JPH03216786A - Ticket sales system for facilities - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the services to users as well as the average availability of each facility by informing the users of the waiting time of each facility. CONSTITUTION:A waiting time control means 2 controls the waiting time of each facility for users, and a guidance means 12 guides the waiting time of each facility based on the control information of the means 2. Thus the users can know the waiting time of each facility. Then the users can use these facilities with higher efficiency and the services to the users are improved. As a result, the user are decentralized to various facilities and the average availability of each facility is improved.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention provides a usage facility selection means for selecting one of a plurality of facilities, and a usage ticket for the facility selected based on information of the usage facility selection means. The present invention relates to a ticket vending system for facilities equipped with a ticket vending machine having a ticket vending means for selling.

[Conventional technology]

In order to improve the efficiency of ticket sales at amusement parks, sports clubs, cultural centers, etc., ticket vending machines are installed that automatically sell tickets for a facility selected from among multiple facilities. There is.

Such ticket vending machines are installed at one location or multiple locations within a facility where multiple facilities with different purposes are provided. The user then presses the facility selection button on the ticket vending machine to select one of the multiple facilities.
The user purchases a ticket for one or more locations in advance, visits each facility in turn, presents the ticket to each facility, and uses the facility.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

However, the above-described method of purchasing a ticket using a ticket vending machine and using the facility has the following problems.

That is, when purchasing a ticket, it is inconvenient that the waiting time until each facility can be used cannot be known in advance.

Also, although I purchased tickets for multiple facilities, it was inconvenient because there were fewer customers at which facility and I was unable to figure out in what order I should visit the facilities in order to use them without waiting. Ta.

In particular, when the venue is crowded, users will be concentrated at popular facilities and waiting times will be long, but on the other hand, there will be a large number of users at less popular or less well-known facilities. It can be used by fewer people and without waiting time.

In addition, even if there are many users and there is a long line of people waiting for their turn, if the facility is only available for one hour or can be used by a large number of users at the same time,
While the waiting time is relatively short, conversely, even if the number of users waiting in line is small, there are facilities that take a long time to use at one time or facilities that cannot be used by many users at once. , the waiting time is relatively long.

In this way, it is difficult for users to keep track of the waiting times for facilities located throughout the venue, and for users who want to use multiple facilities within a limited time, it is difficult At the time of purchase, there was a strong desire to know the waiting times at each facility.

If a particular facility is crowded, it is not possible to know when the ticket can be used at the time of purchase, so you end up wasting your time while waiting, even though you can use other facilities that are open. This was an inconvenience.

Furthermore, for facility managers, despite having mobilized a large number of users to the facility, users are concentrated at popular facilities and long lines are formed, while unpopular facilities...
Alternatively, a situation may arise in which there are almost no users of a facility that is not well known, the utilization rate of the facility is not average, the turnover of users among each facility is poor, and it is not possible to generate profits. there were.

In addition, when users are concentrated at popular facilities and long lines form, human resources are required to issue numbered tickets and guide waiting times, which is not a favorable situation for facility managers.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to inform users of waiting times at facilities in advance,
In addition to improving user services, the goal is to disperse users to each facility, improve average utilization rate, increase the number of users throughout the facility, and save labor within the facility. be.

[Means to solve the problem]

In order to achieve such an object, the first characteristic configuration of the facility ticket vending system according to the present invention includes a waiting time management means for managing the waiting time until each of the plurality of facilities becomes available for use, and a waiting time management means for managing the waiting time until each of the plurality of facilities becomes available. The present invention is further provided with a guide means for guiding the waiting time of each of the facilities based on the management information of the means.

Further, a second characteristic configuration specifies a suitable configuration for implementing the first characteristic configuration, in which each of the facilities is provided with communication means for waiting time information, and the waiting time information is The management means is configured to be able to freely communicate with the communication means,
Another feature is that the waiting time of each of the facilities is managed based on information from the communication means.

Further, a third characteristic configuration specifies a suitable configuration for implementing the first characteristic configuration, and the waiting time management means is configured to specify a suitable configuration for implementing the first characteristic configuration. The point is that it is structured to manage time.

Further, a fourth characteristic configuration specifies a suitable configuration for implementing the first to third characteristic configurations, in which the ticket vending means calculates the usage time that is the current time plus the waiting time. The present invention is configured to be attached to the usage ticket.

Furthermore, the fifth characteristic configuration specifies a suitable configuration for implementing the first to fourth characteristic configurations,
The guide means is provided in each of the ticket vending machines.

[For production]

According to the first characteristic configuration, since the configuration is configured to guide the waiting time of each of the facilities based on the management information of the waiting time management means, the user can By knowing the waiting time of the facility and selecting a facility with a short waiting time, it is possible to eliminate the waste of time caused by the waiting time. In addition, even if you purchase multiple facility tickets, you can use multiple facilities within a limited time without waiting, by using the facilities in order from the one with the shortest waiting time. can be used more efficiently. Furthermore, for facility managers, it is important to have a good flow of users within the facility, to be able to mobilize users not only to popular facilities but also to less popular facilities, and to improve the number of users throughout the facility. I can do it.

In addition, users will choose facilities with the shortest waiting time as possible, which will lead to the decentralization of users to each facility, suppress the concentration of users at specific facilities, and reduce the need for human resources such as issuing numbered tickets. This eliminates the need for labor saving.

According to the second characteristic configuration, each facility is provided with the waiting time information communication means, and is configured to manage the waiting time of each facility by linking with the waiting time management means. Waiting time information from each facility can be automatically input into the waiting time management means,
Compared to conventional methods that were done manually, it is possible to improve work efficiency and save labor.

Further, according to the third characteristic configuration, the waiting time management means is configured to manage the waiting time based on ticket sales information at each facility, so that the waiting time management means is configured to manage the waiting time based on ticket sales information at each facility. The waiting time for each facility can be automatically calculated from the number of tickets sold, which eliminates the need for human intervention and improves work efficiency compared to calculating the waiting time by checking the actual number of queues at each facility. , saving labor.

Furthermore, according to the fourth characteristic configuration, since the available time, which is the current time plus the waiting time, is attached to the ticket, there is no need to separately record the available time for each facility. Moreover, when using a plurality of facilities, it becomes easier to plan the order of facility use, etc.

Furthermore, according to the fifth characteristic configuration, since the guide means is provided in each of the ticket vending machines, it is possible to know the waiting time no matter which ticket vending machine in the venue you purchase a ticket from. In addition, you can also know the waiting time at the facility for which you have already purchased the ticket, which is convenient when you use the facility while going around the venue in order.

〔Effect of the invention〕

Therefore, by informing users of the waiting time at a facility in advance, it is possible to make the use of the facility more convenient and improve user service, while also distributing users to each facility and improving the average utilization rate. As a result, it has become possible to increase the number of users throughout the facility and to save labor within the facility.

〔Example〕

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below based on the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a ticket vending system installed in an amusement park. Each of the plurality of facilities provided in the amusement park is equipped with a terminal device (1) having a communication function as a means of communicating the waiting time information, and a terminal device (1) having a communication function as a means of communicating the waiting time information, and a terminal device (1) having a communication function as a means of communicating the waiting time information and a host computer (2) as the waiting time management means and the data. It is configured to allow communication. In addition, at multiple locations within the amusement park,
A ticket vending machine (3) for selling tickets for each facility is installed, and this ticket vending machine (3) is also equipped with a communication function so as to be able to perform data communication with the host computer (2).

At each facility within the amusement park, data such as the current number of users of the facility and the number of people waiting to use the facility are entered into the terminal at any time.

The data input at each terminal is transmitted to the host computer (2).

This host computer (2) calculates and processes management information such as waiting time for each facility based on facility data such as the number of facility users and the number of people waiting that is transmitted from each terminal. It is configured as follows.

The management information processed by the host computer (2) is transmitted to each of the ticket vending machines (3),
The information is configured to be stored in a storage device provided within the ticket vending machine.

FIG. 4 shows the external configuration of the ticket vending machine. In the figure, at the top of the front of the main unit, there is a schematic map of the entire amusement park, as well as a waiting time display (as a guide means) for guiding the facility name and waiting time for each facility on the map.
4) is provided.

At the center of the front of the main body, a facility selection button (5) is provided with a facility name attached as a facility selection means for selecting each facility and purchasing a ticket.

Furthermore, when a specific facility is selected using the facility selection button (5), the selected facility waiting time display (4) is displayed so as to display the selected facility name and waiting time separately from the waiting time display (4). 6) is provided.

There is a card insertion slot (7) below the facility selection button (5).
A so-called prepaid card is inserted into the card so that a ticket can be purchased.

FIG. 2 shows a control configuration diagram of the ticket vending machine described above.

The control device (8) configured with a microcomputer includes the facility selection button (5) and a card R/W device (described later).
9), a storage device (lO), a printing device (11), a waiting time display device (l2), and a communication interface (13) are connected to the printer.

The card R/W device (9) pulls the card when the card is inserted into the card insertion slot (7), reads the ID code and balance data stored on the card, and also reads the ID code and balance data stored on the card. The card is configured to change the amount of the remaining balance and write it to the card.

The storage device (10) controls print data such as each facility name and fee data to be printed at the time of ticket sales, waiting time information for each facility sent from the host computer (2), and each device. It stores various data such as control programs, and is composed of an IC memory.

The printing device (1l) as the ticket vending means prints the information selected by the facility selection button (5) and the storage device (1l).
It is configured to print and issue a usage ticket based on the print data stored in 0).

A waiting time display device (l2) as the waiting time guide means
) is configured to display the waiting time information for each facility stored in the storage device (IO) on the waiting time display (4) and the waiting time display (6)'' together with the facility name.
It is composed of an L display panel.

The communication interface (l3) is for data communication with the host computer, and is composed of a line termination device and a communication control device, which are connected to a control device (8).
) is configured to be controlled by

The control operation of the entire ticket vending system in this embodiment will be explained based on FIG. In the figure, each step is indicated by a # symbol.

First, in step 1, the waiting time data of each facility is read from the host computer and stored in the storage device (IO), and the waiting time data of each facility is displayed on the waiting time display (4) provided on the map. (Step 2).

Next, it is determined whether the card has been inserted or not, and step 3
If no card is inserted, step 2 and subsequent steps are repeated, and if a card is inserted, it is determined whether or not the inserted card is valid (step 4).

If the card is not valid, the card is returned and the process returns to step 1 (step 20).

If the card is valid, read the stored information such as the ID code and balance data stored on the card (step 5).
), it is determined whether the facility selection button (5) has been operated (step 6).

When the facility selection button (5) is operated, the waiting time of the selected facility is displayed on the selected facility waiting time display (6) (step 7). It is determined whether the waiting time for the selected facility is longer than a preset time (step 8), and if it is longer, a message indicating that ticket sales have been canceled is displayed (step 9).
. Then, it is determined whether or not to reserve the facility (step 10), and if not, the card is returned and the process returns to the start (step 20).

When a reservation button (not shown) instructs to make a reservation, the ID code, facility name, and time data are sent to the host computer as reservation data (step 12).

Next, if it is determined in step 8 that the waiting time is shorter than the facility time, it is determined whether or not to make a reservation (step 11), and if it is instructed to make a reservation, the reservation is made in step 12 as described above. Send data to host computer.

If it is determined not to make a reservation, the usage fee for the selected facility is read out from the storage device (10) (step 13).
), it is determined whether the card balance is equal to or greater than the facility usage fee (step 14). If the balance is below the card balance, return the card and return to the start (Step 1)
9).

If the card balance is greater than or equal to the facility fee, the facility fee is subtracted from the card balance (step 15), and the card R/W device (9) writes the new balance onto the card (step 16).

Next, the current time plus the waiting time is calculated as the usage time of the selected facility (step 17). Then, after printing the facility name and the calculated usage time using the printing device (11), a usage ticket is issued (step l
8, 19), return the card and return to the start (step 20).

[Another example]

4 In the above embodiment, the ticket vending machine system installed in an amusement park was exemplified, but it can also be applied to ticket vending machine systems in sports clubs, various cultural centers, etc.
The specific configuration can be changed in various ways.

The above-mentioned reservation function can also be configured to automatically cancel the reservation once the usage time has elapsed and to correct the waiting time data.

The display of the waiting time on the selected facility waiting time display (6) is such that when there is no ticket purchaser, the waiting time of each facility is displayed sequentially at regular intervals, and when a specific facility selection button (
It is also possible to configure the system to display the waiting time for that facility only when 5) is pressed.

Incidentally, although reference numerals are written in the claims section for convenient comparison with the drawings, the present invention is not limited to the structure shown in the accompanying drawings.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

The drawings show an embodiment of the ticket vending system for facilities according to the present invention, in which Fig. 1 is a system system diagram, Fig. 2 is a control system diagram of the ticket vending machine, Fig. 3 is a flowchart explaining the operation of the system, and Fig. 4 is a flowchart explaining the operation of the system. The figure is an external view of the ticket vending machine, and Figure 5 is an enlarged view of the main parts. (1)...Communication means, (2)...Waiting time management means, (3)...Ticket vending machine, (5)...
...Facility selection means, (11)...Ticket sales means, (12)...Guidance means.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. Facility selection means (5) for selecting one of a plurality of facilities, and a ticket vending machine for selling tickets for the facility selected based on the information of the facility selection means (5). Means (11)
A ticket vending system for a facility, comprising a ticket vending machine (3), comprising: a waiting time management means (2) for managing the waiting time until each of the plurality of facilities becomes available; and a waiting time management means. (2) A ticket vending system for a facility, which is provided with a guide means (12) for guiding the waiting time of each facility based on the management information. 2. The ticket vending system for facilities according to claim 1, wherein each of the facilities is provided with a communication means (1) for waiting time information, and the waiting time management means (2) is provided with a communication means (1) for waiting time information.
1), and the communication means (1)
A ticket vending system for facilities configured to manage waiting times of each of the facilities based on information from the facility. 3. The ticket sales system for a facility according to claim 1, wherein the waiting time management means (2) is configured to manage waiting time based on ticket sales information of each of the facilities. ticket sales system. 4. The ticket vending system for a facility according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the ticket vending means (11) is configured to add a usage time, which is the current time plus a waiting time, to the usage ticket. A ticket vending system for facilities that are 5. The ticket vending system for a facility according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the guide means (12) is provided in each of the ticket vending machines (3).