Processing device and processing system

Abstract

To provide a technology for enabling promotion of park and ride with a simple configuration.SOLUTION: A processing device includes: an information acquisition unit that acquires user information which is information about a user having parked a vehicle in a parking lot; and a transmission control unit that, based on input of a designation operation for designating the user information and input of a use operation for utilizing means of transportation, controls transmission of discount information concerning discount of a parking fee.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a processing device and a processing system. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, attention has been focused on the practice of users traveling by vehicle to a suburban parking lot, parking their vehicle there, and then traveling to their destination by public transport (hereinafter also referred to as "park and ride"). By promoting park and ride, it is expected that traffic congestion in urban areas will be alleviated and environmental problems in urban areas will be reduced. For this reason, various technologies for promoting park and ride by users are known.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses technology related to a parking lot payment machine that determines whether or not public transportation has been used based on public transportation boarding and disembarking data read from the user's IC (Integrated Circuit) card, and if it determines that public transportation has been used, charges the user a discounted parking fee that is a predetermined amount off the parking fee. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-28565 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, if the parking lot payment machine needs to be equipped with a system that determines whether or not a public transport service is being used based on the boarding and alighting data read from the user's IC card, the configuration of the parking lot payment machine becomes complicated. Therefore, it is desirable to promote park-and-ride with a simple configuration.

[0006] Therefore, it is desirable to provide a technology that can promote park-and-ride with a simple configuration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problem, according to one aspect of the present invention, a processing device is provided that includes an information acquisition unit that acquires user information, which is information about a user who has parked a vehicle in a parking lot, and a transmission control unit that controls the transmission of discount information regarding discounts on parking fees based on the input of a designation operation to designate the user information and the input of a usage operation to use public transportation.

[0008] The user information may include vehicle information that is information for identifying the vehicle.

[0009] The designation operation may include an input operation of the time when the vehicle will enter the parking lot.

[0010] The designation operation may include an input operation of a vehicle number recognized from a vehicle image obtained by capturing an image of at least a portion of the vehicle.

[0011] The designation operation may include a selection operation of a vehicle image obtained by capturing an image of at least a portion of the vehicle.

[0012] The designation operation may include an input operation of parking position information indicating the parking position of the vehicle in the parking lot.

[0013] The user information may include identification information read by a reading unit from an IC card held by the user.

[0014] In addition, according to another aspect of the present invention to solve the above problem, there is provided a processing system comprising a processing device and an adjustment machine, wherein the processing device comprises an information acquisition unit that acquires user information, which is information about a user who has parked a vehicle in a parking lot, and a transmission control unit that controls the transmission of discount information regarding a discount on parking fees based on the input of a designation operation that designates the user information and the input of a usage operation to use public transportation, and the adjustment machine receives the discount information and displays a discounted fee according to the discount information.

[0015] The processing system may include a server, the transmission control unit may control the transmission of the discount information to the server, the server may receive the discount information from the processing device, and the settlement machine may receive the discount information from the server based on the input of a designation operation specifying the user information.

[0016] In addition, according to another aspect of the present invention to solve the above problem, a processing device is provided which includes a media insertion port into which a medium issued when a user parks a vehicle in a parking lot is inserted, and a control unit which controls the writing of discount information regarding a discount on parking fees onto the medium based on the insertion of the medium through the media insertion port and the input of an operation to use public transportation. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] As described above, the present invention provides a technology that makes it possible to promote park-and-ride with a simple configuration. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a processing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of a ticket vending machine 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of a ticket vending machine 10. [Figure 4] 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of a parking lot adjustment machine 40. FIG. [Figure 5] 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a parking lot management server 30. FIG. [Figure 6] 1 is a sequence diagram showing an example of an entry operation executed by the processing system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 1 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a ticket purchasing operation executed by the processing system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a parking lot usage confirmation screen. [Figure 9] 3 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a settlement operation executed by the processing system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram showing an example of an exit operation executed by the processing system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of a ticket vending machine 12 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a ticket vending machine 12 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of a parking lot adjustment machine 42. FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a parking ticket insertion guide screen. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a parking ticket after discount information has been written. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this specification and drawings, components having substantially the same functional configurations are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0020] (1. First embodiment) First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0021] (1-1. Processing System Configuration) An example of the configuration of a processing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a processing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 1, the processing system 1 includes a ticket vending machine 10 and a parking lot management system 2. The parking lot management system 2 includes an entrance camera 21, an exit camera 22, a parking lot management server 30, and a parking lot payment machine 40.

[0022] In the first embodiment of the present invention, the ticket vending machine 10 and the parking lot management server 30 are each connected to a network 50 and are configured to be able to communicate with each other via the network 50.

[0023] In addition, in the first embodiment of the present invention, the entrance camera 21, the exit camera 22, the parking lot management server 30, and the parking lot payment machine 40 are each connected to a network 52 and are configured to be able to communicate with each other via the network 52.

[0024] Next, the basic configurations of the entrance camera 21, the exit camera 22, the parking lot management server 30, and the parking lot adjustment machine 40 provided in the processing system 1 will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 5. The detailed operation of the processing system 1 will be described later in detail with reference to Figures 6 to 10.

[0025] (1-2. Configuration of entrance camera 21) Entrance camera 21 is equipped with an image sensor and is a camera that captures an image of at least a portion of a vehicle entering a parking lot using the image sensor to obtain an image of the vehicle at the time of entry. For example, entrance camera 21 may be installed near the entrance to the parking lot, or may be installed in a position that can capture an image of an area including the license plate attached to the front or back of a vehicle entering the parking lot.

[0026] Furthermore, the entrance camera 21 has a timekeeping function, and acquires the current time when the image of the vehicle at the time of entry is acquired as the time when the vehicle entered the parking lot.

[0027] (1-3. Configuration of the exit camera 22) Exit camera 22 is equipped with an image sensor and is a camera that captures an image of at least a portion of a vehicle exiting a parking lot using the image sensor to obtain an image of the vehicle at the time of exit. For example, exit camera 22 may be installed near the exit of the parking lot, or may be installed in a position that can capture an image of an area including the license plate attached to the front or back of a vehicle exiting the parking lot.

[0028] Furthermore, the exit camera 22 has a timing function, and acquires the current time when the vehicle image at the time of exiting is acquired as the exit time.

[0029] (1-4. Example of the appearance of the ticket vending machine 10) The ticket vending machine 10 is implemented by a computer and is a processing device that, when it receives an operation from a user to use a means of transportation (hereinafter also referred to as a "use operation"), issues a ticket necessary for using the means of transportation and dispenses the issued ticket to the user. In the following description, it is mainly assumed that the means of transportation is a railway. The ticket vending machine 10 is installed in a railway station or the like, issues a ticket necessary for using the railway, and dispenses the issued ticket to the user. However, the means of transportation may be a means other than a railway (for example, a bus, airplane, or ship).

[0030] An example of the appearance of the ticket vending machine 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of the ticket vending machine 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 2, the ticket vending machine 10 includes an operation display unit 122, a card reading unit 132, a bill insertion slot 152, a coin insertion slot 154, a ticket ejection slot 156, a bill ejection slot 158, and a coin ejection slot 160.

[0031] (Operation display section 122) The operation display unit 122 functions as an operation unit that accepts operations from a user and a display unit that displays a screen to be presented to the user. As shown in FIG. 2, the operation unit and the display unit may be configured as an integrated unit, but they may also be configured as separate units. For example, the operation unit may be configured as a touch panel. On the other hand, the display unit may be configured as a display.

[0032] In the following explanation, it is mainly assumed that the operation for using public transport is an operation for specifying a ticket. In such a case, the higher the fare, the longer the distance that the user can travel using the public transport. However, in cases where the fare is uniform regardless of the distance, the operation for using public transport may simply be an operation for issuing a ticket.

[0033] In the following description, it is mainly assumed that the operation for specifying a ticket is the operation of pressing a button for specifying a ticket. In such a case, the operation display unit 122 may display a button on which the fare for purchasing the ticket (hereinafter also referred to as "fare") is written, and may recognize the operation of the user touching a position corresponding to this button as the operation of pressing a button for specifying a ticket. However, the operation for specifying a ticket is not limited to the operation of pressing a button.

[0034] (Card reading unit 132) The card reading unit 132 can read data recorded on an IC card through contactless communication with the IC card. More specifically, the IC card has an IC chip built in, and the IC card transmits data stored in the IC chip to the card reading unit 132 via contactless communication or the like, and the card reading unit 132 receives the data transmitted from the IC card, thereby realizing data reading. As an example, the card reading unit 132 can read identification information recorded on the IC card.

[0035] Furthermore, in the first embodiment of the present invention, it is mainly assumed that the fare is paid in cash. However, the fare may be paid by means other than cash. For example, the fare may be paid by IC card. In this case, the card reading unit 132 may pay the fare by updating the balance recorded on the IC card. Alternatively, the fare may be paid by credit card.

[0036] The form of the IC card is not limited. For example, the IC card may be a smartphone equipped with an IC chip. The IC card may also be referred to as a transportation IC card.

[0037] (Banknote slot 152) The bill insertion slot 152 is an insertion slot that accepts bills among the cash inserted into the ticket vending machine 10 by a user.

[0038] (Coin slot 154) The coin slot 154 is a slot that accepts coins among the cash inserted into the ticket vending machine 10 by a user.

[0039] (Ticket outlet 156) The ticket outlet 156 is an outlet for discharging tickets.

[0040] (Banknote output port 158) The bill discharge port 158 ​​is a discharge port through which bills among the cash dispensed from the ticket vending machine 10 are discharged.

[0041] (Coin output port 160) The coin outlet 160 is an outlet through which coins out of the cash dispensed from the ticket vending machine 10 are dispensed.

[0042] (1-5. Example of functional configuration of ticket vending machine 10) An example of the functional configuration of the ticket vending machine 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the ticket vending machine 10. As shown in Fig. 3, the ticket vending machine 10 includes a control unit 100, a communication unit 120, an operation and display unit 122, a banknote unit 124, a coin unit 126, a ticket issuing unit 128, a card reading unit 132, and a memory unit 140. The operation and display unit 122 and the card reading unit 132 are as described with reference to Fig. 2.

[0043] (Communication unit 120) The communication unit 120 is configured by a communication interface, and communicates with the parking lot management server 30 via the network 50.

[0044] (Banknote section 124) The bill section 124 is a cash storage section that stores bills among the cash stored in the ticket vending machine 10.

[0045] (Coin section 126) The coin section 126 is a cash storage section that stores coins among the cash stored in the ticket vending machine 10.

[0046] (Ticket issuing department 128) The ticket issuing unit 128 issues a ticket. For example, the ticket issuing unit 128 may issue a ticket by printing the fare on some kind of medium (for example, a paper medium).

[0047] (Storage unit 140) The storage unit 140 is a memory capable of storing programs and data for operating the control unit 100. The storage unit 140 can also temporarily store various data required in the course of operation of the control unit 100. For example, the storage device may be a non-volatile memory.

[0048] (control unit 100) The control unit 100 includes an information acquisition unit 102, a processing unit 103, and a transmission control unit 104. The transmission control unit 104 will be described in detail later.

[0049] The information acquisition unit 102 acquires an operation for specifying a ticket from the operation display unit 122 based on the operation for specifying a ticket being accepted by the operation display unit 122 .

[0050] The processing unit 103 performs a ticket issuing process based on the operation for specifying a ticket acquired by the information acquisition unit 102. For example, the ticket issuing process is performed as follows. That is, when a user deposits cash through at least one of the bill deposit slot 152 and the coin deposit slot 154, the processing unit 103 counts the amount of the deposited cash (hereinafter also referred to as the "deposited amount"). The processing unit 103 then stores the deposited cash in at least one of the bill section 124 and the coin section 126. The processing unit 103 calculates the deducted amount by subtracting the fare from the deposited amount, and determines whether the deposited amount is greater than the fare based on whether the deducted amount is greater than zero.

[0051] If the amount inserted is greater than the fare, the processing unit 103 dispenses cash equivalent to the amount to be deducted from at least one of the bill unit 124 and the coin unit 126. Then, the processing unit 103 dispenses the dispensed cash as change from at least one of the bill discharge port 158 ​​and the coin discharge port 160.

[0052] Furthermore, if the amount of money inserted is equal to or greater than the fare, the processing unit 103 controls the ticket issuing unit 128 to issue a ticket, and controls the ticket issued by the ticket issuing unit 128 to be discharged to the user from the ticket discharge port 156. The processing unit 103 performs the ticket issuing process in the manner described above.

[0053] The control unit 100 includes a calculation device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and its functions can be realized by the calculation device expanding a program stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) into a RAM (Random Access Memory) and executing it. A computer-readable recording medium on which the program is recorded can also be provided. Alternatively, these blocks can be configured with dedicated hardware or a combination of multiple pieces of hardware. Data required for calculations by the calculation device is stored appropriately in the storage unit 140.

[0054] (1-6. Example of functional configuration of parking lot payment machine 40) The parking lot adjustment machine 40 is implemented by a computer and is an adjustment machine that adjusts parking fees incurred when parking a vehicle in a parking lot. For example, the parking lot adjustment machine 40 may be installed near the exit of the parking lot, but the location where the parking lot adjustment machine 40 is installed does not have to be limited. An example of the functional configuration of the parking lot adjustment machine 40 will be described with reference to FIG. 4.

[0055] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the parking lot adjustment machine 40. As shown in Fig. 4, the parking lot adjustment machine 40 includes a control unit 400, a communication unit 420, an operation unit 421, a display unit 422, a bill unit 424, a coin unit 426, a parking ticket issuing unit 428, a card reading unit 432, and a memory unit 440.

[0056] (Communication unit 420) The communication unit 420 is configured by a communication interface, and communicates with the parking lot management server 30 via the network 52.

[0057] (Operation unit 421) The operation unit 421 accepts operations from the user. For example, the operation unit 421 accepts an operation from the user to instruct issuance of a parking ticket. More specifically, the operation unit 421 is configured to include a button for instructing issuance of a parking ticket, and accepts an operation from the user to press the button for instructing issuance of a parking ticket.

[0058] (Display section 422) The display unit 422 displays a screen to be presented to the user. For example, the display unit 422 may be configured by a display. As shown in Fig. 4, the operation unit 421 and the display unit 422 may be configured separately, or the operation unit 421 and the display unit 422 may be configured as an integrated unit.

[0059] (Banknote Department 424) The bill section 424 is a cash storage section that stores bills among the cash stored in the parking lot settlement machine 40.

[0060] (Coin section 426) The coin section 426 is a cash storage section that stores coins among the cash stored in the parking lot settlement machine 40.

[0061] (Parking Ticket Issuance Department 428) The parking ticket issuing unit 428 issues parking tickets. A parking ticket may be a medium issued when a user parks a vehicle in a parking lot. For example, the parking ticket issuing unit 428 has a timing function and may issue a parking ticket by writing information for identifying the parking ticket as a parking ticket ID and writing the current time as the entry time on some medium (such as a paper medium). The parking ticket ID and entry time may be written on the front or back of the medium so that the user can visually check them.

[0062] In the first embodiment of the present invention, a parking ticket does not have to be issued. That is, in the first embodiment of the present invention, the parking lot adjustment machine 40 does not have to be equipped with the parking ticket issuing unit 428.

[0063] (Card reading unit 432) The card reader 432 can read data recorded on an IC card through contactless communication with the IC card. As an example, the card reader 432 can read identification information recorded on the IC card.

[0064] Furthermore, in the first embodiment of the present invention, it is mainly assumed that the parking fee is paid in cash. However, the parking fee may be paid by means other than cash. For example, the parking fee may be paid by IC card. In this case, the card reading unit 432 may pay the parking fee by updating the balance recorded on the IC card. Alternatively, the parking fee may be paid by credit card.

[0065] (Storage unit 440) The storage unit 440 is a memory capable of storing programs and data for operating the control unit 400. The storage unit 440 can also temporarily store various data required in the course of operation of the control unit 400. For example, the storage device may be a non-volatile memory.

[0066] (control unit 400) When a user enters the parking lot, the control unit 400 acquires an operation from the user to instruct issuance of a parking ticket, which is accepted by the operation unit 421. Based on the acquisition of the operation from the user to instruct issuance of a parking ticket, the control unit 400 controls issuance of a parking ticket by the parking ticket issuing unit 428. As described above, in the first embodiment of the present invention, a parking ticket does not have to be issued.

[0067] At the time of payment, the control unit 400 controls the display of the parking fee by the parking fee display unit 422. Then, the control unit 400 performs the parking fee payment process.

[0068] For example, the parking fee settlement process is performed as follows. That is, when a user deposits cash through at least one of a bill deposit slot (not shown) and a coin deposit slot (not shown), the control unit 400 counts the amount of the deposited cash as the deposited amount. The control unit 400 then stores the deposited cash in at least one of the bill section 424 and the coin section 426. The control unit 400 calculates the net amount by subtracting the parking fee from the deposited amount, and determines whether the deposited amount is greater than the parking fee based on whether the net amount is greater than zero.

[0069] If the amount inserted is greater than the parking fee, the control unit 400 dispenses cash equivalent to the net amount from at least one of the bill unit 424 and the coin unit 426. Then, the control unit 400 dispenses the cash as change from at least one of the bill outlet (not shown) and the coin outlet (not shown).

[0070] Furthermore, if the amount of money inserted is equal to or greater than the parking fee, the control unit 400 completes the settlement of the parking fee. The control unit 400 performs the parking fee settlement process as described above.

[0071] The control unit 400 includes a calculation device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and its functions can be realized by the calculation device expanding a program stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) into a RAM (Random Access Memory) and executing it. A computer-readable recording medium on which the program is recorded can also be provided. Alternatively, these blocks can be configured with dedicated hardware or a combination of multiple pieces of hardware. Data required for calculations by the calculation device is stored appropriately in the storage unit 440.

[0072] (1-7. Example of functional configuration of parking lot management server 30) The parking lot management server 30 is realized by a computer and is a server that manages parking lots. The location where the parking lot management server 30 is installed is not particularly limited.

[0073] An example of the functional configuration of the parking lot management server 30 will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the parking lot management server 30. As shown in Fig. 5, the parking lot management server 30 includes a storage unit 320, a control unit 300, and a communication unit 340.

[0074] (Storage unit 320) The storage unit 320 is a memory capable of storing programs and data for operating the control unit 300. The storage unit 320 can also temporarily store various data required in the course of operation of the control unit 300. For example, the storage device may be a non-volatile memory.

[0075] (Communication unit 340) The communication unit 340 is configured by a communication interface, and communicates with the ticket vending machine 10 via the network 50. The communication unit 340 also communicates with the entrance camera 21, the exit camera 22, and the parking lot adjustment machine 40 via the network 52.

[0076] (control unit 300) The control unit 300 includes a calculation device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and its functions can be realized by the calculation device expanding a program stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) into a RAM (Random Access Memory) and executing it. In this case, a computer-readable recording medium on which the program is recorded can also be provided. Alternatively, these blocks can be configured with dedicated hardware or a combination of multiple hardware components. Data required for calculations by the calculation device is stored appropriately in the storage unit 320.

[0077] Above, with reference to Figures 2 to 5, we have explained the basic configurations of the ticket vending machine 10, entrance camera 21, exit camera 22, parking lot management server 30 and parking lot payment machine 40 that are provided in the processing system 1 related to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0078] (1-8. Operation of Processing System 1) Next, an example of the operation of the processing system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 6 to 10 (and also with reference to Figures 1 to 5 as appropriate). The example of the operation of the processing system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention can be performed in the order of an entry operation, a ticket purchase operation, a fare adjustment operation, and an exit operation. Therefore, the following description will be given in the order of the entry operation, the ticket purchase operation, the fare adjustment operation, and the exit operation.

[0079] (Activity upon entry) 6 is a sequence diagram showing an example of an entry operation executed by the processing system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 6, a user drives a vehicle 60 to a parking lot and causes the vehicle 60 to enter the parking lot (S11). At this time, the entry camera 21 captures an image of at least a portion of the vehicle 60 entering the parking lot, and obtains the captured image as a vehicle image at the time of entry (S12).

[0080] Entrance camera 21 recognizes the vehicle number from the image of the vehicle at the time of entry. For example, entrance camera 21 may recognize the last four digits of the license plate attached to vehicle 60 as the vehicle number by character recognition from the image of the vehicle at the time of entry. Note that the process of recognizing the vehicle number from the image of the vehicle at the time of entry may be performed by parking lot management server 30 instead of entrance camera 21. Furthermore, entrance camera 21 acquires the current time when the image of the vehicle at the time of entry is obtained as the entry time.

[0081] Entry camera 21 transmits the vehicle number recognized from the image of the vehicle at the time of entry, the image of the vehicle at the time of entry, and the entry time to parking lot management server 30 via network 52 (S13). In parking lot management server 30, communication unit 340 receives the vehicle number recognized from the image of the vehicle at the time of entry, the image of the vehicle at the time of entry, and the entry time, and control unit 300 stores the vehicle number recognized from the image of the vehicle at the time of entry, the image of the vehicle at the time of entry, and the entry time in memory unit 320 in association with each other (S14).

[0082] When entering the parking lot, the user may operate the operation unit 421 to instruct the issuance of a parking ticket. This allows the user to receive a parking ticket on which the parking ticket ID and the entry time are written. However, as described above, in the first embodiment of the present invention, a parking ticket does not have to be issued.

[0083] An example of the entry operation executed by the processing system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention has been described above. Next, an example of the ticket purchase operation executed by the processing system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0084] (Operation when purchasing a ticket) 7 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation when purchasing a train ticket executed by the processing system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. A user parks a vehicle 60 in a parking lot and moves from the parking lot to a ticket vending machine 10 installed in a railway station or the like. Then, as shown in FIG. 7, the user performs an operation to purchase a train ticket on the ticket vending machine 10 (S21). More specifically, when the user inputs an operation to specify a train ticket on the operation display unit 122, the operation display unit 122 accepts the operation to specify the train ticket, and the information acquisition unit 102 acquires the operation to specify the train ticket from the operation display unit 122.

[0085] The processing unit 103 confirms with the user whether or not the parking lot will be used, based on the operation for specifying the ticket being acquired by the information acquisition unit 102 (S22). The confirmation of whether or not the parking lot will be used may be performed by controlling the display of a parking lot usage confirmation screen by the operation display unit 122. An example of the parking lot usage confirmation screen will be described with reference to FIG. 8.

[0086] Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a parking lot usage confirmation screen. Referring to Fig. 8, a parking lot usage confirmation screen G10 is shown. The parking lot usage confirmation screen G10 includes a Use button B11 for specifying that the parking lot will be used, a No Use button B12 for specifying that the parking lot will not be used, and a Cancel button B13 for canceling the purchase of a ticket.

[0087] If the user presses the no use button B12 and the operation display unit 122 accepts the operation of pressing the no use button B12, the processing unit 103 performs the ticket issuing process described above.

[0088] Here, it is assumed that the user performs an operation to press the Use button B11. In such a case, the operation display unit 122 accepts the operation to press the Use button B11. When the operation display unit 122 accepts the operation to press the Use button B11, the user inputs the vehicle number of the vehicle parked in the parking lot or the entry time, which is the time when the user entered the parking lot using the vehicle, into the operation display unit 122. If the user has a parking ticket, the user may visually check the entry time written on the parking ticket and input it into the operation display unit 122.

[0089] Continuing the explanation by returning to Figure 7, when the user inputs the vehicle number or the entry time into the operation and display unit 122 (S23), the operation and display unit 122 accepts the vehicle number or the entry time input by the user, and the transmission control unit 104 controls the communication unit 120 so that the vehicle number or the entry time accepted by the operation and display unit 122 is transmitted to the parking lot management server 30 via the network 50 (S24).

[0090] In the parking lot management server 30, the communication unit 340 receives the vehicle number or the entry time transmitted from the ticket vending machine 10, and the control unit 300 acquires from the memory unit 320 the vehicle image at the time of entry that is associated with the vehicle number or the entry time received by the communication unit 340. The number of vehicle images acquired by the control unit 300 may be one or multiple. The control unit 300 controls the communication unit 340 so that the acquired vehicle image at the time of entry is transmitted to the ticket vending machine 10 via the network 50 (S25).

[0091] In the ticket vending machine 10, the communication unit 120 receives the vehicle image at the time of entry, and the processing unit 103 controls the display of the vehicle image at the time of entry received by the communication unit 120 on the operation display unit 122 (S26). The user inputs an operation to the operation display unit 122 to select a vehicle image corresponding to the vehicle that the user parked in the parking lot from the vehicle images at the time of entry displayed by the operation display unit 122 (S27).

[0092] Based on the acceptance of the operation to select a vehicle image by the operation display unit 122, the transmission control unit 104 controls the communication unit 120 so that discount information regarding a discount on the parking fee is transmitted to the parking lot management server 30 via the network 50 (S28). At this time, the processing unit 103 controls the operation display unit 122 to display a message indicating that a discount on the parking fee is being applied (S29). For example, the message may be, "You can receive a discount on the parking fee at the payment machine when you leave."

[0093] The discount information may take various forms. For example, the discount information may simply include information instructing the application of a discount to the parking fee. Alternatively, the discount information may include a predetermined discount amount. Alternatively, the discount information may include the percentage of the discount amount relative to the parking fee (hereinafter also referred to as the "discount rate"). Alternatively, the discount information may include the parking fee after the discount is applied. For example, the processing unit 103 may apply different discounts to the parking fee depending on the type of ticket.

[0094] For example, the processing unit 103 may determine whether the type of the ticket is a first type (for example, whether the railway that can be used with the ticket is a conventional line) based on an operation to specify the ticket. If the type of the ticket is the first type, the processing unit 103 may apply a discount to the parking fee by making the parking fee free until a predetermined time (for example, three hours) has elapsed since the time of entry, and setting the parking fee to the regular fee after the predetermined time has elapsed since the time of entry.

[0095] Alternatively, the processing unit 103 may determine whether the type of the ticket is the second type (for example, whether the railway that can be used with the ticket is the Shinkansen). If the type of the ticket is the second type, the processing unit 103 may apply a discount to the parking fee by setting the parking fee at a predetermined maximum daily fee for each day from the day of the outbound journey to the day of the return journey.

[0096] In the parking lot management server 30, the communication unit 340 receives the discount information transmitted from the ticket vending machine 10 via the network 50. Then, the control unit 300 stores the discount information received by the communication unit 340 via the network 50 in the memory unit 320 in association with the vehicle image at the time of entry selected by the user and the vehicle number or entry time input by the user (S30).

[0097] 7 shows an example in which parking fee discount information is transmitted from ticket vending machine 10 to parking lot management server 30 based on the user inputting both the vehicle number or entry time and the vehicle image selection operation at the time of entry. However, the conditions for transmitting parking fee discount information from ticket vending machine 10 to parking lot management server 30 via network 50 do not have to be limited to these conditions.

[0098] For example, it is conceivable that information about a user who parked a vehicle in a parking lot (hereinafter also referred to as "user information") may be acquired by some device and transmitted from that device to the parking lot management server 30. In such a case, in the parking lot management server 30, the communication unit 340 may receive the user information, and the memory unit 320 may store the user information.

[0099] The transmission control unit 104 may then control the communication unit 120 so that, when a designation operation to designate any person is input to the operation display unit 122, information about the person designated by the designation operation is transmitted to the parking lot management server 30 via the network 50. The transmission control unit 104 may then recognize that a designation operation to designate user information has been input by recognizing that the parking lot management server 30 has determined that information about the person is stored as user information in the memory unit 320, which information is transmitted from the parking lot management server 30 to the ticket vending machine 100 via the network 50 and received by the communication unit 120.

[0100] The transmission control unit 104 may control the communication unit 120 so that discount information is transmitted to the parking lot management server 30 via the network 50 based on the user inputting a designation operation to the operation display unit 122 to designate user information and the user inputting an operation to the operation display unit 122 to designate a ticket.

[0101] The user information may be information for identifying the vehicle parked by the user in the parking lot (hereinafter also referred to as "vehicle information"). In other words, the designation operation for designating the user information may be a designation operation for designating the vehicle information. The designation operation for designating the vehicle information may include an input operation for the entry time, an input operation for the vehicle number, or an operation for selecting the vehicle image at the time of entry.

[0102] Alternatively, the designation operation for designating vehicle information may include an input operation of parking position information indicating the parking position of the vehicle in the parking lot. For example, a switch may be provided for each parking position where the vehicle can be parked, and when the switch is pressed by the vehicle when parking the vehicle, the parking position information corresponding to the switch may be transmitted from the switch to the parking lot management server 30. Then, in the parking lot management server 30, the communication unit 340 may receive the parking position information, and the storage unit 320 may store the parking position information as user information.

[0103] Alternatively, the user information may include identification information read from an IC card held by the user by card reading unit 132. In other words, the designation operation for designating user information may be an operation in which the user holds an IC card held by the user close to card reading unit 132, causing card reading unit 132 to read the identification information recorded on the IC card.

[0104] An example of the operation at the time of purchasing a ticket executed by the processing system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention has been described above. Next, an example of the operation at the time of settling a fare executed by the processing system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0105] (Operation at checkout) 9 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the settlement operation executed by the processing system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. After the user has finished using the transportation facility, the user moves to the parking lot to use the vehicle parked there, and starts the procedure for settling the parking fee using the parking lot settlement machine 40.

[0106] As shown in Figure 9, when a user inputs a vehicle number or entry time into the operation unit 421 (S41), the operation unit 421 accepts the vehicle number or entry time input by the user, and the control unit 400 controls the communication unit 420 so that the vehicle number or entry time accepted by the operation unit 421 is transmitted to the parking lot management server 30 via the network 52 (S42).

[0107] In the parking lot management server 30, the communication unit 340 receives the vehicle number or entry time transmitted from the parking lot adjustment machine 40, and the control unit 300 acquires from the memory unit 320 a vehicle image at the time of entry that is associated with the vehicle number or entry time received by the communication unit 340. The number of vehicle images acquired by the control unit 300 may be one or multiple. The control unit 300 controls the communication unit 340 so that the acquired vehicle image at the time of entry is transmitted to the parking lot adjustment machine 40 via the network 52 (S43).

[0108] In the parking lot adjustment machine 40, the communication unit 420 receives the vehicle image at the time of entry, and the control unit 400 controls the display unit 422 to display the vehicle image at the time of entry received by the communication unit 420 (S44). The user inputs an operation to the operation unit 421 to select the vehicle image corresponding to the vehicle that the user parked in the parking lot from the vehicle images at the time of entry displayed by the display unit 422 (S45).

[0109] Based on the operation of selecting a vehicle image being accepted by the operation unit 421, the control unit 400 controls the communication unit 420 so that information indicating the selected vehicle image at the time of entry is transmitted to the parking lot management server 30 via the network 52 (S46).

[0110] In the parking lot management server 30, the communication unit 340 receives information indicating an image of the vehicle at the time of entry sent from the parking lot payment machine 40, and the control unit 300 obtains from the memory unit 320 the entry time and discount information associated with the vehicle image at the time of entry indicated by the information received by the communication unit 340.

[0111] 9 shows an example in which discount information associated with a vehicle number or entry time and a vehicle image at the time of entry is acquired by the parking lot management server 30. However, the example in which the parking lot management server 30 acquires discount information is not limited to this example.

[0112] That is, it may be assumed that the storage unit 320 stores discount information associated with user information. In such a case, the control unit 400 may control the communication unit 420 so that, when a designation operation to designate a person is input to the operation unit 421, information about the person designated by the designation operation is transmitted to the parking lot management server 30 via the network 52. Then, when information about the person is stored as user information in the storage unit 320, the control unit 300 may acquire the discount information associated with the user information.

[0113] The control unit 300 calculates the parking fee after the discount is applied based on the entry time, the discount information, and the current time. The parking fee after the discount is applied can also be referred to as the "discount fee." First, the control unit 300 may calculate the parking fee before the discount is applied based on the entry time and the current time. The parking fee before the discount is applied may be calculated in any manner, but as an example, the parking fee before the discount may gradually increase as the elapsed time from the entry time to the current time increases. Then, the control unit 300 may calculate the parking fee after the discount is applied by applying the discount indicated by the discount information to the parking fee before the discount is applied.

[0114] If the control unit 300 does not acquire discount information, it controls the communication unit 340 so that the normal parking fee without the discount applied is transmitted to the parking lot adjustment machine 40 via the network 52. Here, it is assumed that the control unit 300 acquires discount information. In such a case, the control unit 300 controls the communication unit 340 so that the parking fee after the discount is applied is transmitted to the parking lot adjustment machine 40 via the network 52 (S47).

[0115] In the parking lot adjustment machine 40, the communication unit 420 receives the parking fee transmitted from the parking lot management server 30, and the control unit 400 controls the display unit 422 to display the parking fee received by the communication unit 420 (S48). The user visually checks the parking fee displayed on the display unit 422 and pays the parking fee to the parking lot adjustment machine 40 (S49). Specifically, payment may be made by inserting cash into the parking lot adjustment machine 40.

[0116] Then, as described above, the parking fee settlement process is performed by the parking lot settlement machine 40. Based on the completion of the parking fee settlement process, the control unit 400 controls the communication unit 420 so that the time when the payment is completed is transmitted as the payment completion time to the parking lot management server 30 via the network 52 (S50).

[0117] In the parking lot management server 30, the communication unit 340 receives the payment completion time transmitted from the parking lot adjustment machine 40. The control unit 300 stores the payment time received by the communication unit 340 in the memory unit 320 in association with the vehicle image at the time of entry selected by the user and the vehicle number or entry time input by the user.

[0118] An example of the operation at the time of payment executed by the processing system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention has been described above. Next, an example of the operation at the time of exit executed by the processing system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0119] (Operation when leaving) 10 is a sequence diagram showing an example of an exit operation executed by the processing system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 10, a user gets into a vehicle 60 parked in a parking lot and causes the vehicle 60 to exit the parking lot (S61). At this time, the exit camera 22 captures an image of at least a portion of the vehicle 60 exiting the parking lot, and obtains the captured image as a vehicle image at the time of exit (S62).

[0120] Exit camera 22 recognizes the vehicle number from the image of the vehicle at the time of exiting. For example, exit camera 22 may recognize the last four digits of the license plate attached to the vehicle as the vehicle number by character recognition from the image of the vehicle at the time of exiting. Note that the process of recognizing the vehicle number from the image of the vehicle at the time of exiting may be performed by parking lot management server 30 instead of by exit camera 22. Furthermore, exit camera 22 acquires the current time when the image of the vehicle at the time of exiting is obtained as the exit time.

[0121] Exit camera 22 transmits the vehicle number recognized from the image of the vehicle at the time of exit, the image of the vehicle at the time of exit, and the exit time to parking lot management server 30 via network 52 (S63). In parking lot management server 30, communication unit 340 receives the vehicle number recognized from the image of the vehicle at the time of exit, the image of the vehicle at the time of exit, and the exit time, and control unit 300 stores the vehicle number recognized from the image of the vehicle at the time of exit, the image of the vehicle at the time of exit, and the exit time in memory unit 320 in association with each other (S64).

[0122] In this way, vehicle numbers and exit times are associated and stored in storage unit 320, and by detecting that the payment completion time is not associated with the same vehicle number as the associated exit time, a vehicle that has exited before the user has paid the parking fee can be detected. In this case, if an image of the vehicle at the time of exit is stored in storage unit 320, the appearance of the vehicle that has exited before the user has paid the parking fee can be ascertained by checking the image of the vehicle at the time of exit.

[0123] An example of the exit operation executed by the processing system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention has been described above.

[0124] (1-9. Effects of the First Embodiment) As described above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, a ticket vending machine 10 is provided that includes an information acquisition unit 102 that acquires user information, which is information about a user who has parked a vehicle in a parking lot, and a transmission control unit 104 that controls the transmission of discount information regarding discounts on parking fees to the parking lot management server 30 based on the input of a designation operation to designate user information and the input of a usage operation to use public transportation.

[0125] With this configuration, it is possible to promote park-and-ride with a simple configuration. Furthermore, in the first embodiment of the present invention, parking tickets do not need to be issued, and a gate for allowing a vehicle to enter the parking lot when a parking ticket is issued and for allowing the vehicle to exit the parking lot when payment is completed does not need to be provided. Therefore, the first embodiment of the present invention can be widely applied to parking lots where parking tickets are not issued and where no gate is provided.

[0126] The first embodiment of the present invention has been described above.

[0127] (2. Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 11 to 15. In the following, a description of common parts between the second embodiment of the present invention and the first embodiment of the present invention will be omitted, and parts of the second embodiment of the present invention that are different from the first embodiment of the present invention will be mainly described.

[0128] The processing system according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes a ticket vending machine 12 (FIGS. 11 and 12) and a parking lot adjustment machine 42 (FIG. 13). The ticket vending machine 12 and the parking lot adjustment machine 42 do not need to be configured to be able to communicate with each other.

[0129] (2-1. Example of the appearance of ticket vending machine 12) The ticket vending machine 12 according to the second embodiment of the present invention is realized by a computer, and like the ticket vending machine 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, is a processing device that issues a ticket necessary to use a public transport facility when it receives a user's operation to use the public transport facility and dispenses the issued ticket to the user. As in the first embodiment of the present invention, the public transport facility may be a railway, but it may also be a facility other than a railway (for example, a bus, an airplane, or a ship).

[0130] An example of the appearance of a ticket vending machine 12 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 11. Fig. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of a ticket vending machine 12 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 11, the ticket vending machine 12 according to the second embodiment of the present invention has a configuration similar to the configuration of the ticket vending machine 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and also has a parking ticket insertion slot 170.

[0131] The parking ticket insertion slot 170 is an insertion slot into which a user inserts a parking ticket issued by the parking ticket issuing unit 428 provided in the parking lot adjustment machine 42. The parking ticket insertion slot 170 can also function as a parking ticket ejection slot that ejects the parking ticket after discount information has been written by the parking ticket handling unit 134. The parking ticket ejection slot may be provided separately from the parking ticket insertion slot 170.

[0132] (2-2. Example of functional configuration of ticket vending machine 12) An example of the functional configuration of a ticket vending machine 12 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 12. Fig. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a ticket vending machine 12 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 12, the ticket vending machine 12 includes a parking ticket handling unit 134, but does not necessarily include a communication unit 120. The ticket vending machine 12 also includes a control unit 190 instead of the control unit 100.

[0133] (Parking Ticket Office 134) The parking ticket handling unit 134 writes discount information relating to a discount on the parking fee to the parking ticket inserted through the parking ticket insertion slot 170. For example, the discount information may be written to the magnetic stripe of the parking ticket.

[0134] (control unit 190) The control unit 190 includes an arithmetic device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and its functions can be realized by the arithmetic device expanding a program stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) into a RAM (Random Access Memory) and executing it. At this time, a computer-readable recording medium on which the program is recorded can also be provided. Alternatively, these blocks may be configured with dedicated hardware, or may be configured with a combination of multiple pieces of hardware. Data required for calculations by the arithmetic device is stored as appropriate in the storage unit 140.

[0135] (2-3. Example of functional configuration of parking lot payment machine 42) The parking lot adjustment machine 42, like the parking lot adjustment machine 40 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, is realized by a computer and is an adjustment machine that adjusts parking fees incurred when parking a vehicle in a parking lot. An example of the functional configuration of the parking lot adjustment machine 42 will be described with reference to Fig. 13 .

[0136] 13 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the parking lot adjustment machine 42. As shown in FIG. 13, the parking lot adjustment machine 42 includes a parking ticket reading unit 434, but does not necessarily include a communication unit 420.

[0137] (Parking ticket reader 434) The parking ticket reading unit 434 reads the parking ticket ID, entry time, and discount information written on the parking ticket. For example, if the parking ticket ID, entry time, and discount information are written on the magnetic stripe of the parking ticket, the parking ticket reading unit 434 reads the parking ticket ID, entry time, and discount information from the magnetic stripe of the parking ticket.

[0138] (control unit 400) Similar to the control unit 400 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 400 controls the issuance of a parking ticket by the parking ticket issuing unit 428 when a user enters the parking lot. Furthermore, the control unit 400 controls the display of the parking fee by the parking fee display unit 422 when settling the fee. The control unit 400 then performs the parking fee settlement process similar to the parking fee settlement process according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0139] The basic configurations of the ticket vending machine 12 and the parking lot adjustment machine 42 included in the processing system according to the second embodiment of the present invention have been described above with reference to FIGS.

[0140] (2-4. Operation of the ticket vending machine 12 and the parking lot payment machine 42) Next, an example of the operation of the ticket vending machine 12 and parking lot adjustment machine 42 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 14 and 15 (and also with reference to Figures 4, 8, and 13 as appropriate). The example of the operation of the ticket vending machine 12 and parking lot adjustment machine 42 according to the second embodiment of the present invention can be performed in the order of an operation at the time of entry, an operation at the time of purchasing a ticket, and an operation at the time of payment. Therefore, the following description will be given in the order of an operation at the time of entry, an operation at the time of purchasing a ticket, and an operation at the time of payment.

[0141] (Activity upon entry) When entering the parking lot, the user performs an operation on the operation unit 421 to instruct the issuance of a parking ticket. In response, the user receives the parking ticket dispensed from the parking lot adjustment machine 42. At this time, the parking ticket may have a parking ticket ID written on it by the parking lot adjustment machine 42, and the current time may also be written on it by the parking lot adjustment machine 42 as the entry time.

[0142] An example of the operation at the time of entry executed by the parking lot adjustment machine 42 according to the second embodiment of the present invention has been described above. Next, an example of the operation at the time of purchasing a ticket executed by the ticket vending machine 12 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0143] (Operation when purchasing a ticket) A user parks a vehicle in a parking lot and moves from the parking lot to a ticket vending machine 12 installed in a railway station or the like. The user then performs an operation to purchase a ticket on the ticket vending machine 12. More specifically, when the user inputs an operation to specify a ticket into the operation display unit 122, the operation display unit 122 accepts the operation to specify the ticket, and the control unit 190 acquires the operation to specify the ticket from the operation display unit 122.

[0144] The control unit 190 confirms with the user whether or not the parking lot will be used based on the acquisition of the operation for specifying the ticket. Confirmation of whether or not the parking lot will be used may be performed by controlling the display of the parking lot use confirmation screen G10 (FIG. 8) by the operation display unit 122, similar to the confirmation method according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0145] If the user presses the no use button B12 and the operation display unit 122 accepts the operation of pressing the no use button B12, the control unit 190 performs the ticket issuing process described above.

[0146] Here, it is assumed that the user performs an operation to press the Use button B11. In such a case, the operation display unit 122 accepts the operation to press the Use button B11. When the operation display unit 122 accepts the operation to press the Use button B11, it displays a parking ticket insertion guidance screen. An example of the parking ticket insertion guidance screen will be described with reference to FIG. 14.

[0147] Fig. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a parking ticket insertion guide screen. Referring to Fig. 14, a parking ticket insertion guide screen G20 is shown. The parking ticket insertion guide screen G20 includes a message prompting the user to insert the parking ticket, an arrow indicating the location of the parking ticket insertion slot, and the like. The parking ticket insertion guide screen G20 also includes a cancel button B21 for canceling the insertion of the parking ticket. If an LED (Light-Emitting Diode) is provided around the parking ticket insertion slot 170, the control unit 190 may guide the user to the location of the parking ticket insertion slot 170 by flashing the LED in addition to or instead of displaying the parking ticket insertion guide screen G20.

[0148] When a user inserts a parking ticket into parking ticket insertion slot 170, control unit 190 controls parking ticket handling unit 134 so that discount information is written to the parking ticket by parking ticket handling unit 134 based on the insertion of the parking ticket through parking ticket insertion slot 170. The discount information according to the second embodiment of the present invention may be the same as the discount information according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Control unit 190 controls the movement of the parking ticket, on which the discount information has been written, from parking ticket handling unit 134 to parking ticket insertion slot 170, thereby controlling the ejection of the parking ticket, on which the discount information has been written, from parking ticket handling unit 134 to parking ticket insertion slot 170.

[0149] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a parking ticket after discount information has been written. Referring to FIG. 15, an example of a parking ticket after discount information has been written is shown. As shown in FIG. 15, a parking ticket ID and entry time may be written on the parking ticket at the time of entry. Then, discount information may be written on the parking ticket when the ticket is issued. The user receives the parking ticket after the discount information has been written.

[0150] An example of the operation at the time of purchasing a ticket executed by the ticket vending machine 12 according to the second embodiment of the present invention has been described above. Next, an example of the operation at the time of payment executed by the parking lot adjustment machine 42 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0151] (Operation at checkout) After using the transportation facility, the user moves to the parking lot to use the vehicle parked there, and begins the procedure for settling the parking fee using parking lot payment machine 42. When the user inserts the parking ticket into parking lot payment machine 40, parking ticket reader 434 reads the parking ticket ID, entry time, and discount information from the parking ticket.

[0152] The control unit 400 calculates the parking fee after the discount is applied based on the entry time, the discount information, and the current time. First, the control unit 400 may calculate the parking fee before the discount is applied based on the entry time and the current time. The parking fee before the discount may be calculated in any manner, but as an example, the parking fee before the discount may become gradually higher as the elapsed time from the entry time to the current time becomes longer. Then, the control unit 400 may calculate the parking fee after the discount is applied by applying the discount indicated by the discount information to the parking fee before the discount is applied.

[0153] If the parking ticket does not have discount information written on it, the normal parking fee without the discount applied will be used as the parking fee. Here, we will assume that the parking ticket has discount information written on it. In this case, the control unit 400 controls the display unit 422 to display the parking fee after the discount is applied.

[0154] The user visually checks the parking fee displayed on display unit 422 and pays the parking fee to parking lot payment machine 40. Payment may be made in the same manner as in the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0155] An example of the settlement operation executed by the parking lot settlement machine 42 according to the second embodiment of the present invention has been described above.

[0156] (2-5. Effects of the Second Embodiment) As described above, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, a ticket vending machine 12 is provided which includes a parking ticket insertion slot 170 into which a parking ticket issued when a user parks a vehicle in a parking lot is inserted, and a control unit 190 which controls writing discount information regarding a discount on the parking fee onto the parking ticket based on the insertion of the parking ticket through the parking ticket insertion slot 170 and the input of an operation to use public transportation.

[0157] This simple configuration makes it possible to promote park-and-ride. In the second embodiment of the present invention, it is mainly assumed that a parking ticket must be issued, and a gate is provided to allow a vehicle to enter the parking lot when the parking ticket is issued and to allow the vehicle to exit the parking lot when payment is completed. On the other hand, the second embodiment of the present invention has the advantage that it is not necessary to incorporate communication functions into each of the ticket vending machine 12 and the parking lot payment machine 42.

[0158] The second embodiment of the present invention has been described above.

[0159] (3. Summary) Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present invention is not limited to these examples. It is clear that a person skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains can conceive of various modifications and alterations within the scope of the technical ideas set forth in the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally fall within the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0160] 1 Processing System 10, 12 Ticket machine 100, 190 Control unit 102 Information acquisition department 103 Processing section 104 Transmission control section 30 Parking lot management server 40, 42 Parking lot payment machine

Claims

1. an information acquisition unit that acquires user information that is information about users who park their vehicles in the parking lot; a transmission control unit that controls transmission of discount information regarding discounts on parking fees based on input of a designation operation for designating the user information and input of a usage operation for using public transportation; A processing device comprising:

2. The user information includes vehicle information that is information for identifying the vehicle. The processing device of claim 1 .

3. the designation operation includes an input operation of the entry time of the vehicle into the parking lot, The processing device according to claim 2 .

4. The designation operation includes an input operation of a vehicle number recognized from a vehicle image obtained by capturing an image of at least a portion of the vehicle. The processing device of claim 2 .

5. the designation operation includes a selection operation of a vehicle image obtained by capturing an image of at least a portion of the vehicle; The processing device according to claim 2 .

6. The designation operation includes an input operation of parking position information indicating a parking position of the vehicle in the parking lot. The processing device according to claim 2 .

7. The user information includes identification information read by a reading unit from an IC card held by the user. The processing device of claim 1 .

8. A processing system comprising a processing device and a settlement machine, The processing device includes: an information acquisition unit that acquires user information that is information about users who park their vehicles in the parking lot; a transmission control unit that controls transmission of discount information regarding discounts on parking fees based on input of a designation operation that designates the user information and input of a usage operation for using public transportation; Equipped with The settlement machine is receiving the discount information and displaying a discounted price according to the discount information; Processing system.

9. the processing system comprises a server; the transmission control unit controls transmission of the discount information to the server; the server receives the discount information from the processing device; the settlement machine receives the discount information from the server based on the input of a designation operation for designating the user information; The processing system of claim 8 .

10. a medium insertion slot into which a medium issued when a user parks a vehicle in a parking lot is inserted; a control unit that controls writing of discount information regarding discounts on parking fees to the medium based on the insertion of the medium through the medium insertion slot and the input of an operation for using public transportation; A processing device comprising:

Images