Mobile communication terminal, computer program, and parking lot management system

Abstract

To make it possible to check the time, at which parking is initiated, even away from a parking lot where no parking ticket is issued.SOLUTION: A portable communication terminal is caused to execute a bar code reading procedure capable of optically reading a bar code, a vehicle number inputting procedure capable of inputting a vehicle number, a user request data transmitting procedure of using the bar code and vehicle number to create request data requesting that the time at which parking is initiated should be reported, and transmitting the request data to a data center, a consistent data receiving procedure of receiving data which is consistent with the request data, and a consistent data outputting procedure of outputting the vehicle number and parking initiation time corresponding to the consistent data.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information and communication technology that enables a driver to check the time when parking began even when away from a parking lot that does not issue parking tickets. [Background technology]

[0002] The most typical hourly parking lot is one where you receive a parking ticket at the entrance to the parking lot, present the ticket when you leave, and pay the parking fee based on the difference between the time you entered and the time you left.To make it unmanned, the parking lot is equipped with a payment machine and a blocking means (for example, a locking plate or a barrier), and the blocking means is activated when a vehicle enters a parking space, and once you have paid at the payment machine, the blocking means is deactivated and the vehicle can leave.

[0003] With recent advances in image processing technology and the expansion and reduction in costs of communication infrastructure, some parking lots now use cameras installed at the entrances to the parking lot to photograph license plates, and then use the captured image and the time it was taken to calculate parking fees and manage payment procedures.

[0004] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology that allows management of entry and exit from a parking space without a locking plate. In such parking lots, parking tickets can be eliminated, which has the advantage of eliminating the need for ticket issuing machines and maintenance such as replenishing the paper used in the ticket issuing machines.

[0005] A more detailed explanation will be given using Figure 1. First, a parking lot user (driver of a vehicle) parks their vehicle in an available parking space in the parking lot (a). Next, dedicated cameras installed at the entrance to the parking lot or near the front or rear of the parking space capture the vehicle number. The captured image is digitized using OCR processing and sent to a data center together with time data in a time stamp (b). When the parking lot user enters their vehicle number into the prepayment machine, the data center performs a matching process, calculates the parking fee based on the time data, and prompts the user to pay (c).

[0006] For example, Patent Documents 2 and 3 disclose technology for improving the accuracy of identifying users in a device that identifies parking lot users (vehicle drivers) in order to address the problem of not being able to charge if license plate recognition fails. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-163536 A [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 5846565 [Patent Document 3] JP 2018-129047 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] When using a parking lot that takes a picture of the license plate with a camera installed at the entrance and uses the captured image and the time of capture to calculate the parking fee and manage the payment procedure, a problem like the one shown in Figure 2 arose. Let's assume that you leave the parking lot and go to do something in the vicinity of the parking lot. For example, if you are shopping at a shopping center adjacent to the parking lot, you will not have a parking ticket, which can lead to a situation where you do not know when you entered the parking lot (Figure 2 (a) and (b)).

[0009] In addition, as a service to parking lot users, commercial facilities near the parking lot may offer free parking or discounts to users who spend more than a certain amount. In such cases, parking lot users who receive such a service will want to know what time and minutes parking will be free (Figure 2(b)).

[0010] Also, at the time of payment, not being able to confirm the time of entry may lead to anxiety as to whether the parking fee being charged is appropriate (Figure 2(c)).

[0011] Although the techniques disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 3 all contribute to the convenience of parking lot managers and operators, they are unable to alleviate the concerns of parking lot users as described above.

[0012] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a technology that allows a user to check the time when parking began even when away from a parking lot that does not issue parking tickets. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a first invention relating to a mobile communication terminal, a second invention relating to an application program running on the mobile communication terminal relating to the first invention, and a third invention relating to a parking lot management system.

[0014] (First Invention) A first invention relates to a mobile communication terminal for learning a parking start time by communicating with a data center that manages various data in a parking lot. A barcode reading means capable of optically reading a barcode; a vehicle number input means for inputting a vehicle number associated with a parked vehicle; a user request data transmission means for creating request data for requesting notification of the time when parking was started based on the barcode data read by the barcode reading means and the vehicle number inputted via the vehicle number inputting means, and transmitting the request data to the data center; a corresponding data receiving means for receiving the corresponding data when the data center that has received the request data extracts and transmits the corresponding data corresponding to the request data; a corresponding data output means for outputting the vehicle number and the parking start time in the received corresponding data; (See Figures 3, 4, and 7.)

[0015] (Terminology) "Mobile communication terminals" refer to users of parking lots. Most of these are so-called smartphones, but even 3G generation shell-type mobile phones that can read barcodes are included. Tablet terminals are also included. The term "barcode" refers primarily to two-dimensional barcodes and QR codes (registered trademarks), but does not exclude one-dimensional barcodes. This barcode is displayed at locations where users of the parking lot move or stay, such as commercial facilities adjacent to the parking lot.

[0016] A "vehicle number" is a four-digit number on a license plate. It may include the name of the local transport bureau, the vehicle type classification number, and even the usage code "A-W". The "vehicle number input means" refers to a numeric keypad or a keyboard including a numeric keypad, or a numeric keypad with virtual buttons using a touch panel of a liquid crystal screen. The "relevant data output means" refers primarily to means that appeal to the visual sense of the user of the payment machine, such as a liquid crystal panel, but also includes auxiliary means such as a speaker.

[0017] (action) The barcode reading means optically reads the barcode based on the operation of the parking lot user, and the vehicle number input means inputs the vehicle number of the parked vehicle based on the operation of the parking lot user. Using the barcode data read by the barcode reading means and the vehicle number input via the vehicle number input means, the user request data transmission means creates request data requesting to be notified of the time parking began, and transmits it to the data center. When the data center receives the request data and extracts and transmits relevant data that corresponds to the request data, the relevant data receiving means receives the relevant data. The vehicle number and parking start time in the received relevant data are then output by the relevant data output means. The parking lot user can check the parking start time without paying at the payment machine.

[0018] (Variation 1 of the first invention) The first aspect of the invention may be formed as follows. That is, the device includes a location data acquisition means for acquiring location data of the mobile communication terminal, The user request data transmitting means includes the location data acquired by the location data acquiring means in the request data (see FIG. 8).

[0019] (Terminology) "Location data" is data acquired using a GPS. In other words, the mobile communication terminal according to the present invention has a built-in IC chip that can use a GPS as a "location data acquisition means."

[0020] (action) The location data of the mobile communication terminal is acquired by the location data acquisition means, and the location data is included in the request data and transmitted by the user request data transmission means. By using the location data, it is possible to respond to inappropriate request data, for example.

[0021] (Variation 2 of the first invention) The first aspect of the invention may be formed as follows. That is, when there are a plurality of pieces of relevant data received by the relevant data receiving means, The corresponding data output means outputs license plate data in the plurality of received corresponding data, and allows one of the plurality of license plate data to be selected; The relevant data output means outputs the vehicle number and parking start time related to one selected piece of license plate data (see FIG. 6).

[0022] (action) When multiple vehicles with the same four-digit number used as the vehicle number are parked in a managed parking lot, multiple "corresponding data" will exist, and the corresponding data receiving means will receive the multiple corresponding data. The relevant data output means outputs the license plate data in the plurality of received relevant data, and allows the owner of the mobile communication terminal (parking lot user) to select one of the plurality of license plate data. The vehicle number and parking start time related to the selected relevant data are output by the relevant data output means.

[0023] (Variation 3 of the first invention) The first aspect of the invention may be formed as follows. That is, the barcode reading means also reads barcodes related to payments, a payment means for processing a payment based on the read barcode and creating payment amount data based on the processing; The user request data transmitting means may also transmit the payment amount data to the data center (see FIG. 9).

[0024] (Terminology) A "barcode related to payment" is a barcode that can be processed by the electronic payment function of a mobile communication terminal when the terminal is equipped with such a function. The electronic payment function performs the procedure of reading a two-dimensional barcode that identifies the product or paid service to be paid for and indicates its price, and then expressing the intention to pay.

[0025] (action) The barcode reading means also reads the barcode relating to the payment, processes the payment based on the read barcode, and the payment means creates payment amount data based on the processing. The user request data transmission means also transmits the payment amount data to the data center.

[0026] (Second Invention) The second invention relates to an application program installed and used on a mobile communication terminal according to the first invention, which is a computer program that controls the mobile communication terminal to know the parking start time by communicating with a data center that manages various data in the parking lot. That is, a barcode reading procedure capable of optically reading a barcode; a vehicle number input step that allows input of a vehicle number associated with the parked vehicle; a user request data transmission step of creating request data for requesting to be notified of the time when parking was started based on the barcode data read in the barcode reading step and the vehicle number inputted via the vehicle number input means, and transmitting the request data to the data center; a corresponding data receiving step of receiving the corresponding data when the data center that has received the request data extracts and transmits the corresponding data corresponding to the request data; a corresponding data output step of outputting the vehicle number and the parking start time in the received corresponding data; It is a computer program that causes a mobile communication terminal to execute the above (see Figures 4, 5, and 7).

[0027] (Variation 1 of the second invention) A second aspect of the present invention includes a location data acquisition step of acquiring location data of the mobile communication terminal, In the user request data transmission procedure, the location data acquired in the location data acquisition procedure may be included in the request data (see FIG. 8).

[0028] (Variation 2 of the second invention) The second invention may be formed as follows. That is, when there are a plurality of pieces of relevant data received by the relevant data receiving means, A multiple license plate output step of outputting license plate data for the multiple corresponding data received, In the relevant data output procedure, the vehicle number and parking start time related to one license plate data selected from the multiple license plate data output in the multiple license plate output procedure may be output (see FIG. 6).

[0029] (Variation 3 of the second invention) The second invention may be formed as follows. a payment barcode reading procedure that also reads the payment-related barcode; a payment procedure for processing a payment based on the barcode read in the payment barcode reading procedure and creating payment amount data based on the processing, The user request data transmission procedure may also include transmitting the payment amount data to the data center (see FIG. 9).

[0030] (Variation 4 of the second invention) The second invention may be formed as follows. That is, a receipt image reading procedure for reading an image of a receipt relating to a payment; and an OCR processing step for identifying the payment amount from the image read in the receipt image reading step, The user request data transmission step may also transmit the payment amount to the data center (see FIG. 10).

[0031] (Variation 5 of the second invention) The second invention may be formed as follows. That is, the data output procedure includes an alarm setting procedure for activating an alarm at a predetermined time, The mobile communication terminal is also caused to execute an alarm output procedure for outputting an alarm when the time set in the alarm setting procedure arrives (see FIG. 11).

[0032] The computer program according to the second aspect of the present invention can also be transmitted from a computer storing the computer program to other terminal means via a communication line. The computer program according to the second aspect of the invention can also be provided by storing it in a recording medium. Here, a "recording medium" is a medium capable of carrying a program that does not occupy space by itself. Examples of such a medium include a flexible disk, a hard disk, a CD-R, a CD-RW, an MO (magneto-optical disk), a DVD-R, a DVD-RW, and a flash memory.

[0033] (Third Invention) The third invention relates to a parking lot management system which is a sub-combination with the mobile communication terminal according to the first invention. The parking lot management system comprises an adjustment machine installed in the parking lot to allow parking lot users to settle parking fees, and a data center that communicates with the adjustment machine and manages the data. The payment machine includes a vehicle number reading means for reading the vehicle number of a vehicle to be parked as number data; A time stamp is added to the number data to create the entry data. and a warehouse data transmission means for transmitting the warehouse data to the data center. The data center has a warehouse data receiving means for receiving the warehouse data; A parking management database that manages the received parking data for each parking lot; a user request data receiving means for receiving user request data including data for identifying the parking lot and data for identifying the vehicle from a communication terminal associated with a parking lot user; and a corresponding data transmission means for extracting parking data based on the user request data from the parking management database and transmitting the extracted data including the vehicle number and the parking start time to the communication terminal (see FIG. 4).

[0034] (action) The vehicle number reading means reads the vehicle number of the vehicle to be parked as number data. A time stamp is added to the number data to create parking data. The parking data sending means then sends the parking data to the data center. At the data center, the parking data receiving means receives the parking data, and the received parking data is stored and managed in the parking management database for each parking lot. A parking lot user wishes to know when his / her vehicle was parked, and reads a two-dimensional barcode identifying the parking lot with a mobile communication terminal associated with the parking lot user. Then, user request data including data identifying the vehicle (vehicle number) is received by a user request data receiving means. Then, parking data based on the user request data is extracted from the parking management database. The extracted relevant data includes the vehicle number and parking start time, and is transmitted to the mobile communication terminal by a relevant data transmitting means. The parking lot user can know when his / her vehicle was parked.

[0035] (Variation 1 of the third invention) The third invention is more preferably formed as follows. That is, the user request data receiving means also receives location data of the communication terminal related to the parking lot user, The data transmission means does not transmit the data when the position data is outside a predetermined range (see FIG. 8).

[0036] (action) The user request data receiving means also receives location data of the communication terminal related to the parking lot user, and the data transmitting means does not transmit the relevant data if the location data is outside a specified range, thereby avoiding responding to inappropriate request data.

[0037] (Variation 2 of the third invention) The third invention can also be formed as follows. That is, the user request data receiving means also receives payment amount data obtained by the communication terminal related to the parking lot user, A parking fee calculation means for calculating a parking fee using the payment amount data, The relevant data transmission means includes the parking fee calculated by the parking fee calculation means in the relevant data (see Figs. 9 and 10).

[0038] (action) The user request data receiving means also receives payment amount data obtained by the communication terminal related to the parking lot user, and the parking fee calculation means calculates the parking fee using the payment amount data. The parking fee calculated by the parking fee calculation means is then included in the relevant data and transmitted by the relevant data transmission means. Parking lot users can also find out the current parking fee, as well as when their vehicle was parked.

[0039] (Variation 2 of the third invention) The third invention can also be formed as follows. That is, the relevant data transmission means may include data regarding paid products or paid services that can substantially reduce the parking fee calculated by the parking fee calculation means (see FIG. 12).

[0040] The "substantially reduced" in the "paid product or service that can substantially reduce parking fees" refers not only to reducing parking fees by Y yen, but also to extending the current fee or the time for free parking, or granting so-called points that have economic value. Effect of the Invention

[0041] According to the first invention, it is possible to provide a mobile communication terminal that enables a user to check the time when parking began even when the user is away from a parking lot that does not issue parking tickets. According to the second invention, it is possible to provide an application program for a mobile communication terminal that enables a user to check the time when parking began even when the user is away from a parking lot that does not issue parking tickets. According to the third invention, it is possible to provide a mobile communication terminal that enables a user to check the time when parking began even when the user is away from a parking lot that does not issue parking tickets. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0042] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing the procedure for entering a parking lot that does not issue parking tickets. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a drawback of the prior art. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a transition of a terminal screen according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 5] 5 is a flowchart showing a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a transition of a terminal screen according to a second embodiment; [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a third embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a conceptual diagram showing a fourth embodiment. [Figure 9]FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a fifth embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a sixth embodiment. [Figure 11] 13 conceptually illustrates a timer function according to the seventh embodiment. [Figure 12] 23 illustrates an example of a screen displaying recommended products according to the eighth embodiment. [Figure 13] This is a conceptual diagram of an automatic correction algorithm for inputting a vehicle number. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0043] The present invention will be described below based on the drawings and embodiments. The drawings used in each section are Fig. 1 to Fig. 13. In Figs. 1, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12, the solid arrows indicate serial communication, and the two-dot dashed arrows indicate wireless communication. Figs. 1 and 2 have already been used to explain the background art and its problems, but will also be used in the explanation of the present invention. The design of the smartphone screen is an example, and the design may be changed.

[0044] (Figure 1) As a premise of an embodiment of the present invention, it is assumed that a parking lot user enters a parking lot that does not issue a physical parking ticket upon entry (Fig. 1(a)). Next, dedicated cameras installed at the entrance to the parking lot or near the front or rear of the parking space capture the vehicle number. The captured image is digitized using OCR processing and sent to a data center together with time data in a time stamp (b). When the parking lot user enters their vehicle number into a prepayment machine, the data center performs a matching process, calculates the parking fee based on the time data, and prompts the user to pay (c).

[0045] (Figure 2) As a premise of an embodiment of the present invention, a parking lot user leaves the parking lot after entering the parking lot. FIG. 2(a) shows that the user has moved to a shopping center adjacent to the parking lot. In this state, if the parking lot user does not remember when he / she entered the parking lot, he / she will become unsure and anxious (b). Also, when paying, if the user does not remember the time of entry, he / she will become unsure whether the payment is appropriate (c).

[0046] In the following embodiment, in order to alleviate the concerns of parking lot users as shown in Figures 2(b) and (c), a large number of two-dimensional barcodes are affixed within areas where parking lot users are expected to visit using the parking lot. The two-dimensional barcode becomes data used to identify a single parking lot in a data center that manages multiple parking lots.

[0047] (Figure 3) FIG. 3 shows an overview of the first embodiment. In Figure 3(a), a parking lot user who cannot remember when he entered the parking lot finds a two-dimensional barcode displayed in a shopping center. He reads it with the barcode reading function of his smartphone (when the dedicated application is started, the barcode reading function is started first, and the parking lot user is instructed to read the two-dimensional barcode).

[0048] In Figure 3(b), the user is instructed (by a dedicated application) to enter the four-digit vehicle number of the parked car. The user enters the four-digit number using an input means such as a numeric keypad and presses the send button (or a button for searching the entry time, for example). The data center identifies the parking lot using the two-dimensional barcode data, reads data such as the entry time from the vehicle number, and sends it back.

[0049] As shown in Figure 3(c), the response from the data center is displayed on the smartphone screen. The entry time is also displayed, so the parking lot user can know when their vehicle was entered.

[0050] (Figure 4) FIG. 4 shows what information is exchanged between facilities such as parking lot prepayment machines, a data center, and smartphones related to parking lot users for the first embodiment outlined in FIG.

[0051] First, the vehicle license plate number of a vehicle that has entered a parking lot is photographed by a vehicle license plate reading means (camera). The photographed image data is then digitized by an OCR processing means. Meanwhile, the time the image was taken by the camera is linked to the entry time data by a time stamp. The digitized vehicle license plate number is then sent to a data center as entry data together with data specifying the entry time and the parking lot.

[0052] In the data center, the parking data receiving means receives the parking data and stores it in the parking management database. The parking management database stores data for each parking lot it manages (Parking Lot A, Parking Lot B, and Parking Lot C in FIG. 4).

[0053] A different two-dimensional barcode is attached to each parking lot. When a parking lot user wants to know the time when his / her vehicle entered the parking lot, the user reads the two-dimensional barcode with the barcode reading means of the smartphone. On the other hand, the vehicle number is inputted by the vehicle number inputting means, and the user request data transmitting means transmits the request data including the parking lot identification data and the vehicle number to the data center.

[0054] The requested data is received by the user requested data receiving means of the data center. Then, the corresponding data extracting means extracts the parking data that matches the requested data from the parking management database. The corresponding data transmitting means transmits the extracted corresponding data to the smartphone. The smartphone receives the relevant data through the relevant data receiving means and outputs the data through the relevant data output means.

[0055] (Figure 5) The second embodiment is shown in a flow chart in Fig. 5. The difference from the first embodiment is that, for a vehicle number in the request data, multiple pieces of relevant data are present in the data center.

[0056] The parking lot user finds the two-dimensional barcode and launches a dedicated application (entry time confirmation application) on his / her smartphone. This starts the barcode reader (S1). The parking lot user operates the smartphone to read the two-dimensional barcode (S2). Next, a screen that allows the user to enter the vehicle number is displayed along with instructions to do so (S3). Following these instructions, the parking lot user operates the smartphone to enter the four-digit vehicle number. Once the input is complete, the request data is created by combining this with the parking lot identification data specified by the two-dimensional barcode, and the request data is then sent to the data center (S4).

[0057] The relevant data is then sent from the data center, which is received (S5). Even if multiple relevant data are found at the data center, the multiple relevant data are returned to the smartphone. If multiple relevant data exist, the entirety of the multiple vehicle plates are displayed on the smartphone screen (S6, S7). The parking lot user selects his / her own vehicle plate from the multiple vehicle plates displayed (S8). When a selection is made from multiple vehicle plates, or when no selection is required, the vehicle plate and the entry time are output to the smartphone screen (S9).

[0058] Although not shown in the flowchart, if the relevant data does not exist, it is assumed that this is due to an input error by the parking lot user, so a screen stating something like "The specified vehicle number cannot be found. Please re-enter the vehicle number" is displayed on the smartphone to prompt the user to re-enter the number.

[0059] (Figure 6) Fig. 6(a) illustrates S6, S7, and S8 in Fig. 5. Fig. 6(c) and (d) illustrate S9 in Fig. 5. In addition, FIG. 6(b) shows an example in which the entry times of two vehicles are displayed, and the parking lot user can be omitted from making a selection.

[0060] (Figure 7) FIG. 7 shows a third embodiment. The difference from the first embodiment is as follows: When the barcode reading means reads a barcode, it is sent to the data center, and when the vehicle number is input by the vehicle number input means, it is sent. In other words, the "request data" is not created on the smartphone side, but is prepared as request data at the data center and the relevant data is returned.

[0061] Although the number of communications between the smartphone and the data center increases, this embodiment still meets the desire of parking lot users to know the entry time. Parking lot users can know the entry time without downloading a dedicated application.

[0062] (Figure 8) FIG. 8 shows a fourth embodiment. The difference from the first embodiment is that it requires that location data is acquired on the smartphone, and does not respond to requests from parking lot users who are not within a specified range of the parking lot to know the entry time. The purpose of not responding to unrelated or unnecessary requests is to improve security.

[0063] It is also possible to make it so that the application shown in FIG. 3 cannot be launched unless the parking lot user has "acquiring location data" turned on in the privacy settings of his / her smartphone. Even if "Acquire location data" is turned on, there may be cases where the acquired location data has not been updated for some reason. In order to deal with such cases, a message will be displayed on the smartphone screen stating that "the request data should be sent again after reacquiring (updating) the location data."

[0064] According to this embodiment, for example, when the vehicle is taken out of the parking lot or when the vehicle leaves the parking lot a predetermined distance or more, the entry time confirmation by the present system cannot be executed.

[0065] (Fig. 9) FIG. 9 shows a fifth embodiment. The difference from the first embodiment is that when a parking fee discount service is applied to parking lot users who spend money at commercial facilities or other facilities affiliated with the parking lot, the details of that service are reflected in the entry time confirmation app.

[0066] The fifth embodiment is based on the premise that a barcode payment function using a smartphone is provided. At a shopping register in a shopping center, the two-dimensional barcode of the purchase is read by the barcode reading means. Then, when the payment is made by the payment means, the user request data transmission means transmits the payment amount data to the data center. At the data center, a parking fee calculation means calculates the parking fee at that time based on the payment amount data, and returns the parking fee together with the corresponding data to the smartphone.

[0067] As a means of outputting the relevant data from the smartphone, the LCD screen will display not only the time of entry but also the current parking fee. In the illustrated example, it is assumed that a service is being implemented that provides free parking for one hour from the time of entry because the customer has made a purchase of 1,500 yen (excluding tax), and the illustration shows that parking is free up to a specified time.

[0068] (Figure 10) FIG. 10 shows a sixth embodiment. The difference from the fifth embodiment is that the parking fee discount service can be provided even if the device is not equipped with a barcode payment function via smartphone.

[0069] The parking lot user photographs the receipt of the purchase with the camera. The OCR processing means then extracts the payment amount from the image data of the receipt and adds it to the user request data as payment amount data. In the data center, the parking fee calculation means uses the payment amount data to calculate the parking fee and returns it together with the corresponding data.

[0070] According to the fifth and sixth embodiments, it is possible to check the entry time while taking into account the linked services with parking lots at commercial facilities, thereby improving convenience for parking lot users.

[0071] (Fig. 11) FIG. 11 conceptually illustrates the seventh embodiment. In the sixth embodiment, the time until which parking is free is shown, but in this embodiment, a timer function can be set to the time until which parking is free.

[0072] When the parking lot user touches the button at the bottom of the smartphone screen that says "Set alarm until free parking time," a screen appears that allows the user to set how many minutes before the alarm will go off. The parking lot user sets the desired time. In this figure, the user sets "15 minutes before." In other words, the alarm on the user's smartphone will go off 15 minutes before the free parking time ends at 14:54, or at 14:39.

[0073] In Fig. 11, the timer setting data is transmitted to a data center, the timer data receiving means in the data center receives the timer setting data, and the alarm data transmitting means outputs an alarm using a clock. This is because the intention is to collect data such as how parking lot users use the timer settings. In other words, the timer setting data may be completed by the clock function or alarm output means in the smartphone without transmitting the timer setting data to the data center.

[0074] (Fig. 12) FIG. 12 shows the time up to which parking fees are free in the sixth embodiment, but in this embodiment, data regarding additional products that are recommended for purchase in order to extend the time for which parking fees are free is also transmitted to the smartphone of the parking lot user.

[0075] The parking fee calculation means in the data center refers to the data in the shopping center's product database, extracts products that can be used to make the parking fee free and data related to those products (such as the name of the store where the products are sold and where they are located).Then, the relevant data transmission means transmits the recommended product data to the smartphone of the parking lot user.

[0076] In addition, if the product database of the shopping center is prepared in advance as a "recommended product database" in a data center, data processing will be more efficient.

[0077] The bottom of the smartphone screen displays a message that if you spend 500 yen or more (excluding tax), you will get an additional 30 minutes of free parking. When the parking lot user touches the button that says "See recommended items for 500 yen purchases," items suitable for purchases of 500 yen or more are displayed on the smartphone screen.

[0078] (Fig. 13) FIG. 13 conceptually shows the algorithm for automatic correction when a vehicle number is input. As shown in Fig. 13(a), assume that the vehicle number is "Adachi 500 ho ·5-60". Some parking lot users enter "0" instead of "·" as shown in Fig. 13(b), and some parking lot users enter only three digits, "5,6,0", as shown in Fig. 13(c).

[0079] Therefore, in cases where the first digit used in a dedicated application pre-installed on a smartphone is "0", it is corrected to "·" as shown in Figure 13(d). The same process is carried out whether the vehicle number has only two digits or only one digit. [Industrial Applicability]

[0080] The present invention has applicability in the parking lot management industry, the manufacturing industry of equipment necessary for parking lot management, the manufacturing industry of portable communication terminals, the software service industry that creates application programs used in portable communication terminals, and the like.

Claims

1. A mobile communication terminal for informing a parking start time while parking in a postpaid parking lot by communicating with a data center that manages various data in the parking lot, a barcode reading means capable of optically reading a barcode indicating data for identifying a parking lot; a vehicle number input means for inputting a vehicle number associated with a parked vehicle; a user request data transmission means for creating request data for requesting notification of the time when parking was started based on the barcode data read by the barcode reading means and the vehicle number inputted via the vehicle number inputting means, and transmitting the request data to the data center; a corresponding data receiving means for receiving the corresponding data when the data center that has received the request data extracts and transmits the corresponding data corresponding to the request data; a corresponding data output means for outputting the vehicle number and the parking start time in the received corresponding data; A location data acquisition means for acquiring location data of the mobile communication terminal; Equipped with The user request data transmission means includes the location data acquired by the location data acquisition means in the request data. Mobile communication device.

2. In the case where there are a plurality of pieces of relevant data received by the relevant data receiving means, The corresponding data output means outputs license plate data in the plurality of received corresponding data, and allows one of the plurality of license plate data to be selected; The relevant data output means outputs the vehicle number and parking start time related to the selected one of the license plate data.

2. The mobile communication terminal according to claim 1.

3. The barcode reading means also reads barcodes related to payments, a payment means for processing a payment based on the read barcode and creating payment amount data based on the processing; The user request data transmission means also transmits the payment amount data to the data center.

3. The mobile communication terminal according to claim 1 or 2.

4. An application program for controlling a mobile communication terminal for informing a parking start time while parking in a postpaid parking lot by communicating with a data center that manages various data in the parking lot, a barcode reading step capable of optically reading a barcode indicating data identifying the parking lot; a vehicle number input step that allows input of a vehicle number associated with the parked vehicle; a user request data transmission step of creating request data for requesting to be notified of the time when parking was started based on the barcode data read in the barcode reading step and the vehicle number inputted via the vehicle number input means, and transmitting the request data to the data center; a corresponding data receiving step of receiving the corresponding data when the data center that has received the request data extracts and transmits the corresponding data corresponding to the request data; a corresponding data output step of outputting the vehicle number and the parking start time in the received corresponding data; A location data acquisition procedure for acquiring location data of the mobile communication terminal; The mobile communication terminal is caused to execute the following: In the user request data transmission procedure, the location data acquired in the location data acquisition procedure is included in the request data. Computer program.

5. In the case where there are a plurality of pieces of relevant data received by the relevant data receiving means, a multiple number plate output step is included for outputting number plate data in the plurality of pieces of relevant data received, In the corresponding data output procedure, the vehicle number and parking start time related to one of the license plate data selected from the plurality of license plate data output in the plurality of license plate output procedure are output.

5. A computer program according to claim 4.

6. a payment barcode reading step for reading a barcode relating to the payment; a payment procedure for processing a payment based on the barcode read in the payment barcode reading procedure and creating payment amount data based on the processing, The user request data transmission procedure also transmits the payment amount data to the data center. A computer program according to claim 4 or claim 5.

7. a receipt image reading step for reading an image of a receipt relating to a payment; an OCR processing step for identifying the payment amount from the image read in the receipt image reading step, The user request data transmission procedure also transmits the payment amount to the data center. A computer program according to any one of claims 4 to 6.

8. The data output procedure includes an alarm setting procedure for activating an alarm at a predetermined time, The portable communication terminal is also caused to execute an alarm output procedure for outputting an alarm when the time set in the alarm setting procedure is reached. A computer program according to any one of claims 4 to 7.

9. A payment machine is installed in the parking lot to allow a parking lot user to pay a parking fee; a data center that communicates with the fare adjustment machine and manages the data; A parking management system that allows a parking lot user to know a parking start time while parking in a postpaid parking lot, comprising: The payment machine includes a vehicle number reading means for reading the vehicle number of a vehicle to be parked as number data; A time stamp is added to the number data to create the entry data. A data transmission means for transmitting the data to the data center, The data center has a warehouse data receiving means for receiving the warehouse data; a parking management database that manages the received parking data for each parking lot; a user request data receiving means for receiving user request data including a barcode indicating data for identifying the parking lot and data for identifying the vehicle from a mobile communication terminal associated with a parking lot user; a corresponding data transmission means for extracting parking data based on the user request data from the parking management database and transmitting the extracted parking data including a vehicle number and a parking start time to the mobile communication terminal; Equipped with The user request data receiving means also receives location data of the communication terminal related to the parking lot user, The data transmission means does not transmit the data when the position data is outside a predetermined range. Parking management system.

10. The user request data receiving means also receives payment amount data obtained by the communication terminal related to the parking lot user, A parking fee calculation means for calculating a parking fee using the payment amount data, The relevant data transmission means includes the parking fee calculated by the parking fee calculation means in the relevant data. The parking lot management system according to claim 9.

11. The data transmission means includes data on paid products or paid services that can substantially reduce the parking fee calculated by the parking fee calculation means. A parking lot management system according to claim 9 or 10.

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