JP7765112B2 - Electronic payment agent system and program that can handle electronic payments for systems that cannot handle electronic payments - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a technology for providing certain services to users, and in particular to a technology for acting as an agent for electronic payments for systems that cannot handle electronic payments, and/or a technology for enabling a system that cannot handle electronic payments to be modified into a system that can handle electronic payments while minimizing additional burden.

Systems that provide certain services to users are already widespread. One example of this type of service is a service that rents real estate or personal property to users.

Specifically, examples of real estate that can be rented include rental spaces such as seats and parking lots, and examples of movable property that can be rented include means of transportation such as rental bicycles and rental cars.

More specifically, rental real estate includes, for example, accommodation facilities where users can stay for a short period of time (e.g., rooms in a hotel, private homes temporarily rented to others, rooms in apartment buildings, etc.), rooms in accommodation facilities where users can stay for a long period of time (e.g., individual homes, apartment buildings, etc.), coin lockers, parking lots (e.g., parking lots with one or more parking spaces), individual parking spaces (e.g., each of multiple parking spaces in a parking lot), etc.

Examples of movable property that can be rented include land, water, or air vehicles (e.g., rental cars, rental bicycles, etc.), rental furniture, rental clothing, rental electrical appliances (including the audio guide devices described below), rental accessories that can be detachably attached to electrical appliances (e.g., batteries or chargers), and rental recording media (e.g., CDs) on which audiovisual content is recorded that can be played by the user.

Here, we will use the parking lot business as an example to explain some conventional examples of systems that provide certain services to users, focusing particularly on payment methods.

Patent Document 1 discloses a parking lot management system that can accept electronic payments (also known as "smartphone payments," such as credit card payments), but cannot accept cash payments or prepaid IC card payments (also simply referred to as "card payments").

This system comprises a server installed outside the parking lot that can communicate with the user's mobile device, and an exit restriction device installed inside the parking lot that communicates with and is controlled by the server or the user's mobile device. Throughout this specification, the "exit restriction device" physically restricts a vehicle that has entered the parking lot from leaving the parking lot until the user has completed payment, and physically permits the vehicle to leave once the user has completed payment; it is also referred to as an exit permission device.

Patent document 2 discloses a parking lot management system that can only accept cash or card payments, i.e., non-electronic payments.

This system includes a payment machine installed in the parking lot (a device that allows users to make non-electronic payments), an exit restriction device installed in the parking lot that is controlled by the payment machine, and a server installed outside the parking lot that can communicate with the payment machine but not with the user's mobile device.

Patent Document 3 discloses a parking lot management system that supports both non-electronic and electronic payments. This system includes a ticket issuing machine installed within the parking lot that enables non-electronic payments, and a management server installed outside the parking lot that communicates with users' mobile devices and enables them to make electronic payments. In this case, the management server is managed by the same company that manages the parking lot, and therefore, in this system, the ticket issuing machine and management server are under the management of the same company.

Patent No. 6401849 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-045916 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-173965

Electronic payments are becoming more common as a method of paying for services. However, there are still users who prefer non-electronic payments.

However, after building a system that exclusively handles non-electronic payments, it is possible to at least partially modify the system's hardware configuration to accommodate electronic payments in order to meet the demand for electronic payments. However, in this case, there is a risk that the burden of modifying the system will increase.

Against this background, the present invention aims to provide a technology that can act as an agent for electronic payments for systems that cannot handle electronic payments, and/or a technology that enables a system that cannot handle electronic payments to be modified into a system that can handle electronic payments while minimizing additional burden.

In order to solve the problem, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic payment agent system as a second system that acts as an agent for electronically paying a first fee charged to a user of a first system that provides a first service to the user as consideration for the user's use of the first service, the system comprising:
the first system includes a settlement machine that does not support electronic settlement and performs settlement by communication with the user's communication terminal , and a first management server that can communicate with the settlement machine ;
The electronic payment agency system includes a second management server;
The second management server
Identifying the first system through communication with the communication terminal;
When accessed by the communication terminal, a procedure is carried out to perform electronic payment for the first fee;
When the electronic payment is completed, a payment completion signal indicating the completion is sent to the communication terminal, either via the first management server or without going through the first management server;
When the electronic payment is completed, the payment completion signal is transmitted to the first management server;
the first system includes a plurality of rental objects, each of which is personal property or real property;
The plurality of rental objects each have a plurality of identification codes that are unique to the corresponding rental object, or a plurality of transmitters that each transmit a signal that is unique to the corresponding rental object by a short-range wireless method;
An electronic payment agency system is provided in which, when the multiple rental items have the multiple identification codes, the second management server reads any of the identification codes with the communication terminal and acquires any of the rental items corresponding to any of the identification codes as the current rental item, and, when the multiple rental items have the multiple transmitters, the signal from any of the transmitters is received by the communication terminal and acquires any of the rental items corresponding to any of the transmitters as the current rental item .

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program executed by a computer of a second management server in a first system that provides a first service to a user, in order for the second system to perform an electronic payment agency method for electronically paying a first fee charged to the user as consideration for the user's use of the first service, the program comprising:
the first system includes a settlement machine that does not support electronic settlement and performs settlement by communication with the user's communication terminal , and a first management server that can communicate with the settlement machine ;
The electronic payment agency method includes:
an identification step in which the second management server identifies the first system by communication with the communication terminal ;
an electronic payment agency step in which the second management server is accessed by the communication terminal and executes a procedure for acting as an agent for electronic payment of the first fee;
a first transmission step in which, when the electronic payment is completed, the second management server transmits a payment completion signal indicating the completion to the communication terminal, with or without passing through the first management server;
a second transmission step of the second management server transmitting the payment completion signal to the first management server when the electronic payment is completed;
the first system includes a plurality of rental objects, each of which is personal property or real property;
The plurality of rental objects each have a plurality of identification codes that are unique to the corresponding rental object, or a plurality of transmitters that each transmit a signal that is unique to the corresponding rental object by a short-range wireless method;
The specifying step includes a step of, when the plurality of rental objects have the plurality of identification codes, reading any of the identification codes by the communication terminal, thereby acquiring any of the rental objects corresponding to any of the identification codes as the current rental object, and, when the plurality of rental objects have the plurality of transmitters, receiving the signal from any of the transmitters by the communication terminal, thereby acquiring any of the rental objects corresponding to any of the transmitters as the current rental object,
A program is provided for causing the second management server to function as the computer to execute the electronic payment agency method.

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

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

(1) A system that provides a certain type of service to a user,
a cashier that allows a user to make non-electronic payments, such as cash or card payments;
a management server capable of communicating with the settlement machine;
The system does not support electronic payments by itself, but operates in a pseudo-electronic payment mode in cooperation with a second system that provides users with the same type of service as the system and that supports electronic payments;
The second system comprises:
a second management server capable of communicating with the user's communication terminal;
a payment server that enables users to make electronic payments and that is capable of communicating with the second management server;
The system is a pseudo-electronic payment compatible service providing system in which, in the pseudo-electronic payment mode, the user's communication terminal accesses the second management server, either via or without going through the management server, while the user pretends to be a member of the second system, thereby making electronic payments using the payment server.

(2) A system that provides a certain type of service to a user,
a cashier that allows a user to make non-electronic payments, such as cash or card payments;
a management server capable of communicating with the settlement machine;
The system operates in a non-electronic payment mode that does not support electronic payments by itself, and in the non-electronic payment mode, a user makes a non-electronic payment using the settlement machine;
the system executes a pseudo-electronic payment mode in cooperation with a second system that provides users with the same type of service as the system;
The second system comprises:
a second management server capable of communicating with the user's communication terminal;
a payment server that enables users to make electronic payments and that is capable of communicating with the second management server;
The second system independently executes an electronic payment mode corresponding to electronic payment, provided that the user is a member of the second system, and in the electronic payment mode, the user's communication terminal communicates with the second management server, thereby performing electronic payment using the payment server, and then the second management server transmits a payment completion signal to the communication terminal;
In the pseudo-electronic payment mode, the system is a pseudo-electronic payment compatible service provision system in which the user's communication terminal accesses the second management server, either via or without going through the management server, while the user is pretending to be a member of the second system, thereby making an electronic payment using the payment server, and then the second management server communicates with the settlement machine, either via or without going through the management server, thereby causing the settlement machine to receive a payment completion signal.

(3) A pseudo-electronic payment-enabled service provision system as described in (1) or (2), wherein the service includes a service of renting a space to a user for parking a vehicle, including a bicycle, automobile, or motorcycle, and/or a service of renting a vehicle, including a bicycle, automobile, or motorcycle, to a user.

(4) The service includes a service of renting a space in a parking lot to a user for parking a vehicle, including a bicycle, an automobile, or a motorcycle,
The system further comprises:
a parking permitting device that physically restricts a vehicle that has entered the parking lot from leaving the parking lot until payment by a user is completed, and physically permits the vehicle to leave the parking lot once payment by the user is completed, the parking permitting device being controlled by the payment machine;
The pseudo-electronic payment compatible service providing system according to claim 3, wherein the settlement machine transmits a withdrawal permission signal to the withdrawal permission device when the settlement machine receives the payment completion signal.

(5) The service includes a service of renting to a user a parking space selected by the user from among a plurality of parking spaces for the user to park a vehicle, including a bicycle, an automobile, or a motorcycle, in a parking lot;
The system further comprises:
A pseudo-electronic payment compatible service provision system described in any of (1) to (4), which includes a spoofing access means for a user's communication terminal to acquire a combination of information for identifying the parking lot and information for identifying the selected vehicle space when the user selects the pseudo-electronic payment mode at the entry stage when the vehicle enters the selected vehicle space or at the exit stage when the vehicle leaves the vehicle space, assigning to the combination an impersonation member ID for accessing the second management server of the second system as a member of the second system, and using the impersonation member ID to access the second management server with or without going through the management server.

(6) Furthermore,
A pseudo-electronic payment compatible service provision system described in any of (1) to (4), which includes an impersonation access means for, when the pseudo-electronic payment mode is selected by the user, the user's communication terminal obtains the user ID of the user or information that uniquely corresponds to the user, assigns an impersonation member ID to the user ID or information for accessing the second management server of the second system as a member of the second system, and uses the impersonation member ID to access the second management server with or without going through the management server.

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

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

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

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

(9) A program for causing a computer to function as a settlement machine described in any one of (1) to (6).

(10) A recording medium on which a computer-readable program described in any one of (7) to (9) is recorded.

Throughout this specification, the term "recording medium" may be interpreted to mean various types of recording medium, including, but not limited to, magnetic recording media such as flexible disks, optical recording media such as CDs and CD-ROMs, magneto-optical recording media such as MOs, and non-removable storage such as ROMs.

FIG. 1 is a conceptual perspective view of a parking management system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention that is not capable of supporting electronic payments, along with a second parking management system that is capable of supporting electronic payments. FIG. 2 is a flowchart conceptually showing the operations of the transmitter, the user's mobile terminal, and the management server in the second parking lot management system shown in FIG. 1, which are carried out in the parking entry stage. FIG. 2 is a flowchart conceptually showing the operations of the transmitter, the user's mobile terminal, and the management server in the second parking lot management system shown in FIG. 1, which are carried out in the leaving stage. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing three examples of communication procedures for enabling the parking lot management system shown in FIG. 1 to partially utilize the second parking lot management system shown in the same figure to support electronic payments. Figure 5 is a flowchart conceptually showing the operations of the payment machine, the user's mobile terminal and the management server in the parking lot management system shown in Figure 1, and the management server and payment server in the second parking lot management system, which are carried out to execute the pseudo-electronic payment mode at the exit stage.

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

<Overall Structure>

In FIG. 1, a pseudo-electronic payment-enabled parking lot management system 10 (hereinafter simply referred to as "system 10") according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown together with a second electronic payment-enabled parking lot management system 110 (hereinafter simply referred to as "system 110"). System 10 is an example of a pseudo-electronic payment-enabled service provision system according to one embodiment of the present invention. System 10 also implements a parking lot management method according to one embodiment of the present invention, and this parking lot management method is an example of a pseudo-electronic payment-enabled service provision method according to one embodiment of the present invention.

System 10 operates in a non-electronic payment mode that does not support electronic payments on its own. In this non-electronic payment mode, a user makes a non-electronic payment using the settlement device 30 in system 10. One example of a non-electronic payment is cash payment, and another example is prepaid IC card payment (also simply referred to as "card payment").

Furthermore, system 10 operates in a pseudo-electronic payment mode in cooperation with a second system 110 that provides users with the same type of service as system 10. In this pseudo-electronic payment mode, users use their own mobile terminal (an example of the communication terminal) 90 to make electronic payments using the management server 140 and payment server 160 in second system 110. Electronic payments are also known as "smartphone payments," and include, for example, credit card payments.

This system 10 is a postpaid system that allows a user to exit a parking lot 20 on the condition that the user pays a postpaid parking fee that corresponds to the length of time the user actually parks. However, instead, this system 10 can also adopt a prepaid system that allows a user to use a parking lot 20 on the condition that the user pays a prepaid parking fee that corresponds to the length of the user's desired parking time (e.g., planned parking time) prior to starting to use the parking lot 20.

<System 10 Configuration>

Referring to Figure 1, system 10 is a system for managing a parking lot 20. The parking lot 20 has multiple parking spaces 22. One vehicle is parked in each parking space 22. An exit permission device 24 is installed for each parking space 22.

As an additional note regarding the definition of the term "vehicle," the term "vehicle" should be interpreted as encompassing not only automobiles but also all types of moving objects, such as bicycles and motorcycles.

An example of an exit permission device 24 includes a vehicle presence sensor (e.g., a loop coil buried underground or a photosensor installed so as to be exposed on the support surface of the parking lot 20) that detects the presence of a vehicle in the corresponding vehicle compartment 22 (such as a vehicle entering the corresponding vehicle compartment 22), and a mechanism having a baffle plate (e.g., a flap, lifting device, car stopper, wheel stopper, etc.) as a movable member that switches between an exit prevention state that prevents the vehicle in the vehicle compartment 22 from leaving (exiting) the vehicle compartment 22 and an exit permission state that allows the vehicle to leave.

When the vehicle presence sensor detects the presence of a vehicle, the mechanism transitions the baffle to an exit-preventing state by, for example, raising or tilting it, and when the user pays the deferred parking fee, transitions the baffle to an exit-allowing state by, for example, lowering or leveling it.

In this embodiment, a fare adjustment machine 30 is installed in common to multiple vehicle compartments 22. The fare adjustment machine 30 communicates with the vehicle presence sensor in each vehicle compartment 22 and monitors the presence or absence of a vehicle in each vehicle compartment 22 based on signals from the vehicle presence sensor. Furthermore, a fare adjustment machine 30 is installed in common to multiple exit permission devices 24. The fare adjustment machine 30 communicates with the mechanism unit in each vehicle compartment 22 and switches the mechanism unit between an exit permission state and an exit prevention state as appropriate. The fare adjustment machine 30 may be configured primarily as a sequencer or a computer.

In another example, an exit permission device 24 is installed in common for multiple vehicle compartments 22. The exit permission device 24 has, for example, a mechanism for opening and closing a gate at the entrance and exit of the parking lot 20.

Note that it is not essential to install an exit permission device 24 in the parking lot 20 in order to implement the present invention; the present invention can also be applied to parking lots 20 that are postpaid but do not have an exit permission device 24.

The system 10 further includes a management server 40. This management server 40 is operated, for example, by a parking lot management company that manages the parking lot 20 on behalf of the owner of the parking lot 20.

In non-electronic payment mode, this management server 40 communicates (e.g., wirelessly) only with the payment machine 30, thereby realizing multiple functions, including the ability to remotely monitor the operating status of the parking lot 20 in real time.

In contrast, in pseudo-electronic payment mode, the management server 40 communicates (e.g., wirelessly) with both the user's mobile terminal 90 and the management server 140 of the second system 110 (an example of the second management server). As a result, although this system 10 alone cannot handle electronic payments, the user can legitimately impersonate a member of the second system 110 and legitimately access the second system 110, thereby realizing multiple functions including an impersonation access function that enables electronic payments.

<Configuration of the mobile terminal 90>

The user's mobile terminal 90 is, for example, a device that is carried by the user and has wireless communication capabilities, such as a mobile phone, smartphone, laptop computer, tablet computer, or PDA. The mobile terminal 90 is also an example of a user's communication terminal, and the communication terminal may also be one that is not carried by the user, such as an in-vehicle communication terminal.

The mobile terminal 90 is primarily composed of a computer having a processor and memory that stores multiple applications executed by the processor.

This mobile terminal 90 further has a display unit (e.g., a liquid crystal display) that displays information on a screen, a receiving unit that receives signals from an external communication device, and a transmitting unit that generates signals and transmits them to the external communication device.

This mobile terminal 90 further has an input unit for inputting data and commands from the user. The input unit has, for example, an operation unit that can be operated by the user to input desired information (e.g., commands, data, etc.) into the mobile terminal 90.

The operating unit may include, but is not limited to, a touchscreen (means for allowing manual data entry) that displays several icons (e.g., virtual buttons) that can be operated by the user, a physical operating unit (means for allowing manual data entry, such as a keyboard, keypad, or buttons) that can be operated by the user, and a microphone that detects voice (means for allowing voice entry of data).

The input unit further includes an image sensor (including a digital camera) for capturing images.

The mobile terminal 90 also has a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver. As is well known, the GPS receiver receives multiple GPS signals from multiple GPS satellites and uses triangulation to determine the GPS receiver's position on Earth (latitude, longitude, and altitude) based on those GPS signals.

<Configuration of the second system 110>

As shown in FIG. 1, the second system 110, like system 10, is configured to manage a post-payment parking lot 120. The parking lot 120 also has multiple parking spaces 122.

In the parking lot 120, one transmitter 130 is installed in common for multiple vehicle compartments 122. In another example, not shown, a smaller number of transmitters 130 than the number of vehicle compartments 122 are installed in association with each of multiple groups of vehicle compartments. In yet another example, not shown, the same number of transmitters 130 as the number of vehicle compartments 122 are installed, one for each vehicle compartment 122.

In the example shown in FIG. 1, one transmitter 130 is associated with one parking lot 120, and further, all parking spaces 122. Therefore, if that transmitter 130 is identified by the user's mobile terminal 190, the location of the associated parking lot 120, i.e., the parking lot code (or parking lot ID) and location (place name, geographical location, etc.) of the parking lot 120 selected by the user, are known, but the location of the one parking space 122 selected by the user is unknown.

Mobile terminal 190 has the same configuration as mobile terminal 90 described above. Therefore, a duplicated description of mobile terminal 190 will be omitted.

In this second system 110, users can only select electronic payment mode and cannot select non-electronic payment mode.

<Configuration of the transmitter 130>

First, conceptually, transmitter 130 is a contactless or contact (proximity) communication device that emits an identification signal that can identify a unique transmitter code (or transmitter ID).

The user's mobile terminal 190 exclusively receives the identification signal from the transmitter 130 via unidirectional short-range wireless communication. The distance at which the mobile terminal 190 can receive a signal from the transmitter 130, i.e., the reception radius (e.g., 0 m to approximately 50 m), is variably set by software on the mobile terminal 190. The area surrounded by a circle with that reception radius is called the receivable area or reception zone.

Transmitter 130 is usually installed in a fixed location in the corresponding parking lot 120 so that it cannot be moved, but it can also be installed in a mobile location so that it can be moved as needed. Furthermore, transmitter 130 is sufficient if it has at least a transmitting function, but it may also be configured to have a receiving function as well, if necessary.

Next, to explain how it works, the transmitter 130 actively transmits a unique identification signal locally without the need for an external trigger signal, and continuously as long as there is no shortage of power.

Transmitter 130 is a device generally known as a beacon device, radio beacon, or similar device that emits a beacon signal as an identification signal. In one example, transmitter 130 modulates an original signal to generate an identification signal representing the corresponding transmitter code, and then locally emits the generated identification signal as an IR signal, Bluetooth (registered trademark) signal, NFC (near field communication) signal, or the like.

Next, to explain the hardware configuration without referring to a diagram, this transmitter 130 is primarily composed of a computer having a processor and memory that stores multiple applications executed by that processor.

<Configuration of the management server 140>

The second system 110 further includes a management server 140. This management server 140 communicates with the user's mobile terminal 190 bidirectionally via long-distance wireless communication.

To explain the hardware configuration without referring to a diagram, the management server 140 is primarily composed of a computer having a processor and memory that stores multiple applications executed by the processor.

Specifically, this management server 140 has a receiving unit that receives signals from the mobile terminal 190, a transmitting unit that generates signals and transmits them to the mobile terminal 190, and a clock that measures the current time. This management server 140 does not receive signals directly from the transmitter 130, but in fact receives signals via the mobile terminal 190.

<Operation of the second system 110>

Next, the operation of the second system 110 will be explained with reference to Figures 2 and 3.

<Stock Entry Stage>

First, referring to Figure 2, we will explain the operation of the second system 110 during the entry stage when a vehicle enters one of the vehicle compartments 122. When a user launches the parking lot usage program on the mobile terminal 190, the mobile terminal 190 first sends a login request to the management server 140 to log in to the management server 140, along with a member ID indicating that the user is a member eligible to use the second system 110.

In response, in step S231, the management server 140 receives the login request along with the member ID, and then in step S232, it determines whether the current user is a legitimate member by referencing the member database in the memory of the management server 140.

If the current user is a legitimate member, the determination in step S232 is YES, and in step S233, a login completion signal indicating login completion is sent to the current user's mobile terminal 190. On the other hand, if the current user is not a legitimate member, the determination in step S232 is NO, and the process returns to step S231, where input of a legitimate member ID is awaited.

Then, in step S211, the mobile terminal 190 receives the login completion signal, and at this timing executes step S212, thereby receiving a signal from the transmitter 130 installed in the parking lot 120 where the user is currently located.

Next, in step S213, the mobile terminal 190 extracts the transmitter code corresponding to the current transmitter 130 from the signal received from that transmitter 130. Then, in step S214, the mobile terminal 190 converts the extracted transmitter code into the corresponding parking lot code in accordance with a predetermined relationship between the transmitter code and the parking lot code that is stored in the memory of the mobile terminal 190. This identifies the parking lot 120 into which the current user has parked.

Next, in step S215, the mobile terminal 190 displays a "Check In" button on its screen to confirm the user's intention to check in. When the user touches the "Check In" button, it determines that the user intends to check in, and in step S216, it associates a check-in request by the user to check in with the parking lot code and the member ID, and sends them to the management server 140. Then, in step S217, the mobile terminal 190 stores the current parking lot code in the memory of the mobile terminal 190 as a check-in parking lot code for future reference.

In response, in step S234, the management server 140 receives the entry request, parking lot code, and member ID in association with each other, and then in step S235, measures the current time using the clock. Then, in step S236, the management server 140 treats the measured current time as the entry time, and then in step S237, associates the entry time with the member ID and stores it in the memory of the management server 140. As a result, the member ID, parking lot 20 ID, and entry time are stored in association with each other in the memory of the management server 140.

<Shipping Stage>

Next, referring to Figure 3, the operation of the second system 110 during the exit stage when the vehicle leaves one of the parking spaces 122 will be explained. In step S311, the user's mobile terminal 190 first receives a signal from a transmitter 130 installed in the parking lot 120 where the user is currently located. Next, in step S312, the mobile terminal 190 extracts the transmitter code corresponding to the transmitter 130 from the signal received from that transmitter 130.

Then, in step S313, the mobile terminal 190 converts the extracted transmitter code into the corresponding parking lot code in accordance with a predetermined relationship between the transmitter code and the parking lot code that is stored in the memory of the mobile terminal 190. This identifies the parking lot 120 where the user is currently located, i.e., the exit parking lot 120 from which the user wants to exit.

Next, in step S314, the mobile terminal 190 reads the already-stored entrance parking lot code from the memory of the mobile terminal 190 and determines whether it matches the converted parking lot code, i.e., the exit parking lot code. If they match, the determination in step S314 is YES and the process proceeds to step S315. If they do not match, the determination is NO and the process returns to step S311, waiting for the acquisition of the correct exit parking lot code.

Next, in step S315, the mobile terminal 190 displays an exit button on its screen to confirm the user's intention to exit. When the user touches the exit button, it determines that the user intends to exit, and in step S316, it associates the exit request with the exit parking lot code and the member ID and transmits them to the management server 140.

In response, in step S331, the management server 140 receives the exit request, the exit parking lot code, and the member ID in association with each other, and then in step S332, determines whether the same combination of exit parking lot code and member ID as the received combination exists in the memory of the management server 140, thereby determining whether to authenticate the current user and the current parking lot 120 as legitimate.

If the authentication is successful, in step S333, the management server 140 measures the current time using the clock. Then, in step S334, the management server 140 treats the measured current time as the departure time, and then, in step S335, reads from the memory the entry time stored in the memory of the management server 140 in association with the current member ID, and calculates the parking time by subtracting the entry time from the departure time.

Then, in step S336, the management server 140 calculates a parking fee appropriate to the calculated length of parking time in accordance with a predetermined relationship between the length of parking time and the amount of parking fee, which is stored in the memory of the management server 140. The management server 140 then transmits the calculated parking fee amount to the user's mobile device 190.

In response, the mobile terminal 190 receives the parking fee amount in step S317, and then displays the parking fee amount on the screen in step S318.

Meanwhile, after executing step S336, in step S337, the management server 140 sends a payment request to make electronic payment for the parking fee to the payment server 160, along with the information necessary for electronic payment.

In response, the payment server 160 receives the payment request in step S351, and then performs the electronic payment according to the specified details in step S352. Next, in step S353, the payment server 160 sends a payment completion signal to the management server 140 indicating that the electronic payment has been completed.

In response, the management server 140 receives the payment completion signal in step S338, and then, in step S339, sends a release permission signal to the mobile terminal 190.

In response, in step S319, the mobile terminal 190 receives the exit permission signal, thereby letting the user know that the parking fee has been paid electronically and that the user has therefore obtained the authority to legitimately exit the current parking lot 120.

<System 10 Operation>

<Stock Entry Stage>

To explain the operation of this system 10, when a vehicle enters one of the compartments 22 during the entry stage, the corresponding vehicle presence sensor detects the vehicle and sends a signal indicating this to the payment machine 30. The payment machine 30 measures the current time as the entry time and records which compartment 22 the vehicle entered at that entry time (in association with the compartment number). This creates a link between the entry time and the compartment 22 number (or compartment ID).

The payment machine 30 further associates the entry time with the space 22 number (or space ID) and transmits them to the management server 40, which then stores the data in association with each other. This allows the management server 40 to monitor the operating status of the parking lot 20 in real time. This management server 40 is configured to centrally manage multiple parking lots 20 so that it can also monitor the operating status of other parking lots 20.

<Shipping Stage>

<Non-electronic payment mode>

In contrast, during the exit stage, when the vehicle leaves one of the compartments 22, the user first selects either the non-electronic payment mode or the pseudo-electronic payment mode (which appears to the user as an electronic payment mode realized by the system 10).

If the non-electronic payment mode is selected, the user enters the number of their parking space 22 into the payment machine 30, which then measures that time as the exit time, calculates the elapsed time from the recorded entry time to the exit time as the parking time, and calculates the deferred parking fee corresponding to that length.

When the user pays the parking fee to the payment machine 30 using cash or a prepaid card, the payment machine 30 switches the exit permission device 24 corresponding to the current parking space 22 from an exit prevention state to an exit permission state. This allows the user to exit the vehicle from the current parking space 22. In this way, in the exit stage, the parking fee amount is determined using the parking space 22 number entered by the user into the payment machine 30 as a key.

<Pseudo-electronic payment mode>

On the other hand, if the pseudo-electronic payment mode is selected, the user launches a pseudo-electronic payment program that is pre-installed on the mobile terminal 90.

The pseudo-electronic payment program will be described in detail later with reference to Figure 5, but generally, in pseudo-electronic payment mode, as shown in the top column of Figure 4, the calculation of the deferred parking fee is performed by the management server 40 instead of the payment device 30 (first communication procedure). However, as shown in the middle column of Figure 4, there is also the possibility that the fee calculation is instead performed by the management server 140 of the second system 110 instead of the payment device 30 (second communication procedure), or that the fee calculation is still performed by the payment device 30 (third communication procedure), as shown in the bottom column of Figure 4.

Here, we will explain the three communication procedures shown in Figure 4. In all of these communication procedures, the combination of management server 40, management server 140, and payment server 160 (the three elements or servers located within the area surrounded by dashed lines in the figure) exists between the mobile terminal 90 and the settlement machine 30 to function as a system 10 that cannot handle electronic payments on its own, by partially utilizing second system 110 to enable electronic payments; in this sense, this combination is also referred to as an electronic payment realization means.

In this electronic payment realization means, management server 40 is also called the "real management server" in the sense that it is a management server that actually exists in system 10. In contrast, management server 140 is also called the "impersonation management server" in the sense that it actually exists not in system 10 but in second system 110, and is viewed by the user as if it were a management server that actually exists in system 10.

Next, to explain each of these communication procedures individually, in the first communication procedure, the mobile terminal 90 communicates wirelessly with the real management server 40 (e.g., via a telephone network), thereby causing the real management server 40 to calculate the parking fee (also referred to as "fee calculation").

Once the fee calculation is complete, the real management server 40 connects to the payment server 160 via the impersonation management server 140, causing the payment server 160 to carry out the electronic payment. Once the electronic payment is complete, the real management server 40 sends a withdrawal permission signal to the withdrawal permission device 24 via the settlement machine 30, thereby allowing the user to withdraw.

In the second communication procedure, the mobile terminal 90 communicates wirelessly with the spoofing management server 140 (e.g., via a telephone line network), thereby causing the spoofing management server 140 to calculate the parking fee (also referred to as "fee calculation").

Once the fee calculation is complete, the impersonation management server 140 connects to the settlement server 160, thereby allowing the user to make an electronic payment. Once the electronic payment is complete, the impersonation management server 140 notifies the real management server 40 of the completion of the electronic payment, and in response, the real management server 40 sends a withdrawal permission signal to the withdrawal permission device 24 via the settlement machine 30, thereby allowing the user to withdraw.

In the third communication procedure, the mobile terminal 90 communicates wirelessly (e.g., via Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication) with the payment machine 30, causing the mobile terminal 90 to calculate the parking time and parking fee, and then to return the calculated parking fee to the mobile terminal 90.

The mobile terminal 90 then communicates wirelessly (e.g., via a telephone network) with the spoofing management server 140, which then connects to the settlement server 160, thereby enabling the user to make an electronic payment. Once the electronic payment is complete, the spoofing management server 140 notifies the real management server 40 of the completion of the electronic payment, and in response, the real management server 40 transmits a withdrawal permission signal to the withdrawal permission device 24 via the settlement machine 30, thereby allowing the user to withdraw.

Next, referring to Figure 5, we will explain the operation of the settlement machine 30, mobile terminal 90, and management server 40 of system 10, and the management server 140 and settlement server 160 of second system 110 when the pseudo-electronic payment mode is executed in the delivery stage.

Of the multiple steps shown in Figure 5, the time series of those executed on mobile terminal 90 corresponds to the pseudo electronic payment program described above, the time series of those executed on management server 40 corresponds to the pseudo electronic payment program for the real management server, the time series of those executed on management server 140 corresponds to the pseudo electronic payment management program for the impersonation management server, and the time series of those executed on payment server 160 corresponds to the electronic payment program.

When a user launches the pseudo-electronic payment program on their mobile terminal 90, first, in step S511, a withdrawal button is displayed on the user's screen to confirm the user's intention to withdraw (within pseudo-electronic payment mode, not non-electronic payment mode). Next, in step S512, it is determined whether the user has operated (e.g., touched) the withdrawal button. If the withdrawal button has been operated, the determination is YES, and it is determined that the user intends to withdraw.

Next, in step S513, the mobile terminal 90 prompts the user to input parking lot identification information, such as a parking lot code, for identifying the parking lot 20 in which the user is currently located, in order to identify that parking lot 20. In response, the user enters the corresponding parking lot code into the mobile terminal 90 manually (e.g., by the manual input or voice input) or semi-automatically or fully automatically (in a manner in which the input is assisted by the mobile terminal 90).

In a first example of the parking lot code input assistance method, the mobile device 90 uses the GPS function to measure the current location at the location of the current parking lot 20, and, based on predetermined relationships between multiple parking lots 20 and multiple map locations that are stored in the memory of the mobile device 90, presents to the user at least one parking lot 20 that corresponds to one of the multiple map locations that is located near the measured current location as a candidate parking lot 20.

In this first example, when the user selects one of the parking lots 20 on the mobile terminal 90, the parking lot code corresponding to that parking lot 20 is entered into the mobile terminal 90.

In a second example of the parking lot code input assistance method, the mobile terminal 90 communicates wirelessly (e.g., via Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication) with the payment machine 30, and the payment machine 30 sends back to the mobile terminal 90 a signal indicating the parking lot code corresponding to the parking lot 20 in which the payment machine 30 is installed. This allows the user to enter the parking lot code for the parking lot 20 in which they are currently located into the mobile terminal 90.

In a third example of a parking lot code input assistance method, the image sensor of the mobile terminal 90 reads an identification mark attached to each payment machine 30 or parking space 22, such as a computer-readable pattern (e.g., a barcode, a two-dimensional code such as a QR code (registered trademark)), and converts the read result into a parking lot code corresponding to the current parking lot 20. This allows the user to input the parking lot code for the parking lot 20 in which they are currently located into the mobile terminal 90.

Next, in step S514, the mobile terminal 90 prompts the user to input vehicle compartment identification information, such as a vehicle compartment number, that identifies the vehicle compartment 22 in which the user's vehicle is currently parked, in order to identify the vehicle compartment 22 in the parking lot 20 in which the user is currently located. In response, the user enters the vehicle compartment number into the mobile terminal 90 manually (for example, by manual input or voice input) or semi-automatically or fully automatically (using a method in which input is assisted by the mobile terminal 90).

In one example of a method for assisting with inputting a vehicle compartment number, the image sensor of the mobile terminal 90 reads an identification mark attached to each vehicle compartment 22, such as a computer-readable pattern (e.g., a barcode, a two-dimensional code such as a QR code (registered trademark)), and converts the read result into the vehicle compartment number corresponding to the current vehicle compartment 22. This allows the user to input the vehicle compartment number of the vehicle compartment 22 in which their vehicle is currently parked into the mobile terminal 90.

Note that the "identification mark" here may be configured as a multi-purpose identification mark that includes both the identification mark for the vehicle compartment 22 and the identification mark for the parking space 20. In this case, the image sensor of the mobile terminal 90 reads the multi-purpose identification mark attached to each vehicle compartment 22 and converts the reading result into a combination of the parking lot code corresponding to the current parking space 20 and the vehicle compartment number corresponding to the current vehicle compartment 22.

This exemplary input assistance method allows the user to simultaneously input into the mobile terminal 90 the parking lot code of the parking lot 20 in which the user is currently located and the compartment number of the compartment 22 in which the user's vehicle is currently parked.

Then, in step S515, the mobile terminal 90 assigns one impersonation member ID to the current user (more precisely, the combination of the current parking lot code and the current parking space number) so that the current user can legitimately access the second system 110 to use the electronic payment method of the second system 110. The impersonation member ID is set to be different for each user.

However, users who wish to use the second system 110 for its intended purpose of parking a vehicle are required to register in advance as members of the second system 110. However, users of system 10 are not required to be members of the second system 110 in order to use the system 10.

In this embodiment, therefore, the mobile terminal 90 processes data to allow the user to temporarily pose as a member of the second system 110, regardless of the user's intentions and without the user's knowledge. This posing membership status automatically expires when the user finishes using the system 10 (when the parking fee is paid via pseudo-electronic payment).

To perform this impersonation process, the memory of the mobile terminal 90 stores multiple virtual member IDs, i.e., IDs that are not assigned to any user of the second system 110 but that allow the mobile terminal 90 to access the second system 110 solely for the purpose of electronic payments. These same virtual member IDs are also stored in the memory of the second system 110, thereby enabling the second system 110 to perform member authentication for users of the system 10.

Each time the mobile terminal 90 receives a user's withdrawal request in pseudo-electronic payment mode, it selects one of these virtual member IDs so that it does not overlap with any IDs already used on the same mobile terminal 90 or any other mobile terminal 90, and assigns it to the current user. This links the current parking lot code, current parking space number, and current impersonation member ID to one another. When each mobile terminal 90 selects a certain impersonation member ID, it transmits the result to the management server 40, and the management server 40 provides information to other mobile terminals 90 to prevent them from selecting the same impersonation member ID.

Then, in step S516, the mobile terminal 90 transmits to the management server 40 a request for the user to leave the parking lot (leaving the parking lot in pseudo-electronic payment mode, not in non-electronic payment mode) in association with the parking lot code and space number.

In response, in step S531, the management server 40 receives the exit request, parking lot code, and vehicle space number in association with each other.

Next, in step S532, the management server 40 measures the current time using the clock. The management server 40 then treats the measured current time as the departure time, and then reads from the memory of the management server 40 the entry time associated with the current vehicle space number and stored in that memory, and calculates the parking time by subtracting the entry time from the departure time.

Then, in step S533, the management server 40 calculates the parking fee amount appropriate to the calculated length of parking time in accordance with a predetermined relationship between the length of parking time and the amount of parking fee, which is stored in the memory of the management server 40. Next, in step S534, the management server 40 transmits the calculated parking fee amount to the user's mobile device 90.

In response, in step S517, the mobile terminal 90 receives the parking fee amount and then displays the parking fee amount on the screen.

Then, in step S518, the mobile terminal 90 sends the amount of the parking fee, a payment request for electronic payment of the parking fee, and the impersonated member ID, along with the information necessary for electronic payment, to the management server 140 of the second system 110. Alternatively, the payment request may be sent to the management server 140 by the management server 40 rather than the mobile terminal 90.

In response, in step S551, the management server 140 receives the parking fee amount, the payment request, the impersonated member ID, and the information required for electronic payment.

Next, in step S552, the management server 140 references its own memory to determine whether a virtual member ID matching the received impersonation member ID exists, and if so, allows the current user to access the second system 110 for the sole purpose of electronic payment. This is how member authentication is performed.

Then, in step S553, the management server 140 sends a payment request to the payment server 160 to make an electronic payment for the parking fee, along with the information necessary for the electronic payment.

In response, the payment server 160 receives the payment request in step S571, and then, in step S572, performs the electronic payment according to the specified details. Next, in step S573, the payment server 160 sends a payment completion signal to the management server 40, indicating that the electronic payment has been completed.

In response, the management server 40 receives the payment completion signal in step S535, and then determines in step S536 that the parking fee has been paid electronically. Then, in step S537, the management server 40 sends a withdrawal permission signal to the payment machine 30.

In response, the settlement machine 30 receives the exit permission signal in step S501, and then, in step S502, transmits an exit permission signal to the exit permission device 24 to allow the user's vehicle to leave the current vehicle compartment 22. In response to the exit permission signal, the exit permission device 24 retracts (stores) the baffle plate from the active position to the inactive position, thereby allowing the vehicle to exit the exit permission device 24.

In some of the embodiments described above, when the pseudo-electronic payment mode is selected by the user, the mobile terminal 90 acquires a combination of information for identifying the current parking lot 20 (e.g., a parking lot code) and information for identifying the currently selected parking space 22 (e.g., a parking space number), assigns a spoofed member ID to the combination for accessing the second management server 140 of the second system 110 as a member of the second system 110, and is designed to include a spoofed access means for accessing the second management server 140 using the spoofed member ID.

Alternatively, when the pseudo-electronic payment mode is selected by a user, the mobile terminal 90 acquires the user ID of the user or information uniquely corresponding to that user (described below), and assigns to the user ID or uniquely corresponding information an impersonation member ID for accessing the second management server 140 of the second system 110 as a member of the second system 110, and may be designed to include an impersonation access means for accessing the second management server 140 using the impersonation member ID, either via the management server 40 or without going through the management server 40.

Here, "information that uniquely corresponds to a user (uniquely corresponding information)" includes, for example, text (string of characters and numbers) information such as the mobile terminal 90's phone number, email address, IP address, and the user's vehicle registration number (such as the number on the license plate), as well as image information such as an image of the user or their vehicle. The "vehicle registration number" may be obtained by the user manually entering a string of characters and numbers into the mobile terminal 90, or by the user capturing an image including the vehicle's license plate with the camera of the mobile terminal 90 and extracting the number from the captured image using image recognition processing by the mobile terminal 90 or another device.

The above-described embodiments are examples of applying the present invention to services using post-payment parking lots 20, but the present invention may also be applied to services using pre-payment parking lots.

The several embodiments described above are examples of applying the present invention to a parking lot service in which a user is rented a space for parking their vehicle in a parking lot 20 managed by an operator (parking lot management company), but the present invention can also be applied to other types of services.

Specifically, the present invention may be applied to, for example, a service in which an individual lends their parking space to others to park their vehicles (a so-called parking lot sharing service), a service in which a business lends vehicles to users at their business premises (a so-called vehicle rental service), a service in which a business lends vehicles to users in an unmanned parking lot (a so-called vehicle sharing service), or a service in which an individual lends their own vehicle to others (a so-called vehicle sharing service).

Furthermore, the present invention may be applied to a service that rents real estate or personal property to users.

In some of the embodiments described above, a user of system 10 is granted membership in the second system 110 without the user's knowledge, but the present invention may also be implemented in a manner in which membership in the second system 110 is granted with the user's consent or instruction.

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

Claims (8)

An electronic payment agency system as a second system that acts as an agent for electronically paying a first fee charged to a user of a first system that provides a first service to the user as consideration for the user's use of the first service,
the first system includes a settlement machine that does not support electronic settlement and performs settlement by communication with the user's communication terminal , and a first management server that can communicate with the settlement machine ;
The electronic payment agency system includes a second management server ;
The second management server
Identifying the first system through communication with the communication terminal ;
When accessed by the communication terminal, a procedure is carried out to perform electronic payment for the first fee ;
When the electronic payment is completed, a payment completion signal indicating the completion is sent to the communication terminal , either via the first management server or without going through the first management server;
When the electronic payment is completed, the payment completion signal is transmitted to the first management server ;
the first system includes a plurality of rental objects, each of which is personal property or real property;
The plurality of rental objects each have a plurality of identification codes that are unique to the corresponding rental object, or a plurality of transmitters that each transmit a signal that is unique to the corresponding rental object by a short-range wireless method;
An electronic payment agency system in which, when the multiple rental items have multiple identification codes, the second management server reads any of the identification codes by the communication terminal and acquires any of the rental items corresponding to any of the identification codes as the current rental item, and, when the multiple rental items have multiple transmitters, the second management server receives the signal from any of the transmitters by the communication terminal and acquires any of the rental items corresponding to any of the transmitters as the current rental item . the first system exists as a plurality of first systems;
the electronic payment agency system enables the communication terminal to access the second management server with or without going through the first management server of any of the first systems, after reading a code displayed at a location where any of the first systems where the user is currently located provides the first service to the user;
The electronic payment agent system according to claim 1 , wherein the access causes any one of the first systems to become a target for electronic payment agency by the electronic payment agent system. the first system includes a first parking management system operated by a first company;
The electronic payment agency system of claim 1, wherein the electronic payment agency system includes a second parking management system that is separate and independent from the first parking management system and is operated by a second company different from the first company. the first system exists as a plurality of first systems;
2. The electronic payment agency system of claim 1 , wherein the electronic payment agency system is capable of identifying which of the plurality of first systems the user is currently located in by using the positioning results of the positioning function of the communication terminal and/or the results of reading with the communication terminal a code displayed at a location where any of the first systems provides the first service to the user. 2. The electronic payment agency system of claim 1 , wherein the communication terminal is capable of transitioning between a fee calculation stage for calculating the amount of the first fee using the first management server of the first system or the second management server of the electronic payment agency system, and an electronic payment stage for providing electronic payment services to users of the first system using the second management server. The electronic payment agency system according to claim 1 , wherein each rental object includes a parking space in a parking lot as real property or a vehicle as personal property . A program executed by a computer of a second management server in a first system that provides a first service to a user, in order for the second system to execute an electronic payment agency method for electronically paying a first fee charged to the user as consideration for the user's use of the first service, the program comprising:
the first system includes a settlement machine that does not support electronic settlement and performs settlement by communication with the user's communication terminal, and a first management server that can communicate with the settlement machine;
The electronic payment agency method includes:
an identification step in which the second management server identifies the first system by communication with the communication terminal;
an electronic payment agency step in which the second management server is accessed by the communication terminal and executes a procedure for acting as an agent for electronic payment of the first fee;
a first transmission step in which, when the electronic payment is completed, the second management server transmits a payment completion signal indicating the completion to the communication terminal, with or without passing through the first management server;
a second transmission step in which the second management server transmits the payment completion signal to the first management server when the electronic payment is completed;
Including,
the first system includes a plurality of rental objects, each of which is personal property or real property;
The plurality of rental objects each have a plurality of identification codes that are unique to the corresponding rental object, or a plurality of transmitters that each transmit a signal that is unique to the corresponding rental object by a short-range wireless method;
The specifying step includes a step of, when the plurality of rental objects have the plurality of identification codes, reading any of the identification codes by the communication terminal, thereby acquiring any of the rental objects corresponding to any of the identification codes as the current rental object, and, when the plurality of rental objects have the plurality of transmitters, receiving the signal from any of the transmitters by the communication terminal, thereby acquiring any of the rental objects corresponding to any of the transmitters as the current rental object,
A program for causing the computer to function so that the second management server executes the electronic payment agency method . A computer-readable recording medium on which the program described in claim 7 is recorded.