JP7541933B2 - Parking lot wireless network utilization system - Google Patents

Description

This invention relates to a technology that allows users who are currently using a parking lot to connect to a wireless network, and ensures that the connection to the wireless network is terminated when the user leaves the parking lot.

Recently, an increasing number of business people are freeing themselves from the constraints of traditional office work and are instead taking their laptops to places like cafes to do their work.
As part of this trend, there is an increasing demand, especially among salesmen, to be able to work from their cars parked in parking lots.
It is true that the inside of a car is a relatively quiet space isolated from the outside world, which makes it easy to get work done, but the problem is the communication environment.

Of course, there have been parking lots that offer free Wi-Fi-like communication services (see Non-Patent Document 1 below), but it has been difficult to limit access to the wireless LAN to users who are currently using the parking lot, and it has been difficult to effectively prevent unauthorized use by third parties in the vicinity. In other words, if it is not possible to prevent use by unauthorized persons, security risks will increase and communication speeds will drop significantly due to bandwidth compression.
As a result, in order to enjoy a safe and high-speed communication environment in a parking lot, users had to either prepare their own pocket Wi-Fi or use the tethering function on their smartphones, which was inconvenient as it forced them to keep an eye on data communication volume (so-called "packets") limits while working.
Free Wi-Fi now available at paid parking lots! What are the benefits for both users and parking lot managers? Internet URL: https://diamond.jp/articles/-/21713 Retrieved on: December 9, 2020

This invention was devised in light of the current situation, and aims to provide technology that can limit access to a wireless communication network installed in a parking lot to parking lot users, and can reliably stop access to the wireless communication network when leaving the parking lot.

In order to achieve the above object, the parking lot wireless network utilization system described in claim 1 is a system comprising a management server, a parking lot control device connected to the management server, and a user terminal operated by a user who uses the parking lot, and the management server performs the following processes when the vehicle number of an entering vehicle transmitted from the parking lot control device matches the vehicle number transmitted from the user terminal: generating a one-time password; transmitting a message describing this one-time password to the user terminal; transmitting the one-time password to the parking lot control device and instructing a user terminal that has entered this one-time password as an authentication code to connect to a wireless network installed in the parking lot; and When a message indicating termination of use is received from the user terminal, a process is executed to instruct the parking lot control device to invalidate the one-time password, and the parking lot control device executes the following processes: read the vehicle number written on the license plate of a vehicle entering the parking lot via a camera; transmit the vehicle number of the entering vehicle to the management server; when the one-time password is transmitted from the management server, connect a user terminal which has input the one-time password as an authentication code to the wireless network; and when a command to invalidate the one-time password is transmitted from the management server, disconnect the user terminal which has input the one-time password as an authentication code from the wireless network.
The above "wireless network" naturally includes not only wireless LAN but also next-generation wireless communication networks such as local 5G.

The parking lot wireless network utilization system described in claim 2 is the system described in claim 1, further characterized in that the parking lot control device executes a process of reading the vehicle number written on the license plate of a vehicle exiting the parking lot via a camera and a process of transmitting the vehicle number of the exiting vehicle to the management server, and the management server executes a process of transmitting a message to the user terminal encouraging the user to exit if the vehicle number transmitted from the user terminal is not transmitted from the parking lot control device as the vehicle number of the exiting vehicle even after a predetermined time has elapsed after receiving a message indicating the end of use from the user terminal.

The parking lot wireless network utilization system described in claim 3 is a system including a management server, a parking lot control device connected to the management server, and a user terminal operated by a user who uses the parking lot, and the management server performs the following operations when the vehicle number of the entering vehicle transmitted from the parking lot control device matches the vehicle number transmitted from the user terminal: generating a one-time password; transmitting a message describing the one-time password to the user terminal; transmitting the one-time password to the parking lot control device and instructing a user terminal that has input the one-time password as an authentication code to connect to a wireless network installed in the parking lot; and when the vehicle number of the exiting vehicle transmitted from the parking lot control device matches the vehicle number of the entering vehicle, the parking lot control device executes a process of commanding the user to invalidate the one-time password, and the parking lot control device executes a process of reading, via a camera, the vehicle number written on the license plate of a vehicle entering the parking lot, a process of transmitting the vehicle number of the entering vehicle to the management server, a process of connecting a user terminal which has input the one-time password as an authentication code when the one-time password is transmitted from the management server to the wireless network, a process of reading, via a camera, the vehicle number written on the license plate of a vehicle exiting the parking lot, a process of transmitting the vehicle number of the exiting vehicle to the management server, and a process of disconnecting, from the wireless network, a user terminal which has input the one-time password as an authentication code when the one-time password invalidation command is transmitted from the management server.

The parking lot wireless network utilization system described in claim 4 is a system according to claims 1 to 3, further characterized in that the management server is provided with a memory means for storing the user's credit card information, and executes a process for identifying the usage fee and a payment process for the usage fee using the credit card information.
The "usage fee" referred to here may, for example, be in the following patterns:
(1) Wireless network usage fee only *Flat rate or pay-per-use *Parking is free or separate
(2) Parking fees only *Flat rate or pay-per-use *Wireless network usage is free or separate
(3) Parking fees and wireless network usage fees *Flat rate or pay-per-use

According to the parking lot wireless network utilization system described in claim 1, a one-time password is issued when the vehicle number of the entering vehicle read by the parking lot control device matches the vehicle number transmitted from the user terminal, and only user terminals that input this one-time password as an authentication code are connected to the wireless network within the parking lot, thereby effectively preventing persons other than parking lot users from using the wireless network.
Furthermore, since the one-time password is invalidated when a request to terminate use is sent from the user terminal, it is possible to effectively prevent the user from continuing to use the wireless network after leaving the parking lot.
In cases where a pay-per-use fee is charged for using a wireless network, the fee will stop as soon as the user indicates their intention to end use, which is also beneficial for the user.

According to the parking lot wireless network utilization system of the second aspect, it is possible to prevent the user's vehicle from remaining in the parking lot after indicating an intention to end use.
This is useful in cases where wireless network usage fees and parking fees are collected from users in a lump sum.

According to the parking lot wireless network utilization system described in claim 3, a one-time password is issued when the vehicle number of the entering vehicle read by the parking lot control device matches the vehicle number transmitted from the user terminal, and only user terminals that input this one-time password as an authentication code are connected to the wireless network within the parking lot, thereby effectively preventing persons other than parking lot users from using the wireless network.
Furthermore, since the one-time password is automatically invalidated when the user's vehicle leaves the parking lot, it is possible to effectively prevent the user from continuing to use the wireless network after leaving the parking lot.
When there is no pay-per-use charge for the use of the wireless network, i.e., when a flat-rate fee is charged or when the use of the wireless network itself is free, the use of the wireless network is automatically stopped as soon as the vehicle leaves the parking lot, without the user having to indicate an intention to end use, thereby reducing the burden on the user.
Alternatively, while assuming that the one-time password is invalidated after waiting for a message from the user indicating that usage has ended, as in claim 1, even if the vehicle leaves the parking lot without sending a message indicating that usage has ended due to either intentional or negligent actions on the part of the user, by applying the invention of claim 3, usage of the wireless network can be reliably stopped as soon as the vehicle leaves the parking lot.

According to the parking lot wireless network utilization system described in claim 4, the usage fee is paid by a pre-registered credit card, improving user convenience.

1 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of a parking lot wireless network utilization system according to the present invention. 3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating data structures of records stored in a user DB, a usage history DB, and a parking DB. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in the parking lot wireless network utilization system. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in the parking lot wireless network utilization system. 11A to 11C are diagrams illustrating an example of a screen transition on a user terminal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of a parking lot wireless network utilization system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
As shown in FIG. 1, the system 10 includes a management server 12 and a parking lot control device 14 .

The management server 12 consists of a computer equipped with an OS and a dedicated application program, and has a user management function 12a, a parking lot management function 12b, a reservation management function 12c, a one-time password (hereinafter abbreviated as "OTP") issuing function 12d, a fee calculation function 12e, a fee payment function 12f, and a usage history management function 12g.
In order to perform its functions, the management server 12 also includes various databases such as a user DB 12h, a usage history DB 12i, and a parking DB 12j.

The user DB 12h is a storage means for storing attribute information of member users who use this system 10, and as shown in FIG. 2(a), records are stored that include data items such as user ID, email address, password, mobile phone number, name, address, gender, date of birth, vehicle number (1), vehicle number (2), credit card information, and date of subscription.

The usage history DB12i is a storage means for storing usage history information for each member user, and as shown in FIG. 2(b), it stores records with data items such as user ID, parking lot code, vehicle number, one-time password, usage start date and time, usage end date and time, usage fee, payment completion flag, payment type, and exit date and time.

The parking lot DB 12j is a storage means for storing attribute information of parking lots managed by the management server 12, and stores records with data items such as parking lot code, name, address, latitude and longitude, etc., as shown in Figure 2(c).

The parking lot control device 14 is composed of a computer equipped with an OS and a dedicated application program, and realizes an entering/exiting vehicle detection function 14a, a vehicle number (number) reading function 14b, a wireless LAN authentication function 14c, a usage fee settlement function 14d, etc.
This parking lot control device 14 is installed in each parking lot in each location, and the management server 12 is connected to a plurality of parking lot control devices 14 via a communication network.

The parking lot control device 14 is also connected to a first camera 16, a second camera 18, a first proximity sensor 20, a second proximity sensor 22, a wireless LAN access point 24, a multifunction device 26 equipped with at least a printer and scanner function, and a prepayment machine 28, all of which are installed in the parking lot.

A first camera 16 and a first proximity sensor 20 are installed near the entrance to the car park.
When the parking lot control device 14 detects the presence of a vehicle 30 entering through the entrance based on the output from the first proximity sensor 20, it searches for the license plate 32 attached to the front or back of the vehicle 30 from the video image captured by the first camera 16 and reads the character string (vehicle number).
The vehicle number read here means all the characters written on the license plate 32, such as "Shinagawa 500sa 23-45" (the same applies below).

The second camera 18 and the second proximity sensor 22 are installed near the exit of the parking lot.
When the parking lot control device 14 detects the presence of a vehicle 30 attempting to exit through the exit gate based on the output from the second proximity sensor 22, it searches for the license plate 32 attached to the front or back of the vehicle 30 from the video image captured by the second camera 18 and reads the character string (vehicle number).

The access point 24 consists of a wireless LAN router with radio wave output capable of reaching the parking lot premises, and has the function of connecting a user terminal that has entered the OTP specified by the parking lot control device 14 as a password to the Internet.
Here, the user terminal refers to a notebook computer 34, a smartphone 36, a tablet terminal, etc., which is equipped with a wireless communication function and which is owned by the user.

The prepayment machine 28 is installed for users who wish to pay the usage fee on the spot with cash, credit card, or electronic money.

Next, the processing procedures of each device that occur when the system 10 is used will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.
First, when the parking lot control device 14 detects the presence of an entering vehicle based on the output from the first proximity sensor 20 (S10), it searches for the license plate 32 in the image captured by the first camera 16 and reads the vehicle number written thereon (S11), and notifies this together with the parking lot code for that parking lot to the management server 12 (S12).

Meanwhile, the user in the vehicle simply enters the parking lot through the entrance, parks the vehicle in an available parking space, and then accesses the website of the system 10 from a smartphone 36 serving as a user terminal (S13).
As a result, a login screen 40 shown in FIG. 5( a ) is displayed on the display of the smartphone 36 .
In response, the user enters a user ID and password, touches the login button, and logs into the system 10 (S14).
Users who are using the system 10 for the first time can register by entering their name, email address, credit card information, etc. in a specified input form. Users can also reserve a parking space in advance via their laptop computer 34, smartphone 36, etc.

Next, the user touches the option "2. Start using" on the menu screen 42 shown in FIG. 5(b) to request starting using the service (S15).
As a result, the vehicle number selection screen 44 shown in FIG. 5(c) is displayed, and the user touches the ▼ button to select the vehicle number of the vehicle he or she is currently riding in from the pull-down menu (S16).
If the vehicle currently in use is not registered in the system 10, return to the menu screen 42 in FIG. 5(b) and touch "4. Add vehicle number" to add the vehicle number.

The management server 12 compares the vehicle number transmitted from the smartphone 36 with the vehicle number transmitted from the parking lot control device 14, and if there is a match, registers a record containing the corresponding user ID and parking lot code in the usage history DB 12i (S17).
From this point on, usage history data will be added to the record as processing progresses.

Next, the management server 12 generates an OTP (one-time password) of a predetermined number of digits and sends an email containing the OTP to the user's registered email address (S18). Instead of email, the OTP can also be sent by SMS (short message) to the user's mobile phone number.
At the same time, the management server 12 notifies the parking lot control device 14 of the OTP and requests that the user terminal that entered the OTP as an authentication key be permitted to use the in-park wireless LAN (S19), and registers the start date and time of usage in the usage history DB 12i (S20).
The parking lot control device 14, upon receiving this, thereafter permits the user terminal using the OTP as an authentication key to connect to the Internet via the access point 24 (to use the in-park wireless LAN) (S21).

Meanwhile, the user selects the in-house wireless LAN as the access point in the wireless connection settings of his/her notebook computer 34, and inputs the OTP stated in the email as the network security key (S22), thereby starting an Internet connection via the access point 24 (S23).
During this time, the user can print out documents via the multifunction printer 26 connected to the in-house wireless LAN, or scan the documents using the multifunction printer 26 and import them into his or her own notebook computer 34.

When a predetermined time has elapsed, and the user calls up the menu screen 42 of Figure 5 (b) on the smartphone 36 and touches "3. End use" to notify the end of use (S24), the management server 12 sends a command to invalidate the OTP to the parking lot control device 14 (S25).
Upon receiving this, the parking lot control device 14 thereafter stops the user terminal that uses the OTP as an authentication key from connecting to the Internet via the access point 24 (S26).

Next, the management server 12 registers the end date and time of usage in the usage history DB 12i (S27), calculates the usage fee (parking fee + wireless LAN usage fee) according to the user's usage time (S28), and sends an email containing the usage fee to the user's registered email address (S29).
If the user is satisfied with the usage fee, he or she touches the link contained in the e-mail to access the website of system 10 and selects "Confirm fee" (S30).

The management server 12, which has received a notice of confirmation regarding the usage fee from the user terminal, transmits the credit card information that the user has preregistered to the computer of the credit card company, and requests payment of the usage fee (S31).
After the payment is completed, the management server 12 registers data indicating the completion of the payment by credit card (payment completion flag/payment type) in the usage history DB 12i (S32).

When the user moves the vehicle from the parking space to near the exit, the parking lot control device 14 detects it as an exiting vehicle based on the output from the second proximity sensor 22 (S33), and searches for the license plate 32 in the image captured by the second camera 18 and reads the vehicle number written thereon (S34).
The vehicle number of the exiting vehicle that has been read is notified from the parking lot control device 14 to the management server 12 (S35).
The management server 12 receiving this registers the exit date and time in the usage history DB 12i (S36).
In the unlikely event that a notice of exit is not sent from the parking lot control device 14 even after a certain amount of time has passed since the completion of payment, an email is sent from the management server 12 to the user's email address urging the user to leave early.

It is possible that the user may intentionally or accidentally cause the vehicle to suddenly leave the parking lot without notifying S24 that use has ended.
To prepare for such a case, it is effective to prepare the following additional steps.
(1) In S35 above, when the parking lot control device 14 notifies the management server 12 of the vehicle number of the exiting vehicle, the management server 12 refers to the usage history DB 12i and checks whether or not an “end of usage date and time” is registered for that vehicle number.
(2) If the "use end date and time" has been registered, the "exit date and time" is registered as is (S36).
(3) If the "end date and time of use" is not registered, it is assumed that the person has left the parking lot without permission, and an OTP invalidation command is immediately sent to the parking lot control device 14, stopping use of the in-park wireless LAN.
As a result, even if a user leaves the facility without indicating an intention to end use, it is possible to effectively prevent at least the in-flight wireless LAN from being used without authorization. Although the problem of payment of usage fees remains, the operator of the system 10 holds the user's contact information, payment information, vehicle number, etc., so there is little risk of being separated from the user.

In the above, an example was shown in which the usage fee was paid by a pre-registered credit card, but the user can also pay using cash, electronic money, etc. via the pre-payment machine 28.
Specifically, the following steps are performed:
(1) When "checking the fee" in S30 above, the user selects a payment method other than a credit card (cash, electronic money, etc.).
(2) The user goes to the prepayment machine 28 in the parking lot and enters the vehicle number.
(3) After checking the amount shown on the display of the pre-payment machine 28, the user inserts cash or holds up electronic money to make the payment.
*The usage fee is notified in advance to the parking lot control device 14 by the management server 12.
(4) A payment completion notice is sent from the parking lot control device 14 to the management server 12.
(5) The management server 12 registers the fact that the payment by cash or electronic money has been completed in the transaction history DB 12i.

In the above S28 to S31, an example has been shown in which the parking fee and the wireless LAN usage fee are charged together, but the present invention is not limited to this.
For example, some users may wish to use the wireless LAN to work in their vehicle while parked in a parking lot, and then stop using the wireless LAN after they have finished their work, while leaving the vehicle parked. In order to meet such needs, it is effective to charge a separate fee for the wireless LAN and the parking lot.
If it becomes necessary to use the wireless LAN again after temporarily suspending use, the user can simply repeat steps S13 to S16 above to receive a new OTP.

In order to increase added value as a parking lot, the use of wireless LAN can be made free of charge.
In such a case, it is desirable to configure the parking lot control device 14 so that, when the parking lot control device 14 transmits the vehicle number of the exiting vehicle, the management server 12 issues a command to the parking lot control device 14 to invalidate the OTP associated with that vehicle number, without requesting the user to notify the end of use as in S24 above.

The permission and suspension of use of the in-house wireless network is realized, for example, as follows.
First, in the case of "permission to use," the parking lot control device 14 outputs the new OTP sent from the management server 12 to the access point 24. The access point 24 adds this OTP to a predetermined storage means, and thereafter connects the terminal(s) that use the OTP as an authentication code to the Internet.
In the case of "suspension of use," the OTP designated as the suspension target by the management server 12 is output from the parking lot control device 14 to the access point 24. The access point 24 deletes this OTP from the storage means, and thereafter, disconnects all terminals using the OTP as an authentication code from the Internet.

10 Parking lot wireless network utilization system
12 Management Server
14 Parking lot control device
16 First Camera
18 Second Camera
20 First Proximity Sensor
22 Second Proximity Sensor
24 Access Points
26 Multifunction printer
28 Pre-payment machine
30 Vehicles
32 Number Plate
34 Laptop
36 Smartphone
40 Login screen
42 Menu screen
44 Vehicle number selection screen

Claims (4)

A system including a management server, a parking lot control device connected to the management server, and a user terminal operated by a user who uses the parking lot,
the management server performs a process of generating a one-time password when the vehicle number of the entering vehicle transmitted from the parking lot control device matches the vehicle number transmitted from the user terminal;
A process of transmitting a message describing this one-time password to the user terminal;
a process of transmitting the one-time password to the parking lot control device and instructing a user terminal that inputs the one-time password as an authentication code to connect to a wireless network installed in the parking lot;
When a message indicating the end of use is received from the user terminal, a process is executed to instruct the parking lot control device to invalidate the one-time password;
The parking lot control device performs a process of reading, via a camera, a vehicle number written on a license plate of a vehicle entering a parking lot;
A process of transmitting the vehicle number of the entering vehicle to the management server;
a process of connecting a user terminal which inputs a one-time password as an authentication code when the one-time password is transmitted from the management server to the wireless network;
A parking lot wireless network utilization system characterized in that when a command to invalidate the one-time password is sent from the management server, a process is executed to disconnect a user terminal that has input the one-time password as an authentication code from the wireless network. The parking lot control device includes a process of reading, via a camera, a vehicle number written on a license plate of a vehicle exiting a parking lot;
Execute a process of transmitting the vehicle number of the exiting vehicle to the management server,
The parking lot wireless network utilization system described in claim 1, characterized in that after receiving a message of termination of usage from the user terminal, if the vehicle number sent from the user terminal is not sent from the parking lot control device as the vehicle number of the exiting vehicle even after a predetermined time has elapsed, the management server executes a process of sending a message to the user terminal prompting the user to exit. A system including a management server, a parking lot control device connected to the management server, and a user terminal operated by a user who uses the parking lot,
the management server performs a process of generating a one-time password when the vehicle number of the entering vehicle transmitted from the parking lot control device matches the vehicle number transmitted from the user terminal;
A process of transmitting a message describing this one-time password to the user terminal;
a process of transmitting the one-time password to the parking lot control device and instructing a user terminal that inputs the one-time password as an authentication code to connect to a wireless network installed in the parking lot;
If the vehicle number of the exiting vehicle transmitted from the parking lot control device matches the vehicle number of the entering vehicle, a process is executed to instruct the parking lot control device to invalidate the one-time password;
The parking lot control device performs a process of reading, via a camera, a vehicle number written on a license plate of a vehicle entering a parking lot;
A process of transmitting the vehicle number of the entering vehicle to the management server;
a process of connecting a user terminal which inputs a one-time password as an authentication code when the one-time password is transmitted from the management server to the wireless network;
A process of reading, via a camera, the vehicle number printed on the license plate of a vehicle exiting a parking lot;
A process of transmitting the vehicle number of the exiting vehicle to the management server;
A parking lot wireless network utilization system characterized in that when a command to invalidate the one-time password is sent from the management server, a process is executed to disconnect a user terminal that has input the one-time password as an authentication code from the wireless network. The management server includes a storage means for storing the user's credit card information,
A process for identifying a usage fee;
4. The parking lot wireless network utilization system according to claim 1, wherein the utilization fee is settled by using the credit card information.

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