JP2020064645A - Parking lot management system - Google Patents

Abstract

To reduce a load on a communication facility of a parking lot by transmitting, via communication equipment of a user, information received from a parking lot side unit to a center side unit in a remote place, in a system remotely managing a parking lot.SOLUTION: A system 500 managing a parking lot 20 includes: a parking lot side unit 30; and a center side unit 50 installed in a management center 40. The parking lot side unit 30 transmits a signal expressing settlement-related information required for user to settle a usage fee of a parking lot to communication equipment 90 of a user present in a parking lot via a local communication system using a local area network. The center side unit 50 receives a signal from the communication equipment of a user by a radio communication system using a telephone line. When receiving a signal from the parking lot side unit at a parking lot, the communication equipment 90 of a user transmits the received signal to the center side unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 18

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a technique for remotely managing a parking lot , and more particularly, to transmitting information received from a parking lot side unit to a center side unit at a remote place via a user 's communication device, thereby communicating in the parking lot . The present invention relates to technology for reducing the burden on equipment.

  In recent years, services for lending and returning rental objects to users have become widespread. Various objects already exist as rental objects, and new objects may exist in the future. Existing rental objects extend to movable property and real estate as tangible objects, and audiovisual content as intangible objects (for example, content represented by data not fixed on a recording medium).

  Movable rentals include, for example, land, water, or flying vehicles (eg, for travel or entertainment), furniture, clothing, appliances, accessories that are removably attached to appliances (eg, batteries). Or a recording medium (for example, a CD) on which audiovisual contents are recorded and which can be reproduced by the user. The real estate to be rented includes, for example, a room of an accommodation facility (for example, a hotel) where the user can stay in the short term or a stay facility (for example, an apartment) where the user can stay for a long term, a coin locker, There is an individual parking space in the parking lot.

  An example of a rental target as a land vehicle is a bicycle. For example, in tourist areas, there is a service for renting bicycles to travelers as a means for travelers to travel to their destinations, and even in urban areas, bicycles are provided to users as means for commuting or other movements. There are services to rent.

  A specific technique for providing a service of lending and returning a bicycle to a user has already been proposed.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique of managing each station by communicating with an external management center in order to rent a bicycle. This technology assigns a two-dimensional code to each bicycle and displays it on the first print medium, and assigns a two-dimensional code to each station and displays it on the second print medium. The point that each bicycle is locked with a dial lock to store each bicycle, and the user reads the two-dimensional code of the bicycle he / she wants to rent and manages the information through the user's portable communication device. It is transmitted to the center so that the management center recognizes the current bicycle.

  In this technique, the user further reads the two-dimensional code of the station in which he / she is present, and transmits the information to the management center via the user's portable communication device, which causes the management center to display the current station. And that the management center sends the unlocking number of the key to the user's mobile communication device when the bicycle is rented, and when the unlocking number is received, the user receives the unlocking number. Is used to unlock the key.

  Patent Document 2 also discloses a technique of managing each station by communicating with an external management center in order to rent a bicycle. This technique uses a key for each bicycle, and when the management center receives the vehicle number of the bicycle that the user wants to rent from the user's mobile communication device, the unlocking is for unlocking the key of the bicycle. It is characterized in that a signal is transmitted to the key and that the key is automatically unlocked when the unlock signal is received.

  Further, Patent Document 3 discloses a technique of autonomously managing each station in order to rent a bicycle. In this technology, in the same station, a number input unit and a bicycle parking management unit (having a storage device) common to a plurality of bicycles and a bicycle lock control unit for each bicycle are installed, and each bicycle lock control is performed. The unit uses a key, a unique device number is assigned to each bicycle lock control unit, and the bicycle parking management unit allows the bicycle parking management unit to receive the device number and the personal identification number (from the user via the numerical value input unit). When the personal identification number registered in advance by the user for identifying the person is received, the bicycle lock control unit is controlled to unlock the key.

  Patent Document 4 also discloses a technique of managing each station by communicating with an external management center in order to rent a bicycle. In this technology, in the same station, a stand is installed for each bicycle, that stand uses a key, and the management center allows a user to specify a mobile communication device through a mobile communication device. When an operation message indicating a stand is received, an unlock signal for unlocking the key is transmitted to the specific stand, and when the unlock signal is received, the key is unlocked. And

  In addition, Patent Document 5 discloses a technique in which the current time is encrypted and displayed momentarily on a display of a ticket issuing machine installed in a parking lot.

JP, 2011-248813, A Patent No. 5008108 Patent No. 5507916 US Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0196631 Japanese Patent No. 5340466

  In the above-described bicycle rental service, there are cases where it is important for the management center to correctly understand in which of a plurality of stations a user rents or returns a bicycle.

  One example of such a case is that a user returns a bicycle at the same station where the user rented it, due to the billing rules adopted by the management center to calculate the amount of rental fee charged to the user. In this case, the charging rule is adopted so that the amount of the rental fee charged to the user is different between the case of carrying out the service and the case of carrying out the return at another station.

  Another example is that each time a bicycle is rented, the station from which the bicycle is rented is accurately grasped, and every time the bicycle is returned, the station from which the bicycle is replied is accurately grasped. Calculate the balance of the number of bicycles at each station (for example, estimating the number of rentable bicycles from time to time), and based on the result, make a number of This is a case where bicycles are appropriately distributed between stations.

  However, if the user stores information for identifying the station that lent out and communicates the same information to the management center at the time of returning, the station that returns the station and the station that lent out Actually, whether the same or different, the management center recognizes that the user has returned at the same station where the user lent out.

  Therefore, the user intentionally misuses such a reality and actually returns information at a station different from the station that rented it out, and intentionally provided information for identifying the station that lent out. There is a possibility that a fraudulent act of communicating the same information to the management center upon return will be performed.

  Conventionally, there is a system in which a management server centrally and remotely manages a plurality of stations. In this system, it is desired that the station side unit reduces the burden on communication equipment for transmitting necessary information to a management server at a remote place.

  The problem when lending and returning the rental target to the user has been described above by taking the case where the rental target is a bicycle as an example. It also exists when doing against.

Against the background of the above findings, the present invention, in a system for remotely managing a parking lot , reduces the burden on communication equipment for a parking lot side unit to transmit necessary information to a center side unit at a remote place. The task was to provide the technology to do so.

In order to solve the problem , according to an aspect of the present invention, a parking lot management system for remotely managing a parking lot including a bicycle parking lot,
A parking lot side unit installed in the parking lot,
A center-side unit installed in a management center that remotely manages the parking lot;
Including,
The parking lot side unit sends a signal indicating payment-related information necessary for the user to pay the usage charge of the parking lot to the communication device of the user in the parking lot by using the local area network. It has a transmitter that transmits by the local communication method that
The center side unit has a receiving unit that receives a signal from a user's communication device by a wireless communication system using a telephone line,
In the parking lot, the user's communication device receives the signal from the transmitter of the parking lot side unit, and transmits the signal to the receiver of the center side unit. .

Further , according to one aspect of the present invention, by using a communication device carried by a user at each of a plurality of stations capable of storing at least one rental object, the rental of the at least one rental object is performed. A rental system for users to:
At each station, a signal representing a unique station ID is transmitted to the communication devices of the unspecified users or specified users at the station so that the signal cannot be normally received outside the area of the station. A station-side unit having a transmitter,
For each rental target, a target unit that provides a unique target ID to the user at the corresponding station who wishes to rent the rental target,
And a management server capable of communicating with a user's communication device for managing the plurality of stations at a remote location,
The user's communication device at any of the stations receives the signal from the station-side unit of the at least one of the stations, and selects the user from at least one rental object stored at the at least one of the stations. Acquiring the target ID from the target unit of the selected rental target, transmitting the station ID represented by the received signal and the acquired target ID to the management server,
The management server is provided with a rental system that permits the user to rent the selected rental target based on the received station ID and target ID.

Further, according to an aspect of the present invention, by using a communication device carried by a user in each of a plurality of stations capable of storing at least one rental object, the rental of the at least one rental object is performed. A rental system for users to:
At each station, a signal indicating a combination of a unique station ID and time information is directed to communication devices of unspecified plural users or plural specified users at the station, and outside the area of the station. In the station side unit that sends so that it can not be received normally,
For each rental target, a target unit that presents a unique target ID to a user at a corresponding station who wishes to lend the rental target in a computer-readable state by the communication device of the user,
And a management server capable of communicating with a user's communication device for managing the plurality of stations at a remote location,
The communication device of the user at any of the stations acquires the signal from the station-side unit of the at least one of the stations, and the user selects it from at least one rental target stored in the at least one of the stations. The target ID is acquired from the target side unit of the selected rental target, and the station ID and the time information represented by the acquired signal are transmitted to the management server in a state of being combined with each other and are associated with them to obtain the acquisition. The target ID that has been sent to the management server,
The management server is provided with a rental system that permits the user to rent the selected rental target based on the received station ID, time information, and target ID.

  Further, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a rental system in which at least one rental object is rented and returned to a user at each of a plurality of stations capable of storing at least one rental object. Therefore, by associating with each station position, by encrypting the information before encryption using an encryption algorithm, an encryption unit that generates a cryptogram that is dynamic both with respect to time and station position, In each station, a rental system including a providing unit that provides the generated code to a user in each station is provided.

  Further, according to the second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a rental method for lending and returning the at least one rental object to a user at each of a plurality of stations capable of storing at least one rental object. Then, an encryption process in which a computer associates each station position with information before encryption using an encryption algorithm, and thereby generates a code that is dynamic both in terms of time and station position. And a providing step of providing each station with the generated code to the user at each station.

  The following aspects are obtained by the present invention. Each mode is divided into sections, each section is given a number, and is described in a format in which the numbers of other sections are cited as necessary. This is to facilitate understanding of some of the technical features that can be adopted by the present invention and combinations thereof, and the technical features that can be adopted by the present invention and combinations thereof are limited to the following embodiments. Should not be interpreted as. That is, it should be construed that it is not hindered to appropriately extract and adopt the technical features described in the present specification as the technical features of the present invention, which are not described in the following aspects.

  Furthermore, it is not always necessary to describe each item in a format that refers to the number of another item, which prevents the technical features described in each item from being separated from and independent of the technical features described in other items. It is not meant to be meant, and the technical features described in each section should be construed to be appropriately independent depending on the nature thereof.

(1) A rental device installed in each of a plurality of stations capable of storing at least one rental object for lending and returning the at least one rental object to a user,
At the position of each station, including a display unit that displays a code that is dynamic both with respect to time and station position,
The rental apparatus, wherein the code is transmitted by a user via a communication device to a management center that remotely manages the plurality of stations.

  Throughout this application, the term “time” is construed in a narrow sense, that is, temporal information indicating the position of one point having no length on the time axis, or in a broad sense. Can be interpreted to mean temporal information that represents the position of one area having a length, that is, a time zone on the time axis, that is, the time.

(2) The at least one rental target is vehicles, furniture, clothes, electric appliances, batteries, chargers, recording media in which audiovisual contents are recorded, stayable rooms, individual storage spaces in coin lockers, and parking lots. The rental device according to (1), which includes at least one of the individual parking spaces.

(3) Furthermore, an encryption unit is included that generates the encryption momentarily by encrypting the information before encryption using an encryption algorithm,
Is the combination of the pre-encryption information and the encryption algorithm one of the pre-encryption information and the encryption algorithm dynamic with respect to at least the time of day and the other dynamic with respect to at least the station position? , Or at least one of the pre-encryption information and the encryption algorithm is configured to be dynamic both with respect to time and station position,
The code is
The nature that the user can not decipher,
If the user is actually present or in the past at any station, and unless the user is actually present or in the past, the property that the user cannot obtain the authentic cipher,
The management center has the property of being able to decipher and estimate the fact that the user is actually present or in the past at that station.
The management center decrypts the cipher received from the user by using the same encryption algorithm for deciphering, thereby deducing the station where the user is actually present or in the past. The rental device according to item (1) or (2).

(4) A bicycle rental device installed in each of a plurality of stations capable of storing a plurality of bicycles for lending and returning the bicycles to a user,
At the position of each station, including a display unit that displays a code that is dynamic both with respect to time and station position,
The bicycle rental device, wherein the code is transmitted by a user via a communication device to a management center that remotely manages the plurality of stations.

(5) Furthermore, an encryption unit is included that generates the encryption momentarily by encrypting the information before encryption using an encryption algorithm,
The information before encryption includes information about at least one of time and station position,
Is the combination of the pre-encryption information and the encryption algorithm one of the pre-encryption information and the encryption algorithm dynamic with respect to at least the time of day and the other dynamic with respect to at least the station position? , Or at least one of the pre-encryption information and the encryption algorithm is configured to be dynamic both with respect to time and station position,
The code is
The nature that the user can not decipher,
If the user is actually at any station at any time, and unless the user is actually at that station at exactly that time, the property that the user cannot obtain,
The management center has the property of being able to decipher and presume that the user is actually at the exact station at that time,
The management center decrypts the cipher received from the user by using the same encryption algorithm for deciphering, and thereby the station where the user is actually located and the time when the station is actually located. The bicycle rental apparatus according to item (4), which estimates

(6) A bicycle rental system for lending and returning a bicycle to a user at each of a plurality of stations for storing a plurality of bicycles,
A display unit that is installed in each of the plurality of stations and displays a code that is dynamic both with respect to time and station position,
When the cipher currently displayed on the display is transmitted to the center side unit by using a communication device that is installed in a management center that remotely manages the plurality of stations and is available to the user, the cipher is received. Then, by analyzing the received cipher, a bicycle rental system including a station where the user is actually located and an analysis unit which estimates the time when the user is actually located at the station.

(7) A bicycle rental system that rents and returns bicycles to a user at a plurality of stations that store a plurality of bicycles, respectively.
A plurality of station side units respectively installed in the plurality of stations,
A center-side unit installed in a management center that centrally manages the plurality of stations,
Each of the plurality of stations is assigned a unique station ID in advance,
Each station side unit is
A clock that measures the current time every moment,
An encryption unit that encrypts the current time measured by the clock and the station ID unique to the corresponding station, and the station ID is for the same station, but is a code that changes from moment to moment. What to encrypt to
A display unit for displaying information including the encrypted current time and station ID as two codes,
The user transmits the two ciphers displayed on the display unit to the center side unit by using an available communication device,
The center side unit is
A decryption unit that decrypts the two ciphers when the user receives the two ciphers;
Recognizing that the user is actually at the station having the station ID restored by decrypting the encrypted station ID at the time restored by decrypting the encrypted current time A bicycle rental system that includes an information processing unit.

(8) Each station ID is a station ID that is dynamic with respect to station position but static with respect to time,
The encryption unit uses a station ID unique to the corresponding station, and an encryption algorithm that is static with respect to the station position but dynamic with respect to the time and is common to the plurality of stations. The bicycle rental system according to item (7), wherein the bicycle is encrypted with a code that changes with time.

(9) Each station ID is a station ID that is dynamic in terms of station position and time,
The encryption unit changes from moment to moment by using a station ID unique to the corresponding station, using an encryption algorithm that is static with respect to station position and time and is common to the plurality of stations. The bicycle rental system according to item (7), wherein the bicycle rental system is encrypted.

(10) The center side unit further includes
Includes a memory that can read and store information,
When renting a bicycle, the user uses the communication device to transmit the two rental codes acquired from the display unit to the center-side unit,
Upon receiving the two lend-time ciphers from the user at the time of lending, the decryption unit deciphers the lend-time ciphers to recognize lending information including a lending time and a lending station, and the lending information is used by the user. Or save it in the memory in association with the bicycle rented to the user,
When the user returns the bicycle, the user uses the communication device to send the return-time cipher, which is the two ciphers acquired from the display unit, to the center-side unit,
Upon receiving the two return-time ciphers from the user at the time of the return, the deciphering unit deciphers the return-time ciphers to recognize return information including a return time and a return station,
The information processing unit reads out, from the memory, a rental time and a rental station that are stored in association with the user or a bicycle rented to the user, and a bicycle usage time as an elapsed time from the return time to the rental time. The bicycle rental system according to any one of (7) to (9), wherein the length of the bicycle is calculated, and whether or not the rental station and the return station are in agreement is determined.

(11) When renting a bicycle, the user uses the communication device to transmit the rent-time cipher, which is the two ciphers acquired from the display unit, to the center-side unit,
When the decryption unit receives the two lend-time ciphers from the user at the time of lending, it recognizes lending information including a lending time and a lending station by decoding the lending-time ciphers,
At the time of returning the bicycle, the user uses the communication device to transmit the return-time cipher, which is the two ciphers acquired from the display unit, to the center-side unit together with the two already-transmitted rental-time ciphers,
Upon receipt of the two lend-time ciphers and the two return-time ciphers from the user at the time of the return, the deciphering unit deciphers the received two lend-time ciphers to obtain the lending time and the lending station. The return information including the return time and the return station is recognized by recognizing the lending information including the return code and decoding the received two return codes.
The information processing unit calculates the length of the bicycle use time as the elapsed time from the return time to the lending time, and determines whether or not the lending station and the returning station match or do not match (7) or. The bicycle rental system according to any one of (10).

(12) A bicycle rental system for lending and returning a bicycle to a user at each of a plurality of stations for storing a plurality of bicycles,
A plurality of station side units respectively installed in the plurality of stations,
A center-side unit installed in a management center that centrally manages the plurality of stations,
Each station side unit is
The first clock that measures the current time every moment,
By using the current time measured by the first clock as the encryption algorithm corresponding to each station unit and different from the encryption algorithm used in other stations, the current time is the same, An encryption unit that encrypts to a different encryption from the encryption obtained at other stations,
And a display section for displaying information including the code,
The plurality of encryption algorithms used by the plurality of stations in their respective encryption units are different from each other, and the correspondence relationship between the stations and the encryption algorithms is known,
The user transmits the cipher displayed on the display unit to the center side unit by using an available communication device,
The center side unit is
A second clock which, when receiving the code from the user, measures the time when the code is received as the reception time,
Decrypt the received cipher, thereby recovering the time, and comparing the recovered time with the reception time to each other, thereby using the one of the plurality of encryption algorithms to receive the reception. A decryption unit that selects an encryption algorithm whose difference between the time restored by the decryption and the reception time is less than or equal to a reference value as the authentic encryption algorithm corresponding to the station where the user is actually present. When,
A bicycle rental including a user's information processing unit that the user recognizes as being actually at a station corresponding to the selected genuine encryption algorithm at the time restored by decryption using the selected genuine encryption algorithm ·system.

(13) A rental method for lending and returning the at least one rental target to a user at a plurality of stations for storing at least one rental target,
At the position of each station, including a display step to display a code that is dynamic both with respect to time and station position,
The rental method, wherein the code is transmitted by a user via a communication device to a management center that remotely manages the plurality of stations.

(14) A bicycle rental method for lending and returning a bicycle to a user at each of a plurality of stations for storing a plurality of bicycles,
Each of the plurality of stations is assigned a unique station ID in advance,
The method includes multiple steps performed at each station,
Those processes are
A timekeeping process that measures the current time every moment,
This is an encryption process for encrypting the measured current time and the station ID unique to the corresponding station. The station ID is for the same station, but is encrypted with a time-varying cipher. And what
A display step of displaying information including the encrypted current time and station ID as two codes,
The user transmits the displayed two ciphers to a management center that centrally manages the plurality of stations by using an available communication device,
The method includes a plurality of steps performed at the management center,
Those processes are
A decryption step of decrypting the two ciphers when the two ciphers are received from the user,
Recognizing that the user is actually at the station having the station ID restored by decrypting the encrypted station ID at the time restored by decrypting the encrypted current time And a bicycle rental method including an information processing step.

(15) A bicycle rental method for renting and returning bicycles to a user at each of a plurality of stations for storing a plurality of bicycles,
The method includes multiple steps performed at each station,
Those processes are
The first timekeeping process that measures the current time moment by moment,
The measured current time is different from the cipher obtained at other stations, even though it has the same current time, by using an encryption algorithm that is dynamic in terms of station position but static in time. An encryption process that encrypts to a cipher,
And a display step for displaying information including the code,
The plurality of encryption algorithms used by the plurality of stations in their respective encryption units are different from each other, and the correspondence relationship between the stations and the encryption algorithms is known,
The user transmits the cipher displayed on the display unit to a management center that centrally manages the plurality of stations by using an available communication device,
The method includes a plurality of steps performed at the management center,
Those processes are
A second timing step of measuring the time when the cipher is received from the user as the reception time,
Decrypt the received cipher, thereby recovering the time, and comparing the recovered time with the reception time to each other, thereby using the one of the plurality of encryption algorithms to receive the reception. And a decryption step of selecting an encryption algorithm whose difference between the time restored by the decryption and the reception time is equal to or less than a reference value as the authentic encryption algorithm corresponding to the station where the user is actually present. When,
An information processing step in which the user recognizes that the user is actually at the station corresponding to the selected authentic encryption algorithm at the time restored by the decryption using the selected authentic encryption algorithm. Method.

(16) A program executed by a computer to carry out the method according to any one of (13) to (15).

  Throughout this application, the term "program" may be construed, for example, to mean a combination of instructions executed by a computer to perform its function, or to combine each instruction as well as each instruction. It can be construed as including, but not limited to, files and data processed according to.

  In addition, this program may achieve the intended purpose by being executed by a computer by itself, or may achieve the intended purpose by being executed by a computer together with other programs. Yes, but not limited to. In the latter case, the program according to this section can be mainly composed of data, but is not limited thereto.

(17) A recording medium in which the program according to item (16) is recorded so that it can be read by a computer.

  Throughout this application, the term "recording medium" can be construed to mean various types of recording medium, such recording medium being, for example, a magnetic recording medium such as a flexible disk. The present invention includes, but is not limited to, a medium, an optical recording medium such as a CD and a CD-ROM, a magneto-optical recording medium such as an MO, and an unremovable storage such as a ROM.

(101) A rental device installed in each of a plurality of stations capable of storing at least one rental target for lending and returning the at least one rental target to a user,
By encrypting the information before encryption using an encryption algorithm, an encryption unit that generates a cryptogram that is dynamic both with respect to time and station position,
A rental device, comprising: a transmitter that transmits the generated code to a user's communication device at each station.

(102) The combination of the pre-encryption information and the encryption algorithm is dynamic, at least one of the pre-encryption information and the encryption algorithm is dynamic with respect to at least time, and the other is dynamic with respect to at least station position. Or the at least one of the pre-encryption information and the encryption algorithm is configured to be dynamic with respect to time and station location.

(103) The rental device according to (101) or (102), wherein the cipher is transmitted by a user to a management center that remotely manages the plurality of stations via the communication device.

(104) The cipher is
The nature that the user can not decipher,
If the user is actually present or in the past at any station, and unless the user is actually present or in the past, the property that the user cannot obtain the authentic cipher,
It has the property of being able to decipher and deduce that the user was actually present or in the past at that station.
The management center decrypts the cipher received from the user by using the same encryption algorithm for deciphering, thereby deducing the station where the user is actually present or in the past. The rental device according to the item (103).

(105) The at least one rental object is vehicles, furniture, clothes, electric appliances, batteries, chargers, recording media in which audiovisual contents are recorded, stayable rooms, individual storage spaces in coin lockers, and parking lots. The rental device according to any one of (101) to (104), which includes at least one of the individual parking spaces.

(106) A rental system for lending and returning the at least one rental object to a user at each of a plurality of stations capable of storing at least one rental object,
An encryption that generates dynamic cryptography that is dynamic both in terms of time and station position by encrypting the information before encryption using an encryption algorithm in association with each station position outside each station. Department,
A transmission unit that transmits the generated cipher to each station,
A rental system including a providing unit which, at each station, receives the transmitted cipher and provides the cipher to the user at each station.

(107) The rental system according to (106), wherein the providing unit includes at least one of a display unit that displays the cipher on the screen and a transmitter that transmits the cipher to a user's communication device. .

(108) A rental method for lending and returning the at least one rental object to a user at each of a plurality of stations capable of storing at least one rental object,
A cryptographic process for associating each station position with a computer and encrypting the pre-encryption information with an encryption algorithm, thereby generating a cipher that is dynamic with respect to both time and station position.
At each station, a transmission step of transmitting the generated code to a user's communication device at each station.

(109) The combination of the pre-encryption information and the encryption algorithm is such that one of the pre-encryption information and the encryption algorithm is dynamic with respect to at least time, but the other is dynamic with respect to at least station position. Or the at least one of the pre-encryption information and the encryption algorithm is configured to be dynamic with respect to time and station location.

(110) The encryption is
The nature that the user can not decipher,
If the user is actually present or in the past at any station, and unless the user is actually present or in the past, the property that the user cannot obtain the authentic cipher,
The rental method according to item (108) or (109), which has the property of being able to decipher by deciphering the code that the user is actually present or past in the station.

(111) A rental method for lending and returning the at least one rental object to a user at each of a plurality of stations capable of storing at least one rental object,
By the computer, in association with each station position, by encrypting the pre-encryption information using an encryption algorithm, an encryption process that generates a cryptogram that is dynamic both in terms of time and station position,
A transmitting step of transmitting the generated cipher to each station,
Receiving the transmitted cipher at each station, and providing the cipher to the user at each station.

(112) A program executed by a computer for carrying out the method according to any of (108) to (111).

(113) A recording medium on which the program according to (112) is recorded so that it can be read by a computer.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view showing station-side equipment installed in a certain station in the bicycle rental system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. It is a side view which expands and shows a part of rental bicycle shown to (a), and FIG.1 (c) is a display part of the station side unit of the station side equipments shown to FIG.1 (a). FIG. 1 (d) is a front view showing an example of how the code changes momentarily on the screen of FIG. 1, and FIG. 1 (d) is used for connecting the bicycle to the bicycle rack of the station side equipment shown in FIG. 1 (a). It is a front view which expands and shows the dial lock type wire lock. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of how a user at a certain station and a management center at a remote place communicate with each other in the bicycle rental system shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing the station side unit shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart conceptually showing the encryption / display program executed by the computer of the station side unit shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram showing a portion of the center-side unit shown in FIG. 2 that operates when renting a bicycle. FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing a portion of the center unit shown in FIG. 2 that operates when the bicycle is returned. FIG. 7 is a flowchart conceptually showing a part of the lending / returning program executed by the computer of the center unit shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart conceptually showing the remaining part of the lending / returning program shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram showing a portion of the center side unit of the bicycle rental system according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention, which operates when renting a bicycle. FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram showing a portion of the center-side unit of the bicycle rental system according to the second embodiment that operates when the bicycle is returned. FIG. 11 is a flowchart conceptually showing a part corresponding to FIG. 8 of the lending / returning program executed by the computer of the bicycle rental system according to the second embodiment. FIG. 12 is a functional block diagram showing a station side unit installed in a certain station of the bicycle rental system according to the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a flowchart conceptually showing the encryption / display program executed by the computer of the station side unit shown in FIG. FIG. 14 is a functional block diagram showing a portion of the center-side unit of the bicycle rental system according to the third embodiment, which operates when renting a bicycle. FIG. 15 is a functional block diagram showing a portion of the center-side unit of the bicycle rental system according to the third embodiment, which operates when the bicycle is returned. FIG. 16 is a flowchart conceptually showing a part of the lending / returning program executed by the computer of the center-side unit of the bicycle rental system according to the third embodiment. FIG. 17 is a flowchart conceptually showing the remaining part of the lending / returning program shown in FIG. FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a communication between a station and a remote management center and a communication between the station and a user at the station in the bicycle rental system according to the fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view conceptually showing communication between a user and a management center at a remote place. FIG. 19 is a functional block diagram showing the station side unit shown in FIG. 20 is a flowchart conceptually showing a cipher providing program executed by the computer of the station side unit shown in FIG. FIG. 21 is a functional block diagram showing a portion of the center side unit shown in FIG. 18, which operates to repeatedly encrypt and transmit the current time and station ID. 22 is a flowchart conceptually showing an encryption program executed by the computer of the center unit shown in FIG.

  Hereinafter, some exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

<First Embodiment of the Present Invention>

  First, referring to FIGS. 1 (a) and 2, a bicycle rental system 10 according to an exemplary first embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of stations 20 (FIG. 1) each storing a plurality of bicycles 12. (A) is a system for providing a service of lending and returning the bicycles 12 to a user at only a representative station 20 among the stations 20 is shown. Each station 20 is assigned to a corresponding bicycle parking lot 22.

  This bicycle rental system (hereinafter simply referred to as “system”) 20 is an example of a plurality of station-side units (each of the aforementioned “rental device” and “bicycle rental device”) installed in a plurality of stations 20. 30) and a center-side unit 50 installed in a management center 40 that remotely and centrally manages a plurality of stations 20. Each of the plurality of stations 20 is assigned a unique station ID in advance. Each station-side unit 30 is commonly used in the corresponding station 20 by a plurality of bicycles 12 stored therein.

  As shown in FIG. 1B, a specific chassis number 60 assigned in advance to each bicycle 12 is displayed at a specific portion of each bicycle 12. In some examples, the chassis number 60 is print-immobilized, in the form of a letter / number sequence that is directly visible to the user or a computer-readable indicia (eg, a bar code, a two-dimensional code), It is displayed on a specific part of each bicycle 12 (for example, a panel mounted near the top vertex of the triangular frame 64 that supports the saddle 62 from below in the bicycle 12).

  As will be described in detail later, the station-side unit 30 measures the current time from moment to moment, and measures the measured current time and the station ID unique to the corresponding station. However, it is encrypted so as to change from moment to moment, and the encrypted current time and station ID are displayed as two ciphers, regardless of whether they are visually distinguished from each other.

  As a result, as in the example shown in FIG. 1 (c), the two ciphers are merged together in series so as not to be visually distinguished from each other. Data), which is a part of the cipher 66 of which the current time is encrypted and the station ID of which is encrypted at a predetermined time interval (15 minutes interval in the illustrated example). Are also displayed on the screen 68 so as to change dynamically with respect to time. Here, "encryption" means visualization data that cannot be decrypted by the user but can be decrypted by a specific authorized person.

  As shown in FIG. 1 (a), this system 10 stores the above-mentioned station-side unit 30 and a plurality of bicycles 12 as fixed objects installed in one bicycle parking lot 22 in each station 20. And a bicycle rack (bicycle accommodating device) 70. The bicycle rack 70 includes a plurality of bicycle stalls (small sections) 72 for accommodating the bicycles 12 one by one. In one example, the bicycle rack 70 is partitioned into a plurality of bicycle stalls 72 by a frame 74 installed in the bicycle parking lot 22.

  Prior to renting to the user, each bicycle 12 is stored in each bicycle stall 72. In this stored state, the bicycle 12 is attached to the individual frame of the bicycle stall 72 and the dial lock type wire shown in FIG. It is locked using a lock 80. As is well known, the dial lock type wire lock 80 is constructed by connecting both ends of a flexible wire 82 to each other via a dial lock 84.

  The plurality of bicycles 12 accommodated in the plurality of stations 20 managed by the management center 40 are assigned dial locks 84 that are unlocked by different PINs. Therefore, only one bicycle 12 can be unlocked with one personal identification number.

  As shown in FIG. 2, in this system 10, as will be described later in detail, a communication device that can be used by a user (for example, a mobile phone that can be carried by the user or a device having a communication function (for example, a mobile phone, a smartphone, A laptop computer, a tablet computer, a PDA), a fixed telephone installed in the station 20, a public telephone installed in the vicinity of the station 20) 90, and an encryption 66 displayed on the screen 68. Is transmitted to the management center 40.

  When the cipher 66 is represented as a figure that can be identified by the user (for example, can be pronounced), as in the illustrated example, the user manually inputs the cipher 66 into the communication device 90 or a voice. It is possible to input with. On the other hand, when the cipher 66 is expressed as a figure that the user cannot identify, the user can read the cipher 66 with the scanner of the communication device 90 and input it.

  Upon receiving the cipher 66 from the user, the center-side unit 50 in the management center 40 deciphers the cipher 66, and as a result, the user is at the time restored by deciphering the encrypted current time. , It is recognized that the station 20 having the station ID restored by decrypting the encrypted station ID is actually present.

  In FIG. 3, one station-side unit 30 installed in one station 20 is shown in a functional block diagram.

  The station-side unit 30 is mainly configured by a computer 104 having a processor 100 and a memory 102 that stores a program executed by the processor 100. Specifically, the station side unit 30 includes a clock 110, an encryption unit 112, and a display unit 114.

  The clock 110 measures the current time moment by moment. The encryption unit 112 encrypts the current time measured by the clock 110 and the station ID unique to the station 20 corresponding to the station side unit 30. The encryption unit 112 encrypts the station ID into a code that changes from time to time, even though it is for the same station 20. The display unit 114 displays the encrypted current time and station ID as the code 66 on the screen 68 so as to change from moment to moment.

  The cipher 66 is displayed on the screen 68 in substantially real time as it is generated, thereby preventing the old cipher 66 from being displayed on the screen 68 after the latest cipher 66 is generated. To be done. As a result, it is possible to prevent the cipher 66 of a certain time from being displayed on the screen 68 even though it is actually invalid in terms of time.

  In the present embodiment, the cipher 66 is composed of a multi-digit character / numeric string (for example, a sequence of a plurality of characters, a sequence of a plurality of numbers, and a sequence of a mixture of characters and numbers). The upper digit is the part where the current time is encrypted, and the lower digit is the part where the station ID is encrypted.

  In the present embodiment, the data displayed on the screen 68 that the user needs to send to the management center 40 is the cipher 66, that is, the part where the current time is encrypted and the station. Although the ID is a combination with the encrypted part, the data may include other information added to the combination, eg, other ciphers.

  In the present embodiment, the station ID is a station ID that is dynamic with respect to the station position (different for each station 20) but static with respect to the time (does not change over time), and the encryption unit 112 By using the station ID, which is static with respect to the station position but dynamic with respect to the time, and which is common to a plurality of stations 20, a cipher that changes from moment to moment (to be exact, , The part of the cipher 66 that is related to the station ID, and is hereinafter referred to as “station ID related partial cipher”.

  In this system 10, a different station ID is assigned to each station 20. Each station ID is a station ID that is static with respect to time, but this station ID is encrypted from moment to moment by an encryption algorithm that is dynamic with respect to time. It is obtained as a dynamic cipher that is dynamic in both position and time.

  Specifically, in this system 10, the station ID to be encrypted is dynamic with respect to the position of the station 20, but static with respect to time, and is The encryption algorithm is static with respect to the position of the station 20 (the encryption algorithm for the station ID is common to multiple stations 20), whereas it is dynamic with respect to the time of day. As a result, the station ID-related partial cipher resulting from the encryption is dynamic with respect to the position of the station 20 and the time.

  That is, the station ID related partial cipher is generated by encrypting a station ID that is dynamic with respect to a station position into a cipher that is dynamic with respect to time (that is, converted with time).

  Therefore, if the time and the station ID-related partial cipher at that time are specified, the station from which the station ID-related partial cipher is acquired can be identified. Further, since the station ID-related partial cipher is dynamic with respect to time, the user should also use the same cipher 66 (including the station ID-related partial cipher) as the cipher 66 when the bicycle 12 is rented when returning the bicycle 12. As a result, impersonation of the user who returned the device at the same station 20 at the time of lending is prevented, and thereby fraudulent activity is suppressed.

  Of the ciphers 66, the current time related partial cipher related to the current time is the current time related part that is the result of the encryption because the target of the encryption is the current time that is originally dynamic information. Those skilled in the art can easily conceive that the encryption is dynamic in time. Therefore, this point is not worth mentioning. However, of the ciphers 66, the station ID-related partial cipher is the station ID-related partial cipher that is the result of the encryption because the target of the encryption is the position of the station 20 that is temporally static information. It is not easy for a person skilled in the art to make it dynamic.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the station ID related partial cipher and the current time related partial cipher are combined to generate one cipher 66. As a result, as long as the same cipher 66 is focused on, the information about the station ID and the information about the current time are associated with each other, so that at any time (for example, either the current time or the past time), the user can It is possible to estimate that one of the stations 20 is present.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the cipher 66 is visually perceived by the user as a meaningless character / numerical string cipher 66, so that the user is discouraged from deciphering the cipher 66 and attempting to abuse it. There is expected. Further, the cipher 66 combines a character / numeric string (lower four digits in the example shown in FIG. 1) that is a current time related partial cipher with a character / numeric string that is a station ID related partial cipher. Since the two related partial ciphers are integrated into a single unit, it is more likely that the user will try to misuse the cipher 66 than if the two related partial ciphers are displayed on the screen 68 so as to be visually distinguished from each other. It is also expected to be strongly discouraged.

  FIG. 4 conceptually shows an encryption / display program executed by the computer 104 of the station-side unit (station-side unit installed in the one of the plurality of stations 20 of interest this time) 30 shown in FIG. It is shown in the flow chart. This encryption / display program is stored in advance in the memory 102, and is read out from the memory 102 and executed by the processor 100 as needed, like other programs described later.

  The execution of the encryption / display program is repeated at time intervals of 15 minutes, for example. Each execution of this encryption / display program is started in step S401, and in step S401, the current time is measured using the clock 110. Next, in step S402, an encryption algorithm for time, which is static with respect to the position of the station 20 and static with respect to time, is read from the memory 102, and by using the static encryption algorithm, The measured current time is encrypted.

  Then, in step S403, the station ID assigned to the station 20 corresponding to the current station-side unit 30 is read from the memory 102. Then, in step S404, the encryption algorithm for the station ID, which is static with respect to the position of the station 20 but dynamic with respect to the time, is read from the memory 102.

  As described above, the encryption algorithm for the station ID is dynamic with respect to time, and is specifically configured as a group of a plurality of individual algorithms that are used properly for each time. The individual algorithms are stored in the memory 202 in association with the time (for example, a plurality of times that elapse every 15 minutes). In step S404, the current time (the restored lending time) of the individual algorithms is stored. The one corresponding to the time is also selected and read in the memory 202.

  Then, in step S405, the read station ID is encrypted by using the selected individual algorithm.

  Then, in step S406, the encrypted current time and the encrypted station ID are combined to generate a cipher 66, and the generated cipher 66 is displayed on the screen 68 in substantially real time. Is displayed. The cipher 66 displayed on the screen 68 is directly known by the user at the corresponding station 20 (the user who is looking into the screen 68).

  This is the end of one execution of this encryption / display program. When the display on the screen 68 is started, the cipher 66 is held on the screen 68 until the next execution of the encryption / display program is started.

  In this embodiment, the encryption of the current time and the station ID is intermittently performed at regular time intervals, as in some other embodiments described later. Therefore, in each encryption event for generating one cipher 66, the current time used for encryption (that is, the start time of the encryption event) means the current time in a narrow sense. However, focusing on that the generated cipher 66 is valid until the start time of the next encryption event, the current time used for encryption (that is, the start time of the previous encryption event) is in a broad sense. It means the start time of the time zone (the period from the start time to the end time of the previous encryption event) that is the time. Therefore, it is possible to interpret that the current time used for encryption (that is, the start time of the previous encryption event) itself means the time zone in a broad sense.

  5 and 6 are functional block diagrams of the center-side unit 50 installed in the management center 40. However, in FIG. 5, the center side unit 50 is shown paying attention to the portion that functions when the bicycle is rented out, while in FIG. 6, the center side unit 50 is shown focusing on the portion that functions when the bicycle is returned. Has been done.

  The center unit 50 is mainly composed of a computer 204 having a processor 200 and a memory 202 storing a program executed by the processor 200. The hardware configuration realized by the computer 204 is shown in a functional block diagram in FIGS. 5 and 6.

  To specifically explain the hardware configuration, the center-side unit 50, as shown in FIG. 5, has a receiving unit 210, a decryption unit 212, a lending permission unit 214, and a clock for renting a bicycle. 216, the personal identification number acquisition unit 220, and the transmission unit 222 are operated.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the center-side unit 50 further includes a receiving unit 210, a decryption unit 212, a clock 216, a return permission unit 230, a reading unit 232, and a rental fee for returning the bicycle. The calculation unit 234, the payment processing unit 236, and the transmission unit 222 are operated.

  Therefore, in the center side unit 50, the receiving unit 210, the decryption unit 212, the clock 216, and the transmitting unit 222 are operated both for renting a bicycle and for returning a bicycle.

  With the hardware configuration thus configured, a lending / returning method represented by a lending / returning program described later, that is, a bicycle rental method (which is an example of the aforementioned “rental method”) is executed.

  The hardware configuration will be described in more detail by focusing on the process of renting a bicycle. As shown in FIG. 5, the receiving unit 210 is displayed on the screen 68 of the display unit 114 by the user at the time of renting. The code 66 and the chassis number 60 of the bicycle 12 which the user is about to rent are received.

  The decryption unit 212 uses the upper digit of the received cipher 66 at the time of lending by using the encryption algorithm for the time so that the current time (to be precise, the user sends the cipher 66 to the management center 40). (The time sent to the destination) is restored and it is treated as the lending time.

  To be precise, it may be to be called a decryption algorithm, noting that this encryption algorithm is now used for decryption, but not for encryption. However, since the encryption algorithm has the property of a table that represents the correspondence relationship between the information before encryption and the information after encryption, whether it is an encryption scene or a decryption scene. Regardless, for convenience of description, it will be referred to as an encryption algorithm.

  Further, the decryption unit 212 restores the station ID by decrypting the lower digit of the received cipher 66 at the time of lending using the encryption algorithm for the station ID, and restores the station ID. Handle as an ID.

  The lending permission unit 214 allows the difference between the lending time and the current time measured by the clock 216 to be a permissible value (as long as the difference between the lending time and the current time is normal in the operation of the user and is normal, The length of the bicycle 12 is equal to or less than the statistically impossible length), the rental station ID is authentic, and the received chassis number 60 is authentic. Allow to rent.

  In order to determine whether or not the lending station ID is authentic, a plurality of station IDs respectively assigned to the plurality of stations 20 are previously stored in the memory 202 as a first table. When the ID matches any one of the plurality of station IDs in the first table, the rental station ID this time is determined to be authentic.

  Similarly, in order to determine whether or not the chassis number 60 is authentic, the plurality of chassis numbers 60 assigned to the plurality of bicycles 12 stored in the plurality of stations 20 are stored in the second table. Is stored in the memory 202 in advance, and when the current chassis number 60 matches any of the plurality of chassis numbers 60 in the second table, the current chassis number 60 is determined to be authentic.

  The storage unit 218 stores the lending time and the lending station ID in the memory 202 in association with the chassis number 60 in preparation for later use.

  When the lending permission is issued from the lending permission unit 214, the personal identification number acquisition unit 220 obtains the personal identification number for unlocking the dial lock 84 used for the bicycle 12 corresponding to the current chassis number 60 from the third table. Read out. In the third table, a plurality of chassis numbers 60 and a plurality of personal identification numbers are stored in advance in association with each other.

  The transmitting unit 222 transmits a message for notifying that the lending start has been performed to the communication device 90 of the user together with the read personal identification number. By using the personal identification number, the user can unlock the dial lock 84 of the bicycle 12 to be rented and release the bicycle 12 from the bicycle stall 72.

  The hardware configuration will be described in more detail by focusing on the process of returning the bicycle. As shown in FIG. 6, the receiving unit 210 is displayed on the screen 68 of the display unit 114 by the user at the time of returning. The code 66 and the chassis number 60 of the bicycle to be returned by the user are received.

  The deciphering unit 212 deciphers the upper digit of the received cipher 66 at the time of return using the time encryption algorithm, and thus the current time (to be exact, the user manages the cipher 66). The time transmitted to the center 40) is restored, and it is treated as the return time. Further, the decryption unit 212 restores the station ID by decrypting the lower digit of the received cipher 66 at the time of returning using the encryption algorithm for the station ID, and returns it to the returning station. Handle as an ID.

  The return permission unit 230 determines that the difference between the return time and the current time measured by the clock 216 is less than or equal to the allowable value, the return station ID is authentic, and the received chassis number 60. Is permitted to return the bicycle 12 to the user this time on the condition that is true.

  The return permission unit 230 determines that the present return station ID is authentic when the present return station ID matches any one of the plurality of station IDs in the first table. The return permission unit 230 determines that the current chassis number 60 is authentic when the current chassis number 60 matches any of the plurality of chassis numbers 60 in the second table.

  The reading unit 232 reads from the memory 202 the lending time and the lending station ID, which are stored in association with the current chassis number 60.

  The rental fee calculation unit 234 calculates the length of elapsed time from the lending time to the return time as the length of usage time (rental time) in which the user uses the bicycle 12. The amount of the rental fee is set to increase according to the length of the usage time, and when the return station ID does not match the lending station ID, the rental fee is set to increase compared to the case of matching. Is previously stored in the memory 202 as a fourth table. The rental fee calculation unit 234 determines whether the return station ID matches the lending station ID, and refers to the fourth table based on the determination result and the calculated length of usage time. By doing so, the amount of this rental fee is calculated.

  The payment processing unit 236 collects the current rental fee from the user by performing bank payment, credit payment, prepaid method payment, and the like for the user of this time.

  The transmission unit 222 transmits a message indicating that the return has been completed to the communication device 90 of the user together with the payment details regarding the rental fee this time. The user then locks the bicycle 12 to be returned to any unused bicycle stall 72 with the wire lock 80, and then locks the dial lock 84 of the wire lock 80.

  7 and 8 conceptually show flowcharts of a lending / returning program executed by the processor 200 of the center-side unit 50 and stored in advance in the memory 202.

  The execution of this lending / returning program each time is started in step S701 shown in FIG. 7, and in this step S701, the type of this request issued from the user to the management center 40 via the communication device 90 is determined. The information for identifying whether it is for lending or returning, the chassis number 60, and the code 66 are received together with the member ID and password that are pre-assigned to the user this time.

  In order to enjoy the bicycle rental service provided by this system 10, the user is required to register in advance as a member, and at that time, also register the password required for subsequent personal authentication. Is required.

  Next, in step S702, it is determined whether or not the personal authentication of the user this time has succeeded, based on the collation result of the received member ID and password with the registered information. If the personal authentication is successful, it is determined in step S703 whether the current request from the user is a lending request. If the current request is a return request, the determination is NO, and the process proceeds to the step group shown in FIG. 8. However, if the current request is a lending request, the determination is YES and step S704. Move to.

  In this step S704, the upper digit of the received cipher 66 is decrypted by using the time encryption algorithm, and thereby the lending time is restored. Succeedingly, in a step S705, it is determined whether or not a difference between the lending time and the current time measured by the clock 216 is equal to or less than the allowable value. If the difference is larger than the allowable value, it is determined that the data received this time from the user is abnormal, and the execution of this lending / returning program ends without providing the user with this service.

  On the other hand, when the difference between the lending time and the current time is less than or equal to the allowable value, the determination in step S705 is YES, and subsequently in step S706, the encryption algorithm for the station ID is stored in the memory 202. Of the plurality of individual algorithms (the same as the plurality of individual algorithms stored in the memory 102 of the station-side unit 30 described above) that compose the, corresponding to the current time (the restored lending time is also possible) is selected. Then, it is read from the memory 202.

  Subsequently, in step S707, the lower digit of the received cipher 66 is decrypted by using the read individual algorithm, whereby the lending station ID is restored.

  Succeedingly, in a step S708, it is determined whether or not the lending station ID of this time is authentic by determining whether or not the lending station ID matches any one of the plurality of station IDs in the first table. To be done. If the lending station ID this time is not authentic, it is determined that the data received this time from the user is abnormal, and the lending / returning program ends without providing the user with the current service.

  On the other hand, if the rental station ID this time is authentic, the determination in step S708 is YES, and subsequently, in step S709, the current vehicle number 60 is one of the multiple vehicle numbers in the second table. By determining whether or not they match, it is determined whether or not the chassis number 60 of this time is authentic. If the chassis number 60 of this time is not authentic, it is determined that there is some abnormality in the data received this time from the user, and the execution of this lending / returning program ends without providing this service to the user.

  On the other hand, when the chassis number 60 of this time is authentic, the determination in step S709 is YES, and subsequently, in step S710, lending the bicycle 12 having the chassis number 60 to the user is permitted. As a premise, it is recognized that the user is actually at the station 20 having the restored station ID at the restored lending time. Then, in step S711, the lending time and the lending station of this time are stored in the memory 202 in association with the chassis number 60 of this time in preparation for later use.

  Subsequently, in step S712, the user himself / herself unlocks the personal identification number corresponding to the chassis number 60 of this time, that is, the dial lock 84 locked in the bicycle 12 this time by referring to the third table. The number (for example, a plurality of digits) to be given to the dial lock 84 is acquired.

  Then, in step S713, the acquired personal identification number and a message indicating that the rental of the bicycle 12 is started are transmitted to the communication device 90 of the user. This is the end of the part of the lending / returning program for lending the bicycle 12.

  On the other hand, if the current request issued by the user is a return request, the determination in step S703 is NO, and the process proceeds to step S801 shown in FIG. In this step S801, the upper digit of the cipher 66 received at the time of return is decrypted by using the time encryption algorithm, whereby the return time is restored.

  Then, in step S802, it is determined whether or not the difference between the return time and the current time is less than or equal to the allowable value. If the difference is larger than the allowable value, it is determined that the data received this time from the user is abnormal, and the execution of this lending / returning program ends without providing the user with this service.

  On the other hand, when the difference between the return time and the current time is less than or equal to the allowable value, the determination in step S802 is YES, and subsequently in step S803, the encryption algorithm for the station ID is selected in the memory 202. Then, it is read from the memory 202. Specifically, as described above, among the plurality of individual algorithms forming the encryption algorithm for the station ID, the one corresponding to the current time (the restored return time is also possible) is selected in the memory 202. Read out.

  Subsequently, in step S804, the lower digit of the cipher 66 received at the time of return is decrypted by using the read encryption algorithm (individual algorithm), and thereby the return station ID is restored.

  Succeedingly, in a step S804, it is determined whether or not the return station ID of this time is authentic by determining whether or not the return station ID matches any one of the plurality of station IDs in the first table. To be done. If the return station ID of this time is not authentic, it is considered that there is some abnormality in the data received this time from the user, and execution of this lending / returning program ends without providing the service of this time to the user.

  On the other hand, when the return station ID of this time is authentic, the determination in step S805 is YES, and subsequently, in step S806, the current vehicle number 60 is one of the multiple vehicle numbers in the second table. By determining whether or not they match, it is determined whether or not the chassis number 60 of this time is authentic. If the chassis number 60 of this time is not authentic, it is determined that there is some abnormality in the data received this time from the user, and the execution of this lending / returning program ends without providing this service to the user.

  On the other hand, when the chassis number 60 of this time is authentic, the determination in step S806 is YES, and subsequently, in step S807, the user returns the bicycle 12 having the chassis number 60 to the station 20 of this time. Is allowed. As a premise, it is recognized that the user is actually at the station 20 having the restored station ID at the restored return time. Then, in step S808, the rental time and the rental station of the bicycle 12 to be returned this time are read from the memory 202 in association with the chassis number 60 of this time.

  Then, in step S809, the length of the elapsed time from the lending time to the return time is calculated as the length of the usage time of the user using the bicycle 12. Then, in step S810, it is determined whether or not the return station ID matches the lending station ID.

  Then, in step S811, by referring to the fourth table based on the calculated length of use time and the determination result of whether the return station ID matches the lending station ID, The rental fee is calculated. Thereafter, in step S812, the calculated rental fee is settled to the user of this time, and the rental fee of this time is collected from the user.

  Subsequently, in step S813, the message indicating that the return is completed and the payment details of the current rental fee are transmitted to the communication device 90 of the user. This is the end of the part of the lending / returning program for returning the bicycle 12.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the station ID is a station ID that is dynamic with respect to the position of the station 20 but static with respect to time, and the encryption unit 112 illustrated in FIG. By using an encryption algorithm which is static with respect to the position of the station 20 but dynamic with respect to the time, and which is common to a plurality of stations 20, the station ID is also used for the position of the station 20. Encrypt to crypto that is also dynamic.

  On the other hand, in a modification, each station ID is a station ID that is dynamic with respect to the position of the station 20 and the time. The encryption unit 112 encrypts this station ID momentarily with an encryption algorithm that is static with respect to the position of the station 20 and with respect to time, so that the station ID is dynamic with respect to both position and time. Get 66.

  Specifically, a plurality of individual station IDs are stored in the memory 202 in association with different times in order to realize a station ID that is dynamic with respect to both the position of the station 20 and the time. A collection of the individual station IDs for one day is different for each station 20. The encryption unit 112 selects the individual station ID corresponding to the current time from the individual station IDs, reads the selected individual station ID from the memory 202, and reads the read individual station ID of the station 20. Encrypt using an encryption algorithm that is static in both position and time.

  Specifically, in this modified example, the station ID that is the object of encryption is dynamic with respect to the position of the station 20 as well as the time, whereas the encryption algorithm is also related to the position of the station 20. The time is also static. As a result, the cipher 66 resulting from the encryption is dynamic with respect to the position of station 20 and with respect to time.

  Therefore, if the time and the code 66 at that time are specified, the station 20 from which the code 66 is acquired can be identified. In addition, since the cipher 66 is dynamic with respect to time, the user impersonates the user who returned the bicycle at the same station 20 as when the bicycle 12 was rented, by using the same cipher 66 as when the bicycle 12 was rented. Is prevented, thereby deterring fraud.

  As is clear from the above description, in the system 10 according to the present embodiment, the unique information for specifying the station 20, that is, the station ID (whether static or dynamic) is the same. Although it is for the station 20, it is encrypted with the cryptographic code 66 that changes from moment to moment.

  However, of the ciphers 66, only the station ID-related partial cipher is a cipher that is dynamic with respect to the position and time of the station 20, whereas the current time-related partial cipher is the position of the station 20. Is static with respect to, but dynamic with respect to time.

  Therefore, the unique information for specifying the same station 20 is encrypted by the different ciphers 66 at different times. Therefore, the cipher 66 at the time of return does not match the cipher 66 at the time of lending, even if the cipher for the same station 20 is actually used because the return time is different from the lending time.

  Nevertheless, since the encryption scheme is concealed from the user, the user can easily feel the same encryption as the encryption 66 displayed on the screen 68 at the time of lending to another station 20. If it is used at the time of return, the encryption at the time of the return is an illegal code that cannot exist at that time, so the management center 40 that received the encryption at the time of the return from the user will return the encryption at the time of the return. I can't decipher.

  When the management center 40 cannot decipher the cipher at the time of return, if the cipher at the time of return is made to report to the user that the code is improper, the user who has received the report will determine whether or not there is any misconduct. Know that they were being monitored and that their fraud was discovered. Therefore, the user has a consciousness that he / she does not want to perform the same wrongdoing again, and thereby, the deterrent effect against the wrongdoing of the user can be obtained.

  On the other hand, the management center 40 adopts a method of receiving the dynamic cipher 66 from the user via the portable communication device 90, and thus the user has a positioning function (for example, GPS function) for measuring the current position of the user momentarily. It is possible for the user to recognize the station 20 that is truly located at the time of renting and returning the mobile communication device 90 without activating it.

  Further, thanks to the technique of receiving the dynamic cipher 66 from the user via the mobile communication device 90, a signal for specifying the station 20 to be rented or returned is transmitted from the station 20 to the management center 40. The user can recognize the truly located station 20 at the time of lending and returning without having to install communication equipment for each station 20. As a result, the equipment cost of each station 20 can be reduced, which in turn can reduce the maintenance cost of the equipment.

  Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the length of the bicycle use time can be increased without requesting the user to also send the lending information including the lending time and the lending station to the management center 40 when the borrowed bicycle 12 is returned. It is possible to calculate the height and determine whether the lending station and the returning station are in agreement or inconsistency. Therefore, the burden imposed on the user is reduced.

<Second Embodiment of the Present Invention>

  A bicycle rental system 300 according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. However, since the bicycle rental system 300 has many elements in common with the bicycle rental system 10 according to the first embodiment described above, only different elements will be described in detail, and common elements will have the same name or Duplicated description will be omitted by quoting with reference numerals.

  First of all, a bicycle rental system (hereinafter, simply referred to as “system”) 300 will be described with reference to the bicycle rental system 10 according to the first embodiment. However, the center side unit 50 is common except that the storage unit 218 and the reading unit 232 are not provided as shown in the functional block diagrams of FIGS. 9 and 10. Further, in the system 300, the storage unit 218 and the reading unit 232 are not provided, but instead of the cipher 66 at the time of returning when the user returns the rented bicycle 12, the cipher 66 at the time of lending is also stored in the management center 40. You are required to send.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, the receiving unit 210 receives both the cipher 66 at the time of returning and the cipher 66 at the time of lending from the user at the time of returning. Similarly to the first embodiment, the decryption unit 212 restores the lending time and the lending station ID from the lending code 66 by using the dynamic encryption algorithm, and further, returns the lending code 66. Then, the lending time and the lending station ID are restored. In this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the unique station ID assigned to each station is static and does not change over time.

  Therefore, the lending / returning program executed by the computer 204 of the center side unit 50 is basically common to the lending / returning program shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 for the first embodiment.

  Specifically, the flowchart representing the lending / returning program in the present embodiment is different from the flowchart of the lending / returning program in that the lending time and the lending station ID are not stored in the memory 202 in association with the chassis number 60. The first embodiment is common to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  Further, the flowchart representing the lending / returning program in the present embodiment has already been rented out in the process for returning, that the lending time and the lending station ID are not read out from the memory 202 in association with the chassis number 60. The first embodiment is shown in FIG. 8 except that the user who is about to return the bicycle 12 is required to input the code 66 at the time of renting, but not the chassis number 60. It is common to the flowchart shown.

  In the flow chart showing the lending / returning program in the present embodiment, a portion corresponding to the flow chart shown in FIG. 7 will be omitted from further illustration and text description, while a portion corresponding to the flow chart shown in FIG. Will be described in comparison with the flowchart of FIG.

  If the request issued by the user is a return request, the determination of the step (not shown) corresponding to step S703 shown in FIG. 7 is NO, and the process proceeds to step S1101 shown in FIG. In this step S1101, similarly to step S704 shown in FIG. 7, the upper digit of the cipher 66 at the time of lending is decrypted using the encryption algorithm for the time, whereby the lending time is restored. It

  After that, in step S1102, similarly to step S801 shown in FIG. 8, the upper digit of the cipher 66 at the time of return is decrypted by using the encryption algorithm for the time, whereby the return time is restored. It

  Subsequently, in step S1103, similarly to step S802, it is determined whether or not the difference between the return time and the current time is less than or equal to the allowable value. If the difference is larger than the allowable value, the lending / returning program is immediately terminated.

  On the other hand, when the difference between the return time and the current time is less than or equal to the allowable value, the determination in step S1103 is YES.

  Subsequently, in step S1104, similar to step S803 shown in FIG. 8, a plurality of individual algorithms (stored in the memory 102 of the station side unit 30 to generate the cipher 66 are included in the encryption algorithm for the station ID. The one corresponding to the lending time (the same as the individual algorithm used in the station-side unit 30 to generate the cipher 66 at the time of lending) is selected in the memory 202 among the plurality of individual algorithms Read out.

  Subsequently, in step S1105, the lower digit of the cipher 66 at the time of lending is decrypted by using the read individual algorithm, whereby the lending station ID is restored.

  After that, in step S1106, of the plurality of individual algorithms forming the encryption algorithm for the station ID, the one corresponding to the current time (the restored return time is also possible) is selected and read in the memory 202.

  Subsequently, in step S1107, the lower digit of the cipher 66 at the time of return is decrypted by using the read individual algorithm, and thereby the return station ID is restored.

  Then, in step S1108, it is determined whether or not the current return station ID is authentic by determining whether or not the return station ID matches any one of the plurality of station IDs in the first table. It If the current return station ID is not authentic, execution of this lending / returning program is immediately terminated.

  On the other hand, if the return station ID this time is authentic, the determination in step S1108 is YES, and subsequently, in step S1109, the length of the elapsed time from the lending time to the return time is determined by the user. It is calculated as the length of the use time of using the bicycle 12. Then, in step S1110, it is determined whether the return station ID matches the lending station ID.

  Then, in step S1111, by referring to the fourth table based on the calculated length of use time and the determination result as to whether the return station ID matches the lending station ID, The rental fee is calculated. Then, in step S1112, the calculated rental fee is settled to the user of this time, and the rental fee of this time is collected from the user.

  Subsequently, in step S1113, the message indicating that the return is completed and the payment details of the current rental fee are transmitted to the communication device 90 of the user. This is the end of the part of the lending / returning program for returning the bicycle 12.

  As is clear from the above description, according to the present embodiment, the center side unit 50 may request that the lending information including the lending time and the lending station be stored in the memory 202 in association with the chassis number 60. At the time of return, the length of bicycle use time is calculated and the matching / non-matching between the lending station and the returning station is made without requesting that the lending information is associated with the chassis number 60 and read from the memory 202. Can be determined. Therefore, the load imposed on the center-side unit 50 is reduced.

<Third Embodiment of the Present Invention>

  A bicycle rental system 400 according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. However, since the bicycle rental system 400 has many elements in common with the bicycle rental system 10 according to the first embodiment described above, only different elements will be described in detail, and common elements will have the same name or Duplicated description will be omitted by quoting with reference numerals.

  First, in brief explanation, this bicycle rental system (hereinafter, simply referred to as “system”) 400 is different from the bicycle rental system 10 according to the first embodiment described above with respect to the station side unit 30 shown in FIG. 13 is a functional block diagram, and FIG. 13 is a flowchart, respectively, the encryption algorithm used for encrypting the current time differs from station to station 20, that is, the position of station 20 is dynamic. The point is the same as the point where the station ID is not encrypted.

  Further, this system 400 differs from the system 10 in that for the center side unit 50, as shown in the functional block diagrams of FIGS. 14 and 15 and the flowcharts of FIGS. 16 and 17, for restoring the station ID. It is common except that the code is not decrypted.

  FIG. 13 conceptually shows a flowchart of the encryption / display program executed by the computer 104 of the station side unit 30 shown in FIG.

  Each execution of the encryption / display program is started in step S1301, and in step S1301, the current time is measured using the clock 110. Next, in step S1302, an encryption algorithm for time, which is different for each station 20, is read from the memory 102, and the measured current time is encrypted by using the encryption algorithm. .

  Subsequently, in step S1303, the encrypted current time is displayed as the cipher 66 on the screen 68. This is the end of one execution of this encryption / display program.

  16 and 17 are conceptually flowcharts of a lending / returning program executed by the processor 200 of the center-side unit 50 shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 and stored in the memory 202 in advance. ing.

  By the way, when the current time is encrypted moment by moment, even if the current time is encrypted by using a static encryption algorithm with respect to time, the target of encryption is dynamic with respect to time, and therefore it is obtained by the encryption. The ciphers that are made are dynamic ciphers over time.

  On the other hand, when a number string representing the time is encrypted at the same time using a plurality of different encryption algorithms, a plurality of different ciphers are obtained.

  Also, if a different encryption algorithm is assigned to each station 20 to perform time encryption, each station 20 obtains a different cipher from the other stations 20 at the same time. The cipher eventually becomes a dynamic cipher not only with respect to time but also with respect to the location of station 20.

  Therefore, if the time is shared, a known relationship is established between the type of encryption algorithm and the cipher, and the relationship is associated with the time. Further, the type of encryption algorithm and the position of the station 20 have a one-to-one correspondence.

  Therefore, if the time and the cipher at that time are known, the type of the encryption algorithm used to acquire the cipher can be estimated, and thus the position of the station 20 where the cipher is acquired can be estimated.

  Based on such knowledge, firstly, in this system 400, in the system 400, the user uses the communication device 90 to display the cipher displayed on the screen 68 of the display unit 114 installed in the station 20 this time. 66 to the center-side unit 50 of the management center 40.

  When receiving the cipher 66 from the user, the center-side unit 50 measures the time at which the reception was performed as the reception time, deciphers the received cipher, and thereby restores the time.

  The center-side unit 50 further compares the restored time with the reception time, and thereby, the plurality of encryption algorithms different for each station 20 (hereinafter, for convenience of description, “a plurality of candidate ciphers” is used). Of the candidate encryption algorithms EA in which the difference between the time restored by the decryption and the reception time is equal to or less than a reference value when the received cipher is decrypted using the EA. Is selected as the genuine encryption algorithm corresponding to the station actually present.

  The center side unit 50 further recognizes that the user is actually at the station corresponding to the selected authentic encryption algorithm at the time restored by decryption using the selected authentic encryption algorithm. To do.

  Thus, according to this system 400, the type of encryption algorithm for time, that is, the encryption method, is changed for each station 20, that is, the type of encryption algorithm for time is changed with respect to the position of the station 20. Therefore, the station 20 of this time is identified from the cipher 66 without using a unique station ID assigned to each station 20 or encrypting the station ID into a dynamic encryption in a broad sense. it can.

  Also, since the cipher 66 is dynamic with respect to time, the user can impersonate the user who returned the bicycle at the same station 20 as when the bicycle was rented, by using the same cipher 66 as when the bicycle was rented when returning the bicycle. Are deterred, which deters fraudulent activity.

  Each execution of the lending / returning program in this embodiment is started in step S1601 shown in FIG. 16, and in this step S1601, the current request issued from the user to the management center 40 via the communication device 90. The information for identifying whether the type of the item is a loan or a return, the chassis number 60, and the code 66 are received together with the member ID and the password pre-allocated for the current user.

  Next, in step S1602, it is determined whether the personal authentication of the user this time has succeeded, based on the collation result of the received member ID and password with the registered information. If the personal authentication is successful, it is determined in step S1603 whether the current request from the user is a lending request. If the current request is a return request, the determination is NO, and the process proceeds to the step group shown in FIG. 17. However, if the current request is a lending request, the determination is YES, and step S1604. Move to.

  In step S1604, the number i for specifying the candidate encryption algorithm EA to be selected this time is set to 1. Subsequently, in step S1605, the memory 202 is selected from among the plurality of candidate encryption algorithms EA to which the current value of the number i is assigned.

  Then, in step S1606, the selected candidate encryption algorithm EAi is read from the memory 202 and the received candidate encryption algorithm EAi is used to decrypt the received cipher 66, whereby The candidate lending time is restored.

  Then, in step S1607, it is determined whether the difference between the candidate lending time and the current time is less than or equal to the reference value. If the difference is larger than the reference value, the determination is no, and then the number i is incremented by 1 in step S1608. Then, it returns to step S1605.

  On the other hand, if the difference between the candidate lending time and the current time is less than or equal to the reference value, the determination in step S1607 is YES, and subsequently in step S1609, the current candidate encryption algorithm EAi is Selected as the proper encryption algorithm for decrypting cipher 66.

  Then, in step S1610, the current candidate lending time is selected as the genuine lending time. Then, in step S1611, according to a predetermined relationship between the station ID and the genuine encryption algorithm number i, which is stored in the memory 202 in advance, the current genuine encryption algorithm number i is set. The corresponding lending station ID is determined.

  After that, in step S1612, it is determined whether or not the lending station ID of this time is authentic by determining whether or not the lending station ID matches any of the plurality of station IDs in the first table. It If the lending station ID this time is not authentic, execution of the lending / returning program is immediately terminated.

  On the other hand, if the rental station ID this time is authentic, the determination in step S1612 is YES, and subsequently, in step S1613, the current vehicle number 60 is one of the multiple vehicle numbers in the second table. By determining whether or not they match, it is determined whether or not the chassis number 60 of this time is authentic. If the chassis number 60 this time is not authentic, the execution of this lending / returning program is immediately terminated.

  On the other hand, if the chassis number 60 of this time is authentic, the determination in step S1613 is YES, and subsequently, in step S1614, lending the bicycle 12 having the chassis number 60 to the user is permitted. After that, in step S1615, the current rental time and the rental station are stored in the memory 202 in association with the current chassis number 60 in preparation for later use.

  Subsequently, in step S1616, the user himself / herself unlocks the personal identification number corresponding to the chassis number 60 of this time, that is, the dial lock 84 locked in the bicycle 12 this time by referring to the third table. The number (for example, a plurality of digits) to be given to the dial lock 84 is acquired.

  Thereafter, in step S1617, the acquired personal identification number and a message indicating that the rental of the bicycle 12 is started are transmitted to the communication device 90 of the user. This is the end of the part of the lending / returning program for lending the bicycle 12.

  On the other hand, when the current request issued by the user is a return request, the determination in step S1603 is NO, and the process proceeds to step S1701 shown in FIG.

  In step S1701, the number j for specifying the candidate encryption algorithm EA to be selected this time is set to 1. Subsequently, in step S1702, the memory 202 is selected from among the plurality of candidate encryption algorithms EA to which the current value of the number j is assigned.

  Then, in step S1703, the selected candidate encryption algorithm EAj is read from the memory 202, and the received encryption cipher 66 is decrypted by using the read candidate encryption algorithm EAj, thereby, Candidate return time is restored.

  Then, in step S1704, it is determined whether the difference between the candidate return time and the current time is less than or equal to the reference value. If the difference is larger than the reference value, the determination is no, and then in step S11705, the number j is incremented by 1. Then, the process returns to step S1702.

  On the other hand, if the difference between the candidate return time and the current time is less than or equal to the reference value, the determination in step S1704 is YES, and subsequently in step S1706, the current candidate encryption algorithm EAj is Selected as the proper encryption algorithm for decrypting cipher 66.

  Then, in step S1707, this candidate return time is selected as the genuine return time. Then, in step S1708, according to the predetermined relationship between the station ID and the genuine encryption algorithm number j, which is stored in the memory 202 in advance, the current genuine encryption algorithm number j is set. The corresponding return station ID is determined.

  Thereafter, in step S1709, it is determined whether or not the return station ID this time is authentic by determining whether or not the return station ID matches any one of the plurality of station IDs in the first table. It If the current return station ID is not authentic, execution of this lending / returning program is immediately terminated.

  On the other hand, when the return station ID of this time is authentic, the determination in step S1709 becomes YES, and subsequently, in step S1710, the current chassis number 60 is any of the multiple chassis numbers in the second table. By determining whether or not they match, it is determined whether or not the chassis number 60 of this time is authentic. If the chassis number 60 this time is not authentic, the execution of this lending / returning program is immediately terminated.

  On the other hand, when the chassis number 60 of this time is authentic, the determination in step S1710 is YES, and subsequently, in step S1711, the user returns the bicycle 12 having the chassis number 60 to the station 20 of this time. Is allowed. Then, in step S1712, the rental time and the rental station of the bicycle 12 to be returned this time are read from the memory 202 in association with the chassis number 60 of this time.

  Subsequently, in step S1713, the length of the elapsed time from the lending time to the return time is calculated as the length of the usage time of the user using the bicycle 12. Then, in step S1714, it is determined whether the return station ID matches the lending station ID.

  Subsequently, in step S1715, by referring to the fourth table based on the calculated length of use time and the determination result of whether or not the return station ID matches the lending station ID, The rental fee is calculated. Thereafter, in step S1716, the calculated rental fee is settled to the user of this time, whereby the rental fee of this time is collected from the user.

  Subsequently, in step S1717, the message indicating that the return is completed and the payment details of the current rental fee are transmitted to the communication device 90 of the user. This is the end of the part of the lending / returning program for returning the bicycle 12.

  As is clear from the specific description of some of the embodiments described above, in those embodiments, the encryption unit 112 of the station-side unit 30 installed in each station 20 is the same as before encryption. The cipher 66 is generated every moment by encrypting information (for example, station ID, current time) using an encryption algorithm.

  Here, the process of encryption can be likened to a process of multiplication of information before encryption and an encryption algorithm for the sake of simplicity. Then, since the cipher resulting from the multiplication is dynamic with respect to both time and station position, one of the pre-encryption information and the encryption algorithm is dynamic with respect to at least time. , The other is dynamic with respect to at least the station position, or at least one of the pre-encryption information and the encryption algorithm is required to be dynamic both with respect to the time of day and the station position.

  Therefore, the information before encryption includes information about at least one of the time and the station position. Is the combination of the pre-encryption information and the encryption algorithm one of the pre-encryption information and the encryption algorithm dynamic with respect to at least the time of day and the other dynamic with respect to at least the station position? , Or at least one of the pre-encryption information and the encryption algorithm is configured to be dynamic both in terms of time and station location.

  The cipher 66 has a property that the user cannot decipher it due to its property. The cipher 66 is also configured to be dynamic both in terms of time and station position, so that if the user is actually at any station 20 at any time, then exactly at that time. Unless the user is actually at the station 20, the user cannot obtain the genuine cipher 66, and the fact that the user is actually at the station 20 at the exact time is the center unit 50 of the management center 40. It has the property of being able to decipher and estimate the code 66.

  When the type of encryption algorithm is common to a plurality of stations 20, the center-side unit 50 can generate a plurality of ciphers, a plurality of decryption results, and positions of the plurality of stations 20 (for example, a plurality of stations 20). According to a predetermined relationship with a plurality of unique station IDs pre-assigned to each station, or if the type of encryption algorithm is unique to each station 20, a plurality of ciphers and From the user according to a predetermined relationship between the decryption result, the plurality of encryption algorithm types, and the positions of the plurality of stations 20 (for example, a plurality of unique station IDs preassigned to the plurality of stations 20). The received cipher 66 is decrypted so that the station 20 and its station where the user is actually present. To estimate the time and actually being in 20.

  Here, focusing on the station ID-related partial cipher among the ciphers 66, the station ID-related partial cipher is dynamic with respect to both time and station ID. This means that the station ID-related partial cipher changes with time even for the same station. However, since the number taken by the station ID-related partial cipher at each time is known for each station, the time when the station ID-related partial cipher is valid (for example, the time displayed on the screen 68) is known. Then, the corresponding station ID can be estimated.

  When the time when the management center 40 receives the station ID related partial cipher is known without the help of the current time related partial cipher (for example, in the lending scene, the lending time is the management center 40 uses the station ID. At the same time as the time when the related partial cipher is received), if the station ID related partial cipher is decrypted in association with the found time without the help of the current time related partial cipher. , The corresponding station ID can be estimated.

  On the other hand, when the time when the management center 40 receives the station ID related partial cipher is not known without the help of the current time related partial cipher (for example, in the returning scene, the lending time preceding the lending time). Is necessary), the lending time is first restored by decrypting the current time related partial cipher, and then the station ID related partial cipher is decrypted in association with the restored time, The corresponding station ID can be deduced.

<Fourth Embodiment of the Present Invention>

  A bicycle rental system 500 according to a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. However, this bicycle rental system 500 has many elements in common with the bicycle rental system 10 according to the first embodiment described above, so only different elements will be described in detail, and common elements will have the same name or Duplicated description will be omitted by quoting with reference numerals.

  First, in brief explanation, this bicycle rental system (hereinafter, simply referred to as “system”) 500 is different from the bicycle rental system 10 according to the first embodiment described above with respect to the station side unit 30 shown in FIG. In addition, as shown in the functional block diagram, in common with respect to the center-side unit 50, except that at least the encryption unit 112 is deleted, a communication device 510 that communicates with the management center 40 is added. 21 are common, except that an encryption unit 520 having the same function as the encryption unit 112 is added as shown in the functional block diagram of FIG.

  In this system 500, unlike the system 10, the station side unit 30 does not perform encryption of the current time and station ID in association with the corresponding station 20, but the center side unit 50 does not encrypt each station 20. The current time and station ID are encrypted in association with. When a new cipher 66 is generated in the center side unit 50, the cipher 66 is transmitted to the corresponding station 20 in substantially real time.

  The transmission of the cipher 66 from the center side unit 50 to each station 20 is realized as, for example, wireless transmission, for example, wireless transmission using a telephone line, wireless transmission using the Internet as an example of a global network. It In one example, on the Internet, a destination address unique to each station 20 is assigned to each station 20, and the center-side unit 50 identifies the corresponding destination address for each station 20 to identify each station 20. The cipher 66 unique to the station 20 is individually transmitted to the destination station 20 (for example, a monocast method).

  Further, in this system 500, when the station-side unit 30 receives the cipher 66, the cipher 66 is displayed on the screen 68 in substantially real time, so that the cipher 66 is transmitted to the corresponding station 20. The same cipher 66 is transmitted to the user's communication device 90 at the corresponding station 20 using the local area network in a substantially real-time manner, while being directly known to the user at the The code 66 is indirectly known to the user via the communication device 90.

  The local area network is configured so that the signal transmitted from the station-side unit 30 does not reach the user's communication device 90 unless the user is actually at the corresponding station 20. For example, the range of the signal transmitted from the station-side unit 30 is set so as not to substantially exceed the area of the corresponding station 20.

  In such a local area network, as a communication method, for example, an area of the corresponding station 20 (for example, a geographical area physically occupied by the station 20, a signal from the station 20 can be normally received). A method (eg, broadcast or multicast) for transmitting data to an unspecified number or a large number of users in an area (eg, located so as to at least partially overlap with the geographical area) is non- Adopted exclusively. Further, as the communication standard, for example, Ethernet (registered trademark), token ring, serial transfer (for example, IrDA (optical wireless data communication by infrared ray), USB, IEEE 1394, etc.) and the like are non-exclusively adopted.

  In this system 500, unlike the system 10, in the station-side unit 30, the same cipher 66 is provided to the user through both the display using the screen 68 and the data transmission. It is sufficient if at least one of the methods is adopted.

  FIG. 19 is a functional block diagram showing a station unit 30 corresponding to one of the plurality of stations 20 managed remotely and centrally by the management center 40.

  The station-side unit 30 includes the screen 68, the computer 104, and the display unit 114 described above (for example, a driver and a controller for driving a plurality of elements (for example, LEDs as light emitting elements) forming the screen 68). Further, it has a communication device 510.

  The communication device 510 includes a transmitter 512, a receiver 514, and a controller 516. The controller 516 has, for example, an interface, a MAC, a memory and the like. The receiving unit 514 receives the cipher 66 transmitted from the management center 40. The transmission unit 512 transmits the received cipher 66 to the communication device 90 of the user at the corresponding station 30.

  20 is a conceptual flowchart of the cipher providing program executed by the computer 104 of the station-side unit (station-side unit installed in the one of the plurality of stations 20 of interest) shown in FIG. It is represented by. Like the above-mentioned other programs, this cipher providing program is stored in advance in the memory 102, and is read out from the memory 102 and executed by the processor 100 as needed.

  The execution of this cipher providing program is repeated at a time interval of a length not exceeding the cycle of the execution cycle of the below-described encryption program in the center side unit 50, for example, a time interval of 5 minutes. Each execution of this cipher providing program is started in step S2001, and in this step S2001, the latest cipher 66 is received from the management center 40 via the receiving unit 514.

  Next, in step S2002, the received cipher 66 is displayed on the screen 68. This display is performed in the same manner as the system 10. This allows the user at the corresponding station 20 to directly perceive the latest cipher 66.

  Subsequently, in step S2003, the received signal representing the cipher 66 is transmitted to the user's communication device 90 at the corresponding station 20 via the transmitting unit 512 in substantially real time. Thus, the user at the corresponding station 20 can indirectly perceive the latest cipher 66 via his / her communication device 90.

  This is the end of the one-time execution of this cipher providing program. When the cipher 66 is displayed on the screen 68 and started to be transmitted from the transmission unit 512, the display state and the transmission state are held until the next execution of the cipher providing program is started.

  21 and FIGS. 5 and 6 are functional block diagrams of the center-side unit 50 installed in the management center 40. However, in FIG. 21, the center side unit 50 is shown paying attention to the portion that operates to repeatedly perform the encryption and transmission of the current time and the station ID, and FIG. 5 shows the center side unit. 50 is shown paying attention to the portion that functions when renting a bicycle (represented by the flowchart in FIG. 7), and in FIG. 6, the center unit 50 functions when returning the bicycle (see FIG. 8). (Represented by a flow chart).

  In this system 500, the center side unit 50 has the same function as that of the system 10 with respect to the part that functions when renting a bicycle and the part that returns when the bicycle is returned. And only those parts which operate for iterative encryption and transmission of the station ID will be described in detail.

  As described above, the center side unit 50 is mainly configured by the computer 204 having the processor 200 and the memory 202 storing the program executed by the processor 200. The hardware configuration realized by the computer 204 is shown in a functional block diagram in FIG. 21 and FIGS. 5 and 6.

  To specifically describe the hardware configuration, the center-side unit 50, as shown in FIG. 21, uses a clock 216, a transmission unit 222, and an encryption unit for encryption and transmission of the current time and the station ID. The activating section 520 is operated.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the center-side unit 50 has a receiving unit 210, a decryption unit 212, a lending permission unit 214, a clock 216, a personal identification number acquisition unit 220, and a transmission unit for renting a bicycle. And actuate section 222.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the center-side unit 50 further includes a receiving unit 210, a decryption unit 212, a clock 216, a return permission unit 230, a reading unit 232, and a rental charge calculation for returning the bicycle. The unit 234, the payment processing unit 236, and the transmission unit 222 are operated.

  Therefore, in the center side unit 50, the clock 216 and the transmission unit 222 are operated for encryption and transmission of the current time and station ID, rental of the bicycle, and return of the bicycle. Further, the receiving unit 210, the decryption unit 212, the clock 216, and the transmitting unit 222 are operated both for renting a bicycle and for returning a bicycle.

  With the hardware configuration shown in FIG. 21 and FIGS. 5 and 6, an encryption / transmission process represented by an encryption program to be described later and a plurality of steps shown in FIG. 7 (a bicycle lending of the lending / returning program described above). And a bicycle returning process represented by a plurality of steps shown in FIG. 8 (a portion of the above-mentioned lending / returning program relating to bicycle return). The method (which is an example of the aforementioned “rental method”) is executed.

  FIG. 22 conceptually shows a flowchart of the encryption program executed in the center side unit 50.

  The execution of this encryption program is repeated at time intervals of 15 minutes, for example. Each execution of this encryption program is started in step S2201, and in this step S2201, the number i assigned to one station 20 to be executed this time among the plurality of stations 20 is set to “1”. To be done. The memory 202 stores a station ID in advance in association with each number i.

  Next, in step S2202, the current time is measured using the clock 216.

  After that, in step S2203, an encryption algorithm for time, which is static with respect to the position of the station 20 and static with respect to time, is read from the memory 202, and by using the static encryption algorithm, The measured current time is encrypted.

  Subsequently, in step S2204, the station ID assigned to the current station 20 is read from the memory 202 by referring to the current value of the number i.

  Then, in step S2205, an encryption algorithm for the station ID, which is static with respect to the position of station 20 but dynamic with respect to time, is read from memory 202.

  As described above, the encryption algorithm for the station ID is dynamic with respect to time, and is specifically configured as a group of a plurality of individual algorithms that are used properly for each time. The individual algorithms are stored in the memory 202 in association with the time (for example, a plurality of times that elapse every 15 minutes), and in step S2205, among the individual algorithms, the one corresponding to the current time is stored. It is selected and read in the memory 202.

  Then, in step S2206, the read station ID is encrypted by using the selected individual algorithm.

  Then, in step S2207, the encrypted current time and the encrypted station ID are combined to generate a cipher 66, and a signal representing the generated cipher 66 is directed to the current station 20. And are transmitted individually (by specifying a unique destination address).

  When the transmission of the cipher 66 is started a certain time, the transmission of the cipher 66 of the previous time is continued until the transmission of the cipher 66 of the next time is started by the next execution of the encryption program.

Succeedingly, in a step S2208, it is determined whether or not the current value of the number i is equal to or larger than the threshold value i ₀ . For each of the plurality of stations 20, it is determined whether or not the process of generating the unique cipher 66 and transmitting the cipher 66 to each station 20 is completed.

This time, assuming that the current value of the number i is smaller than the threshold value i ₀ , the determination in step S2208 is NO, and then in step S2209, the number i is incremented by “1”. Subsequently, returning to step S2202, the same processing as the above processing is performed for the next station 20.

As a result of the execution of steps S2202 to S2209 being repeated several times, if the current value of the number i becomes equal to or greater than the threshold value i ₀ , the determination in step S2208 becomes YES, and thus, the encryption program is executed once. Ends.

  Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings by taking a case where the rental target is a bicycle as an example, the present invention can be applied to other rental targets.

  For example, a rental target is a motorcycle (for example, the personal identification number is applied to an engine key of the motorcycle), an automobile (the personal identification number is applied to a door key or an engine key of the automobile, for example). ), A motorized boat or jet ski (the PIN is, for example, applied to the engine key of the boat or jet ski), or a go-kart running on a particular course (the PIN is, for example, that of the go-kart). The present invention can also be applied to the case of a door key or an engine key).

  Further, the rental target is furniture (the secret code is applied to, for example, a door key in a closed space where the furniture is stored), electric appliances (the secret code is, for example, a closed space where the electric device is stored). A door key in a space), an accessory that is removably attached to an electric appliance (the PIN is applied, for example, to a door key in a closed space where the accessory is stored), or In the case of a recording medium (for example, a CD) on which audiovisual contents are recorded and which can be reproduced by the user (the above-mentioned personal identification number is applied to, for example, a door key in a closed space for storing the storage medium). Also, the present invention can be applied.

  Furthermore, the rental object is a room of a hotel or apartment in which the user can live (the above-mentioned password is applied to, for example, a door key of the room), an individual storage space in a coin locker (the above-mentioned password is, for example, It is applied to the door key of each room of the coin locker) or the individual parking space in the parking lot (the above-mentioned PIN is, for example, a device that manages the rental of the parking lot for each individual parking space, It is possible to apply the present invention also in the case of (related input by the user).

  As described above, some embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail based on the drawings, but these are examples, and based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art, including the modes described in the section of [Summary of the Invention]. The present invention can be implemented in other forms with various modifications and improvements.

Claims (10)

A parking lot management system for remotely managing a parking lot including a bicycle parking lot,
A parking lot side unit installed in the parking lot,
A center side unit installed in a management center that remotely manages the parking lot,
The parking lot side unit sends a signal indicating payment-related information necessary for the user to pay the usage charge of the parking lot to the communication device of the user in the parking lot by using the local area network. It has a transmitter that transmits by the local communication method that
The center side unit has a receiving unit that receives a signal from a user's communication device by a wireless communication system using a telephone line,
The communication device of a user is a parking lot management system which transmits the signal to the receiving part of the center side unit, when the signal is received from the transmitting part of the parking side unit in the parking lot.   The parking lot management system according to claim 1, wherein the payment-related information includes information regarding a usage time of the parking lot by the user.   The parking lot management system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the local area communication system includes at least one of Ethernet (registered trademark), token ring, serial transfer, USB, and IEEE 1394.   The parking lot management system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the communication device includes at least one of a mobile phone, a smartphone, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, and a PDA.   The parking lot management system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the payment-related information is transmitted in an encrypted state from the transmission unit of the parking lot side unit to a communication device of a user. The payment-related information is transmitted in an encrypted state from the transmitting unit of the parking lot side unit to the user's communication device, and the payment-related information is not decrypted and is transmitted to the user's communication device. From the center unit to the receiving unit,
The parking lot management system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the center-side unit further includes a decryption unit that decrypts the payment-related information when the encrypted payment-related information is received.   A program executed by a computer of a communication device for causing the communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 to function.   A program executed by a computer of the parking lot unit for causing the parking lot unit according to any one of claims 1 to 6 to function.   A program executed by a computer of a center side unit for causing the center side unit according to any one of claims 1 to 6 to function.   A recording medium on which the program according to claim 7 is recorded so that it can be read by a computer.

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