JP7532169B2 - Communication control device, station service system, and data processing method - Google Patents

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a communication control device, a station service system, and a data processing method.

Conventionally, station service systems have been proposed in which station service processing to be executed by station service equipment is carried out by a center server. In such station service systems, the center server executes station service processing in response to a request from the station service equipment, and the station service equipment operates based on the results of the station service processing. Therefore, the time required for the station service equipment to operate in response to the results of the station service processing is determined by the communication time between the center server and the station service equipment and the processing time in the center server, etc. However, certain station service equipment such as ticket gates require high-speed processing in order to provide smooth operation control (passage control) for users. For this reason, there is a demand for a station service system that can provide station service equipment with the results of station service processing requested by certain station service equipment such as ticket gates with low latency.

JP 2019-46353 A

To solve the above problems, the objective is to provide a communication control device, a station service system, and a data processing method that can quickly provide the results of station service processing required by specific station service equipment.

According to an embodiment, the communication control device has a station service equipment interface, a first server interface, a second server interface, and a processor. The station service equipment interface communicates with a plurality of types of station service equipment. The first server interface communicates with a first server. The second server interface communicates with a second server. The processor transfers, to the second server via the second server interface, a processing request to be executed by the second server among processing requests addressed to the first server received from the station service equipment via the station service equipment interface, and transfers a processing result executed by the second server in response to the processing request to the station service equipment that is the source of the processing request. The processor further transfers, to the first server, a processing result executed by the second server in response to the processing request.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of a station service system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a control system in the center server according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a control system in the high-speed processing server according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a control system in the traffic control device according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a control system in the ticket gate according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a control system in station service equipment according to an embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the operation of station service equipment including a ticket gate according to an embodiment. FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the operation of the traffic control device according to the embodiment. FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the operation of the center server according to the embodiment. FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the operation of the high-speed processing server according to the embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of the overall configuration of a station service system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
A station service system is a system for performing various station service processes for transportation facilities such as railways. The station service system performs station service processes using IDs (identification information) acquired from users by various station service devices. The station service system performs station service processes for users using information associated with the IDs acquired from users (commuter pass information, information that can be used for fare settlement, entry/exit information, etc.). For example, the station service system performs ticket gate processing by having a ticket gate installed at a station etc. settle fares and other charges using IDs acquired from users.

The station service equipment may, for example, obtain the ID from a ticket medium used by the user as a passenger ticket. The ticket medium may be an IC card, mobile terminal, magnetic storage medium, or the like that stores the ID as electronic data, or it may be a printed matter on which an image from which the ID can be read (for example, a barcode image such as a QR code (registered trademark)) is printed, or a mobile terminal on which the ID is displayed. The station service equipment may also obtain the ID directly from the user without using a ticket medium, for example, by authenticating the user with biometric information such as a facial image.

The station service system according to this embodiment is not limited to operations in which the station service equipment acquires an ID, which is unique identification information associated with a user, and is not limited to operations in which the ID is acquired from a specific medium. However, this embodiment will be described assuming that the passenger ticket medium is a contactless IC card (hereinafter simply referred to as an IC card) or a medium displaying a QR code (hereinafter simply referred to as a QR ticket). If the passenger ticket medium is an IC card, the station service equipment will read the ID by communicating with the IC card, and if the passenger ticket medium is a QR ticket, the station service equipment will read the QR code indicating the ID printed on the ticket.

Next, the configuration of the station service system according to the embodiment will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, the station service system includes a center server (first server) 1, a high-speed processing server (second server) 2, a communication control device 3, a communication device 4, a ticket gate 5, a ticket vending machine 6, a commuter pass issuing machine 7, a fare adjustment machine 8, and a counter processing machine 9. The ticket gate 5, the ticket vending machine 6, the commuter pass issuing machine 7, the fare adjustment machine 8, and the counter processing machine 9 are station service equipment that performs station service processing for users who hold a ticket medium that stores identification information. Each station service equipment is connected to the communication control device 3 via a base station that supports high-speed communication. For example, each station service equipment is connected to the communication control device 3 by high-speed wireless communication via a base station that supports high-speed wireless communication such as 5G. In addition, the communication control device 3 is connected to the high-speed processing server 2. The communication control device 3 and the high-speed processing server 2 are connected by a high-speed communication line. Furthermore, the communication control device 3 is connected to the center server 1 via a network.

The center server 1 is a central processing server that handles the processing and data management of the entire station service system. For example, the center server 1 is configured from a general-purpose server device with a large-capacity storage device. The center server 1 may also be configured from multiple server devices. The center server 1 receives processing requests from each piece of station service equipment and executes the requested processing. The center server 1 returns the results of the processing executed in response to the processing requests from each piece of station service equipment to the station service equipment.

The center server 1 has a database that holds information necessary for station service processing, including the results of processing by each station service device, in association with the identification information (ID) of the ticket medium held by the user. For example, the center server 1 holds the latest station service information by recording in the database the results of processing performed in response to processing requests from each station service device as needed. In addition, when the center server 1 receives the results of entry/exit processing at the ticket gate 5 from the high-speed processing server 2, it stores the processing results received from the high-speed processing server in the database.

The high-speed processing server 2 is a server that performs entry and exit processing. The high-speed processing server 2 is a server device that supports high-speed communication. The high-speed processing server 2 is connected to the ticket gates 5 via the communication control device 3. In other words, the high-speed processing server 2 performs high-speed communication with the ticket gates 5 via the communication control device 3. The high-speed processing server 2 is also connected to the center server 1 via the communication control device 3.

The high-speed processing server 2 has the function of executing processing in response to processing requests from each station service equipment and returning the processing results to the station service equipment. For example, the high-speed processing server 2 receives information addressed to the center server, including the identification information (ID) of the ticket medium, from the ticket gate 5 via the communication control device 3. The high-speed processing server 2 obtains information corresponding to the ID received from the ticket gate 5 from the center server 1, and executes processing such as passage determination based on the information corresponding to the ID. The high-speed processing server 2 transmits the processing results for the information from the ticket gate 5 to the ticket gate 5 and the center server 1 via the communication control device 3.

The communication control device 3 is provided between the communication device 4 to which each station service equipment is connected and the center server 1. The communication control device 3 is also connected to the high-speed processing server 2. The communication control device 3 receives data from the station service equipment via the communication device 4 and transfers it to the center server 1 or the high-speed processing server 2. The communication control device 3 transfers data (packets) that satisfy a specific condition among data destined for the center server 1 to the high-speed processing server 2. The communication control device 3 transfers data other than data that satisfies the specific condition to a specified destination. The specific condition is a condition for selecting data to be processed by the high-speed processing server 2. For example, the communication control device 3 transfers data destined for the center server 1 from the ticket gate 5 to the high-speed processing server 2. In addition, the communication control device 3 may transfer data sent from the ticket gate 5 to the center server 1 to the high-speed processing server 2 when a preset condition is satisfied, and transfer data sent from the ticket gate 5 to the center server 1 to the center server 1 when the preset condition is not satisfied.

The communication device 4 is connected for communication with station service equipment within a specified range. The communication device 4 is also connected to the communication control device 3. For example, the communication device 4 transfers data from the station service equipment addressed to a center server to the communication control device 3, and transfers data from the communication control device 3 addressed to the station service equipment to the station service equipment.

Here, the communication device 4 may be a base station for wireless communication with each station service equipment. The communication device 4 as a wireless base station transmits and receives data with the station service equipment via wireless communication. In this case, the communication device (base station) 4 constitutes a system that wirelessly communicates with each station service equipment within its communication range. For example, if wireless communication with the station service equipment is wireless communication using a fifth generation mobile communication system (5G), the communication device 4 may be a base station for 5G, the communication control device 3 may be a UPF (User Plane Function), and the high-speed processing server may be a MEC (Mobile Edge Computing) to constitute a station service system.

The ticket gate 5 is one of the station service equipment. The ticket gate 5 performs entry/exit processing (entry processing or exit processing) according to the ticket medium presented by the user. Like other station service equipment, the ticket gate 5 transmits a processing request for entry/exit processing, including identification information of the ticket medium, to the center server 1, and receives the processing result of the entry/exit processing. In the configuration example shown in FIG. 1, the ticket gate 5 transmits data addressed to the center server 1 to the communication control device 3 via the communication device 4. For example, when the entry/exit processing is performed by the high-speed processing server 2, the communication control device 3 transfers data addressed to the center server 1 from the ticket gate 5 to the high-speed processing server 2, and transmits the processing result by the high-speed processing server 2 to the ticket gate 5. As a result, the ticket gate 5 controls the passage of users based on the processing result of the entry/exit processing by the high-speed processing server 2 obtained via the communication control device 3 and the communication device 4.

The ticket vending machine 6 is a station service device that issues a medium (passenger ticket medium) that can be used as a passenger ticket by communicating with the center server 1 via the communication device 4 and the communication control device 3. The ticket vending machine 6 issues a passenger ticket with the contents specified by the user according to the amount received from the user. For example, the ticket vending machine 6 records an ID that can be used as a passenger ticket on the passenger ticket medium (such as an IC card or a mobile terminal) held by the user. The ticket vending machine 6 requests the center server 1 to process the passenger ticket according to the information entered by the user, and issues a passenger ticket medium on which an ID that can be used as a passenger ticket is recorded according to the processing result in the center server 1. The center server 1 also records information about the passenger ticket issued by the ticket vending machine 6 (passenger ticket information) in association with the ID of the passenger ticket medium.

The commuter pass issuing machine 7 is a station service device for issuing commuter passes (passenger ticket medium) by communicating with the center server 1 via the communication device 4 and the communication control device 3. The commuter pass issuing machine 7 issues commuter passes with contents specified by the user according to the amount received from the user. For example, the commuter pass issuing machine 7 records an ID that can be used as a commuter pass on a ticket medium (such as an IC card or a mobile terminal) used as a commuter pass held by the user. The commuter pass issuing machine 7 requests the center server 1 to issue a commuter pass according to information entered by the user, and issues a ticket medium on which an ID that can be used as a commuter pass is recorded according to the processing result in the center server 1. The center server 1 also records information about the commuter pass issued by the commuter pass issuing machine 7 (commuter pass information) and user information, etc., in association with the ID to be recorded on the ticket medium used as a commuter pass.

The fare adjustment machine 8 is a station service device that performs settlement processing for passenger tickets or commuter passes for IDs acquired from users by communicating with the center server 1 via the communication device 4 and the communication control device 3. The fare adjustment machine 8 may also perform a process of charging the usable amount associated with the ID used by the user as a settlement process. For example, the fare adjustment machine 8 requests the center server 1 to perform settlement processing for fares, etc. for the ID acquired from the user, and executes the settlement processing according to the processing results in the center server 1. The center server 1 records information indicating the results of the settlement processing executed by the fare adjustment machine 8 in association with the user's ID.

The counter processing machine 9 performs station service processes such as ticket issuing and fare adjustment through operation by station staff in response to requests from users. The counter processing machine 9 is installed, for example, in the staff counter at each station. In response to a request from a user, the counter processing machine 9 requests the center server 1 to perform station service processes for that user's ID, and executes the station service processes according to the results of the processing at the center server 1. The center server 1 records information showing the results of the station service processes executed by the counter processing machine 9 in association with the ID that was the subject of the processing.

Next, the configuration of the center server 1 according to the embodiment will be described.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a control system in the center server 1 according to the embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 2, the center server 1 includes a processor 11, a ROM 12, a RAM 13, a storage unit 14, a communication unit 15, and the like.
The processor 11 is responsible for controlling the entire center server 1. The processor 11 is, for example, a CPU. The processor 11 operates based on various programs stored in the ROM 12 or the storage unit 14 to realize various functions. The ROM 12 is a non-volatile memory in which programs, control data, etc. are stored in advance. For example, the ROM 12 functions as a program memory. The RAM 13 is a volatile memory that functions as a working memory. The RAM 13 functions as a buffer memory that temporarily stores data, etc., being processed by the processor 11. The RAM 13 also functions as a buffer for temporarily storing data to be transmitted and received by the communication unit 15.

The memory unit 14 is a rewritable non-volatile memory device. The memory unit 14 is composed of, for example, a non-volatile memory device such as an HDD or SSD, on which data can be written and rewritten. The memory unit 14 stores programs, control data, setting information, and the like. The memory unit 14 also has a database that stores information necessary for station business processing for each user ID, such as the ID recorded on the ticket medium. For example, the database stores payment information (available electronic money balance (SF information), credit card information available for payment, etc.), commuter pass information (information such as validity period and valid section), entry/exit status information, personal information, and the like, in association with the ID.

The communication unit 15 is a communication interface for performing data communication with each device via the network. For example, the communication unit 15 communicates with each station service device (automatic ticket gates, ticket vending machines, commuter pass issuing machines, fare adjustment machines, counter processing machines, etc.) via the communication control device 3 and the communication device 4. The communication unit 15 also performs data communication with the high-speed processing server 2 via the communication control device 3.

Next, the configuration of the high speed processing server 2 according to the embodiment will be described.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a control system in the high-speed processing server 2 according to the embodiment.
According to the configuration example shown in FIG. 3, the high speed processing server 2 includes a processor 21, a ROM 22, a RAM 23, a storage unit 24, a communication unit 25, and the like.
The processor 21 is responsible for overall control of the high-speed processing server 2. The processor 21 is, for example, a CPU. The processor 21 operates based on various programs stored in the ROM 22 or the storage unit 24 to realize various functions.

The ROM 22 is a non-volatile memory in which programs, control data, etc. are stored in advance. For example, the ROM 22 functions as a program memory. The RAM 23 is a volatile memory that functions as a working memory. The RAM 23 functions as a buffer memory that temporarily stores data being processed by the processor 21. The RAM 23 also functions as a buffer for temporarily storing data to be transmitted and received by the communication unit 25.

The memory unit 24 is a rewritable non-volatile storage device. The memory unit 24 is configured, for example, with a non-volatile storage device such as an HDD or SSD, on which data can be written and rewritten. The memory unit 24 also has a database that is synchronized with the database of the center server 1. For example, when the high-speed processing server 2 executes entrance/exit processing at the ticket gate 5, the memory unit 24 is provided with a database that stores data used for the entrance/exit processing, and is synchronized with the data of the center server 1.

The communication unit 25 is an interface for performing data communication with the station service equipment and the center server 1 via the communication control device 3. The communication unit 25 is configured to perform high-speed (low-latency) communication with specific station service equipment (e.g., ticket gates) via the communication control device 3 and the communication device 4. In other words, the communication unit 25 is configured so that communication between the high-speed processing server 2 and the station service equipment is faster than communication between the center server 1 and the station service equipment.

Next, the configuration of the communication control device 3 according to the embodiment will be described.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a control system in the communication control device 3 according to the embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 4, the communication control device 3 has a processor 31, a ROM 32, a RAM 33, a memory unit 34, a station equipment interface (I/F) 35, a high-speed processing server interface (I/F) 36, a center server interface (I/F) 37, and the like.

The processor 31, ROM 32, and RAM 33 function as a control unit that controls the entire communication control device 3. The processor 31 includes an arithmetic circuit such as a CPU. The processor 31 realizes various processing functions by executing programs stored in the ROM 32 or the memory unit 34. The ROM 32 is a non-volatile memory and functions as a program memory. The ROM 32 stores programs and control data executed by the processor 31. The RAM 33 functions as a working memory that persistently holds data. The RAM 33 loads programs and holds data being processed by the processor 31. The RAM 33 also functions as a buffer memory that temporarily holds communication data, etc.

The storage unit 34 is a memory that stores data. The storage unit 34 includes a rewritable non-volatile memory such as an HDD or SSD. The storage unit 34 also stores various setting information (for example, conditions for transferring data to the high-speed processing server 2). The storage unit 34 may also store programs that the processor 41 can execute, and may also store various setting information, etc.

The station service equipment interface 35, the high-speed processing server interface (second server interface) 36, and the center server interface (first server interface) 37 constitute a communication unit. The station service equipment I/F 35 is an interface that is communicatively connected to the station service equipment via the communication device 4. The station service equipment I/F 35 transmits data to the station service equipment and receives data from the station service equipment via the communication device 4. Each interface can be configured as a communication unit that communicates via a network or a communication unit that communicates by wireless communication.

The high-speed processing server I/F 36 is an interface connected to the high-speed processing server 2. The high-speed processing server I/F 36 transmits data to the high-speed processing server 2 or receives data from the high-speed processing server 2. For example, based on the control of the processor 31, the high-speed processing server I/F 36 transfers data to be processed by the high-speed processing server 2 among the data received from the station service equipment by the station service equipment I/F 35 to the high-speed processing server 2. Also, based on the control of the processor 31, the high-speed processing server I/F 36 supplies data received from the high-speed processing server 2 to the station service equipment I/F 35 and the center server I/F 37.

The center server I/F 37 is an interface for communicating with the center server 1. In the configuration example shown in FIG. 1, the center server I/F 37 is connected to communicate with the center server 1 via a network. For example, based on the control of the processor 31, the center server I/F 37 transfers to the center server 1 data that should be processed by the center server 1, among the data received from the station service equipment by the station service equipment I/F 35.

Next, the configuration of the ticket gate 5 according to the embodiment will be described.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a control system in the ticket gate 5 according to the embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 5, the ticket gate 5 includes a processor 51, a ROM 52, a RAM 53, a memory unit 54, a communication unit 55, an ID acquisition unit 56, a human detection sensor 57, a display unit 58, and a passage control mechanism 59.

The processor 51, ROM 52, and RAM 53 function as a main control unit that controls the entire ticket gate 5. The processor 51 includes, for example, an arithmetic circuit such as a CPU. The processor 51 realizes various processing functions by executing programs stored in the ROM 52 or the memory unit 54.

The ROM 52 is a non-volatile memory that functions as a program memory and stores programs executed by the processor 41, control data, and the like.
The RAM 53 functions as a working memory that temporarily stores data. The RAM 53 loads programs and stores data being processed by the processor 41. The RAM 53 also functions as a buffer memory that temporarily stores communication data and the like.
The storage unit 54 is a memory that stores data and includes a rewritable non-volatile memory such as an HDD or an SSD.

The communication unit 55 is a communication interface for performing data communication with the high-speed processing server 2 or the center server 1 via the communication device 4 and the communication control device 3. The communication unit 55 may be any unit that communicates with the communication device 4, and may be a wired communication interface or a wireless communication interface. When the ticket gate 5 and the communication device 4 are configured to communicate wirelessly, the communication unit 55 is configured as a wireless communication interface for wireless communication with the communication device 4 as a wireless base station.

The ID acquisition unit 56 acquires an ID from a user. In the case where the ID is read from an IC card held by the user (when the passenger ticket medium is a contactless IC card), the ID acquisition unit 56 is configured as a card reader that reads the ID from the IC card held by the user. In the case where the ID is read from a two-dimensional code displayed on a medium held by the user (when the passenger ticket medium is a QR ticket), the ID acquisition unit 56 is a reading device that reads a two-dimensional code displayed on a medium (printed matter or display) presented by the user. In the case where the ID corresponding to the user is acquired through personal authentication such as facial recognition, the ID acquisition unit 56 is configured as a personal authentication unit such as a facial authentication unit.

The human detection sensor 57 is a sensor that detects a person passing through a passage (ticket gate) formed by the ticket gate 5. The processor 51 detects the approach of a person, the passage of a person through the passage, and the exit of a person from the passage based on the detection result of the human detection sensor 57.
The display unit 58 is composed of a display device that displays guidance to the user, etc. The guidance displayed on the display unit 58 is controlled by the processor 51. The processor 51 controls the display on the display unit 58 according to the processing status. For example, the display unit 58 displays a guidance indicating that the user is permitted to pass when the user is permitted to pass, and displays a guidance indicating that the user is not permitted to pass when the user is not permitted to pass.

The passage control mechanism 59 controls the passage of users. The passage control mechanism 59 has doors for blocking passage through the passage formed by the ticket gate 5 and an opening/closing mechanism for opening and closing the doors. The passage control mechanism 59 opens and closes the doors using the opening/closing mechanism in response to instructions from the processor 51. For example, the processor 51 opens and closes the doors in response to the results of the entry/exit process (whether or not the user is permitted to pass) for the ID acquired from the user.

Next, the configuration of station service equipment other than the ticket gate 5, such as the ticket vending machine 6, commuter pass issuing machine 7, fare adjustment machine 8, and counter processing machine 9, will be described.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a control system in a ticket vending machine 6 as an example of station service equipment other than the ticket gate 5.
In the configuration example shown in Figure 6, the ticket vending machine 6 as station service equipment has a processor 61, a ROM 62, a RAM 63, a memory unit 64, a communication unit 65, an ID acquisition unit 66, an operation unit 67, a display unit 68, and a ticket issuance processing unit 69.

The processor 61, ROM 62, and RAM 63 function as a control unit that controls the entire device. The processor 61 includes an arithmetic circuit such as a CPU. The processor 61 realizes various processing functions by executing programs stored in the ROM 62 or the storage unit 64. The ROM 62 is a non-volatile memory and functions as a program memory. The ROM 62 stores programs executed by the processor 61, control data, etc. The RAM 63 functions as a working memory that temporarily holds data. The RAM 63 loads programs and holds data being processed by the processor 61. The RAM 63 also functions as a buffer memory that temporarily holds communication data, etc.

The storage unit 64 is a memory that stores data. The storage unit 64 includes a rewritable non-volatile memory such as an HDD or SSD. For example, the storage unit 64 stores data information received from the high-speed processing server 2. The storage unit 64 may also store a program executable by the processor 61, or may store information used for various judgments.
The communication unit 65 is a communication interface for performing data communication with the center server 1 via the communication device 4 and the communication control device 3. The communication unit 65 may be any unit that communicates with the communication device 4, and may be an interface for wired communication or an interface for wireless communication.

The operation unit 67 is composed of various operation keys or a touch panel. The operation unit 67 is operated by a user or a staff member. The display unit 68 is composed of a display device and the like. The display unit 68 displays operation guidance or the processing status. For example, the operation unit 67 and the display unit 68 are composed of a display device equipped with a touch panel.

The ticket issuing processing unit 69 is an example of a station service processing unit that allows station service equipment to operate according to the results of station service processing. The ticket issuing processing unit 69 in the ticket vending machine 6 issues a passenger ticket medium on which an ID that can be used as a passenger ticket is recorded. For example, the commuter pass issuing machine 7 has a station service processing unit that issues a passenger ticket medium on which an ID that can be used as a commuter pass is recorded. The fare adjustment machine 8 has a station service processing unit that includes a processing mechanism for adjusting fares, etc.

Next, the operation of the station service system according to the embodiment will be described.
In the station service system according to this embodiment, each station service device transmits a request for station service processing to the center server 1 and obtains the processing results for the request. When the center server 1 receives a processing request from the station service device, it executes processing according to the processing request and outputs the processing results. However, some of the station service processing requested by the station service device requires a high-speed response, such as processing for entering and exiting through a ticket gate. For station service processing that requires a high-speed response, the sequence in which the center server 1 executes processing in response to a request from the station service device may not be able to achieve the desired processing speed.

This station service system has the high-speed processing server 2 execute station service processes that require a high-speed response instead of the center server 1. The station service processes to be executed by the high-speed processing server 2 are selected by the communication control device 3. The communication control device 3 transfers to the high-speed processing server 2 the processing requests for station service processes that should be executed by the high-speed processing server 2 out of the processing requests for station service equipment sent from the station service equipment to the center server. The high-speed processing server 2 executes station service processes in response to the processing requests transferred by the communication control device 3, and transmits the processing results to the station service equipment that sent them. The processing results by the high-speed processing server 2 are also transmitted to the center server 1 via the communication control device 3. In this case, the station service equipment operates based on the processing results from the high-speed processing server 2, and the center server 1 records the processing results by the high-speed processing server 2.

Below, as an example of the operation of the station service system, an operation example will be described in which station service processing requested by station service equipment other than ticket gates is executed by the center server 1, and entrance/exit processing requested by the ticket gates 5 is executed by the high-speed processing server 2. Furthermore, in the operation example described below, even for entrance/exit processing requested by the ticket gates 5, the high-speed processing server 2 will execute it if the transfer conditions are met, and the center server 1 will execute it if the transfer conditions are not met.

Next, the operation of the ticket gate 5 according to the embodiment will be described.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the operation of the ticket gate 5 in this station service system.
The processor 51 of the ticket gate 5 detects the approach of a user based on a detection signal from the human detection sensor 57, etc. When it detects that a user has entered the passageway, the processor 51 acquires an ID from the user using the ID acquisition unit 56 (S11). For example, when reading an ID from an IC card serving as a passenger ticket medium, the processor 51 reads the ID from the IC card held by the user using the ID acquisition unit 56 functioning as a card reader. Also, when reading an ID from a QR ticket serving as a passenger ticket medium, the processor 51 reads the ID from a QR code (two-dimensional code) displayed on the medium presented by the user using the ID acquisition unit 56 functioning as a code reader.

When the processor 51 acquires the ID from the user, it sends an execution request (processing request) for the entry/exit process for that ID to the center server 1 in order to determine whether the user is permitted to pass (S12). The processor 51 generates an execution request for the entry/exit process that includes the ID acquired by the ID acquisition unit 56 and determination environment information (information for determining passage, such as station information). For example, the processor 51 sets the IP address of the center server 1 as the destination for the generated execution request data, and transmits packet data in which the address of the ticket gate 5 is set as the source to the communication device 4. The processor 51 may also set a flag in the packet data that includes the execution request for the entry/exit process to indicate that the source is the ticket gate.

After sending the request to execute the entry/exit process, the processor 51 receives the processing result of the requested entry/exit process from the communication device 4 via the communication unit 55 as a response to the request to execute the entry/exit process (S13). Here, the processing result received by the ticket gate 5 may be the result of the entry/exit process executed by the high-speed processing server 2, or the result of the entry/exit process executed by the center server 1.

When the processor 51 receives the result of the entry/exit process, the processor 51 displays the result on the display unit 58 (S14), and controls the passage of the user according to the processing result with the passage control mechanism 59 (S15). For example, if the processor 51 allows the user to pass based on the result of the entry/exit process, the processor 51 displays a message indicating that passage is permitted on the display unit 58, and opens the door with the passage control mechanism 59 to encourage the user to pass. On the other hand, if the processor 51 does not allow the user to pass based on the result of the entry/exit process, the processor 51 displays a message indicating that passage is not permitted on the display unit 58, and closes the door with the passage control mechanism 59 to prohibit the user from passing.

In the above operation example, the operation of the ticket gate 5 was explained, but other station service equipment also sends a request to execute station service processing to the center server and operates based on the processing results obtained as a response to the execution request.

Next, the operation of the communication control device 3 according to the embodiment will be described.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the operation of the communication control device 3.
In the communication control device 3, the station service equipment I/F 35 receives a request to execute station service processing (processing request) addressed to the center server 1 from each station service equipment via the communication device 4. When the station service equipment I/F 35 receives a processing request from the station service equipment (S21, YES), the processor 31 determines whether the sender of the received processing request is the ticket gate 5 or not (S22). The processor 31 determines whether the sender is the ticket gate 5 or not based on the sender address. The processor 31 may also determine whether the sender is the ticket gate 5 or not based on a flag set in the processing request data.

If the sender of the received processing request is not the ticket gate 5, that is, if the processing request is from station service equipment other than the ticket gate 5 (S22, NO), the processor 31 transfers the processing request to the center server 1 via the center server I/F 37 (S23). For example, the processor 31 transmits the processing request from the station service equipment to the center server 1 via the center server I/F 37 while leaving the destination address in the processing request from the station service equipment as the address of the center server 1.

If the sender of the received processing request is the ticket gate 5 (S22, YES), the processor 31 determines whether or not to transfer the processing requested by the ticket gate 5 (entrance/exit processing) to the high-speed processing server 2 (S24). The processor 31 decides whether or not to transfer the processing request from the ticket gate 5 to the high-speed processing server 2 based on the transfer conditions. The transfer conditions may be set by the administrator, or may be set by instructions from the center server 1. In addition, whether or not to transfer the processing request from the ticket gate 5 to the high-speed processing server 2 may be specified by input from the administrator, or may be specified by the center server 1.

For example, the transfer condition is stored in the memory unit 34. The transfer condition may be a time period set in advance, or may be a threshold value for the execution status of processing in the station service system. In the former case, the processor 31 transfers the processing request for entry/exit processing requested by the ticket gate 5 to the high-speed processing server 2 during the time period set as the transfer condition. In the latter case, the transfer condition is set, for example, as a threshold value for the reception frequency of the execution request for entry/exit processing from the ticket gate 5. In this case, the processor 31 may transfer the processing request from the ticket gate 5 to the high-speed processing server 2 when the reception frequency of the processing request from the ticket gate 5 exceeds the threshold value as the transfer condition.

If the processing request from the ticket gate 5 is not to be transferred to the high-speed processing server 2 (S24, NO), the processor 31 transfers the processing request to the center server 1 via the center server I/F 37 (S23). In this case, the processor 31 transfers the processing request to the center server 1 via the center server I/F 37 while leaving the destination address in the processing request as the address of the center server 1, just like processing requests from other station service equipment.

When the processing request from the ticket gate 5 is to be transferred to the high-speed processing server 2 (S24, YES), the processor 31 transfers the processing request to the high-speed processing server 2 via the high-speed processing server I/F 36 (S25). In this case, the processor 31 sets the destination of the processing request to the high-speed processing server 2, and transmits the processing request to the high-speed processing server via the high-speed processing server I/F 36.

In addition, the communication control device 3 receives the processing results (processing results addressed to station service equipment) from the center server 1 or high-speed processing server 2 at any time in response to processing requests from each station service equipment via the center server I/F 37 and the high-speed processing server I/F 36. When a processing result addressed to the station service equipment is received (S26, YES), the processor 31 determines whether or not the processing result has been received from the high-speed processing server 2 (S27).

When the processor 31 receives the processing result addressed to the station service equipment from the center server 1 via the center server I/F 37 (S27, NO), the processor 31 transfers the processing result to the destination station service equipment via the station service equipment I/F 35 (S28). Also, when the processor 31 receives the processing result addressed to the station service equipment from the high-speed processing server 2 via the high-speed processing server I/F 36 (S27, YES), the processor 31 transfers the processing result to the destination station service equipment via the station service equipment I/F 35 and also transfers the processing result to the center server 1 via the center server I/F 37 (S29).

According to the above operational example, the communication control device can transfer to the high-speed processing server the processing requests from the ticket gates among the processing requests addressed to the center server from each station service equipment. Furthermore, the communication control device has a function to determine whether or not to transfer the processing request from the ticket gates to the high-speed processing server. In other words, the communication control device not only unconditionally transfers all processing requests from the ticket gates to the high-speed processing server, but can also control the transfer to the high-speed processing server or the center server depending on the settings.

Next, the operation of the center server 1 according to the embodiment will be described.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the operation of the center server 1.
The center server 1 accepts processing requests from each station equipment while the station service system is operating. That is, the processor 11 of the center server 1 receives processing requests from each station equipment through the communication unit 15. When a processing request is received from a station equipment (S31, YES), the processor 11 of the center server 1 executes station service processing for the ID included in the processing request in response to the received processing request (S32). For example, the processor 11 acquires information corresponding to the ID included in the processing request from a database that stores information necessary for station service processing provided in the storage unit 14, and executes the requested station service processing based on the acquired information and information received from the station equipment together with the processing request. For example, when a processing request for fare settlement processing is received from the fare adjustment machine 8 as station service processing, the processor 11 executes settlement processing based on information corresponding to the ID received together with the processing request and judgment environment information such as the settlement station.

When the requested processing is completed, the processor 11 transmits the processing result to the station service equipment that sent the processing request (S33). For example, the processor 11 transmits response data indicating the processing result to the station service equipment via the communication unit 15, with the sender address of the received processing request (the address of the sender station service equipment) set as the destination address. In addition, when the requested processing is completed, the processor 11 registers (updates) the executed processing result in the database of the memory unit 14 in association with the ID (S34).

In addition, while the system is in operation, the center server 1 accepts the processing results of the station business processing executed by the high-speed processing server 2 in response to a processing request for entry/exit processing from the ticket gate 5 (S35). That is, the processor 11 of the center server 1 receives the processing results of the station business processing executed by the high-speed processing server 2 via the communication unit 15. When the processing results of the high-speed processing server 2 are received (S35, YES), the processor 11 of the center server 1 registers (updates) the received processing results in the database of the memory unit 14 in association with the ID (S36).

When the processor 11 receives the processing result from the high-speed processing server 2 (S35, YES), the processor 11 further checks whether the received processing result has been used improperly (S37). For example, the processor 11 can check for improper use by searching for improper use of the ID by comparing it with other processing results or by searching the ID in a blacklist. When improper use is confirmed in the received processing result, or when improper use of the ID included in the processing result is suspected (S37, YES), the processor 11 stores the ID as an ID that has been used improperly (S38). This makes it possible to prohibit entry and exit using the ID after information indicating the improperly used ID has been synchronized with each high-speed processing server 2.

As in the configuration example shown in Figure 1, this station service system may be provided with multiple high-speed processing servers 2. In a station service system including multiple high-speed processing servers 2, the center server 1 and each high-speed processing server 2 perform synchronization processing. Since each of the multiple high-speed processing servers 2 synchronizes with the center server 1, the synchronization timing does not match perfectly. Therefore, each high-speed processing server 2 may be subject to fraudulent use due to a time lag in synchronization between the other high-speed processing servers 2 and the center server 1.

For example, a QR ticket as a passenger ticket medium may be illegally duplicated. If an illegally duplicated QR ticket is presented at multiple different ticket gates (different ticket gates connected to the high-speed processing servers 2) at the same time, each high-speed processing server may not be able to detect multiple uses of the same ID due to a synchronization lag, and may allow illegal entry. Such illegal use can be detected as illegal use when the center server 1 receives the processing results of the entry/exit process for the same ID from the multiple high-speed processing servers 2.

In other words, processor 11 can determine whether there has been any fraudulent use by checking whether there is any history of fraudulent use with the same ID as the ID included in the received processing result. For example, if the same ID is used to enter at the same time, processor 11 records that ID as an ID that has been used fraudulently. This makes it possible to prevent entry with that ID, etc., and to respond to fraudulent use (IDs suspected of fraudulent use).

Next, the operation of the high speed processing server 2 will be described.
FIG. 7 is a flow chart for explaining an example of the operation of the high speed processing server 2. As shown in FIG.
Here, the high-speed processing server 2 synchronizes in real time with the center server 1 information required for station service processing such as entry/exit processing, including information related to the ID to be processed. However, since the high-speed processing server 2 gives priority to executing station service processing requested by station service equipment such as entry/exit processing, the high-speed processing server 2 postpones synchronization processing with the center server 1 during the execution of station service processing such as entry/exit processing.

The high-speed processing server 2 receives processing requests from ticket gates (station service devices) transferred from the communication control device 3 at any time. When a processing request is received from a ticket gate (S41, YES), the processor 21 of the high-speed processing server 2 executes station service processing for the ID received together with the processing request (S42). For example, the processor 21 executes entry/exit processing as the requested station service processing based on the information corresponding to the ID received together with the processing request and the judgment environment information (entrance/exit station name, etc.) received together with the processing request.

When the requested processing is completed, the processor 21 of the high-speed processing server 2 uses the communication unit 25 to send information indicating the processing result to the station service equipment that sent the processing request as the destination (S43). Here, the processor 21 of the high-speed processing server 2 may also send information indicating the processing result to the center server 1.

In the station service system according to the embodiment as described above, the passage control device transfers the processing request for entry/exit processing from the ticket gate addressed to the center server to the high-speed processing server, and transfers the processing results at the high-speed processing server to the ticket gate that sent the processing request. The passage control device also transfers the processing results at the high-speed processing server to the center server. As a result, in the station service system according to the embodiment, the high-speed processing server can process the entry/exit processing requested by the ticket gate at high speed instead of the center server, and the processing results can be provided to the ticket gate that requested the entry/exit processing at high speed and with low latency. Furthermore, in the station service system according to the embodiment, the center server executes all processing other than the entry/exit processing from the ticket gate, thereby reducing the processing load on the high-speed processing server and achieving energy savings.

Furthermore, according to the station service system of the embodiment, the traffic control device can also transfer the processing request for entry/exit processing from the ticket gate to the high-speed processing server when the forwarding conditions are met. This eliminates the need for the high-speed processing server and the center server to be constantly synchronized, and it is also possible to synchronize the high-speed processing server and the center server when the forwarding conditions are met depending on a specific time period or execution status, etc., and have the high-speed processing server execute the processing.

Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples 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 can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims.
The following is a summary of the contents of the claims as originally filed in this application.
[1]
A station equipment interface that communicates with multiple types of station equipment;
a first server interface for communicating with the first server;
a second server interface for communicating with a second server;
a processor that transfers, via the second server interface, a processing request to be executed by the second server among processing requests addressed to a first server received from the station service equipment via the station service equipment interface to the second server, and transfers a processing result executed by the second server in response to the processing request to the station service equipment that is a source of the processing request;
A communication control device having the above configuration.
[2]
The processor transfers a processing request addressed to the first server, which is received from a ticket gate, to the second server.
The communication control device according to [1].
[3]
The communication control device according to claim 1, wherein the processor transfers a processing request addressed to a first server received from a ticket gate to the second server when a transfer condition is satisfied, and transfers other processing requests to the first server.
[4]
The processor further transfers a result of the processing executed by the second server in response to the processing request to the first server.
The communication control device according to [1].
[5]
A station service system including a communication control device and a second server,
The communication control device includes:
A station equipment interface that communicates with multiple types of station equipment;
a first server interface for communicating with the first server;
a second server interface for communicating with a second server;
a first processor that transfers, via the second server interface, a processing request to be executed by the second server among processing requests addressed to the first server and received from the station service equipment via the station service equipment interface, to the second server, and transfers a processing result executed by the second server in response to the processing request to the station service equipment that is a source of the processing request;
The second server comprises:
A communication unit connected to the communication control device;
a second processor that executes a process in response to a processing request addressed to a first server and transferred from the communication control device, and transmits a processing result of the process executed in response to the processing request to the communication control device;
Station service system.
[6]
the first processor transfers a processing request addressed to the first server, received from a ticket gate, to the second server;
The station service system described in [5] above.
[7]
the first processor transfers a processing request addressed to the first server received from a ticket gate to the second server when a transfer condition is satisfied, and transfers other processing requests to the first server;
The station service system described in [5] above.
[8]
The first processor further transfers to the first server a result of the processing executed by the second server in response to the processing request.
The station service system described in [5] above.
[9]
A data processing method for use in a station service system including a communication control device and a second server,
The communication control device transfers, to the second server, a processing request to be executed by the second server among processing requests addressed to the first server received from each station service device by the communication control device;
the second server executes a process in response to a processing request addressed to the first server and transferred from the communication control device, and transmits a processing result of the process executed in response to the processing request to the communication control device;
The communication control device transfers the processing result received from the second server to a station service equipment that is a source of the processing request.
Data processing methods.

1...center server, 2...high-speed processing server, 3...communication control device, 5...ticket gate (station service equipment), 6...ticket vending machine (station service equipment), 7...commuter pass issuing machine (station service equipment), 8...fare adjustment machine (station service equipment), 9...counter processing machine (station service equipment), 21...processor (second processor), 25...communication unit, 31...processor, 35...station service equipment interface, 36...high-speed processing server, 37...center server interface.

Claims (7)

A station equipment interface that communicates with multiple types of station equipment;
a first server interface for communicating with the first server;
a second server interface for communicating with a second server;
a processor that transfers, via the second server interface, a processing request to be executed by the second server among processing requests addressed to a first server received from the station service equipment via the station service equipment interface to the second server, and transfers a processing result executed by the second server in response to the processing request to the station service equipment that is a source of the processing request;
The processor further transfers a result of the processing executed by the second server in response to the processing request to the first server.
A communication control device having the above configuration. The processor transfers a processing request addressed to the first server, which is received from a ticket gate, to the second server.
The communication control device according to claim 1. The communication control device according to claim 1, wherein the processor transfers a processing request addressed to the first server received from the ticket gate to the second server when a transfer condition is satisfied, and transfers other processing requests to the first server. A station service system including a communication control device and a second server,
The communication control device includes:
A station equipment interface that communicates with multiple types of station equipment;
a first server interface for communicating with the first server;
a second server interface for communicating with a second server;
a first processor that transfers, via the second server interface, a processing request to be executed by the second server among processing requests addressed to the first server and received from the station service equipment via the station service equipment interface, to the second server, and transfers a processing result executed by the second server in response to the processing request to the station service equipment that is a source of the processing request;
The second server comprises:
A communication unit connected to the communication control device;
a second processor that executes a process in response to a processing request addressed to a first server and that is transferred from the communication control device, and transmits a processing result of the process executed in response to the processing request to the communication control device ;
The first processor further transfers to the first server a result of the processing executed by the second server in response to the processing request.
Station service system. the first processor transfers a processing request addressed to the first server, received from a ticket gate, to the second server;
The station service system according to claim 4 . the first processor transfers a processing request addressed to the first server received from a ticket gate to the second server when a transfer condition is satisfied, and transfers other processing requests to the first server;
The station service system according to claim 4 . A data processing method for use in a station service system including a communication control device and a second server,
The communication control device transfers, to the second server, a processing request to be executed by the second server among processing requests addressed to the first server received from each station service device by the communication control device;
the second server executes a process in response to a processing request addressed to the first server and transferred from the communication control device, and transmits a processing result of the process executed in response to the processing request to the communication control device;
The communication control device transfers the processing result received from the second server to a station service equipment that is a source of the processing request ;
Furthermore, the communication control device transfers a result of the processing executed by the second server in response to the processing request to the first server.
Data processing methods.