Fee processing system, central management device, fee processing method, and fee processing program

Abstract

To allow cashless settlement and touchless settlement to be performed for payment of a parking fee.SOLUTION: A fee processing system according to an embodiment includes a parking lot apparatus installed in a parking lot and an information processing device connected to the parking lot apparatus. The parking lot apparatus transmits exit information received from an in-vehicle device and including a first vehicle identifier that identifies a vehicle, to the information processing device. The information processing device stores a second vehicle identifier that identifies the vehicle, and if the first vehicle identifier and the second vehicle identifier are the same, transmits, to the parking lot apparatus, a first instruction for allowing the vehicle to enter the parking lot, and if the first vehicle identifier and the second vehicle identifier included in the exit information received from the parking lot apparatus are the same, transmits, to the parking lot apparatus, a second instruction for allowing the vehicle to exit the parking lot, and outputs information including a parking fee for the vehicle determined from an entry date and time and an exit date and time.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a fee processing system, a central management device, a fee processing method, and a fee processing program. [Background technology]

[0002] When using a parking lot at a facility such as a supermarket or shopping mall, a parking fee is charged. When a user uses the parking lot, the user issues a parking ticket at the gate at the entrance to the parking lot and pays at a payment machine before leaving. There is also a method of using a parking lot where the user can enter, exit, and make payment using a card associated with the user without issuing a parking ticket. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-037671 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In order to accommodate the diversification of payment methods for parking fees, cashless measures have been promoted. For example, cashless payment methods such as credit card payment, QR code (registered trademark) payment, and electronic money e-payment have been introduced. However, with the spread of COVID-19, there is a growing demand for touchless payment in addition to cashless payment from the perspective of preventing the spread of viruses and other infections.

[0005] There is also a demand for payment of parking fees and other charges to be made through cashless and touchless payment without the use of special cards. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to an embodiment, a fee processing system for processing parking fees for a vehicle that uses a parking lot includes parking lot equipment installed in the parking lot and an information processing device connected to the parking lot equipment, wherein the parking lot equipment receives a first vehicle identifier that identifies the vehicle from an onboard device of the vehicle when it detects that the vehicle is entering or exiting the parking lot, controls the vehicle's entry into or exit from the parking lot in accordance with instructions from the information processing device, and transmits to the information processing device entry information including an entry date and time indicating the date and time that the vehicle entered the parking lot and the first vehicle identifier, and exit information including an exit date and time indicating the date and time that the vehicle exited the parking lot and the first vehicle identifier, wherein the information processing device stores a second vehicle identifier that identifies the vehicle, and if the first vehicle identifier and the second vehicle identifier are the same, transmits to the parking lot equipment a first instruction to allow the vehicle to enter the parking lot, and if the first vehicle identifier and the second vehicle identifier are the same, transmits to the parking lot equipment a second instruction to allow the vehicle to exit the parking lot, and outputs information including the parking fee for the vehicle determined from the entry date and time and the exit date and time. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a fee processing system according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a user device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the vehicle-mounted device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the parking lot equipment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the central server. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the key management server. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a processing procedure in the fee processing system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a fee processing system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the user management server 43. As shown in FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a processing procedure in the fee processing system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a processing procedure in a fee processing system according to a modified example of the second embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a fee processing system according to the third embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a shared car management server. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a processing procedure in the fee processing system according to the third embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a fee processing system according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the in-store device. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a processing procedure in the fee processing system according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a processing procedure in a fee processing system according to a modified example of the fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] The fee processing system, the central management device, the fee processing method, and the fee processing program will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that in the following embodiments, the parts with the same numbers perform the same operations, and the repeated description will be omitted.

[0009] [First embodiment] (composition) Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a fee processing system according to the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the fee processing system according to the first embodiment includes a user equipment 1, a vehicle 2, a parking lot equipment 3, and a central management device 4. The central management device 4 is connected to each of the user equipment 1 and the parking lot equipment 3 via a network 5. The vehicle 2 includes an on-board device 21. The on-board device 21 recognizes the parking lot equipment 3 and is capable of communicating with each other.

[0010] The fee processing system may include components as necessary in addition to the components shown in FIG. 1, and certain components may be excluded from the fee processing system.

[0011] The user device 1 is a terminal used by a user. The user device 1 may be a mobile terminal-type device such as a smartphone, or a stationary device such as a personal computer.

[0012] The vehicle 2 may be a general vehicle that can use a parking lot. For example, the vehicle 2 may be a car sharing vehicle in which multiple people share a vehicle.

[0013] The vehicle-mounted device 21 can use an ETC (electronic toll collection) system by inserting an ETC card, for example.

[0014] The parking lot equipment 3 is installed in a parking lot that can be used when a user of the user equipment 1 visits a facility such as a supermarket or a shopping mall in the vehicle 2. The parking lot equipment 3 may be equipped with an ETC device equipped with a DSRC (dedicated short-range communications) function, for example. This device enables the parking lot equipment 3 to communicate with the vehicle-mounted device 21. It should be noted that the parking lot equipment 3 is not limited to a parking lot that can be used when a user uses a facility, and may of course be installed in a general parking lot such as a pay parking lot. The parking lot equipment 3 is equipped with, for example, a control unit 31 and a departure control bar 32. The parking lot equipment 3 may open and close the departure control bar 32 under the control of the control unit 31, and control the entry of the vehicle 2 into the parking lot and the exit of the vehicle 2 from the parking lot. Note that when the entry and exit locations of the parking lot are different, the parking lot equipment may be installed separately.

[0015] The central management device 4 is an information processing device including a central server 41 and a key management server 42. The central management device 4 is installed in a management company that manages the fee processing system. The central server 41 and the key management server 42 may be installed in the same place or in different places. The central server 41 and the key management server 42 are connected to each other and can communicate various data with each other. The communication is secure communication using a wired or wireless connection. In FIG. 1, the central server 41 and the key management server 42 are shown as separate servers, but it goes without saying that their functions may be integrated into one server.

[0016] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the user device 1. As shown in FIG. The user device 1 has a processor 101 such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit). A memory 102, a communication unit 103, and an input / output interface 104 are connected to the processor 101 via a bus 105. In addition, in FIG. 2, the "input / output interface" is written as "input / output IF."

[0017] The memory 102 can be used as a storage medium by combining a non-volatile memory such as an erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), a hard disk drive (HDD), or a solid state drive (SSD) that can be written to and read from at any time with a non-volatile memory such as a read only memory (ROM). The memory 102 stores programs required for the processor 101 to execute various processes.

[0018] Furthermore, the memory 102 includes a storage medium that combines a nonvolatile memory that can be written to and read from at any time, such as a HDD or a memory card, with a volatile memory, such as a RAM (Random Access Memory). The memory 102 can store data acquired and generated in the course of the processor 101 executing a program and performing various processes.

[0019] The communication unit 103 is a communication interface including a wired or wireless communication module. For example, the communication unit 103 includes a communication module that wirelessly connects to the central server 41 through the network 5. The communication unit 103 may be a general communication unit as long as it can communicate with devices such as the central server 41 under the control of the processor 101 and transmit and receive various information.

[0020] An input unit and a display unit (not shown), for example, are connected to the input / output interface 104. The input unit is, for example, a device for receiving voice data such as a microphone, a device for recognizing character data input by a user using an input detection sheet employing an electrostatic or pressure method, and a device for receiving image data such as a camera. The display unit is, for example, a display device using liquid crystal, organic EL (Electro Luminescence), or the like, and displays voice, characters, images, and the like according to signals input from the input / output interface 104.

[0021] Next, there will be described functions realized by the processor 101 of the user device 1. The functions realized by the processor 101 are realized by the processor 101 executing a program stored in the internal memory, the memory 102, or the like.

[0022] The processor 101 has a function of transmitting registration information to the central server 41 via the communication unit 103 . The registration information includes the vehicle ID (Identification) of the vehicle 2, personal identification information, payment method information, etc. The vehicle ID is an arbitrary ID capable of identifying the vehicle 2, such as the vehicle number written on the license plate attached to the vehicle 2, the automobile registration number, or an ID unique to the in-vehicle device 21. The personal identification information is information for identifying the user of the user device 1, such as the user's name, address, telephone number, email address, etc. The payment method information is information indicating how to pay various fees such as parking fees, and includes, for example, a bank account number if the payment is made by debit from a bank account, or a credit card number if the payment is made by credit card, etc. Furthermore, the user of the user device 1 may input the registration information on a predetermined secure web screen using the input / output interface 104, or may input the registration information on a secure input screen of a predetermined application.

[0023] The processor 101 has a function of receiving usage details information from the central server 41 through the communication unit 103. The usage details information includes, for example, information about the parking fee for the vehicle 2 that used the parking lot, that is, the billed fee to be paid by the user. Alternatively, the usage details information may include not only the parking fee but also detailed information such as the date and time the parking lot was used. In other words, the usage details information may be only the billed fee to be paid, including the parking fee, or may include detailed information in addition to the billed fee to be paid. The processor 101 may receive the usage statement information via the email address entered in the registration information, or may receive the usage statement information by a predetermined application. The user of the user device 1 can check the parking fee included in the usage statement information through the input / output interface 104.

[0024] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the vehicle-mounted device 21. As shown in FIG. The vehicle-mounted device 21 has a processor 211 such as a CPU or an MPU. A memory 212, a communication unit 213, a card processing unit 214, and an input / output interface 215 are connected to the processor 211 via a bus 216. In addition, in FIG. 3, the "input / output interface" is written as "input / output IF."

[0025] The memory 212 can be used as a storage medium by combining a non-volatile memory such as an EPROM, HDD, or SSD that can be written to and read from at any time with a non-volatile memory such as a ROM. The memory 212 stores programs required for the processor 211 to execute various processes.

[0026] Furthermore, the memory 212 can use, as a storage medium, a combination of a non-volatile memory that can be written to and read from at any time, such as a HDD or a memory card, and a volatile memory, such as a RAM. The memory 102 can store data acquired and generated in the process of the processor 211 executing a program and performing various processes. For example, the memory 212 stores in advance a vehicle ID that identifies the vehicle 2.

[0027] The communication unit 213 is a communication interface including one or more wireless communication modules. For example, the communication unit 213 includes a communication module that wirelessly connects to the parking lot equipment 3. The communication unit 213 may be a general one as long as it can communicate with the parking lot equipment 3 under the control of the processor 211 and transmit and receive various information.

[0028] The card processing unit 214 processes a payment card such as an ETC card. The card processing unit 214 has a structure into which a payment card can be inserted. The card processing unit 214 acquires a card ID and the like from the payment card under control of the processor 211. The card processing unit 214 may also store various data in the payment card under control of the processor 211.

[0029] The input / output interface 215 is connected to, for example, an input unit and a display unit (not shown). The input unit is, for example, a device for receiving voice data such as a microphone, a device for recognizing data input by a user using an input detection sheet that employs an electrostatic or pressure method, and a device for receiving image data such as a camera. The display unit is, for example, a display device that uses liquid crystal, organic electroluminescence, or the like, and displays voice, characters, images, and the like according to signals input from the input / output interface 215. The input / output interface 215 may convey various information to the user by voice or the like, for example, when entering or exiting the parking lot equipment 3.

[0030] Next, a description will be given of functions realized by the processor 211 of the vehicle-mounted device 21. The functions realized by the processor 211 are realized by the processor 211 executing a program stored in the internal memory, the memory 212, or the like.

[0031] The processor 211 has a function of detecting the parking lot equipment 3 when approaching the parking lot equipment 3. Furthermore, the processor 211 has a function of communicating with the detected parking lot equipment 3 through the communication unit 213 and transmitting various information such as vehicle information including a vehicle ID to the parking lot equipment 3. Note that when communicating with the parking lot equipment 3, it is not necessary for an ETC card to be inserted in the vehicle-mounted device 21. Furthermore, the processor 211 has a function of transmitting various information such as vehicle information including a vehicle ID when the various information is requested by the parking lot equipment 3. That is, the processor 211 has a function of actively or passively transmitting various information such as vehicle information including a vehicle ID.

[0032] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the parking lot equipment 3. As shown in FIG. The parking lot equipment 3 has a processor 301 such as a CPU or an MPU. A memory 302, a departure control unit 303, a communication unit 304, a vehicle communication unit 305, an encryption / decryption unit 306, and an input / output interface 307 are connected to the processor 301 via a bus 308. The control unit 31 also has the processor 301, the memory 302, the departure control unit 303, a communication unit 304, a vehicle communication unit 305, an encryption / decryption unit 306, and an input / output IF. In FIG. 4, the "input / output interface" is written as "input / output IF".

[0033] The memory 302 can be used as a storage medium by combining a non-volatile memory such as an EPROM, HDD, or SSD that can be written to and read from at any time with a non-volatile memory such as a ROM. The memory 302 stores programs necessary for the processor 301 to execute various processes.

[0034] Furthermore, the memory 302 can use, as a storage medium, a combination of a non-volatile memory that can be written to and read from at any time, such as an HDD or a memory card, and a volatile memory, such as a RAM. The memory 302 can store data acquired and generated in the process of the processor 301 executing a program and performing various processes. For example, the memory 302 can store key information for encrypting the vehicle ID received from the vehicle-mounted device 21.

[0035] The start control unit 303 controls the entry and exit of the vehicle 2 in the parking lot. For example, the start control unit 303 controls the opening and closing of the start control bar 32 under the control of the processor 301 in response to instructions received from the central server 41. For example, when the start control unit 303 is to temporarily stop the vehicle 2 or when the vehicle 2 is not allowed to pass (enter), the start control unit 303 closes the start control bar 32 to prevent the vehicle 2 from passing. On the other hand, when the start control unit 303 is to permit the vehicle 2 to pass (enter), the start control unit 303 opens the start control bar 32 to permit the vehicle 2 to pass.

[0036] The communication unit 304 is a communication interface including one or more wired or wireless communication modules. For example, the communication unit 304 includes a communication module that wirelessly connects to the central server 41 via the network 5. The communication unit 304 may be a general one as long as it can communicate with devices such as the central server 41 under the control of the processor 301 and transmit and receive various information.

[0037] The vehicle communication unit 305 is a communication interface including one or more wireless communication modules. For example, the vehicle communication unit 305 includes a communication module that wirelessly connects to the vehicle-mounted device 21. The vehicle communication unit 305 may be a general one used in an ETC system as long as it can communicate with the vehicle-mounted device 21 under the control of the processor 301 and transmit and receive various information.

[0038] The encryption / decryption unit 306 encrypts or decrypts any data using, for example, key information stored in the memory 302. The any data may be, for example, a vehicle ID received from the vehicle-mounted device 21. The encryption and decryption method may be any general encryption / decryption method, and a description thereof will be omitted here.

[0039] The input / output interface 307 is connected to, for example, an input unit and a display unit (not shown). The input unit is, for example, a device for receiving audio data such as a microphone, and a device for receiving image data such as a camera. The display unit is, for example, a display device using liquid crystal, organic electroluminescence, or the like, and displays voice, text, images, and the like according to signals input from the input / output interface 307. For example, when the start control bar 32 is closed to prevent the passage of vehicle 2, the input / output interface 307 may display necessary announcements, etc., in audio and / or text, to prompt the user of vehicle 2 to take necessary measures.

[0040] Next, there will be described functions realized by the processor 301 of the parking lot equipment 3. The functions realized by the processor 301 are realized by the processor 301 executing a program stored in the internal memory, the memory 302, or the like.

[0041] The processor 301 has a function of receiving vehicle information including the vehicle ID from the vehicle-mounted device 21 when the vehicle 2 enters the parking lot through the vehicle communication unit 305. Furthermore, the processor 301 has a function of controlling the encryption / decryption unit 306 and encrypting the received vehicle ID using key information stored in the memory 302. The processor 301 also has a function of transmitting entry information including information on the date and time when the vehicle 2 entered the parking lot in addition to the encrypted vehicle ID to the central server 41 through the communication unit 304. Note that the date and time here includes information of only either the date or the time. For example, the date and time when vehicle 2 entered the parking lot may be the date and time when vehicle information including the vehicle ID was received from the vehicle-mounted device 21. Similarly, when vehicle 2 leaves the parking lot, the processor 301 has a function of transmitting exit information including information about the date and time when vehicle 2 left the parking lot, in addition to the encrypted vehicle ID, to the central server 41 via the communication unit 304. For example, the date and time when vehicle 2 left the parking lot may be the date and time when the vehicle ID including the vehicle ID was received from the vehicle-mounted device 21. Note that the processor 301 may not only encrypt the vehicle ID, but may also encrypt information about the date and time when the vehicle 2 entered or exited the parking lot in addition to the vehicle ID. That is, the processor 301 may encrypt the entry information and exit information and transmit the encrypted entry information and exit information to the central server 41. In addition, by transmitting the encrypted vehicle ID to the central server 41, it is possible to prevent the vehicle ID from being read or altered by a malicious third party on the network 5.

[0042] The processor 301 further receives registered information from the central server 41 through the communication unit 304. In response to receiving the registered information, the processor 301 has a function of transmitting passage information including a vehicle ID (for example, information indicating that the vehicle has used a parking lot and that the vehicle has passed a starting control bar) to the central server 41 through the communication unit 304. The registered information will be described later.

[0043] The processor 301 may have a function of determining a parking fee based on the date and time when the vehicle 2 enters the parking lot and the date and time when the vehicle 2 exits the parking lot. In this case, the memory 302 may store information about the parking fee according to time. The processor 301 may also have a function of transmitting passage information including the determined parking fee to the central server 41. Note that parking fees include a fee that is accumulated over time to form a total amount, and a flat rate for a specified time.

[0044] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the central server 41. As shown in FIG. The central server 41 has a processor 411 such as a CPU or an MPU. A memory 412, a communication unit 413, and an input / output interface 414 are connected to the processor 411 via a bus 415. In addition, in Fig. 5, the "input / output interface" is written as "input / output IF".

[0045] The memory 412 can be used as a storage medium by combining a non-volatile memory such as an EPROM, HDD, or SSD that can be written to and read from at any time with a non-volatile memory such as a ROM. The memory 412 stores programs required for the processor 411 to execute various processes.

[0046] Furthermore, the memory 412 includes a storage medium that combines a nonvolatile memory that can be written to and read from at any time, such as a HDD or a memory card, with a volatile memory, such as a RAM. The memory 412 can store data acquired and generated in the process of the processor 411 executing a program and performing various processes. For example, the memory 412 stores information about parking fees.

[0047] The communication unit 413 is a communication interface including one or more wired or wireless communication modules. For example, the communication unit 413 includes a communication module that wirelessly connects to the user device 1 and the parking lot device 3 through the network 5. The communication unit 413 also includes a communication module that connects to the key management server 42 by wire or wirelessly. The communication unit 413 may be a general one as long as it can communicate with the user device 1, the parking lot device 3, and the key management server 42 under the control of the processor 411 and transmit and receive various information.

[0048] The input / output interface 414 is connected to, for example, an input unit and a display unit (not shown). The input unit is, for example, a device that receives voice data such as a microphone, a device that recognizes text data entered by an administrator managing the central server 41 using an input detection sheet that employs an electrostatic or pressure method, and a device that receives image data such as a camera. The display unit is a display device using, for example, liquid crystal, organic electroluminescence, or the like, and displays voice, text, images, and the like according to signals input from the input / output interface 414. For example, when changing the parking fee, the administrator who manages the central server 41 changes it via the input / output interface 414.

[0049] Next, a description will be given of functions realized by the processor 411 of the central server 41. The functions realized by the processor 411 are realized by the processor 411 executing a program stored in the internal memory, the memory 412, or the like.

[0050] The processor 411 has a function of registering registration information received from the user equipment 1 via the communication unit 413. The processor 411 has a function of receiving entry information including the encrypted vehicle ID and the date and time when the vehicle 2 entered the parking lot, transmitted from the parking lot equipment 3, and exit information including the encrypted vehicle ID and the date and time when the vehicle 2 exited the parking lot. The processor 411 has a function of transmitting the encrypted vehicle ID as encrypted vehicle identification information to the key management server 42. Furthermore, the processor 411 has a function of receiving, via the communication unit 413, the vehicle identification information including the vehicle ID decrypted by the key management server 42.

[0051] The processor 411 has a function of comparing the decrypted vehicle ID with the vehicle ID registered in the memory 412. The processor 411 also has a function of transmitting, via the communication unit 413, to the parking lot equipment 3, registered information including a registered flag indicating whether the decrypted vehicle ID and the registered vehicle ID match or do not match.

[0052] Here, the processor 301 of the parking lot equipment 3 has a function of controlling the start control unit 303 in response to an instruction indicated by the registered flag to control the start control bar 32. For example, when the registered flag indicates that the decrypted vehicle ID matches the registered vehicle ID, the processor 301 has a function of controlling the start control unit 303 to open the start control bar 32 to allow the vehicle 2 to pass. On the other hand, when the registered flag indicates that the decrypted vehicle ID does not match the registered vehicle ID, the processor 301 has a function of controlling the start control unit 303 to close the start control bar 32. In addition, when the start control bar 32 is closed, the processor 301 may have a function of issuing a parking ticket to the user who uses the vehicle 2. The departure control unit 303 and the departure control bar 32 can be omitted. That is, if the processor 301 can control the entry and exit of the vehicle 2 by voice and / or text in response to the instruction indicated by the registered flag, these can be omitted.

[0053] The processor 411 has a function of sending a fee notification to the user equipment 1 via the communication unit 413 when a predetermined time has elapsed since the vehicle 2 entered the parking lot equipment 3 or when the parking fee reaches a predetermined fee (predetermined time, fee conditions). The fee notification is a notification sent when a predetermined time has elapsed after the vehicle 2 has entered or when the parking fee exceeds a predetermined amount. The fee notification includes information for informing the user equipment 1 of the parking fee up to the current stage ((the fee output by the processor 411 at the time of the predetermined time and fee condition)). Furthermore, the transmission of the fee notification may or may not be executed by the processor 411. For example, the user device 1 may receive an input from the user of the user device 1 as to whether or not to send a fee notification, and the processor 411 of the central server 41 may receive the information and set the notification, or the processor 411 may automatically set the notification. The processor 411 also has a function of determining the time that the vehicle 2 was in the parking lot from the received entry date and time and exit date and time of the vehicle 2, and determining the parking fee based on that time. The processor 411 has a function of outputting usage detail information including information on the determined parking fee through the communication unit 413. For example, the processor 411 transmits the output usage detail information to the user equipment 1. Alternatively, the processor 411 may transmit update information indicating that the usage detail has been output and updated to the user equipment 1. In this case, the user of the user equipment 1 may check the usage detail information using a predetermined website or a predetermined application based on the update information. The processor 411 has a function of carrying out payment processing based on the payment method information included in the registration information from the user equipment 1. The processor 411 also has a function of sharing information about parking fees with a web server or application server (not shown) in order to use the parking fees on a specific website or application. Alternatively, the central server 41 may include an application server.

[0054] In addition, the calculation of parking fees requires only the date and time information of the entry and exit of vehicle 2, and the departure control unit 303 and departure control bar 32 that control the entry and exit of vehicle 2 can be omitted, and it is also possible to omit issuing instructions from the processor 411 to the parking equipment 3 to control entry and exit.

[0055] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the key management server 42. As shown in FIG. The key management server 42 has a processor 421 such as a CPU or an MPU. A memory 422, a communication unit 423, an encryption / decryption unit 424, and an input / output interface 425 are connected to the processor 421 via a bus 426. In addition, in Fig. 6, the "input / output interface" is written as "input / output IF".

[0056] The memory 422 can be used as a storage medium by combining a non-volatile memory such as an EPROM, HDD, or SSD that can be written to and read from at any time with a non-volatile memory such as a ROM. The memory 422 stores programs required for the processor 421 to execute various processes.

[0057] Furthermore, the memory 422 includes a storage medium that combines a non-volatile memory that can be written to and read from at any time, such as an HDD or a memory card, with a volatile memory, such as a RAM. The memory 422 can store data acquired and generated in the process of the processor 421 executing the program and performing various processes. The memory 422 stores key information corresponding to the key information used by the parking lot equipment 3 to encrypt the vehicle ID.

[0058] The communication unit 423 is a communication interface including one or more wired or wireless communication modules. For example, the communication unit 423 includes a communication module that connects to the central server 41 by wire or wirelessly. The communication unit 423 may be a general one as long as it can securely communicate with the central server 41 under the control of the processor 421 and transmit and receive various information.

[0059] The encryption / decryption unit 424 decrypts various encrypted information received from the central server 41 under the control of the processor 421. Note that the encryption / decryption unit 424 is also capable of encrypting various information received from the key management server 42.

[0060] An input unit and a display unit (not shown), for example, are connected to the input / output interface 425. The input unit is, for example, a device for receiving voice data such as a microphone, a device for recognizing character data input by an administrator who manages the key management server 42 using an input detection sheet employing an electrostatic or pressure method, and a device for receiving image data such as a camera. The display unit is, for example, a display device using a liquid crystal, an organic electroluminescence, or the like, and displays voice, characters, images, and the like according to signals input from the input / output interface 425.

[0061] Next, a description will be given of functions realized by the processor 421 of the key management server 42. The functions realized by the processor 421 are realized by the processor 421 executing a program stored in the internal memory, the memory 422, or the like.

[0062] The processor 421 has a function of receiving encrypted identification information through the communication unit 423. The processor 421 has a function of controlling the encryption / decryption unit 424 to decrypt the encrypted vehicle identification information using corresponding key information stored in the memory 422. Furthermore, the processor 421 has a function of transmitting the decrypted encrypted vehicle identification information through the communication unit 423 as vehicle identification information.

[0063] (operation) 7 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a processing procedure in the fee processing system of the first embodiment. The operation of this sequence diagram is realized by the processor 101 of the user device 1, the processor 211 of the vehicle-mounted device 21, the processor 301 of the parking lot device 3, the processor 411 of the central server 41, and the processor 421 of the key management server 42 reading and executing programs stored in the memory 102, the memory 212, the memory 302, the memory 412, and the memory 422, respectively.

[0064] First, the processor 101 of the user equipment 1 transmits registration information including the vehicle ID of the vehicle 2, personal identification information, payment method information, etc. to the central server 41 via the communication unit 103 and the network 5 (ST11). Note that the registration information may also include information as to whether or not to provide a fee notification after a predetermined time has elapsed since the date and time the vehicle 2 entered the parking lot or when the parking fee reaches a predetermined fee.

[0065] The processor 411 of the central server 41 registers the received registration information in the memory 412 (ST12). The processor 411 registers the registration information in the memory 102.

[0066] After the registration is completed, the vehicle 2 used by the user of the user equipment 1 enters a parking lot to use a predetermined facility such as a shopping mall. Here, the parking lot is a place where the user can use the predetermined facility. When the vehicle enters the parking lot, the processor 211 of the vehicle-mounted device 21 detects the parking lot equipment 3 and connects to the parking lot equipment 3. Then, the processor 211 transmits vehicle information including the vehicle ID through the communication unit 213 (ST13). The method by which the processor 211 detects the parking lot equipment 3 may be a general method similar to the method of detecting a toll gate in an ETC system.

[0067] The processor 301 of the parking lot equipment 3 controls the encryption / decryption unit 306 and encrypts the vehicle ID using the key information stored in the memory 302. The processor 301 then transmits the encrypted vehicle ID and entry information including information on the date and time when the vehicle 2 entered the parking lot (for example, the date and time when the launch control bar 32 described below opened, the vehicle entered, and the bar closed) via the communication unit 304 and the network 5 (ST14). Note that the processor 301 may encrypt the entry information instead of encrypting only the vehicle ID. In other words, the processor 301 may encrypt information on the date and time when the vehicle 2 entered the parking lot in addition to the vehicle ID.

[0068] The processor 411 of the central server 41 transmits the encrypted vehicle identification information, including the encrypted vehicle ID, contained in the received entry information to the key management server 42 via the communication unit 413 (ST15). If the entry information is encrypted, the processor 411 transmits the encrypted vehicle identification information, including the encrypted entry information, to the key management server 42.

[0069] The processor 421 of the key management server 42 controls the encryption / decryption unit 424 to decrypt the vehicle ID included in the encrypted vehicle identification information using key information (second key information) corresponding to the predetermined encryption key (first key information) used by the encryption / decryption unit 306 of the parking lot equipment 3. The processor 421 transmits the vehicle identification information including the decrypted vehicle ID to the central server 41 via the communication unit 423 (ST16). When the encrypted vehicle identification information includes encrypted entry information, the processor 421 decrypts the entry information and transmits the vehicle identification information including the decrypted entry information to the central server 41. When the central server 41 and the key management server 42 are integrated into a server, the processor of the server only needs to decrypt the vehicle ID or entry information.

[0070] The processor 411 compares the registered vehicle ID with the vehicle ID included in the received vehicle identification information. Then, the processor 411 transmits the registered information including a registered flag according to the comparison result to the parking lot equipment 3 through the communication unit 413 and the network 5 (ST17). Here, the registered flag may be a bit value of 1 bit. For example, if the registered flag is "1", this indicates that the registered vehicle ID and the vehicle ID included in the vehicle identification information are the same, i.e., the vehicle ID included in the vehicle information has been registered. Therefore, the registered flag being "1" indicates an instruction to allow vehicle 2 to enter the parking lot. On the other hand, if the registered flag is, for example, "0", it indicates that the registered vehicle ID and the vehicle ID included in the vehicle identification information are different, that is, the vehicle ID included in the vehicle information is unregistered. Therefore, the registered flag being "0" indicates an instruction not to allow vehicle 2 to enter the parking lot. The registered flag is not limited to a one-bit value, and may be any information indicating whether the vehicle ID included in the vehicle information is registered or unregistered.

[0071] If the registered flag indicates that the vehicle ID included in the vehicle information has been registered, that is, if the vehicle information instructs to allow the vehicle 2 to enter the parking lot, the processor 301 controls the start control unit 303 to open the start control bar 32 and allow the vehicle 2 to pass through. Then, the processor 301 transmits, via the communication unit 304 and the network 5, passage information including the encrypted vehicle ID and information indicating that the vehicle 2 has passed through the start control bar 32 (ST18).

[0072] Although not shown in FIG. 7, when the registered flag indicates that the vehicle ID included in the vehicle information is not registered, that is, when the registration flag instructs not to allow the vehicle 2 to enter the parking lot, the processor 301 controls the start control unit 303 to close the start control bar 32. The processor 301 may then notify the user of the vehicle 2 by voice or text, etc., through the input / output interface 307 that there is no registration information, and issue a parking ticket. After issuing the parking ticket, the processor 301 opens the start control bar 32 to allow the vehicle 2 to pass. In this case, when the vehicle 2 exits, a conventional method of settling the fare using the parking ticket received by the user may be adopted, and a description thereof will be omitted here.

[0073] When the processor 411 receives the passing information, it starts charging the vehicle 2 (ST19). As in steps ST15 and ST16, the processor 411 may decode the vehicle ID included in the passing information, and start charging the parking fee after confirming that the vehicle ID is the same as the registered vehicle ID.

[0074] The processor 411 transmits a fee notification to the user equipment 1 via the communication unit 413 and the network 5 to inform the user equipment 1 of the current parking fee (ST20). The processor 411 starts charging the parking fee, i.e., transmits the fee notification after a predetermined time has elapsed since the vehicle 2 entered the parking lot or when the parking fee reaches a predetermined amount. Alternatively, the processor 411 may transmit a notification indicating that the parking fee has changed to the user device 1. In this case, the user of the user device 1 may check the parking fee using a predetermined website or a predetermined application based on the notification. The processor 411 does not have to transmit the fee notification to the user equipment 1. For example, if there is information indicating that a fee notification is desired in the received registration information, the processor 411 transmits the fee notification to the user equipment 1, and if there is information indicating that a fee notification is not desired, the processor 411 does not transmit the fee notification to the user equipment 1.

[0075] After that, the user finishes using a facility such as a shopping mall, gets in the vehicle 2, and attempts to exit the parking lot. The processor 211 detects the parking lot equipment 3 and connects to the parking lot equipment 3, as in step ST13. Then, the processor 211 transmits vehicle information including the vehicle ID through the communication unit 213 (ST21).

[0076] The processor 301 controls the encryption / decryption unit 306 to encrypt the received vehicle ID using the key information stored in the memory 302. Then, the processor 301 transmits the encrypted vehicle ID and exit information including the exit date and time when the vehicle 2 exited the parking lot via the communication unit 304 and the network 5 (ST22). Note that the processor 301 may encrypt the exit information instead of encrypting only the vehicle ID, as in the case of the entry information. That is, the processor 301 may encrypt information about the date and time when the vehicle 2 exited the parking lot, in addition to the vehicle ID.

[0077] The processor 411 transmits the encrypted vehicle identification information including the encrypted vehicle ID included in the received entry information to the key management server 42 via the communication unit 413 (ST23). If the entry information is encrypted, the processor 411 transmits the encrypted vehicle identification information including the encrypted entry information to the key management server 42.

[0078] The processor 421 controls the encryption / decryption unit 424 to decrypt the vehicle ID using key information (second key information) corresponding to the predetermined key information (first key information) used by the encryption / decryption unit 306 of the processor 301 of the parking lot equipment 3. The processor 421 transmits the vehicle identification information including the decrypted vehicle ID to the central server 41 via the communication unit 423 (ST24). Note that if the encrypted vehicle identification information includes encrypted exit information, the processor 421 decrypts the exit information and transmits the vehicle identification information including the decrypted output information to the central server 41.

[0079] The processor 411 compares the registered vehicle ID with the vehicle ID included in the received vehicle identification information. Then, the processor 411 transmits the registered information including the registered flag according to the comparison result to the parking lot equipment 3 through the communication unit 413 and the network 5 (ST25).

[0080] If the registered flag indicates that the vehicle ID included in the vehicle identification information has been registered, the processor 301 uses the start control unit 303 to open the start control bar 32 and allow the vehicle 2 to pass through. Then, the processor 301 transmits, via the communication unit 304 and the network 5, passage information including the encrypted vehicle ID and information indicating that the vehicle 2 has passed through the start control bar 32 (ST26). Here, the processor 301 may determine the parking fee based on the date and time when the vehicle 2 enters the parking lot and the date and time when the vehicle 2 exits the parking lot. In this case, in step ST25, the processor 411 transmits the entry information and the exit information to the parking lot equipment 3 in addition to the registered information. The processor 301 extracts the date and time when the vehicle entered the parking lot and the date and time when the vehicle exited the parking lot from the received entry information and exit information and uses them to determine the parking fee. Alternatively, the processor 301 may store the date and time when the vehicle 2 entered the parking lot in step ST14 and the date and time when the vehicle 2 exited the parking lot in step S22 in the memory 302 and use the date and time to determine the parking fee. Then, the processor 301 may transmit the passage information including the determined parking fee to the central server 41. The processor 301 may encrypt the passage information instead of encrypting only the vehicle ID. That is, the processor 301 may encrypt all information included in the passage information in addition to the vehicle ID.

[0081] 7, if the registered flag indicates that the vehicle ID included in the vehicle information is unregistered, the processor 301 may transmit information requesting the vehicle ID to be transmitted to the in-vehicle device 21. In this case, the process returns to step ST21.

[0082] The processor 411 transmits encrypted vehicle identification information including the encrypted vehicle ID contained in the received passing information to the key management server 42 via the communication unit 413 (ST27). Note that if the passing information is encrypted, the processor 411 transmits the encrypted vehicle identification information including the encrypted passing information to the key management server 42.

[0083] The processor 421 controls the encryption / decryption unit 424 to decrypt the vehicle ID using key information corresponding to the predetermined key information used by the processor 301 of the parking lot equipment 3. The processor 421 transmits the vehicle identification information including the decrypted vehicle ID to the central server 41 via the communication unit 423 (ST28). Note that if the encrypted vehicle identification information includes encrypted passing information, the processor 421 decrypts the passing information and transmits the vehicle identification information including the decrypted passing information to the central server 41.

[0084] The processor 411 determines the time that the vehicle 2 stayed in the parking lot from the entry date and time included in the entry information and the exit date and time included in the exit information, and calculates the parking fee based on the determined time (ST29). This calculation of the parking fee may also be performed after the processor 411 determines that the vehicle ID included in the vehicle identification information received in step ST28 matches the registered vehicle ID. By making this determination, the parking fee can be calculated after confirming that there is no error in the exit of the vehicle 2. Furthermore, the parking fee may be calculated after vehicle 2 exits the parking lot. In other words, vehicle 2 can pass even if the parking fee has not been determined when vehicle 2 exits the parking lot, and vehicle 2 can exit the parking lot without considering delays in determining the parking fee. When the passing information includes the parking fee determined by the processor 301 of the parking lot device 3, step ST29 is omitted.

[0085] The processor 411 transmits usage statement information including information about the parking fee to the user device 1 via the communication unit 413 and the network 5 (ST30). The usage statement information may also include breakdown information of the parking fee. Here, the breakdown information includes, for example, information such as the date and time when the vehicle 2 entered and left, and the amount charged per unit time. The user of the user device 1 can check the parking fee included in the usage statement information via the input / output interface 104. Alternatively, the processor 411 may transmit update information indicating that the usage details have been updated to the user device 1. In this case, the user of the user device 1 may check the usage details information using a predetermined website or a predetermined application based on the update information. The processor 411 also has a function of sharing the usage detail information with a web server or application server (not shown) in order to use the usage detail information on a specific website or application. Alternatively, the central server 41 may be equipped with an application server.

[0086] In the first embodiment, an example was shown in which the vehicle ID, entry information, exit information, or passage information was encrypted, but each processor does not have to encrypt these. That is, the processor 301 of the parking lot equipment 3 can transmit the vehicle ID, etc. to the central server 41 without encrypting it. In this case, the key management server 42 does not have to be provided. In this case, steps ST15, ST16, ST23, ST24, ST27, and ST28 in FIG. 7 are omitted.

[0087] (Functions and Effects of the First Embodiment) According to the embodiment described above, when the vehicle 2 uses a parking lot, it can use the parking lot without using a parking ticket. In addition, the payment of the parking fee can be made touchlessly because it is made based on the payment method information included in the registration information. In other words, it is not necessary to pay by contacting the payment machine with a parking ticket or cash, but payment can be made automatically without contact.

[0088] [Second embodiment] (composition) Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a fee processing system according to the second embodiment. As shown in Fig. 8, the fee processing system according to the second embodiment includes a user equipment 1, a vehicle 2, a parking lot equipment 3, and a central management device 4. The central management device 4 is connected to the user equipment 1 and the parking lot equipment 3 via a network 5. The vehicle 2 includes an on-board device 21. The on-board device 21 recognizes the parking lot equipment 3 and is capable of communicating with each other.

[0089] The central management device 4 includes a central server 41, a key management server 42, and a user management server 43.

[0090] The fee processing system may include components as necessary in addition to the components shown in FIG. 8, and specific components may be excluded from the fee processing system.

[0091] Referring to FIG. 8, the difference from the first embodiment is that the central management device 4 includes a user management server 43.

[0092] The user management server 43 may be installed in a management company that manages a fee processing system. The user management server 43 may be installed in the same place as the central server 41 and the key management server 42 or in a different place. The user management server 43 is connected to the central server 41 and can communicate various data. For example, the user management server 43 may be a server owned by a business that bills users for usage fees for the user device 1, or a server owned by a business that bills users for usage fees for electricity, water, gas, etc. In other words, the user management server 43 is a server that has already received and stored information on personal identification information and payment method information from users in advance in order to receive payment of various fees from the users.

[0093] In addition, the central server 41 and the user management server 43 may be managed by different businesses. Therefore, although an example in which the central server 41 and the user management server 43 are directly connected is shown in Fig. 8, the central server 41 and the user management server 43 may of course be connected via the network 5.

[0094] FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the user management server 43. As shown in FIG. The user management server 43 has a processor 431 such as a CPU or an MPU. A memory 432, a communication unit 433, and an input / output interface 434 are connected to the processor 431 via a bus 435. In addition, in FIG. 9, the "input / output interface" is written as "input / output IF."

[0095] The memory 432 can be used as a storage medium by combining a non-volatile memory such as an EPROM, HDD, or SSD that can be written to and read from at any time with a non-volatile memory such as a ROM. The memory 432 stores programs required for the processor 431 to execute various processes.

[0096] Furthermore, the memory 432 includes a storage medium that combines a non-volatile memory that can be written to and read from at any time, such as a HDD or a memory card, with a volatile memory, such as a RAM. The memory 432 can store data acquired and generated in the process of the processor 431 executing a program to perform various processes. For example, the memory 432 stores personal identification information, including the name, address, telephone number, email address, etc., of the user who uses the user device 1, and payment method information.

[0097] The communication unit 433 is a communication interface including one or more wired or wireless communication modules. For example, the communication unit 433 includes a communication module that wirelessly connects to the user device 1 via the network 5. The communication unit 433 also includes a communication module that connects to the central server 41 by wire or wirelessly. The communication unit 433 may be a general one as long as it can communicate between the user device 1 and the central server 41 under the control of the processor 431 and transmit and receive various information.

[0098] An input unit and a display unit (not shown), for example, are connected to the input / output interface 434. The input unit is, for example, a device for receiving voice data such as a microphone, a device for recognizing character data input by an administrator who manages the user management server 43 using an input detection sheet employing an electrostatic or pressure method, and a device for receiving image data such as a camera. The display unit is, for example, a display device using a liquid crystal, an organic electroluminescence, or the like, and displays voice, characters, images, and the like according to signals input from the input / output interface 414.

[0099] Next, a description will be given of functions realized by the processor 431 of the user management server 43. The functions realized by the processor 431 are realized by the processor 431 executing a program stored in the internal memory, the memory 432, or the like.

[0100] The user registers information on lump-sum payment billing (lump-sum payment registration information) via the interface of the user device 1, requesting a lump-sum payment for the charges to be billed, such as the usage fee for the user device 1, and the parking fee.

[0101] The processor 431 has a function of registering lump-sum payment registration information received from the user device 1 through the communication unit 433. The lump-sum payment registration information may include a vehicle ID. The processor 431 has a function of transmitting determination information including the vehicle ID to the central server 41 through the communication unit 433. Note that the processor 431 may transmit the determination information periodically, for example, once a day, through the communication unit 433, or may transmit the determination information to the central server 41 upon receiving the lump-sum payment registration information. Moreover, the processor 411 of the central server 41 has a function of receiving the determination information. Furthermore, the processor 411 has a function of registering the vehicle ID included in the received determination information in the memory 412. The processor 411 has a function of transmitting billing information to the user management server 43 via the communication unit 413. The billing information includes various information such as the parking fee for the parking lot, breakdown information of the parking fee, and the vehicle ID.

[0102] The processor 431 has a function of receiving billing information from the central server 41 through the communication unit 433. The processor 431 has a function of outputting usage detail information including information on the determined parking fee and fees to be billed, such as a usage fee for the user equipment 1, through the communication unit 433. For example, the processor 431 transmits the usage detail information to the user equipment 1. The processor 411 also has a function of performing payment processing based on the payment method included in the lump-sum payment registration information registered by the user equipment 1.

[0103] In the second embodiment, the processor 101 of the user equipment 1 has a function of transmitting lump-sum payment registration information instead of registration information, and other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, so a description thereof will be omitted here.

[0104] (operation) 10 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a processing procedure in the fee processing system of the second embodiment. The operation of this sequence diagram is realized by the processor 101 of the user device 1, the processor 211 of the vehicle-mounted device 21, the processor 301 of the parking lot device 3, the processor 411 of the central server 41, the processor 421 of the key management server 42, and the processor 431 of the user management server 43 reading and executing programs stored in the memory 102, the memory 212, the memory 302, the memory 412, the memory 422, and the memory 432, respectively.

[0105] First, the processor 101 of the user device 1 transmits lump-sum payment registration information including the vehicle ID of the vehicle 2 to the user management server 43 via the communication unit 103 and the network 5 (ST41). Note that the lump-sum payment registration information may also include information as to whether or not to provide a fee notification when a predetermined time has elapsed after the vehicle 2 enters the parking lot or when the parking fee reaches a predetermined fee.

[0106] The processor 431 of the user management server 43 stores the received lump-sum payment registration information in the memory 432. Furthermore, the processor 431 transmits, via the communication unit 433, to the central server 41, determination information including the vehicle ID stored in the memory 432 and information on whether or not to notify the fee (ST42). The processor 431 may transmit the determination information periodically, for example, once a day, or may transmit the determination information when it receives the lump-sum payment registration information.

[0107] The processor 411 of the central server 41 registers the received vehicle ID and information on whether or not to notify the fee in the memory 412 (ST43).

[0108] Steps ST44 to ST60 are the same processes as steps ST13 to ST29 described with reference to FIG. 7 in the first embodiment, and therefore will not be described again here.

[0109] The processor 411 of the central server 41 transmits the billing information including the breakdown information and the vehicle ID to the user management server 43 via the communication unit 413 (ST61). The breakdown information may include, for example, information such as the entry date and time of the vehicle 2, the exit date and time, and the amount charged per unit time.

[0110] The processor 431 of the user management server 43 searches for the vehicle ID stored in the memory 432 that is the same as the received vehicle ID, and identifies the user device 1. The processor 431 compiles the parking fee together with the fee to be charged, including the usage fee of the user device 1, and stores it in the memory 432. When compiling, the processor 431 may also associate each piece of detailed information and store it in the memory 432. The processor 431 periodically transmits the usage statement information including the charged fee to be paid by the user (the total amount of the charged fee and the parking fee) and the detailed information associated with the charged fee to be paid by the user, for example, once a month (ST62). The user of the user device 1 can check the parking fee and its detailed information included in the usage statement information through the input / output interface 104. The usage statement information may also include only the fee to be paid by the user, or only the parking fee.

[0111] (Effects of the second embodiment) According to the embodiment described above, when the vehicle 2 uses a parking lot, it can use the parking lot without using a parking ticket. In addition, the payment at the parking machine is also made based on the payment method information in the registration information, so it can be made without touching it. In addition, the central server 41 does not need to perform the settlement process of the charged fee, so the burden on the central server 41 can be reduced.

[0112] [Modification of the second embodiment] (composition) The modified example of the second embodiment has the same schematic configuration as the fee processing system of the second embodiment shown in Fig. 8. In the modified example of the second embodiment, the central server 41 does not register the vehicle ID, and only the memory 432 of the user management server 43 has the function of registering the vehicle ID. And, every time entry information including the vehicle ID is received from the vehicle-mounted device 21, the processor 411 of the central server 41 has the function of transmitting a registration confirmation including the vehicle ID to the user management server 43. The processor 431 of the user management server 43 has a function of comparing the received vehicle ID with the vehicle ID stored in the memory 432, and transmitting a registration response including a registration flag according to the comparison result through the communication unit 433. The processor 411 has a function of receiving the registration response through the communication unit 413. That is, in the modified example of the second embodiment, every time the processor 411 of the central server 41 receives a vehicle ID from the vehicle-mounted device 21, it sends a registration confirmation as a query to the user management server 43. Then, the processor 411 of the central server 41 receives a registration response including a registered flag indicating whether the received vehicle ID is a vehicle ID registered in the user management server 43.

[0113] The other configurations are similar to those described in the second embodiment, and therefore will not be described here.

[0114] (operation) 11 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a processing procedure in the fee processing system of the modified example of the second embodiment. The operation of this sequence diagram is realized by the processor 101 of the user device 1, the processor 211 of the vehicle-mounted device 21, the processor 301 of the parking lot device 3, the processor 411 of the central server 41, the processor 421 of the key management server 42, and the processor 431 of the user management server 43 reading and executing programs stored in the memory 102, the memory 212, the memory 302, the memory 412, the memory 422, and the memory 432, respectively.

[0115] First, the processor 101 of the user device 1 transmits lump-sum payment registration information including the vehicle ID of the vehicle 2 to the user management server 43 via the communication unit 103 and the network 5 (ST71). Note that the lump-sum payment registration information may also include information as to whether or not to provide a fee notification when a predetermined time has elapsed after the vehicle 2 enters the parking lot or when the parking fee reaches a predetermined fee.

[0116] The processor 431 of the user management server 43 registers the received lump-sum payment registration information in the memory 412 (ST72).

[0117] After the registration is completed, the vehicle 2 driven by the user of the user device 1 enters a parking lot to use a predetermined facility such as a shopping mall. When the vehicle enters the parking lot, the processor 211 of the vehicle-mounted device 21 detects the parking lot equipment 3 and connects to the parking lot equipment 3. The processor 211 then transmits vehicle information including the vehicle ID through the communication unit 213 (ST73).

[0118] The processor 301 of the parking lot equipment 3 controls the encryption / decryption unit 306, and encrypts the vehicle ID using the key information stored in the memory 302. Then, the processor 301 transmits the encrypted vehicle ID and entry information including information on the date and time when the vehicle 2 entered, via the communication unit 304 and the network 5 (ST74).

[0119] The processor 411 of the central server 41 transmits the encrypted vehicle identification information, including the encrypted vehicle ID, contained in the received entry information to the key management server 42 through the communication unit 413 (ST75).

[0120] The processor 421 of the key management server 42 controls the encryption / decryption unit 424 to decrypt the vehicle ID included in the encrypted vehicle identification information using a key corresponding to the predetermined encryption key used by the encryption / decryption unit 306 of the parking lot equipment 3. The processor 421 transmits the vehicle identification information including the decrypted vehicle ID to the central server 41 via the communication unit 423 (ST76).

[0121] The processor 411 transmits a registration confirmation including the vehicle ID included in the vehicle identification information received from the key management server 42 to the user management server 43 through the communication unit 413 (ST77).

[0122] The processor 431 compares the registered vehicle ID with the vehicle ID included in the received registration confirmation, and then transmits a registration response including a registered flag according to the comparison result to the parking lot equipment 3 through the communication unit 433 (ST78). The registration response may include information as to whether or not to notify the parking fee when a predetermined time has elapsed since the vehicle 2 entered the parking lot or when the parking fee reaches a predetermined fee. Here, the registration flag may be the same as the registration flag described in the first embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted here.

[0123] The processor 411 transmits the registered information including the received registered flag to the parking lot equipment 3 (ST79).

[0124] Moreover, steps ST80 to ST93 are the same as steps ST49 to ST62 described in the second embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted here.

[0125] (Functions and Effects of the Modification of the Second Embodiment) According to the embodiment described above, when the vehicle 2 uses a parking lot, it can be used without using a parking ticket. Furthermore, since payment at the parking machine is also made based on the payment method information in the registration information, it can be made touchlessly. Furthermore, the central server 41 does not need to perform the settlement process of the charged fee, and the burden on the central server 41 can be reduced. Furthermore, by inquiring of the user management server 43 as to whether the received vehicle ID has been registered each time the central server 41 receives a vehicle ID from the vehicle-mounted device 21, it becomes possible to confirm that the vehicle ID is a registered vehicle ID even if the user changes the vehicle ID immediately before using the vehicle 2.

[0126] [Third embodiment] (composition) Fig. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a fee processing system according to the third embodiment. As shown in Fig. 12, the fee processing system according to the third embodiment includes a user equipment 1, a vehicle 2, a parking lot equipment 3, and a central management device 4. The central management device 4 is connected to the user equipment 1, an in-vehicle device 21, and the parking lot equipment 3 via a network 5. The vehicle 2 includes the in-vehicle device 21. Furthermore, the in-vehicle device 21 recognizes the parking lot equipment 3, and they are capable of communicating with each other.

[0127] The central management device 4 includes a central server 41, a key management server 42, and a shared car management server 44.

[0128] The fee processing system may include components as necessary in addition to the components shown in FIG. 12, and certain components may be excluded from the fee processing system.

[0129] Referring to FIG. 12, the difference from the first embodiment is that the central management device 4 includes a shared car management server 44.

[0130] In addition, although only one vehicle-mounted device 21 is shown in FIG. 12, the vehicle 2 may have two or more vehicle-mounted devices. For example, the first vehicle-mounted device 21 is an ETC vehicle-mounted device for using an ETC system, and the other is a shared car vehicle-mounted device used for using the vehicle 2, which is a shared car. The ETC vehicle-mounted device may have the same configuration as the vehicle-mounted device 21 shown in FIG. 3. On the other hand, the shared car vehicle-mounted device may have the same configuration as the vehicle-mounted device 21 shown in FIG. 3, but the card processing unit 214 may be equipped with a non-contact type IC (integrated circuit) card reader. The user of the user device 1 may start using the vehicle 2 by holding a specified IC card over the IC card reader.

[0131] The shared car management server 44 may be installed in a management company that manages a fee processing system. The shared car management server 44 may be installed in the same place as the central server 41 and the key management server 42 or in a different place. The shared car management server 44 is also connected to the central server 41 and can communicate various data. For example, the shared car management server 44 may be a server owned by a business operator that provides a car sharing service. In other words, the central server 41 and the shared car management server 44 may be managed by different businesses. Therefore, although FIG. 12 shows an example in which the central server 41 and the shared car management server 44 are directly connected, it goes without saying that they may also be connected via the network 5.

[0132] The car-sharing management server 44 also receives information on personal identification information and payment method information of the user of the user device 1 who uses car sharing in advance from the user. Furthermore, since the vehicle 2 is owned by the business operator that manages the car-sharing management server 44, the car-sharing management server 44 is a server that already stores the vehicle ID of the vehicle 2.

[0133] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the shared car management server 44. The shared car management server 44 has a processor 441 such as a CPU or an MPU. A memory 442, a communication unit 443, and an input / output interface 444 are connected to the processor 441 via a bus 445. In addition, in FIG. 13, the "input / output interface" is written as "input / output IF."

[0134] The memory 442 can be used as a storage medium by combining a non-volatile memory such as an EPROM, HDD, or SSD that can be written to and read from at any time with a non-volatile memory such as a ROM. The memory 442 stores programs required for the processor 431 to execute various processes.

[0135] Furthermore, the memory 442 includes a storage medium that combines a non-volatile memory that can be written and read at any time, such as an HDD or a memory card, with a volatile memory, such as a RAM. The memory 442 can store data acquired and generated in the process of the processor 441 executing a program to perform various processes. For example, the memory 442 stores personal identification information, including the name, address, telephone number, email address, etc., of the user who uses the user device 1, payment method information, and a vehicle ID. The memory 442 also stores member identification information indicating that the user who uses the user device 1 is able to use the car sharing service, i.e., is a member who can use the car sharing service.

[0136] The communication unit 443 is a communication interface including one or more wired or wireless communication modules. For example, the communication unit 443 includes a communication module that wirelessly connects to the user device 1 and the vehicle-mounted device 21 via the network 5. The communication unit 433 also includes a communication module that connects to the central server 41 by wire or wirelessly. The communication unit 443 may be a general one as long as it can communicate with the user device 1, the vehicle-mounted device 21, and the central server 41 under the control of the processor 441 and transmit and receive various information.

[0137] For example, an input unit and a display unit (not shown) are connected to the input / output interface 444. The input unit is, for example, a device for receiving voice data such as a microphone, a device for recognizing character data input by an administrator who manages the shared car management server 44 using an input detection sheet that employs an electrostatic or pressure method, and a device for receiving image data such as a camera. The display unit is a display device using, for example, liquid crystal, organic electroluminescence, or the like, and displays voice, text, images, and the like according to signals input from the input / output interface 414 .

[0138] Next, a description will be given of functions realized by the processor 441 of the shared car management server 44. The functions realized by the processor 441 are realized by the processor 441 executing a program stored in the internal memory or the memory 442 or the like.

[0139] The processor 441 has a function of receiving member identification information and usage start information from the user device 1 or the vehicle-mounted device 21 via the communication unit 443. The usage start information is information indicating that the user of the user device 1 has started to use the vehicle 2. For example, the user of the user device 1 who uses the vehicle 2 holds an IC card over the IC card reader of the vehicle-mounted device 21. By reading the information from the IC card, the processor 211 of the vehicle-mounted device 21 detects that the user of the user device 1 will use the vehicle 2. Then, the processor 211 transmits the usage start information to the shared car management server 44 via the communication unit 213. The processor 441 has a function of transmitting the determination information including the vehicle ID to the central server 41 through the communication unit 443. The processor 441 may transmit the determination information periodically, for example, once a day, through the communication unit 443, or may transmit the determination information to the central server 41 upon receiving usage start information. Moreover, the processor 411 of the central server 41 has a function of receiving the determination information. Furthermore, the processor 411 has a function of registering the vehicle ID included in the received determination information in the memory 412. The processor 411 has a function of transmitting billing information to the user management server 43 via the communication unit 413. The billing information includes various information such as the parking fee for the parking lot, breakdown information of the parking fee, and the vehicle ID.

[0140] The processor 441 has a function of receiving billing information from the central server 41 through the communication unit 443. Furthermore, the processor 441 has a function of receiving termination information from the user device 1 or the vehicle-mounted device 21 through the communication unit 443. The end information is information indicating that the user of the user device 1 has ended use of the vehicle 2. For example, the user of the user device 1 who uses the vehicle 2 holds an IC card over the IC card reader of the vehicle-mounted device 21. By reading the information from the IC card, the processor 211 of the vehicle-mounted device 21 detects that the user of the user device 1 has ended use of the vehicle 2. Then, the processor 211 transmits the termination information to the shared car management server 44 through the communication unit 213. Upon receiving the termination information, the processor 441 transmits a deletion request including the vehicle ID to the central server 41 through the communication unit 443. The deletion request includes a request to delete the vehicle ID registered in the memory 412 of the central server 41. This is because the user has ended use of the vehicle 2, and there is no longer any need to register the vehicle ID of the vehicle 2 in the central server 41. In addition, when a user of user device 1 finishes using vehicle 2 and another user uses vehicle 2, the vehicle ID can be re-registered to prevent erroneous charging of parking fees to a user of user device 1 that is not using the vehicle.

[0141] The processor 441 has a function of outputting usage detail information including various fee information such as information on the determined parking fee and the usage fee for the vehicle 2 through the communication unit 443. For example, the processor 441 transmits the usage detail information to the user device 1. The processor 441 also has a function of performing payment processing based on payment method information included in the registration information from the user device 1.

[0142] In the third embodiment, in addition to the configuration of the shared car management server 44 described above, the processor 101 of the user device 1 or the processor 211 of the vehicle-mounted device 21 transmits start-of-use information to the shared car management server 44, and the processor 411 of the central server 41 has the function of receiving determination information including a vehicle ID and registering the vehicle ID in the memory 412, which is the same as the first embodiment, so the explanation here will be omitted.

[0143] (operation) 14 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a processing procedure in the fee processing system of the third embodiment. The operation of this sequence diagram is realized by the processor 101 of the user device 1, the processor 211 of the vehicle-mounted device 21, the processor 301 of the parking lot device 3, the processor 411 of the central server 41, the processor 421 of the key management server 42, and the processor 441 of the shared car management server 44 reading and executing programs stored in the memory 102, the memory 212, the memory 302, the memory 412, the memory 422, and the memory 442, respectively.

[0144] First, the processor 101 of the user device 1 receives an input indicating that the user has started using the vehicle 2 through the input / output interface 104. After that, the processor 101 transmits, through the communication unit 103 and the network 5, usage start information indicating that the user has started using the vehicle 2 to the shared car management server 44 (ST101). In addition, although FIG. 14 shows an example in which the processor 101 of the user device 1 transmits the usage start information to the shared car management server 44, the processor 211 of the vehicle-mounted device 21 may transmit the usage start information to the shared car management server 44. When a user who uses the vehicle 2 goes through a predetermined procedure for using the vehicle 2 and unlocks the vehicle 2 or starts the engine of the vehicle 2, the processor 211 of the in-vehicle device 21 transmits usage start information to the shared car management server 44. Alternatively, the user of the user device 1 who uses the vehicle 2 holds an IC card over the IC card reader of the in-vehicle device 21. By reading the information from the IC card, the processor 211 of the in-vehicle device 21 detects that the user of the user device 1 will use the vehicle 2. Then, the processor 211 transmits the usage start information to the shared car management server 44 via the communication unit 213. In addition, the start-of-use information may include information as to whether or not to notify the fee when a predetermined time has elapsed after vehicle 2 is parked in the parking lot or when a predetermined fee has been reached, and this information may be included in the information registered when vehicle 2 is used.

[0145] After receiving the start-of-use information, the processor 441 of the shared car management server 44 transmits to the central server 41 determination information including the vehicle ID of the vehicle 2 registered in the memory 442 and information on whether to provide a fee notification (ST102).

[0146] The processor 411 of the central server 41 registers the received vehicle ID and information on whether or not to notify the fee in the memory 412 (ST103).

[0147] Steps ST104 to ST121 are the same processes as steps ST44 to ST61 described with reference to FIG. 10 in the second embodiment, and therefore will not be described again here.

[0148] The processor 101 of the user device 1 receives, via the input / output interface 104, an input indicating that the user has ended use of the vehicle 2. Thereafter, the processor 101 transmits end information indicating that the user has ended use of the vehicle 2 to the shared car management server 44, via the communication unit 103 and the network 5 (ST122). 14 shows an example in which the processor 101 of the user device 1 transmits the termination information to the shared car management server 44, but the processor 211 of the vehicle-mounted device 21 may transmit the termination information. For example, the processor 211 of the vehicle-mounted device 21 transmits the termination information to the shared car management server 44 in various ways, such as when the user who uses the vehicle 2 goes through a predetermined procedure for terminating the use of the vehicle 2, locks the vehicle 2, or turns off the engine of the vehicle 2.

[0149] When receiving the termination information, the processor 441 of the shared car management server 44 transmits a deletion request including the vehicle ID registered in the memory 442 to the central server 41 (ST123).

[0150] Processor 411 that has received the deletion request deletes information related to the same vehicle ID as the vehicle ID included in the deletion request from memory 412 (ST124).

[0151] The processor 441 calculates the fee to be charged, including the parking fee, the fee for use of the vehicle 2, etc. (ST125). The processor 441 can also store in the memory 442 the breakdown information of the fee to be charged and the parking fee, as well as the breakdown of the fee for use of the vehicle 2, etc.

[0152] The processor 441 transmits usage detail information including the billed fee to the user equipment 1 via the communication unit 443 (ST126). The usage detail information may also include information such as a breakdown of the usage fee for the vehicle 2 stored in the memory 442. The user of the user equipment 1 can check the parking fee, breakdown information of the parking fee, the usage fee for the vehicle 2, and the breakdown of the usage fee, which are included in the usage detail information, via the input / output interface 104.

[0153] In the third embodiment, an example in which the vehicle ID is stored in the central server 41 has been shown, but as in the modified example of the second embodiment, the vehicle ID may not be stored in the central server 41, and only the shared car management server 44 may store the vehicle ID. That is, in the third embodiment, the processor 411 of the central server 41 sends a registration confirmation as an inquiry to the shared car management server 44 every time it receives a vehicle ID from the vehicle-mounted device 21. Then, the processor 411 of the central server 41 may receive a registration response including a registered flag indicating whether the received vehicle ID is a vehicle ID registered in the shared car management server 44.

[0154] (Effects of the third embodiment) According to the embodiment described above, when vehicle 2 uses the parking lot, it can be used without using a parking ticket. Furthermore, since payment at the parking machine is made based on the payment method information in the registration information, it can be made touchlessly. Furthermore, the central server 41 does not need to perform the settlement process for the charged fee, and the burden on the central server 41 can be reduced. Furthermore, by registering the vehicle ID of vehicle 2 in the central server 41 every time a user starts using vehicle 2 and deleting the vehicle ID of vehicle 2 from the central server 41 every time the user finishes using the parking lot, the parking fee can be charged to the user who has used the parking lot.

[0155] [Fourth embodiment] (composition) FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a fee processing system according to a fourth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 15, the fee processing system according to the fourth embodiment includes a user device 1, a vehicle 2, a parking lot device 3, a central management device 4, and a store device 6. The store device 6 is installed for use in a facility such as a shop for registering products to be paid for and for making payments for the registered products, and is operated by a store clerk or the like. The store device 6 typically includes a POS (Point Of Sale) server included in a POS system, and a POS terminal connected to the POS server. The store device 6 may also include an electronic cash register that is not included in the POS system. The store device 6 may also be a general-purpose device such as a PC.

[0156] The central management device 4 is also connected to the user device 1, the parking lot device 3, and the store device 6 via a network 5. The vehicle 2 is equipped with an on-board device 21. The on-board device 21 recognizes the parking lot device 3 and is capable of communicating with them. The store device 6 is capable of communicating with the user device 1 and the parking lot device 3.

[0157] The fee processing system may include components as necessary in addition to the components shown in FIG. 8, or specific components may be excluded from the fee processing system.

[0158] Referring to FIG. 15, the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the fee processing system includes an in-store device 6.

[0159] The in-store device 6 may be installed in a predetermined facility such as a shopping mall. For example, the in-store device 6 can communicate with a parking lot device 3 in a parking lot that uses the facility such as a shopping mall, and the in-store device 6 can communicate with a user device 1. Although only one in-store device 6 is illustrated in FIG. 15, there may be multiple in-store devices 6. In other words, the in-store device 6 may be divided into multiple devices having similar functions.

[0160] FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the in-store device 6. As shown in FIG. The in-store device 6 has a processor 601 such as a CPU or an MPU. A memory 602, a communication unit 603, and an input / output interface 604 are connected to the processor 601 via a bus 605. In addition, in FIG. 16, the "input / output interface" is written as "input / output IF."

[0161] The memory 602 can be used as a storage medium by combining a non-volatile memory such as an EPROM, HDD, or SSD that can be written to and read from at any time with a non-volatile memory such as a ROM. The memory 602 stores programs required for the processor 601 to execute various processes.

[0162] Furthermore, the memory 602 includes a storage medium that combines a nonvolatile memory that can be written to and read from at any time, such as an HDD or a memory card, with a volatile memory, such as a RAM. The memory 602 can store data acquired and generated in the process of the processor 601 executing a program and performing various processes. For example, the memory 602 stores a discount on parking fees according to the fee for using a facility such as a shopping mall.

[0163] The communication unit 603 is a communication interface including one or more wired or wireless communication modules. For example, the communication unit 603 includes a communication module that wirelessly connects to the central server 41 through the network 5. The communication unit 603 also includes a communication module that wirelessly connects to the user equipment 1, and further includes a communication module that connects to the parking lot equipment 3 by wire or wirelessly. The communication unit 603 may be a general unit as long as it can communicate with the user equipment 1, the parking lot equipment 3, and the central server 41 under the control of the processor 601 and transmit and receive various information.

[0164] For example, an input unit and a display unit (not shown) are connected to the input / output interface 604. The input unit is a device that recognizes character data input by an administrator who manages the in-store device 6, for example, by an input detection sheet that employs an electrostatic method or a pressure method. Furthermore, the input unit functions as a POS terminal equipped with a code reader that reads the barcode displayed by the user device 1 and acquires parking ticket information. The display unit is a display device that uses, for example, a liquid crystal display, an organic electroluminescence display, or the like, and displays voice, text, images, and the like in response to a signal input from the input / output interface 604. In addition, the POS terminal serving as the input unit may be located in a different location from the store device 6 as long as it is connected to the store device 6, and the POS terminal serving as the input unit may be located in a specific facility such as a shopping mall, and the store device 6 may be located in a different location from the facility.

[0165] First, the processor 411 of the central server 41 has a function of receiving the passage information and transmitting the parking ticket information to the user equipment 1 via the communication unit 413 when charging is started. The processor 411 may also transmit a notification that the parking ticket information has been issued to the user device 1. In this case, the user of the user device 1 may use a specific website or application, as necessary, to cause the parking ticket information to be displayed on the user device 1. Here, the parking ticket information is the vehicle ID itself, or the vehicle ID encoded or coded information such as a barcode or QR code (registered trademark). The parking ticket information may also include information such as the date and time of entry into the parking lot. The processor 101 of the user device 1 has a function of receiving the parking ticket information from the central server 41 through the communication unit 103. The processor 101 has a function of transmitting or presenting the parking ticket information to the store device 6 through the communication unit 103. The processor 301 of the parking lot equipment 3 also has a function of transmitting a discount amount inquiry to the store equipment 6 through the communication unit 304. For example, the discount amount inquiry includes information for inquiring whether there is a discount on the parking fee and a vehicle ID. The processor 411 also has a function of sharing the parking ticket information with a web server or application server (not shown) in order to use the parking ticket information on a specific website or application. Alternatively, the central server 41 may be equipped with an application server.

[0166] Next, a description will be given of functions realized by the processor 601 of the in-store device 6. The functions realized by the processor 601 are realized by the processor 601 executing a program stored in the internal memory, the memory 602, or the like.

[0167] The processor 601 has a function of receiving parking ticket information from the user device 1 through the communication unit 603. For example, the user device 1 can cause the store device 6 to read the parking ticket information when a user pays for shopping or using a facility such as a shopping mall. The processor 601 may also read the entry date and time from the parking ticket information. The processor 601 has a function of storing in the memory 602 the total amount of the payment when the user purchases or uses the facility, the payment date and time, and the entry date and time. Furthermore, the processor 601 has a function of storing in the memory 602 the date and time when the user's vehicle entered the vehicle, which store the user shopped at, and which items the user purchased. The processor 601 has a function of determining the discount amount based on at least one of the total amount of the settlement fee settled by the user, the settlement date and time, the entry date and time, information on the store used by the user, and the item purchased by the user. In other words, the processor 601 may determine the discount amount based on various information, not limited to the settlement fee, when determining the discount amount. The processor 601 also has a function of storing the parking ticket information and the discount amount in the memory 602 in association with each other.

[0168] The processor 601 has a function of receiving a discount amount inquiry from the parking lot equipment 3 through the communication unit 603. Furthermore, the processor 601 has a function of searching for parking ticket information stored in the memory 602 that matches the vehicle ID, and transmitting discount information including the discount amount and the vehicle ID associated with the searched parking ticket information to the parking lot equipment 3.

[0169] The processor 301 of the parking lot equipment 3 has a function of transmitting passage information including discount information. The processor 301 may also have a function of determining a parking fee based on the date and time when the vehicle 2 entered the parking lot, the date and time when the vehicle 2 left the parking lot, and the discount information. In this case, the memory 302 may store information on the parking fee according to time. The processor 301 may also have a function of transmitting the passage information including the determined parking fee to the central server 41.

[0170] The processor 411 of the central server 41 has a function of determining the parking fee further based on the discount information included in the received passage information.

[0171] The other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment, and therefore will not be described here.

[0172] (operation) 17 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a processing procedure in the fee processing system of the fourth embodiment. The operation of this sequence diagram is realized by the processor 101 of the user device 1, the processor 211 of the vehicle-mounted device 21, the processor 301 of the parking lot device 3, the processor 411 of the central server 41, the processor 421 of the key management server 42, and the processor 601 of the store device 6 reading and executing programs stored in the memory 102, the memory 212, the memory 302, the memory 412, the memory 422, and the memory 602, respectively.

[0173] First, steps ST131 to ST139 are the same processes as steps ST11 to ST19 described with reference to FIG. 7 in the first embodiment, so that repeated description here will be omitted.

[0174] The processor 411 of the central server 41 transmits the parking ticket information to the user device 1 through the communication unit 413 and the network 5 (ST140). The parking ticket information may include information on the vehicle ID, the entry time, the date and time when the vehicle 2 entered the parking lot, and a discount code for a store or the like according to a predetermined date and time. The processor 101 of the user device 1 stores the received parking ticket information in the memory 102. The processor 411 may also transmit a notification that the parking ticket information has been issued to the user device 1. In this case, the user of the user device 1 may use a specific website or application to display the parking ticket information on the user device 1 as necessary.

[0175] Step ST141 is the same process as step ST20 described with reference to FIG. 7 in the first embodiment, and therefore will not be described again here.

[0176] When the user of the user device 1 settles the payment for shopping or the fee for using the facility at a predetermined facility, the processor 101 of the user device 1 transmits the parking ticket information to the store device 6 (ST142). For example, the user who owns the user device 1 settles the payment for shopping or the fee for using the facility at a predetermined facility through the store device 6. When settling the fee, the processor 101 of the user device 1 may present the parking ticket information stored in the memory 102 via the input / output interface 104 and have the store device 6 read it from the input unit (POS terminal), or may transmit the parking fee information to the store device 6. In other words, as long as the processor 601 of the store device 6 can receive the parking ticket information, the processor 101 may use a general method.

[0177] The processor 601 of the in-store device 6 determines the discount amount based on at least one of the total amount of the payment made by the user, the payment date and time, the entry date and time, information about the store used by the user, and the item purchased by the user (ST143). The processor 601 associates the parking ticket information with the determined discount amount and stores it in the memory 602. For example, the processor 601 may determine that the parking fee is free for a predetermined period of time depending on the fee to be paid. The processor 601 may also transmit information about the discount amount to the central server 41 via the communication unit 603. The processor 411 of the central server 41 may calculate the current parking fee based on the received discount amount, and include information about the calculated parking fee in the fee notification. The processor 411 may also transmit information indicating that the parking fee has changed due to a discount as a fee notification. In this case, the user of the user device 1 may check the parking fee using a predetermined website or a predetermined application based on the information.

[0178] Moreover, steps ST144 to ST148 are the same processes as steps ST21 to ST25 described with reference to FIG. 7 in the first embodiment, and therefore will not be described again here.

[0179] If the registered flag indicates that the vehicle ID included in the vehicle identification information is registered, the processor 301 uses the start control unit 303 to open the start control bar 32 and allow the vehicle 2 to pass. The processor 301 also transmits a discount amount inquiry to the store device 6 to inquire whether there is a discount on the parking fee at the parking lot (ST149). For example, the discount amount inquiry includes the vehicle ID and information for inquiring whether there is a discount on the parking fee. The processor 601 of the store device 6 compares the parking ticket information stored in the memory 602 with the vehicle ID and determines whether there is a discount amount associated with the retrieved parking ticket information. Then, the processor 601 transmits the discount information including the vehicle ID and information on the discount amount read based on the determination to the parking lot equipment 3 (ST150). For example, as described above, the processor 601 transmits discount information indicating that the parking fee is free for a predetermined period of time to the central server 41. Here, the processor 301 may determine the parking fee based on the date and time when the vehicle 2 entered the parking lot, the date and time when the vehicle 2 exited the parking lot, and the discount amount. Then, the processor 301 may transmit the passage information including the determined parking fee to the central server 41. In this case, in step ST148, the processor 411 transmits the entry information and exit information to the parking lot equipment 3 in addition to the registered information. The processor 301 extracts the date and time when the vehicle entered the parking lot and the date and time when the vehicle exited the parking lot from the received entry information and exit information, and uses them to determine the parking fee. Alternatively, the processor 301 may store the date and time when the vehicle 2 entered the parking lot in step ST134 and the date and time when the vehicle 2 exited the parking lot in step ST145 in the memory 302, and use the date and time to determine the parking fee.

[0180] The processor 301 transmits, via the communication unit 304 and the network 5, passage information including the encrypted vehicle ID, the discount information, and information indicating that the vehicle 2 has passed the start control bar 32 (ST151).

[0181] The processor 411 transmits the encrypted vehicle identification information, including the encrypted vehicle ID, contained in the received passing information to the key management server 42 via the communication unit 413 (ST152).

[0182] The processor 421 controls the encryption / decryption unit 424 to decrypt the vehicle ID using key information corresponding to the predetermined key information used by the processor 301 of the parking lot equipment 3. The processor 421 transmits the vehicle identification information including the decrypted vehicle ID to the central server 41 via the communication unit 423 (ST153).

[0183] Processor 411 determines the time that vehicle 2 stayed in the parking lot from the entry date and time included in the entry information and the exit date and time included in the exit information, and calculates the parking fee based on the determined time and the discount information (ST154). For example, processor 411 determines whether the determined time is within the free time included in the discount information, and if it is within the free time, determines that the parking fee is free. The calculation of the parking fee may be performed after the processor 411 determines that the vehicle ID included in the vehicle identification information received in step ST153 matches the registered vehicle ID. If the parking fee determined by the processor 301 of the parking lot device 3 is included in the passing information, step ST154 is omitted.

[0184] The processor 411 transmits usage details information including information on the parking fee and breakdown information of the parking fee to the user device 1 via the communication unit 413 and the network 5 (ST155). The user of the user device 1 can check the parking fee included in the usage details information via the input / output interface 104.

[0185] (Functions and Effects of the Fourth Embodiment) According to the fourth embodiment described above, when the vehicle 2 uses a parking lot, it can be used without using a parking ticket. In addition, the payment at the parking machine can be made without touching it because it is made based on the payment method information in the registration information. In addition, it becomes possible for a user who uses a facility such as a shopping mall to receive a discount on the parking fee according to the fee used at the facility.

[0186] [Modification of the fourth embodiment] (composition) The modified fourth embodiment has the same schematic configuration as the fee processing system of the fourth embodiment shown in Fig. 15. In the modified fourth embodiment, the in-store device 6 including the POS server does not determine the discount amount, but the in-store device 6 transmits information for determining the discount amount to the central server 41. The central server 41 then determines the discount amount based on the received information.

[0187] For example, when parking ticket information is received from the user device 1, the processor 601 of the store device 6 has a function of transmitting the parking ticket discount information to the central server 41 via the communication unit 603. The parking ticket discount information includes, for example, the total amount of the settlement fee for shopping or using a specific facility by the user of the user device 1, the settlement date and time, information on which store the user shopped at, information on which item the user purchased, and the parking ticket information. The processor 411 of the central server 41 has a function of receiving the parking ticket discount information through the communication unit 413. The processor 411 also has a function of identifying a vehicle ID from the parking ticket information included in the parking ticket discount information, and managing the discount amount based on the parking ticket discount information of the identified vehicle ID. For example, the processor 411 stores the discount amount in the memory 412 in association with the vehicle ID. In addition, the processor 411 may determine the current parking fee based on the discount amount, and notify the determined parking fee when notifying the fee. Furthermore, the processor 411 has a function of calculating the parking fee based on the time that the vehicle 2 stayed in the parking lot from the discount amount stored in the memory 412, the entry date and time included in the entry information, and the exit date and time included in the exit information. For example, the parking fee is determined by deducting the discount amount from the parking fee incurred according to the time the vehicle was parked in the parking lot.

[0188] Also, like the fourth embodiment, the modification of the fourth embodiment also allows the parking lot equipment 3 to determine the parking fee. In this case, the processor 601 has a function of transmitting registered information including information on the discount amount to the parking lot equipment 3. Then, the processor 301 of the parking lot equipment 3 has a function of calculating the parking fee based on the entry / exit information of the vehicle 2 and the discount amount. Furthermore, the processor 301 has a function of transmitting passage information including information on the calculated parking fee to the central server 41.

[0189] The other configurations are similar to those described in the second embodiment, and therefore will not be described here.

[0190] (operation) 18 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a processing procedure in a fee processing system according to a modification of the fourth embodiment. The operation of this sequence diagram is realized by the processor 101 of the user device 1, the processor 211 of the vehicle-mounted device 21, the processor 301 of the parking lot device 3, the processor 411 of the central server 41, the processor 421 of the key management server 42, and the processor 601 of the store device 6 reading and executing programs stored in the memory 102, the memory 212, the memory 302, the memory 412, the memory 422, and the memory 602, respectively.

[0191] First, steps ST161 to ST172 are the same processes as steps ST131 to ST142 described with reference to FIG. 17 in the fourth embodiment, so that repeated description here will be omitted.

[0192] When the processor 601 of the in-store device 6 receives the parking ticket information via the communication unit 603 and the network 5, it transmits parking ticket discount information including the parking ticket information, the settlement fee, and other information to the central server 41 (ST173).

[0193] The processor 411 of the central server 41 that has received the parking ticket information determines the discount amount based on at least one of the total amount of the settlement fee settled by the user, the settlement date and time, the entry date and time, the information of the store used by the user, and the item purchased by the user. Then, the processor 411 manages the determined discount amount (ST174). For example, the processor 411 identifies a vehicle ID from the parking ticket information, and stores the determined discount amount in association with the identified vehicle ID in the memory 412.

[0194] Next, steps ST175 to ST182 are the same processes as steps ST21 to ST28 described with reference to FIG. 7 in the first embodiment, so that repeated description here will be omitted.

[0195] The processor 411 determines the time that the vehicle 2 stayed in the parking lot from the entry date and time included in the entry information and the exit date and time included in the exit information, and calculates the parking fee based on the determined time and the discount information stored in the memory 412 (ST183). For example, the processor 411 determines the parking fee by deducting the discount amount associated with the vehicle ID stored in the memory 412 from the parking fee according to the stay time. The calculation of the parking fee may be performed after the processor 411 determines that the vehicle ID included in the vehicle identification information received in step S182 matches the registered vehicle ID. As in the first embodiment, if the parking fee determined by the processor 301 of the parking lot device 3 is included in the passing information, step ST29 is omitted.

[0196] The processor 411 transmits usage details information including information on the parking fee and breakdown information of the parking fee to the user device 1 via the communication unit 413 and the network 5 (ST184). The user of the user device 1 can check the parking fee included in the usage details information via the input / output interface 104.

[0197] (Functions and Effects of the Modification of the Fourth Embodiment) According to the fourth embodiment described above, when the vehicle 2 uses a parking lot, it can be used without using a parking ticket. In addition, the parking fee can be paid without touching because it is paid based on the payment method information in the registration information. In addition, it becomes possible for a user who uses a facility such as a shopping mall to receive a discount on the parking fee according to the fee used at the facility.

[0198] [Other embodiments] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, the first to fourth embodiments can be combined. For example, when the fourth embodiment is combined with the second embodiment, the fee processing system can include a user management server 43 and a store device 6 in addition to the configuration of the first embodiment. It is also possible to combine the second and fourth embodiments.

[0199] In short, this invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and various modifications can be made in the implementation stage without departing from the gist of the invention. Moreover, each embodiment may be implemented in combination as appropriate as possible, in which case the combined effects can be obtained. Furthermore, the above-mentioned embodiment includes inventions at various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriate combinations of the disclosed constituent elements. [Explanation of symbols]

[0200] 1. User equipment 101…Processor 102…Memory 103…Communications Department 104... Input / Output Interface 105…Bus 2. Vehicle 21...Onboard equipment 211...Processor 212…Memory 213…Communications Department 214...Card processing unit 215... Input / Output Interface 216…Bus 3. Parking lot equipment 31...Control unit 32…Launch control bar 301...Processor 302…Memory 303…Start control unit 304…Communications Department 305…Vehicle communication unit 306…Encryption / decryption unit 307... Input / Output Interface 308…Bus 4…Central management device 41…Central server 411...Processor 412…Memory 413…Communications Department 414... Input / Output Interface 415…Bus 42...Key management server 421...Processor 422…Memory 423…Communications Department 424…Encryption / decryption section 425... Input / Output Interface 426…Bus 43...User management server 431...Processor 432…Memory 433…Communications Department 434... Input / Output Interface 435…Bus 44…Shared car management server 441…Processor 442…Memory 443…Communications Department 444... Input / Output Interface 445…Bus 5. Network 6. Store equipment 601...Processor 602…Memory 603…Communications Department 604... Input / Output Interface 605…Bus

Claims

1. A fee processing system for processing parking fees for vehicles that use a parking lot, comprising: Parking lot equipment installed in the parking lot; a central control unit connected to the parking equipment; Equipped with The parking lot equipment includes: when it is detected that the vehicle has entered or exited the parking lot, a first vehicle identifier that identifies the vehicle is received from an on-board device of the vehicle, and the entry of the vehicle into or exit from the parking lot is controlled in accordance with an instruction from the central management device, and entry information including an entry date and time indicating the date and time that the vehicle entered the parking lot and the first vehicle identifier, and exit information including an exit date and time indicating the date and time that the vehicle exited the parking lot and the first vehicle identifier are transmitted to the central management device; The central management device storing registration information including a second vehicle identifier identifying the vehicle and a payment; If the first vehicle identifier and the second vehicle identifier are the same, sending an entry instruction to the parking lot equipment to allow the vehicle to enter the parking lot; If the first vehicle identifier and the second vehicle identifier are the same, sending an exit instruction to the parking lot equipment to cause the vehicle to exit the parking lot; After the vehicle leaves the parking lot, transmitting information including a parking fee for the vehicle determined from the entry date and time and the exit date and time to a user device of a user using the vehicle; Processing the payment of the parking fee based on the payment information; Fee processing system.

2. the fee processing system further includes a key management server connected to the central management device and configured to store second key information corresponding to the first key information; the central management device is a device that transmits a first vehicle identifier, which is encrypted with the first key information included in the entry information and the exit information, to the key management server in the encrypted state; the key management server is a device that decrypts the encrypted first vehicle identifier using the corresponding second key information and transmits the decrypted first vehicle identifier to the central management device; The fee processing system according to claim 1.

3. The central management device includes a central server and a user management server, the customer management server receives the second vehicle identifier from the user equipment and transmits the second vehicle identifier to the central server; the central server receives the second vehicle identifier, stores the second vehicle identifier, transmits the entry instruction when the first vehicle identifier and the second vehicle identifier are the same, transmits the exit instruction when the first vehicle identifier and the second vehicle identifier are the same, determines the parking fee, and transmits the determined parking fee to the user management server; the user management server calculates a charge to be paid by the user of the user device, including the determined parking fee, and outputs information including the charge.

3. A fee processing system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The central management device includes a central server and a user management server, The user management server receives the second vehicle identifier from the user equipment and stores the second vehicle identifier; The central server receives the entry information from the parking lot device, and transmits the first vehicle identifier included in the entry information to the user management server; the user management server transmits the entry instruction to the central server when the first vehicle identifier and the second vehicle identifier are the same; the central server transmits the entry instruction to the parking lot equipment, receives the exit information, transmits the exit instruction, and transmits the determined parking fee to the user management server; the user management server calculates a charge to be paid by the user of the user device, including the determined parking fee, and outputs information including the charge.

3. A fee processing system according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The central management device includes a central server and a shared car management server that includes information for sharing and using the vehicle among a plurality of users; The shared car management server stores the second vehicle identifier, receives from the user device or the in-vehicle device usage start information indicating that usage of the vehicle is to be started, and transmits the second vehicle identifier to the central server in response to receiving the usage start information; The central server receives the second vehicle identifier from the shared car management server, stores the second vehicle identifier, transmits the entry instruction, transmits the exit instruction, receives the exit information, and transmits the determined parking fee to the shared car management server; The shared car management server receives termination information indicating that the use of the vehicle will be terminated from the user device or the in-vehicle device, transmits a deletion request to the central server in response to the termination information, requests that the second vehicle identifier be deleted from the central server, calculates a billing fee to be paid by the user of the user device, including the determined parking fee, and outputs information including the billing fee. The central server receives the deletion request from the shared car management server, and deletes the second vehicle identifier in response to receiving the deletion request.

3. A fee processing system according to claim 1 or 2.

6. the parking lot is a parking lot for a user of the vehicle to use a predetermined facility, the fee processing system further includes a store device used in the predetermined facility, After receiving the entry information from the parking lot equipment, the central management device transmits to the user equipment parking ticket information capable of identifying the second vehicle identifier or information indicating that the parking ticket information has been issued; the store device, when the user settles a shopping fee at the facility or a fee incurred by using the facility, receives the parking ticket information, and determines a discount amount based on at least one of the total amount of the fee settled by the user, the settlement date and time, the entry date and time, store information within the facility used by the user, and an item purchased by the user; the central management device receives the discount amount from the in-store device, and determines the parking fee based on the discount amount. A fee processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. the parking lot is a parking lot for a user of the vehicle to use a predetermined facility, the fee processing system further includes a store device used in the predetermined facility, After receiving the entry information from the parking lot equipment, the central management device transmits to the user equipment parking ticket information capable of identifying the second vehicle identifier or information indicating that the parking ticket information has been issued; the store device, when the user settles a shopping fee at the facility or a fee incurred by using the facility, receives the parking ticket information and transmits parking ticket discount information including the fee to be settled and the parking ticket information to the central management device; the central management device determines a discount amount based on at least one of the total amount of the settled fee, the settlement date and time, the entry date and time, store information in the facility used by the user, and the item purchased by the user, and determines the parking fee based on the discount amount; A fee processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

8. 8. The fee processing system according to claim 1, wherein the central management device, after sending the entry instruction to the parking lot equipment, receives passage information from the parking lot equipment indicating that the vehicle has entered the parking lot, and, after receiving the passage information, starts charging parking fees.

9. The fee processing system of claim 8, wherein after a predetermined time has elapsed from the date and time included in the entry information or when the parking fee exceeds a predetermined amount, the central management device notifies the user equipment of the parking fee at the current stage or sends a notification including information indicating that the parking fee has changed.

10. 10. The fee processing system of claim 1, wherein either the central management device or a parking lot device determines a parking fee for the vehicle based on the entry date and time and the exit date and time.

11. A central management device for processing parking fees for vehicles using parking fees, comprising: a memory for storing registration information including a second vehicle identifier identifying the vehicle and a payment; a processor coupled to the memory; Equipped with The processor, receiving entry information from a parking lot device located in the parking lot, the entry information including a first vehicle identifier and an entry date and time when the vehicle entered; If the first vehicle identifier and the second vehicle identifier are the same, sending an entry instruction to the parking lot equipment to allow the vehicle to enter the parking lot; receiving from the parking lot device exit information including the first vehicle identifier and an exit date and time when the vehicle exited; if the first vehicle identifier and the second vehicle identifier are the same, sending an exit instruction to the parking lot equipment to cause the vehicle to exit the parking lot; After the vehicle leaves the parking lot, transmitting information including the parking fee for the vehicle determined from the entry date and time and the exit date and time to a user device of a user using the vehicle; performing a payment process for the parking fee based on the payment information; A central management device that performs the above.

12. The memory further stores second key information corresponding to the first key information; The processor, decrypting the first vehicle identifier encrypted with the first key information by using the corresponding second key information; The central management unit according to claim 11.

13. The processor, receiving the second vehicle identifier from the user equipment; calculating a charge payable by a user of the user equipment, the charge including the determined parking fee, and transmitting information including the charge to the user equipment; 13. The central management unit according to claim 11 or 12.

14. The memory further stores information for sharing and using the vehicle among a plurality of users; The processor, receiving use start information indicating a start of use of the vehicle from the user device or an in-vehicle device of the vehicle; receiving end information indicating that use of the vehicle is to be terminated from the user device or the in-vehicle device; deleting the second vehicle identifier in response to the termination information; calculating a charge payable by a user of the user equipment including the determined parking charge; transmitting information including the billing amount to the user equipment; 13. The central management unit according to claim 11 or 12.

15. the parking lot is a parking lot where a user of the vehicle can use a predetermined facility, the predetermined facility having a store device; The processor, After receiving the entry information from the parking lot equipment, transmit to the user equipment parking ticket information capable of identifying the second vehicle identifier or information indicating that the parking ticket information has been issued; receiving a discount amount from the in-store device; determining the parking fee based on the discount amount; A central management unit according to any one of claims 11 to 14.

16. The processor, after transmitting the entry instruction to the parking lot equipment, receiving from the parking lot equipment passage information indicating that the vehicle has entered the parking lot, and after receiving the passage information, starting to charge a parking fee. A central management unit according to any one of claims 11 to 15.

17. The processor, When a predetermined time has elapsed from the date and time included in the entry information or when the parking fee exceeds a predetermined amount, notifying the user equipment of the current parking fee or transmitting a notification including information indicating that the parking fee has changed. The central management unit according to claim 16.

18. A fee processing method executed by a central management device for processing parking fees for vehicles using a parking lot, comprising the steps of: storing registration information including a second vehicle identifier identifying the vehicle and a payment; receiving entry information from a parking lot device located in the parking lot, the entry information including a first vehicle identifier and an entry date and time when the vehicle entered; If the first vehicle identifier and the second vehicle identifier are the same, sending an entry instruction to the parking lot equipment to allow the vehicle to enter the parking lot; receiving from the parking lot device exit information including the first vehicle identifier and an exit date and time when the vehicle exited; if the first vehicle identifier and the second vehicle identifier are the same, sending an exit instruction to the parking lot equipment to cause the vehicle to exit the parking lot; After the vehicle leaves the parking lot, transmitting information including the parking fee for the vehicle determined from the entry date and time and the exit date and time to a user device of a user using the vehicle; performing a payment process for the parking fee based on the payment information; A fee processing method is provided.

19. A fee processing program for causing a processor of the central management device to execute the fee processing method according to claim 18.

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