Facility Management System

Abstract

To provide a facility management system having high reliability in fraud prevention though it is simple to determine a parking start / end.SOLUTION: A facility management system 100 comprises: a cabin management terminal (facility terminal) 22 for allowing use state data S1 including a unique ID and time information to be processed into a two-dimensional code TC, and displaying the code in a first display 32; a user terminal (portable terminal) UT having a user ID and acquiring the use state data from the two-dimensional code TC; and a management server 80 for receiving provision of the use state data from the user terminal UT and performing management of the use state and settlement about the user ID.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a facility management system that enables smooth management of facilities such as parking lots, and more particularly to a management system that manages the usage status of facilities by using codes such as two-dimensional codes. [Background technology]

[0002] There exists a parking management system in which a two-dimensional code is attached to each parking space, and the user operates a mobile terminal to photograph the two-dimensional code and read the identification information of the parking space (Patent Document 1). In this parking management system, the identification information of the parking space is sent to a server device together with the parking start and end information detected by the mobile terminal, and is used to calculate parking fees, etc.

[0003] The system of Patent Document 1 has a complex process for determining when parking begins and ends, is highly dependent on mobile terminals, and is not highly reliable against fraud. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-205853 A Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned points, and aims to provide a facility management system that makes it easy to determine the start and end of parking, while being highly reliable in preventing fraud.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives ForThe facility management system includes a facility terminal that processes usage data including a unique ID and time information into a code and displays it on a display, a mobile terminal that has a user ID and acquires the usage data from the code, and a management server that receives the usage data from the mobile terminal and manages usage and settles accounts related to the user ID. Here, the code is coded pattern information, such as a two-dimensional code represented by a QR code (registered trademark).

[0007] According to the above-mentioned facility management system, usage data including a unique ID and time information is sent from the mobile device to the management server via a code, eliminating the need for complex processing to determine when parking begins and ends. This makes it possible to provide a facility management system that is more reliable in terms of payments, etc., while reducing dependency on mobile devices and users.

[0008] According to a specific aspect of the present invention, in the facility management system, the facility terminal processes the usage status data including the current time into a periodically changing code and displays it on a display. In this case, the code generation process is simplified, and the timing at which the code is captured by the mobile terminal can be associated with a unique ID for authentication.

[0009] According to another aspect of the present invention, the mobile terminal transmits usage status data corresponding to the start time of use and usage status data corresponding to the end time of use to the management server. In this case, the management server can confirm the start time of use and the end time of use, determine the usage time of the equipment, and calculate the fee corresponding to the usage time. Note that if the code includes information about the current time, this information about the current time is the timing when the mobile terminal photographs the display, and can be used to determine the start time of use and the end time of use.

[0010] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the mobile terminal transmits usage data and a user ID to a management server, the management server transmits fee information corresponding to the usage data to the mobile terminal, and the mobile terminal performs a settlement process based on the fee information. In this case, settlement is performed based on the usage start time and usage end time transmitted from the mobile terminal to the management server.

[0011] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the facility terminal has a storage device for recording a log of the start time and end time of use. If the timing at which the mobile terminal photographs the display is used as the start time and end time of use, it is possible to commit fraud by intentionally shifting the timing of the photograph, so as a countermeasure, the start time and end time of use can be recorded according to a different standard to serve as material for preventing fraud.

[0012] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the management server manages the user ID of the mobile terminal when accepting a reservation for a service of the facility in which the facility terminal is installed, and sets different fees for the use of the facility depending on whether or not a reservation has been made. In this case, the facility management system can be operated efficiently by giving preferential treatment to those who make reservations.

[0013] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the facility terminal is a vehicle compartment terminal installed in a vehicle compartment of a parking lot. The management system is applied to a parking lot and is used for managing the usage time of the vehicle compartment, etc. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a facility management system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a conceptual plan view illustrating a parking lot device. [Diagram 3] (A) is an oblique view illustrating an in-vehicle device installed in each vehicle cabin, (B) is a conceptual diagram illustrating the structure of the in-vehicle device, and (C) is a conceptual block diagram illustrating an information processing device that controls the operation of the in-vehicle device. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a management control device. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1A is a block diagram illustrating a management server, and FIG. 1B is a block diagram illustrating a user terminal. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an overview of the operation of the facility management system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] [First embodiment] Hereinafter, a facility management system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0016] The facility management system 100 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is a parking lot management system that manages the operation of the parking lot PA. The facility management system 100 is composed of a parking lot device 10 installed in the parking lot PA, a management server 80 installed at a location away from the parking lot PA, and user terminals UT1, UT2, ... which are mobile terminals carried by users or people who reserve the parking lot PA. The management server 80 and the user terminals UT1, UT2, ... are communicatively connected via a communication network NT. This communication network NT is specifically the Internet. The management server 80 can indirectly manage the parking lot device 10 via the user terminal UT1, etc., and the parking lot device 10 itself does not need to be connected to the communication network NT. For convenience of explanation, a single parking lot PA is shown in FIG. 1, but the facility management system 100 of this embodiment manages the operation of multiple parking lots in parallel, including the parking lot PA shown in the figure.

[0017] The user terminal UT1 acquires the usage status data SI directly from the vehicle compartment management terminal 22 installed in each vehicle compartment PS constituting the parking lot PA. The usage status data SI is acquired not by radio wave communication but by reading a two-dimensional coded image. The usage status data SI acquired by the user terminal UT1 etc. is transferred to the management server 80 and used for the settlement of the usage fee for the parking lot PA etc.

[0018] The parking lot device 10 will be described with reference to FIG. 2. The parking lot device 10 has a number of vehicle compartment devices 20 provided for each vehicle compartment PS constituting the parking lot PA, and a management control device 18 that controls the operation of these vehicle compartment devices 20. The parking lot PA includes a number of parking areas AR1 to AR3, and each of the parking areas AR1 to AR3 is provided with a number of vehicle compartments PS. The parking lot device 10 has a guide device 12 and a monitoring camera 14 associated with the passage PW, etc. The guide device 12 operates under the control of the management control device 18, and provides guidance such as direction indication to guide a vehicle MO traveling on the passage PW to an empty parking floor. The monitoring camera 14 operates under the control of the management control device 18, and can photograph and record a vehicle passing through the passage PW in a situation where fraudulent use is expected, specifically, within a certain period of time from when an exit from a specific vehicle compartment PS is detected.

[0019] 3(A) and 3(B), the vehicle compartment device 20 provided in the vehicle compartment PS has a vehicle compartment management terminal 22 and a vehicle detection device 24. The vehicle compartment management terminal 22 is a vehicle compartment terminal device that enables management on a vehicle compartment basis, and is disposed at the back of the vehicle compartment PS. The vehicle detection device 24 is disposed closer to the entrance of the vehicle compartment PS than the wheel stopper block 11.

[0020] The vehicle detection device 24 operates under the control of the vehicle compartment management terminal 22. Although detailed description will be omitted, the vehicle detection device 24 has a sensor 24a including a loop coil or the like, a detection circuit 24b, and the like, and operates by receiving power from the vehicle compartment management terminal 22. The vehicle detection device 24 determines whether or not a vehicle has been stored in the vehicle compartment PS in which it is installed, and transmits the determination result to the vehicle compartment management terminal 22. Note that the vehicle detection device 24 is not limited to one that detects an electric field, and can be replaced with one that detects the presence or absence of a vehicle using infrared rays, ultrasonic waves, or the like.

[0021] The vehicle compartment management terminal (vehicle compartment terminal device) 22 is an equipment terminal installed in each vehicle compartment PS, and not only monitors changes in the status of the vehicle compartment PS, such as the entry and exit of a vehicle, but also functions as an interface for users. The vehicle compartment management terminal 22 includes a camera 31, a first display 32, a second display 33, and an information processing device 34. The camera 31 operates under the control of the information processing device 34 and photographs the vehicle compartment PS. The first display 32 operates under the control of the information processing device 34 and displays a two-dimensional code TC relating to the usage status, and the second display 33 operates under the control of the information processing device 34 and displays information consisting of characters and figures.

[0022] The information processing device 34 operates the first display 32 to display a two-dimensional code TC that is an encoded version of the usage status data SI (see FIG. 1) that includes information unique to the vehicle compartment PS. The information processing device 34 also operates the second display 33 to display guidance information such as precautions to take when using the parking lot to users of the parking lot. The information processing device 34 can also determine the vehicle registration number of the vehicle that has entered the vehicle compartment PS by using an image processing circuit from an image of the vehicle's license plate photographed by the camera 31, for example.

[0023] When the information processing device 34 detects the entry into the vehicle compartment PS, it starts displaying the two-dimensional code TC on the display surface 32a of the first display 32. The two-dimensional code TC is generated by processing the usage status data related to the vehicle compartment PS, and the original usage status data includes a unique ID and time information. Here, the unique ID includes the management number of the vehicle compartment PS where the vehicle compartment management terminal (equipment terminal) 22 is installed, and includes information for identifying the parking lot PA. The time information includes the usage start time (entry time) when the vehicle detection device 24 detects the entry of the vehicle in the vehicle compartment PS, and the current time when the two-dimensional code TC is generated. Here, the two-dimensional code TC is generated periodically at time intervals of, for example, 5 minutes or 10 minutes, and the information parts related to the unique ID and the usage start time (entry time) of the usage status data on which the two-dimensional code TC is based do not change, but the information parts related to the current time change from moment to moment, and the display of the two-dimensional code TC is updated periodically. When generating the two-dimensional code TC, a signature part obtained by hashing and encrypting the usage status data can be attached. This makes it possible to confirm the authenticity of the data read from the two-dimensional code TC on the user terminal UT1 or management server 80 side, and to prevent tampering with the two-dimensional code TC. Note that the usage data to be converted into the two-dimensional code TC itself may be encrypted and decrypted in the management server 80. In this case, the contents of the two-dimensional code TC are not checked in the user terminal UT.

[0024] When the information processing device 34 detects an exit from the vehicle compartment PS based on the output of the vehicle detection device 24, it stops displaying the two-dimensional code TC on the first display 32a after a predetermined time (e.g., five minutes) has elapsed. The predetermined time is a sufficient grace period for the user to photograph the two-dimensional code TC using the user terminal UT after exiting the vehicle compartment. When the information processing device 34 detects an exit from the vehicle compartment PS but an entry into the vehicle compartment PS before the predetermined time has elapsed, it determines that this is a new entry and starts displaying a new two-dimensional code TC on the first display 32a. When the information processing device 34 detects an exit from the vehicle compartment PS, it can change the display of the two-dimensional code TC according to the current time, but can fix the display of the two-dimensional code TC to one corresponding to the end of use time (exit time).

[0025] 3(C) is a conceptual block diagram for explaining the information processing device 34. The information processing device 34 has a main control circuit 34a, a memory circuit 34b, and a communication circuit 34c. The main control circuit 34a operates based on a program stored in the memory circuit 34b. This program includes a function for operating the camera 31, the displays 32, 33, etc. via the communication circuit 34c, a function for generating a two-dimensional code TC from the latest usage status data while checking the latest usage status data, and a function for monitoring the detection result of the vehicle detection device 24, and also has a function for communicating with the management control device 18 that bundles multiple vehicle interior devices 20 via the communication circuit 34c to receive commands and transmit information.

[0026] The memory circuit 34b is a storage device that records a log of the start and end times of use of the vehicle compartment PS under the control of the main control circuit 34a. Here, the start and end times of use are the entry and exit times determined based on the output of the vehicle detection device 24. The logs of the start and end times of use are transmitted to the higher-level management control device 18 and managed collectively. If the timing at which a user photographs the first display 32 using the user terminal UT is used as the end time of use, fraud can be committed by intentionally shifting the timing of the photograph. To prevent this, the entry and exit times obtained based on a different standard can be recorded as the start and end times of use, and these can be used as material to prevent fraud.

[0027] Referring to FIG. 4, the vehicle control system includes a main control device 18a, a storage device 18b, and a communication device 18c. The main control device 18a communicates with the vehicle interior devices 20, performs overall control so that each vehicle interior device 20 operates appropriately, and operates the guidance device 12 and the monitoring camera 14 as appropriate. A software storage section 18z of the storage device 18b stores a program for operating the management control device 18. When the main control device 18a detects an exit from the vehicle interior device 20 installed in any vehicle interior PS, it operates the monitoring camera 14 around the corresponding vehicle interior PS for a certain period of time and stores the captured images in the storage device 18b. The captured images are stored in association with a log of the start and end times of use of the corresponding vehicle interior PS.

[0028] FIG. 5(A) is a conceptual diagram for explaining the management server 80. The management server 80 is a computer that operates under the management of a system administrator, and receives usage data from the user terminal UT to manage usage and settle accounts related to the user ID. Specifically, the management server 80 identifies the unique ID of the parking space and the user ID, and manages parking lot usage time, settles fees, accepts reservations, and so on. The management server 80 has a main control device 81, a storage device 82, and a communication device 84. The management server 80 communicates with the user terminal UT via the communication network NT shown in FIG. 1 using the communication device 84. The storage device 82 stores a program that operates the management server 80, enabling the operation of the facility management system 100.

[0029] When a user finishes using the parking lot, the management server 80 accepts a request for settlement processing from the user terminal UT held by the user and performs electronic settlement online. When the management server 80 receives a request for settlement processing from the user terminal UT, it receives a set of usage status data obtained by decrypting the two-dimensional code TC, and also receives a user ID as member information. The management server 80 calculates the usage fee from the data related to the start and end times of use, i.e., the entry time and the current time, contained in the set of usage status data, and transmits fee information including the usage fee to the user terminal UT. The management server 80 receives payment-related information from the user terminal UT as a response to the fee information, and requests settlement from a financial business operator's system that handles electronic money, etc. In order to enable the above-mentioned operations, the storage device 82 stores a parking lot management database 82a, which is provided with a parking lot information area 82d, a user information area 82f, a payment information area 82g, and the like. The parking lot management database 82a accumulates usage status data received up to now for each unique ID. In the user information area 82f, a user ID and terminal information linked thereto are recorded as information about the user. By referring to the user information area 82f, the management server 80 can determine whether the user terminal UT connected to the management server 80 belongs to a valid member who has a user ID. In the payment information area 82g, a user ID that identifies the user, usage time, fee information, settlement results, etc. are linked to the unique ID of each vehicle compartment and managed as payment information. In addition, the storage device 82 stores application software and data for making electronic payments online in response to a request from the user terminal UT.

[0030] The management server 80 can accept a request for reservation registration for parking lot use from a user terminal UT held by a user. When accepting a reservation registration, the management server 80 manages the user ID linked to the user terminal UT, and records the user ID and reservation period in the parking lot information area 82d. When making an online electronic payment after using the parking lot corresponding to the reservation, it is possible to set a difference in the usage fee depending on whether or not a reservation has been made, and to refuse to accept the online payment.

[0031] When the parking lot device 10 is connected to the communication network NT, the management server 80 can notify the parking lot device 10 of a reservation for parking lot use online. The management server 80 can receive a log of the start time and end time of parking lot use from the parking lot device 10 along with captured images. On the other hand, when the parking lot device 10 is not connected to the communication network NT, the management server 80 or an organization or organization associated with it can notify the parking lot device 10 or its manager of a reservation for parking lot use by indirect means such as email, telephone contact, or mail. The management server 80 can receive a log of the start time and end time of parking lot use from the parking lot device 10 by indirect means.

[0032] FIG. 5(B) is a conceptual diagram for explaining a user terminal UT. The user terminal UT is a mobile terminal carried by a user of the facility management system 100 shown in FIG. 1. A user ID is set in the user terminal UT by prior registration with the management server 80. The user terminal UT has a main control device 71, a storage device 72, an interface device 73, and a communication device 74. The user terminal UT communicates with the management server 80 via the communication network NT shown in FIG. 1 by the communication device 74. In the software storage section 72a of the storage device 72 incorporated in the user terminal UT, a plurality of software programs including a parking lot usage application are stored as application software that runs on a basic program that operates the user terminal UT. The parking lot usage application connects to the management server 80 using the user ID stored in the storage device 72, and enables usage processing including reservation and settlement of parking lots. The parking lot usage application has a reader function that reads the two-dimensional code TC and reproduces usage status data, and transmits a set of usage status data including a unique ID that identifies a parking space, a parking entry time, a current time, and the like to the management server 80. Here, the current time is the timing when the two-dimensional code TC is captured using the user terminal UT, and can be called the self-reported time of leaving the parking lot or the time of end of use. The user terminal UT that transmitted the usage data receives fee information from the management server 80, and performs a settlement process to approve the payment of the fee to the management server 80. Note that the parking lot usage application does not need to be stored in the storage device 72 in its entirety, and may be a web application or a cloud application. In addition, various known settlement systems using smartphones, called smartphone settlement, can be used to pay the fee using the parking lot usage application, and the payment can be made from the pre-charged amount managed by the settlement application linked to the parking lot usage application, or the account can be paid by a credit card or debit card whose card information has been entered in advance into the settlement application.

[0033] A series of operations relating to the use and management of the parking lot, which are carried out by the management server 80, the user terminal UT, etc., will be described with reference to FIG.

[0034] First, in scene SC1 of reservation for use, in response to an operation by the user, the user terminal UT transmits a request for reservation registration for use of the parking lot to the management server 80 (step S11), and the management server 80 accepts the reservation registration, records it in the storage device 82, and transmits a notification of registration completion to the user terminal UT (step S12). The notification of registration completion includes information for identifying the parking lot and information regarding the period of use of the parking lot.

[0035] At the start of use SC2, the vehicle entry is detected by the vehicle detector 24 in the vehicle compartment device 20 of the parking lot PA (step S21). When the vehicle compartment device 20 detects entry, it starts displaying the two-dimensional code TC on the first display 32 (step S22). The two-dimensional code TC is generated from a set of usage status data as described above, and the set of usage status data includes the vehicle compartment's unique ID, the entry time as the start of use, and the current time when the two-dimensional code TC is generated. The display of the two-dimensional code TC is periodically updated and approximately reflects the current time when the display is being performed. Note that the user of the parking lot only enters the vehicle compartment and does not need to operate any device such as the user terminal UT when starting to use the parking lot.

[0036] In the scene SC3 of the end of use, the user who has returned to the parking lot operates the user terminal UT to start the parking lot use application, indicates the intention of leaving, and reads the two-dimensional code TC displayed on the first display 32 (step S31). The user terminal UT reproduces a set of usage status data from the two-dimensional code TC, connects to the management server 80 using the user ID, and transmits to the management server 80 the unique ID, the entry time, the current time (corresponding to the exit time or the end time of use) and the like contained in the set of usage status data (step S32). At this time, the management server 80 checks that the time difference between the exit time contained in the usage status data and the current time managed by the management server 80 is not large, and if the time difference is large, it can notify the user terminal UT of a warning. The management server 80 calculates the usage fee from the received set of usage status data and notifies the user terminal UT of fee information including the usage fee (step S33), and the user terminal UT performs a settlement process to approve the payment of the fee to the management server 80 (step S34). With the approval of the user terminal UT, the management server 80 requests payment from the financial service provider's system and receives the usage fee (step S35). If a reservation has been made for use of the parking lot, the management server 80 presents a discounted usage fee to the user terminal UT and receives payment. Alternatively, if no reservation has been made for use of the parking lot, for example if a payment is attempted without a member user ID, the management server 80 can charge a usage fee higher than normal. In other words, the facility management system 100 is not limited to being used exclusively for reservations. An area consisting of parking spaces PS exclusively for reservations can also be provided in the parking lot PA.

[0037] The user causes the vehicle to leave the parking space before or after the two-dimensional code TC is read. The vehicle compartment device 20 operates the vehicle detection device 24, and the leaving of the vehicle is detected based on the output of the vehicle detection device 24 (step S36). When the leaving of the vehicle is detected, the vehicle compartment device 20 waits for a predetermined time and then stops displaying the two-dimensional code TC on the first display 32 (step S37).

[0038] The facility management system 100 of the first embodiment described above includes a vehicle interior management terminal (facility terminal) 22 that processes usage data SI, including a unique ID and time information, into a two-dimensional code TC and displays it on a first display 32, a user terminal (mobile terminal) UT that has a user ID and acquires usage data from the two-dimensional code TC, and a management server 80 that receives usage data from the user terminal UT and manages usage and performs settlement for the user ID. According to this facility management system 100, since usage data including the unique ID and time information is transmitted from the user terminal (mobile terminal) UT to the management server 80 by the two-dimensional code TC, complex processing is not required for determining the start and end of parking, and it is possible to provide a facility management system 100 that has high reliability for settlement and the like while reducing dependency on the user terminal UT or the user.

[0039] 〔others〕 The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be embodied in various forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0040] The above describes the case where the facility management system 100 is a parking lot management system, but the objects managed by the facility management system 100 are not limited to parking lots, and can also be things related to the use of bicycle parking lots and entry and exit to various facilities such as entertainment facilities.

[0041] The two-dimensional code can be replaced with a one-dimensional code such as a barcode, but is not limited to this and can be replaced with various graphical codes.

[0042] In the above, the two-dimensional code TC displayed on the first display 32 is read by the user terminal UT when use is completed, but it is also possible to add a step of reading the two-dimensional code TC displayed on the first display 32 by the user terminal UT when use is started. In this case, the two-dimensional code TC may not include information regarding the time of start of use or the time of entry.

[0043] The vehicle cabin management terminal (vehicle cabin terminal) 22 installed in the vehicle cabin does not necessarily need to incorporate the camera 31 and the second display 33 as essential components, and may be omitted.

[0044] In the above, it has been described that the management server 80 mediates the payment, but it is also possible to configure a system in which the payment is completed by the user terminal UT and the completion of the payment is notified to the management server 80. In this way, the confirmation of the payment processing by the user terminal UT by the management server 80 is also included in the payment processing in the management server 80.

[0045] In the explanation of Figure 6, it is assumed that a reservation is made before use begins, but user registration and reservation registration can be performed on the management server 80 from the user terminal UT after use has begun and before use ends. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 10... parking lot device, 14... surveillance camera, 18... management control device, 20... vehicle compartment device, 22... vehicle compartment management terminal, 24... vehicle detection device, 31... camera, 32... first display, 33... second display, 34... information processing device, 34a... main control circuit, 34b... memory circuit, 34c... communication circuit, 71... main control device, 72... storage device, 73... interface device, 74... communication device, 80... management server, 81... main control device, 82... storage device, 82a... parking lot management database, 82d... parking lot information area, 82f... user information area, 82g... payment information area, 84... communication device, 100... facility management system, MO... vehicle, NT... communication network, PA... parking lot, PS... vehicle compartment, SI... usage data, SP... vehicle compartment, TC... two-dimensional code, UT1, UT2, UT... user terminal

Claims

1. an equipment terminal that processes usage status data including a unique ID and time information into a code and displays the code on a display; a mobile terminal having a user ID and acquiring the usage data from the code; a management server that receives the usage data from the mobile terminal and manages the usage status and settles the settlement for the user ID; Equipped with the facility terminal processes the usage status data including the current time into the periodically changing code and displays the code on the display; the mobile terminal transmits to the management server the usage status data corresponding to a usage start time and the usage status data corresponding to a usage end time; The equipment terminal has a storage device that records a log of the start time of use and the end time of use determined based on the output of a vehicle detection device.

2. the mobile terminal transmits the usage data and the user ID to the management server; the management server transmits fee information corresponding to the usage data to the mobile terminal; The facility management system according to claim 1 , wherein the mobile terminal performs a settlement process based on the fee information.

3. 3. The facility management system according to claim 1, wherein the management server manages the user ID of the mobile terminal when accepting a reservation for a service of the facility in which the facility terminal is installed, and sets different fees for use of the facility depending on whether or not a reservation is made.

4. The facility management system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the facility terminal is a vehicle compartment terminal installed in a vehicle compartment of a parking lot.

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