JP2005165757A - Parking lot reservation system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable the reservation of a parking lot through a user information terminal such as a cellular phone. <P>SOLUTION: This system comprises the user information terminal 10, an information server device 20, and a plurality of parking lot terminals 41-43 for supplying parking lot information to the information server device. The user information terminal comprises a means for transmitting parking lot inquiry information to the information server device and a means for transmitting reservation application information to the information server device. The information server device comprises a means for answering to the parking inquiry information based on the parking lot information, and a means for transmitting, on receipt of reservation application information for an answered parking lot, reservation confirmation information of this parking lot to the user information terminal and the relevant parking lot terminal. Each parking lot terminal comprises a means for reading reservation confirmation information presented by a user who tries to enter the relevant parking lot, and determining the propriety of the entrance based on the collation result of the read reservation confirmation information with the reservation confirmation information from the information server device. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a system for reserving a parking lot on a network using a user information terminal such as a mobile phone.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a system that allows a user to search for a reservationable parking lot with a mobile phone when the user makes a reservation for a parking lot on the go. As this type of system, for example, there is one described in Patent Document 1 described later. The system of Literature 1 is provided with a center server that has information on an empty space in a parking lot, and the center server can reserve a parking lot inquiry from a mobile phone based on the information on the empty space. Answer the information. The user uses the information returned from the center server to make a reservation by telephone contact from the mobile phone.
JP 2002-318959 A

  However, in the conventional system as described above, even if the reservationable parking lot information is notified to the mobile phone, the user needs to make a reservation to the parking lot by telephone contact, and in that case The reservation number notified to the user must be written down, which is troublesome for a user who wants to reserve a parking lot immediately.

  Also, in recent years, in order to avoid road congestion in urban areas, cars are parked around suburban stations, and the destination is moved to urban areas by means of transportation such as railways and buses. The idea of “Park and Ride” has become widespread. Here, it is desirable to select the parking lot in consideration of the cost of transportation and the time required, but even if the conventional system is used, the search area of the parking lot needs to be specified by the user. It is a burden for the user to consider a parking area suitable for moving to the destination.

  This invention is made | formed in view of the said subject, and it aims at providing the parking lot reservation system which can perform the selection and reservation of a parking lot smoothly.

  A parking lot reservation system according to the present invention includes a user information terminal possessed by a user, an information server device connected to be communicable with the user information terminal, and parking lot information including a predetermined parking lot location and reservation status. A plurality of parking lot terminals to be supplied to the information server device, wherein the user information terminal transmits a parking lot inquiry information for inquiring a reservationable parking lot to the information server device, and a predetermined parking lot. Means for transmitting reservation application information for reserving to the information server device, wherein the information server device is based on the parking information from each of the parking terminal and the parking lot inquiry information from the user information terminal. Means for responding to the parking lot corresponding to the parking lot, and the reservation confirmation information of the parking lot when the reservation application information relating to the replied parking lot is received. And each of the parking lot terminals reads the reservation confirmation information presented by the user attempting to enter the parking lot, and the read reservation confirmation information and the information server device. Means for determining whether or not warehousing is possible based on the result of collation with the reservation confirmation information.

  The parking lot reservation system according to the present invention may further include a transportation terminal that supplies route information of transportation to the information server device. In this case, the user information terminal transmits to the information server device means for transmitting the current location information to the information server device and route inquiry information for inquiring a route to the destination using the transportation means of the transportation facility. The response means of the information server device can receive a route from the current location of the user information terminal to the destination and make a reservation along the route when receiving route inquiry information from the user information terminal. And a parking lot based on the position information and the route information.

  According to the parking lot reservation system according to the present invention, since the information server device performs reservation processing for the parking lot in addition to searching for a parking lot that can be reserved, the user himself / herself performs a reservation procedure for the parking lot. A parking space can be secured smoothly without any problems. In addition, reservation confirmation information is issued from the information server device when the reservation is established, and the parking terminal determines whether or not warehousing is possible based on the reservation confirmation information, so that the reserved user can quickly park and go to the destination. The loss of time in the movement can be avoided.

[Example 1]
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a parking lot reservation system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the system 101 according to the present embodiment includes a mobile phone 10 possessed by a user, an information server device 20 capable of communicating with the mobile phone 10, and vehicle entry / exit in each of the parking lots 31 to 33. The parking lot terminals 41 to 43 to be managed are provided. The mobile phone 10, the information server device 20, and the parking lot terminals 41 to 43 are connected to be communicable with each other via a network 100 such as the Internet.

  A conventionally known navigation device 12 that guides and displays a travel route is mounted on a vehicle 11 of a user carrying the mobile phone 10. The mobile phone 10 has a function of transmitting location information of the current location, like a conventional mobile phone, and the system 101 supplies this location information to the information server device 20.

  The parking lot terminals 41 to 43 each have the same configuration. For example, the parking lot terminal 41 of the parking lot 31 includes a storage unit 41a that holds parking lot information including the location of the parking lot 31 and the vacancy status of the garage. And a control unit 41b for performing processing related to garage reservation. The control unit 41b notifies the information server device 20 of the parking lot information in the storage unit 41a periodically or whenever there is a change in information. Each parking lot terminal 41 to 43 is provided with a dedicated gate for a user who has reserved a garage in advance, and this dedicated gate receives reservation confirmation information described later from a user who attempts to enter the parking lot. A reservation information acquisition unit 41c, which is a means for acquiring, is provided. The reservation information acquisition unit 41c is connected to the control unit 41b of the information server device 20, and the operation procedure will be described later.

  The information server device 20 includes a customer database 21 that holds location information from the mobile phone 10 and information about the user, a parking lot database 22 that holds parking lot information from the parking lot terminals 41 to 43, and these databases. And a control unit 23 that performs a reservation process to be described later using 21 and 22.

  In providing the parking reservation service in the system 101 of the embodiment, for example, it is operated by collecting a reservation fee from the user, or by collecting a membership fee periodically from a user who becomes a member system. Secure expenses. For members, it is possible to differentiate from non-member users by making a reservation fee free or discounting parking costs.

  The operation procedure of the system 101 of this embodiment will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG. Here, a procedure for using the system 101 by a user who has been previously issued a member ID by member registration will be described. First, when a user who wants to reserve a parking lot connects to the information server device 20 from the mobile phone 10 via the network 100 (step S101), the information server device 20 determines the user's member ID and the area of the parking lot to be reserved. In order to confirm, information for displaying an input screen as shown in FIG. 3 is transmitted to a display mechanism (not shown) of the mobile phone 10 (step S102). The screen shown in the figure is provided with an item for inputting a desired area, but instead of such a configuration, it may be selected from a plurality of preset areas. An item “Nearest parking” may be provided as an option. This instructs the user to search for the nearest parking lot from the current location.

  When the user finishes inputting the ID and the desired area on the inquiry screen shown in the figure, the mobile phone 10 notifies the information server device 20 of parking lot inquiry information indicating the input content (step S103). The control unit 23 of the information server device 20 searches the parking lot information in the parking lot database 22 for a parking lot corresponding to the desired area of the received inquiry information, and extracts a parking lot in which an empty garage exists. Here, it is assumed that the parking lots 31 to 33 in FIG. Further, when the above-mentioned “nearest parking lot” is selected by the user, the location information of the mobile phone 10 is acquired from the customer database 21, and the parking lot corresponding to this location information is extracted.

  The control unit 23 of the information server device 20 generates empty parking lot information that causes the mobile phone 10 to display a screen as shown in FIG. 4 using the extracted parking lots 31 to 33 as options (step S104). It transmits to the telephone 10 (step S105). In the illustrated screen, “parking L” corresponding to the parking lot 31, “parking M” of the parking lot 32, and “parking N” of the parking lot 33 are shown. When the mobile phone 10 receives the empty parking lot information from the information server device 20 (step S106) and displays it on the screen, the user selects a desired parking lot. Here, as an example, it is assumed that “parking L” in the parking lot 31 is selected. The information server device 20 supplies the mobile phone 10 with information on a confirmation screen as shown in FIG. 5 for the user to confirm this selection. When the user performs an operation of accepting the screen content on the screen of FIG. 5, the mobile phone 10 transmits reservation application information for reserving the selected parking lot 31 to the information server device 20 (step S107).

  The control unit 23 of the information server device 20 generates reservation confirmation information indicating that the reservation of the parking lot 31 corresponding to the reservation application information is confirmed (step S108), and this is used as the parking lot of the mobile phone 10 and the parking lot 31. It transmits to the terminal 41 (step S109). The reservation confirmation information for the mobile phone 10 is, for example, information on a notification screen as shown in FIG. The reservation confirmation information is presented by the user at the parking lot in the warehousing procedure described later. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the reservation number is shown as the reservation confirmation information, but the form is not limited to the example shown in the figure, for example, information that can be propagated by infrared communication, or information that is two-dimensional barcoded, etc. Any form that can present information content in a parking lot can be used as appropriate according to the function of the mobile phone 10. By supplying such reservation confirmation information to the mobile phone 10, the user can reliably hold information that proves that the reservation has been made until the parking lot is entered.

  In addition, the information server device 20 displays information for the navigation device 12 to guide and display the route to the parking lot 31 when the user desires to transmit a travel route to the parking lot on the screen of FIG. Together with the mobile phone 10.

  The cellular phone 10 stores the reservation confirmation information from the information server device 20 (step S110), and when route information to the parking lot 31 is obtained, transmits it to the navigation device 12 (step S111). The navigation device 12 starts guidance display of the travel route from the current location to the parking lot 31 based on the supplied route information. The guidance display function of the navigation device 12 can use a conventionally known method, and a description thereof is omitted here.

  On the other hand, when receiving the reservation confirmation information from the information server device 20, the parking lot terminal 41 of the parking lot 31 stores the reservation confirmation information in the storage unit 41a (step S112), and activates the parking stop mechanism of the garage. A parking space for the user is secured (step S113). This completes a series of processes related to parking reservation.

  Next, the procedure when the user enters the reserved parking lot will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG. Here, an example in which the user of the mobile phone 10 parks the vehicle 11 in the reserved parking lot 31 will be described.

  When the user vehicle 11 arrives at a dedicated gate for a reserved user in the parking lot 31, the user presents reservation confirmation information held by the mobile phone 10 to a predetermined reading mechanism installed near the gate (step S114). ). This reading mechanism corresponds to the above-described reservation information acquisition unit 41c. Specifically, for example, a mechanism in which the user refers to a reservation number stored in the mobile phone 10 and inputs a key, or infrared communication with the mobile phone 10 A non-contact type reading mechanism such as a mechanism for acquiring reservation confirmation information by communication or a mechanism for reading reservation confirmation information from a two-dimensional barcode displayed on the mobile phone 10.

  When the reservation information acquisition unit 41c acquires the reservation confirmation information (step S115), the control unit 41b collates this information with the reservation confirmation information previously notified from the information server device 20 (FIG. 2: step S109). . When it is detected that the two match (step S116), the control unit 41b permits the vehicle 11 to enter from the dedicated gate and transmits position information of the garage to the mobile phone 10 (step S117). ). In addition, even if a user who has not made a reservation presents any information as reservation confirmation information, it does not match the reservation confirmation information obtained from the information server device 20 earlier, so that the user can enter the store from the dedicated gate. Is not allowed.

  The location information supplied to the mobile phone 10 from the parking lot terminal 41 is reserved, for example, as information on the garage number in the parking lot 31 or information for causing the navigation device 12 to guide and display the route to the garage. It is information that assists the movement to the garage. In the guidance to the garage, instead of transmitting the position information to the mobile phone 10, for example, the control unit 41b turns on or blinks the illumination in the parking lot 31 along the route to the garage. You may control.

  When the user obtains permission to enter from the parking lot terminal 41, the user moves the vehicle 11 from the dedicated gate according to the position information notified to the mobile phone 10, for example, and parks in the garage (step S118). With this, the warehousing procedure to the parking lot 31 is completed.

  As described above, according to the system 101 of the first embodiment, the information server device 20 cooperates with the mobile phone 10 and the parking lot terminals 41 to 43 to perform a parking lot search and reservation process. The user can save the trouble of performing a direct reservation procedure for the parking lot. In addition, as in the above embodiment, a dedicated gate is provided in the parking lot, and by checking the reservation number and the like at this gate, the user who made the reservation can quickly enter the store. It is possible to avoid a situation in which a general user is forced to wait for warehousing.

  In the above embodiment, parking lot reservation has been described. However, payment processing associated with the use of a parking lot can be performed using the system 101. In this case, for example, each member's payment method, withdrawal account, etc. are registered in the customer database 21 of the information server device 20, and the control unit 23 determines the parking lot usage fee generated by the member for each predetermined period. The mobile phone 10 is notified of the billing details. Then, the usage fee is collected by a pre-registered payment method. For non-members, for example, on the premise of credit settlement, a screen for inputting a card number is given at the time of parking reservation. The settlement may be billed from the information server device 20 to the credit card company for each reservation, for example. As a result, the user does not need cash to pay the usage fee, and the convenience of the system is improved.

[Example 2]
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the parking lot reservation system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In addition to the configuration of the first embodiment, the system 102 of the present embodiment includes transportation terminals 51 to 53 installed in each transportation facility that provides transportation means such as trains, buses, and airplanes. Each of the transportation terminals 51 to 53 has the same configuration. For example, the transportation terminal 51 includes a storage unit 51a that holds route information including an operation schedule of the transportation means, a seat reservation status, and the like, and route information. And a control unit 51b that performs processing related to reservation of the transportation means. Each transportation terminal 51-53 supplies route information to the information server device 20 via the network 100 periodically or whenever there is a change in information. The information server device 20 stores route information from the respective transportation terminals 51 to 53 in the transportation database 24 shown in FIG.

  This embodiment can be applied to a use in which a user moves to a destination by a train after parking the vehicle 11 in a parking lot. A procedure for reserving a parking lot by the system 102 will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG. Here, in FIG. 10, an example will be described in which a user traveling in the area A with the user vehicle 11 heads to the destination E station by a limited express train. It is assumed that the express train departs and arrives at station B in area B closer to the destination than area A.

  When the user accesses the information server device 20 from the mobile phone 10 (step S201), the information server device 20 sends information for confirming the user ID and search contents to the mobile phone 10 (step S202). As a result, a screen as shown in FIG. 11 is displayed on the mobile phone 10. The screen shown is for selecting whether to search only for a parking lot or to search for a parking lot in consideration of transportation, in conjunction with the input of a member ID. The mobile phone 10 transmits the input ID and options related to the parking lot search to the information server device 20 (step S203). At this time, when the user selects the search for only the parking lot, the search and the reservation process are performed by the same procedure as in the first embodiment.

  In addition, when instructed to search for a parking lot in consideration of the means of transportation, the information server device 20 transmits information as shown in FIG. 12 to the mobile phone 10, and the type of train that the user intends to use and the planned departure The station name is confirmed (step S204). Here, it is assumed that the user inputs “Nippon Electric Railway / Limited Express” as “Usage train” and “E station” as “Get off station”. The search conditions for the parking lot are not limited to the items shown in FIG. 12, but for example, a scheduled boarding station or departure / arrival times can be added as appropriate. In addition, a low-cost route is given priority for enumerating candidates. Various conditions may be given, such as giving priority to a route with a short required time or giving priority to a route with a small number of transfers.

  When the information server device 20 obtains the user input information from the mobile phone 10, among the route information acquired from the transportation terminal corresponding to the designated transportation facility, the area A to E station direction that is the current location of the user Extract information about the express train to go to. Here, the relevant transportation terminal is assumed to be the transportation terminal 51 of FIG. Based on the route information from the transportation terminal 51 held in the transportation database 24, the information server device 20 extracts information on the limited express train traveling from the A station in the area A toward the E station. It detects that it is possible to get on from the B station in the adjacent area B without stopping at the A station in the area A.

  Next, the information server device 20 extracts the parking lot information of the area B from the parking lot database 22 in consideration that the user uses an express train that stops at the B station. For example, “parking N” around station B in area B in FIG. 10 or “parking P” a little away is preferentially extracted. Here, for example, if there is a search condition to list in the order of the shortest required time, the “parking” around station A is to be able to get on a regular train from station A that is close to the current location and change to an express train at station B. L ”and“ parking M ”are extracted preferentially. In the case where the low cost is more important than the required time, “parking N” around the B station is preferentially listed as a candidate so that the vehicle 11 moves from the current location to the region B and gets on from the B station. As described above, the information server device 20 appropriately extracts the corresponding parking lot according to the search condition designated by the user, and the extracted information about the parking lot candidate and the selection screen regarding the reservation of the train used is stored in the mobile phone. 10 (step S205).

  Based on the information transmitted from the information server device 20, a selection screen as shown in FIG. In the illustrated screen, “parking N” and “parking P” in area B are listed as parking lot candidates, and “reservation not reserved (free seat)”, “designated seat / non-smoking”, and “ There is an option of “reserved seats / non-smoking”. When the user inputs a desired option from this screen, the mobile phone 10 transmits the input information to the information server device 20 (step S206). Here, it is assumed that “parking N” is selected as the parking lot, and “reserved seat / non-smoking” is selected as the reservation for the express train. The information server device 20 transmits information on a screen as shown in FIG. 14 to the mobile phone 10 in order to make the user confirm the selected content. When the user performs an approval operation on this screen, the mobile phone 10 informs the mobile phone 10 of the information. The information server device 20 is notified (step S207).

  The information server device 20 performs reservation processing for the parking lot according to the procedure described in the first embodiment, and for reservations for express trains, secures seats for the express trains using the route information in the transportation database 24. To do. In selecting a flight name to be reserved, for example, flight names that the user can board are extracted in consideration of the time when the user makes an inquiry and the required time from the current location to the boarding station. At this time, a plurality of options for flight names that can be boarded are listed, and the user may be allowed to select a desired one.

  Next, the information server device 20 notifies the reservation confirmation information about the parking lot and the train to the corresponding parking lot terminal (43) and the transportation terminal 51, and displays the reservation confirmation information on the screen as shown in FIG. The mobile phone 10 is notified (step S208). The train reservation confirmation information is not limited to the example shown in the figure, and for example, a non-contact type information transmission unit using the infrared communication function described in the first embodiment with respect to the parking lot can be employed. According to the above procedure, the reservation of the parking lot and the train for the user traveling in the area A to move to the destination by the express train is completed.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, the information server device 20 selects a parking lot in consideration of using a transportation means such as a train, and performs reservation processing for the parking lot and the transportation means. Thus, the user can smoothly secure a parking lot suitable for his / her own action plan. As a result, the so-called “Park and Ride” can be further spread and the inflow of cars to urban areas can be expected to be suppressed.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of Example 1 of the parking lot reservation system which concerns on this invention. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating the reservation procedure in Example 1. FIG. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the reservation screen of Example 1. FIG. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the reservation screen of Example 1. FIG. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the reservation screen of Example 1. FIG. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the reservation screen of Example 1. FIG. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating the warehousing procedure in Example 1. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of Example 2 of the parking lot reservation system which concerns on this invention. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating the reservation procedure in Example 2. FIG. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating arrangement | positioning of the parking lot in Example 2. FIG. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the reservation screen of Example 2. FIG. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the reservation screen of Example 2. FIG. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the reservation screen of Example 2. FIG. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the reservation screen of Example 2. FIG. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the reservation screen of Example 2. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Parking lot reservation system 100 Network 10 Mobile phone 11: User vehicle, 12: Navigation apparatus 20 Information server apparatus 21: Customer database, 22: Parking lot database, 23: Control part 31-33 Parking lot 41-43 Parking lot terminal 41a : Storage unit, 41b: control unit, 41c: reservation information acquisition unit

Claims (12)

A user information terminal possessed by the user, an information server device connected to be communicable with the user information terminal, and a plurality of parking spaces that supply the information server device with parking lot information including a predetermined parking lot location and reservation status A parking lot terminal,
The user information terminal transmits, to the information server device, a parking lot inquiry information for inquiring a reservationable parking lot to the information server device, and a reservation application information for reserving a predetermined parking lot. Means,
The information server device receives means for responding to the parking lot corresponding to the parking lot inquiry information from the user information terminal based on the parking lot information from each parking lot terminal, and reservation application information regarding the replied parking lot. And having means for transmitting reservation confirmation information of the parking lot to the user information terminal and the parking lot terminal,
Each parking lot terminal reads the reservation confirmation information presented by the user who attempts to enter the parking lot, and determines whether or not to enter based on the comparison result between the read reservation confirmation information and the reservation confirmation information from the information server device. A parking lot reservation system comprising means for determining. In addition, a transportation terminal for supplying route information related to transportation to the information server device,
The user information terminal has means for transmitting to the information server device position information of a current location and route inquiry information for inquiring a route to a destination using the means of transportation of the transportation means,
When the information server device receives route inquiry information from the user information terminal, the information server device, based on the position information and the route information, provides a route from the current location of the user information terminal to a destination and parking available parking along the route. 2. A parking lot reservation system according to claim 1, wherein the answering means answers a car park.   The information server device is a combination of a route and a parking lot for route inquiry information from the user information terminal, a combination that minimizes the cost to the destination, a combination that requires the shortest time, and the number of transfers of transportation means 3. The parking lot reservation system according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the combinations that minimizes the response is answered by the answering means. Furthermore, a navigation device for guiding and displaying a route on which the user's vehicle can travel is provided.
The user information terminal has means for acquiring parking information corresponding to a parking lot whose reservation has been confirmed from the information server device and supplying the acquired parking information to the navigation device,
2. The parking lot reservation system according to claim 1, wherein the navigation device guides and displays a route from the current location to the parking lot based on the parking lot information from the user information terminal.   2. The parking area according to claim 1, wherein each parking lot terminal transmits parking position information indicating a position where the vehicle should be parked to the user information terminal by the means when entry is permitted in the determination. Parking reservation system. In response to an inquiry from the user information terminal regarding a reservationable parking lot, a means for answering the parking lot corresponding to the inquiry based on the parking lot information including the location of the parking lot and the reservation status;
An information server device comprising: means for transmitting reservation confirmation information of the parking lot to the user information terminal when receiving the reservation application information regarding the replied parking lot. Furthermore, it comprises means for acquiring location information of the current location of the user information terminal and route information related to transportation,
When receiving an inquiry from the user information terminal to the destination using the means of transportation of the transportation means, the route from the current location of the user information terminal to the destination and the route along the route information based on the position information and the route information 7. The information server apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the answering unit answers a reservationable parking lot.   As a combination of a route and a parking lot in response to the inquiry to the destination, at least one of a combination that minimizes the cost to the destination, a combination that minimizes the required time, and a combination that minimizes the number of transfers of transportation. 8. The information server apparatus according to claim 7, wherein one answer is made by the answering means. Means for transmitting parking information including a predetermined parking lot location and reservation status to the information server device;
Means for receiving reservation confirmation information indicating confirmation of reservation of the parking lot from the information server device;
Means for reading reservation confirmation information presented by a user who attempts to enter the parking lot and determining whether or not warehousing is possible based on a comparison result between the read reservation confirmation information and the reservation confirmation information from the information server device. Parking terminal characterized by.   The parking lot terminal according to claim 9, wherein when the entry is permitted in the determination, parking position information indicating a position where the vehicle should be parked is transmitted to the user information terminal by the means.   A program that causes a computer that operates under program control to function as the information server device according to any one of claims 6 to 8. A program that causes a computer that operates under program control to function as a parking lot terminal according to claim 9 or 10.

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