Electronic payment system

Abstract

To enable refurbishment of a first system that does not support electronic settlement into one that supports electronic settlement while suppressing additional load.SOLUTION: A first system 10 supports non-electronic settlement but does not support electronic settlement, and is configured to include a first management server 40 and an adjustment machine 30 as a system separate from a second system 110 that supports electronic settlement. The second system 110 includes a second management server 140, which, when it is accessed by a communication terminal 90 of a user, enables identification of one of a plurality of first systems 10 in which the user is currently present, and enables interconnection among the first management server of the first system, the second management server and a settlement server to be established with a star connection form centered at the second management server in order to perform an electronic settlement for a fee related to the first system.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a technology for providing a certain type of service to a user, and in particular to a technology that enables a system that cannot handle electronic payments using a user's communication terminal to be modified into a system that can handle electronic payments using the user's communication terminal while minimizing additional burden. [Background technology]

[0002] Systems that provide certain types of 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 estate or personal property.

[0003] Specifically, an example of a rental item as real property is rental space such as a seat or parking lot, while an example of a rental item as movable property is a means of transportation such as rental bicycles or rental cars.

[0004] More specifically, examples of rental real estate include accommodation facilities where users can stay on a short-term basis (e.g., rooms in a hotel, rooms in a private home or apartment building that is temporarily rented to others) or rooms in accommodation facilities where users can stay on a long-term basis (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 a certain type of service to users will be described, with a particular focus on the payment method.

[0007] Patent document 1 discloses a parking lot management system that can accept electronic payments (also known as "smartphone payments," such as 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 a user's mobile terminal, and an exit restriction device installed in 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" physically restricts a vehicle that has entered the parking lot from exiting the parking lot until the user has completed payment, and physically permits the vehicle to leave the parking lot once the user has completed payment, and is also referred to as an exit permission device.

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

[0010] The system includes a payment machine (a device that allows users to make non-electronic payments) installed in the parking lot, 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 able to communicate 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 payment, 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] JP 2016-045916 A [Patent Document 3] JP 2018-173965 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0013] Although electronic payment is becoming more and more common as a method of paying for services, there are still users who prefer non-electronic payment methods.

[0014] Incidentally, after a system is constructed to exclusively handle non-electronic payments, it is possible to at least partially modify the hardware configuration of the system so that it can also handle electronic payments in order to meet the demand for electronic payments. However, in this case, there is a risk that the burden of modifying the system will increase.

[0015] Against this background, the present invention has been made with the objective of providing technology that makes it possible to modify a system that is incapable of supporting electronic payments using a user's communication terminal into a system that is capable of supporting electronic payments using a user's communication terminal, while minimizing additional burden. [Means for solving the problem]

[0016] In order to solve the problem, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic payment agent system serving as a second system that acts as an agent for electronically paying a first fee charged to a user of a first system that provides a first service to a user as a consideration for the user's use of the first service, the electronic payment agent system comprising: The first system comprises: Installed in the corresponding parking lot, Although it cannot handle electronic payments using the user's communication terminal alone, it can handle non-electronic payments. Together The first charge Parking fees as A settlement machine having a function for calculating the amount of and a first management server connected to the settlement machine. Consists of the first system exists as a plurality of first systems; The electronic payment agency system is as a system separate from the first system, and Second Management Server and, an identification mark for each vehicle compartment as a pattern that is displayed in the parking lot and can be read by a communication terminal of a user in the parking lot, and that can identify the parking lot and the vehicle compartment; a program for electronic payment that is installed on the communication terminal, and that, when activated on the communication terminal, reads the identification mark in any vehicle compartment in the parking lot of any of the first systems in order to identify any of the first systems in which the user is currently located, and transmits the result of the reading to the first management server of any of the first systems with or without passing through the second management server; Including It is designed to , the electronic payment agency system transitions from a fee calculation stage for calculating an amount of the first fee for any one of the first systems to an electronic payment stage for providing an electronic payment service to the user of any one of the first systems; In the fee calculation stage, the first management server of any of the identified first systems calculates the amount of the first fee for any of the identified first systems and transmits the calculated first fee to the second management server with or without passing through the communication terminal; In the electronic payment stage, after receiving a payment request from the communication terminal, the second management server performs the electronic payment for the first fee received from the first management server of any of the specified first systems by communicating with a payment server, and when the electronic payment is completed, notifies the first management server of any of the specified first systems of the completion of the electronic payment; In any of the identified first systems, the first management server transmits a payment completion signal to the settlement machine in response to the notification of the completion of the electronic payment. An electronic payment gateway system is provided.

[0032] The present invention provides the following embodiments. Each embodiment is divided into clauses, each clause is numbered, and other clause numbers are cited as necessary. This is to facilitate understanding of some of the technical features that the present invention may employ and their combinations, and should not be construed as limiting the technical features and combinations that the present invention may employ to the following embodiments. In other words, it should be construed that technical features that are not described in the following embodiments but are described in this specification may be appropriately extracted and employed as technical features of the present invention.

[0033] Furthermore, describing each section in a form that refers to the number of other sections does not necessarily mean that the technical features described in each section are prevented from being separated and made independent from the technical features described in other sections, and it should be interpreted that the technical features described in each section can be made independent as appropriate depending on their nature.

[0034] (1) A system for providing a certain type of service to a user, a cash register that allows a user to make a non-electronic payment, such as a cash payment or a card payment; A management server capable of communicating with the settlement machine; Including, The system does not support electronic payments by itself, but executes a pseudo-electronic payment mode in cooperation with a second system that provides users with the same type of service as the system and 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 a user to make an electronic payment 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 poses as a member of the second system, thereby making electronic payments using the payment server.

[0035] (2) A system for providing a certain type of service to a user, a cash register that allows a user to make a non-electronic payment, such as a cash payment or a card payment; A management server capable of communicating with the settlement machine; Including, The system executes a non-electronic payment mode that does not support electronic payment by the system alone, and in the non-electronic payment mode, a user makes a non-electronic payment using the settlement machine; said system implementing a pseudo electronic payment mode in cooperation with a second system providing users with the same type of services as said system; The second system comprises: A second management server capable of communicating with the user's communication terminal; A payment server that enables a user to make an electronic payment and is capable of communicating with the second management server. Including, the second system independently executes an electronic payment mode corresponding to electronic payment on condition that the user is a member of the second system, in which a communication terminal of the user communicates with the second management server, thereby performing electronic payment using the payment server, and thereafter, the second management server transmits a payment completion signal to the communication terminal; The system is a pseudo-electronic payment compatible service provision system in which, in the pseudo electronic payment mode, a user's communications terminal accesses the second management server, with the user posing as a member of the second system, with or without going through the management server, thereby making electronic payment using the payment server, and then the second management server communicates with the settlement machine, with or without going through the management server, whereby the settlement machine receives a payment completion signal.

[0036] (3) A pseudo-electronic payment-enabled service providing system as described in (1) or (2), wherein the service includes a service of lending a space to a user for parking a vehicle, including a bicycle, an automobile, or a motorcycle, and / or a service of lending a vehicle, including a bicycle, an automobile, or a motorcycle, to a user.

[0037] (4) The service includes a service of lending 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 permission device that physically restricts a vehicle that has entered the parking lot from leaving the parking lot until a payment by a user is completed, and physically permits the vehicle to leave the parking lot when the payment by the user is completed, the parking permission device being controlled by the settlement machine; The pseudo electronic payment-compatible service providing system according to claim 3, wherein the settlement machine transmits a withdrawal permission signal to the withdrawal permission device when the settlement machine receives the payment completion signal.

[0038] (5) The service includes a service of lending to a user a parking space selected by the user from among a plurality of parking spaces, which are a plurality of 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 providing system as described in any of (1) to (4), comprising: a user's communication terminal, when the pseudo-electronic payment mode is selected by a user at the entry stage where a vehicle enters the selected vehicle space or at the exit stage where the vehicle leaves the vehicle space, obtains a combination of information for identifying the parking lot and information for identifying the selected vehicle space, assigns 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 includes an impersonation access means for accessing the second management server using the impersonation member ID with or without going through the management server.

[0039] (6) Furthermore, A pseudo-electronic payment compatible service providing system as described in any of (1) to (4), comprising: a user's communication terminal, when the pseudo-electronic payment mode is selected by the user, obtains the user's user ID or information uniquely corresponding to the user, assigns to the user ID or information an impersonation member ID 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.

[0040] (7) A program for causing a computer to function as a communication terminal according to any one of (1) to (6).

[0041] 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 a function, and may also include not only such a combination of instructions, but also the files and data that are processed in accordance with each instruction.

[0042] Furthermore, this program may be executed by a computer alone to achieve the intended purpose, or may be executed by a computer together with other programs to achieve the intended purpose, but is not limited thereto. In the latter case, the program according to this section may be, but is not limited to, one that mainly consists of data.

[0043] (8) A program for causing a computer to function as the management server according to any one of (1) to (6).

[0044] (9) A program for causing a computer to function as a settlement machine described in any one of (1) to (6).

[0045] (10) A recording medium having a computer-readable recording medium recorded thereon the program described in any one of (7) to (9).

[0046] 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 description of the drawings]

[0047] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view conceptually illustrating a parking management system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, which is not capable of supporting electronic payments on its own, together with a second parking management system which is capable of supporting electronic payments on its own. [Diagram 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 performed in the parking entry stage. [Diagram 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 performed 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 support electronic payments by partially utilizing the second parking lot management system shown in the same figure. [Diagram 5] Figure 5 is a flowchart conceptually illustrating the operation 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 performed to execute a pseudo-electronic payment mode at the exit stage. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0048] Hereinafter, some of more specific exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0049] <Overall composition>

[0050] 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, which is an example of a pseudo electronic payment-enabled service providing method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] The system 10 executes a non-electronic payment mode that does not support electronic payment by itself. In the non-electronic payment mode, a user makes a non-electronic payment using the settlement machine 30 in the system 10. One example of a non-electronic payment is cash payment, and another example is prepaid IC card payment (also simply called "card payment").

[0052] Furthermore, the system 10 executes 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 the pseudo electronic payment mode, a user uses his / her mobile terminal (an example of the communication terminal) 90 to make electronic payment using a management server 140 and a payment server 160 in the second system 110. Electronic payment is also called "smartphone payment," and corresponds to, for example, credit card payment.

[0053] This system 10 is a postpaid system that allows a user to leave the 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 the parking lot 20 on the condition that the user pays a prepaid parking fee that corresponds to the length of the parking time the user desires (e.g., planned parking time) prior to starting to use the parking lot 20.

[0054] <System 10 Configuration>

[0055] Referring to Fig. 1, the system 10 is a system for managing a parking lot 20. The parking lot 20 has a plurality of vehicle compartments 22. One vehicle is parked in each vehicle compartment 22. An exit permission device 24 is installed for each vehicle compartment 22.

[0056] With regard to the definition of the term "vehicle," the term should be construed as including not only automobiles but also all kinds of moving objects such as bicycles and motorcycles.

[0057] An example of an exit permission device 24 has a vehicle presence sensor (e.g., a loop coil buried in the ground or a photosensor installed so as to be exposed on the support surface of the parking lot 20) 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 having a baffle plate (a flap, a lifting device, a car stopper, a wheel stopper, etc.) as a movable member that switches between an exit prevention state that prevents the vehicle in the vehicle compartment 22 from exiting (exiting) from the vehicle compartment 22 and an exit permission state that permits the vehicle to leave the parking lot.

[0058] When the vehicle presence sensor detects the presence of a vehicle, the mechanism transitions the baffle plate to an exit-preventing state, for example by raising or tilting it, and when the user pays the deferred parking fee, the mechanism transitions the baffle plate to an exit-allowing state, for example by lowering or leveling it.

[0059] In this embodiment, a fare adjustment machine 30 is installed in common to multiple vehicle compartments 22. The fare 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 a signal from the vehicle presence sensor. Furthermore, a fare adjustment machine 30 is installed in common to multiple exit permission devices 24. The fare 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 fare adjustment machine 30 may be configured mainly from a sequencer or mainly from a computer.

[0060] 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.

[0061] 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 postpaid type but does not have an exit permission device 24.

[0062] 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.

[0063] 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.

[0064] 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 a user to legitimately pose as a member of the second system 110 and legitimately access the second system 110, thereby realizing multiple functions including a spoofing access function that enables electronic payment, although the system 10 alone cannot handle electronic payments.

[0065] <Configuration of the mobile terminal 90>

[0066] The user's mobile terminal 90 is, for example, a device carried by the user and having 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 also 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.

[0067] The mobile terminal 90 is mainly configured as a computer having a processor and a memory for storing a plurality of applications executed by the processor.

[0068] 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.

[0069] 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.) to the mobile terminal 90.

[0070] The control unit may include, but is not limited to, a touch screen that displays a number of icons (e.g., virtual buttons) that can be operated by a user (means for allowing manual input of data), a physical control unit that can be operated by a user (e.g., a keyboard, keypad, buttons, etc., means for allowing manual input of data), and a microphone that detects voice (means for allowing voice input of data).

[0071] The input section further comprises an image sensor (including a digital camera) for capturing an image.

[0072] 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 measures the position (latitude, longitude, and altitude) of the GPS receiver on the earth by triangulation based on the GPS signals.

[0073] <Configuration of the second system 110>

[0074] 1, the second system 110 is configured to manage a post-paid parking lot 120, similar to the system 10. The parking lot 120 also has a plurality of parking spaces 122.

[0075] In the parking lot 120, one transmitter 130 is installed in common to multiple vehicle compartments 122. In another example, not shown, a number of transmitters 130, the number of which is smaller than the number of vehicle compartments 122, are installed in association with each of multiple vehicle compartment groups. In yet another example, not shown, the same number of transmitters 130 as the number of vehicle compartments 122 are installed for each vehicle compartment 122.

[0076] 1, one parking lot 120 and all the parking spaces 122 are associated with one transmitter 130. Therefore, if the transmitter 130 is identified by the user's mobile terminal 190, the location of the associated parking lot 120, i.e., the parking lot code (or parking lot ID) and location (place name, geographical location, etc.) of the parking lot 120 selected by the user, are known, but the location of the one parking space 122 selected by the user is unknown.

[0077] The mobile terminal 190 has a common configuration with the above-mentioned mobile terminal 90. Therefore, a duplicated description of the mobile terminal 190 will be omitted.

[0078] In this second system 110, the user can only select the electronic payment mode, and cannot select the non-electronic payment mode.

[0079] <Configuration of the transmitter 130>

[0080] 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).

[0081] The user's mobile terminal 190 exclusively receives the identification signal from the transmitter 130 in one direction by a short-distance wireless communication method. The distance at which the mobile terminal 190 can receive a signal from the transmitter 130, that is, the reception radius (for example, 0 m to about 50 m), is variably set by software on the mobile terminal 190. An area surrounded by a circle having that reception radius is called a receivable area or reception zone.

[0082] The transmitter 130 is usually installed in a fixed manner so as not to be movable 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.

[0083] Next, to explain the operation method, the transmitter 130 actively transmits a unique identification signal locally without the need for an external trigger signal, and continuously as long as there is no shortage of power supply.

[0084] The transmitter 130 is generally a device that transmits a beacon signal as an identification signal and is also known as a beacon device, a radio beacon, etc. In one example, the transmitter 130 generates an identification signal representing a corresponding transmitter code by modulating an original signal, and transmits the generated identification signal locally as an IR signal, a Bluetooth (registered trademark) signal, an NFC (near field communication) signal, etc.

[0085] 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.

[0086] <Configuration of Management Server 140>

[0087] The second system 110 further includes a management server 140. This management server 140 communicates with a user's mobile terminal 190 in both directions by a long-distance wireless communication method.

[0088] 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.

[0089] Specifically, this management server 140 has a receiving unit that receives a signal from the mobile terminal 190, a transmitting unit that generates a signal and transmits the signal to the mobile terminal 190, and a clock that measures the current time. This management server 140 does not directly receive signals from the transmitter 130, but in effect receives signals via the mobile terminal 190.

[0090] <Operation of the second system 110>

[0091] The operation of the second system 110 will now be described with reference to FIGS.

[0092] <Stage of receiving goods>

[0093] First, referring to FIG. 2, the operation of the second system 110 in the entry stage where the vehicle enters one of the vehicle compartments 122 will be described. When a user starts the parking lot utilization program on the mobile terminal 190, the mobile terminal 190 first transmits a login request for logging in to the management server 140 to the management server 140 together with a member ID indicating that the user is a member eligible to use the second system 110.

[0094] In response, in step S231, management server 140 receives the login request along with the member ID, and then in step S232, determines whether or not the current user is a legitimate member by referring to the member database in the memory of management server 140.

[0095] If the current user is a legitimate member, the determination in step S232 becomes YES, and in step S233, a login completion signal indicating the completion of login is returned 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.

[0096] 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.

[0097] Next, in step S213, the mobile terminal 190 extracts a transmitter code corresponding to the current transmitter 130 from the signal received from that transmitter 130. After that, in step S214, the mobile terminal 190 converts the extracted transmitter code into a corresponding parking lot code according to 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 current user has entered.

[0098] Next, in step S215, the mobile terminal 190 displays a "Enter" button on its screen to confirm the user's intention to enter. When the user touches the "Enter" button, it is determined that the user intends to enter, and in step S216, a "entry request" for the user to request entry, the parking lot code, and the member ID are transmitted to the management server 140 in association with each other. Then, in step S217, the mobile terminal 190 stores the current parking lot code in the memory of the mobile terminal 190 as an entry parking lot code for future reference.

[0099] 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, the ID of parking lot 20, and the entry time are stored in the memory of management server 140 in association with each other.

[0100] <Shipping stage>

[0101] Next, the operation of the second system 110 in the leaving stage where the vehicle leaves any of the vehicle compartments 122 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. 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.

[0102] Then, in step S313, the mobile terminal 190 converts the extracted transmitter code into a corresponding parking lot code according to a predetermined relationship between the transmitter code and the parking lot code 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.

[0103] Next, in step S314, the mobile terminal 190 reads the already stored entrance parking lot code from the memory of the mobile terminal 190 and judges whether or not it matches the converted parking lot code, i.e., the exit parking lot code. If they match, the judgment in step S314 becomes YES and the process proceeds to step S315, but if they do not match, the judgment becomes NO and the process returns to step S311 to wait for the acquisition of the correct exit parking lot code.

[0104] Next, in step S315, the mobile terminal 190 displays an exit button on its screen to confirm the user's intention to exit. When the user touches the exit button, it is determined that the user intends to exit, and in step S316, it transmits an exit request, the exit parking lot code, and the member ID to the management server 140 in association with each other.

[0105] In response to this, 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.

[0106] 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.

[0107] Thereafter, in step S336, management server 140 calculates a parking fee amount appropriate to the calculated parking time according to a predetermined relationship between the parking time length and the parking fee amount 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.

[0108] In response, in step S317, mobile terminal 190 receives the amount of the parking fee, and then in step S318, displays the amount of the parking fee on the screen.

[0109] 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.

[0110] In response, the payment server 160 receives the payment request in step S351, and then performs electronic payment with the specified details in step S352. Next, the payment server 160 transmits a payment completion signal indicating that the electronic payment has been completed to the management server 140 in step S353.

[0111] 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.

[0112] 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 by electronic payment and therefore the user has obtained the authority to legitimately exit the current parking lot 120.

[0113] <System 10 Operation>

[0114] <Stage of receiving goods>

[0115] To explain the operation of this system 10, at the entry stage when a vehicle enters one of the compartments 22, when the corresponding vehicle presence sensor detects the vehicle, a signal indicating this is sent to the settlement machine 30. The settlement 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 allows a link between the entry time and the compartment 22 number (or compartment ID).

[0116] The payment machine 30 further transmits the entry time and the parking space 22 number (or parking space ID) to the management server 40 in association with each other, and the management server 40 stores the data in association with each other. This enables the management server 40 to monitor the operation 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 operation status of other parking lots 20 as well.

[0117] <Shipping stage>

[0118] <Non-electronic payment mode>

[0119] In contrast, in the exit stage where the vehicle leaves one of the compartments 22, the user first selects either a non-electronic payment mode or a pseudo-electronic payment mode (this mode appears to the user as an electronic payment mode realized by the system 10).

[0120] 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 departure time, calculates the elapsed time from the recorded entry time to the departure time as the parking time, and calculates a deferred parking fee corresponding to that length.

[0121] When the user pays the parking fee to the settlement machine 30 using cash or a prepaid card, the settlement 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 amount of the parking fee is identified using the number of the parking space 22 entered by the user into the settlement machine 30 as a key.

[0122] <Pseudo-electronic payment mode>

[0123] 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 in the mobile terminal 90 .

[0124] 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 post-paid parking fee is performed by the management server 40 on behalf of the settlement machine 30 (first communication procedure), but there is also the possibility that the fee calculation may instead be performed by the management server 140 of the second system 110 on behalf of the settlement machine 30, as shown in the middle column of Figure 4 (second communication procedure), or that the calculation may still be performed by the settlement machine 30, as shown in the bottom column of Figure 4 (third communication procedure).

[0125] Here, we will explain the three communication procedures shown in Figure 4. In all of the communication procedures, a 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 in order to function to enable system 10, which cannot handle electronic payments by itself, to handle electronic payments by partially utilizing second system 110, and in this sense, the combination is also referred to as an electronic payment realization means.

[0126] In this electronic payment realization means, the management server 40 is also called a "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 a "spoofed management server" in the sense that it actually exists not in the system 10 but in the second system 110 and is regarded by the user as if it were a management server that actually exists in the system 10.

[0127] Next, to explain each of these communication procedures individually, in the first communication procedure, the mobile terminal 90 performs wireless communication (e.g., via a telephone line network) with the actual management server 40, thereby causing the actual management server 40 to calculate the parking fee (also called "fee calculation").

[0128] When the fee calculation is completed, the real management server 40 connects to the settlement server 160 via the impersonation management server 140, thereby causing the settlement server 160 to perform electronic settlement. When the electronic settlement is completed, 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.

[0129] In the second communication procedure, the mobile terminal 90 communicates wirelessly with the impersonation management server 140 (e.g., via a telephone line network), thereby causing the impersonation management server 140 to calculate the parking fee (also called “fee calculation”).

[0130] When the fee calculation is completed, the masquerade management server 140 connects to the settlement server 160, thereby enabling the user to make an electronic payment. When the electronic payment is completed, the masquerade 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.

[0131] In the third communication procedure, the mobile terminal 90 communicates wirelessly (e.g., 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 further to send the calculated parking fee back to the mobile terminal 90.

[0132] Thereafter, the mobile terminal 90 performs wireless communication (e.g., via a telephone line network) with the masquerade management server 140, which in turn connects to the settlement server 160, thereby enabling the user to make an electronic payment. When the electronic payment is completed, the masquerade 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.

[0133] Next, with reference 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 payment server 160 of the second system 110 when the pseudo electronic payment mode is executed at the delivery stage.

[0134] 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.

[0135] 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 screen of the mobile terminal 90 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.

[0136] 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).

[0137] In a first example of a method for assisting in inputting a parking lot code, the mobile terminal 90 measures the current 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 among the plurality of map locations that corresponds to one located near the measured current location as a candidate for the current parking lot 20.

[0138] In this first example, when the user selects any 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.

[0139] In a second example of the parking lot code input support method, the mobile terminal 90 performs wireless communication (for example, by Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication method) with the payment adjustment machine 30, and at this time, the payment adjustment machine 30 returns a signal indicating the parking lot code corresponding to the parking lot 20 in which the payment adjustment machine 30 is installed to the mobile terminal 90. This allows the user to input into the mobile terminal 90 the parking lot code of the parking lot 20 in which the user is currently located.

[0140] In a third example of the parking lot code input support 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) or the like), 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 into the mobile terminal 90 the parking lot code for the parking lot 20 in which the user is currently located.

[0141] Next, in step S514, the mobile terminal 90 prompts the user to input vehicle compartment identification information, for example, a vehicle compartment number, for identifying the vehicle compartment 22 in which the user's vehicle is currently parked, among the parking lot 20 in which the user is currently located. In response, the user inputs the corresponding vehicle compartment number into the mobile terminal 90 manually (for example, by the manual input or voice input) or semi-automatically or fully automatically (by a method in which the input is assisted by the mobile terminal 90).

[0142] 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 the user's vehicle is currently parked.

[0143] Here, the "identification mark" may be configured as a multi-purpose identification mark including both the identification mark of the vehicle compartment 22 and the identification mark of the parking lot 20. In this case, the image sensor of the mobile terminal 90 reads the multi-purpose 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.

[0144] According to this exemplary input assistance method, the user can input into the mobile terminal 90 in one go the parking lot code of the parking lot 20 in which the user is currently located and the compartment number of the compartment 22 in which the user's vehicle is currently parked.

[0145] Thereafter, in step S515, the mobile terminal 90 assigns one spoof 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 spoof member ID is set to be different for each user.

[0146] However, a user who wishes to use the second system 110 for its intended purpose of parking a vehicle is required to be preregistered 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.

[0147] 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 will of the user of the system 10 and without the user's knowledge. This posing as a member automatically expires when the user finishes using the system 10 (when the parking fee is paid by pseudo electronic payment).

[0148] To perform the spoofing process, the memory of the mobile terminal 90 stores a number of virtual member IDs, i.e., virtual member 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 for the sole 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.

[0149] Each time the mobile terminal 90 receives a withdrawal request from a user in the pseudo electronic payment mode, it selects one of those virtual member IDs so that it does not overlap with any IDs already used by 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 spoofed member ID to one another. When each mobile terminal 90 selects a certain spoofed member ID, it transmits the result to the management server 40, and the management server 40 provides information to other mobile terminals 90 so as not to select the same spoofed member ID.

[0150] 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 in pseudo-electronic payment mode rather than non-electronic payment mode) in association with the parking lot code and the vehicle space number.

[0151] 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.

[0152] Next, in step S532, management server 40 measures the current time by using the clock. Thereafter, management server 40 treats the measured current time as the departure time, and then reads out the entry time stored in the memory of management server 40 in association with the current parking space number from the memory, and calculates the parking time by subtracting the entry time from the departure time.

[0153] Thereafter, in step S533, management server 40 calculates a parking fee amount appropriate to the calculated parking time length, according to a predetermined relationship between the parking time length and the parking fee amount that is stored in the memory of management server 40. Next, in step S534, management server 40 transmits the calculated parking fee amount to the user's mobile terminal 90.

[0154] In response, in step S517, the mobile terminal 90 receives the amount of the parking fee, and then displays the amount of the parking fee on the screen.

[0155] Thereafter, in step S518, the mobile terminal 90 transmits the amount of the parking fee, a payment request for electronically paying the parking fee, and the current impersonated member ID, together 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, not the mobile terminal 90.

[0156] In response, in step S551, management server 140 receives the parking fee amount, the payment request, the current impersonated member ID, and information necessary for electronic payment.

[0157] Next, in step S552, management server 140 refers to its own memory to determine whether or not there is a virtual member ID that matches the received impersonated member ID, and if there is, permits the current user to access second system 110 for the purpose of electronic payment only. Member authentication is performed.

[0158] 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.

[0159] In response to this, the payment server 160 receives the payment request in step S571, and then performs electronic payment with the specified details in step S572. Next, the payment server 160 transmits a payment completion signal indicating that the electronic payment has been completed to the management server 40 in step S573.

[0160] In response to this, the management server 40 receives the payment completion signal in step S535, and subsequently determines in step S536 that the payment of the parking fee has been completed by electronic payment. After that, the management server 40 transmits a departure permission signal to the payment machine 30 in step S537.

[0161] In response to this, the settlement machine 30 receives the exit permission signal in step S501, and then, in step S502, transmits an exit permission signal to the exit permission device 24 to enable the user's vehicle to exit 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 enabling the vehicle to exit from the exit permission device 24.

[0162] In some of the embodiments described above, when the pseudo electronic payment mode is selected by the user, the mobile terminal 90 is designed to obtain 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), assign a spoofed member ID to the combination for accessing the second management server 140 of the second system 110 as a member of the second system 110, and include a spoofed access means for accessing the second management server 140 using the spoofed member ID.

[0163] 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 that uniquely corresponds to that user (described later), and assign to the user ID or unique corresponding information 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 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.

[0164] Here, examples of "information uniquely corresponding to a user (uniquely corresponding information)" include text (character and number string) information 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 his / her vehicle. The "vehicle registration number" may be obtained by the user manually inputting a character and number string into the mobile terminal 90, or by the user capturing an image including the vehicle 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.

[0165] 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.

[0166] The several embodiments described above are examples of the application of the present invention to a parking service in which a space for a user to park a vehicle in a parking lot 20 managed by an operator (a parking lot management company) is rented to the user, but the present invention can be applied to other types of services.

[0167] 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).

[0168] Furthermore, the present invention may be applied to a service of renting rental objects, which are real estate or personal property, to users.

[0169] 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 invention may also be practiced in a manner in which membership in second system 110 is granted with the user's consent or instruction.

[0170] 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 include various modifications and improvements based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art, including the forms described in the [Summary of the Invention] section above.

Claims

1. An electronic payment agent system serving as a second system that electronically pays a first fee charged to a user of a first system that provides a first service to a user as a consideration for the user's use of the first service, comprising: the first system is configured as a system including a payment machine that is installed in a corresponding parking lot and cannot independently handle electronic payments using the communication terminal of the user but can handle non-electronic payments and has a function of calculating the amount of the parking fee as the first fee, and a first management server connected to the payment machine; the first system exists as a plurality of first systems; The electronic payment agency system is a system separate from the first system, and A second management server; an identification mark for each vehicle compartment as a pattern that is displayed in the parking lot and can be read by a communication terminal of a user in the parking lot, and that can identify the parking lot and the vehicle compartment; a program for electronic payment that is installed on the communication terminal, and that, when activated on the communication terminal, reads the identification mark in any vehicle compartment in the parking lot of any of the first systems in order to identify any of the first systems in which the user is currently located, and transmits the result of the reading to the first management server of any of the first systems with or without passing through the second management server; configured to include the electronic payment agency system transitions from a fee calculation stage for calculating an amount of the first fee for any one of the first systems to an electronic payment stage for providing electronic payment services to the user of any one of the first systems; In the fee calculation stage, the first management server of any of the identified first systems calculates the amount of the first fee for any of the identified first systems and transmits the calculated first fee to the second management server with or without passing through the communication terminal; In the electronic payment stage, after receiving a payment request from the communication terminal, the second management server performs the electronic payment for the first fee received from the first management server of any of the specified first systems by communicating with a payment server, and upon completion of the electronic payment, notifies the first management server of any of the specified first systems of the completion of the electronic payment; An electronic payment agency system in any of the identified first systems, wherein the first management server responds to the notification of completion of the electronic payment by transmitting a payment completion signal to the settlement machine.

2. The electronic payment agency system according to claim 1 , wherein the first system or the second system includes a first fee calculation unit that calculates the first fee.

3. The electronic payment agency system of claim 1, which makes it possible to identify the first system among the plurality of first systems in which the user is currently located by using the positioning results obtained by a positioning function of the user's communication terminal and / or the results obtained by reading a code displayed at a location where the first system provides the first service to the user using the communication terminal.

4. 2. The electronic payment agency system of claim 1, wherein the payment server is connected to or assigned to the second management server as part of the second system or is connected to the second management server as an external server of the second system.

5. 2. The electronic payment agency system of claim 1, which enables the communications terminal to transition to a fee calculation stage for calculating the amount of the first fee using the first management server of the first system or the second management server of the second system, and an electronic payment stage for providing electronic payment services to the user using the second management server.

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