"With regard to actual circumstances of the use, the functions of the conductor's terminal need to be not only flexible but also easy to use and durable as well", said Mr. Tokunaga.
"At the time of the renewal, we have considered about putting all the operating functions in a big and easy-to-see screen. While a major point to be considered from the nature of conductor work - where they do not return for about 24 hours once they have boarded trains to a facility for charging the installed battery pack - is the charged lifespan of the terminal's battery. Further, because it can be assumed that the conductors will be using terminals outside at local stations without roofs, consideration had to be given to the environment performances such as drop durability, dust and water-splash proofing. Based on these points, we examined the issues jointly with JR East Japan Information Systems Company ** , who are involved in work for the system integration of our corporate group, and arrived at a decision."
Examination of these considerations resulted in the CASIO IT-10 being chosen because it has highly acclaimed features like a big 3.7-inch color TFT LCD that provides good visibility, a large-capacity battery that runs for approximately 27 hours, and environment performance with dropped impact from a height of 1.0 m and water/dust proof that comply with the IP54 level of IEC60529 standard.

His expertise convinces how the terminal can contribute the minimization of operation costs.

For JR-East there was an intention from the outset of development to have a terminal that can be used for a variety of work beyond just issuing tickets. Mr. Tokunaga was asked; how the work of conductors will change if they can do a variety of tasks with a single terminal? "A conductor's task includes many others such as opening and closing doors, checking for safety, and onboard ticket issuing. Moreover, he has to move about, so there is a limit to how many dedicated terminals they can carry around for each individual task. Thus, if a variety of tasks can be managed and controlled with a single terminal, the tasks will become easier, the efficiency will increase, the service given to customers can be more kind, and the quality of task thus enhanced."

All the onboard tasks are processed with CASIO IT-10 while on the move.

Possibilities unfold - seating data secured while on the move, tickets clipped onboard and tickets sold at stations

The greatest change derived from the renewal is the broad improvement in the ticket retailing function. Conductors now move through the compartments carrying the terminal with downloaded data of the latest fare prices to make simultaneous fare adjustments and ticket issues. JR-East is already providing a service on the Shinkansen train in which the data of tickets passed through the Shinkansen-dedicated automated ticket gates will be transferred to the terminal via wireless WAN communication (DoPa network) to eliminate onboard ticket clipping. And the terminal that provides this function has been integrated into the CASIO IT-10 onboard supplementary ticket terminal.

Meanwhile, there are two types of printer available for issuing passenger tickets; a thermal printer for onboard issuing with importance placed on the print speed and the other, a station printer that prints out magnetic stripe tickets in the same size as the tickets sold at ordinary ticket counter that allow the passage through automated ticket gates. Furthermore, both the printers are geared to output using Bluetooth wireless communication.

An image of the system (click to enlarge the diagram)

The railroad map of the JR-East

A conductor processes the rest of his onboard tasks in crew cabin.

Improvements with interface and the operability have achieved easy use and great operating efficiency

Mr. Tokunaga was asked again about the outcome after the renewal.
"Because less time is required for regular onboard tasks, there is more free time available for other tasks - which means that we have achieved prompt operations and better service."
Conversely, were there onsite uncertainties, etc., about operating the innovated conductor's terminal?
"No. We are often being told by those on site that the new terminals are easier to use because of the improved interface. The operational concept with the conductor's terminal was designed to bring its operations closer to those of ticket vending machines used in stations. In fact, as about half of our conductors have had experience of working in stations, their acclimatization to operating the new terminal was far smoother than we expected." He went on saying, "The business area of JR-East is the widest of any of other Japan's railway companies. And we really wanted to realize the dream of putting the entire map of the area on screen for operation access; therefore, we had to consider and repeatedly work out through trial and error all the various interface patterns such as the optimum size for characters, panel brightness, color usage, and screen switching."
The effort expended to fulfill such onsite expectations is reflected in the remarkable improvement to the interface.