Ticketing device, ticketing system, and ticketing method

Abstract

To provide a highly convenient ticket vending device in accordance with demand of users and a use situation of a station.SOLUTION: Provided is a ticket issuing device including: a control unit that selects a preferential service to be processed preferentially from among a plurality of services based on degree-of-congestion information and restricts services that can be processed; and a processing unit that processes the selected preferential service.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a ticket issuing device, a ticket issuing system, and a ticket issuing method.

Background Art

[0002] At stations such as railway stations, there are installed railway ticket vending machines for issuing tickets for boarding trains, express tickets, etc., and passengers can purchase tickets according to their destinations and the trains they will board. In recent years, technologies have emerged that enable ticket vending machines installed at stations to have the function of issuing tickets other than railway tickets.

[0003] As a technology for ticket vending machines at stations to have the function of issuing tickets other than railway tickets, there is Patent Document 1. Patent Document 1 states that "in an automatic vending machine that sells tickets for transportation such as railways and airlines to customers, it aims to mediate discounted set products to users and enable them to purchase discounted set products. It checks whether there are discounted set products related to the (108) disembarkation station selected by the customer (101). When there are none, it displays a normal input screen (109). When there are, it displays a guide for the discounted set products (109). Users who wish to purchase the discounted set products can operate the terminal (108), insert the payment (104), and receive the issuance of the discounted set products (105) or the issuance of an application form for the discounted set products (105). Since it is possible to mediate and sell discounted set products even with an automatic machine, the service to customers is improved, and at the same time, sales are also improved."

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Patent Document 1 describes a technology for issuing tickets such as train tickets in sets with tickets other than train tickets. However, depending on the usage of the ticket vending machine, there is a problem in that the convenience for users is reduced, for example, when a train is about to arrive and a user wants to purchase a train ticket or express ticket, but the vending machine is occupied for purposes other than train tickets.

[0006] The objective of this invention is to provide a highly convenient ticket vending machine that can be adapted to user demand and station usage conditions. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A ticketing device according to one aspect of the present invention is a ticketing device capable of processing multiple services, characterized by having a control unit that selects a priority service to be processed preferentially from among the multiple services based on congestion level information and restricts the services that can be processed, and a processing unit that processes the selected priority service. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, a highly convenient ticket vending machine can be provided in accordance with user demand and station usage conditions. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This figure shows an example of the overall configuration in Example 1. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of the hardware configuration of a station ticket vending machine in Example 1. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of the hardware configuration of the station server in Example 1. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of a rule table for the selective operation start conditions in Example 1. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of the workflow of the station server in Example 1. [Figure 6] This diagram shows an example of the workflow for a station ticket vending machine in Example 1. [Figure 7]This figure shows an example of a selective operation flow based on instructions from a higher-level server in Example 1. [Figure 8] This figure shows an example of the selection operation flow using the staff terminal in Example 1. [Figure 9] This figure shows an example of the screen image during selected operation in Example 1. [Figure 10] This figure shows an example of the actual station signage display in Example 1. [Figure 11] This figure shows an example of the overall configuration in Example 2. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Within the station premises, users can access various services provided by entities other than the railway company, such as cash withdrawals from bank accounts, via automated ticketing terminals.

[0011] However, making such external services available at all ticketing terminals at all times could lead to congestion and disrupt ticket issuance using the terminals. On the other hand, during off-peak hours, such as weekday afternoons, some ticketing terminals could be dedicated to external services, allowing users to access these services without waiting.

[0012] Therefore, the present invention can improve convenience for station users by selecting and operating the functions of ticketing terminals according to congestion levels and controlling the number of terminals that can use each function throughout the station.

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the drawings. [Examples]

[0014] Figure 1 shows an example of the overall configuration of this embodiment. User 101 connects to external servers such as the upper server 108, the administrative server 109, and the concert ticket server 110 via the station ticket vending machine 102 (a ticket issuing device with a ticket issuing function capable of selling tickets for trains, concerts, etc.) and the network 103, and gives instructions for issuing express train tickets, executes the issuance, gives instructions for external services, and executes them.

[0015] The ticket issuing terminal 102 connects to the upper server 108 and external servers via the station server 105 and the network 103, and executes the issuance of tickets according to the input content from the user 101 and executes external services.

[0016] The network 103 is a line for data exchange between the station ticket vending machine 102, the station server 105, external servers, and the upper server 108. It can be wired or wireless.

[0017] The station-installed sign 104 executes the switching instruction of the screen display at the start and end of the function selection operation issued by the station server 105, and guides the station users on the implementation content of the function selection operation of the station ticket vending machine 102.

[0018] The station server 105 connects to the upper server 108 via the network 103 and mediates the transmission and reception of seat reservation information between the station ticket vending machine 102 and the upper server 108.

[0019] Furthermore, the station server 105 connects to external servers such as the administrative server 109 and the concert ticket server 110, sends the execution instruction of the external service from the station ticket vending machine 102, receives the function selection operation execution instruction from the upper server 108, and instructs the station ticket vending machine 102 to perform the function selection operation.

[0020] Furthermore, the station server 105 receives the start and end instructions of the function selection operation from the station staff terminal 106, sends them to the station ticket vending machine 102, and instructs the station sign 104 to display the content of the function selection operation on the screen.

[0021] The station staff terminal 106, via the station server 105, instructs the station ticket vending machine 102 to start and stop the function selection operation.

[0022] The upper-level server 108 connects to the station server 105 via the network 103, transmits seat information such as express train information entered by the user 101 into the station ticket vending machine 102, and, if necessary, sends instructions to the station server 105 to start and end the function selection operation.

[0023] The administrative server 109 and the concert ticket server 110 are external servers that connect to the station server 105 via the network 103, receive instructions for executing external services entered by the user 101 into the station ticket vending machine 102, and execute the external services.

[0024] External services, as used here, refer to services other than those provided by the railway company's servers. Examples include, but are not limited to, the issuance of copies of resident registration certificates provided by the administrative server 109, which is a server of a government agency, and cash withdrawals from bank accounts provided by the bank server.

[0025] Figure 2 shows an example of the configuration of the ticketing terminal in this embodiment 1. The communications unit 201 connects to the network 103 and requests express train seat information from the upper-level server 108. The user 101 sends the ticketing information entered through the user input unit 205 to the upper-level server 108 and sends the ticketing request to the ticketing processing unit 209.

[0026] Furthermore, the communication unit 201 transmits the authentication information entered by the user to the external server, receives a request to perform an external service from the external server, and sends it to the external service processing unit 210.

[0027] Furthermore, the communication unit 201 transmits to the station server 105 the data processed by the camera video processing unit 208 from the video recorded by the camera unit 206. In this case, the data processed by the camera video processing unit 208 may be video data or text data such as numerical values.

[0028] The control unit 202 receives a function selection operation instruction from the station server 105 and restricts functions other than the priority function for a certain period of time. The content of the function selection operation instruction is in a common format used by the station server 105, the higher-level server 108, and the station staff terminal 106, and is transmitted from the station server 105 to the station ticket vending machine 102 in any of the processing flows shown in Figure 5 and later.

[0029] The ticketing unit 203 issues tickets based on the information entered by user 101 through user input unit 205, and according to the instructions given by the ticketing processing unit 209 or the external service processing unit 210.

[0030] During normal operation, the screen display unit 204 provides the user 101 with information such as how to use each service. While function selection operation is in progress, the screen display shown in Figure 9 is shown, allowing the user 101 to check the currently available services of the station ticket vending machine 102.

[0031] The user input unit 205 receives input from user 101 and passes the details of the express ticket issuance and the use of external services to the communication unit 201.

[0032] The camera unit 206 captures images of the area around the station ticket vending machine 102 and transmits them to the camera image processing unit 208.

[0033] Memory 207 stores the programs for the camera image processing unit 208, the ticketing operations processing unit 209, and the external service processing unit 210.

[0034] The camera video processing unit 208 receives the video footage of the area around the station ticket vending machine 102 captured by the camera unit 206, processes the video data into an appropriate format, and transmits it to the station server 105 via the communication unit 201.

[0035] The ticketing processing unit 209 communicates with the upper-level server 108 via the communication unit 201 based on the information entered by the user 101 through the user input unit 205, sends ticketing information to the upper-level server 108, and issues a ticketing instruction to the ticketing unit 203.

[0036] The external service processing unit 210 communicates with external servers such as the administrative server 109 and the concert ticket server 110 via the communication unit 201, the station server 105, and the network 103. It processes the details of the external service usage entered by the user 101 to the user input unit 205, and executes the external service upon receiving instructions from the external server to perform the external service.

[0037] Figure 3 shows an example of the configuration of the station server 105 in this embodiment 1. The communication unit 301 communicates with the station server 105 and the station ticket vending machine 102, which is installed at the same station. The communication unit 301 receives data processed by the camera video processing unit 208 from the station ticket vending machine 102, issues a function selection operation instruction to the station ticket vending machine 102, receives a function selection operation instruction from the station staff terminal 106, transmits it to the station ticket vending machine 102, connects to the higher-level server 108 via the network 103, and receives a function selection operation instruction from the higher-level server 108.

[0038] The control unit 302 is the control entity that executes the program stored in the memory 305.

[0039] The rule recording unit 303 periodically receives function restriction rules from the higher-level system via the communication unit 301 and the network 103, and records the contents of the received rules.

[0040] The ticket vending machine operation status recording unit 304 stores data such as the operating time of the ticket vending machine and transaction details as log data and transmits it to the upper server 108 via the communication unit 301.

[0041] Memory 305 stores the following programs to be executed by the control unit 302.

[0042] The congestion processing unit 306 receives congestion data from the station ticket vending machine 102 via the communication unit 301, makes a decision on whether to implement function-selective operation, transmits the congestion data to the congestion prediction unit 307, receives congestion prediction data from the congestion prediction unit 307, and makes a decision on whether to implement function-selective operation based on the received prediction data.

[0043] The congestion prediction unit 307 analyzes the congestion data received from the station ticket vending machine 102 via the communication unit 301, performs a future congestion prediction, and transmits the prediction data to the congestion processing unit 306.

[0044] The ticket vending machine operation status monitoring unit 308 monitors the operation status of the station ticket vending machine 102 and logs data such as operating time and transaction details to the ticket vending machine operation status recording unit 304.

[0045] The staff terminal processing unit 309 receives instructions from the station staff terminal 106 and executes the start and end of the function selection operation.

[0046] The upper-level server instruction processing unit 310 receives instructions from the upper-level server 108 and executes the start and end of the function selection operation.

[0047] Figure 4 shows an example of a rule recording unit 303 for setting the number of specialized units and prescribed time when performing function-selective operation. By defining this content for each station, appropriate processing can be performed according to the usage situation at each station. This embodiment 1 will be explained as a case where five station ticket vending machines 102 are installed at the station.

[0048] Condition 401 defines the conditions for applying each rule. The conditions do not need to be mutually exclusive. For peak hours, holiday mornings, holiday evenings, paydays, etc., the date, time, and the number of people that constitutes peak hours should be predetermined. In addition, for concert information, information on concert dates around the relevant station should be obtained from the concert ticket server 110 as needed.

[0049] Priority 402 defines the priority of the rules. In this embodiment, priorities are assigned in ascending order, from 1, 2, 3, ... The application conditions 401 are checked in order from the highest priority rule. Rules with the same priority function 403 are not applied simultaneously. Rules with different priority functions 403 are applied in order from the highest priority rule. However, at least one unit is always left with full functionality. Priority function 403 defines the function that is specialized in that rule.

[0050] The number of specialized units 404 defines the number of units to which the priority function 403 is applied under that rule. In this embodiment, the maximum number of specialized units 404 is 5 units. The function limit time 405 defines the time until the function selection operation is terminated.

[0051] The continuation condition 406 defines the conditions for determining whether to continue function selection operation after the function restriction time 405, which is set for each rule, has elapsed since the station ticket vending machine 102 started function selection operation. For example, for the rule regarding congestion, a condition for the number of people that constitutes congestion can be set, and the continuation condition 406 can be that the aforementioned number of people condition is met even after the function restriction time 405 has elapsed.

[0052] Furthermore, for rules such as concert days or paydays, the continuation condition 406 can be set to last until a certain time or date. The determination of whether the continuation condition 406 is met is made at predetermined timings for each rule, between the start of function selection operation and the elapsed of the function limit time 405.

[0053] Figure 5 shows an example of the workflow of the station server 105. While the station ticket vending machine 102 is performing function selection operation, this is also expressed as function selection operation being performed on the station server 105. The same expression is used for the start and end of function selection operation.

[0054] Once station server 105 starts operation, it continues normal operation (S501).

[0055] Subsequently, information on congestion levels is periodically received from station ticket machine 102 (S502).

[0056] The station server 105 receives an instruction for function selection operation from the station staff terminal 106, or an instruction for function selection operation from the higher-level server 108 via the network 103, or compares it with the application conditions 401 in the rule recording unit 303 and determines that any of the application conditions 401 are met, and starts function selection operation (S503).

[0057] The process for starting function selection operation includes instructing the station ticket vending machine 102 to start function selection operation, instructing the station signage 104 to display the function selection operation details on its screen, and notifying the station staff terminal 106 of the start of function selection operation. The order of the start process can be, for example, notification to the station staff terminal 106, instruction to display the screen on the station signage 104, and instruction to start function selection operation to the station ticket vending machine 102.

[0058] If the conditions for starting function-selective operation are met, station server 105 starts function-selective operation (S504).

[0059] Station server 105 continues function-selective operation after starting it (S505).

[0060] Even while function selection is in operation, the station server 105 periodically receives congestion level information from the station ticket vending machine 102 (S506).

[0061] The station server 105 terminates the function selection operation if the termination conditions for the function selection operation are met (S507). Here, meeting the termination conditions means that the station server 105 receives an instruction to terminate the function selection operation from the higher-level server 108, or receives an instruction to terminate the function selection operation from the station staff terminal 106, or that the function limit time 405 has elapsed and the application conditions 406 are no longer met for the currently executing rule in the rule recording unit 303.

[0062] Furthermore, if another application condition of higher priority is met during selective operation, selective operation corresponding to that higher priority application condition may be initiated.

[0063] Figure 6 shows an example of the workflow for a ticket vending machine related to selective driving. Once ticket vending machine 102 begins operation, it will continue normal operation (S601).

[0064] While the station ticket machine 102 is in operation, it periodically transmits data on the station's congestion level, processed by the camera image processing unit 209, to the station server 105 (S602).

[0065] If the station server 105 meets any of the conditions for starting function-selective operation (S503), the station ticket vending machine 102 receives a function-selective operation start instruction from the station server 105 and starts function-selective operation (S603, S604).

[0066] Station ticket vending machine 102 will continue function selection operation after function selection operation has started (S605).

[0067] Even while function selection is in operation, the station ticket vending machine 102 periodically transmits data regarding congestion levels to the station server 105 (S606).

[0068] When the station server 105 meets any of the conditions for terminating the function selection operation (S507), the station ticket vending machine 102 receives a function selection operation termination instruction from the station server 105 and returns to normal operation (S607).

[0069] Figure 7 shows an example of the processing flow when the upper-level server 108 issues instructions to the station server 105 to start and end function selection operation. If, for any reason, an event occurs in which congestion can be avoided by performing selective operation across multiple stations (hereinafter referred to as a congestion event), the higher-level server 108 sends an instruction to the station server 105 of the target station to perform selective operation.

[0070] For example, if a personal injury accident occurs on another line or by another railway operator, ticket sales and refund processing at station ticket vending machine 102 may be prioritized. The higher-level server 108 continues normal operation (S701). A congestion event occurs (S702).

[0071] The upper server 108 determines whether implementing function-selective operation is expected to have an effect in avoiding congestion, and if so, it determines which stations will be subject to function-selective operation (S703).

[0072] If the upper-level server 108 determines that function-selective operation should be performed, it instructs the station server 105 of the target station to perform function-selective operation (S704). The congestion event ends (S705).

[0073] The higher-level server 108 instructs the station server 105 of the target station to terminate the function selection operation, setting a termination time if necessary, not limited to immediate termination (S706).

[0074] Figure 8 shows an example of the flow for implementing and canceling function selection operation based on instructions from the station staff terminal 106. Instructions from the station staff terminal 106 are processed with priority over function selection operation determined by the station server 105 and function selection operation determined by the higher-level server 108 (Figure 7).

[0075] The station staff terminal 106, operated by the staff member, inquires with the station server 105 about the status of the function selection operation (S801).

[0076] If the station server 105 is in a function selection operation, it can be forcibly terminated by an instruction from the station staff terminal 106 (S802).

[0077] If the station staff terminal 106 needs to forcibly terminate the function selection operation of the station server 105, it instructs the station server 105 to terminate the function selection operation (S803).

[0078] If the station staff terminal 106 forcibly terminates the function selection operation, it notifies the higher-level server 108 that the function selection operation of the station server 105 has been terminated (S804). This allows the higher-level server 108 to accurately understand the operating status of the station server 105 and the station ticket vending machine 102 at that station.

[0079] The station staff terminal 106 can instruct the station server 105 to start function-selective operation if the station server 105 is operating normally (S805).

[0080] When the station staff terminal 106 wants to start function-selective operation, it sets information such as priority function 403, number of specialized units 404, and function time limit 405, and instructs the station server 105 to start function-selective operation (S806).

[0081] When the station staff terminal 106 instructs the station server 105 to start function selection operation, it notifies the higher-level server 108 of the start of function selection operation and the details of its implementation, such as priority function 403, number of specialized units 404, and function time limit 405 (S807).

[0082] If the station staff terminal 106 does not instruct the station server 105 to start function selection operation, it will continue normal operation (S808).

[0083] Figure 9 shows an example of the screen image of the ticket vending machine display 901 while the station ticket vending machine 102 is performing function selection operation. Display content 902 is the section where lights are illuminated, and the color indicates whether a priority function specific to user 101 is currently being performed. For example, red could be used for ticketing services, yellow for concert tickets, and green for banking transactions. If it is not a priority function and is just normal operation, the lights will not illuminate.

[0084] Display content 903 indicates that a priority function is currently in operation and shows the time when the function selection operation for that priority function will end.

[0085] Display item 904 provides instructions on how to use services other than the priority functions.

[0086] Figure 10 shows an image of the station signage 104 providing information about the operating status of the station ticket vending machine 102 while the machine is performing a function selection operation, and an image of how a user 101 might use the station ticket vending machine 102 during that time.

[0087] By viewing the station signage 104, user 101 can select and use a ticket vending machine that can reliably perform the desired transaction. In Example 1, the information is provided on the station signage 104, but the medium is not limited to a digital display; the information can also be written on paper and posted, or delivered to user 101's mobile phone or other device. [Examples]

[0088] Figure 11 shows an example of the overall configuration in Example 2.

[0089] In Example 1, the station server 105 was assumed to be physically located within the station premises. In Example 2, it operates as a station-specific ticket vending machine operation management system on a higher-level server 108 connected to station ticket vending machines 102 and 103 via network 103. The other configurations are the same as the overall configuration example in Example 1 shown in Figure 1, so their explanation will be omitted.

[0090] According to the above embodiment, by selecting and operating the functions of the ticketing terminals according to the congestion level and controlling the number of terminals that can use each function throughout the station, the convenience of station users can be improved.

[0091] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are included. For example, the embodiments described above are explained in detail for the purpose of clearly illustrating the present invention, and are not necessarily limited to those having all the configurations described.

[0092] Furthermore, it is possible to replace parts of the configuration of one embodiment with the configuration of another embodiment, and it is also possible to add configurations from other embodiments to the configuration of one embodiment. In addition, it is possible to add, delete, or replace parts of the configuration of each embodiment with those of other embodiments. Furthermore, information such as programs, tables, and files that realize each configuration can be stored in memory, a recording device such as a hard disk or SSD (Solid State Drive), or a recording medium such as an IC card, SD card, or DVD. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0093] 101 users 102 Station ticket vending machines 103 Network 104 Station Signage 105 Station Server 106 Station staff terminal 107 Station premises camera 108 upper servers 109 Administrative Server 110 Concert Ticket Server 208 Camera Image Processing Unit 209 Ticketing Operations Processing Unit 210 External Services Processing Unit 303 Rules Records Department 306 Congestion Processing Unit 307 Congestion Prediction Section

Claims

1. A ticketing device capable of processing multiple services, A control unit that selects priority services from among multiple services based on congestion level information and limits the services that can be processed, A processing unit that processes the selected priority service, It has, The aforementioned processing unit, A camera image processing unit that processes camera images of the area surrounding the ticket issuing device captured by the camera, The ticketing processing unit that handles train ticketing operations, An external services processing unit that handles external services, and has, The aforementioned camera image processing unit, The congestion level information is generated from the camera images around the ticketing device. The control unit, Based on the aforementioned congestion information, either the ticketing service or the external service is selected as the priority service. The aforementioned ticketing processing unit, The ticketing operations for the train selected as the priority service are handled by: The aforementioned external service processing unit is A ticketing device characterized by processing the external service selected as the priority service.

2. The aforementioned external service processing unit is The ticketing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the aforementioned external services include at least the issuance of concert tickets, banking transactions, or administrative services of government agencies.

3. The control unit, The ticketing device according to claim 1, characterized in that it selects the priority service from among a plurality of services by referring to a rule table that includes application conditions for processing the priority service including the congestion level information, the priority of the service, and the number of ticketing devices that process the service.

4. The ticket issuing device according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit that displays the priority service and the end time of the priority service.

5. Multiple ticketing devices capable of handling multiple services, A ticketing system comprising a higher-level server connected to multiple ticketing devices via a network, The aforementioned ticket issuing device, A control unit that selects priority services from among multiple services based on congestion level information and limits the services that can be processed, It comprises a processing unit that processes the selected preferred service, The aforementioned processing unit, The ticketing processing unit that handles train ticketing operations, An external services processing unit that handles external services, and has, The aforementioned upper-level server, It has a congestion processing unit and a rule recording unit, The aforementioned congestion processing unit, Information on the degree of congestion around the ticket issuing device is generated from the camera images of the area around the ticket issuing device captured by the camera. The aforementioned rule recording unit is A rule table is stored which includes the application conditions for processing the priority service including the congestion level information, the priority of the service, and the number of ticketing devices that process the service. The control unit of the ticket issuing device is The congestion processing unit generates the congestion information and the rule table, and selects the priority service from among the multiple services, and determines the number of ticketing devices to be assigned to the selected priority service. The processing unit of the ticket issuing device is The priority service is processed using the number of ticket issuing devices allocated to the user. The aforementioned ticketing processing unit, The ticketing operations for the train selected as the priority service are handled by: The aforementioned external service processing unit is A ticketing system characterized by processing the external service selected as the priority service.

6. The aforementioned network is further connected to station signage. The aforementioned station signage is The ticketing system according to claim 5, characterized in that each ticketing device guides the user to the services that can be processed.

7. The aforementioned upper-level server, The ticketing system according to claim 5, characterized in that it includes a station server located within the station premises.

8. The aforementioned ticket issuing device, The ticketing system according to claim 5, characterized in that it displays the priority service and the end time of the priority service.

9. A ticketing method using a ticketing device capable of processing multiple services, the device comprising a memory for storing a program for a processing unit and a control unit for executing the program stored in the memory, The control unit performs a control step of selecting a priority service from among the multiple services to be processed preferentially based on congestion information, and restricting the services that can be processed. The processing unit performs a processing step of processing the selected priority service, It has, The processing step described above is: A camera image processing step involves processing camera images of the area surrounding the ticket issuing device captured by the camera, The ticketing process steps for handling train ticketing operations, An external service processing step that processes external services, and has, The aforementioned camera image processing step is: The congestion level information is generated from the camera images around the ticketing device. The control step described above is: Based on the aforementioned congestion information, either the ticketing service or the external service is selected as the priority service. The aforementioned ticketing process step is: The ticketing operations for the train selected as the priority service are handled by: The aforementioned external service processing step is: A ticketing method characterized by processing the external service selected as the priority service.

10. The external service processing step is: The ticketing method according to claim 9, characterized in that the aforementioned external services include at least the issuance of concert tickets, banking transactions, or administrative services of government agencies.

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