a first emission color, and conversely, when it is smaller than the current time, the notification control unit blinks the display surface of the display with a second emission color different from the first emission color.

6. The gate device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the notification control unit switches the display on the display surface according to the magnitude of the value applied to a user passing through the passage at the current time.

7. The value is a fare for using a railway.

8. A computer of a gate device used in a variable value type access control system in which the magnitude of the value applied to users passing through a passage is switched at a set switching time, a determination step of determining whether to permit a user in the passage to pass; an access control step of restricting the passage of a user in the passage according to the determination result of the determination step; and an announcement control step of starting an announcement when an announcement timing determined based on the next switching time is reached, wherein the announcement timing is a predetermined time before the next switching time, a status announcement method.

9. A computer of a gate device used in a variable value type access control system in which the magnitude of the value applied to users passing through a passage is switched at a set switching time, a determination step of determining whether to permit a user in the passage to pass; an access control step of restricting the passage of a user in the passage according to the determination result of the determination step; and an announcement control step of starting an announcement when an announcement timing determined based on the next switching time is reached, wherein the announcement timing is a predetermined time before the next switching time, a status announcement program.

Images