JP7405482B2 - Parking management systems and programs - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a technique for managing a parking lot, and in particular to a technique for reducing the burden on equipment placed on a parking lot.

Parking lots with multiple parking spaces (also referred to as "cabins") for vehicles are already widespread. This type of parking lot can be categorized based on the method used to transport the vehicle to the target parking space. It is classified as mechanical type, which mechanically transports the vehicle to the target parking space.

Further, the parking lot may be lent to the user free of charge or may be lent to the user for a fee. Paid parking lots are classified into monthly parking lots and hourly parking lots (including "daily parking lots") based on the length of time they are rented to users.

Hourly parking lots can be classified from the perspective of their management method: manned parking lots, where a person in charge of managing and monitoring the parking lot is permanently stationed on-site, and 2 types, where such a person is not permanently stationed and the parking lot is sporadically operated. It is classified as an unmanned type that is dispatched to the site.

In addition, hourly parking lots can be classified from the viewpoint of payment method of parking fee: prepaid type where the user pays the parking fee corresponding to the length of the scheduled parking time when entering the parking lot, and the parking lot where the user pays the actual parking fee when leaving the parking lot. It is classified as a deferred payment type, where you pay a parking fee commensurate with the length of your parking time.

Several prior art documents have been found that disclose several types of parking lots as described above.

Patent Document 1 discloses a system that can be installed in a vehicle without installing dedicated equipment in a parking lot, and without requiring users to operate their own mobile terminals or operating facility facilities in the parking lot. This paper discloses a technology that makes it possible to completely automate the process of entering and exiting a parking lot using a GPS, a computer, and a communication device.

Specifically, Patent Document 1 measures the current position of the vehicle using a GPS positioning function installed not in the user's communication device but in the vehicle in which the user rides, and determines whether the current position is in any parking lot. When the state changes from a state that does not match any location to a state that matches any parking lot location, the user's entry into the parking lot is automatically detected, while the subsequent vehicle location changes from a state that matches the parking lot location. The present disclosure discloses a technology that automatically detects the user's exit from the parking lot when the parking lot transitions to a non-matching state.

Further, Patent Document 2 requires that a wireless station be installed in a parking lot, and acquires the user's location information and behavior information using the GPS and acceleration sensor installed in the user's mobile terminal, and The present invention discloses a technology that detects when a user enters and exits the parking lot where the user is currently staying, and makes it possible to completely automate the process of entering and exiting the parking lot.

Incidentally, a prepaid hourly parking system is already known as a parking lot management system. According to this operation mode, in the parking stage where the user enters the parking lot to park the vehicle, the effective parking time, which is the time period during which the user wishes to park in the parking lot, is expressed in units of hours. The user is given the right to use the parking lot on the condition that the user specifies the parking lot and that he or she pays in advance a parking fee commensurate with the length of the valid parking time.

Patent Document 3 describes a conventional example of a prepaid parking lot. This parking lot is equipped with a fee settlement device for users to pay their parking fee in advance, and an exit gate that opens and allows users to exit the parking lot on the condition that it is confirmed that the regular parking fee has been paid at the time of entering the parking lot. Dedicated equipment called an exit gate management device has been installed to allow this.

When a user uses this parking lot, when entering the parking lot, the user predicts the length of time required to park the vehicle continuously in the parking lot as the effective parking time, and calculates the effective parking time. Pay a parking fee commensurate with the length of the parking lot.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2001-202542 JP2013-256380A Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2010-250734

According to the technology described in Patent Document 1, it is theoretically possible to completely automate the process of entering and exiting a parking lot. However, in order to adopt the technology described in Patent Document 1, it is necessary for the vehicle to communicate with a positioning device such as GPS (positioning function), a computer (signal processing function), and an external server. Vehicles are required to be equipped with devices (communication functions), that is, vehicles are required to be highly functional (for example, intelligent).

In contrast, according to the technology described in Patent Document 2, instead of installing special equipment in the vehicle, the user's mobile terminal that has a signal processing function, a communication function, a positioning function, and an action detection function can be used. used. Nowadays, mobile terminals equipped with such functions have become widespread, and according to the technology described in Patent Document 2, it is possible to perform parking lot entry/exit processing without requiring the vehicle to be highly functional (for example, intelligent). can be completely automated.

However, the technology described in Patent Document 1 focuses only on the relationship between the location information of the mobile terminal and the location information of the parking lot, and attempts to identify the parking lot where the user got into the car and entered. There was a practical problem in that there was a high possibility of malfunction.

In addition, the technology described in Patent Document 2 attempts to identify the parking lot where the user entered by paying attention to the user's behavior information in addition to the location information of the mobile terminal. Despite the limited accuracy, there is still a practical problem that the system is highly likely to malfunction because the focused user behavior information is not specific to parking lots.

In addition, when constructing a prepaid parking lot as described in Patent Document 3, it is necessary to install a fee settlement device for users to pay their parking fees in advance, monitor the time when users leave the parking lot, and monitor the valid parking lot. It is necessary to install an exit gate device in the parking lot to confirm whether or not the time has expired. Therefore, when constructing this parking lot, a large amount of capital investment is required.

Therefore, regarding the technology for managing a plurality of parking lots using the information processing terminal of a user who selects and uses one of the plurality of parking lots, in particular, while suppressing the installation of dedicated equipment in the parking lot, , there is a problem of wanting to provide a technology that facilitates suppressing malfunctions of parking lot management systems.

With the above knowledge as a background, the present invention relates to a technology for managing parking lots, and in particular, an object of the present invention is to provide a technology that reduces the burden on equipment imposed on parking lots.

In order to solve the problem, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a parking lot management system that manages a plurality of parking lots,
Includes a server that can communicate with the information processing terminals of users using each parking lot,
That server is
Among the plurality of parking lots, the information processing terminal selects one located near the current position determined by the positioning unit of the information processing terminal as a plurality of candidate parking lots and displays the selected parking lot on the screen of the information processing terminal. a candidate parking lot display section that enables
When the user performs an operation on the screen of the information processing terminal to select one of the plurality of candidate parking lots as the parking lot that the user wants to use, select one of the candidate parking lots. a parking lot selection unit that allows the information processing terminal to select a parking lot to use;
A license plate number of a vehicle that the user parks in the parking lot used by the user and/or a user number that is the number of the parking space in which the user parks the vehicle among a plurality of parking spaces in the parking lot that the user uses. What is identified by operating the information processing terminal when exiting the parking lot is the license plate of each vehicle that was registered when each vehicle entered the parking lot and/or the number plate of each vehicle when the vehicle was parked. a parking fee data transmitting unit that transmits parking fee data representing a parking fee to the information processing terminal when the number matches one of the parking space numbers;
A parking lot management system including:

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the program is executed by a computer of an information processing terminal of a user who desires to use one of the plurality of parking lots managed by the parking lot management system. There it is,
The information processing terminal is capable of communicating with a server, and has multiple functions including:
Candidate parking lot display in which one of the plurality of parking lots located near the current position measured by the positioning unit of the information processing terminal is selected as a plurality of candidate parking lots and displayed on the screen of the information processing terminal. function and
When the user performs an operation on the screen of the information processing terminal to select one of the plurality of candidate parking lots as the parking lot that the user wants to use, select one of the candidate parking lots. A parking lot selection function to select the parking lot to be used,
When the user leaves the parking lot, by operating the information processing terminal, the user can check the license plate number of the vehicle parked in the parking lot and/or the number of multiple vehicles in the parking lot. a user number identifying function that identifies a user number that is a number of a parking space in which the user parks the vehicle;
If the identified user number matches either the license plate of each vehicle registered at the time of each vehicle entering the parking lot and/or the number of the parking space where each vehicle parks, the parking fee will be charged. a parking fee data reception function that receives parking fee data representing the parking fee data from the server;
including;
A program is provided that is executed to implement the plurality of functions.

Further, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a parking lot management system that manages a plurality of parking lots,
Includes a server that can communicate with the information processing terminals of users using each parking lot,
That server is
Among the plurality of parking lots, the information processing terminal selects one located near the current position determined by the positioning unit of the information processing terminal as a plurality of candidate parking lots and displays the selected parking lot on the screen of the information processing terminal. a candidate parking lot display section that enables
When the user performs an operation on the screen of the information processing terminal to select one of the plurality of candidate parking lots as the parking lot that the user wants to use, select one of the candidate parking lots. a parking lot selection unit that allows the information processing terminal to select a parking lot to use;
The license plate number of each vehicle that uses the parking lot and/or the number of the parking space in which each vehicle parks among the plurality of parking spaces in the parking lot that is registered when each vehicle enters the parking lot. Registration department and
A license plate number of a vehicle that the user parks in the parking lot used by the user and/or a user number that is the number of the parking space in which the user parks the vehicle among a plurality of parking spaces in the parking lot that the user uses. When the number received from the information processing terminal when exiting from the parking lot matches one of the plurality of registered numbers, the time when the user leaves the parking lot is determined. A parking lot management system is provided that includes: an exit time determination unit;

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the program is executed by a computer of an information processing terminal of a user who desires to use one of the plurality of parking lots managed by the parking lot management system. There it is,
The information processing terminal is capable of communicating with a server, and has multiple functions including:
Candidate parking lot display in which one of the plurality of parking lots located near the current position measured by the positioning unit of the information processing terminal is selected as a plurality of candidate parking lots and displayed on the screen of the information processing terminal. function and
When the user performs an operation on the screen of the information processing terminal to select one of the plurality of candidate parking lots as the parking lot that the user wants to use, select one of the candidate parking lots. A parking lot selection function to select the parking lot to be used,
When the user leaves the parking lot, the user may check the license plate number of the vehicle parked in the parking lot and/or the number of parking spaces in the parking lot in which the user parked the vehicle. a user number transmission function that transmits the input user number to the server when a user number, which is the number of a parked object, is input into the information processing terminal;
If the user number received by the server matches either the license plate of each vehicle registered when each vehicle entered the parking lot and/or the number of the parking space where each vehicle parks, an exit time receiving function that receives from the server the exit time of the user from the parking lot;
A program is provided that is executed to implement the plurality of functions.

Further, according to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a parking lot management system that manages a plurality of parking lots,
Includes a server that can communicate with the information processing terminals of users using each parking lot,
That server is
Among the plurality of parking lots, the information processing terminal selects one located near the current position determined by the positioning unit of the information processing terminal as a plurality of candidate parking lots and displays the selected parking lot on the screen of the information processing terminal. a candidate parking lot display section that enables
When the user performs an operation on the screen of the information processing terminal to select one of the plurality of candidate parking lots as the parking lot that the user wants to use, select one of the candidate parking lots. a parking lot selection unit that allows the information processing terminal to select a parking lot to use;
A license plate number of a vehicle that the user parks in the parking lot used by the user and/or a user number that is the number of the parking space in which the user parks the vehicle among a plurality of parking spaces in the parking lot that the user uses. What is received from the information processing terminal when leaving the parking lot is the license plate of each vehicle and/or the number of the parking space in which each vehicle is parked, which was registered when each vehicle entered the parking lot. A parking lot management system is provided, including: a leaving time determining unit that determines a leaving time of the user from the parking lot when the parking lot coincides with either of the following.

Further, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a parking lot management system that manages a plurality of parking lots, comprising:
Includes a server that can communicate with the information processing terminals of users using each parking lot,
That server is
Among the plurality of parking lots, the information processing terminal selects one located near the current position determined by the positioning unit of the information processing terminal as a plurality of candidate parking lots and displays the selected parking lot on the screen of the information processing terminal. a candidate parking lot display section that enables
When the user performs an operation on the screen of the information processing terminal to select any one of the plurality of candidate parking lots as the parking lot that the user wants to use, one of the candidate parking lots is selected as the parking lot that the user wants to use. a parking lot selection unit that allows the information processing terminal to select a parking lot to use;
a vehicle number registration unit that registers vehicle numbers that are license plate numbers of a plurality of vehicles that use the parking lot;
When the user receives a user car number, which is the car number of a vehicle parked in the parking lot, from the information processing terminal, the received user car number is compared with the plurality of registered car numbers. A parking lot management system is provided, comprising: a departure time determination unit that determines a departure time based on the current time when the received user vehicle number matches any of the registered vehicle numbers. be done.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the program is executed by a computer of an information processing terminal of a user who desires to use one of the plurality of parking lots managed by the parking lot management system. There it is,
The information processing terminal is capable of communicating with a server, and has multiple functions including:
Candidate parking lot display in which one of the plurality of parking lots located near the current position measured by the positioning unit of the information processing terminal is selected as a plurality of candidate parking lots and displayed on the screen of the information processing terminal. function and
If the user performs an operation on the screen of the information processing terminal to select one of the plurality of candidate parking lots as the parking lot that the user wants to use, use one of the candidate parking lots. A parking lot selection function to select as a parking lot,
a user car number transmission function that transmits the received user car number to the server when the user inputs the user car number, which is the car number of the vehicle parked in the parking lot, into the information processing terminal;
an exit time receiving unit that receives the exit time of the user from the parking lot used by the user from the server when the user car number is transmitted to the server;
A program is provided that is executed to implement the plurality of functions.

Further, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for managing a plurality of parking lots, comprising:
Candidate parking lots that are located in the vicinity of the current position measured by the positioning unit of the user's information processing terminal from among the plurality of parking lots are selected as the plurality of candidate parking lots and displayed on the screen of the information processing terminal. A display section;
In a stay state in which the user enters and stays in one of the parking lots, the user selects one of the plurality of candidate parking lots as the parking lot that the user would like to use on the screen of the information processing terminal. a parking lot selection unit that selects one of the candidate parking lots as a parking lot to be used when an operation for selection is performed;
In addition to the first positioning function called GPS, the positioning unit uses communication equipment installed outside or inside each parking lot that transmits a signal representing its own position information to the information processing terminal. A parking lot management system having a second positioning function is provided.

Further, according to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for managing a plurality of parking lots, the system comprising:
Candidate parking lots that are located in the vicinity of the current position measured by the positioning unit of the user's information processing terminal from among the plurality of parking lots are selected as the plurality of candidate parking lots and displayed on the screen of the information processing terminal. A display section;
In a stay state in which the user enters and stays in one of the parking lots, the user selects one of the plurality of candidate parking lots as the parking lot that the user would like to use on the screen of the information processing terminal. a parking lot selection unit that selects one of the candidate parking lots as a parking lot to be used when an operation for selection is performed;
A parking lot management system is provided in which the positioning unit has, in addition to a first positioning function called GPS, a second positioning function that uses communication equipment installed outside or inside each parking lot.

Further, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for centrally managing a plurality of parking lots operated in a ticketless manner using a user's information processing terminal in place of a parking ticket,
Candidate parking lot display that selects, as a plurality of candidate parking lots, parking lots located in the vicinity of the current position determined by the positioning unit of the information processing terminal from among the plurality of parking lots, and displays the selected parking lots on the screen of the information processing terminal. Department and
In a stay state in which the user enters and stays in one of the parking lots, the user selects one of the plurality of candidate parking lots as the parking lot that the user would like to use on the screen of the information processing terminal. a parking lot selection unit that selects one of the candidate parking lots as a parking lot to be used when a selection operation is performed;
In the stay state, receiving from the information processing terminal the license plate number of the user's vehicle parked in the parking lot and/or the number of the parking space in which the vehicle is parked among a plurality of parking spaces in the parking lot. A parking lot management system is provided, including a related number receiving unit.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for centrally managing a plurality of parking lots operated in a ticketless system and a cashless system in order to support electronic payment of parking fees by users, the system comprising:
A server shared by the plurality of parking lots, including one that can communicate with information processing terminals of users using each parking lot,
That server is
a parking fee transmitting unit that transmits the parking fee for each parking lot to the information processing terminal;
a payment instruction receiving unit that receives a payment instruction for electronically paying a parking fee from the information processing terminal;
The information processing terminal is
a positioning unit;
Based on the current location of the information processing terminal acquired using the positioning unit, those located near the current location among the plurality of parking lots are selected as a plurality of candidate parking lots, and the information processing terminal is A candidate parking lot display section displayed on the screen;
While the user enters and stays in one of the parking lots, the user selects one of the plurality of candidate parking lots as the parking lot that the user would like to use on the screen of the information processing terminal. When a selection instruction is given to the information processing terminal to select one of the candidate parking lots, on condition that the distance of the latest current position of the information processing terminal from any of the candidate parking lots is less than or equal to the allowable value. a parking lot selection unit that selects the candidate parking lot as a parking lot to be used;
a parking fee receiving unit that receives the parking fee for the used parking lot from the server;
A parking lot management system is provided, comprising: a payment instruction transmitting unit that transmits a payment instruction for electronically paying a parking fee received for the parking lot to be used, to the server.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for centrally managing a plurality of parking lots operated in a ticketless manner using a user's information processing terminal in place of a parking ticket, the system comprising:
a candidate parking lot display unit that selects one of the plurality of parking lots located near the current location of the information processing terminal as a plurality of candidate parking lots and displays the selected parking lot on the screen of the information processing terminal;
While the user enters and stays in one of the parking lots, the user selects one of the plurality of candidate parking lots as the parking lot that the user wishes to use on the screen of the information processing terminal. If the distance of any of the candidate parking lots from the latest current position of the information processing terminal is less than or equal to the allowable value, one of the candidate parking lots will be selected as the parking lot to be used. A parking lot management system is provided that includes a parking lot selection unit that selects a parking lot.

Further, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for centrally managing a plurality of parking lots operated in a ticketless system and a cashless system in order to support electronic payment of parking fees by users, comprising:
A server shared by the plurality of parking lots, including one that can communicate with information processing terminals of users using each parking lot,
That server is
a parking fee transmitting unit that transmits the parking fee for each parking lot to the information processing terminal;
a payment instruction receiving unit that receives a payment instruction for electronically paying a parking fee from the information processing terminal;
The information processing terminal is
a positioning unit;
Based on the current location of the information processing terminal acquired using the positioning unit, those located near the current location among the plurality of parking lots are selected as a plurality of candidate parking lots, and the information processing terminal is A candidate parking lot display section displayed on the screen;
While the user enters and stays in one of the parking lots, the information processing process provides a selection instruction for the user to select one of the plurality of candidate parking lots displayed on the screen. When performed on a terminal, a parking lot selection unit that selects one of the candidate parking lots as a selected parking lot on the condition that the distance from the current position from the one of the candidate parking lots is less than or equal to an allowable value. and,
a parking fee receiving unit that receives the parking fee for the selected parking lot from the server;
and a payment instruction transmitting unit that transmits a payment instruction for electronically paying a parking fee received for the selected parking lot to the server.

Further, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the system operates in a ticketless system, a payment machine-less system, and a cashless system in order to support electronic payment of prepaid parking fees by users without using a ticket issuing machine or a payment machine. A system that centrally manages multiple parking lots,
a management server that centrally manages the plurality of parking lots and is capable of long-distance wireless communication with information processing terminals of users using any of the parking lots;
a payment server capable of communicating with the information processing terminal, which performs processing for electronic payment of parking fees in response to payment instructions from the user;
The information processing terminal is
a positioning unit;
In the parking stage where the user enters one of the plurality of parking lots with the vehicle, the user selects one of the parking lots that the user could select before entering the parking lot based on the positioning result of the positioning unit. a parking lot selection unit that enables the user to identify a parking lot where the possibility of staying is higher than other parking lots and select the identified parking lot as a selected parking lot;
a fee acquisition unit that acquires the amount of a prepaid parking fee for the selected parking lot from the management server;
A payment instruction unit that transmits a payment instruction for electronically paying the prepaid parking fee using the obtained amount to the payment server.

Here, after the payment instruction is sent to the payment server, the management server transmits parking permission data to the information processing terminal indicating that the user is permitted to park in the selected parking lot. It may also include a data transmitter.

Further, according to the second aspect of the present invention, the system operates in a ticketless system, a payment machine-less system, and a cashless system in order to support electronic payment of prepaid parking fees by users without using a ticket issuing machine or a payment machine. A system that centrally manages multiple parking lots,
a management server that centrally manages the plurality of parking lots and is capable of long-distance wireless communication with information processing terminals of users using any of the parking lots;
a payment server capable of communicating with the information processing terminal, which performs processing for electronic payment of parking fees in response to payment instructions from the user;
The information processing terminal is
a positioning unit;
In the parking stage where the user enters one of the plurality of parking lots with the vehicle, the user selects one of the parking lots that the user could select before entering the parking lot based on the positioning result of the positioning unit. a parking lot selection unit that enables the user to identify a parking lot where the possibility of staying is higher than other parking lots and select the identified parking lot as a selected parking lot;
a parking lot information transmitter that transmits parking lot information for specifying the selected parking lot to the management server;
Upon receiving the parking lot information, the management server collects charge data representing a prepaid parking fee corresponding to the length of the parking time, according to the parking lot specified by the parking lot information, and the management server collects charge data representing a prepaid parking fee corresponding to the length of the parking time. and a fee data transmitting unit that transmits to the information processing terminal something representing the relationship between the parking fee and a plurality of prepaid parking fees,
The information processing terminal further includes:
a rate selection unit that, upon receiving the rate data, selects one of the plurality of prepaid parking rates based on input from the user;
A payment instruction unit that transmits a payment instruction for electronically paying the selected prepaid parking fee to the payment server.

Here, the management server further transmits, after the payment instruction is sent to the payment server, entry permission data indicating that the user is permitted to enter the selected parking lot to the information processing terminal. It may also include a warehousing permission data transmitter.

Further, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the system is operated in a ticketless system, a payment machine-less system, and a cashless system in order to support electronic payment of prepaid parking fees by users without using a ticket issuing machine or a payment machine. A system that centrally manages multiple parking lots,
a management server that centrally manages the plurality of parking lots and is capable of long-distance wireless communication with information processing terminals of users using any of the parking lots;
a payment server capable of communicating with the information processing terminal;
The information processing terminal is
a parking lot selection unit that selects one of the plurality of parking lots as a selected parking lot based on input from a user;
a fee acquisition unit that acquires a prepaid parking fee for the selected parking lot;
a payment information transmitting unit that transmits payment information necessary for electronically paying the prepaid parking fee to the payment server;
The payment server is provided with a parking lot management system that electronically pays the prepaid parking fee based on payment information received from the information processing terminal.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the system is operated in a ticketless system, a payment machine-less system, and a cashless system in order to support electronic payment of prepaid parking fees by users without using a ticket issuing machine or a payment machine. A system that centrally manages multiple parking lots,
a management server that centrally manages the plurality of parking lots and is capable of long-distance wireless communication with information processing terminals of users using any of the parking lots;
a payment server capable of communicating with the information processing terminal;
The information processing terminal is
a parking lot information transmitting unit that transmits parking lot information for specifying a selected parking lot selected by a user among the plurality of parking lots to the management server;
a vehicle information transmitter that transmits vehicle information for identifying the user's vehicle in the selected parking lot to the management server;
a fee acquisition unit that acquires a prepaid parking fee for the selected parking lot;
an electronic payment information transmission unit that transmits payment information necessary for electronic payment of the prepaid parking fee to the payment server;
The management server includes an information storage unit that stores vehicle information received from the information processing terminal in a memory in association with a parking lot ID specified by the parking lot information received from the information processing terminal,
The payment server includes an electronic payment unit that electronically pays the prepaid parking fee based on payment information received from the information processing terminal,
The management server includes a usage authority granting unit that transmits a signal indicating that the user is authorized to use the selected parking lot to the information processing terminal when the electronic payment is completed; and the payment server However, there is provided a parking lot management system that employs at least one of the following: a payment completion signal transmitter that transmits a payment completion signal indicating this to the information processing terminal when the electronic payment is completed.

The following aspects can be obtained by the present invention. Each aspect is divided into sections, each section is numbered, and 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 their combinations, and the technical features that can be adopted by the present invention and their combinations are limited to the following aspects. It should not be interpreted as such. That is, it should be interpreted that technical features not described in the following embodiments but described in this specification may be appropriately extracted and adopted as technical features of the present invention.

Furthermore, it should be noted that the description of each section in the form of quoting the numbers of other sections does not necessarily prevent the technical features described in each section from being separated and independent from the technical features described in other sections. It should be interpreted that the technical features described in each section can be made independent as appropriate depending on the nature of the technical features described in each section.

(1) Manage the plurality of parking lots using an information processing terminal of a user who selects and uses one of the plurality of prepaid parking lots and a management server that centrally manages the plurality of parking lots. A method of
The information processing terminal and/or the management server determines the plurality of locations based on the current position acquired using the position acquisition unit of the information processing terminal in the warehousing stage in which the user enters any parking lot with the vehicle. a parking lot display step of selecting parking lots located near the current location as a plurality of candidate parking lots, and displaying the candidate parking lots on the screen of the information processing terminal;
When the user issues a first instruction to the information processing terminal to select one of the parking lots, the information processing terminal and/or the management server selects one of the plurality of candidate parking lots. a parking lot selection step in which the user selects the parking lot as the parking lot that the user wants to use;
The information processing terminal and/or the management server allows the user to instruct the user to pay a prepaid parking fee corresponding to the desired length of parking time in the parking lot and input identification information unique to the user and/or vehicle. an entry permission step of granting the user authority to enter the parking lot when the user performs this on the information processing terminal;
The information processing terminal and/or the management server may issue a second instruction to the information processing terminal for the user to confirm that the user has left the parking lot at a leaving stage in which the user's vehicle leaves the parking lot. and a step of confirming that the user has left the parking lot together with the vehicle.

(2) The parking lot selection step is performed in the warehousing stage in such a state that the first instruction is not accepted unless the distance from the current location of the information processing terminal from the parking lot in use is less than or equal to a tolerance value;
The exit confirmation step is performed in the exit stage in a state where the second instruction is accepted regardless of whether the distance from the parking lot to the current location of the information processing terminal is less than or equal to the allowable value. The parking lot management method described in item (1).

(3) The parking lot selection step is performed in a state in which the first instruction is not accepted unless the distance from the parking lot to the current location of the information processing terminal from the parking lot in use is less than or equal to a tolerance value in the storage stage. and, the exit confirmation step is carried out in a state where the second instruction is accepted regardless of whether the distance from the parking lot in which the current location of the information processing terminal is located is less than or equal to the allowable value. The parking lot management method according to item (1), wherein at least one of the following is adopted.

(4) Furthermore, the information processing terminal and/or the management server may receive a third instruction for extending the desired parking time and an extension of the desired parking time from the user before the desired parking time expires. The parking lot management method according to any one of (1) to (3), including an extension step of extending the desired parking time when an instruction to pay an appropriate extension fee is given to the information processing terminal.

(5) The parking lot according to item (4), wherein the extension step is carried out in a state where the third instruction is accepted, regardless of whether the distance from the parking lot to be used is less than or equal to the allowable value. Management method.

(6) The identification information includes at least one of a user ID, an identification number of the user's vehicle, and an identification number of a compartment in which the user's vehicle enters among the plurality of compartments in the parking lot (1 ) to (5) above.

(7) The parking lot according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein the identification information includes a combination of multiple types of identification information that respectively identify multiple entities that are different from each other and are related to the user. Management method.

Using a combination of multiple types of identification information in this section improves security when authenticating users and vehicles compared to using one type of identification information. Here, "multiple entities that are different from each other and are related to the user" include, for example, the user himself/herself, the user's vehicle, the compartments in the parking lot that the user uses, and the user's information processing. There are terminals, etc.

(8) A program executed by a computer of an information processing terminal to realize the information processing terminal according to any one of paragraphs (1) to (7).

In this application, the term "program" shall be construed to mean, for example, a combination of instructions executed by a computer to perform its functions, as well as a combination of instructions processed in accordance with each instruction. It can be interpreted to include, but is not limited to, files and data that are

In addition, this program may be executed by a computer alone to achieve the desired purpose, or may be executed together with other programs to achieve the desired purpose. Yes, but not limited to. In the latter case, the program according to this section may be data-based, but is not limited thereto.

(9) A program executed by a computer of a management server to realize the management server according to any one of (1) to (7).

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

In this application, the recording medium expressed by the term "recording medium" can be in various formats, such as magnetic recording media such as flexible disks, optical recording media such as CDs and CD-ROMs, and MO Any of magneto-optical recording media such as ROM, unremovable storage such as ROM, etc. may be used, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating one of a plurality of parking lots centrally managed by a parking lot management system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a portion of the plurality of vehicle compartments shown in FIG. 1 with vehicles stopped in each of the vehicle compartments. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of how a mobile terminal of a user in each parking lot and a management server in a remote management center communicate with each other in the parking lot management system shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a diagram conceptually representing long-distance two-way communication between the user's mobile terminal shown in FIG. 3 and the management server shown in the same figure. FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram conceptually representing the mobile terminal shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram conceptually representing the management server shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 7 is a time chart conceptually representing an exemplary parking sequence realized by the parking lot management system. FIG. 8 is a flowchart conceptually representing an example of a program executed by a mobile terminal, a management server, and a payment server in order to support a user in performing parking processing at a parking lot in the parking lot management system. be. FIG. 9 shows a process executed by a mobile terminal, a management server, and a payment server in order to extend the valid parking time in response to an extension request from the user after the user enters a parking lot in the parking lot management system. 2 is a flowchart conceptually representing an example of a program. FIG. 10 shows an example of a program that is executed by a mobile terminal, a management server, and a payment server in order to support a user in exiting a parking lot after the user enters a parking lot in the parking lot management system. It is a conceptual flowchart. FIG. 11 is a diagram conceptually representing the management list stored in the memory of the management server shown in FIG. 6.

Hereinafter, one of several exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings.

First, referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a parking lot management system (hereinafter simply referred to as "system") 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention each has a plurality of vehicles (cars, bicycles, and A plurality of parking lots 20 (including motorcycles, but in the example shown in FIG. 2, automobiles) can be parked therein (FIG. 1 only shows a typical parking lot 20 among these parking lots 20) ) is a system for managing.

This system 10 is a parking lot management method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in which multiple users' mobile terminals (an example of the "information processing terminal") 90 are used to The management server 50 centrally manages a plurality of parking lots 20.

In one example, this system 10 allows a user to use his or her mobile terminal 90 in place of a parking ticket, and to pay a prepaid parking fee of an amount commensurate with the length of the scheduled parking time (desired parking time, valid parking time). The user is allowed to use the parking lot 20 on the condition that he/she pays the fee.

FIG. 1 shows a parking lot 20 in plan view. The parking lot 20 has a plurality of compartments (an example of the above-mentioned parking spaces) 22 that enable simultaneous parking of a plurality of vehicles. This parking lot 20 has only one entry/exit entrance 24 (both an entry entrance and an exit exit). In FIG. 2, some of the plurality of compartments 22 are shown with a vehicle stopped in each compartment 22.

This parking lot 20 is unmanned, and the parking lot 20 also has a gate device that opens and closes as appropriate to prevent unauthorized vehicles from leaving the parking lot 20 from the entrance 24 of the parking lot 20. The parking device, which appears from time to time to prevent unauthorized vehicles from leaving the parking lot, also includes a ticket issuing machine for issuing parking tickets to the user who is the driver, and a payment machine for the user to pay the parking fee. is not installed either.

Additionally, regarding the definition of the term "vehicle", the term "vehicle" should be interpreted as a term that includes not only automobiles but also all types of moving objects such as bicycles and motorcycles.

As shown in FIG. 1, there are two types of parking sections on the site of the parking lot 20. There is a section (temporary storage section or daily rental section) for renting out the cabin 22 to the user of each vehicle on a daily basis, and a section for renting out the cabin 22 on a monthly basis, based on a prior contract. This is a section for renting out the vehicle compartment 22 (a monthly section). Hereinafter, when the term "parking lot 20" is simply used, it means only the temporary storage section of this parking lot 20.

This system 10 employs the above-mentioned centralized management method as its parking lot management method. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the system includes a mobile terminal 90 of each user in each parking lot 20 and a management server 50 installed in a management center 40 that centrally manages a plurality of parking lots 20. ing.

The management center 40 is managed by a parking lot manager (for example, an owner of the land used as the parking lot 20 who manages the parking lot 20 himself/herself, or a person who owns the land used as the parking lot 20 by another person's land owner). It is operated by a parking lot management company (a parking lot management company) that is entrusted with the management.

The user's mobile terminal 90 is a device that is carried by the user and has a wireless communication function, such as a mobile phone, a smart phone, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, or a PDA.

The mobile terminal 90 is an example of the above-mentioned "information processing terminal", but is a type of information processing terminal that is not always carried by the user. The mobile terminal 90 may be carried by the user outside the vehicle, but may not be carried by the user inside the vehicle.

As shown in FIG. 4, the mobile terminal 90 has an essential function of receiving GPS (Global Positioning System) signals from a plurality of satellites existing in outer space. It has a positioning function that measures the current position on the map (ground position).

Further, in an optional aspect, the mobile terminal 90 may receive, in addition to a GPS signal (an example of an off-site transmitter), a signal representing the position coordinates of a base station (another example of an off-site transmitter), or a signal indicating the location coordinates of a parking lot 20. A signal representing a transmitter ID unique to each transmitter 30, which is a signal from a transmitter 30 (also referred to as an "in-house transmitter") installed in the transmitter 30, is also received.

In this optional aspect, the mobile terminal 90 converts the transmitter ID represented by the signal received from each transmitter 30 into the corresponding parking lot ID where the transmitter 30 is supposed to be installed. According to a predefined rule (for example, a conversion table) to represent the correspondence relationship between the two, the parking lot 30 is identified as the parking lot 30 .

As a result, the mobile terminal 90 identifies the currently detected transmitter 30 from other transmitters 30 and determines the location of the currently detected transmitter 30 (for example, the location on a map, the location of the parking lot where it is installed, etc.) and/or by measuring the strength of the signal received from the current transmitter 30, the distance between the transmitter 30 and the mobile terminal 90 is measured.

The transmitter 30 is generally a device also known as a beacon device, a radio beacon, or the like that transmits a beacon signal as an identification signal. In one example, this transmitter 30 generates an identification signal representing a corresponding transmitter ID (or parking lot ID) by modulating the original signal, and transmits the generated identification signal to an IR signal, a Bluetooth ( (registered trademark) signal, NFC (near field communication) signal, etc.

As shown in FIG. 4, the mobile terminal 90 performs long-distance two-way wireless communication with the management server 50 of the management center 40. Furthermore, in an embodiment in which the transmitter 30 is installed in the parking lot 20, as shown in FIG. The identification signal is received by short-range one-way wireless communication in contact with the transmitter 30 or in a non-contact state.

As shown in FIG. 2, by operating the mobile terminal 90 in the car, the user can perform reception for positioning (GPS reception, reception from a base station, reception from the local transmitter 30, etc.) and manage the It is possible to communicate with server 50. According to this aspect, the user can perform operations on the mobile terminal 90 for entering (including payment in the case of prepaid parking) and exiting (including payment in the case of deferred payment parking) in the car. No need to worry about weather such as wind and rain.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, the user can perform reception for positioning and communicate with the management server 50 by operating the mobile terminal 90 outside the vehicle. This aspect is meaningful, for example, when the user needs to hold up or touch the portable terminal 90 close to the local transmitter 30.

Next, the hardware configuration of the mobile terminal 90 will be described with reference to FIG. 5, which is a functional block diagram. ) is mainly composed of a computer 134 having a memory 132 for storing.

This mobile terminal 90 further includes a display section (for example, a liquid crystal display) 136 that displays information, a receiving section 138 that receives signals from the transmitter 30 and the management server 50, and a receiver section 138 that generates signals and manages the signals. and a transmitter 140 that transmits data to the server 50.

This mobile terminal 90 further includes an input section 150 for inputting data and commands from the user.

The input unit 150 includes, for example, an operation unit that can be operated by the user to input desired information (eg, commands, data, etc.) into the mobile terminal 90. The operation section includes a touch screen that displays icons that can be operated by the user (e.g., virtual buttons, such as a warehousing button, a warehousing button, an extension request button, etc., which will be described later), and a touch screen that displays icons that can be operated by the user. These include, but are not limited to, mechanical operation units (e.g., keyboards, keypads, buttons, switches, etc.), microphones that sense audio, and the like.

This mobile terminal 90 further includes a GPS (satellite positioning system) receiver 152. As is well known, the GPS receiver 152 receives multiple GPS signals from multiple GPS satellites, and determines the position (latitude, longitude, and altitude) of the GPS receiver 152 on the earth based on the GPS signals. Measure by triangulation.

Note that instead of or in addition to this, the mobile terminal 90 may measure its position on the earth (latitude and longitude) by triangulation using the positions of a plurality of base stations.

That is, in the mobile terminal 90, the positioning unit (an example of the above-mentioned “position acquisition unit”) may be a GPS positioning unit or a base station positioning unit, respectively, as an out-of-field transmitter, or the in-field transmitter 30. It's okay to have one.

This mobile terminal 90 further includes an acceleration sensor 154 that detects its own acceleration (for example, acceleration when the mobile terminal 90 makes a translational movement). Since the acceleration sensor 154 is mounted on the mobile terminal 90, it vibrates integrally with the mobile terminal 90, and as a result, the acceleration acting on the acceleration sensor 154 itself is equivalent to the acceleration acting on the mobile terminal 90. Detected as.

The types of this acceleration sensor 154 include, for example, a semiconductor piezoresistive type, a capacitance type, and a heat detection type. In one example, the acceleration sensor 154 individually detects accelerations Gx, Gy, and Gz in three axial directions: It is possible to design to output one representative acceleration.

This acceleration sensor 154 detects an acceleration that approximates the acceleration that acts on the user when the user is carrying the mobile terminal 90, and detects an acceleration that approximates the acceleration that acts on the user when the user is in a vehicle. An acceleration that approximates the acceleration acting on the vehicle (for example, longitudinal acceleration, longitudinal deceleration) is detected.

Note that the acceleration acting on the mobile terminal 90 can theoretically be calculated by calculating the speed by time-differentiating the position measured based on the above-mentioned GPS signal, and then calculating the speed by time-differentiating the speed. It is possible to do so. However, in terms of accuracy, the acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor 154 may be superior. In any case, this acceleration sensor 154 is an example of an acceleration acquisition unit that acquires the axial acceleration of the vehicle by detection or estimation.

This mobile terminal 90 further optionally includes a light sensor (not shown) that detects light (e.g., sunlight) to which the mobile terminal 90 is exposed; It is possible to incorporate a sound sensor that detects (engine sound), a proximity sensor that detects the approach of an object (for example, a vehicle) to the mobile terminal 90, and the like.

Next, the hardware configuration of the management server 50 will be described with reference to FIG. 6, which is a functional block diagram. The main body is a computer 164 having a computer 164.

This management server 50 further includes a display section (for example, a liquid crystal display) 166 that displays information, a receiving section 168 that receives signals from the mobile terminal 90, and a receiver section 168 that generates a signal and transmits the signal to the mobile terminal 90. The transmitter 170 has a transmitter 170 and a clock 172. This management server 50 does not directly receive information from the transmitter 30, but actually receives it via the mobile terminal 90.

<Example of parking sequence>

FIG. 7 shows a time chart of an example of a parking sequence realized using the system 10. This will be explained in detail below.

In the parking sequence shown in the figure, after the user parks the vehicle in a certain parking lot 20, and before the valid parking time expires, the user performs an exit operation on the mobile terminal 90 (for example, on the screen of the mobile terminal 90). After the user taps the virtual "exit button" displayed in Get in the car and leave the parking lot 20 (leave the parking lot).

The warehousing stage starts when the user enters a certain parking lot 20 for the purpose of warehousing (the vehicle enters the parking lot), and ends when the user leaves the parking lot 20. When the user inputs a parking request (or parking request) into the mobile terminal 90, at that timing or at a later timing, the subtraction (countdown) of the remaining time of the valid parking time is started. The actual parking time starts increasing (counting up).

On the other hand, the exit stage starts when the user enters the parking lot 20 where the parking lot was performed for the purpose of exiting the parking lot (for the vehicle to leave the parking lot), and exits from the parking lot 20. Ends with action.

In the parking sequence shown in the figure, the user leaves the parking lot 20 before the valid parking time expires, and prior to leaving the parking lot, the user performs the exit operation. As a result, the actual parking time starts from "entering the parking lot (occurrence of parking request, entering operation)" and ends at "exiting operation." Therefore, in this parking sequence, the user's exit (together with the vehicle) at the exit stage means actual exit from the garage (actual exit).

<Inbound processing>

FIG. 8 shows a warehousing processing program executed by the mobile terminal 90, a warehousing processing program executed by the management server 50, and a settlement program executed by the settlement server 60.

The warehousing processing program of the mobile terminal 90 is such that the user enters any of the parking lots 20 for warehousing, and the user places the vehicle in any of the vacant compartments 22 in the parking lot 20. It is desirable that the system be activated manually by the user or automatically when the system is placed in stock.

Here, in order to automatically start the storage processing program, for example, the mobile terminal 90 determines whether the measured current position of the mobile terminal 90 exists in any of the parking lots 20. If the position of the mobile terminal 90 does not change for a predetermined period of time or more (or the amount of change is less than a reference value) after determining that the mobile terminal 90 exists, it is determined that the vehicle has entered one of the compartments 22. However, it is possible for the mobile terminal 90 to automatically start the storage processing program.

Similarly, it is possible to automatically start the shipping processing program.

As shown in FIG. 8, in step S101, the mobile terminal 90 sends a request to log in to the website operated by the management server 50 using the user ID in response to a manual or voice input (login request) from the user. It is also transmitted to the management server 50. Upon receiving the login request, management server 50 establishes communication between mobile terminal 90 and management server 50 .

Note that in this embodiment, in order to identify the user and the vehicle, the user is forced to input the user ID and car number into the mobile terminal 90, but only the car number is input. Good too. This is because if there is a one-to-one relationship between a vehicle and a user, if the vehicle is identified by the vehicle number, the user will also be identified.

Subsequently, in step S201, the management server 50 stores a plurality of parking lot data ( Individual parking lot position data) is searched in the memory 162, and the plurality of parking lot data thus obtained are transmitted to the mobile terminal 90.

Thereafter, in step S102, the mobile terminal 90 measures the current position (latitude and latitude) of the user based on the GPS signal received from the outside by the GPS receiver 152 (or the identification signal received from the local transmitter 30).

Subsequently, in step S103, the mobile terminal 90 determines the distance from the measured current position among the plurality of parking lots (managed parking lots) 20 represented by the plurality of parking lot data received from the management server 50. is less than a permissible value (for example, 100 m, 200 m, 300 m, 400 m, 500 m, etc., also referred to as a "set value"), and thereby the plurality of parking lots (managed parking lots) 20 The candidate parking lots 20 are narrowed down to a plurality of candidate parking lots 20 that are simply predicted to be used by the user based on the geographic information.

Thereafter, in step S104, the mobile terminal 90 displays on the screen a partial map located near the current position of the entire map.

Subsequently, in step S105, the mobile terminal 90 associates a plurality of markers, for example, pins representing each of the plurality of candidate parking lots 20 with the positions of the corresponding candidate parking lots 20, and overlays them on the partial map. displayed on the screen as shown.

Next, in step S106, the mobile terminal 90 allows the user to select one of the plurality of candidate parking lots 20 displayed on the screen by, for example, tapping a corresponding marker or pin. Select the parking lot 20 that you want to use.

In response only to that selection, or in response to additional input from the user (e.g., tapping the "Enter button" on the screen), the mobile terminal 90 selects the location of the selected parking lot 20. The parking lot ID as identification information is transmitted to the management server 50 together with the user ID and the warehousing request. Here, "the user's operation to select one of the parking lots" or "the user's operation of tapping the parking button" is the "first instruction (selection operation to select the parking lot)". This is an example.

The user can only select the parking lot 20 that he/she wishes to use from among the plurality of candidate parking lots 20 displayed on the screen of the mobile terminal 90. That is, among the plurality of parking lots (managed parking lots) 20, the user selects a parking lot 20 that is located far from the user's current location, more precisely, from the current location of the mobile terminal 90. cannot be selected.

On the other hand, in the warehousing stage, the user usually enters one of the parking lots (the parking lot he/she wishes to use) 20 while riding in his/her own vehicle along with his or her mobile terminal 90.

Therefore, the fact that the user can only select the parking lot 20 that he/she wants to use from among the plurality of candidate parking lots 20 narrowed down as described above means that the user is not aware of the possibility that the user is actually parking the parking lot. This means that the parking process is automatically restricted to only one of the parking lots 20 where the parking lot is high. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, location authentication regarding the parking lot 20 (determination of which parking lot 20 the user is currently actually staying in) is performed, and the user can confirm that the user is actually currently staying in the parking lot 20. This means that only parking lot 20, which is likely to be open, can be used.

On the other hand, with respect to the parking lot 20, the determination as to whether there is a vacant compartment 22 or whether the parking lot 22 is full is omitted. Therefore, the user is required to actually go to the parking lot 20 he or she wishes to use and determine for himself whether it is full or not. Nevertheless, if the user is allowed to reserve a parking lot 20 at an arbitrary location away from the parking lot 20 he or she wants to use, there is a possibility that the user will reserve a parking lot 20 that is actually full. be. Therefore, in this embodiment, the user is prohibited from reserving a parking lot 20 at an arbitrary location away from the parking lot 20 that the user wants to use.

As a result, the mobile terminal 90 will not actually accept the warehousing request even if the user attempts to input the warehousing request into the mobile terminal 90 at a position far from the desired parking lot 20. Similarly, at a location far away from the parking lot 20 that the user wants to use, the user cannot even select that parking lot 20 on the mobile terminal 90.

Note that in order to accurately measure the latest current position of the mobile terminal 90, that is, the latest current position of the user, regardless of the amount of movement of the user after executing step S102, the mobile terminal 90, for example, Immediately before executing step S106, the latest current position is acquired using the positioning unit, the distance between the current position and the representative point of each of the plurality of candidate parking lots 20 is measured, and any distance is determined. It is desirable that the design is such that execution of step S106 is permitted when the value is less than or equal to the allowable value. If execution of step S106 is not permitted, the user will not be given the authority to use the parking lot 20 that he or she wants to use.

Instead, for example, the mobile terminal 90 uses the positioning unit to obtain the latest current position immediately after executing step S106, and uses the current position and the temporary location determined by the user among the plurality of candidate parking lots 20. The distance between the selected one and the representative point is measured, and if the distance is less than or equal to the allowable value, the provisional selection of the parking lot 20 by the user is validated, while the distance is longer than the allowable value. In such cases, it is desirable to design the parking lot 20 so that the temporary selection of the parking lot 20 by the user is invalidated. If the temporary selection is invalidated, the user will not be given the authority to use the parking lot 20 that he or she wants to use.

Upon receiving the parking lot ID from the mobile terminal 90, the management server 50 searches the memory 162 for parking lot information corresponding to the parking lot ID in step S202. Here, the "parking lot information" includes the name, location, price list data, etc. of the corresponding parking lot 20. After the search, the management server 50 transmits the parking information obtained through the search to the mobile terminal 90.

Thereafter, in step S107, the mobile terminal 90 displays on the screen the parking lot information received from the management server 50 excluding the price list data.

Subsequently, in step S108, the mobile terminal 90 displays the price list data of the parking lot information received from the management server 50 on the screen. The price list data represents the relationship between the length of time for parking in the current parking lot 20 (valid parking time, desired parking time) and the parking fee (prepaid fee). As a result, a plurality of parking times and a plurality of fees are displayed on the screen of the mobile terminal 90 in visual association with each other.

Thereafter, in step S109, the mobile terminal 90 selects one of the plurality of charges according to the input from the user.

Next, in step S110, the mobile terminal 90 performs a process to assist the user in inputting the vehicle number (vehicle license plate number, for example, a 4-digit number) of the user's own vehicle into the mobile terminal 90. A web page is displayed on the screen of the mobile terminal 90. In response to this, the user inputs the vehicle number of his/her own vehicle. Here, the "vehicle number" is an example of the aforementioned "identification information unique to the user and/or the vehicle," and another example is image data unique to the vehicle that the user has stored in the mobile terminal 90. This was taken with a digital camera.

Subsequently, in step S111, the mobile terminal 90 measures the current time as the parking time and calculates the effective parking time corresponding to the selected fee amount in order to request the user to confirm the final input contents from the user. is added to the parking time to calculate the scheduled departure time, and the scheduled departure time and the input vehicle number are displayed on the screen. When the user inputs to the mobile terminal 90 that the user has confirmed the display contents, the user ID and the confirmed display data representing the confirmation are displayed along with the entry time, scheduled exit time, car number, and charge (prepaid parking fee). ) is sent to the management server 50. The entry time, scheduled exit time, car number, and charge are stored in the memory 132 of the mobile terminal 90.

When the management server 50 receives the parking necessity information from the mobile terminal 90, in step S203, the management server 50 stores the parking time included in the parking necessity information in the memory 162 in association with the user ID.

Subsequently, in step S204, the management server 50 stores the scheduled exit time included in the parking necessity information in the memory 162 in association with the user ID.

Thereafter, in step S205, the management server 50 stores the car number included in the parking necessity information in the memory 162 in association with the user ID.

Note that the measurement of the storage time and/or the calculation of the scheduled exit time may be performed not in the mobile terminal 90 but in the management server 50.

In addition, the parking time is measured as the appearance time of a predetermined event, such as an event in which the mobile terminal 90 transmits a parking request, an event in which the management server 50 receives a parking request, an event in which the user enters a parking lot 20 It may be measured as a time equal to the appearance time of any one of a plurality of events, such as an event in which the user selects the above, an event in which the user makes the final confirmation, and an event in which the user completes payment.

After executing step S111, in step S112, the mobile terminal 90 shifts to a processing stage for electronic payment in response to an input (payment request) from the user. Specifically, mobile terminal 90 transmits a payment request to payment server 60.

Thereafter, in step S301, the payment server 60 searches the memory of the payment server 60 for payment screen data representing a payment web page for supporting electronic payment by the user, and transfers the obtained payment screen data to the mobile terminal. Send to 90.

Subsequently, in step S113, the mobile terminal 90 displays a payment web page on the screen based on the payment screen data received from the payment server 60.

Thereafter, in step S114, when the user inputs electronic payment information (including user ID) to the payment web page, the mobile terminal 90 transmits the payment information to a payment instruction (payment request, electronic payment request). ) and the user ID to the payment server 60. Here, the "payment instruction" is an example of the "payment instruction".

Thereafter, in step S302, the payment server 60 performs electronic payment based on the payment information received from the mobile terminal 90, and upon completion, transmits payment completion data indicating this to the mobile terminal 90, and at that time, The payment completion data is transmitted to the management server 50 together with the user ID.

On the other hand, in step S206, the management server 50 grants the current user the authority to use the current parking lot 20, thereby permitting the user to enter the parking lot.

Subsequently, in step S207, the management server 50 adds the above-mentioned user ID, vehicle number, parking time, scheduled departure time, and departure confirmation described below to the management list shown in FIG. 11 and recorded in the memory 162. Register the respective data regarding the presence or absence of. After the registration, the management server 50 transmits warehousing permission data indicating that warehousing is permitted to the mobile terminal 90.

When the mobile terminal 90 receives the warehousing permission data from the management server 50, in step S115, the mobile terminal 90 outputs a message indicating that warehousing has been permitted in the form of an image or voice.

In the example shown in FIG. 8, steps S301 and S302 constitute the above-described payment program executed by the payment server 60. This payment program is the same regardless of whether it is for warehousing processing, extension request processing, or warehousing processing. However, for convenience of explanation, only step S302 is shown in FIGS. 9 and 10.

<Extension request processing>

FIG. 9 shows an extension request processing program executed by the mobile terminal 90, an extension request processing program executed by the management server 50, and a payment program executed by the payment server 60.

As shown in FIG. 9, in step S121, the mobile terminal 90 determines the effective parking time according to the user's manual or voice input (for example, tapping the "extension request button" on the screen). , sends an extension request to the management server 50 together with the car number (or together with the user ID and the car number) to extend the extension before its expiration. After the valid parking time has expired, the mobile terminal 90 does not accept and rejects an extension request input from the user. Here, "the user's operation of tapping the extension request button" is an example of the "third instruction (extension request operation for extending the valid parking time)".

In the extension request process, unlike the parking process, location authentication regarding the parking lot 20 is not performed. Thanks to this, the user can request an extension of the valid parking time and pay the extension fee at any location away from the parking lot 20 in use.

As a result, if the user inputs an extension request into the mobile terminal 90 at a location away from the parking lot 20 in use, the mobile terminal 90 will accept the extension request.

Upon receiving the extension request, in step S221, the management server 50 compares the car number received from the mobile terminal 90 with a plurality of car numbers registered in the management list shown in FIG. It is determined whether the car number matching the number has been registered. If registered, the price list data corresponding to the corresponding parking lot 20 (the relationship between the length of the extension time from the valid parking time corresponding to the amount of the paid fee and the amount of the extension fee) is memorized. 162 , and the price list data obtained as a result is transmitted to the mobile terminal 90 .

Subsequently, the mobile terminal 90 displays the received price list data on the screen in step S122.

Thereafter, in step S123, when the user selects one of the extension times, the mobile terminal 90 calculates the updated scheduled departure time according to the selection result, stores it in the memory 132, and then updates the scheduled departure time. The data representing the extension request is sent to the management server 50 along with the extension request.

In response, the management server 50 stores the received scheduled departure time in the memory 162 in step S222.

Thereafter, in step S124, the mobile terminal 90 shifts to a processing stage for electronic payment in response to an input (payment request) from the user. Specifically, mobile terminal 90 transmits a payment request to payment server 60. Thereafter, the payment server 60 transmits the payment screen data to the mobile terminal 90.

Subsequently, in step S125, the mobile terminal 90 displays a payment web page on the screen based on the payment screen data received from the payment server 60.

Thereafter, in step S126, when the user inputs electronic payment information (including a user ID) to the payment web page, the mobile terminal 90 transfers the payment information to the payment instruction (payment request) and the user ID. It is also transmitted to the payment server 60.

Thereafter, in step S302, the payment server 60 performs electronic payment based on the payment information received from the mobile terminal 90, and upon completion, transmits payment completion data indicating this to the mobile terminal 90, and at that time, The payment completion data is transmitted to the management server 50 together with the user ID.

In response, the management server 50 allows the user to extend the valid parking time in step S223.

Subsequently, in step S224, the management server 50 updates the scheduled departure time in the management list shown in FIG. 11 to reflect the extended time. After the update, the management server 50 transmits extension permission data indicating that extension of the effective parking time is permitted to the mobile terminal 90.

When the mobile terminal 90 receives the extension permission data from the management server 50, in step S127, the mobile terminal 90 displays the fact that the valid parking time has been extended and the updated scheduled exit time on the screen and/or through the speaker. Output audio.

<Issuance processing>

FIG. 10 shows the exit processing program executed by the mobile terminal 90, the exit processing program executed by the management server 50, and the payment program executed by the payment server 60.

As shown in FIG. 10, in step S141, the mobile terminal 90 sends an exit request along with the vehicle number in response to a manual or voice input from the user (for example, tapping the "exit button" on the screen). (or together with the user ID and car number) is sent to the management server 50. Here, "the user's operation of tapping the exit button" is an example of the "second instruction (exit operation for confirming exit)".

In the exit process, unlike the incoming process, location authentication regarding the parking lot 20 is not performed. Therefore, the user can perform the exit process at any location away from the parking lot 20 in use.

As a result, if the user inputs a parking exit request into the mobile terminal 90 at a location away from the parking lot 20 in use, the mobile terminal 90 will accept the parking exit request.

However, in such a user's parking operation, the user impersonates the user who actually left the parking lot and sends a false notification to the management server 50, even though the vehicle is actually still parked in the parking lot 20. Since it is the same as that, it falls under fraud.

On the other hand, the management center 40 periodically dispatches a worker to the parking lot 20, and the worker handles the vehicles that are still parked in the parking lot 20 even after the scheduled departure time. It is detected by comparing the car number with the car number in the management list for which the scheduled departure time has passed. Therefore, it is expected that users will try to refrain from the above-mentioned fraudulent acts out of a sense of guilt and shame for being exposed.

Upon receiving the leaving request, in step S241, the management server 50 compares the car number received from the mobile terminal 90 with a plurality of car numbers registered in the management list shown in FIG. It is determined whether the car number matching the number has been registered. If registered, the management server 50 measures the current time in step S242, and determines the leaving time to be equal to the current time.

Thereafter, in step S243, the management server 50 refers to the management list to determine whether the corresponding scheduled exit time is in the past than the determined exit time, that is, the actual parking time is the valid parking time. is exceeded.

This time, assuming that the actual parking time does not exceed the valid parking time, the determination in step S243 is NO, and the management server 50 determines that the user has left the parking lot 20 in step S244. confirm.

Subsequently, in step S245, the management server 50 updates the management list shown in FIG. 11 to indicate that there is a departure confirmation for the corresponding vehicle number, and further updates the management list shown in FIG. The confirmation data is sent to the mobile terminal 90.

When the portable terminal 90 receives the leaving confirmation data from the management server 50, in step S145, the mobile terminal 90 displays on the screen and/or outputs the fact that the leaving has been confirmed as a sound through the speaker.

On the other hand, this time, assuming that the actual parking time exceeds the valid parking time, the determination in step S243 is YES, and the management server 50, in step S246, compares the actual parking time with the scheduled parking time. Based on the difference, calculate the amount of additional fees that the user should additionally pay. In one example, the additional fee is calculated to be higher than the aforementioned extension fee in the sense of penalizing the user.

Thereafter, in step S247, the management server 50 transmits additional charge billing data to the mobile terminal 90 indicating that the user will be billed for the additional charge.

Upon receiving the additional charge billing data, the mobile terminal 90 moves to a processing stage for electronic payment in response to an input (payment request) from the user in step S142. Specifically, mobile terminal 90 transmits a payment request to payment server 60. Thereafter, the payment server 60 transmits the payment screen data to the mobile terminal 90.

Subsequently, in step S143, the mobile terminal 90 displays a payment web page on the screen based on the payment screen data received from the payment server 60.

Thereafter, in step S144, when the user inputs electronic payment information (including a user ID) into the payment web page, the mobile terminal 90 inputs the payment information into a payment instruction (payment request) and a user ID. It is also transmitted to the payment server 60.

Thereafter, in step S302, the payment server 60 performs electronic payment based on the payment information received from the mobile terminal 90, and upon completion, transmits payment completion data indicating this to the mobile terminal 90, and at that time, The payment completion data is transmitted to the management server 50 together with the user ID.

On the other hand, in step S248, the management server 50 confirms the payment of the additional fee by the user and confirms the withdrawal by the user. Subsequently, the management server 50 moves to step S245, and the above-described process is executed.

[Some exemplary effects obtained by the above-described embodiments]

1. Reduction of costs and labor that parking lot managers should bear regarding the facilities of parking lot 20

According to this embodiment, by using the user's mobile terminal 90 instead of using the equipment installed in the parking lot 20, procedures for entering the parking lot, procedures for leaving the parking lot, and procedures for extending the parking time are performed. It can be performed.

Therefore, according to this embodiment, it becomes easy to reduce the cost and labor necessary for manufacturing, purchasing, installing, and maintaining and inspecting the equipment installed in the parking lot 20.

2. Preventing incorrect selection of parking lot 20 at the warehousing stage

According to the present embodiment, although the positioning function of the mobile terminal 90 is used to select one of the parking lots 20, the final selection depends on the user's operation, and therefore the positioning function is not accurate enough. Erroneous selection of the parking lot 20 can be reliably prevented.

3. To reduce the discomfort of users who use a parking lot 20 whose fullness is not monitored.

In this embodiment, since the fullness of the parking lot 20 is not monitored, the user is required to actually go to the parking lot 20 he or she wishes to use and visually look for a vacant space 22 . In order to make this request obvious, the user is prohibited from performing procedures for parking, that is, making a so-called reservation for the parking lot 20 on the mobile terminal 90 at a location far from the parking lot 20 that the user wants to use. Ru.

As a result, although the user has reserved a parking lot 20 far away from the parking lot 20 he/she wants to use, when he/she actually arrives at that parking lot 20, there are no vacant rooms 22, and the user feels uncomfortable because he or she cannot park there. The situation is avoided.

4. The user has a high degree of freedom in selecting a location where the user can carry out the shipping operation.

According to the present embodiment, the user can perform a shipping operation on the mobile terminal 90 at any location. Before the expiration of the valid parking time, normal exit operations are possible without paying an additional fee; on the other hand, after the expiration of the valid parking time, normal exit operations are possible as long as the additional fee is paid. is possible.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, if the user inadvertently neglects the exit operation at the location of the parking lot 20, the user can perform the exit operation on the mobile terminal 90 at a location away from the parking lot 20. possible and convenient for users.

Additionally, the above-described embodiments describe the present invention as the user's mobile terminal 90, which may be carried by the user or may be placed in the car without being carried. Although these are some specific examples of application to a communication environment used as a "user information processing terminal", instead of this, the present invention is, for example, a computer installed in a user's vehicle that has communication functions and vehicle behavior. It is also possible to apply a device having an information acquisition function to a communication environment used as a "user information processing terminal" in the present invention.

That is, the "user information processing terminal" in the present invention may be an information processing terminal of a type intended to be carried by a user or an information processing terminal of a type mounted in a vehicle.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, all or part of the processing that was being executed on the mobile terminal 90 may be executed on the management server 50 instead, or conversely, the processing that was executed on the mobile terminal 90 may be executed on the management server 50 instead. All or part of the processing may be performed on the mobile terminal 90 instead. This is because the device on which a process is to be executed is usually determined by the circumstances at the time, such as the amount and type of data being handled, the processing speed and storage capacity of each device, etc. .

Several embodiments of the present invention have been described above in detail based on the drawings, but these are merely illustrative, and based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art, including the aspects described in the above [Summary of the Invention] column. It is possible to implement the present invention in other forms with various modifications and improvements.

Claims (7)

A parking lot management system that manages multiple parking lots,
Includes a server that can communicate with the information processing terminals of users using each parking lot,
That server is
Among the plurality of parking lots, the information processing terminal selects one located near the current position determined by the positioning unit of the information processing terminal as a plurality of candidate parking lots and displays the selected parking lot on the screen of the information processing terminal. a candidate parking lot display section that enables
When the user performs an operation on the screen of the information processing terminal to select one of the plurality of candidate parking lots as the parking lot that the user wants to use, select one of the candidate parking lots. a parking lot selection unit that allows the information processing terminal to select a parking lot to use;
A license plate number of a vehicle that the user parks in the parking lot used by the user and/or a user number that is the number of the parking space in which the user parks the vehicle among a plurality of parking spaces in the parking lot that the user uses. The information identified by the user operating the information processing terminal when exiting the parking lot is the license plate of each vehicle and/or each vehicle registered when the vehicle enters the parking lot. A parking lot management system comprising: a parking fee data transmitting unit that transmits parking fee data representing a parking fee to the information processing terminal when the number matches any of the parking space numbers in which the vehicle is parked. The server further includes:
an electronic payment unit that enables electronic payment for the parking fee;
The parking lot management system according to claim 1, further comprising: a payment completion data receiving unit that enables the information processing terminal to receive payment completion data indicating completion of the electronic payment. The parking lot management system according to claim 1, wherein the server includes at least one of a management server that manages the plurality of parking lots and a payment server that settles the parking fees. A program executed by a computer of an information processing terminal of a user who desires to use any of a plurality of parking lots managed by a parking lot management system,
The information processing terminal is capable of communicating with a server, and has multiple functions including:
Candidate parking lot display in which one of the plurality of parking lots located near the current position measured by the positioning unit of the information processing terminal is selected as a plurality of candidate parking lots and displayed on the screen of the information processing terminal. function and
When the user performs an operation on the screen of the information processing terminal to select one of the plurality of candidate parking lots as the parking lot that the user wants to use, select one of the candidate parking lots. A parking lot selection function to select the parking lot to be used,
When the user leaves the parking lot, the user operates the information processing terminal to display the license plate number of the vehicle parked in the parking lot and/or the location within the parking lot. a user number identification function that identifies a user number that is the number of the parking space in which the user parks the vehicle among the plurality of parking spaces;
If the identified user number matches either the license plate of each vehicle registered at the time of each vehicle entering the parking lot and/or the number of the parking space where each vehicle parks, the parking fee will be charged. and a parking fee data receiving function that receives parking fee data representing the above from the server,
A program executed to realize the plurality of functions. A recording medium on which the program according to claim 4 is recorded in a computer-readable manner. A program for functioning as a server according to any one of claims 1 to 3. A recording medium on which the program according to claim 6 is recorded in a computer-readable manner.

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