JP7744070B2 - Parking lot management system and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a technology that enables the entire system to support electronic payments by combining a payment device equipped with a non-electronic payment function that performs payments using non-electronic payment methods other than electronic payment with a user's communication terminal , and/or a technology that enables a user to perform electronic payments by using a communication terminal to communicate with a management server .

In various business fields, there are various ways for users to pay fees.

Traditionally, ticket vending machines or payment machines installed in parking lots, for example, are designed to have (1) a payment function that allows the user to pay the fee (payment (transfer of money or value) + input of information to complete the transaction (information that gives economic meaning to the simple physical phenomenon of transferring money or value)), and (2) an issuance function that grants the user permission to use the parking lot in exchange for the user's payment and issues a ticket or receipt as proof of this.

Users can pay parking fees as a parking usage fee by paying in advance before using the parking lot, or by paying after using the parking lot. Parking fees can be paid in cash, by prepaid IC card, or by electronic payment, as described below. Media used to pay parking fees include currency (cash, prepaid IC cards or credit cards with equivalent value to cash, etc.), substitute currencies (tokens with limited uses, gift certificates, coupons, etc.), rewards (points with limited uses, coupons, discount coupons, rebate coupons, etc.), and vouchers (free tickets with limited uses, etc.).

Therefore, throughout this application, when we refer to "prepaid" or "postpaid" payments, it is not essential that the user use currency for the payment; rather, the use of tokens, rewards, vouchers, equivalents thereof, or a combination of these media all fall under the category of "prepaid" or "postpaid" payments.

Patent Document 1 discloses a system that uses a vending machine (which accepts cash payments and is equivalent to a ticket vending machine), a user's mobile terminal (an example of a communications terminal), and a server.

When change is given in the vending machine, electronic value, which is electronic information with the same cash value as the change, is deposited into an account on the server.

Specifically, first, the user accesses the server with their mobile device, and after successfully completing the necessary authentication, the mobile device receives a barcode from the server. Next, the user holds the mobile device displaying the barcode over the barcode reader on the vending machine.

The vending machine then communicates with the server, and if the barcode is verified as genuine, it receives permission to sell the item from the server.

The user then presses either the cash payment button or the electronic value payment button on the vending machine's payment selection buttons. After the user presses the cash payment button and selects a product, and change is received, the user presses either the cash return button or the electronic value return button on the return selection buttons. When the user presses the electronic value return button, electronic value equivalent to the amount of change is sent to the server.

Patent Document 1 appears to disclose that (1) the mobile terminal utilizes the cash payment function of the vending machine, and (2) the vending machine and the mobile terminal are linked using a barcode.

Patent Document 2 discloses a system for managing postpaid parking lots. In this system, the user's communication terminal communicates with an exit terminal (equivalent to a ticket machine) with a cash settlement function and a centralized management system (centralized management server). When leaving the parking lot, the user's communication terminal selects the settlement method as cash, IC, or credit, and notifies the exit terminal of the selection.

Patent Document 3 discloses a system in which a user's communication terminal, a ticket dispenser, and a server are interconnected via the Internet. Therefore, the ticket dispenser, user's communication terminal, and server may be connected in series, or the ticket dispenser and user's communication terminal may be connected in parallel to the server. The ticket dispenser issues a ticket upon receiving information from the mobile terminal and the server, respectively. Furthermore, once the ticket dispenser has completed issuing the ticket, it sends a ticket issuing completion notification to the server.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-77036 JP 2010-198096 A JP 2017-27441 A

Nowadays, many potential users of parking lots have communication devices (e.g., mobile devices) that have communication functions that allow for short-range and long-range communication.

Noticing the fact that communication terminals have such advanced communication functions, the inventor proposed that ticket vending machines installed in parking lots be equipped with, in addition to the conventional payment and ticket issuing functions described above, (1) a transmission function that transmits identification information unique to the ticket vending machine (for example, a parking lot ID that identifies the parking lot in which the ticket vending machine is installed), and (2) a communication function that either communicates short-distance with a user's communication terminal that is capable of long-distance communication with the management server (which ultimately allows it to be linked to the management server via the communication terminal) or that communicates long-distance directly with the management server.

Furthermore, the inventor realized that if the system was designed so that when a user makes an electronic payment (also known as "smartphone payment," such as credit card payment), they would use a communication terminal but not a ticket vending machine, and conversely, when making a cash payment or prepaid IC card payment (also simply referred to as "card payment") they would use a ticket vending machine but not a communication terminal, the management server would not be able to collect information from the ticket vending machine when making a cash payment or prepaid IC card payment, making it inconvenient for the management server to collect information from multiple parking lots and centrally manage their operating status, etc.

In other words, the inventor realized that if the system is designed so that users, regardless of the payment method, use a communications terminal and communicate with the management server, they can take advantage of the characteristics of the communications terminal, namely, the ability of the management server to collect parking-related information from users regardless of location.

Alternatively, the ticket vending machine could be designed to have both short-range communication with the communication terminal and long-range communication with the management server, but this could create new problems such as increased manufacturing and operating costs for the ticket vending machine.

The inventor therefore divided the payment function Z into (a) a payment function X that enables the user to pay the fee, and (b) an information input function Y that enables the user to input the information necessary to complete the parking transaction through that payment.

The inventor then proposed that while payment function X would still be realized by the ticket vending machine, information input function Y be realized not by the ticket vending machine but by the user's communications terminal capable of long-distance communication with the management server (the purpose of inputting information into the ticket vending machine is, for example, to link the ticket vending machine with the communications terminal), thereby emphasizing the ticket vending machine's role as a fare payment machine (for example, a cash dispenser, a card reader for prepaid IC cards), i.e., the ability to use the ticket vending machine to accept cash or card payments.

Furthermore, the inventor proposed that the ticket vending machine send a payment completion signal to the user's communication terminal when the user has completed payment to the ticket vending machine, in order to emphasize the ticket vending machine's character as a fare payment machine while also allowing the communication terminal to know from the ticket vending machine that the user's payment has been completed.

However, none of Patent Documents 1 to 3 discloses that the ticket vending machine sends a payment completion signal to the user's communication terminal.

Furthermore, the inventor realized that if one part (e.g., the aforementioned X) of the ticket vending machine's conventional payment function Z and another part (e.g., the aforementioned Y) (for example, parts that were previously inseparable in terms of software configuration within the same device) are shared between the physically separate ticket vending machine and communications terminal, it is necessary to link multiple actions by the same user that occur in different locations, i.e., the user action of paying at the ticket vending machine and the user action of entering information into the communications terminal, in order to complement the insulation (distribution) between payment at the ticket vending machine and information entry into the communications terminal.

The inventor has therefore proposed the following solutions, assuming two-way communication between the ticket vending machine and the user's communication terminal: (1) limiting the communication method between the ticket vending machine and the communication terminal to short-range communication (forcing the user operating the communication terminal to be near the ticket vending machine); (2) sharing the same unique information about the user between the ticket vending machine and the communication terminal; and (3) once communication is established between one user's communication terminal and the ticket vending machine, preventing the subsequent establishment of another communication between another user's communication terminal and the ticket vending machine in order to ensure the uniqueness of that communication for the ticket vending machine.

In summary, the inventor realized that ticket vending machines have the unique characteristic of allowing cash and card payments, while users' communication terminals have the unique characteristic of being able to provide information to the management server regardless of location. Taking advantage of each of these characteristics, the combined use of ticket vending machines and users' communication terminals is desirable in order to achieve both diversification of user payment methods and centralized management of multiple parking lots by the management server.

Against this background, the first aspect of the present invention is to provide a parking lot management system that utilizes both ticket vending machines and user communication terminals while taking advantage of the characteristics of each, thereby easily achieving both a diversification of user payment methods and centralized management of multiple parking lots by a management server.

Furthermore, in order to manage a post-payment parking lot, the parking lot is traditionally equipped with an entry/exit control device (e.g., a gate device that rises and falls as needed, a vehicle movement prevention device that rises and falls as needed, etc.) that controls the entry and exit of vehicles into and from the parking lot, and a control device (e.g., an adjustment machine) that can communicate with the entry/exit control device and has at least one of the control functions of controlling the entry/exit control device and the payment function that allows users to pay parking fees. Furthermore, a management server is installed outside the parking lot that can communicate with the control device and, via the control device, with the entry/exit control device.

When a parking adjustment machine allows cash or prepaid IC card payments but not electronic payments, in order to enable electronic payments while using the machine essentially as is (at least with the hardware configuration unchanged), the inventors have proposed that the user's communication terminal not be used when entering the parking lot, but when leaving the parking lot, the user's communication terminal be used to complete both the parking exit procedure and pay the parking fee.

In other words, the inventor proposed a technical idea that by combining a payment device equipped with non-electronic payment functions that allows payments to be made using non-electronic payment methods other than electronic payment with a user's communication terminal, the entire system would be able to support electronic payments.

Against this background, the present invention has been made with the objective of enabling a system that uses a payment device equipped with a non-electronic payment function for making payments using non-electronic payment methods other than electronic payment to support electronic payments by utilizing the user's communication terminal while making use of the payment device, and/or enabling the user to make electronic payments by using the communication terminal to communicate with a management server .

In order to solve the problem, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a parking lot management system for managing postpaid parking lots, comprising:
Including a management server,
The management server is
a function of receiving user specific information from the user's communication terminal as user specific information at the time of entry when the user enters the parking lot;
a function of receiving, from the communication terminal, user-specific information of the same type as the user-specific information at the time of entry as user-specific information at the time of exit when the user leaves the parking lot;
and a function of transmitting parking fee data to the communication terminal at the time of exiting the parking lot for electronic payment of the parking fee, on the condition that the received user-specific information at the time of entry matches the received user -specific information at the time of exiting the parking lot.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program executed by a computer of a communication terminal of a user of a postpaid parking lot managed by a parking lot management system including a management server, the program comprising:
The communication terminal
a parking entry transmission function for transmitting user specific information to the management server as parking entry user specific information when the user enters the parking lot;
a sending function at the time of leaving the parking lot that sends the same type of user specific information as the user specific information at the time of entering the parking lot to the management server as user specific information at the time of leaving the parking lot;
a receiving function for receiving, at the time of leaving the parking lot, parking fee data for electronic payment of the parking fee from the management server on the condition that the transmitted user-specific information at the time of entering the parking lot matches the transmitted user - specific information at the time of leaving the parking lot ;
Including,
A program executed by the computer is provided to realize the entry transmission function, the departure transmission function, and the reception function .

The present invention provides the following aspects. Each aspect is divided into paragraphs, each numbered, and described in a format that cites the numbers of other paragraphs as necessary. This is to facilitate understanding of some of the technical features and combinations thereof that may be employed by the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the technical features and combinations thereof that may be employed by the present invention to the following aspects. In other words, it should be understood that technical features that are not described in the following aspects but are described in this specification may be appropriately extracted and employed as technical features of the present invention.

Furthermore, describing each paragraph in a format that references the number of another paragraph does not necessarily mean that the technical features described in each paragraph cannot be separated and made independent from the technical features described in other paragraphs, and it should be interpreted that the technical features described in each paragraph can be made independent as appropriate depending on their nature.

(1) A parking lot management system configured such that a management server centrally manages a plurality of prepaid parking lots, and a user is permitted to rent out any parking lot selected by the user using a communication terminal,
a ticket vending machine installed in the parking lot, the ticket vending machine having a payment function that allows users to pay by cash or by prepaid card, a ticket issuing function, and a communication function;
a management server capable of communicating with the communication terminal;
The ticket vending machine communicates under either a first communication environment in which it can communicate with the communication terminal but cannot communicate with the management server, but information from the ticket vending machine can be sent to the management server via the communication terminal, or a second communication environment in which it can communicate with the management server but cannot communicate with the communication terminal,
Furthermore, when the user pays the advance fee to the ticket vending machine using the communication terminal, the ticket vending machine issues a ticket to the user and transmits a payment completion signal to the communication terminal or the management server,
A parking lot management system in which the communication terminal or the management server grants the user permission to use the parking lot when the communication terminal or the management server receives the payment completion signal from the ticket vending machine.

(2) the ticket vending machine communicates under the first communication environment;
When the payment is made to the ticket vending machine, the ticket vending machine transmits the payment completion signal to the communication terminal,
When the communication terminal receives the payment completion signal from the ticket vending machine, it transmits a procedure completion signal to the management server,
The parking lot management system described in (1) above, wherein the management server grants the user permission to use the parking lot when it receives the procedure completion signal from the communication terminal.

(3) The ticket vending machine transmits first unique information that is unique to the user (e.g., including location information for identifying the location of an individual parking space and/or a user ID) to the communication terminal;
the communication terminal receives second unique information unique to the user (e.g., including location information for identifying the location of an individual parking space and/or a user ID);
When multiple conditions are all met, including a condition that a match is established between the first unique information received from the ticket vending machine and the second unique information input to the communication terminal (for example, the ticket vending machine and the communication terminal are linked), and a condition that the payment completion signal is received from the ticket vending machine, the communication terminal transmits the procedure completion signal to the management server,
The parking lot management system described in (2) above, wherein the management server grants the user permission to use the parking lot when it receives the procedure completion signal from the communication terminal.

(4) When the user wants to make the payment to the ticket vending machine, the communication terminal transmits a signal to the ticket vending machine;
A parking lot management system as described in (2), in which when the ticket vending machine receives the signal from the communication terminal, it prohibits the reception of signals from communication terminals other than that communication terminal, thereby establishing communication exclusively between the ticket vending machine and the communication terminal.

(5) The ticket vending machine communicates under the second communication environment,
When the payment is made to the ticket vending machine, the ticket vending machine transmits the payment completion signal to the management server,
the ticket vending machine transmits first unique information that is unique to the user (e.g., including location information for identifying the location of an individual parking space and/or a user ID) to the management server;
the communication terminal transmits second unique information unique to the user (e.g., including location information for identifying the location of an individual parking space and/or a user ID) to the management server;
The parking lot management system described in (1) above, wherein the management server grants the user permission to use the parking lot when multiple conditions are met, including the condition that a match is made between the first unique information received from the ticket vending machine and the second unique information received from the communication terminal (for example, the ticket vending machine and the communication terminal are linked), and the condition that the payment completion signal is received from the ticket vending machine.

(6) A parking lot management system as described in paragraph (5), in which the management server grants the user permission to use the parking lot and transmits a procedure completion signal to at least the communication terminal of the ticket vending machine and the communication terminal when multiple conditions are met, including the condition that a match is established between the first unique information received from the ticket vending machine and the second unique information received from the communication terminal, and the condition that the payment completion signal is received from the ticket vending machine.

(7) A program for causing a computer to function as a communication terminal described in any one of (1) to (6).

In this application, the term "program" may be interpreted to mean, for example, a combination of instructions executed by a computer to perform its functions, and may also be interpreted to include not only such a combination of instructions but also the files and data processed in accordance with each instruction, but is not limited to such a combination.

Furthermore, this program may be executed by a computer on its own to achieve its intended purpose, or may be executed by a computer together with other programs to achieve its intended purpose, but is not limited to these. In the latter case, the program referred to in this paragraph may be, but is not limited to, one that is primarily based on data.

(8) A program for causing a computer to function as the management server described in any one of (1) to (6).

(9) A recording medium on which the program described in (7) or (8) is recorded in a computer-readable manner.

In this application, the recording medium referred to by the term "recording medium" may take various forms, including, but not limited to, magnetic recording media such as flexible disks, optical recording media such as CDs and CD-ROMs, magneto-optical recording media such as MOs, and non-removable storage such as ROMs.

(10) A parking lot management system that manages post-payment parking lots,
a payment machine installed in the parking lot and having a payment function that allows a user to pay a parking fee by a payment method other than electronic payment when leaving the parking lot;
a management server that is installed outside the parking lot and communicates with the payment machine;
a user's communication terminal capable of communicating with the management server;
The communication terminal transmits a settlement request to the management server when the vehicle leaves the warehouse,
The management server sends a parking fee calculation request to the payment machine,
The payment machine calculates the parking fee and transmits parking fee data representing the parking fee to the management server.
The management server relays the parking fee data to the communication terminal,
The communication terminal sends an electronic payment request to a payment server to make electronic payment of the parking fee represented by the parking fee data, and when the electronic payment is completed by the payment server, the parking lot management system sends a payment completion signal to the management server.

This system allows post-payment parking lots that are equipped with payment machines that do not support electronic payments to be able to accept electronic payments by using the user's communication terminal while essentially using the payment machines as they are (with minimal configuration changes).

(11) A parking lot management system that manages post-payment parking lots,
an entry/exit control device installed in the parking lot and controlling the entry and exit of vehicles into and from the parking lot;
an adjustment machine installed in the parking lot, the adjustment machine having a payment function that enables a user to settle a parking fee by a payment method other than electronic payment when leaving the parking lot, and a command function that commands the entrance/exit control device;
a management server that is installed outside the parking lot and communicates with the payment machine;
a user's communication terminal capable of communicating with the management server;
The communication terminal transmits a settlement request to the management server when the vehicle leaves the warehouse,
The management server sends a parking fee calculation request to the payment machine,
The payment machine calculates the parking fee and transmits parking fee data representing the parking fee to the management server.
The management server relays the parking fee data to the communication terminal,
the communication terminal transmits an electronic payment request to a payment server to make electronic payment of the parking fee represented by the parking fee data, and when the electronic payment is completed by the payment server, transmits a payment completion signal to the management server;
The management server transmits a withdrawal permission signal to the adjustment machine,
The adjustment machine transmits a withdrawal permission operation command signal to the entry/exit control device,
The entry/exit control device and the parking lot management system perform an exit permission operation to permit the vehicle to leave the parking lot.

(12) A parking lot management system that manages post-payment parking lots,
an entry/exit control device installed in the parking lot and controlling the entry and exit of vehicles into and from the parking lot;
an adjustment machine installed in the parking lot, the adjustment machine having a payment function that enables a user to settle a parking fee by a payment method other than electronic payment when leaving the parking lot, and a command function that commands the entrance/exit control device;
a management server that is installed outside the parking lot and communicates with the payment machine;
a user's communication terminal capable of communicating with the management server;
The communication terminal
a payment request sending unit that sends a payment request and identification information for identifying a selected parking position selected by the user from among a plurality of parking positions in the parking lot to the management server in response to a user's operation at the time of leaving the parking lot;
The management server
a calculation request sending unit that, upon receiving the payment request and the identification information, sends the parking fee calculation request together with the identification information to the payment machine;
The settlement machine is
a parking fee data transmission unit that, upon receiving the calculation request together with the identification information, calculates a parking fee by calculating a parking time for the selected parking position identified by the identification information, and transmits parking fee data representing the parking fee to the management server;
The management server
a parking fee data relay unit that relays the parking fee data to the communication terminal upon receiving the parking fee data;
The communication terminal
a payment completion signal sending unit that, after receiving the parking fee data, sends an electronic payment request to a payment server in response to a user's operation to make an electronic payment for the parking fee represented by the parking fee data, and, when the electronic payment is completed by the payment server, sends a payment completion signal to the management server;
The management server
a withdrawal permission signal transmitting unit that transmits a withdrawal permission signal to the settlement machine when the payment completion signal is received;
The settlement machine is
A parking lot management system having an exit permission operation command signal transmitting unit that, upon receiving the exit permission signal, transmits an exit permission operation command signal to the entry/exit control device to instruct it to operate to permit the vehicle to leave the parking lot.

(13) The communication terminal has a positioning function for measuring its own current location,
A parking lot management system described in any of (10) to (12), wherein the communication terminal and/or the management server permits the electronic payment on the condition that the user is in the vicinity of the parking lot.

(14) A parking lot management system that manages post-payment parking lots,
an adjustment machine installed in the parking lot and having a payment function that allows a user to pay a parking fee by a payment method other than electronic payment when the user's vehicle leaves the parking lot;
a user's communication terminal capable of communicating with the settlement machine;
The communication terminal transmits a payment request to the payment machine at the time of leaving the warehouse,
Upon receiving the payment request, the payment machine calculates the parking fee and transmits parking fee data representing the parking fee to the communication terminal;
the communication terminal transmits an electronic payment request to a payment server to make electronic payment of the parking fee represented by the parking fee data, and when the electronic payment is completed by the payment server, transmits a payment completion signal to the payment machine;
In this parking lot management system, when the settlement machine receives the payment completion signal, it performs an operation to allow the vehicle to leave the parking lot.

(15) The parking lot has a plurality of parking positions,
The payment machine manages the presence or absence of parked vehicles for each parking location,
The communication terminal
When the vehicle leaves the parking lot, in response to a user's operation, the payment request and identification information for identifying a selected parking position selected by the user from among a plurality of parking positions in the parking lot are transmitted to the payment machine;
The settlement machine is
A parking management system as described in (14) above, in which, upon receiving the settlement request and the identification information, the parking management system calculates the parking time for the selected parking location identified by the identification information, calculates the parking fee, and transmits parking fee data representing the parking fee to the communication terminal.

(16) The system further includes a management server capable of communicating with the communication terminal,
When the communication terminal transmits the payment completion signal to the payment machine, the communication terminal transmits parking information indicating the parking status of the parking lot to the management server,
A parking lot management system as described in (14) or (15), in which the management server obtains parking information related to the parking lot that has been obtained at the payment machine from the payment machine via the communication terminal.

Here, the management server has the function of comprehensively managing the parking lot based on multiple parking information (e.g., operating status for each parking location, parking time period, parking fee amount, etc.) acquired from the communication terminals of multiple users who use the parking lot.

Furthermore, the management server has the function of, for example, obtaining parking information about other parking lots from the payment machines at each parking lot via each user's communication terminal, thereby centrally managing multiple parking lots based on the multiple parking information about those parking lots.

(17) A parking lot management system as described in paragraph (16), in which the communication terminal performs short-range wireless communication with the payment machine, thereby allowing the communication terminal to perform the electronic payment on the condition that the user is in the vicinity of the payment machine.

(18) A program for causing a computer to function as a communication terminal described in any one of (10) to (17).

(19) A program for causing a computer to function as the management server described in any one of (10) to (17).

(20) A program for causing a computer to function as a settlement machine described in any one of (10) to (17).

(21) A recording medium on which a program described in any one of (17) to (20) is recorded in a computer-readable manner.

(22) A parking lot management system that manages a parking lot,
an entry/exit control device installed in the parking lot and controlling the entry and exit of vehicles into and from the parking lot;
A management server that is installed outside the parking lot and communicates with the entry/exit control device directly or via another device;
a user's communication terminal capable of communicating with the management server;
The communication terminal transmits a delivery request to the management server at the time of delivery,
When a predetermined condition (for example, payment of parking fees, use of a free parking ticket or coupon) is met, the management server transmits an exit permission signal to the entry/exit control device,
The parking lot management system includes a parking entry/exit control device that, upon receiving the exit permission signal, operates to permit the vehicle to exit the parking lot.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a bicycle parking lot to which a bicycle parking lot management system according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a perspective view conceptually showing how communications are carried out between a plurality of bicycle parking lots, a plurality of users, a management center, and a settlement agent in the bicycle parking lot management system shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a front view showing the ticket vending machine shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram conceptually showing a communication network configuration in the bicycle parking lot management system shown in FIG. 1, with the ticket vending machines, mobile terminals, management server, and payment server as components. FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram conceptually showing the mobile terminal shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram conceptually showing the management server shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart conceptually showing an example of a bicycle parking request processing program executed by the ticket machine, the mobile terminal, and the management server in the bicycle parking lot management system shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram conceptually showing in tabular form a management list created in the management server for managing the operating status of the bicycle parking lot in the bicycle parking lot management system shown in FIG. FIG. 9 is a flowchart conceptually illustrating an example of a bicycle parking request processing program executed by the ticket machine, the mobile terminal, and the management server, respectively, in a bicycle parking lot management system according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a flowchart conceptually illustrating an example of a bicycle parking request processing program executed by the ticket machine, the mobile terminal, and the management server, respectively, in a bicycle parking lot management system according to an exemplary third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing a communication network configuration in the bicycle parking lot management system shown in FIG. 10, in which the components are the ticket vending machines, the mobile terminals, the management server, and the payment server. Figure 12 is a conceptual diagram showing the paths for communication between the entry/exit control device, the settlement machine, and the management server, and the communication network configuration for communication between the user's mobile terminal, the management server, and the payment server in a bicycle parking lot management system according to an exemplary fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a flowchart conceptually showing an example of an entry processing program executed by the entry/exit control device and the settlement machine at the time of entry in the bicycle parking lot management system shown in FIG. Figure 14 is a flowchart conceptually showing an example of an exit processing program executed by the entry/exit control device, the settlement machine, the user's mobile terminal, the management server, and the payment server at the time of exit in the bicycle parking lot management system shown in Figure 12. Figure 15 is a conceptual diagram showing the paths for communication between the entry/exit control device, the settlement machine, and the user's mobile terminal, and the communication network configuration for communication between the user's mobile terminal, the management server, and the payment server in a bicycle parking lot management system according to an exemplary fifth embodiment of the present invention. Figure 16 is a flowchart conceptually showing an example of an exit processing program executed by the entry/exit control device, the settlement machine, the user's mobile terminal, the management server, and the payment server at the time of exit in the bicycle parking lot management system shown in Figure 15.

Below, several more specific and exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

<First embodiment>

As shown in FIG. 1, a bicycle parking lot management system (hereinafter simply referred to as the "system") 10 according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention is used to provide a bicycle parking service in which a bicycle parking lot 22 (an example of a "parking lot" in the present invention) has multiple racks 72 (an example of bicycle parking spaces) that can accommodate multiple bicycles 12, and the bicycle parking lot management system 10 rents out one of the racks 72 to a user in response to a user's advance payment of a fee using cash, a transportation IC card (an example of a "prepaid IC card"), or electronic payment. The bicycle parking lot management system according to this embodiment is configured to execute a bicycle parking lot management method according to this embodiment.

Here, a "transportation IC card" refers to a prepaid IC card that can be used primarily to settle service fees for specific transportation services, and is an alternative to, for example, conventional commuter passes, balance-based tickets, and coupon tickets.

First, to give an overview, as shown in Figure 1, according to this system 10, a ticket vending machine 30 is installed at each bicycle parking lot 22. The user pays a prepaid fee in cash or with a transportation card, and in return, the user is required to attach the purchased ticket to their bicycle 12 to prove that they are authorized to use the bicycle parking lot 22.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2, according to this system 10, a user uses a mobile terminal 90 (an example of a "communication terminal" in the present invention) to access a management server 50 operated by a management center 40 via a communication network (e.g., the Internet as a global network), thereby obtaining authorization to use the bicycle parking lot 22.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2, the user uses a mobile terminal 90 to access a payment server 110 operated by a payment service provider 100 via the communication network, and the user then pays the required fee electronically. Conditioned on this payment, the management server 50 grants the user permission to use the bicycle parking lot 22.

Next, to explain in more detail, as shown in Figure 1, bicycle parking lot facilities 20 are installed in each of a plurality of bicycle parking lots 22 (only representative bicycle parking lots 22 among these bicycle parking lots 22 are shown in Figure 1) that are centrally managed by a management center 40. The bicycle parking lot facilities 20 include a ticket machine 30 and a bicycle storage device 70.

First, we will explain the hardware configuration of the ticket vending machine 30.

As shown in Figure 3, the ticket vending machine 30 has a ticket issue button 32 and a fee settlement button 34. The ticket vending machine 30 has a ticket issue function that issues a physical ticket under specified conditions when the user selects the length of the planned parking time (planned usage time) (the corresponding ticket type) prior to starting parking and pays the corresponding prepaid parking fee, then presses the ticket issue button 32. The ticket vending machine 30 also has a fee settlement function that issues a receipt indicating that the additional parking fee has been settled, when the user presses the fee settlement button 34 after completing parking and paying the additional parking fee.

As shown in Figure 3, this ticket vending machine 30 is configured to include a coin processing unit, a safe, and a control board (not shown), a display 36, and a printer (not shown) that prints and issues tickets and receipts.

The control board is primarily composed of a computer with a processor and memory, and by executing a program described below with reference to Figure 7, it allows users to pay the prepayment fare with cash or a transportation card. Therefore, the software configuration of this ticket vending machine 30 will be explained later with reference to Figure 7.

The ticket vending machine 30 also has a card reader 38 that reads data from a user's prepaid card when the card is held over the machine, and a communication unit 40 for short-range wireless communication with the user's mobile terminal 90.

As shown in Figure 3, the coin processing unit has a coin insertion slot 50, a return lever 52, a coin selector (which determines the type of inserted coin and whether the inserted coin is a counterfeit coin) (not shown), and a coin return slot 56. Of the inserted coins, those that are not returned to the user through the coin return slot 56 are stored in the safe.

As shown in Figure 3, the front of the door 24 of the ticket vending machine 30 is equipped with a ticket issuing button 32, a fare adjustment button 34, a transparent window 60 through which display light from the screen of the display 36 (e.g., an LCD display) passes, a coin insertion slot 50, a coin return lever 52, a coin return slot 56, and an outlet 64 for discharging tickets and receipts printed and discharged by the printer.

In this embodiment, the display 36 is a touch panel. Therefore, the display 36 displays multiple parking time lengths associated with the amount of the prepaid fee. When the user touches one of these parking times, that parking time is selected as the planned parking time, and as a result, the ticket type is selected.

The display 36 also displays the numbers of multiple racks 72 and a message prompting the user to enter the number of the rack 72 where they would like to store their bicycle 12. In response, the user touches the number of one of the racks 72, thereby specifying the rack 72 they wish to use.

Next, we will explain the configuration of the bicycle storage device 70.

The bicycle storage device 70 comprises a plurality of racks 72 and a frame 74 that connects the racks 72 to one another. The racks 72 define a plurality of bicycle parking spaces on the supporting surface (e.g., ground, leveled surface, paved surface, etc.) of the bicycle parking area 22.

A user who wishes to park their bicycle 12 in the bicycle parking lot 22 selects any available (unused or unoccupied) rack 72 and parks their bicycle 12 in that rack 72. The user then unlocks their loop lock 80 and moors their bicycle 12 to the rack 72. The user then locks the loop lock 80. The user then exits the bicycle parking lot 22 alone.

As is well known, the loop lock 80 is constructed by connecting both ends of a flexible wire via a combination lock. The combination lock unlocks when the appropriate PIN number is entered.

Next, we will explain the communication network configuration by referring to Figure 4.

The ticket vending machine 30 uses its communication unit (transmitter and receiver) 40 to perform short-range two-way wireless communication with the mobile terminal 90 using IR signals, the communication unit of the settlement machine 210, NFC (near field wireless communication) signals, etc. The ticket vending machine 30 may also be capable of performing long-range two-way wireless communication via the Internet with the mobile terminal 90 and/or management server 50.

The mobile terminal 90 performs long-distance two-way wireless communication via the Internet with the management server 50 of the management center 40. Furthermore, the mobile terminal 90 performs long-distance two-way wireless communication via the Internet with the payment server 110 of the payment agent 100.

Next, the hardware configuration of the mobile terminal 90 will be explained with reference to Figure 5.

The mobile terminal 90 is an example of a type of communication terminal that can be carried by a user, such as a mobile phone, smartphone, laptop computer, tablet computer, or PDA. However, it may alternatively be a type of communication terminal that cannot be carried by a user, such as a fixed-line telephone installed in the bicycle parking lot 22 or a public telephone installed near the bicycle parking lot 22.

Here, the hardware configuration of the mobile terminal 90 will be explained with reference to the functional block diagram in Figure 5. The mobile terminal 90 is primarily composed of a computer 134 having a processor 130 and memory 132 that stores multiple programs (also called "applications") executed by the processor 130 (see Figure 7).

This mobile terminal 90 further has a display unit (e.g., a liquid crystal display) 136 that displays information, a receiving unit 138 that receives signals from the management server 50 (and/or the settlement machine 210), and a transmitting unit 140 that generates signals and transmits them to the management server 50 (and/or the settlement machine 210).

The mobile terminal 90 further has an input unit 150 for inputting data and commands from the user. The input unit 150 has, for example, an operation unit that can be operated by the user to input desired information (e.g., commands, data, etc.) into the mobile terminal 90. Examples of the operation unit include, but are not limited to, a touchscreen that displays icons (e.g., virtual buttons) that can be operated by the user, a physical operation unit (e.g., a keyboard, keypad, buttons, etc.) that can be operated by the user, and a microphone that detects voice.

The mobile terminal 90 further includes a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver 152. As is well known, the GPS receiver 152 receives multiple GPS signals from multiple GPS satellites and, based on those GPS signals, measures the position (latitude, longitude, and altitude) of the GPS receiver 152 on Earth through triangulation.

Here, GPS is an example of a positioning unit that measures the current location of the mobile terminal 90, i.e., the user's current location 90.

Other examples include a method in which the mobile terminal 90 receives a signal indicating the position coordinates of a wireless base station (such as an access point or cellular base station, installed inside or outside the bicycle parking lot 22) for wireless communication with the mobile terminal 90, and uses this to determine its position; or a method in which the mobile terminal 90 receives a signal indicating a unique transmitter ID from a transmitter installed in the bicycle parking lot 22, and converts the transmitter ID into the position coordinates of that transmitter, thereby determining its position.

The mobile terminal 90 also has a built-in acceleration sensor 154 that detects its own acceleration. Because the acceleration sensor 154 is mounted on the mobile terminal 90, it vibrates integrally with the mobile terminal 90, and as a result, it detects the acceleration acting on the acceleration sensor 154 itself as equivalent to the acceleration acting on the mobile terminal 90.

Next, the hardware configuration of the management server 50 will be explained with reference to Figure 6.

The hardware configuration of the management server 50 will be explained with reference to the functional block diagram in Figure 6. The management server 50 is primarily composed of a computer 164 having a processor 160 and memory 162 that stores multiple applications executed by the processor 160 (see Figure 7).

This management server 50 further has a display unit (e.g., a liquid crystal display) 166 that displays information, a receiving unit 168 that receives signals from the mobile terminal 90, a transmitting unit 170 that generates signals and transmits them to the mobile terminal 90, and a clock 172. This management server 50 does not communicate directly with the ticket vending machine 30, but rather communicates via the mobile terminal 90.

Next, we will explain the software configuration of the ticket vending machine 30, the user's mobile terminal 90, and the management server 50.

Figure 7 conceptually illustrates in a flowchart an example of a bicycle parking request processing program executed by the ticket vending machine 30, mobile terminal 90, and management server 50 in the system 10, which allows a user to pay a prepayment fee using cash or a transportation card using the ticket vending machine 30 while operating the mobile terminal 90.

First, in step S31, the mobile terminal 90 starts the bicycle parking request processing program stored in the memory 132 by having the processor 130 execute the bicycle parking request processing program.

Next, in step S32, the mobile terminal 90 allows the user to input the number of the rack 72 in the current parking area 22 that the user wishes to use to store the bicycle 12.

Next, in step S33, the mobile terminal 90 displays a message on the screen of the mobile terminal 90 urging the user to operate the ticket vending machine 30 if the user wishes to pay the prepayment fare with cash or a transportation card.

This time, the user follows the message and approaches the ticket vending machine 30.

In step S1, the ticket vending machine 30 displays multiple planned usage times on the touch panel of the display 36, associating them with the corresponding prepaid fee amounts. Furthermore, when the user touches one of the multiple planned usage times displayed on the touch panel of the display 36 with their finger, the user selects the desired ticket type. At this time, the amount of the prepaid fee is confirmed.

Next, in step S2, the ticket vending machine 30 allows the user to input the number of the rack 72 in the current parking area 22 that the user wishes to use to store the bicycle 12.

Then, in step S3, the ticket vending machine 30 allows the user to pay the current advance fare with cash or a transportation card.

Next, when the payment is completed, the ticket machine 30 sends a payment completion signal indicating this to the mobile terminal 90 in step S4, along with the bicycle parking lot ID unique to the current bicycle parking lot 22, the entered rack number, and the length of the planned usage time corresponding to the selected ticket type.

As mentioned above, communication between the ticket vending machine 30 and the mobile terminal 90 is short-range two-way wireless communication using IR signals, Bluetooth (registered trademark) signals, NFC (near field communication) signals, etc. Typically, one user is positioned in front of one ticket vending machine 30, and therefore one ticket vending machine 30 and one mobile terminal 90 are expected to communicate with each other.

At this time, the mobile terminal 90 attempts to receive a signal from the ticket vending machine 30 in step S34, and if the reception is successful, the determination in step S35 becomes YES and the process proceeds to step S36.

In this step S36, the mobile terminal 90 compares the rack number entered by the user in the aforementioned step S32 with the rack number received from the ticket vending machine 30 in the aforementioned step S34, and if the comparison is successful (the two rack numbers match), it determines that only one user is located in front of one ticket vending machine 30 and that a one-to-one relationship exists between the ticket vending machine 30 and the mobile terminal 90, indicating a normal state.

Next, in step S37, the mobile terminal 90 authenticates the bicycle parking lot 22 in which the user is currently located from the bicycle parking lot ID received from the ticket machine 30 in the aforementioned step S34, in accordance with the correspondence between the bicycle parking lot ID and the bicycle parking lot 22 that is pre-stored in memory 132.

Then, in step S38, the mobile terminal 90 determines that the bicycle parking space rental procedure for the current user has been completed, and in step S39, it sends a procedure completion signal indicating this to the management server 50, along with the current bicycle parking space ID, the current rack number, and the length of the current planned usage time (hereinafter collectively referred to as "bicycle parking-related information").

In response, in step S51, the management server 50 receives the procedure completion signal along with the bicycle parking-related information described above. Next, in step S52, the management server 50 registers the current rack number in the management list shown in FIG. 8, which is stored in memory 162, in association with the bicycle parking lot ID (in the example shown, "Bicycle Parking Lot A").

Then, in step S53, the management server 50 grants the user permission to use the rack 72 with the current rack number in the current bicycle parking lot 22. Next, in step S54, the management server 50 measures the current time as the start time and registers that start time in the management list shown in Figure 8.

Then, in step S55, the management server 50 measures the current time, and then in step S56, determines whether the actual usage time obtained by subtracting the start time from the current time exceeds the planned usage time. If it does not exceed the planned usage time, the determination is NO and the process returns to step S55. If it does exceed the planned usage time, the determination is YES and in step S57, the fact that the user's time has expired regarding use of the bicycle parking lot 22 is registered in the management list shown in FIG. 8.

This management list is shared and can be viewed by multiple workers under the control of the management center 40 who are dispatched to any bicycle parking lot 22. As a result, each worker can individually intercept bicycles 12 that are over the time limit in the bicycle parking lot 22 that they are responsible for.

Meanwhile, substantially in parallel with the execution of step S39 described above, the mobile terminal 90 transmits the procedure completion signal to the ticket vending machine 30 in step S40, similar to step S39.

In response, in step S5, the ticket vending machine 30 receives the procedure completion signal from the mobile terminal 90, and then, in step S6, uses the printer to issue a physical ticket as proof that the user is authorized to use the bicycle parking lot 22.

The user then attaches the purchased ticket to their own bicycle 12. As a result, workers can visually determine whether each bicycle 12 belongs to a user who has paid the prepaid fee.

<Second embodiment>

Next, we will explain a bicycle parking lot management system 10 according to an exemplary second embodiment of the present invention. However, we will omit redundant explanations of parts that are common to the bicycle parking lot management system 10 according to the first embodiment, and will only explain in detail the parts that are different. The bicycle parking lot management system according to this embodiment is configured to execute the bicycle parking lot management method according to this embodiment.

In the first embodiment described above, the ticket vending machine 30 and the mobile terminal 90 are linked based on the fact that the person who paid the fee to the ticket vending machine 30 (payer) and the person who operated the mobile terminal 90 (operator) are the same user, and the user is forced to enter the same rack number into both the ticket vending machine 30 and the mobile terminal 90.

In contrast, in this embodiment, the same purpose is achieved if the user inputs the rack number only into the mobile terminal 90. However, instead, the present invention may be implemented in a manner in which the same purpose is achieved if the user inputs the rack number only into the ticket vending machine 30.

Figure 9 conceptually illustrates in a flowchart an example of a bicycle parking request processing program executed by the ticket vending machine 30, mobile terminal 90, and management server 50 in the system 10, which allows a user to pay a prepayment fee in cash or with a transportation card using the ticket vending machine 30 while operating the mobile terminal 90.

According to this embodiment, in step S131, the mobile terminal 90 first starts the bicycle parking request processing program stored in the memory 132 by having the processor 130 execute the bicycle parking request processing program.

Next, in step S132, the mobile terminal 90 allows the user to input the number of the rack 72 in the current parking area 22 that the user wishes to use to store the bicycle 12.

Next, in step S133, if the user wishes to pay the prepayment fee with cash or a transportation card, the mobile terminal 90 transmits a signal including the rack number and its own source address (such as the IP address or MAC address of the mobile terminal 90) to the ticket vending machine 30 via a broadcast method (at this point, the mobile terminal 90 does not know the destination address (such as the IP address or MAC address) of the ticket vending machine 30), for example, via Bluetooth (registered trademark) or the Internet.

Then, in step S134, the mobile terminal 90 displays a message on the screen of the mobile terminal 90 to prompt the user to operate the ticket vending machine 30.

Following the message, the user approaches the ticket vending machine 30.

In step S102, the ticket vending machine 30 identifies the sender from the sender address included in the signal received from the mobile terminal 90. Then, in step S103, it establishes communication between the ticket vending machine 30 and one mobile terminal 90. Then, in step S104, it refuses to receive signals sent from another user's mobile terminal 90, which is another sender. Specifically, the ticket vending machine 30 will thereafter only receive signals that include its own address as the destination address.

Next, in step S105, the ticket vending machine 30 displays the rack number contained in the signal received from the mobile terminal 90 in step S101 above on the touch panel of the display 36, and also displays multiple planned usage times in association with the corresponding multiple prepaid fee amounts.

Then, in step S106, the ticket vending machine 30 allows the user to select the desired ticket type by touching one of the multiple planned usage times displayed on the touch panel of the display 36 with their finger. At this time, the amount of the prepayment fee is confirmed.

Next, in step S107, the ticket vending machine 30 allows the user to pay the current advance fare with cash or a transportation card.

Next, when the payment is completed, the ticket vending machine 30 sends a payment completion signal indicating this, along with the bicycle parking lot ID unique to the current bicycle parking lot and the length of the planned usage time corresponding to the selected ticket type, in step S108, via Bluetooth (registered trademark) or via the Internet via unicast (at this point, the ticket vending machine 30 knows the destination address of the current mobile terminal 90), along with its own source address only to the mobile terminal 90.

At this time, in step S135, the mobile terminal 90 attempts to receive a signal from the ticket vending machine 30. If the reception is successful, the determination in step S136 becomes YES, and the process proceeds to step S137.

In this step S137, the mobile terminal 90 authenticates the bicycle parking lot 22 in which the user is currently located from the bicycle parking lot ID received from the ticket machine 30 in the aforementioned step S135, in accordance with the correspondence between the bicycle parking lot ID and the bicycle parking lot 22 that is pre-stored in memory 132.

Then, in step S138, the mobile terminal 90 determines that the bicycle parking space rental procedure for the current user has been completed, and in step S139, it sends a procedure completion signal indicating this to the management server 50, along with the current bicycle parking space ID, the current rack number, and the length of the current planned usage time (hereinafter collectively referred to as "bicycle parking-related information").

In response, in step S151, the management server 50 receives the procedure completion signal along with the bicycle parking-related information described above. Next, in step S152, the management server 50 registers the current rack number in the management list shown in FIG. 8, which is stored in memory 162, in association with the bicycle parking lot ID (in the example shown, "Bicycle Parking Lot A").

Then, in step S153, the management server 50 grants the user permission to use the rack 72 with the current rack number in the current bicycle parking lot 22. Next, in step S154, the management server 50 measures the current time as the start time and registers that start time in the management list shown in Figure 8.

Then, in step S155, the management server 50 measures the current time, and then in step S156, determines whether the actual usage time obtained by subtracting the start time from the current time exceeds the planned usage time. If it does not exceed the planned usage time, the determination is NO and the process returns to step S155. If it does exceed the planned usage time, the determination is YES and in step S157, the fact that the user's time has expired regarding use of the bicycle parking lot 22 is registered in the management list shown in FIG. 8.

Meanwhile, after (or before) executing step S108, the ticket vending machine 30 uses the printer to issue a physical ticket in step S109 as proof that the user has the authority to use the bicycle parking lot 22.

<Third embodiment>

Next, we will explain a bicycle parking lot management system 10 according to an exemplary third embodiment of the present invention. However, we will omit redundant explanations of parts that are common to the bicycle parking lot management system 10 according to the first embodiment, and will only explain in detail the parts that are different. The bicycle parking lot management system according to this embodiment is configured to execute the bicycle parking lot management method according to this embodiment.

The first and second embodiments described above are both specific examples of implementing the present invention in a first communication environment, i.e., a communication environment in which the ticket vending machine 30 can communicate with the mobile terminal 90 but cannot communicate with the management server 50, but information from the ticket vending machine 30 can be sent to the management server 50 via the mobile terminal 90. The present embodiment is a specific example of implementing the present invention in a second communication environment, i.e., a communication environment in which the ticket vending machine 30 can communicate with the management server 50 but cannot communicate with the mobile terminal 90.

Figure 10 conceptually illustrates in a flowchart an example of a bicycle parking request processing program executed by the ticket vending machine 30, mobile terminal 90, and management server 50 in the system 10, which allows a user to pay a prepayment fee using cash or a transportation card using the ticket vending machine 30 while operating the mobile terminal 90.

As shown in FIG. 11, in this embodiment, the ticket vending machine 30, mobile terminal 90, management server 50, and payment server 110 are interconnected via the Internet. However, in this embodiment, communication does not take place between the ticket vending machine 30 and the mobile terminal 90. As a result, in this embodiment, the ticket vending machine 30 and the mobile terminal 90, which do not actually communicate with each other, are each connected in parallel to the management server 50.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, in step S231, the mobile terminal 90 first starts the bicycle parking request processing program stored in the memory 132 by having the processor 130 execute the bicycle parking request processing program.

Next, in step S232, the mobile terminal 90 sends the user's user ID (e.g., a unique number, a unique symbol string, a telephone number, an email address, etc.), which is information unique to the user, to the management server 50, provided that the user is a member of the current bicycle parking service.

In response, the management server 50 receives the user ID in step S251.

After executing step S232, in step S233, the mobile terminal 90 allows the user to select the payment method for the advance fee from a first option of cash payment or card payment using the ticket vending machine 30, and a second option of electronic payment using the user's own mobile terminal 90 (smartphone payment, credit card payment, cash card payment, etc.).

Next, in step S234, the mobile terminal 90 determines whether the payment method selected by the user is the first option. If the determination is YES, in step S235, the mobile terminal 90 displays a message on the screen of the mobile terminal 90 to prompt the user to operate the ticket vending machine 30.

On the other hand, if the determination in step S234 is NO, the mobile terminal 90 communicates with the payment server 110 shown in Figure 2, and the user pays the prepayment fee by electronic payment. This is not directly related to the present invention, so further explanation will be omitted.

Following the message displayed on the screen by executing step S235, the user approaches the ticket vending machine 30.

In step S201, the ticket vending machine 30 displays multiple planned usage times on the touch panel of the display 36, associating them with multiple corresponding prepaid fee amounts. Furthermore, when the user touches one of the multiple planned usage times displayed on the touch panel of the display 36 with their finger, the user selects the desired ticket type. At this time, the amount of the prepaid fee is confirmed.

Next, in step S202, when the user holds their membership card over the card reader 38, the ticket vending machine 30 reads the user ID from the membership card.

Then, in step S203, the ticket vending machine 30 allows the user to input the number of the rack 72 in the current parking area 22 that the user wishes to use to store the bicycle 12.

Next, in step S204, the ticket vending machine 30 transmits the entered user ID to the management server 50 along with the bicycle parking lot ID unique to the current bicycle parking lot 22.

In response, in step S252, the management server 50 receives the user ID and bicycle parking lot ID from the ticket machine 30. Next, in step S253, the management server 50 compares the input user ID with the user ID input in step S251. If the comparison is successful, in step S254, the management server 50 determines that identity authentication for this user has been successful.

Then, in step S255, the management server 52 authenticates the current bicycle parking lot 22 from the input bicycle parking lot ID in accordance with the correspondence between bicycle parking lot IDs and bicycle parking lots 22 that is pre-stored in memory 162.

Meanwhile, after executing step S204, the ticket vending machine 30 allows the user to pay the current advance fare with cash or a transportation card in step S205.

Next, when the payment is completed, the ticket machine 30 sends a payment completion signal indicating this to the management server 50 in step S206, along with the current bicycle parking lot ID, the entered rack number, and the length of the planned usage time corresponding to the selected ticket type (hereinafter collectively referred to as "bicycle parking-related information").

In response, in step S256, the management server 50 receives the payment completion signal along with the bicycle parking-related information described above. Next, in step S257, the management server 50 registers the current rack number in the management list shown in FIG. 8, which is stored in memory 162, in association with the bicycle parking lot ID (in the example shown, "Bicycle Parking Lot A").

Then, in step S258, the management server 50 determines that the procedure that the current user must carry out in order to use the current bicycle parking lot 22 has been completed. In response, in step S259, the management server 50 transmits a procedure completion signal indicating this to the mobile terminal 90, and in parallel with this, in step S260, it transmits the procedure completion signal to the ticket vending machine 30.

Then, in step S261, the management server 50 grants the user permission to use the rack 72 with the current rack number in the current bicycle parking lot 22. Next, in step S262, the management server 50 measures the current time as the start time and registers that start time in the management list shown in Figure 8.

Then, in step S263, the management server 50 measures the current time, and then in step S264, determines whether the actual usage time obtained by subtracting the start time from the current time exceeds the planned usage time. If it does not exceed the planned usage time, the determination is NO and the process returns to step S263. If it does exceed the planned usage time, the determination is YES and in step S265, the fact that the user's time has expired regarding use of the bicycle parking lot 22 is registered in the management list shown in FIG. 8.

Meanwhile, after executing the aforementioned step S206, the ticket vending machine 30 receives the procedure completion signal in step S207, and then, in step S208, uses the printer to issue a physical ticket as proof that the user is authorized to use the bicycle parking lot 22.

Furthermore, in step S236, the mobile terminal 90 attempts to receive the procedure completion signal from the management server 50. If the reception is successful, the judgment in step S237 becomes YES, and in step S238, it is determined that the procedure that the current user must carry out in order to use the current bicycle parking lot 22 has been completed.

<Fourth embodiment>

Next, we will explain a bicycle parking lot management system 10 according to an exemplary fourth embodiment of the present invention. However, we will omit redundant explanations of parts that are common to the bicycle parking lot management systems 10 according to the first to third embodiments, and will only explain in detail the parts that are different. The bicycle parking lot management system according to this embodiment is configured to execute the bicycle parking lot management method according to this embodiment.

This embodiment differs from the first to third embodiments, all of which are examples of prepaid parking lot management systems, in that it is an example of a postpaid parking lot management system. However, this embodiment is common with the third embodiment in that it is a specific example of implementing the present invention in a second communication environment, i.e., a communication environment in which the settlement machine 210, which corresponds to the ticket vending machine 30, can communicate with the management server 50 but cannot communicate with the mobile terminal 90.

In the system 10 according to this embodiment, when entering a bicycle, the user does not operate either their mobile terminal 90 or the payment machine 210. At that time, only the entry/exit control device 200 operates, which operates in response to the user entering the bicycle 12 (an example of a "vehicle") into one of the racks 72.

On the other hand, when leaving the parking lot, if the user wishes to pay the deferred parking fee by cash or prepaid IC card, they only need to operate the payment machine 210 and do not need to operate their own mobile terminal 90. However, if they wish to pay electronically, they only need to operate their own mobile terminal 90 and do not need to operate the payment machine 210.

However, when leaving the warehouse, the adjustment machine 210 operates in accordance with instructions from the management server 50, which in turn receives instructions from the mobile terminal 90. Therefore, in this system 10, the user does not directly operate the adjustment machine 210, but rather operates it indirectly, and the entry/exit control device 200 is operated via the adjustment machine 210.

Figure 12 conceptually shows the communication paths (e.g., communication cables, public telephone lines, internet lines, etc.) between the inventory control device 200 and the settlement machine 210, the communication paths (e.g., public telephone lines, long-distance wireless communication lines, internet lines, etc.) between the settlement machine 210 and the management server 50, and the communication network configuration (e.g., internet, etc.) for communication between the user's mobile terminal 90, the management server 50, and the payment server 110 in this system 10.

An example of an entry/exit control device 200 includes a gate device (not shown) installed (common to multiple racks 72) at the entrance/exit of a bicycle parking lot (an example of a "parking lot") 22, and a controller (not shown) that controls the gate device. The gate device has a movable member (e.g., a boom, bar, etc.), and the movable member can be switched between a state that allows and a state that prevents bicycles 12 from leaving the bicycle parking lot 22.

Another example of the entry/exit control device 200 includes a retractable, flap-type, or locking device (not shown) installed on each of multiple racks 72 (each an example of a "parking position" or "parking space") in the bicycle parking lot 22, and a controller (not shown) that controls the locking device. In either case, the entry/exit control device 200 for each rack 72 has a movable member (e.g., a baffle, flap, lock, etc.) that can be switched between a state (unlocked state) that allows the bicycle 12 to leave (exit) the corresponding rack 72 and a state (locked state) that prevents the bicycle 12 from leaving (exiting).

In one example, the controller is installed in a bicycle parking lot 22 and is configured to centrally control multiple locking devices installed on multiple racks 72 in the bicycle parking lot 22.

The settlement machine 210 differs from the ticket vending machine 30 in that, instead of issuing a ticket as proof of payment upon entry, it issues a receipt as proof of payment upon exit. However, it shares the same hardware and software configuration as the ticket vending machine 30 in that it has a non-electronic payment function that allows users to pay by cash or prepaid card, and a communication function that enables wireless communication with the management server 50 (or mobile terminal 90).

On the other hand, with regard to the time and fee calculation function, the ticket vending machine 30 has a calculation function that calculates the effective parking time, expected parking time, or reserved parking time, rather than the actual parking time, for each rack 72 (e.g., for each vehicle compartment or parking space) when entering the parking lot, in accordance with instructions from the user (e.g., the result of selecting the ticket type mentioned above), and calculates the amount of the parking fee based on this calculated value.

In contrast, the payment machine 210 has a calculation function that calculates the actual parking time for each rack 72 (e.g., for each vehicle compartment or for each parking space) when leaving the parking lot based on a signal from a bicycle presence/absence sensor (e.g., an object presence/absence sensor) described below in the entry/exit control device 200, and calculates the parking fee based on this calculated value. In any case, the ticket vending machine 30 and the payment machine 210 have in common the fact that they both calculate the length of parking time and calculate the parking fee based on this calculated value.

This calculation function is shared by both non-electronic and electronic payments, regardless of whether it is a ticket vending machine 30 or a payment settlement machine 210.

Figure 13 shows a conceptual flowchart of an example of a warehousing processing program executed by the warehousing/retrieval control device 200 and the settlement machine 210 during warehousing in this system 10.

When each entry processing program is executed in the entry stage, first, in step S1301, the computer (not shown) of the entry/exit control device 200 determines whether a bicycle 12 has entered (entered) any of the racks 72 in the bicycle parking area 22, using, for example, a signal from a bicycle presence/absence sensor (not shown, but a sensor that detects changes in a magnetic field depending on the relative position of the bicycle, such as a loop coil, or a sensor that detects changes in light depending on the relative position of the bicycle) of the entry/exit control device 200.

If there is an entry, the determination in step S1301 is YES, and then in step S1302, the computer of the entry/exit control device 200 sends the rack number, which is an example of identification information that identifies the current rack 72, to the settlement machine 210.

In response, the payment machine 210 receives the rack number in step S1351, and then, in step S1352, measures the current time as the entry time using the payment machine 210's clock (not shown). Then, in step S1353, the payment machine 210 associates the rack number and entry time with each other and stores them in its memory (not shown).

After executing step S1302, the entry/exit control device 200 operates in step S1303 to prevent the bicycle 12 stored in the current rack 72 from being removed without authorization. For example, if the entry/exit control device 200 uses a liftable flap, the flap is raised from the support surface of the bicycle parking space 22 to lock the bicycle 12. If the entry/exit control device 200 uses a releasable lock, the lock is locked while the bicycle 12 is tethered to it.

Figure 14 shows a conceptual flowchart of an example of a shipping processing program executed by the shipping/return control device 200, the settlement machine 210, the user's mobile terminal 90, the management server 50, and the payment server 110 at the time of shipping in this system 10.

When each shipping processing program is executed in the shipping stage, the mobile terminal 90 determines in step S1431 whether the user has input a payment request (which also serves as a shipping request) to the mobile terminal 90. If a payment request has been input, the determination in step S1431 becomes YES, and then in step S1432, the user inputs into the mobile terminal 90 the rack number of the rack 72 where their bicycle 12 is stored.

Then, in step S1433, the mobile terminal 90 transmits the entered rack number to the management server 50.

In response to this, the management server 50 receives the rack number in step S1451, and then, in step S1452, sends the current rack number and a calculation request to calculate the amount of parking fee to be paid by the current user to the payment machine 210.

In response, the payment machine 210 receives the calculation request and rack number in step S1411, and then measures the current time using the clock in step S1412. Then, in step S1413, the payment machine 210 calculates the parking time as the elapsed time from the entry time stored in the memory to the current time.

Next, in step S1414, the payment device 210 calculates the parking fee by converting the calculated parking time into the parking fee amount according to a predetermined conversion table. Then, in step S1415, the payment device 210 transmits parking fee data representing the calculated parking fee amount to the management server 50.

In response to this, the management server 50 receives the parking fee data in step S1453, and then transmits the received parking fee data to the mobile terminal 90 in step S1454.

In response to this, the mobile terminal 90 receives the parking fee data in step S1434. In other words, in this embodiment, the mobile terminal 90 is configured to receive the parking fee data indirectly using the management server 50 as a relay device, rather than directly from the payment device 210 that originally generated the data.

Next, in step S1435, the mobile terminal 90 sends an electronic payment request to the payment server 110 to electronically pay the parking fee represented by the received parking fee data.

In response, the payment server 110 receives the electronic payment request in step S1471, and then performs the electronic payment in step S1472. Once the payment is complete, it sends a payment completion signal indicating this to the mobile terminal 90.

In response to this, in step S1436, the mobile terminal 90 sends a payment completion signal to the management server 50 indicating that payment of the parking fee has been completed via electronic payment.

In response, the management server 50 receives the payment completion signal in step S1455, and then sends a withdrawal permission signal to the settlement machine 210 in step S1456.

In response to this, the settlement machine 210 receives the withdrawal permission signal in step S1416, and then, in step S1417, transmits a withdrawal permission activation command signal to the entry/exit control device 200.

In response to this, the entry/exit control device 200 transitions the movable member to an unlocked state in step S1401, thereby allowing the bicycle 12 to be removed from the current rack 72.

As such, in this embodiment, during the delivery stage, the mobile terminal 90 is the only object of operation for the user. However, while the mobile terminal 90 can communicate with both the management server 50 and the settlement server 110, it cannot communicate with the settlement machine 210, and it cannot communicate with the entry/exit control device 200. Because the entry/exit control device 200 can communicate with the settlement machine 210, and the settlement machine 210 can communicate with the management server 50, the mobile terminal 90 can indirectly and ultimately operate the entry/exit control device 200.

Therefore, in this embodiment, even though the settlement machine 210 does not support electronic payments, the user can support electronic payments by using a mobile terminal 90 that can communicate with the payment server 110, without changing the hardware configuration of the entry/exit control device 200, the hardware configuration of the settlement machine 210, the hardware configuration of the management server 50, or the communication environment (communication path) between the entry/exit control device 200, the settlement machine 210, and the management server 50.

In this embodiment, the user can operate their mobile terminal 90 at a location away from the current bicycle parking lot 22 to make an electronic payment. However, by adding a step to confirm that the user's current location is near the current bicycle parking lot 22 using the GPS function of the mobile terminal 90, the user can be forced to use the mobile terminal 90 near the current bicycle parking lot 22 to make an electronic payment.

Specifically, in one example, the mobile device 90 allows communication with the management server 40, and ultimately allows the user to complete the electronic payment procedure, on the condition that the distance between the measured current location and the location coordinates of the current bicycle parking lot 22 (which are associated with each bicycle parking lot 22 and stored in the mobile device 90 in advance, or downloaded by the mobile device 90 from the management server 50) is less than a set value.

In another example, after access from a mobile terminal 90, the management server 50 receives the current location of the mobile terminal 90 from the mobile terminal 90, and, provided that the distance between the current location and the location coordinates of the current bicycle parking lot 22 is less than a set value, allows further communication with the mobile terminal 90, and ultimately allows the user to complete the electronic payment procedure.

<Fifth embodiment>

Next, we will explain a bicycle parking lot management system 10 according to an exemplary fifth embodiment of the present invention. However, we will omit redundant explanations of parts that are common to the bicycle parking lot management system 10 according to the fourth embodiment, and will only explain in detail the parts that are different. The bicycle parking lot management system according to this embodiment is configured to execute the bicycle parking lot management method according to this embodiment.

This embodiment is similar to the fourth embodiment described above in that it is an example of a postpaid parking lot management system. However, this embodiment differs from the fourth embodiment in that the adjustment machine 210 can communicate with the mobile terminal 90 but cannot communicate with the management server 50, in that the adjustment machine 210 can communicate with the management server 50 but cannot communicate with the mobile terminal 90.

As with the fourth embodiment, in the system 10 according to this embodiment, when entering a bicycle, the user does not operate either their mobile terminal 90 or the payment machine 210. At that time, only the entry/exit control device 200 operates, which operates in response to the user entering the bicycle 12 (an example of a "vehicle") into one of the racks 72.

On the other hand, when exiting the parking lot, if the user wishes to pay the deferred parking fee by cash or prepaid IC card, they only need to operate the payment machine 210 and do not need to operate their own mobile terminal 90. However, if they wish to pay electronically, they only need to operate their own mobile terminal 90 and do not need to operate the payment machine 210. This is also the same as in the fourth embodiment.

However, when leaving the warehouse, the adjustment machine 210 is instructed by the mobile terminal 90. Therefore, in this system 10, the user does not directly operate the adjustment machine 210, but rather operates it indirectly, and the entry/exit control device 200 is activated via the adjustment machine 210.

Figure 15 conceptually shows the communication paths (e.g., communication cables, public telephone lines, internet lines, etc.) between the inventory control device 200 and the settlement machine 210 in this system 10, the communication paths (e.g., short-range wireless communication, Bluetooth (registered trademark), etc.) between the settlement machine 210 and the user's mobile terminal 90, and the communication network configuration (e.g., the internet, etc.) for communication between the user's mobile terminal 90, the management server 50, and the payment server 110.

As such, in this embodiment, unlike the fourth embodiment, the settlement machine 210 has a short-range wireless communication unit that performs short-range communication with the mobile terminal 90 to support electronic payments. As a result, the user is required to operate the mobile terminal 90 in the vicinity of the settlement machine 210, for example, within a radius of approximately 5 m from the settlement machine 210, in order to make electronic payments.

In contrast, in the fourth embodiment, unless a step is added to use the GPS function of the mobile terminal 90 to confirm that the user's current location is near the current bicycle parking lot 22, the user cannot be forced to use the mobile terminal 90 near the current bicycle parking lot 22 to make an electronic payment.

On the other hand, if the user cannot be forced to use the mobile terminal 90 near the current bicycle parking lot 22 to make an electronic payment, there is a risk that the user will operate the mobile terminal 90 and fraudulently request an electronic payment before arriving at the current bicycle parking lot 22.

When this fraudulent activity occurs, a false parking time that is shorter than the actual parking time is calculated, and a false parking fee that is lower than the regular fee is calculated based on this calculation. When the user electronically pays the false parking fee, the entry/exit control device 200 switches via the payment machine 210 to a state that allows the bicycle 12 to be removed. As a result, when the user arrives at the current bicycle parking lot 22, they can exit the bicycle parking lot 22 with their bicycle 12.

On the other hand, if the user operates the mobile terminal 90 near the bicycle parking space 22 to request electronic payment, the user will expect that once the electronic payment is completed, they will promptly exit the bicycle parking space 22 with the bicycle 12 without intentionally extending the parking time. In this case, the length of parking time calculated in response to the electronic payment request will not be unduly shortened from the actual parking time.

In this system 10, when an item is brought into storage, the storage/retrieval control device 200 and the settlement machine 210 each execute a storage processing program. However, since an example of each storage processing program is the same as that shown in Figure 13, a duplicated explanation will be omitted.

Figure 16 shows a conceptual flowchart of an example of a shipping processing program executed by the shipping/return control device 200, the settlement machine 210, the user's mobile terminal 90, the management server 50, and the payment server 110 at the time of shipping in this system 10.

When each of the unloading processing programs is executed in the unloading stage, the mobile terminal 90 determines in step S1631 whether the user has input a payment request (which also serves as a unloading request) to the mobile terminal 90. If a payment request has been input, the determination in step S1631 becomes YES, and then in step S1632, the user inputs into the mobile terminal 90 the rack number of the rack 72 where their bicycle 12 is stored.

Then, in step S1633, the mobile terminal 90 transmits the input rack number along with a payment request to the payment machine 210. In this embodiment, the payment machine 210 is designed to have a communication unit for wireless communication with the mobile terminal 90. One example of such a communication unit is a communication device that performs short-range communication using the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard.

In response to this, in step S1611, the payment machine 210 receives the payment request and the rack number in association with each other, and then in step S1612, measures the current time using the clock. Then, in step S1613, the payment machine 210 calculates the parking time as the elapsed time from the entry time stored in the memory to the current time.

Next, in step S1614, the payment device 210 calculates the amount of the parking fee by converting the calculated parking time length into the amount of the parking fee according to a predetermined conversion table. Then, in step S1615, the payment device 210 transmits parking fee data representing the calculated amount of the parking fee to the mobile terminal 90.

In response to this, the mobile terminal 90 receives the parking fee data in step S1634. In other words, in this embodiment, the mobile terminal 90 is configured to receive the parking fee data directly from the payment device 210 that originally generated the parking fee data, rather than indirectly receiving the parking fee data using the management server 50 as a relay.

Next, in step S1635, the mobile terminal 90 sends an electronic payment request to the payment server 110 to electronically pay the parking fee represented by the received parking fee data.

In response, the payment server 110 receives the electronic payment request in step S1671, and then performs the electronic payment in step S1672. Once the payment is completed, it sends a payment completion signal indicating this to the mobile terminal 90.

In response to this, in step S1636, the mobile terminal 90 sends a payment completion signal to the payment machine 210 indicating that payment of the parking fee has been completed via electronic payment.

In response to this, the settlement machine 210 receives the withdrawal permission signal in step S1616, and then, in step S1617, transmits a withdrawal permission activation command signal to the entry/exit control device 200.

In this embodiment, the operation of sending an exit permission operation command signal to the entry/exit control device 200 is an example of an "operation to permit the vehicle to exit the parking lot." Other examples of "operations to permit the vehicle to exit the parking lot" include an operation of displaying a message on the display screen of the payment machine 210 indicating that exit is permitted in association with the current parking location, or an operation of turning on an indicator lamp on the payment machine 210 that, when lit, indicates that the user's exit is permitted in association with the current parking location.

In response to this, the entry/exit control device 200 transitions the movable member to an unlocked state in step S1601, thereby allowing the bicycle 12 to be removed from the current rack 72.

Then, in step S1637, the mobile terminal 90 transmits parking information (or parking-related information) to the management server 50. This parking information includes, for example, the rack number where the current user parked the bicycle 12 in the current bicycle parking lot 22, the time period during which the bicycle was parked, the length of time the bicycle was parked, and the amount of parking fee paid by the user based on that length of time.

In response, in step S1651, the management server 50 receives the parking information from the mobile terminal 90. The management server 50 is designed to receive parking information from the mobile terminals 90 of users of multiple bicycle parking lots 22, thereby centrally managing multiple bicycle parking lots 22. As a result, the management server 50 can, for example, monitor changes in occupancy rate over time for each bicycle parking lot 22, and evaluate differences in occupancy rate between multiple bicycle parking lots 22.

In this manner, in this embodiment, during the delivery stage, the mobile terminal 90 is the only object of operation for the user. However, the mobile terminal 90 can communicate with not only the settlement machine 210, but also the management server 50 and the settlement server 110. Because the entry/exit control device 200 can communicate with the settlement machine 210, and the settlement machine 210 can communicate with the mobile terminal 90, the mobile terminal 90 can indirectly and ultimately operate the entry/exit control device 200.

Therefore, in this embodiment, even though the settlement machine 210 does not support electronic payments, the user can support electronic payments by using a mobile terminal 90 that can communicate with the payment server 110, without changing the hardware configuration of either the inventory control device 200 or the settlement machine 210.

In the fourth and fifth embodiments described above, the user can perform electronic payment operations using their mobile terminal 90 at a location away from the payment machine 210 as long as they are within the bicycle parking lot 22, without having to physically occupy the payment machine 210. This is convenient for the user as there are no restrictions on the location in which they can perform the necessary operations.

However, the fact that the checkout machine 210 is not physically occupied while one user is making an electronic payment means that another user may attempt to use the checkout machine 210 to perform a non-electronic payment (cash payment or card payment).

In this case, the rack number (e.g., parking location identification information) assigned to one user and the rack number assigned to another user would not normally match, so electronic payments that do not require the active use of the payment machine 210 and non-electronic payments that do require it can be carried out in parallel. This reduces the time users have to wait for their turn to make a payment, providing convenience.

However, if for some reason (for example, by chance) the rack number actually entered into the mobile terminal 90 by one user and the rack number entered into or selected on the settlement machine 210 by another user match, the first of the two settlement processes performed by the two users (for example, the one in which each user issues a settlement request before the other) will be processed first, regardless of whether the rack number at that time is correct. This is because there is no means of determining the authenticity of the rack number.

As an example measure to prevent incorrect input or selection of rack numbers, each of the multiple racks 72 (examples of the parking locations, the vehicle compartments, etc.) in the bicycle parking area 22 (an example of the parking lot) may be equipped in advance with an identification mark, such as a computer-readable pattern (e.g., a barcode, a two-dimensional code such as a QR code (registered trademark), etc.), or the transmitter.

Here, the "identification mark" is a display medium that indicates a rack position (an example of a parking position) that differs for each rack 72. On the other hand, the "transmitter" is a communication device that emits a signal that indicates a transmitter ID that differs for each rack 72. The transmitter ID is converted uniquely into a rack position (an example of a parking position) by the mobile terminal 90. Both the identification mark and the transmitter are location information presentation means that present different location information for each parking position.

To explain the transmitter in more detail, the transmitter is a contactless or contact communication device that is installed with at least one transmitter for each corresponding rack 72 and transmits an identification signal that can identify the unique ID of the corresponding rack 72. This transmitter is sufficient as long as it has at least a transmission function, but may also be configured to have a receiving function as well, if necessary.

This transmitter actively transmits a unique identification signal without the need for an external trigger signal, and continuously so long as there is sufficient power supply.

Furthermore, this transmitter is generally known as a beacon device, radio beacon, or other device that emits a beacon signal as an identification signal. In one example, this transmitter modulates the original signal to generate an identification signal representing the corresponding parking lot ID, and then transmits the generated identification signal as an IR signal, Bluetooth (registered trademark) signal, NFC (near field communication) signal, or the like.

When the identification mark is used for each rack 72, for example, the user reads it with an image sensor (e.g., a digital camera) on their mobile terminal 90 prior to electronic or non-electronic payment, and converts the read result into a combination of the ID of the current bicycle parking space 22 and the ID of the current rack 72, or at least into the ID of the current rack 72. The mobile terminal 90 may transmit the conversion result to the management server 50 in the fourth embodiment, or to the payment machine 210 in the fifth embodiment.

In contrast, if a transmitter is used for each rack 72, for example, prior to electronic or non-electronic payment, the user receives a signal from the transmitter using the receiver of their mobile terminal 90, converts the received signal into a transmitter ID, and then converts the transmitter ID into a combination of the ID of the current bicycle parking space 22 and the ID of the rack 72, or at least into the ID of the current rack 72. The mobile terminal 90 may transmit the conversion result to the management server 50 in the fourth embodiment or to the settlement machine 210 in the fifth embodiment.

As another example of a countermeasure, a user who wishes to make an electronic payment when leaving the parking lot may apply their mobile terminal 90 to the location information presentation means when entering the parking lot for personal authentication (collation of personal information) when leaving the parking lot, and in response, the mobile terminal 90 may transmit a combination of the ID of the current bicycle parking space 22, the ID of the current rack 72, and the user ID (e.g., a unique number, unique symbol string, telephone number, email address, etc.) to the management server 40 or the settlement machine 210. In other words, a user who wishes to make an electronic payment when leaving the parking lot simply needs to hold their mobile terminal 90 over the location information presentation means when entering the parking lot.

In this case, when leaving the parking lot, just as when entering, if the user applies the mobile terminal 90 to the location information presentation means, the mobile terminal 90 may respond and transmit a combination of the ID of the current bicycle parking space 22, the ID of the current rack 72, and the user ID (e.g., a unique number, unique symbol string, telephone number, email address, etc.) to the management server 40 or the settlement machine 210. In other words, a user who wishes to make an electronic payment simply needs to hold the mobile terminal 90 over the location information presentation means when leaving the parking lot.

In this case, in response, the management server 40 or the payment machine 210 compares the information received from the mobile terminal 90 at the time of entry with the information received from the mobile terminal 90 at the time of exit. If the comparison is successful, the management server 40 may respond by calculating the amount of the parking fee and sending a request for electronic payment for that parking fee to the payment server 110, or the payment machine 210 may calculate the amount of the parking fee and send a request for electronic payment for that parking fee to the payment server 110, with or without going through the management server 40.

It should be noted that while the several embodiments described above implement the present invention by selecting a bicycle, which is an example of a "vehicle" as a moving body, as the stored object, the present invention may alternatively or additionally be implemented by selecting a motorcycle, moped, or automobile, which are other examples of a "vehicle," as the stored object.

Furthermore, in some of the embodiments described above, all or part of the processing that was performed on the mobile terminal 90 may instead be performed on the management server 50, and conversely, all or part of the processing that was performed on the management server 50 may instead be performed on the mobile terminal 90. This is because which device will perform the processing that should be performed is usually determined by the circumstances at the time, such as the amount and type of data being handled, the processing speed and storage capacity of each device, etc.

Furthermore, the several embodiments described above embody the technical idea of combining a payment device (such as the payment machine 210) that does not support electronic payments with a user's communication terminal (such as the mobile terminal 90) to make the entire system compatible with electronic payments in the parking lot management business field. However, this technical idea is also useful in other business fields. For example, the technical idea is also useful in businesses that receive fares from users and issue tickets in exchange for that fee, businesses that receive fees from users at stores and issue meal tickets in exchange for that fee, and businesses that receive fees from users and issue permits in exchange for that fee.

The above describes in detail some exemplary embodiments of the present invention based on the drawings, but these are merely examples, and the present invention can be implemented in other forms that incorporate various modifications and improvements based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art, including the embodiments described in the "Summary of the Invention" section above.

Claims (9)

A parking lot management system that manages postpaid parking lots,
Including a management server,
The management server is
a function of receiving user specific information from the user's communication terminal as user specific information at the time of entry when the user enters the parking lot;
a function of receiving, from the communication terminal, user-specific information of the same type as the user-specific information at the time of entry as user-specific information at the time of exit when the user leaves the parking lot;
and a function of transmitting, at the time of leaving the parking lot, parking fee data for electronic payment of the parking fee to the communication terminal, on the condition that the received user-specific information at the time of entry matches the received user-specific information at the time of leaving the parking lot. The parking lot management system further includes:
a location information presenting means for presenting location information corresponding to the parking lot;
a program executed by a computer of the communication terminal;
The management server further
receiving the location information corresponding to the parking lot and identifying the parking lot based on the received location information;
and a function of transmitting the amount of the parking fee,
The electronic payment of the parking fee is performed using a payment server that is an element that does not belong to the parking lot management system,
The communication terminal has a plurality of functions,
a function of enabling selective connection to the management server and the payment server;
a function of transmitting the location information corresponding to the parking lot to the management server when the communication terminal is applied to the location information presentation means corresponding to the parking lot;
a function of receiving the amount of the parking fee for the parking lot from the management server while in communication with the management server;
a function of transmitting an electronic payment request to the payment server while in communication with the payment server,
The parking lot management system according to claim 1 , wherein the program is executed by a computer of the communication terminal to realize the plurality of functions. the location information presentation means includes an identification mark or a transmitter corresponding to the parking lot;
the identification mark includes a pattern representing the location information corresponding to the corresponding parking lot;
The parking lot management system according to claim 2 , wherein the transmitter has a function of transmitting a signal representing the location information corresponding to the corresponding parking lot. The parking lot management system described in claim 2, wherein the location information includes information for identifying each vehicle compartment or each parking space when the parking lot has multiple vehicle compartments or multiple parking spaces. The parking lot management system described in claim 1, wherein the communication terminal and/or the management server uses the communication terminal to determine whether the user is near the parking lot, and has an electronic payment authorization function that authorizes the electronic payment if it is determined that the user is near the parking lot. A program executed by the management server to manage the parking lot using the parking lot management system described in any one of claims 1 to 5. A program executed by a computer of a communication terminal of a user of a postpaid parking lot managed by a parking lot management system including a management server,
The communication terminal
a parking entry transmission function for transmitting user specific information to the management server as parking entry user specific information when the user enters the parking lot;
a sending function at the time of leaving the parking lot that sends the same type of user specific information as the user specific information at the time of entering the parking lot to the management server as user specific information at the time of leaving the parking lot;
a receiving function for receiving, at the time of leaving the parking lot, parking fee data for electronic payment of the parking fee from the management server on the condition that the transmitted user-specific information at the time of entering the parking lot matches the transmitted user - specific information at the time of leaving the parking lot ;
Including,
A program executed by the computer to realize the entry transmission function, the departure transmission function, and the reception function. A computer-readable recording medium on which the program described in claim 6 is recorded. A computer-readable recording medium on which the program described in claim 7 is recorded.