Electronic payment vicarious execution system and program capable of vicariously executing electronic payment of system which cannot deal with electronic payment

Abstract

To provide an electronic settlement acting system as a self-system for acting for the electronic settlement of the other system.SOLUTION: A first system 10 includes a plurality of rental objects 120, each of which is movable property or real estate, and each rental object is provided with a transmitter for transmitting an identification code unique to the corresponding rental object or a signal unique to the corresponding rental object by a short-range radio system. When the user accesses the electronic-payment vicarious execution system via the communication terminal 90 in the first system 10, the electronic-payment vicarious execution system 110 performs electronic payment for the charge on the basis of rental object specifying information for specifying any rental object and charge information representing the amount of the charge in association with the rental object, which are received from the communication terminal in response to reading of any identification code or reception of a signal from any transmitter by the communication terminal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a technology for providing certain services to users, and in particular to a technology for acting as an agent for electronic payments for systems that cannot handle electronic payments, and / or a technology for enabling a system that cannot handle electronic payments to be modified into a system that can handle electronic payments while minimizing additional burden. [Background technology]

[0002] Systems that provide certain services to users are already in widespread use. One example of such a service is a service that allows users to rent rental objects, which may be real or personal property.

[0003] Specifically, examples of real estate that can be rented include rental spaces such as seats and parking lots, and examples of movable property that can be rented include means of transportation such as rental bicycles and rental cars.

[0004] More specifically, rental real estate includes, for example, accommodation facilities where users can stay for a short period of time (e.g., rooms in a hotel, rooms in a private home or apartment building that is temporarily rented to others), rooms in accommodation facilities where users can stay for a long period of time (e.g., individual homes, apartment buildings, etc.), coin lockers, parking lots (e.g., parking lots with one or more parking spaces), individual parking spaces (e.g., each of multiple parking spaces in a parking lot), etc.

[0005] Examples of movable property that can be rented include land, water, or air vehicles (e.g., rental cars, rental bicycles, etc.), rental furniture, rental clothing, rental electrical appliances (including the audio guide devices described below), rental accessories that can be detachably attached to electrical appliances (e.g., batteries or chargers), and rental recording media (e.g., CDs) on which audiovisual content is recorded that can be played by the user.

[0006] Here, taking the parking lot business as an example, several conventional examples of systems that provide certain services to users will be described, focusing particularly on payment methods.

[0007] Patent document 1 discloses a parking lot management system that can accept electronic payments (also known as "smartphone payments," which include, for example, credit card payments), but cannot accept cash payments or prepaid IC card payments (also simply referred to as "card payments").

[0008] This system includes a server installed outside the parking lot that can communicate with the user's mobile terminal, and an exit restriction device installed inside the parking lot that communicates with and is controlled by the server or the user's mobile terminal. Throughout this specification, the "exit restriction device" is also referred to as an exit permission device, which physically restricts a vehicle that has entered the parking lot from leaving the parking lot until the user has completed payment, and physically permits the vehicle to leave once the user has completed payment.

[0009] Patent Document 2 discloses a parking lot management system that can only handle cash or card payments, that is, that can handle non-electronic payments.

[0010] The system includes a payment machine installed in the parking lot (a device that allows users to make non-electronic payments), an exit restriction device installed in the parking lot that is controlled by the payment machine, and a server installed outside the parking lot that is capable of communicating with the payment machine but not with the user's mobile terminal.

[0011] Patent Document 3 discloses a parking lot management system that can handle both non-electronic and electronic payments. This system includes a ticket issuing machine installed in the parking lot that enables non-electronic payments, and a management server installed outside the parking lot that communicates with users' mobile terminals and enables users to make electronic payments. In this case, the management server is managed by the same company that manages the parking lot, and therefore, in this system, the ticket issuing machine and the management server are under the management of the same company. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0012] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6401849 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-045916 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-173965 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0013] While electronic payments are becoming more common as a payment method for services, there are still users who prefer non-electronic payment methods.

[0014] It is possible to build a system that is designed to handle non-electronic payments, and then at least partially modify the hardware configuration of the system to accommodate electronic payments in order to meet the demand for electronic payments. However, this can increase the burden of modifying the system.

[0015] Against this background, the present invention aims to provide a technology that can act as an agent for electronic payments for systems that cannot handle electronic payments, and / or a technology that enables a system that cannot handle electronic payments to be modified into a system that can handle electronic payments while minimizing additional burden. [Means for solving the problem]

[0016] In order to solve this problem, one According to an aspect, a first system that provides a first service to a user charges the user for using the first service. Fee Electronic payments as a second system that acts as an agent for electronic payments of Substitute 1. A system comprising: The first system comprises: Includes a plurality of rental objects, each of which is movable or immovable property; The plurality of rental objects are provided with a plurality of transmitters that transmit a plurality of identification codes that are unique to the corresponding rental objects or a plurality of transmitters that transmit a signal that is unique to the corresponding rental objects by a short-range wireless method, respectively; The electronic payment agency system enables the user, when accessing the electronic payment agency system via a communication terminal in the first system, to make an electronic payment for the fee based on rental object identification information for identifying any rental object received from the communication terminal in response to the communication terminal reading any identification code or receiving the signal from any transmitter, and fee information representing the amount of the fee associated with any rental object. An electronic payment gateway system is provided.

[0017] The present invention provides the following aspects. Each aspect is divided into paragraphs, each numbered, and described by citing the numbers of other paragraphs as necessary. This is to facilitate understanding of some of the technical features and combinations thereof that may be employed by the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the technical features and combinations thereof that may be employed by the present invention to the following aspects. In other words, it should be understood that technical features that are not described in the following aspects but are described in this specification may be appropriately extracted and employed as technical features of the present invention.

[0018] Furthermore, describing each paragraph in a format that refers to the number of other paragraphs does not necessarily mean that the technical features described in each paragraph cannot be separated and made independent from the technical features described in other paragraphs, and it should be interpreted that the technical features described in each paragraph can be made independent as appropriate depending on their nature.

[0019] (1) A system that provides a certain type of service to users, a cashier that allows a user to make non-electronic payments, such as cash or card payments; A management server that can communicate with the adjustment machine Including, The system does not support electronic payments by itself, but operates in a pseudo-electronic payment mode in cooperation with a second system that provides users with the same type of service as the system and that supports electronic payments; The second system comprises: a second management server capable of communicating with the user's communication terminal; A payment server that enables users to make electronic payments and is capable of communicating with the second management server. Including, The system is a pseudo-electronic payment compatible service providing system in which, in the pseudo-electronic payment mode, the user's communication terminal accesses the second management server, either via the management server or without going through the management server, while the user pretends to be a member of the second system, thereby making electronic payments using the payment server.

[0020] (2) A system that provides a certain type of service to users, a cashier that allows a user to make non-electronic payments, such as cash or card payments; A management server that can communicate with the adjustment machine Including, The system operates in a non-electronic payment mode that does not support electronic payments by itself, and in the non-electronic payment mode, a user makes a non-electronic payment using the settlement machine; the system executes a pseudo-electronic payment mode in cooperation with a second system that provides users with the same type of service as the system; The second system comprises: a second management server capable of communicating with the user's communication terminal; A payment server that enables users to make electronic payments and is capable of communicating with the second management server. Including, The second system independently executes an electronic payment mode corresponding to electronic payment, provided that the user is a member of the second system, and in the electronic payment mode, the user's communication terminal communicates with the second management server, thereby performing electronic payment using the payment server, and then the second management server transmits a payment completion signal to the communication terminal; In the pseudo-electronic payment mode, the system is a pseudo-electronic payment-compatible service provision system in which the user's communication terminal accesses the second management server, either via or without going through the management server, while the user is pretending to be a member of the second system, thereby making an electronic payment using the payment server, and then the second management server communicates with the settlement machine, either via or without going through the management server, thereby causing the settlement machine to receive a payment completion signal.

[0021] (3) A pseudo-electronic payment-enabled service providing system as described in (1) or (2), wherein the service includes a service of renting a space to a user for parking a vehicle, including a bicycle, an automobile, or a motorcycle, and / or a service of renting a vehicle, including a bicycle, an automobile, or a motorcycle, to a user.

[0022] (4) The service includes a service of renting a space in a parking lot to a user for parking a vehicle, including a bicycle, an automobile, or a motorcycle; The system further comprises: a parking permitting device that physically restricts a vehicle that has entered the parking lot from leaving the parking lot until payment by the user is completed, and physically permits the vehicle to leave the parking lot once payment by the user is completed, the parking permitting device being controlled by the payment machine; The pseudo-electronic payment-compatible service providing system according to (3), wherein the settlement machine transmits a withdrawal permission signal to the withdrawal permission device when the settlement machine receives the payment completion signal.

[0023] (5) The service includes a service of renting to a user a parking space selected by the user from among a plurality of parking spaces for the user to park a vehicle, including a bicycle, an automobile, or a motorcycle, in a parking lot; The system further comprises: A pseudo-electronic payment compatible service provision system described in any of (1) to (4), which includes a spoofing access means for a user's communication terminal to acquire a combination of information for identifying the parking lot and information for identifying the selected vehicle space when the user selects the pseudo-electronic payment mode at the entry stage when the vehicle enters the selected vehicle space or at the exit stage when the vehicle leaves the vehicle space, assigning to the combination an impersonation member ID for accessing the second management server of the second system as a member of the second system, and using the impersonation member ID to access the second management server with or without going through the management server.

[0024] (6) Furthermore, A pseudo-electronic payment compatible service provision system described in any of (1) to (4), which includes a spoofing access means for, when the pseudo-electronic payment mode is selected by the user, the user's communication terminal obtains the user ID of the user or information that uniquely corresponds to the user, assigns an impersonation member ID to the user ID or information for accessing the second management server of the second system as a member of the second system, and uses the impersonation member ID to access the second management server with or without going through the management server.

[0025] (7) A program for causing a computer to function as a communication terminal according to any one of (1) to (6).

[0026] Throughout this specification, the term "program" may be interpreted to mean, for example, but not limited to, a combination of instructions that are executed by a computer to perform its functions, and may also be interpreted to include not only the combination of instructions, but also the files and data that are processed in accordance with each instruction.

[0027] Furthermore, this program may be executed by a computer alone to achieve its intended purpose, or may be executed by a computer together with other programs to achieve its intended purpose, but is not limited to these. In the latter case, the program according to this paragraph may be, but is not limited to, one that mainly consists of data.

[0028] (8) A program for causing a computer to function as the management server described in any one of (1) to (6).

[0029] (9) A program for causing a computer to function as a payment machine described in any one of (1) to (6).

[0030] (10) A recording medium on which the program according to any one of (7) to (9) is recorded in a computer-readable manner.

[0031] Throughout this specification, the term "recording medium" may be interpreted to mean various types of recording medium, including, but not limited to, magnetic recording media such as floppy disks, optical recording media such as CDs and CD-ROMs, magneto-optical recording media such as MOs, and non-removable storage media such as ROMs. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0032] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a perspective view conceptually illustrating a parking management system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention that is not capable of supporting electronic payments on its own, along with a second parking management system that is capable of supporting electronic payments on its own. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a flowchart conceptually showing the operations of the transmitter, the user's mobile terminal, and the management server in the second parking lot management system shown in FIG. 1, which are carried out in the parking entry stage. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a flowchart conceptually showing the operations of the transmitter, the user's mobile terminal, and the management server in the second parking lot management system shown in FIG. 1, which are carried out in the leaving stage. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing three examples of communication procedures for enabling the parking lot management system shown in FIG. 1 to partially utilize the second parking lot management system shown in the same figure to support electronic payments. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a flowchart conceptually illustrating the operations of the payment machine, the user's mobile terminal, and the management server in the parking lot management system shown in Figure 1, and the management server and payment server in the second parking lot management system, which are carried out to execute the pseudo-electronic payment mode at the exit stage. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0033] Hereinafter, some of more specific exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0034] <Overall structure>

[0035] FIG. 1 shows a pseudo-electronic payment-enabled parking lot management system 10 (hereinafter simply referred to as "system 10") according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, together with a second electronic payment-enabled parking lot management system 110 (hereinafter simply referred to as "system 110"). System 10 is an example of a pseudo-electronic payment-enabled service providing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. System 10 also implements a parking lot management method according to an embodiment of the present invention, and the parking lot management method is an example of a pseudo-electronic payment-enabled service providing method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] System 10 operates in a non-electronic payment mode that does not support electronic payments by itself. In this non-electronic payment mode, a user makes a non-electronic payment using a settlement machine 30 in system 10. One example of a non-electronic payment is cash payment, and another example is prepaid IC card payment (also simply referred to as "card payment").

[0037] Furthermore, the system 10 operates in a pseudo-electronic payment mode in cooperation with a second system 110 that provides users with the same type of service as the system 10. In this pseudo-electronic payment mode, a user uses his or her own mobile terminal (an example of the communication terminal) 90 to make an electronic payment using the management server 140 and the payment server 160 in the second system 110. Electronic payment is also called "smartphone payment," and includes, for example, credit card payment.

[0038] This system 10 is a postpaid system that allows a user to exit parking lot 20 on the condition that the user pays a postpaid parking fee that corresponds to the length of time the user actually parks. However, instead of this, this system 10 can also adopt a prepaid system that allows a user to use parking lot 20 on the condition that the user pays a prepaid parking fee that corresponds to the length of time the user wants to park (e.g., planned parking time) prior to starting to use parking lot 20.

[0039] <System 10 Configuration>

[0040] Referring to FIG. 1, the system 10 is a system for managing a parking lot 20. The parking lot 20 has a plurality of parking spaces 22. One vehicle is parked in each parking space 22. An exit permission device 24 is installed for each parking space 22.

[0041] Regarding the definition of the term "vehicle," the term "vehicle" should be interpreted as including not only automobiles but also all kinds of moving objects such as bicycles and motorcycles.

[0042] An example of an exit permission device 24 has a vehicle presence sensor (for example, a loop coil buried in the ground, a photosensor installed so as to be exposed on the support surface of the parking lot 20, etc.) that detects the presence of a vehicle in the corresponding vehicle compartment 22 (such as a vehicle entering the corresponding vehicle compartment 22), and a mechanism unit having a baffle plate (a flap, lifting device, car stopper, wheel stopper, etc.) as a movable member that switches between an exit prevention state that prevents the vehicle in the vehicle compartment 22 from leaving (exiting) the vehicle compartment 22, and an exit permission state that permits the vehicle to leave.

[0043] When the vehicle presence sensor detects the presence of a vehicle, the mechanism unit causes the baffle plate to transition to an exit-preventing state by, for example, raising or tilting it, and when the user pays the deferred parking fee, causes the baffle plate to transition to an exit-permitting state by, for example, lowering or leveling it.

[0044] In this embodiment, an adjustment machine 30 is installed in common to multiple vehicle compartments 22. The adjustment machine 30 communicates with the vehicle presence sensor in each vehicle compartment 22 and monitors the presence or absence of a vehicle in each vehicle compartment 22 based on signals from the vehicle presence sensor. Furthermore, an adjustment machine 30 is installed in common to multiple exit permission devices 24. The adjustment machine 30 communicates with the mechanism unit in each vehicle compartment 22 and switches the mechanism unit between an exit permission state and an exit prevention state as appropriate. The adjustment machine 30 may be configured mainly from a sequencer or a computer.

[0045] In another example, the exit permission device 24 is installed in common to a plurality of vehicle compartments 22. The exit permission device 24 has, for example, a mechanism for opening and closing a gate at the entrance and exit of the parking lot 20.

[0046] In addition, it is not essential to install an exit permission device 24 in the parking lot 20 in order to implement the present invention, and the present invention can be applied to a parking lot 20 that is a post-payment type but does not have an exit permission device 24.

[0047] The system 10 further includes a management server 40. The management server 40 is operated, for example, by a parking lot management company that manages the parking lot 20 on behalf of the owner of the parking lot 20.

[0048] In non-electronic payment mode, this management server 40 communicates (e.g., wirelessly) only with the settlement machine 30, thereby realizing multiple functions, including the function of remotely monitoring the operating status of the parking lot 20 in real time.

[0049] In contrast, in the pseudo-electronic payment mode, the management server 40 communicates (e.g., wirelessly) with each of the user's mobile terminal 90 and the management server 140 of the second system 110 (an example of the second management server), thereby enabling the user to legally impersonate a member of the second system 110 and legally access the second system 110, thereby realizing multiple functions including an impersonation access function that enables electronic payment, although the system 10 alone cannot handle electronic payments.

[0050] <Configuration of the mobile terminal 90>

[0051] The user's mobile terminal 90 is, for example, a device that is carried by the user and has a wireless communication function, such as a mobile phone, a smartphone, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a PDA, etc. The mobile terminal 90 is an example of a user's communication terminal, and the communication terminal may be one that is not carried by the user, such as an in-vehicle communication terminal.

[0052] The mobile terminal 90 is mainly configured as a computer having a processor and a memory that stores a plurality of applications executed by the processor.

[0053] The mobile terminal 90 further has a display unit (e.g., a liquid crystal display) that displays information on a screen, a receiving unit that receives signals from an external communication device, and a transmitting unit that generates signals and transmits the signals to the external communication device.

[0054] The mobile terminal 90 further includes an input unit for inputting data and commands from the user. The input unit includes, for example, an operation unit that can be operated by the user to input desired information (for example, commands, data, etc.) into the mobile terminal 90.

[0055] The control unit may include, but is not limited to, a touch screen (means for allowing manual input of data) that displays several icons (e.g., virtual buttons) that can be operated by a user, a physical control unit (means for allowing manual input of data, such as a keyboard, keypad, buttons, etc.) that can be operated by a user, and a microphone that detects voice (means for allowing voice input of data).

[0056] The input unit further includes an image sensor (including a digital camera) for capturing an image.

[0057] The mobile terminal 90 further includes a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver. As is well known, the GPS receiver receives multiple GPS signals from multiple GPS satellites and determines the position (latitude, longitude, and altitude) of the GPS receiver on the Earth by triangulation based on the GPS signals.

[0058] <Configuration of the second system 110>

[0059] 1, the second system 110 is configured to manage a post-payment parking lot 120, similar to the system 10. The parking lot 120 also has a plurality of parking spaces 122.

[0060] In the parking lot 120, one transmitter 130 is installed in common for multiple compartments 122. In another example, not shown, a number of transmitters 130, the number of which is smaller than the number of compartments 122, are installed in association with each of multiple compartment groups. In yet another example, not shown, the same number of transmitters 130 as the number of compartments 122 are installed for each compartment 122.

[0061] 1, one transmitter 130 is associated with one parking lot 120, and further with all of the parking spaces 122. Therefore, if the transmitter 130 is identified by the user's mobile terminal 190, the location of the associated parking lot 120, that is, the parking space code (or parking space ID) and location (place name, geographical position, etc.) of the parking space 120 selected by the user, are known, but the location of the one parking space 122 selected by the user is unknown.

[0062] The mobile terminal 190 has a common configuration with the above-described mobile terminal 90. Therefore, a duplicated description of the mobile terminal 190 will be omitted.

[0063] In this second system 110, the user can only select the electronic payment mode, and cannot select the non-electronic payment mode.

[0064] <Configuration of the transmitter 130>

[0065] First, conceptually, the transmitter 130 is a contactless or contact (proximity) communication device that emits an identification signal that can identify a unique transmitter code (or transmitter ID).

[0066] The user's mobile terminal 190 exclusively receives the identification signal from the transmitter 130 in one direction via short-range wireless communication. The distance at which the mobile terminal 190 can receive the signal from the transmitter 130, i.e., the reception radius (for example, 0 m to approximately 50 m), is variably set by software on the mobile terminal 190. The area surrounded by a circle having that reception radius is called the receivable area or reception zone.

[0067] The transmitter 130 is usually installed immovably in a fixed location in the corresponding parking lot 120, but it can also be installed movably so that it can be moved as needed. Also, it is sufficient for the transmitter 130 to have at least a transmission function, but it may also be configured to have a receiving function as well, if necessary.

[0068] Next, the operation method will be explained. The transmitter 130 actively transmits a unique identification signal locally without requiring an external trigger signal, and continuously as long as there is no shortage of power supply.

[0069] The transmitter 130 is generally a device known as a beacon device, a radio beacon, or the like that transmits a beacon signal as an identification signal. In one example, the transmitter 130 modulates an original signal to generate an identification signal representing a corresponding transmitter code, and locally transmits the generated identification signal as an IR signal, a Bluetooth (registered trademark) signal, an NFC (near field communication) signal, or the like.

[0070] Next, the hardware configuration will be explained without referring to the drawings. The transmitter 130 is mainly configured as a computer having a processor and a memory for storing a plurality of applications executed by the processor.

[0071] <Configuration of management server 140>

[0072] The second system 110 further includes a management server 140. This management server 140 communicates with the user's mobile terminal 190 in a two-way manner using long-distance wireless communication.

[0073] To explain the hardware configuration without referring to the drawings, the management server 140 is mainly configured as a computer having a processor and a memory for storing a plurality of applications executed by the processor.

[0074] Specifically, this management server 140 has a receiving unit that receives signals from mobile terminal 190, a transmitting unit that generates signals and transmits them to mobile terminal 190, and a clock that measures the current time. This management server 140 does not receive signals from transmitter 130 directly, but in fact receives signals via mobile terminal 190.

[0075] <Operation of the second system 110>

[0076] The operation of the second system 110 will now be described with reference to FIGS.

[0077] <Stage of receiving goods>

[0078] First, referring to Figure 2, the operation of the second system 110 in the entry stage when a vehicle enters one of the vehicle compartments 122 will be explained. When a user starts the parking lot usage program on the mobile terminal 190, the mobile terminal 190 first sends a login request to the management server 140 to log in to the management server 140, together with a member ID indicating that the user is a member eligible to use the second system 110.

[0079] In response, in step S231, the management server 140 receives the login request along with the member ID, and then in step S232, by referring to the member database in the memory of the management server 140, determines whether the current user is a legitimate member.

[0080] If the current user is a legitimate member, the determination in step S232 becomes YES, and in step S233, a login completion signal indicating completion of login is sent back to the current user's mobile terminal 190. On the other hand, if the current user is not a legitimate member, the determination in step S232 becomes NO, and the process returns to step S231 to wait for input of a legitimate member ID.

[0081] Thereafter, in step S211, the mobile terminal 190 receives the login completion signal, and at this timing executes step S212, thereby receiving a signal from the transmitter 130 installed in the parking lot 120 where the user is currently located.

[0082] Next, in step S213, the mobile terminal 190 extracts the transmitter code corresponding to the current transmitter 130 from the signal received from that transmitter 130. Thereafter, in step S214, the mobile terminal 190 converts the extracted transmitter code into the corresponding parking lot code in accordance with a predetermined relationship between the transmitter code and the parking lot code that is stored in the memory of the mobile terminal 190. This identifies the parking lot 120 into which the current user has parked.

[0083] Next, in step S215, the mobile terminal 190 displays a "Check In" button on its screen to confirm the user's intention to check in. When the user touches the "Check In" button, it is determined that the user intends to check in, and in step S216, a check-in request by the user to check in, the parking lot code, and the member ID are associated with each other and transmitted to the management server 140. Then, in step S217, the mobile terminal 190 stores the current parking lot code in the memory of the mobile terminal 190 as a check-in parking lot code for later reference.

[0084] In response, in step S234, management server 140 receives the entry request, parking lot code, and member ID in association with each other, and then in step S235, measures the current time using the clock. Thereafter, in step S236, management server 140 treats the measured current time as the entry time, and then in step S237, associates the entry time with the member ID and stores it in the memory of management server 140. As a result, the member ID, parking lot 20 ID, and entry time are stored in association with each other in the memory of management server 140.

[0085] <Shipping stage>

[0086] 3, the operation of the second system 110 in the exit stage when the vehicle leaves one of the compartments 122 will be described. First, in step S311, the user's mobile terminal 190 receives a signal from a transmitter 130 installed in the parking lot 120 where the user is currently located. Next, in step S312, the mobile terminal 190 extracts a transmitter code corresponding to the transmitter 130 from the signal received from the transmitter 130.

[0087] Thereafter, in step S313, the mobile terminal 190 converts the extracted transmitter code into a corresponding parking lot code in accordance with a predetermined relationship between the transmitter code and the parking lot code that is stored in the memory of the mobile terminal 190. This identifies the parking lot 120 where the user is currently located, i.e., the exit parking lot 120 from which the user wants to exit.

[0088] Next, in step S314, the mobile terminal 190 reads the already-saved entrance parking lot code from the memory of the mobile terminal 190 and determines whether it matches the converted parking lot code, i.e., the exit parking lot code. If they match, the determination in step S314 is YES and the process proceeds to step S315, but if they do not match, the determination is NO and the process returns to step S311 to wait for the acquisition of the correct exit parking lot code.

[0089] Next, in step S315, the mobile terminal 190 displays a "Exit" button on its screen to confirm the user's intention to exit. When the user touches the "Exit" button, it determines that the user intends to exit, and in step S316, it transmits a "Exit" request, the "Exit parking lot code," and the "Member ID" to the management server 140 in association with each other.

[0090] In response, in step S331, the management server 140 receives the exit request, the exit parking lot code, and the member ID in association with each other, and then in step S332, determines whether the same combination of exit parking lot code and member ID as the received combination exists in the memory of the management server 140, thereby determining whether to authenticate the current user and the current parking lot 120 as legitimate.

[0091] If the authentication is successful, management server 140 measures the current time using the clock in step S333. Then, in step S334, management server 140 treats the measured current time as the departure time, and then in step S335, reads from the memory the entry time stored in management server 140 in association with the current member ID, and calculates the parking time by subtracting the entry time from the departure time.

[0092] Then, in step S336, management server 140 calculates a parking fee that corresponds to the calculated length of parking time in accordance with a predetermined relationship between the length of parking time and the amount of parking fee that is stored in the memory of management server 140. Management server 140 then transmits the calculated parking fee amount to the user's mobile terminal 190.

[0093] In response, the mobile terminal 190 receives the amount of the parking fee in step S317, and then displays the amount of the parking fee on the screen in step S318.

[0094] On the other hand, after executing step S336, the management server 140 transmits a payment request for electronic payment of the parking fee to the payment server 160 together with information necessary for electronic payment in step S337.

[0095] In response, the payment server 160 receives the payment request in step S351, and then performs the electronic payment according to the specified details in step S352. Next, in step S353, the payment server 160 transmits a payment completion signal indicating that the electronic payment has been completed to the management server 140.

[0096] In response to this, the management server 140 receives the settlement completion signal in step S338, and then transmits a withdrawal permission signal to the mobile terminal 190 in step S339.

[0097] In response, in step S319, the mobile terminal 190 receives the exit permission signal, thereby letting the user know that the parking fee has been paid electronically and that the user has therefore obtained the authority to legitimately exit the current parking lot 120.

[0098] <System 10 Operation>

[0099] <Stage of receiving goods>

[0100] To explain the operation of this system 10, when a vehicle enters one of the compartments 22 at the entry stage, a corresponding vehicle presence sensor detects the vehicle and sends a signal indicating this to the payment machine 30. The payment machine 30 measures the time as the entry time and records which compartment 22 the vehicle entered at that entry time (in association with the compartment number). This establishes a link between the entry time and the compartment 22 number (or compartment ID).

[0101] The payment machine 30 further associates the entry time with the parking space 22 number (or parking space ID) and transmits them to the management server 40, which then stores the data in association with each other. This enables the management server 40 to monitor the operating status of the parking lot 20 in real time. The management server 40 is configured to centrally manage multiple parking lots 20 so as to monitor the operating status of other parking lots 20 as well.

[0102] <Shipping stage>

[0103] <Non-electronic payment mode>

[0104] In contrast, in the exit stage when the vehicle leaves one of the compartments 22, the user first selects either a non-electronic payment mode or a pseudo-electronic payment mode (which appears to the user as an electronic payment mode realized by this system 10).

[0105] When the non-electronic payment mode is selected, the user inputs the number of his / her parking space 22 into the payment machine 30, which then measures that time as the exit time, calculates the elapsed time from the recorded entry time to the exit time as the parking time, and calculates a deferred parking fee corresponding to that length.

[0106] When the user pays the parking fee to the payment machine 30 using cash or a prepaid card, the payment machine 30 switches the exit permission device 24 corresponding to the current parking space 22 from an exit prevention state to an exit permission state, thereby enabling the user to exit the vehicle from the current parking space 22. In this way, in the exit stage, the parking fee amount is determined using the parking space 22 number entered by the user into the payment machine 30 as a key.

[0107] <Pseudo-electronic payment mode>

[0108] On the other hand, when the pseudo-electronic payment mode is selected, the user starts up a pseudo-electronic payment program that is pre-installed on the mobile terminal 90 .

[0109] The pseudo-electronic payment program will be described in detail later with reference to Figure 5, but generally, in the pseudo-electronic payment mode, as shown in the top column of Figure 4, the calculation of the postpaid parking fee is performed by the management server 40 on behalf of the payment machine 30 (first communication procedure), but there is also the possibility that the fee calculation is instead performed by the management server 140 of the second system 110 on behalf of the payment machine 30 (second communication procedure), as shown in the middle column of Figure 4, or that the payment machine 30 still performs the calculation (third communication procedure), as shown in the bottom column of Figure 4.

[0110] Here, we will explain the three communication procedures shown in Figure 4. In all of the communication procedures, the combination of management server 40, management server 140, and payment server 160 (the three elements or servers present within the area surrounded by dashed lines in the figure) exists between the mobile terminal 90 and the settlement machine 30 to function as a system 10 that cannot handle electronic payments on its own, by partially utilizing the second system 110 to enable it to handle electronic payments; in this sense, the combination is also referred to as an electronic payment realization means.

[0111] In this electronic payment realization means, the management server 40 is also called the "real management server" in the sense that it is a management server that actually exists in the system 10. In contrast, the management server 140 is also called the "impersonation management server" in the sense that it actually exists not in the system 10 but in the second system 110 and is seen by the user as if it were a management server that actually exists in the system 10.

[0112] Next, to explain each of these communication procedures individually, in the first communication procedure, the mobile terminal 90 communicates wirelessly with the actual management server 40 (e.g., via a telephone line network), thereby causing the actual management server 40 to calculate the parking fee (also called ``fee calculation'').

[0113] When the fee calculation is complete, the real management server 40 connects to the settlement server 160 via the impersonation management server 140, thereby causing the settlement server 160 to carry out the electronic settlement. When the electronic settlement is complete, the real management server 40 transmits a withdrawal permission signal to the withdrawal permission device 24 via the settlement machine 30, thereby permitting the user to withdraw.

[0114] In the second communication procedure, the mobile terminal 90 communicates wirelessly with the impersonation management server 140 (e.g., via a telephone network), thereby causing the impersonation management server 140 to calculate the parking fee (also called "fee calculation").

[0115] When the fee calculation is complete, the impersonation management server 140 connects to the settlement server 160, thereby enabling the user to make an electronic payment. When the electronic payment is complete, the impersonation management server 140 notifies the real management server 40 of the completion of the electronic payment, and in response, the real management server 40 transmits a withdrawal permission signal to the withdrawal permission device 24 via the settlement machine 30, thereby permitting the user to withdraw.

[0116] In the third communication procedure, the mobile terminal 90 communicates wirelessly (for example, using Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication method) with the payment machine 30, thereby causing the mobile terminal 90 to calculate the parking time and the parking fee, and then to send the calculated parking fee back to the mobile terminal 90.

[0117] Thereafter, the mobile terminal 90 communicates wirelessly (e.g., via a telephone network) with the impersonation management server 140, which then connects to the settlement server 160, thereby enabling the user to make an electronic payment. When the electronic payment is completed, the impersonation management server 140 notifies the real management server 40 of the completion of the electronic payment, and in response, the real management server 40 transmits a withdrawal permission signal to the withdrawal permission device 24 via the settlement machine 30, thereby permitting the user to withdraw.

[0118] Next, referring to Figure 5, we will explain the operation of the settlement machine 30, mobile terminal 90 and management server 40 of system 10 and the management server 140 and settlement server 160 of second system 110 when the pseudo-electronic payment mode is executed at the delivery stage.

[0119] Of the multiple steps shown in Figure 5, the time series of those executed on mobile terminal 90 corresponds to the pseudo electronic payment program mentioned above, the time series of those executed on management server 40 corresponds to the pseudo electronic payment program for the real management server, the time series of those executed on management server 140 corresponds to the pseudo electronic payment management program for the impersonation management server, and the time series of those executed on payment server 160 corresponds to the electronic payment program.

[0120] When the user starts the pseudo-electronic payment program on the mobile terminal 90, first, in step S511, a withdrawal button is displayed on the user's screen to confirm the user's intention to withdraw (within pseudo-electronic payment mode, not in non-electronic payment mode). Next, in step S512, it is determined whether the user has operated (e.g., touched) the withdrawal button. If the withdrawal button is operated, the determination is YES, and it is determined that the user intends to withdraw.

[0121] Next, in step S513, the mobile terminal 90 prompts the user to input parking lot identification information, for example, a parking lot code, for identifying the parking lot 20 in which the user is currently located, in order to identify the parking lot 20. In response, the user inputs the corresponding parking lot code into the mobile terminal 90 manually (for example, by the manual input or the voice input) or semi-automatically or fully automatically (in a manner in which the input is assisted by the mobile terminal 90).

[0122] In a first example of a method for assisting in inputting a parking lot code, the mobile terminal 90 measures the current location at the location of the current parking lot 20 using the GPS function, and, in accordance with a predetermined relationship between a plurality of parking lots 20 and a plurality of map locations that is stored in the memory of the mobile terminal 90, presents to the user at least one parking lot 20 that corresponds to one of the plurality of map locations that is located near the measured current location as a candidate for the current parking lot 20.

[0123] In this first example, when the user selects one of the parking lots 20 on the mobile terminal 90, the parking lot code corresponding to that parking lot 20 is input into the mobile terminal 90.

[0124] In a second example of the parking lot code input assistance method, the mobile terminal 90 communicates wirelessly (for example, via Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication) with the payment machine 30, and at this time, the payment machine 30 returns to the mobile terminal 90 a signal indicating the parking lot code corresponding to the parking lot 20 in which the payment machine 30 is installed. This allows the user to input into the mobile terminal 90 the parking lot code for the parking lot 20 in which the user is currently located.

[0125] In a third example of the parking lot code input assistance method, the image sensor of the mobile terminal 90 reads an identification mark, such as a computer-readable pattern (e.g., a barcode, a two-dimensional code such as a QR code (registered trademark)), attached to each payment machine 30 or vehicle compartment 22, and converts the read result into a parking lot code corresponding to the current parking lot 20. This allows the user to input the parking lot code of the parking lot 20 in which they are currently located into the mobile terminal 90.

[0126] Next, in step S514, the mobile terminal 90 prompts the user to input compartment identification information, for example, a compartment number, that identifies the compartment 22 in which the user's vehicle is currently parked, in order to identify the compartment 22 in the parking lot 20 in which the user is currently located. In response, the user inputs the corresponding compartment number into the mobile terminal 90 manually (for example, by the manual input or voice input) or semi-automatically or fully automatically (in a manner in which input is assisted by the mobile terminal 90).

[0127] In one example of a method for assisting in inputting a vehicle compartment number, an image sensor of the mobile terminal 90 reads an identification mark attached to each vehicle compartment 22, for example, a computer-readable pattern (for example, a barcode, a two-dimensional code such as a QR code (registered trademark), etc.), and converts the read result into a vehicle compartment number corresponding to the current vehicle compartment 22. This allows the user to input into the mobile terminal 90 the vehicle compartment number of the vehicle compartment 22 in which their vehicle is currently parked.

[0128] Here, the "identification mark" may be configured as a multipurpose identification mark including both the identification mark for the vehicle compartment 22 and the identification mark for the parking lot 20. In this case, the image sensor of the mobile terminal 90 reads the multipurpose identification mark attached to each vehicle compartment 22, and converts the read result into a combination of the parking lot code corresponding to the current parking lot 20 and the vehicle compartment number corresponding to the current vehicle compartment 22.

[0129] According to this exemplary input assistance method, the user can input into the mobile terminal 90 the parking lot code of the parking lot 20 where the user is currently located and the compartment number of the compartment 22 where the user's vehicle is currently parked, all at once.

[0130] Thereafter, in step S515, the mobile terminal 90 assigns one impersonation member ID to the current user (more precisely, the combination of the current parking lot code and the current parking space number) so that the current user can legitimately access the second system 110 to use the electronic payment means of the second system 110. The impersonation member ID is set to be different for each user.

[0131] However, a user who wishes to use the second system 110 for its intended purpose of parking a vehicle is required to be pre-registered as a member of the second system 110. However, a user of the system 10 is not required to be a member of the second system 110 in order to use the system 10.

[0132] Therefore, in this embodiment, the user temporarily poses as a member of the second system 110 through data processing of the mobile terminal 90, regardless of the intention of the user of the system 10 and without the user's knowledge. This qualification as a posing member automatically expires when the user finishes using the system 10 (when the parking fee is paid by pseudo-electronic payment).

[0133] To accomplish this spoofing process, the memory of the mobile terminal 90 stores multiple virtual member IDs, i.e., IDs that are not assigned to any user of the second system 110, but that allow the mobile terminal 90 to access the second system 110 solely for the purpose of electronic payments. These same virtual member IDs are also stored in the memory of the second system 110, allowing the second system 110 to perform member authentication of users of the system 10.

[0134] Each time the mobile terminal 90 receives a user's request for withdrawal in pseudo-electronic payment mode, it selects one of these virtual member IDs so that it does not overlap with any IDs already used on the same mobile terminal 90 or any other mobile terminal 90, and assigns it to the current user. This links the current parking lot code, current parking space number, and current impersonation member ID to one another. When each mobile terminal 90 selects a certain impersonation member ID, it transmits the result to the management server 40, and the management server 40 provides information to other mobile terminals 90 to prevent them from selecting the same impersonation member ID.

[0135] Then, in step S516, the mobile terminal 90 transmits to the management server 40 a request for the user to leave the parking lot (leaving the parking lot in pseudo-electronic payment mode, not in non-electronic payment mode) in association with the parking lot code and the vehicle space number.

[0136] In response, in step S531, the management server 40 receives the request for leaving the parking lot, the parking lot code, and the parking space number in association with each other.

[0137] Next, in step S532, management server 40 measures the current time using the clock. Thereafter, management server 40 treats the measured current time as the departure time, and then reads from the memory of management server 40 the entry time associated with the current parking space number and stored in the memory, and calculates the parking time by subtracting the entry time from the departure time.

[0138] Thereafter, in step S533, management server 40 calculates a parking fee that corresponds to the calculated length of parking time in accordance with a predetermined relationship between the length of parking time and the amount of parking fee, which is stored in the memory of management server 40. Next, in step S534, management server 40 transmits the calculated amount of parking fee to the user's mobile terminal 90.

[0139] In response, the mobile terminal 90 receives the amount of the parking fee in step S517, and then displays the amount of the parking fee on the screen.

[0140] Thereafter, in step S518, the mobile terminal 90 transmits the amount of the parking fee, a payment request for electronic payment of the parking fee, and the current impersonated member ID, along with information necessary for electronic payment, to the management server 140 of the second system 110. Alternatively, the payment request may be transmitted to the management server 140 by the management server 40 instead of the mobile terminal 90.

[0141] In response, in step S551, management server 140 receives the parking fee amount, the payment request, the impersonated member ID, and information necessary for electronic payment.

[0142] Next, in step S552, the management server 140 refers to its own memory to determine whether a virtual member ID that matches the received impersonated member ID exists, and if so, permits the current user to access the second system 110 for the sole purpose of electronic payment. This is how member authentication is performed.

[0143] Thereafter, in step S553, the management server 140 transmits a payment request for electronic payment of the parking fee to the payment server 160 together with information necessary for electronic payment.

[0144] In response, the payment server 160 receives the payment request in step S571, and then performs the electronic payment according to the specified details in step S572. Next, in step S573, the payment server 160 transmits a payment completion signal indicating that the electronic payment has been completed to the management server 40.

[0145] In response, the management server 40 receives the payment completion signal in step S535, and subsequently determines in step S536 that the parking fee payment has been completed by electronic payment. Thereafter, the management server 40 transmits a withdrawal permission signal to the payment machine 30 in step S537.

[0146] In response to this, the adjustment machine 30 receives the exit permission signal in step S501, and subsequently, in step S502, transmits an exit permission signal to the exit permission device 24 to allow the user's vehicle to leave the current vehicle compartment 22. In response to the exit permission signal, the exit permission device 24 retracts (stores) the baffle plate from the operating position to the non-operating position, thereby allowing the vehicle to exit from the exit permission device 24.

[0147] In some of the embodiments described above, when the pseudo-electronic payment mode is selected by the user, the mobile terminal 90 acquires a combination of information for identifying the current parking lot 20 (e.g., a parking lot code) and information for identifying the currently selected parking space 22 (e.g., a parking space number), assigns to the combination an impersonation member ID for accessing the second management server 140 of the second system 110 as a member of the second system 110, and is designed to include an impersonation access means for accessing the second management server 140 using the impersonation member ID.

[0148] Alternatively, the mobile terminal 90 may be designed to, when the pseudo-electronic payment mode is selected by a user, obtain the user ID of the user or information uniquely corresponding to that user (described later), assign an impersonation member ID to the user ID or unique corresponding information for accessing the second management server 140 of the second system 110 as a member of the second system 110, and include an impersonation access means for using the impersonation member ID to access the second management server 140 with or without going through the management server 40.

[0149] Here, "information that uniquely corresponds to a user (uniquely corresponding information)" includes, for example, text information (string of characters and numbers) such as the telephone number, email address, IP address, and registration number of the user's vehicle (such as the number on the license plate) of the mobile terminal 90, and image information such as an image of the user or the user's vehicle. The "vehicle registration number" may be obtained by the user manually inputting a string of characters and numbers into the mobile terminal 90, or by the user capturing an image including the vehicle's license plate with the camera of the mobile terminal 90 and extracting the number from the captured image through image recognition processing by the mobile terminal 90 or another device.

[0150] The above-described embodiments are examples of the application of the present invention to a service using a postpaid parking lot 20, but the present invention may also be applied to a service using a prepaid parking lot.

[0151] The several embodiments described above are examples of the application of the present invention to a parking lot service in which a space for a user to park a vehicle is rented to the user in a parking lot 20 managed by an operator (parking lot management company), but the present invention can be applied to other types of services.

[0152] Specifically, the present invention may be applied to, for example, a service in which an individual lends their parking space to others to park their vehicles (a so-called parking space sharing service), a service in which a business lends vehicles to users at their business premises (a so-called vehicle rental service), a service in which a business lends vehicles to users in an unmanned parking lot (a so-called vehicle sharing service), or a service in which an individual lends their own vehicle to others (a so-called vehicle sharing service).

[0153] Furthermore, the present invention may be applied to a service of renting real estate or personal property to users.

[0154] In some of the embodiments described above, a user of system 10 is granted membership in second system 110 without the user's knowledge, but the present invention may also be implemented in a manner in which membership in second system 110 is granted with the user's consent or instruction.

[0155] Although some exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, these are merely examples, and the present invention can be embodied in other forms that incorporate various modifications and improvements based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art, including the embodiments described in the "Summary of the Invention" section above.

Claims

1. An electronic payment agency system as a second system that acts as an agent for electronically paying a fee charged to a user of a first system that provides a first service to the user as consideration for the user's use of the first service, the first system includes a plurality of rental objects, each of which is personal property or real property; The plurality of rental objects are provided with a plurality of transmitters that transmit a plurality of identification codes that are unique to the corresponding rental objects or a plurality of transmitters that transmit a signal that is unique to the corresponding rental objects by a short-range wireless method, respectively; The electronic payment agency system allows the user, when accessing the electronic payment agency system via a communication terminal in the first system, to make electronic payment for the fee based on rental object identification information for identifying one of the rental objects received from the communication terminal in response to the communication terminal reading any identification code or receiving the signal from any transmitter, and fee information associated with one of the rental objects and representing the amount of the fee.

2. The electronic payment agency system of claim 1, wherein the first system has a fee calculation function that calculates the amount of the fee for each rental item based on the length of time it is used, and the fee information is identified by the fee calculation function.

3. the first system includes a settlement machine that does not support electronic settlement and performs settlement by communication with the user's communication terminal, and a first management server that can communicate with the settlement machine; 3. The electronic settlement agent system according to claim 2, wherein the fee calculation function is realized by at least one of the settlement machine and the first management server.

4. the first system exists as a plurality of first systems; 2. The electronic payment agency system of claim 1, wherein the electronic payment agency system is capable of identifying which of the plurality of first systems the user is currently located in by using the positioning results of the positioning function of the communication terminal and / or the results of the communication terminal reading a code displayed at a location where any of the first systems provides the first service to the user.

5. The electronic payment agency system includes a second management server; 2. The electronic payment agency system according to claim 1, wherein the second management server enables electronic payment of the fee based on the rental object identification information and the fee information received from the communication terminal.

6. the first system includes a settlement machine that does not support electronic settlement and performs settlement by communication with the user's communication terminal, and a first management server that can communicate with the settlement machine; 6. The electronic payment agency system of claim 5, wherein the communication terminal is capable of transitioning to a fee calculation stage for calculating the amount of the fee using the first management server or the second management server, and an electronic payment stage for providing electronic payment services to users of the first system using the second management server.

7. The electronic payment agency system according to claim 1 , wherein each rental object includes a parking space in a parking lot as real property or a vehicle as personal property.

8. 7. A program for causing a computer to function as the second management server according to claim 5.

9. A computer-readable recording medium on which the program according to claim 8 is recorded.

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