Automatic ticket gate, ticket gate system, and ticket gate method

Abstract

To provide a ticket checking machine that can properly inform a user of the fact that a display object is in an unusable degenerate state.SOLUTION: The automatic ticket checking machine performs the ticket check of a medium according to a display object of the medium held by a user. The automatic ticket checking machine includes a reading section and a guide section. The reading section reads the display object of the medium held out. When the display object is read by the reading section, but the ticket check according to the read display object is not performed, the guide section informs the user of the fact that the ticket check is in a degenerate state when the display object is held out to the reading section.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD An embodiment of the present invention relates to an automatic ticket gate, a ticket gate system, and a ticket gate method. [Background technology]

[0002] Transportation facilities such as railways and buses use ticket gate systems equipped with automatic ticket gates (hereinafter simply referred to as ticket gates) that perform ticket screening using magnetic tickets, IC (Integrated Circuit) cards, and the like. Furthermore, in recent years, ticket gate systems have emerged that perform ticket screening by optically reading information from display objects. Display objects are information encrypted using a predetermined encryption key and converted into an optically readable shape, pattern, color, or the like by a machine. Examples of such display objects include barcodes and two-dimensional codes (QR Code (registered trademark) as an example). Display objects are displayed on the screen of an electronic device such as a smartphone, or printed on a paper ticket, and are read by holding the ticket over the reader of the ticket gate.

[0003] When some abnormality occurs in a ticket gate, or intentionally, the ticket gate may operate in a degenerate mode, in which some functions are stopped while other functions continue. For example, when the ticket gate function using a display object is stopped during degenerate mode, in other words, when the display object cannot be used, the indicator light of the reading unit for reading the display object goes out, and the reading of the display object by the reading unit stops. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-352646 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-41392 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-182108 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, users cannot tell whether the indicator light on the reader is on or off until they approach the ticket gate, making it difficult for them to clearly identify that the display object cannot be used. This makes it easy for users to mistakenly enter the ticket gate or make mistakes (mis-pointing).

[0006] The problem that this embodiment aims to solve is to provide a ticket gate, a ticket gate system, and a ticket gate method that can appropriately inform users when a display object is in a degenerated state where it cannot be used. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An automated ticket gate according to an embodiment performs ticket screening of a medium held by a user according to a display object of the medium. The automated ticket gate includes a reading unit and a guidance unit. The reading unit reads the display object of the medium held over the medium. When the reading unit reads the display object but the ticket screening according to the read display object is not performed in a degenerate state, the guidance unit notifies the user that the degenerate state is in effect when the display object is held over the reading unit. The guidance unit includes at least one of a display device that displays a message and a speaker that emits sound when the display object is read by the reading unit in the degenerated state, and notifies the user that the device is in the degenerated state by at least one of displaying the message on the display device and outputting the sound to the speaker. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a network configuration of a ticket gate system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a ticket gate system according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a control flow when a ticket gate in the ticket gate system according to the embodiment transitions from a normal state to a degenerate state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic network configuration of a ticket gate system 1 according to this embodiment. The ticket gate system 1 is used by, for example, a railway operator, and has a function of managing ticket gate operations that permit or prohibit users from passing (entering or exiting) through ticket gates at railway stations. Users include passengers (boarding and alighting) using railways, people entering or exiting station premises, station staff, maintenance workers, etc.

[0010] As shown in Fig. 1, the ticket gate system 1 includes a ticket gate 10 and a server device 20. The ticket gate 10 and the server device 20 are connected via a network 30. The connection may be wired, wireless, or both.

[0011] The ticket gate 10 is installed at a ticket gate at a railway station or the like, and checks the ticket of a medium 40 carried by a user according to a display object on the medium 40. The medium 40 is a terminal device (e.g., a smartphone or tablet terminal) carried by a user that can display a display object, or a paper ticket. The display object is generated corresponding to an identification code (hereinafter referred to as an identification ID) that uniquely identifies the medium 40. Although only one ticket gate 10 is shown in FIG. 1 for convenience, the ticket gate system 1 includes multiple ticket gates 10. At least one of these ticket gates 10 is installed, for example, at each of multiple railway stations.

[0012] The server device 20 is configured to include, for example, a CPU, a storage device (non-volatile memory), a memory, an input / output circuit, a timer, etc. The storage device stores ride information linked to the identification ID of the medium 40. The ride information includes various information related to, for example, the identification ID, user identification information, valid section, valid period, entry record, exit record, SF (Stored Fare) remaining balance, etc.

[0013] The server device 20 performs various processes (hereinafter referred to as ticket gate processing) required to gate the medium 40 according to the display object of the medium 40 held by the user. The ticket gate processing is processing executed for ticket gate operations, and includes, for example, collecting the fare, updating the boarding information, determining whether to permit or prohibit the user's passage at the ticket gate 10, and providing the determination result to the ticket gate 10. When the boarding information is updated, for example, the entry record, exit record, SF balance, etc. are updated. The ticket gate processing is executed, for example, by reading a program stored in a storage device of the server device 20 from the storage device to a memory. Depending on the determination result of the ticket gate processing for the medium 40, the ticket gate 10 permits or prohibits the user holding the medium 40 from passing.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the ticket gate system 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the ticket gate 10 includes a reading unit 11, a guide unit 12, and a control unit 13. The reading unit 11, the guide unit 12, and the control unit 13 are arranged in appropriate positions in a housing. The housing is an element that defines the outer shape of the ticket gate 10, and has, for example, a flat, three-dimensional shape with six main surfaces. At a ticket gate of a railway station, for example, multiple ticket gates 10 are installed in parallel at a predetermined interval, and a passageway for users to pass through is formed between the housings of adjacent ticket gates 10.

[0015] The reading unit 11 is disposed, for example, on the top of the housing of the ticket gate 10, and reads a display object on a medium 40 held by a user to obtain an identification ID of the medium 40 corresponding to the display object. As shown in FIG. 2, the reading unit 11 is configured with an imaging device 11a, an indicator light 11b, and the like. The reading unit 11 has a reading surface over which the user holds the medium 40. The reading surface is formed of a transparent material such as glass or resin, and is positioned corresponding to the imaging range of the imaging device 11a. This reading surface corresponds to the surface of a cover or the like that covers the imaging device 11a.

[0016] The imaging device 11a includes, for example, an imaging lens, an imaging element (for example, a C-MOS area sensor, a CCD area sensor, or the like) that captures an object image captured by the imaging lens, and an image processing board. For example, the imaging device 11a captures an image of a display object displayed on the screen of a terminal device such as a smartphone carried by a user, or a display object printed on a paper ticket, or the like. The imaging device 11a reads (acquires) an identification ID of the corresponding medium 40 from the captured display object and assigns it to the server device 20. The imaging device 11a also notifies the control unit 13 that an image of the display object has been captured. For example, the imaging device 11a transmits a signal indicating that an image of the display object has been captured to the control unit 13.

[0017] The indicator light 11b is an illumination device that emits illumination light toward the imaging range of the imaging device 11a. When the indicator light 11b is turned on, the illumination light illuminates the display object of the medium 40 held over the reading surface. The indicator light 11b is turned on, for example, when the ticket gate 10 is properly connected to the server device 20 via the network 30. This properly connected state is a state in which the ticket gate 10 can perform ticket checking using the display object of the medium 40, or in short, a state in which the medium 40 having the display object can be used. In contrast, the indicator light 11b is turned off when the ticket gate 10 is in a degenerate state, which will be described later.

[0018] However, even when the indicator light 11b is turned off, the imaging device 11a can still capture an image of the display object. In this case, the imaging accuracy is lower than when the indicator light 11b is turned on, but it is possible to determine whether or not the medium 40 has been held over the reading surface of the reading unit 11 depending on whether or not the image of the display object has been captured by the imaging device 11a. In other words, the reading unit 11 can read the display object from the medium 40 when the medium 40 is held over the reading surface, regardless of whether or not the indicator light 11b is turned on.

[0019] The degenerate state is one of the operating states of the ticket gate 10, and is an operating state in which some of the functions of the ticket gate 10 are stopped, while other functions continue without being stopped. In this embodiment, the degenerate state is a state in which, when a user holds a display object of the medium 40 over the reading unit 11, the reading unit 11 reads the display object, but ticket checking according to the read display object is not performed. In short, the degenerate state is a state in which the medium 40 having a display object cannot be used. Therefore, in the degenerate state, ticket checking using the display object of the medium 40 is stopped.

[0020] In addition to the reading unit (first reading unit) 11 that reads display objects from the medium 40, the ticket gate 10 may also include a reading unit (second reading unit or third reading unit) that reads boarding information from a medium other than the medium 40, such as an IC card or a magnetic ticket (magnetic ticket) on which the boarding information is recorded. In this case, even in a degenerate state, it is possible to continue gate-checking according to the boarding information read from the IC card by the second reading unit and the magnetic ticket by the third reading unit. In other words, the ticket gate 10 does not have to be a ticket gate dedicated to a medium having display objects.

[0021] When the ticket gate 10 is in the degenerated state, the guidance unit 12 notifies the user that the gate is in the degenerated state when the medium 40 is held over the reading unit 11. As described above, in the degenerated state, ticket gates using the display object of the medium 40 are stopped. Therefore, when the display object of the medium 40 is held over the reading unit 11 in the degenerated state, the guidance unit 12 notifies the user that ticket gates using the display object are stopped, that is, that the medium 40 cannot be used, and notifies the user.

[0022] The guidance unit 12 may have only the function of providing guidance to such a degenerate state, or may also have other functions. As an example, in this embodiment, it is assumed that the guidance unit 12 is a plurality of devices that also perform existing functions of the ticket gate 10. Regardless of whether it is a dedicated or dual-purpose device, it is sufficient that the ticket gate 10 is provided with at least one device that functions as the guidance unit 12.

[0023] 2, the ticket gate 10 is equipped with a display device 14, a speaker 15, a lamp 16, and an opening / closing door 17. In this embodiment, at least one of these functions as the guide unit 12. For example, when a display object on a medium 40 is held over the reading unit 11 in the degenerate state, more specifically, when the reading unit 11 reads the display object, the display device 14 displays a message. In a similar case, the speaker 15 emits a sound, the lamp 16 lights up or flashes, and the opening / closing door 17 closes to prohibit the user from passing through.

[0024] Display device 14 is an output device that includes a liquid crystal panel, an electronic display board (electronic display panel) having multiple point light sources, a control board for controlling these, and the like, and displays various information, including the degenerate state, to guide users. Therefore, in addition to the degenerate state, display device 14 also displays, for example, the results of the ticket gate process and whether or not entry into the passage defined by ticket gate 10 is permitted. When a display object of medium 40 is held over reading unit 11 in the degenerate state, display device 14 displays, for example, the display object of medium 40, or more simply, a message indicating that medium 40 having the display object cannot be used, or a symbol (icon) indicating this. The display mode of such a message may be any mode that easily draws the user's attention at a glance, such as a red display or a flashing display.

[0025] The display device 14 is disposed in a location on the ticket gate 10 that is easily visible to users. For example, it is disposed near the reading unit 11 or on an end surface of the housing on the passage entrance side defined by the ticket gate 10. The number of display devices 14 disposed is not limited and may be one or more. For example, a display device 14 may be disposed near the reading unit 11 or on the end surface of the housing. When a display object of the medium 40 is held over the reading unit 11 in the degenerated state, the display device 14 near the reading unit 11 may display a message indicating that the medium 40 having the display object cannot be used, such as a message such as "Display object is currently unavailable." Furthermore, the display device 14 on the end surface of the housing may display, for example, a sign indicating no entry. In states other than the degenerated state, for example, the display device 14 near the reading unit 11 may display the reading result of the medium 40, and the display device 14 on the end surface of the housing may display whether or not entry to the passage is permitted.

[0026] The speaker 15 is an output device that provides various information to the user by voice, including the fact that the device is in a degenerate state. The voice here consists of sounds that can be distinguished by hearing, such as voice messages and guidance sounds (warning sounds). When a display object of the medium 40 is held over the reading unit 11 in a degenerate state, the speaker 15 emits, for example, a voice message or guidance sound (warning sound) indicating that the medium 40 having the display object cannot be used. In states other than the degenerate state, the speaker 15 can output voice information such as the result of the ticket inspection process, whether or not the user can enter a passage defined by the ticket inspector 10, etc.

[0027] The speaker 15 is placed in a location on the ticket gate 10 where it can be easily heard by a user. For example, it is placed near the display device 14, such as on the top surface of the housing of the ticket gate 10 or on the end surface on the passage entrance side. The number of speakers 15 placed is not limited, and there may be one or more. When multiple speakers 15 are placed, in a degenerate state, for example, some of the speakers 15 may emit a voice message indicating that the medium 40 having the display object is unavailable, and the other speakers 15 may emit a guidance sound (warning sound) to that effect. As the voice message, for example, a message such as "The display object is currently unavailable" displayed on the display device 14 may be read out.

[0028] The lamp 16 is an output device (light-emitting device) that uses light to inform the user of various information, including the degenerate state. When a display object of the medium 40 is held over the reading unit 11 in the degenerate state, the lamp 16 emits light indicating, for example, that the medium 40 having the display object cannot be used. The light emission mode of the lamp 16 may be any mode that easily alerts the user at a glance, such as a steady red light or a flashing red light. In states other than the degenerate state, the lamp 16 can output, for example, the result of the ticket examination process, whether or not the user can enter the passage defined by the ticket examination machine 10, etc.

[0029] The lamps 16 are arranged in locations on the ticket gate 10 that are easily visible to users. For example, they may be arranged near the display device 14 or on the pole of the ticket gate 10. There is no limit to the number of lamps 16 arranged, and there may be one or more. When multiple lamps 16 are arranged, the light emission modes of the respective lamps 16 in the degenerated state may be the same or different.

[0030] The opening / closing door 17 is disposed on a side surface of the housing of the ticket gate 10 and is rotatably supported relative to the housing to open and close, thereby restricting the passage of users through the passage. The side surface of the housing is a surface facing the passage formed by the housing. The opening / closing door 17 includes, for example, an entrance opening / closing door 17a disposed on the entrance side of the passage on the housing, and an exit opening / closing door 17b disposed on the exit side. The entrance opening / closing door 17a is in either an open state, which allows users to enter the passage, or a closed state, which prevents users from entering. In other words, the entrance opening / closing door 17a restricts users from entering beyond the entrance of the passage. The exit opening / closing door 17b is in either an open state, which allows users to exit the passage, or a closed state, which prevents users from exiting. In other words, the exit opening / closing door 17b restricts users who have passed through the entrance opening / closing door 17a from exiting the passage from the exit.

[0031] When a display object of medium 40 is held over reading unit 11 in the degenerated state, entrance door 17a, for example, closes to prohibit the user from entering beyond the entrance of the passage. This notifies the user that medium 40 bearing the display object cannot be used. In this case, exit door 17b, for example, can also close to prohibit the user from exiting the passage.

[0032] The control unit 13 includes, for example, a CPU, a storage device (non-volatile memory), a memory, an input / output circuit, a timer, etc., and performs ticket inspection of the medium 40 at the ticket gate 10. During ticket inspection, the control unit 13 controls communication with the server device 20 via the network 30, and also controls the operation of the reading unit 11 and the guidance unit 12.

[0033] 2, the control unit 13 has a communication control unit 13a, a reading control unit 13b, and a guidance control unit 13c. The communication control unit 13a, the reading control unit 13b, and the guidance control unit 13c are stored in a storage device of the control unit 13 as, for example, programs, and are read from the storage device to a memory and executed.

[0034] The communication control unit 13a controls data communication with the server device 20 via the network 30. The server device 20 includes, for example, a communication module that performs data communication with the communication control unit 13a. The reading control unit 13b controls the operation of the reading unit 11, causing it to read a display object on a medium 40 held over the reading unit 11. The guidance control unit 13c controls the operation of the display device 14, speaker 15, lamp 16, and opening / closing door 17, which are the guidance unit 12.

[0035] In the ticket gate system 1 having the above configuration, the operation of the ticket gate 10 when the ticket gate 10 transitions from a normal operating state to a degenerate state will be described in accordance with the control flow of the control unit 13. The normal operating state of the ticket gate 10 (hereinafter referred to as the normal state) is a state other than the degenerate state in this embodiment, for example, a state in which ticket gates can be inspected using display objects on the medium 40. The normal state also includes a state in which ticket gates can be inspected using media such as IC cards and magnetic tickets in addition to display objects on the medium 40.

[0036] FIG. 3 is an example of a control flow of the control unit 13 when the ticket gate 10 transitions from the normal state to the degenerate state. As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 13 determines whether the ticket gate 10 is in the normal state (S101). In making this determination, the control unit 13 determines, for example, whether a communication abnormality has occurred with the server device 20, for example, whether the identification ID acquired by the reading unit 11 reading a display object on the medium 40 can be normally transmitted to the server device 20. In this case, for example, if the control unit 13 transmits the identification ID to the server device 20 and receives a reception signal from the server device 20 within a predetermined time, the control unit 13 determines that the ticket gate 10 is in the normal state and can normally transmit the identification ID to the server device 20. On the other hand, for example, if the control unit 13 cannot transmit the identification ID to the server device 20, or if the control unit 13 transmits the identification ID to the server device 20 and does not receive a reception signal from the server device 20 within a predetermined time, the control unit 13 determines that the ticket gate 10 is not in the normal state.

[0037] If it is determined that the state is normal (Yes in S101), the control unit 13 controls the operation of the reading unit 11 and turns on the indicator light 11b (S102). In the normal state, the ticket gate 10 is in a state where it is possible to check a ticket using the display object of the medium 40, that is, it is in a state where the medium 40 having the display object can be used. Therefore, by turning on the indicator light 11b, the user is informed that such checking is possible, that is, that the medium 40 having the display object can be used.

[0038] With the indicator light 11b lit in this manner, when the user holds the display object of the medium 40 over the reading unit 11, the ticket gate process is executed. That is, the reading unit 11 reads the display object and acquires an identification ID. The acquired identification ID is provided to the server device 20. The server device 20 determines whether the user is permitted to pass through the passage of the ticket gate 10, i.e., whether the ticket can be passed through, based on the boarding information linked to the assigned identification ID. The server device 20 determines whether the user is permitted to pass through (whether the ticket can be passed through) based on, for example, the validity section, validity period, entry record, exit record, etc. included in the boarding information. The server device 20 then provides the determination result to the control unit 13.

[0039] If the determination result indicates that passage is permitted (ticket gate permission), the control unit 13, for example, opens the entrance door 17a to allow the user to enter through the entrance of the passage defined by the ticket gate 10, and opens the exit door 17b to allow the user to exit through the exit of the passage. The server device 20 also updates the boarding information linked to the assigned identification ID. For example, it updates the entry record, exit record, SF balance, and other information in the boarding information. On the other hand, if the determination result indicates that passage is not permitted (ticket gate permission), the control unit 13, for example, closes the entrance door 17a to prohibit the user from entering through the entrance of the passage defined by the ticket gate 10, and closes the exit door 17b to prohibit the user from exiting through the exit of the passage. In this case, the server device 20 does not update the boarding information linked to the assigned identification ID.

[0040] On the other hand, if it is determined that the ticket gate 10 is not in the normal state (No in S101), the control unit 13 transitions the ticket gate 10 to a degenerate state. Here, the operation of the reading unit 11 is controlled to turn off the indicator light 11b (S103). In this embodiment, as described above, even in the degenerate state in which the indicator light 11b is turned off, the reading unit 11 can read the display object of the medium 40. In other words, the imaging device 11a of the reading unit 11 can capture an image of the display object of the medium 40, and it is possible to determine whether the medium 40 is held over the reading unit 11.

[0041] Therefore, the control unit 13 turns off the indicator light 11b (S103) and continues the operation of the reading unit 11 so that the display object of the medium 40 can be read when the medium 40 is held over it (S104). At this time, the control unit 13 gives the reading unit 11 an operational instruction to read the display object of the medium 40 when the medium 40 is held over it, regardless of whether the indicator light 11b is lit or not.

[0042] When the ticket gate 10 transitions to the degenerate state, it is determined whether or not a display object of the medium 40 is held over the reading unit 11 (S105). For example, it is determined whether or not the control unit 13 has been notified by the imaging device 11a that an image of the display object has been captured. At this time, the control unit 13 determines whether or not a signal indicating that an image of the display object has been captured has been received from the imaging device 11a. If such a signal has been received, the control unit 13 determines that a display object of the medium 40 has been held over the reading unit 11. On the other hand, until such a signal is received, the control unit 13 determines that a display object of the medium 40 has not been held over the reading unit 11.

[0043] If it is determined that the display object of the medium 40 is not held over the reading unit 11 (No in S105), the ticket gate 10 repeatedly determines whether or not the display object of the medium 40 is held over the reading unit 11 (S105). For example, the control unit 13 repeatedly determines whether or not a signal indicating that an image of the display object has been captured has been received from the imaging device 11a.

[0044] On the other hand, if it is determined that the display object of the medium 40 is held over the reading unit 11 (Yes in S105), the ticket gate 10 notifies the user that it is in a degenerate state (S106). At that time, the control unit 13 operates the notification unit 12 to notify the user that the ticket gate 10 is in a degenerate state. This notifies the user that ticket gate 10 has stopped using the display object of the medium 40, or in short, that the medium 40 having the display object cannot be used.

[0045] When providing such guidance, the control unit 13 operates the guidance unit 12, specifically at least one of the display device 14, speaker 15, lamp 16, and door 17, triggered by the reading unit 11 holding the display object of the medium 40 over it. The control unit 13 provides guidance by, for example, displaying a message on the display device 14, outputting audio from the speaker 15, turning on or blinking the lamp 16, or closing the door 17, or by combining some or all of these. This notifies the user that the medium 40 bearing the display object cannot be used, and makes it possible for the user to temporarily retreat from the passage of the ticket gate 10. The user can then go through the ticket gate again, for example, by using another medium such as an IC card or magnetic ticket at the ticket gate 10, or by using the display object of the medium 40 at another ticket gate 10.

[0046] After causing the guidance unit 12 to provide a predetermined guidance, the control unit 13 determines whether the ticket gate 10 is in a normal state, in this case, whether it has returned to the normal state (S101). Then, depending on the determination result, the control unit 13 selectively repeats the following processes (S102 to S106).

[0047] As described above, according to this embodiment, when the ticket gate 10 is in a degenerate state, the user can be notified by the guidance unit 12. That is, when a display object of the medium 40 is held over the reading unit 11 in the degenerate state, the user can be appropriately notified that ticket gate operation using the display object of the medium 40 has been suspended, or more simply, that the medium 40 having the display object cannot be used. For example, the user can be notified that the medium 40 having the display object cannot be used by displaying a message on the display device 14, outputting a sound from the speaker 15, turning on or blinking the lamp 16, closing the door 17, or the like. This allows the user to be notified visually or audibly, thereby increasing the accuracy of alerting the user. As a result, erroneous entry into the passage of the ticket gate 10 and erroneous operation of the reading unit 11 (misholding the medium 40) can be prevented.

[0048] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the above-described embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the inventions and their equivalents as set forth in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0049] 1...Ticket gate system, 10...Ticket gate (automatic ticket gate), 11...Reading unit, 11a...Imaging device, 11b...Indicator light, 12...Guide unit, 13...Control unit, 14...Display device, 15...Speaker, 16...Lamp, 17...Opening and closing door, 17a...Entrance opening and closing door, 17b...Exit opening and closing door, 20...Server device, 30...Network, 40...Media.

Claims

1. An automatic ticket gate that performs ticket inspection for a medium held by a user according to a display object of the medium, a reading unit that reads the display object on the medium that is held over the medium; a guidance unit that, when the display object is held over the reading unit and the reading unit reads the display object but the ticket examination is not performed according to the read display object and the degenerated state is reached, notifies the user that the degenerated state is reached, The guiding unit includes at least one of a display device that displays a message and a speaker that emits sound when the display object is read by the reading unit in the degenerate state, and notifies the user that the device is in the degenerate state by at least one of displaying the message on the display device and outputting the sound to the speaker. Automatic ticket gate.

2. The reading unit has an indicator light that is turned on when the ticket gate is executable and turned off when the gate is degenerated, and reads the display object from the medium when the medium is held over the medium, regardless of whether the indicator light is turned on or off. The automatic ticket gate according to claim 1.

3. When the display object is read by the reading unit in the degenerated state, the guiding unit notifies the user that the display object is in the degenerated state. The automatic ticket gate according to claim 2.

4. The automatic ticket gate according to any one of claims 1 to 3; a server device that is communicably connected to the automatic ticket gate, determines whether the medium held by the user can be passed through the ticket gate according to the display object, and provides the determination result to the automatic ticket gate. Ticket gate system.

5. The automatic ticket gate transitions to the degenerate state when the reading unit can read the display object on the medium but cannot communicate with the server device. The ticket gate system according to claim 4.

6. A ticket gate method for an automatic ticket gate, comprising: reading a display object of a medium held by a user over a reading unit of the automatic ticket gate by the reading unit; and performing ticket gate operation on the medium by a control unit of the automatic ticket gate according to the read display object; In the case where the automatic ticket gate reads the display object but does not perform the ticket gate according to the read display object and is in a degenerate state, when the display object is held over the reading unit, the control unit notifies the user that the automatic ticket gate is in the degenerate state by at least one of displaying a message on a display device of the automatic ticket gate and outputting a sound from a speaker of the automatic ticket gate. Ticket gate method.

Images