Program and ticket gate

Abstract

To reduce the possibility of contention when a two-dimensional code ticket is used at a turnstile.SOLUTION: A program according to the embodiment allows a computer installed in a turnstile to function as: an acquisition unit that separately acquires pattern reading information for position detection and data reading information as information obtained from a two-dimensional code reader installed in the turnstile that has read a two-dimensional code ticket containing a pattern for position detection and data; and a control unit that transmits an acceptance prohibition instruction to other media readers installed in the turnstile that reads a ticket other than a two-dimensional code ticket to prohibit the acceptance of the ticket when the acquisition unit acquires the pattern reading information for position detection if a ticket used by a previous passenger was not a two-dimensional code ticket.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] In the future, in ticket gate machines (automatic ticket gates) for transportation means (such as railways), it is considered that the use of two-dimensional code tickets (such as QR code (registered trademark) tickets) will increase in addition to magnetic tickets and IC (Integrated Circuit) cards (such as PASMO (registered trademark)).

[0003] A two-dimensional code ticket is, for example, a two-dimensional code generated by a higher-level system based on information operated on an information processing terminal (such as a smartphone) possessed by a user or station equipment and is in a state readable by a ticket gate machine. The two-dimensional code ticket may be, for example, one in which the two-dimensional code is printed on a medium such as paper or resin, or may be an electronic device (such as a smartphone) provided with a display capable of displaying the two-dimensional code.

[0004] Conventionally, when a contact-type boarding medium (contact boarding medium) such as a magnetic ticket is used in a ticket gate machine, immediately after detecting the contact boarding medium, acceptance of other boarding media is prohibited. Thereby, it is possible to avoid a situation (contention) in which the processing of the contact boarding medium and the processing of other boarding media used by the next passenger collide and the order is switched.

[0005] However, when a non-contact type boarding medium (non-contact boarding medium) is used in a ticket gate machine and it is detected, there is a possibility that the non-contact boarding medium is the same as the previous non-contact boarding medium for which the passage determination process has already been performed. That is, there is a possibility that the previous passenger has continued to hold the non-contact boarding medium in front of the reader.

[0006] Therefore, when a contactless fare card is used and detected at the ticket gate, a double-read check is performed to determine if it is the same as the previous contactless fare card for which passage has already been processed. After the result is that it is not a double read (i.e., they are different), the acceptance of other fare cards is prohibited.

[0007] As a result, the timing of prohibiting the acceptance of other payment methods may be delayed, leading to a conflict between the processing of the contactless payment method and the processing of other payment methods used by the next passenger, resulting in a reversal of the order (contention), which could cause the ticket gate to perform actions unintended by the passenger. For example, if a passenger ahead is holding up a contactless payment method at the ticket gate, but the next passenger coming from behind inserts another payment method, the gate may prioritize processing the passage of the other payment method.

[0008] Therefore, even with contactless fare payment methods, it is desirable to immediately prohibit the acceptance of other fare payment methods after detecting the payment method. IC cards, a typical contactless fare payment method, have a mechanism that prevents the acceptance of other IC cards from the start to the end of a session, so contention is unlikely to occur. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5262035 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2001-093008 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2019-160201 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0010] However, since two-dimensional code tickets do not have the same mechanism as IC cards mentioned above, conventional technology would prohibit the acceptance of other boarding methods after detecting a double scan. This delay in the timing of the prohibition could lead to contention.

[0011] Therefore, the object of the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a program and a ticket gate that can reduce the possibility of contention occurring when a two-dimensional code ticket is used at a ticket gate. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] The program of the embodiment includes an acquisition unit that separately acquires location detection pattern reading information and data reading information as information obtained by reading a two-dimensional code ticket containing a location detection pattern and data from a two-dimensional code reader installed in the ticket gate, and when the location detection pattern reading information is acquired by the acquisition unit, By referring to the usage history data of the boarding medium, it is determined whether the previous passenger used a QR code ticket. If the boarding medium used by the previous passenger was not a QR code ticket, the ticket gate will send a "reception prohibited" instruction to the other medium reader installed in the ticket gate that reads boarding mediums other than QR code tickets, prohibiting the acceptance of the boarding medium. Furthermore, if the boarding medium used by the previous passenger was a two-dimensional code ticket, and the double-reading determination based on the data reading information acquired by the acquisition unit thereafter indicates that the previous two-dimensional code ticket and the current two-dimensional code ticket are the same, the instruction to prohibit acceptance is transmitted to the other medium reader. It will function as a control unit. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a block diagram schematically showing the overall configuration of the ticket gate system according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a sequence diagram showing the processing flow of a two-dimensional code ticket in an embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a flowchart showing the processing of a two-dimensional code ticket by the ticket gate according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a sequence diagram showing the processing flow of a two-dimensional code ticket in the conventional technology. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0014] Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, embodiments of the program and the ticket gate machine of the present invention will be described. The ticket gate system of the embodiment is, for example, a system for managing the entry and exit of passengers at stations in transportation facilities such as railways.

[0015] (Prior Art) To facilitate understanding of the embodiments, first, the prior art will be described again. FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of processing of a two-dimensional code ticket in the prior art. Note that the two-dimensional code ticket includes data and FPs (for example, position detection patterns arranged at three corners in a QR code).

[0016] When a passenger holds a two-dimensional code ticket in front of the two-dimensional code reader of the ticket gate machine, in step S1, the two-dimensional code reader detects the FP of the two-dimensional code and transmits an FP detection signal to the processing unit of the ticket gate machine.

[0017] Next, in step S2, the two-dimensional code reader reads the data of the two-dimensional code and transmits a data reading signal to the processing unit of the ticket gate machine.

[0018] Next, in step S3, the processing unit of the ticket gate machine performs a double reading determination as to whether the current two-dimensional code ticket is the same as the previous two-dimensional code ticket for which the passage determination process has already been performed. Note that this double reading determination may be performed by a higher-level server (such as a station server or a central server), and the determination result may be transmitted from the server to the processing unit of the ticket gate machine. Here, it is assumed that the result of the double reading determination is not a double reading.

[0019] Next, in step S4, the processing unit of the ticket gate machine transmits an instruction to prohibit acceptance of boarding media to the other media reader. As a result, the other media reader prohibits acceptance of boarding media.

[0020] Next, in step S5, the processing unit of the ticket gate machine performs a passage determination (a determination as to whether to permit passage) for the current two-dimensional code ticket. Here, it is assumed that the result of the passage determination is to permit passage.

[0021] Next, in step S6, the processing unit of the ticket gate transmits an acceptance permission instruction for the boarding medium to the other medium reader. As a result, the other medium reader starts accepting the boarding medium.

[0022] Next, in step S7, the processing unit of the ticket gate enters a standby state.

[0023] Therefore, the other medium reader accepts the boarding medium during time zones T1 and T3, and does not accept the boarding medium during time zone T2. However, contention may occur because the other medium reader can accept the boarding medium during the time zone from step S1 to step S4. Therefore, hereinafter, a technique that can reduce the possibility of contention occurring when a two-dimensional code ticket is used at the ticket gate will be described.

[0024] (Embodiment) Next, an embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing an overview of the overall configuration of the ticket gate system according to the embodiment. The ticket gate system 1 is a system that manages and controls the passage of a user through the ticket gate based on information obtained from boarding media such as magnetic tickets, IC cards, and two-dimensional code tickets.

[0025] The ticket gate system 1 is composed of a plurality of station operation devices arranged at a plurality of stations. The ticket gate system 1 includes a central server 13 and various station operation devices arranged at a plurality of stations.

[0026] The central server 13 is a device that manages the station operation devices at a plurality of stations. The central server 13 includes a processing unit 21 and a communication interface 22.

[0027] The processing unit 21 includes a processor (for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit)) and a memory. The memory stores programs and data used in the programs. The processor executes various operations by executing the programs stored in the memory.

[0028] The communication interface 22 is an interface for communicating with station servers 31 and ticket gates 33 at each station via the network 14.

[0029] Next, we will explain the configuration of the station equipment installed at the stations. As shown in Figure 1, stations A 15, B 16, and C 17 are connected to the central server 13 via the network 14. Since the station equipment installed at each station, such as stations A 15, B 16, and C 17, has a nearly identical configuration, we will use the station equipment installed at station A 15 as an example for explanation.

[0030] Station A 15 is equipped with station equipment such as a station server 31 and ticket gates 33.

[0031] The station server 31 monitors the status of the ticket gates 33 and controls their operating modes. The station server 31 is a monitoring panel located at each station.

[0032] The ticket gate 33 performs ticketing based on information obtained from the boarding medium, such as a magnetic ticket, IC card, or QR code ticket. The ticket gate 33 also controls the operation of the doors according to the result of the ticketing process. The ticket gate 33 operates in either an entry mode, which processes the entry into the ticketed area, or an exit mode, which processes the exit from the ticketed area. The ticket gate 33 transmits information such as its operating mode and passage data indicating the passage of a user to the station server 31.

[0033] The ticket gate 33 includes a pair of housings (not shown), a door (not shown), a processing unit 41, a communication interface 42, a display 43, a door drive mechanism 44, multiple person detection sensors 45, a two-dimensional code reader 46, a multimedia reader 47, and the like.

[0034] The pair of housings of the ticket gates 33 are arranged in parallel to form a passageway. The doors of the ticket gates 33 are located on the passageway side of the housings and are rotated by a door drive mechanism 44.

[0035] The processing unit 41 is a system controller that performs various controls on the ticket gate 33. The processing unit 41 includes a processor and memory.

[0036] A processor comprises arithmetic elements (e.g., a CPU) that perform calculations. The processor executes various operations by running programs stored in memory.

[0037] Memory stores programs and data used by those programs. Programs stored in memory include, for example, programs that instruct the processor to perform various processes such as double-read detection and passage detection. Details of the processing unit 41 will be described later.

[0038] The communication interface 42 is an interface for communicating with devices other than the ticket gate 33. For example, the communication interface 42 communicates with the station server 31. The communication interface 42 also communicates with the central server 13 via the network 14.

[0039] The display 43 is configured to display a screen in response to video signals input from the processing unit 41 and a display control unit such as a graphics controller (not shown). For example, the display 43 displays a screen showing the results of the ticket gate processing.

[0040] The door drive mechanism 44 controls the operation of the door based on the control of the processing unit 41. The door drive mechanism 44 closes the door, thereby blocking the passage between the housings.

[0041] The person detection sensor 45 is a sensor that detects when a user passes through the passage of the ticket gate 33. Multiple person detection sensors 45 are arranged, for example, on the side of the housing of the ticket gate 33. Each of the multiple person detection sensors 45 transmits its detection result to the processing unit 41. The processing unit 41 detects a person passing through the passage based on the detection results of the multiple person detection sensors 45.

[0042] The person detection sensor 45 is a reflective type person detection sensor that includes, for example, a light emitter that emits light such as infrared rays from the housing toward the passageway, and a photodiode that detects the reflected light from the light emitter. Alternatively, the person detection sensor 45 may be configured such that the light emitter is provided in one housing and the photodiode is provided in the other housing.

[0043] The two-dimensional code reader 46 is a device that optically reads two-dimensional code tickets held up by the user. The two-dimensional code reader 46 reads two-dimensional codes displayed on the screen of a smartphone or other device. The two-dimensional code reader 46 also reads two-dimensional codes printed on paper or other media. The two-dimensional code reader 46 transmits the information obtained from reading the two-dimensional code ticket, including location detection pattern reading information and data reading information, separately to the processing unit 41.

[0044] Specifically, the two-dimensional code reader 46 first reads the position detection pattern (FP) of the two-dimensional code ticket held up by the user, and then reads the data while adjusting the focus. In this case, the two-dimensional code reader 46 transmits the position detection pattern reading information to the processing unit 41 when it reads the position detection pattern, and then transmits the data reading information to the processing unit 41 when it reads the data.

[0045] The other media reader 47 reads boarding media other than two-dimensional code tickets (magnetic tickets, IC cards, etc.) and transmits the read information to the processing unit 41.

[0046] The processing unit 41 includes, in terms of its functional configuration, an acquisition unit 411 and a control unit 412.

[0047] The acquisition unit 411 acquires various types of information. For example, the acquisition unit 411 separately acquires location detection pattern reading information and data reading information as information obtained by reading a two-dimensional code ticket from the two-dimensional code reader 46.

[0048] When the acquisition unit 411 acquires position detection pattern reading information, if the boarding medium used by the previous passenger was not a two-dimensional code ticket, the control unit 412 transmits a rejection prohibition instruction to the other medium reader 47 to prohibit the acceptance of the boarding medium.

[0049] Furthermore, when the acquisition unit 411 acquires position detection pattern reading information, and the boarding medium used by the previous passenger was a two-dimensional code ticket, the control unit 412 performs a double-reading determination based on the data reading information acquired by the acquisition unit 411 to determine whether the previous two-dimensional code ticket and the current two-dimensional code ticket are the same. If the result indicates that it is not a double-reading, the control unit 412 sends a rejection prohibition instruction to the other medium reader 47. Note that this double-reading determination may be performed by the control unit 412, or it may be performed by a higher-level server (station server 31 or central server 13), and the determination result may be sent from that server to the processing unit 41.

[0050] Figure 2 is a sequence diagram showing the processing flow of a two-dimensional code ticket in an embodiment. Here, we show the processing when the boarding medium used by the previous passenger was not a two-dimensional code ticket.

[0051] When a passenger holds a two-dimensional code ticket over the two-dimensional code reader 46 of the ticket gate 33, in step S11, the two-dimensional code reader 46 detects the FP of the two-dimensional code and transmits an FP detection signal (position detection pattern reading information) to the processing unit 41.

[0052] Next, in step S12, the control unit 412 of the processing unit 41 transmits an instruction to the other media reader 47 to prohibit the acceptance of the boarding medium. As a result, the other media reader 47 prohibits the acceptance of the boarding medium.

[0053] Next, in step S13, the two-dimensional code reader 46 reads the data from the two-dimensional code and transmits a data reading signal to the processing unit 41.

[0054] Next, in step S14, the control unit 412 makes a passability determination for the 2D code ticket based on the data reading signal, etc. In this case, if the passability determination is made, it is assumed that passability is permitted.

[0055] Next, in step S15, the control unit 412 transmits an instruction to the other media reader 47 to authorize the acceptance of the boarding medium. As a result, the other media reader 47 starts accepting the boarding medium.

[0056] Next, in step S16, the processing unit 41 enters a standby state.

[0057] Therefore, the other media reader 47 accepts boarding media during time periods T11 and T13, but does not accept boarding media during time period T12. As can be seen by comparing with time periods T1, T2, and T3 in Figure 4, the short time between FP detection of the two-dimensional code in step S11 and the start of the other media reader 47's acceptance prohibition in step S12 reduces the possibility of contention occurring.

[0058] Figure 3 is a flowchart showing the processing of a two-dimensional code ticket by the ticket gate 33 of the embodiment. In step S21, the control unit 412 determines whether or not it has received an FP detection signal of the two-dimensional code from the two-dimensional code reader 46. If Yes, it proceeds to step S22; otherwise, it returns to step S21.

[0059] In step S22, the control unit 412 refers to the usage history data of the boarding medium to determine whether the previous passenger used a two-dimensional code ticket. If the answer is yes, the process proceeds to step S25; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S23.

[0060] In step S23, the control unit 412 sends a rejection instruction to the other media reader 47. As a result, the other media reader 47 rejects the acceptance of the boarding media.

[0061] Next, in step S24, the acquisition unit 411 receives (acquires) the two-dimensional code reading data from the two-dimensional code reader 46. After that, the process proceeds to step S28.

[0062] Meanwhile, in step S25, the acquisition unit 411 receives (acquires) the two-dimensional code reading data from the two-dimensional code reader 46.

[0063] Next, in step S26, the control unit 412 performs a double-reading determination to determine whether the current two-dimensional code ticket is the same as the previous two-dimensional code ticket for which passage determination processing has already been performed. If it is the same ("same"), the process proceeds to step S30; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S27. This double-reading determination may be performed by the control unit 412, or it may be performed by a higher-level server (station server 31 or central server 13), and the determination result may be transmitted from that server to the processing unit 41.

[0064] In step S27, the control unit 412 transmits an instruction to the other media reader 47 to prohibit the acceptance of the boarding medium. As a result, the other media reader 47 prohibits the acceptance of the boarding medium.

[0065] In step S28, the control unit 412 performs a passability determination for the QR code ticket in question. In this case, if the passability determination is made, the passability is permitted.

[0066] Next, in step S29, the control unit 412 transmits an instruction to the other media reader 47 to authorize the acceptance of the boarding medium. As a result, the other media reader 47 starts accepting the boarding medium.

[0067] Next, in step S30, the processing unit 41 enters a standby state.

[0068] Thus, according to the ticket gate system 1 of this embodiment, when the acquisition unit 11 acquires an FP detection signal, if the boarding medium used by the previous passenger was not a two-dimensional code ticket, there is no possibility that the current passenger and the previous passenger are the same person. Therefore, without performing a double-read check, a rejection prohibition instruction is immediately sent to the other medium reader 47. As a result, the timing of the rejection prohibition by the other medium reader 47 is earlier than in the conventional technology, thus reducing the possibility of contention. Consequently, the possibility of the ticket gate performing an action unintended by the passenger can be reduced.

[0069] Furthermore, the ticket gate 33 performs various actions (such as sending an instruction to the other media reader 47 to prohibit acceptance) immediately after the passenger holds the two-dimensional code ticket over the two-dimensional code reader 46 and the FP is detected, making it less likely for passengers to get confused during operation.

[0070] Furthermore, if the acquisition unit 11 acquires an FP detection signal, and the boarding medium used by the previous passenger was a two-dimensional code ticket, there is a possibility that the current passenger and the previous passenger are the same person. Therefore, after performing the necessary double-reading check, acceptance by the other medium reader 47 can be prohibited.

[0071] The program executed by the ticket gate 33 in this embodiment can be provided as an installable or executable file recorded on a recording medium readable by a computer device, such as a CD (Compact Disc)-ROM (Read Only Memory), flexible disk (FD), CD-R (Recordable), or DVD (Digital Versatile Disk). Alternatively, the program may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

[0072] While embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications are permitted without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as within the scope of the claims and their equivalents.

[0073] For example, the double-reading determination in step S26 of Figure 3 may be performed only if it is within a predetermined time (e.g., several tens of seconds) since the previous reading of the two-dimensional code ticket data.

[0074] Alternatively, the passage determination process may be performed not by the ticket gate 33, but by the station server 31 or the central server 13, and the ticket gate 33 may receive and use the determination result. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0075] 1...Ticket gate system, 13...Central server, 14...Network, 15...Station A, 16...Station B, 17...Station C, 21...Processing unit, 22...Communication interface, 31...Station server, 33...Ticket gate, 41...Processing unit, 42...Communication interface, 43...Display, 44...Door drive mechanism, 45...Person detection sensor, 46...2D code reader, 47...Other media reader, 411...Acquisition unit, 412...Control unit

Claims

1. The computer installed in the ticket gate, An acquisition unit separately acquires location detection pattern reading information and data reading information as information obtained by reading a two-dimensional code ticket containing a location detection pattern and data from a two-dimensional code reader installed in a ticket gate. When the acquisition unit acquires the position detection pattern reading information, it refers to the usage history data of the boarding medium to determine whether the previous passenger used a two-dimensional code ticket, and if the boarding medium used by the previous passenger was not a two-dimensional code ticket, it sends a rejection prohibition instruction to the other medium reader installed in the ticket gate that reads boarding mediums other than two-dimensional code tickets, prohibiting the acceptance of the boarding medium, and if the boarding medium used by the previous passenger was a two-dimensional code ticket, it sends the rejection prohibition instruction to the other medium reader when the result of the double-reading determination, based on the data reading information acquired by the acquisition unit thereafter, indicates that it is not a double-read, A program to make it work.

2. An acquisition unit separately acquires location detection pattern reading information and data reading information as information obtained by reading a two-dimensional code ticket containing a location detection pattern and data from a two-dimensional code reader installed in a ticket gate. When the acquisition unit acquires the position detection pattern reading information, it refers to the usage history data of the boarding medium to determine whether the previous passenger used a two-dimensional code ticket, and if the boarding medium used by the previous passenger was not a two-dimensional code ticket, it sends a rejection prohibition instruction to the other medium reader installed in the ticket gate that reads boarding mediums other than two-dimensional code tickets, prohibiting the acceptance of the boarding medium, and if the boarding medium used by the previous passenger was a two-dimensional code ticket, it sends the rejection prohibition instruction to the other medium reader when the result of the double-reading determination, based on the data reading information acquired by the acquisition unit thereafter, indicates that it is not a double-read, A ticket gate equipped with this feature.

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