Boarding and alighting assistance management system, boarding and alighting assistance management server device, and boarding and alighting assistance management program

Abstract

To provide a boarding / alighting assistance management system capable of reliably and accurately giving information necessary for boarding / alighting assistance for a passenger on a wheelchair to an attendant in charge in a request destination station.SOLUTION: A boarding / alighting assistance management system includes a ticketing machine, attendant terminals, and a server device. The ticketing machine sells a reserved-seat ticket for a wheelchair seat. The attendant terminals are carried by station attendants, respectively, in a boarding station and an alighting station designated on the reserved-seat ticket. The server device is connected to communicate with the ticketing machine and the attendant terminals and manages a reservation status of reserved-seat tickets. The ticketing machine includes: request information acquisition means which acquires request information for boarding / alighting assistance for a passenger designated on the reserved-seat ticket; and request information transmission means which transmits, to the server device, the request information acquired by the boarding / alighting assistance request acquisition means. The server device includes service request notification transmission means which transmits, to the attendant terminals, service request notifications to request a service for the boarding / alighting assistance requested in the request information transmitted from the request information transmission means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a boarding and alighting assistance management system, a boarding and alighting assistance management server device, and a boarding and alighting assistance management program. [Background technology]

[0002] When using public transportation such as railways, wheelchair passengers may require assistance from a station attendant when boarding or disembarking a train. In such cases, the passenger may request assistance from a station attendant, for example, at the ticket counter of the boarding station. The station attendant who receives the request for assistance with boarding or disembarking notifies the attendant in charge of the requested boarding or disembarking station of the necessary information and requests assistance with boarding or disembarking. The information notified to the attendant in charge includes, for example, the date and time of assistance, the name of the train to be boarded, the train number, the train car, the seat number, the boarding station, the boarding time (train departure time), the disembarking station, and the disembarking time (train arrival time).

[0003] In order to avoid any disruption to boarding and alighting assistance, when a request is made, the necessary information must be accurately and reliably communicated to the staff at the requested boarding and alighting station. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-231560 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-124662 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-16704 [Patent Document 4] Patent Publication No. 2021-179802 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The problem that this embodiment aims to solve is to provide a boarding and alighting assistance management system, a boarding and alighting assistance management server device, and a boarding and alighting assistance management program that, when a request for boarding and alighting assistance is made for a wheelchair-using passenger, can accurately and reliably notify the necessary information to the staff member in charge at the requested boarding and alighting station. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An embodiment of the boarding and alighting assistance management system manages boarding and alighting assistance provided to wheelchair passengers by station staff at boarding and alighting stations when the passengers board and alight from trains at the stations. The boarding and alighting assistance management system includes a ticket vending machine, an attendant terminal, and a server device. The ticket vending machine sells reserved seat tickets for wheelchair seats. The attendant terminals are carried by station staff at the boarding and alighting stations specified on the reserved seat tickets. The server device is communicatively connected to the ticket vending machine and the attendant terminal, and manages the reservation status of the reserved seat tickets. The ticket vending machine includes request information acquisition means for acquiring request information for boarding and alighting assistance for the passenger at at least one of the boarding and alighting stations specified on the reserved seat ticket, and request information transmission means for transmitting the request information acquired by the boarding and alighting assistance request acquisition means to the server device. The server device has a response request notification sending means for sending to the attendant terminal a response request notification requesting a response to the boarding / exiting assistance requested in the request information sent from the request information sending means. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a boarding / exiting assistance management system according to an embodiment; [Figure 2] 4 is a sequence chart showing an example of boarding and alighting assistance management processing executed by the boarding and alighting assistance management system according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a ticket vending machine for selecting each item value of reserved ticket information in the boarding and alighting assistance management system according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4]10 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of a ticket vending machine in which reserved ticket information has been input (selected) in the boarding and alighting assistance management system according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 5] 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of a ticket vending machine in which boarding and alighting assistance request information has been input (selected) in the boarding and alighting assistance management system according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6] 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display of a boarding and alighting assistance request notification displayed on an attendant terminal in the boarding and alighting assistance management system according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 7] 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display of a boarding and alighting assistance response confirmation notice displayed on an attendant terminal in the boarding and alighting assistance management system according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 8] 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display of a boarding and alighting assistance response report notice displayed on an attendant terminal in the boarding and alighting assistance management system according to the embodiment. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the outline of the configuration of a boarding and alighting assistance management system 1 according to this embodiment. The boarding and alighting assistance management system 1 is used by, for example, a railway operator, and has a function of managing the boarding and alighting assistance provided to wheelchair passengers by station staff at boarding and alighting stations when the passengers board and alight from trains at the stations.

[0009] As shown in Fig. 1, the boarding and alighting assistance management system 1 includes a ticket vending machine 2, an attendant terminal 4, and a server device 6. The ticket vending machine 2, the attendant terminal 4, and the server device 6 are communicatively connected via a network 8. The connection may be wired, wireless, or both.

[0010] The ticket vending machine 2 is a device that sells reserved seat tickets for trains (hereinafter simply referred to as trains) whose operating dates and times and operating sections (starting station, ending station, and intermediate stops) are fixed and for which seats can be reserved. For example, it may be an automatic ticket vending machine installed near the ticket gates of a railway station and operated by passengers, or a ticket vending machine (attendant operation desk) installed at a ticket sales counter for reserved seat tickets and operated by station staff. However, the ticket vending machine 2 may also be a terminal device that is communicatively connected to the server device 6 via the network 8, such as a tablet, smartphone, or PC carried by a passenger. In this case, the terminal device connects to the server device 6 via the network 8, for example, and accesses a web page for selling reserved seat tickets on the server device 6. The reserved seat ticket is a reserved seat ticket required to board a train with a designated seat, and may include a boarding ticket, a limited express ticket, etc.

[0011] In this embodiment, the ticket vending machine 2 is capable of selling reserved seat tickets for wheelchair seats on trains that have wheelchair seats installed. A wheelchair seat is an exclusive space on a train that can be used by a wheelchair, such as a wheelchair-accessible seat or wheelchair space. The ticket vending machine 2 sells reserved seat tickets for wheelchair seats according to the desired boarding date and time and boarding section (boarding station and disembarking station) specified by the train user. Although only one ticket vending machine 2 is shown in FIG. 1 for convenience, the boarding and alighting assistance management system 1 according to this embodiment may include any number of ticket vending machines 2. These ticket vending machines 2 are installed, for example, one or more at each station or stop within the train's operating section.

[0012] As shown in Fig. 1, the ticket vending machine 2 mainly comprises a display unit 21, an operation unit 22, and a communication unit 23. In the example shown in Fig. 1, it is assumed that the ticket vending machine 2 is an automatic ticket vending machine or a ticket vending machine at a counter, and the ticket vending machine 2 further comprises a payment unit 24 and a ticket issuing unit 25 in addition to the above.

[0013] The display unit 21 displays predetermined information related to train reserved seat tickets so that it can be viewed by users of the ticket vending machine 2. For example, the display unit 21 switches between screens as appropriate depending on the purpose, such as a screen to inquire about the sales status of reserved seat tickets or a screen to select the reserved seat ticket to purchase. In this embodiment, the information that the display unit 21 can display includes information that prompts the user to select whether or not they require assistance from staff when boarding and alighting, that is, whether or not they require assistance at one or both of the boarding and alighting stations. Such information is displayed on the display unit 21, for example, in the form of a screen to request boarding and alighting assistance, a boarding and alighting assistance request button, or the like.

[0014] The operation unit 22 is operated by the user when purchasing a reserved seat ticket for a train. For example, the operation unit 22 is configured as a character input device for inputting the date and time of boarding the train and the boarding section (boarding station and disembarking station), selection buttons for selecting the reserved seat ticket to be purchased, etc. These character input devices and selection buttons may be mechanical devices that exist in a fixed manner, or may appear on the screen displayed by the display unit 21. In this embodiment, operations that can be performed by the operation unit 22 include an operation by the user to select whether or not to require staff assistance when boarding and disembarking, that is, whether or not to require assistance when boarding and disembarking at one or both of the boarding and disembarking stations.

[0015] The communication unit 23 is configured as, for example, a communication control module or a communication control board, and transmits and receives necessary data between the ticket vending machine 2 and the server device 6 when selling a seat reservation ticket. The payment unit 24 performs payment when a user purchases a selected seat reservation ticket, for example, by depositing or withdrawing cash or by cashless payment. However, the payment unit 24 may, for example, accept payment and hand over the payment itself to the server device 6. The ticket issuing unit 25 issues the seat reservation ticket after payment has been completed.

[0016] The staff terminal 4 is a terminal device capable of transmitting and receiving various information related to station duties, such as a tablet, smartphone, or PC carried by a station staff member. The station staff carrying the staff terminal 4 also serves as the staff member responsible for assisting wheelchair passengers at boarding and disembarking stations when they board or disembark trains. In this embodiment, the staff terminal 4 is capable of transmitting and receiving various information related to assisting passengers with boarding and disembarking. The staff member in charge uses the staff terminal 4 to obtain, confirm, and inquire about various information necessary for assisting passengers with boarding and disembarking. Note that while only one staff terminal 4 is shown in FIG. 1 for convenience, the boarding and disembarking assistance management system 1 according to this embodiment may include any number of staff terminals 4. These staff terminals 4 are carried by station staff at each station or stop within the train's operating area, for example.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, the attendant terminal 4 includes, as main components, a display unit 41, a voice output unit 42, an operation unit 43, a communication unit 44, and the like.

[0018] The display unit 41 displays various information related to station duties so that it can be viewed by station staff. In this embodiment, the information displayed on the display unit 41 includes information related to requests for assistance when boarding and disembarking wheelchair users, such as notification of the assistance request, acceptance, implementation status, and completion report.

[0019] The audio output unit 42 transmits the information to station staff by voice, such as by reading out various information related to station work or by sounding a notification sound for the information, and complements the display of the information on the display unit 41.

[0020] The operation unit 43 is operated by a station attendant when transmitting and receiving various information related to station work at the attendant terminal 4. For example, the operation unit 43 is configured as a character input device for inputting characters, selection buttons for selecting input items, etc. These character input devices and selection buttons may be permanently installed mechanical devices, or may appear as needed on the screen displayed by the display unit 41. In this embodiment, the operations possible with the operation unit 43 include various operations related to requests for assistance when boarding and disembarking for wheelchair-using passengers, such as operations for notifying the assistance request and inquiring about the implementation status, operations for replying to accept the notified assistance request, and operations for reporting that boarding and disembarking assistance has been completed.

[0021] The communication unit 44 is configured as, for example, a communication control module or a communication control board, and transmits and receives necessary data between the attendant terminal 4 and the server device 6. In this embodiment, the data transmitted and received by the communication unit 44 includes data required for managing requests for assistance when boarding and disembarking wheelchair users, such as data for requesting, notifying, accepting, and reporting completion of the assistance request.

[0022] Server device 6 is located, for example, at the head office or system center of the railway operator that operates the trains, and is communicatively connected to ticket vending machines 2 and attendant terminal 4 via network 8. Server device 6 functions as a higher-level device for ticket vending machines 2 and attendant terminal 4, and manages the processes that can be executed by these. In this embodiment, the processes managed by server device 6 include the sale of reserved seat tickets for trains that have wheelchair seats, and the process of requesting assistance for wheelchair passengers when boarding and disembarking.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 1, the server device 6 includes, as main components, a control unit 61, a reserved seat ticket processing unit 62, a boarding and alighting assistance processing unit 63, an information storage unit 64, a communication unit 65, and the like.

[0024] The control unit 61 includes a CPU, memory, a storage device (non-volatile memory), an input / output circuit, a timer, etc., and executes predetermined arithmetic processing. For example, the control unit 61 reads various data through the input / output circuit, and executes arithmetic processing in the CPU using a program read from the storage device to the memory.

[0025] The seat reservation ticket processing unit 62 performs processing to manage the sale of seat reservation tickets that include wheelchair seats for trains that have wheelchair seats installed. The boarding and alighting assistance processing unit 63 performs processing to manage requests for assistance when boarding and alighting for wheelchair passengers. In this embodiment, as an example, the seat reservation ticket processing unit 62 and the boarding and alighting assistance processing unit 63 are configured as programs (boarding and alighting assistance management programs) for executing predetermined arithmetic processing in the server device 6, which are stored in the storage device of the control unit 61 and are read into the memory and executed during each processing. The specific processing contents of the seat reservation ticket processing unit 62 and the boarding and alighting assistance processing unit 63 will be described later in the explanation of the operation of the boarding and alighting assistance management system 1.

[0026] The information storage unit 64 stores information for managing the sales status of reserved seat tickets (hereinafter referred to as sales status management information). The sales status management information includes train information for the train for which the reserved seat ticket is issued, such as the train number, train name, operation date and time, starting station, main arrival station, intermediate stops, car number, and seat number, as well as data such as whether or not reserved seat tickets are available for sale and whether they have been sold for each seat number linked to the train information.

[0027] Furthermore, the information storage unit 64 stores information for managing boarding and alighting assistance for wheelchair passengers (hereinafter referred to as boarding and alighting assistance management information). The boarding and alighting assistance management information includes, for a reserved seat ticket for a wheelchair seat that has been sold, data on whether or not a request has been made for staff assistance when a wheelchair passenger boards and alights, and if a request for boarding and alighting assistance has been made, data on the train for which boarding and alighting assistance is required, such as the station names for which boarding and alighting assistance is requested for each seat number linked to the train information, the time when boarding and alighting assistance is requested, and the acceptance status and implementation status of the boarding and alighting assistance request, in addition to the train information.

[0028] The sales status management information and boarding / alighting assistance management information stored in the information storage unit 64 are read out as appropriate by the reserved seat ticket processing unit 62 and the boarding / alighting assistance processing unit 63 during each processing, and are updated as appropriate depending on the processing results.

[0029] The communication unit 65 is configured as, for example, a communication control module or a communication control board, and transmits and receives necessary data between the server device 6 and the ticket vending machine 2 and the attendant terminal 4. In this embodiment, the data transmitted and received by the communication unit 65 includes data required for managing requests for assistance when boarding and disembarking passengers in wheelchairs, such as data for requesting, notifying, accepting, and reporting completion of the assistance request.

[0030] Next, the operation of the boarding and alighting assistance management system 1 according to this embodiment will be described. Fig. 2 is a sequence chart showing an example of boarding and alighting assistance management processing executed by the boarding and alighting assistance management system 1. The boarding and alighting assistance management processing is a processing for managing the process from notification of the assistance request (request for response) to acceptance and completion when a reserved seat ticket for a wheelchair seat is sold for a train equipped with wheelchair seats and a passenger using the wheelchair seat requests assistance when boarding and alighting.

[0031] The boarding and alighting assistance management process is started when a user of the boarding and alighting assistance management system 1 operates the ticket vending machine 2 to purchase a reserved seat ticket for a wheelchair seat and requests assistance when boarding and alighting. Users of the boarding and alighting assistance management system 1 include the purchaser of the reserved seat ticket and station staff at the ticket sales counter.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 2, the ticket vending machine 2 acquires information about a reserved seat ticket for a wheelchair seat on a train that has wheelchair seats (hereinafter referred to as reserved seat information) (step S01). The reserved seat information includes the train name, train number, boarding station, departure time, disembarking station, arrival time, train car number, seat number, etc. For example, a user inputs predetermined reserved seat information into the ticket vending machine 2 from a screen for inputting reserved seat information. This screen is displayed on the display unit 21 of the ticket vending machine 2. For example, on the reserved seat information input screen, the user selects a desired option from among options corresponding to each item of the reserved seat information. FIG. 3 shows an example of a screen 21a displayed on the display unit 21 for selecting each item value of the reserved seat information from the displayed options.

[0033] When the reserved ticket information is acquired, the reserved ticket information is transmitted from the ticket vending machine 2 to the server device 6 (step S02). Note that the transmission and reception of information (reserved ticket information in step S02) between the ticket vending machine 2 and the server device 6 is carried out via each other's communication units 23, 65 (the same applies when information is transmitted and received in the following steps).

[0034] The server device 6 that has received the reserved seat information inquires about the sales status of the reserved seat ticket for the wheelchair seat specified in the reserved seat information (step S03). At that time, the reserved seat ticket processing unit 62 of the server device 6 accesses the information storage unit 64 and acquires sales status management information for the reserved seat ticket specified in the reserved seat information. Next, the reserved seat ticket processing unit 62 determines whether the reserved seat ticket specified in the reserved seat information is available for sale based on the acquired sales status management information, and transmits the determination result to the ticket vending machine 2 (step S04). For example, if the sales status management information indicates that the specified reserved seat ticket has not yet been sold, the reserved seat ticket processing unit 62 notifies the ticket vending machine 2 that the reserved seat ticket is available for sale, and if the specified reserved seat ticket has already been sold, the reserved seat ticket processing unit 62 notifies the ticket vending machine 2 that the reserved seat ticket is unavailable for sale.

[0035] Upon receiving the determination result, the ticket vending machine 2 displays the received determination result on the display unit 21 (step S05). Here, depending on the received determination result, the display unit 21 displays whether or not the reserved seat ticket for the wheelchair seat specified in the reserved seat information is available for purchase. If the specified reserved seat ticket is available for sale, the ticket vending machine 2 displays on the display unit 21 that the reserved seat ticket is available for purchase.

[0036] FIG. 4 shows an example of screen 21b on which reserved seat information has been input (selected). In the example shown in FIG. 4, ticket vending machine 2 displays on display unit 21 a decision button 211 for purchasing the displayed reserved seat ticket. Decision button 211 is an example of operation unit 22 that appears on the screen displayed by display unit 21. The following describes a case where a reserved seat ticket is available for purchase. Note that if the specified reserved seat ticket is unavailable for sale, ticket vending machine 2 displays on display unit 21 a message that the reserved seat ticket is unavailable for purchase. For example, ticket vending machine 2 displays on display unit 21 a button for returning to the reserved seat ticket information input screen so that new reserved seat ticket information can be input.

[0037] If a reserved seat ticket for the wheelchair seat specified in the reserved ticket information is available for sale, the ticket vending machine 2 acquires information for requesting assistance with boarding and alighting for a wheelchair passenger, i.e., assistance from a station attendant when boarding and alighting (hereinafter referred to as boarding and alighting assistance request information) (request information acquisition means) (step S06). The boarding and alighting assistance request information includes whether boarding and alighting assistance is required, the name of the station for which boarding and alighting assistance is requested, the time for which boarding and alighting assistance is requested (train departure time and arrival time), etc. The input values ​​for each item in the boarding and alighting assistance request information are linked to the reserved seat ticket for the wheelchair seat specified in the reserved ticket information (e.g., train number and seat number, etc.). For example, the ticket vending machine 2 displays on the display unit 21 a screen or buttons that allow the user to select the input values ​​for each item in the boarding and alighting assistance request information. In this case, the user selects whether boarding and alighting assistance is required according to the display on the display unit 21, and if they select the request, selects the name of the station for which boarding and alighting assistance is requested, the time, etc.

[0038] FIG. 5 shows an example of screen 21c on which boarding and alighting assistance request information has been input (selected). In the example shown in FIG. 5, ticket vending machine 2 displays on display unit 21 an assistance request button 212 for requesting boarding and alighting assistance in accordance with the displayed content. In this case, a user presses assistance request button 212 to indicate their intention to request boarding and alighting assistance in accordance with the displayed content. Assistance request button 212 is an example of operation unit 22 that appears on the screen displayed by display unit 21. Below, an example will be described in which boarding and alighting assistance is requested at both the boarding station and the alighting station, as shown in FIG. 5.

[0039] When a decision is made to purchase a reserved seat ticket, boarding and alighting assistance request information is sent from the ticket vending machine 2 to the server device 6 (request information sending means) (step S07). When a decision is made to purchase a reserved seat ticket, the payment unit 24 in the ticket vending machine 2 makes payment for the purchase of the reserved seat ticket, and when payment is completed, the ticket issuing unit 25 issues the reserved seat ticket. In step S07, payment is completed and the reserved seat ticket has been issued.

[0040] Upon receiving the boarding and alighting assistance request information, the server device 6 updates the boarding and alighting assistance management information for the reserved seat ticket for the wheelchair seat corresponding to the boarding and alighting assistance request information (step S08). For example, the boarding and alighting assistance processing unit 63 functions as a request information acquisition unit, accesses the information storage unit 64, and updates the request / non-request data value in the boarding and alighting assistance management information for the reserved seat ticket corresponding to the boarding and alighting assistance request information from its initial value to a value indicating that assistance is requested. The initial value of the request / non-request data is a value other than a value indicating that assistance is requested, such as an unset value or a value indicating that no assistance is requested. Note that if no boarding and alighting assistance request is made in step S07, the boarding and alighting assistance processing unit 63 updates, for example, the request / non-request data value in the assistance request management information for the reserved seat ticket corresponding to the boarding and alighting assistance request information from its initial value to a value indicating that no assistance is requested.

[0041] Furthermore, the server device 6 updates the sales status data of the reserved seat tickets. For example, the reserved seat ticket processing unit 62 accesses the information storage unit 64 and updates the data value indicating whether the reserved seat ticket is sold in the sales status management information for the reserved seat ticket corresponding to the boarding and alighting assistance request information from its initial value to a value indicating that the ticket has been sold. The initial value of the sales status data is a value other than a value indicating that the ticket has been sold, such as a value indicating that the ticket has not yet been sold. Note that if no request for boarding and alighting assistance is made in step S07, for example, as described above, the data value indicating whether the request is made in the assistance request management information is updated from its initial value to a value indicating that no assistance is requested, and then the boarding and alighting assistance management process ends without performing any further processing.

[0042] Additionally, the server device 6 transmits a notification to the attendant terminal 4 of the target station (here, the boarding / alighting station) specified in the boarding / alighting assistance request information, requesting that the requested boarding / alighting assistance be handled (response request notification transmitting means) (step S09). In this embodiment, the server device 6 transmits a response request notification for boarding / alighting assistance to each of the multiple attendant terminals 4 at the boarding / alighting stations. The response request notification is linked to the reserved seat ticket (e.g., train number and seat number) of the wheelchair seat for which boarding / alighting assistance is requested. Note that the transmission and reception of information (boarding / alighting assistance request notification in step S09) between the server device 6 and the attendant terminal 4 is performed via each other's communication units 65, 44 (the same applies when information is transmitted and received in the following steps).

[0043] The attendant terminal 4 that has received the notice of the request for assistance with boarding and alighting displays information that a request for assistance with boarding and alighting has been made (hereinafter referred to as assistance request information) on the display unit 41 (step S10). For example, the attendant terminal 4 displays a pop-up message or the like indicating the request for assistance with boarding and alighting that has been requested on the display unit 41.

[0044] 6 shows a display example of a boarding / alighting assistance request notification 41a, which is an example of a pop-up message indicating the assistance request information. Additionally, the staff terminal 4 emits a notification sound or the like indicating the assistance request from the audio output unit 42. This causes a request for boarding / alighting assistance to be made to the station staff member carrying the staff terminal 4 that received the assistance request notification. In this state, the station staff member can access the server device 6 by operating, for example, the operation unit 43 of the staff terminal 4, and check the boarding / alighting assistance request information stored in the information storage unit 64.

[0045] Then, the staff terminal 4 acquires response information regarding a response to the requested assistance request (step S11). For example, the staff terminal 4 displays a response button on the display unit 41 together with the pop-up message indicating that the staff terminal 4 acknowledges the pop-up message indicating a response request for boarding and alighting assistance, that is, indicates that the staff terminal 4 accepts the response request and will provide boarding and alighting assistance. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the staff terminal 4 displays a request acceptance button 411 on the display unit 41, which responds that the requested boarding and alighting assistance will be accepted. The request acceptance button 411 is an example of an operation unit 43 that appears on the screen displayed by the display unit 41. A station staff member carrying the staff terminal 4 indicates their intention to accept the request for boarding and alighting assistance by pressing the response button (the request acceptance button 411 in the illustrated example) in the pop-up message.

[0046] When the response information is acquired, the response information is transmitted from the staff terminal 4 to the server device 6 (response information transmitting means) (step S12).

[0047] Upon receiving the response information, the server device 6 updates the boarding and alighting assistance management information for the wheelchair seat reservation ticket corresponding to the response information, i.e., the boarding and alighting assistance request information (step S13). For example, the boarding and alighting assistance processing unit 63 functions as a response information acquisition unit, accesses the information storage unit 64, and updates the data value of the acceptance status of the boarding and alighting assistance management information for the seat reservation ticket to a predetermined value (a value indicating completion of acceptance).

[0048] Thereafter, at the assistance request time (train departure time or train arrival time) specified in the boarding and alighting assistance request information, a station attendant will assist wheelchair passengers in boarding and alighting at the target station (here, the boarding and alighting station). For example, a predetermined time before the assistance request time (train departure time or train arrival time) specified in the boarding and alighting assistance request information, the attendant terminal 4 will pop up a confirmation message or the like on the display unit 41 to urge the passenger to respond to the boarding and alighting assistance. However, if the time between the notice of a request for boarding and alighting assistance and the time of the request for boarding and alighting assistance is shorter than the predetermined time, it is also possible to omit the confirmation message or the like urging the passenger to respond to the boarding and alighting assistance, and to use the notice of a request for boarding and alighting assistance as the confirmation message.

[0049] FIG. 7 shows a display example of a boarding / alighting assistance response confirmation notice 41b, which is an example of a confirmation message. At the same time, the staff terminal 4 emits a notification sound or the like from the audio output unit 42 to prompt the station staff to respond to the boarding / alighting assistance. As a result, the station staff carrying the staff terminal 4 that has been displayed with the pop-up or the notification sound is prompted to respond to the boarding / alighting assistance (a reminder state). In the example shown in FIG. 7, after checking the contents of the boarding / alighting assistance response confirmation notice 41b, the station staff carrying the staff terminal 4 presses the confirmation button 412 to respond that they have confirmed that they have responded to the requested assistance. The confirmation button 412 is an example of an operation unit 43 that appears on the screen displayed by the display unit 41.

[0050] When the boarding / alighting assistance is provided, the staff terminal 4 acquires completion report information regarding the response to the requested boarding / alighting assistance (step S14). For example, after the assistance request time (train departure time or arrival time) specified in the boarding / alighting assistance request information has passed, the staff terminal 4 pops up a message on the display unit 41 to confirm whether the response to the boarding / alighting assistance has been completed, along with a report button indicating that the response has been completed.

[0051] Fig. 8 shows a display example of a boarding / alighting assistance response report notification 41c, which is an example of a confirmation message. In the example shown in Fig. 8, the staff terminal 4 displays, on the display unit 41, the boarding / alighting assistance request information, as well as an assistance completion button 413, which reports that the response to the boarding / alighting assistance has been completed. The assistance completion button 413 is an example of an operation unit 43 that appears on the screen displayed by the display unit 41. When the response to the boarding / alighting assistance has been completed, the station staff member carrying the staff terminal 4 reports that the response to the requested assistance has been completed by, for example, pressing the report button (the assistance completion button 413 in the illustrated example).

[0052] When the completion report information is acquired, the completion report information is transmitted from the staff terminal 4 to the server device 6 (completion report transmitting means) (step S15).

[0053] Upon receiving the completion report information, the server device 6 updates the boarding and alighting assistance management information for the wheelchair seat reservation ticket corresponding to the completion report information, i.e., the boarding and alighting assistance request information (step S16). For example, the boarding and alighting assistance processing unit 63 functions as a completion report acquisition means, accesses the information storage unit 64, and updates the data value of the implementation status of the boarding and alighting assistance management information for the seat reservation ticket to a predetermined value (a value indicating completion of assistance). Note that, if the completion report information is not received even after a predetermined time has elapsed since the assistance request time (train departure time or train arrival time) specified in the boarding and alighting assistance request information, the server device 6 may, for example, control the operation so as to cause the attendant terminal 4 to again display a message confirming whether or not the boarding and alighting assistance has been completed.

[0054] This completes the series of boarding and alighting assistance management processes corresponding to the wheelchair seat reservation ticket of the specified boarding and alighting assistance management information.

[0055] As described above, according to this embodiment, when a reserved seat ticket for a wheelchair seat is sold, a request for boarding and alighting assistance for a wheelchair passenger can be made on the boarding and alighting assistance management system 1 at the time of sale of the corresponding reserved seat ticket. Therefore, when a request for boarding and alighting assistance is made, necessary information (boarding and alighting assistance management information) can be accurately and reliably notified to the person in charge at the target station, for example, the station attendant at the requested boarding and alighting station. At that time, it is also possible to send a reminder of the assistance request from the server device 6 to the attendant terminal 4 at a predetermined time before the assistance request time. This makes it possible to more reliably respond to the requested boarding and alighting assistance.

[0056] Therefore, for example, a station attendant who receives a request for boarding and alighting assistance at a ticket window at a boarding station or the like can reduce the work of transmitting boarding and alighting assistance management information to a station attendant at the target station (for example, the boarding and alighting station) by telephone or the like to request boarding and alighting assistance, thereby reducing the workload of the station attendant. Furthermore, the boarding and alighting assistance management system 1 can consistently manage such assistance requests, from receipt of the response request to confirmation and completion report. This can improve user service for wheelchair users.

[0057] 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]

[0058] 1...boarding and alighting assistance management system, 2...ticket vending machine, 4...attendant terminal, 6...server device, 21...display unit, 21a, 21b, 21c...screen, 22...operation unit, 23...communication unit, 24...payment unit, 25...ticket issuing unit, 41...display unit, 41a...boarding and alighting assistance request notification, 41b...boarding and alighting assistance confirmation notification, 41c...boarding and alighting assistance report notification, 42...audio output unit, 43...operation unit, 44...communication unit, 61...control unit, 62...seat reservation ticket processing unit, 63...boarding and alighting assistance processing unit, 64...information storage unit, 65...communication unit, 211...decision button, 212...assistance request button, 411...request acceptance button, 412...confirmation button, 413...assistance completion button.

Claims

1. A boarding and alighting assistance management system that manages boarding and alighting assistance provided to a passenger by a station attendant at a boarding and alighting station when the passenger uses a wheelchair and gets on and off a train at the boarding and alighting station, A ticket vending machine selling reserved seat tickets for wheelchair seats, An attendant terminal carried by a station attendant at each of the boarding station and the disembarking station specified on the seat reservation ticket; a server device that is communicably connected to the ticket vending machine and the attendant terminal and that manages the reservation status of the seat reservation ticket; the ticket vending machine has a request information acquisition means for acquiring request information for boarding and alighting assistance for the passenger at at least one of the boarding station and the alighting station specified on the seat reservation ticket, and a request information transmission means for transmitting the request information acquired by the request information acquisition means to the server device; The server device has a response request notification sending means for sending to the attendant terminal a response request notification for requesting assistance with boarding and alighting requested in the request information sent from the request information sending means. Boarding and alighting assistance management system.

2. The staff terminal has a response information transmitting means for acquiring response information regarding the support request notification transmitted from the support request notification transmitting means and transmitting the response information to the server device. The boarding and alighting assistance management system according to claim 1 .

3. The attendant terminal has a completion report transmission means for acquiring a completion report on the response to the boarding / exiting assistance requested in the response request notice transmitted from the response request notice transmission means and transmitting the report to the server device. The boarding and alighting assistance management system according to claim 2 .

4. A server device constituting a boarding and alighting assistance management system that, together with a ticket vending machine that sells reserved seat tickets for wheelchair seats and attendant terminals carried by station attendants at the boarding and alighting stations specified on the reserved seat tickets, manages boarding and alighting assistance that station attendants at the boarding and alighting stations provide to wheelchair passengers when they board and alight from trains at the boarding and alighting stations, a request information acquisition means for acquiring, from the ticket vending machine, request information for boarding and alighting assistance for the passenger at at least one of the boarding station and the alighting station specified on the seat reservation ticket; an assistance request notification sending means for sending an assistance request notification to the attendant terminal, the assistance request notification requesting assistance with boarding and disembarking requested in the request information; a response information acquisition means for acquiring response information regarding the response request notification from the staff terminal; and a completion report acquisition means for acquiring from the attendant terminal a completion report regarding the response to the boarding / exiting assistance requested in the response request notice. Server device.

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