Parking fee payment method

Abstract

To provide a parking fee payment method capable of improving the convenience of application of discount or reduction to a parking fee for a vehicle that enters a parking lot when payment processing of the parking fee for the vehicle is performed by ETC settlement.SOLUTION: A parking lot server 19 associates an ETC number relating to a user of a vehicle 11 with discount information indicating discount or reduction. The ETC number and the discount information are associated with each other via a code including either of the ETC number and the discount information, the parking ticket number of a parking ticket 25 issued by a parking ticket dispenser 13 at a parking lot when the vehicle 11 enters the parking lot, the vehicle number of the vehicle 11 that enters the parking lot, or identification information for identifying the user relating to the parking lot that the vehicle 11 enters. The parking lot server 19 calculates the parking fee to which the discount or reduction indicated by the discount information associated with the ETC number is applied on the basis of the entering time of the vehicle 11, the leaving time of the vehicle 11 and the discount information associated with the ETC number.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for paying parking fees.

Background Art

[0002] As a method for paying parking fees calculated based on the time of entry of a vehicle into a parking lot, cash settlement is widely used. In addition, with the spread of ETC (Electronic Toll Collection), it has been proposed that ETC settlement be used as a method for paying parking fees instead of cash settlement.

[0003] For example, in a parking fee payment method in which the payment process for the parking fee of a vehicle entering a parking lot is performed by ETC settlement, a parking fee payment method has been proposed in which the discount shown in the discount information is applied to the parking fee by using the terminal identification information of an information terminal related to the user of the vehicle (for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the conventional parking fee payment method, in order to apply a discount to the parking fee, the terminal identification information is associated with the ETC number of the ETC card related to the user of the vehicle, and the terminal identification information is associated with the discount information indicating the discount of the parking fee of the vehicle entering the parking lot.

[0006] However, in the conventional parking fee payment method, in order to associate the terminal identification information with the ETC number, it is necessary to transmit the terminal identification information from the information terminal to the parking lot server when the vehicle enters the parking lot.

[0007] For this reason, in the conventional parking fee payment method, when the vehicle enters the parking lot and the terminal identification information cannot be transmitted to the parking lot server due to a failure of the information terminal or the like, the discount on the parking fee indicated in the discount information cannot be applied to the parking fee.

[0008] Therefore, it is preferable to improve the convenience of ETC settlement for the conventional parking fee payment method.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide a parking fee payment method capable of improving the convenience of applying a discounted or reduced parking fee when performing the payment process of the parking fee of a vehicle entering a parking lot by ETC settlement.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0010] The parking fee payment method according to the present invention is a parking fee payment method for performing the payment process of a parking fee to which a discount or a reduction is applied for a vehicle entering a parking lot by ETC settlement associated with an ETC number related to the user of the vehicle entering the parking lot, wherein a parking lot server related to the parking lot where the vehicle enters associates an ETC number included in an on-vehicle ETC device of the vehicle entering the parking lot with the entry time of the vehicle entering the parking lot in a first association step, and a second association step in which the parking lot server or a parking fee settlement device that settles the parking fee of a vehicle exiting the parking lot associates the ETC number with discount information indicating a discount or a reduction, wherein the ETC number and the discount information are associated via a code including either one of the ETC number and the discount information, a parking ticket number of a parking ticket issued by a parking ticket dispenser of the parking lot when the vehicle enters the parking lot, a vehicle number of the vehicle entering the parking lot, or user identification information for identifying a user related to the user of the vehicle entering the parking lot, and a calculation step in which the parking lot server or the parking fee settlement device calculates a parking fee to which the discount or reduction indicated by the discount information associated with the ETC number is applied based on the entry time, the exit time of the vehicle, and the discount information associated with the ETC number.

Effects of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, when performing the payment process of the parking fee for a vehicle entering a parking lot by ETC settlement, the convenience of applying the discounted or reduced parking fee can be improved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Embodiments of the parking fee payment method according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same components.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a system for implementing a parking fee payment method according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In the system 1 shown in FIG. 1, a vehicle 11 entering the parking lot is indicated by a solid line, and a vehicle 11 leaving the parking lot is indicated by a broken line. The system 1 includes an ETC in-vehicle unit 12 mounted on the vehicle 11, a parking ticket issuing machine 13, a payment machine 14, a control device 15, ETC mounting determination devices 16, 16', an information terminal 17, a store terminal 18, a parking lot server 19, an agency company server 20, a credit card company server 21, and communication networks 22, 23.

[0015] In the system 1 shown in FIG. 1, a vehicle 11 entering the parking lot is indicated by a solid line, and a vehicle 11 leaving the parking lot is indicated by a broken line.

[0016] The vehicle 11 is related to the user of the vehicle 11. The ETC in-vehicle unit 12 is insertable with an ETC card 24 related to the user of the vehicle 11. For example, the vehicle 11 and the ETC card 24 are the possessions of the user of the vehicle 11.

[0017] The parking ticket issuing machine 13 is connected to loop coils L1, L2 embedded in the ground to detect the vehicle 11 entering the parking lot. Further, when the parking ticket issuing machine 13 detects the entering vehicle 11 by the loop coils L1, L2, that is, when the vehicle 11 enters the parking lot, it issues a parking ticket 25 with a parking ticket number recorded thereon.

[0018] The payment machine 14 is connected to loop coils L1', L2' embedded in the ground to detect the vehicle 11 leaving the parking lot. The payment machine 14 has an insertion part (not shown) into which a ticket such as the parking ticket 25 is inserted. In the payment machine 14, various operations for calculating the parking fee based on the entry time of the vehicle 11 into the parking lot are performed by the user of the vehicle 11.

[0019] The control device 15 performs various controls on the parking ticket dispenser 13 and the payment machine 14, and determines the parking fee for the vehicle 11. The control device 15 functions as a parking fee settlement device that settles the parking fee for the vehicle exiting the parking lot. For the sake of clarity, the control device 15 is shown as being realized by a single control device, but the control device 15 may be realized by a plurality of control devices. The ETC equipped determination device 16 is arranged close to the entrance gate of the parking lot so that the ETC information transmitted by the on-vehicle unit 12 with the ETC card 24 inserted can be acquired when the vehicle 11 enters the parking lot. The ETC information includes the vehicle number of the vehicle 11, the ETC number of the ETC card 24, etc.

[0020] The ETC equipped determination device 16’ is arranged close to the exit gate of the parking lot so that the ETC information transmitted by the on-vehicle unit 12 with the ETC card 24 inserted can be acquired when the vehicle 11 exits the parking lot.

[0021] The information terminal 17 is related to the user of the vehicle 11. The information terminal 17 is an example of a user terminal. For example, the information terminal 17 is a smartphone owned by the user of the vehicle 11. A dedicated application for generating and displaying or reading a code is pre-installed on the information terminal 17. The code is, for example, a number, a one-dimensional barcode, or a two-dimensional code, and the two-dimensional code is, for example, a QR code (registered trademark).

[0022] In addition, the registration of the ETC number of the ETC card 24 etc. is pre-performed on the information terminal 17 via such a dedicated application. The information terminal 17 has a display for displaying a code etc. and a code reader for reading the code (both not shown).

[0023] The store terminal 18 is related to the store associated with the parking lot used by the user of the vehicle 11. For example, the store terminal 18 is various devices provided in one of the plurality of stores in a shopping mall having a parking lot.

[0024] The store terminal 18 has a display for displaying codes and the like, similar to the display of the information terminal 17, a code reader for reading codes, similar to the display of the information terminal 17, a card insertion part into which a card such as a membership card is inserted, and a card reader for reading the card inserted into the card insertion part (none of which are shown in the figure).

[0025] The parking lot server 19 is a server device that manages at least one parking lot used by the users of the vehicle 11 and other parking lots. That is, the parking lot server 19 functions as a parking lot server related to the parking lot where the vehicle 11 enters. For clarity, the parking lot server 19 is shown as being realized by one server, but the parking lot server 19 may be realized by a plurality of servers.

[0026] The agency company server 20 is a server device managed by an agency company that associates the ETC information of the ETC card 24 with credit information. The credit card company server 21 is a server device managed by a credit card company responsible for credit card settlement (electronic payment) using the ETC card 24.

[0027] The communication network 22 is a wireless or wired communication network for performing communication between the control device 15, the parking lot server 19, and the like. The communication network 23 is a large-scale communication network that connects the store terminal 18, the parking lot server 19, the agency company server 20, the credit card company server 21, and the like. For clarity, the communication networks 22 and 23 are shown as being realized by one communication network each, but the communication networks 22 and 23 may each be realized by a network combining a plurality of communication networks.

[0028] The control device 15, the information terminal 17, the store terminal 18, the parking lot server 19, the agency company server 20, and the credit card company server 21 each include a microcomputer composed of a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, etc., and peripheral circuits such as input / output ports and interface circuits.

[0029] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the parking lot server 19 shown in FIG. 1. In FIG. 2, the parking lot server 19 includes a communication unit 19a, an association unit 19b, a database 19c, and an identification unit 19d.

[0030] The association unit 19b and the identification unit 19d are configured either software-wise by a program executed by a CPU or hardware-wise by dedicated circuits of a microcomputer.

[0031] The communication unit 19a receives the ETC information and the time when the vehicle 11 enters the parking lot from the control device 15 when the vehicle 11 enters the parking lot. Further, when the parking ticket 25 is taken out from the parking ticket issuing machine 13 by the user of the vehicle 11 when the vehicle 11 enters the parking lot, the communication unit 19a also receives the parking ticket number of the parking ticket 25 from the control device 15.

[0032] The association unit 19b associates the ETC number of the ETC card 24, the vehicle number of the vehicle 11, and the time when the vehicle 11 enters the parking lot. Further, when the parking ticket 25 is taken out from the parking ticket issuing machine 13 by the user of the vehicle 11 when the vehicle 11 enters the parking lot, the association unit 19b associates the ETC number of the ETC card 24, the vehicle number of the vehicle 11, the time when the vehicle 11 enters the parking lot, and the parking ticket number of the parking ticket 25.

[0033] The database 19c stores, for each parking lot, a table in which the time when the vehicle 11 enters the parking lot is associated with the vehicle number of the vehicle 11, the ETC number of the ETC card 24, and the like.

[0034] The identification unit 19d identifies the time when the vehicle 11 enters the parking lot, the ETC number of the ETC card 24, etc. in the table of the database 19c. For example, before determining the parking fee based on the time when the vehicle 11 enters the parking lot, the identification unit 19d refers to the table stored in the database 19c and identifies the time when the vehicle 11 enters the parking lot in the table of the database 19c using the vehicle number of the vehicle 11 or the ETC number of the ETC card 24.

[0035] In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, when the parking ticket 25 is not taken out from the parking ticket dispenser 13 when the vehicle 11 enters the parking lot, the parking ticket 25 that has not been taken out from the parking ticket dispenser 13 is collected and discarded inside the parking ticket dispenser 13.

[0036] FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the system when the vehicle 11 enters the parking lot in the parking fee payment method according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The sequence of the operation of the system shown in FIG. 3 starts when an entry detection signal notifying that the entering vehicle 11 has been detected by the loop coils L1 and L2 is received by the communication unit 19a of the parking lot server 19 via the parking ticket dispenser 13, the control device 15, and the communication network 22.

[0037] First, the on-vehicle ETC device 12 transmits ETC information (step S1), and the ETC mounting determination device 16 receives the ETC information transmitted by the on-vehicle ETC device 12 (step S2). Next, the ETC mounting determination device 16 transmits the received ETC information to the control device 15 (step S3).

[0038] Next, the control device 15 receives the ETC information transmitted from the ETC mounting determination device 16 (step S4). Next, the control device 15 transmits the received ETC information to the communication unit 19a of the parking lot server 19 via the communication network 22 (step S5).

[0039] Next, the communication unit 19a of the parking lot server 19 receives the ETC information transmitted from the ETC mounting determination device 16 (step S6), and stores the ETC information in the database 19c (step S7).

[0040] Next, the communication unit 19a of the parking lot server 19 transmits the ETC information received by the communication unit 19a of the parking lot server 19 to the proxy company server 20 via the communication network 23 (step S8). Next, the proxy company server 20 receives the ETC information transmitted from the communication unit 19a of the parking lot server 19 (step S9).

[0041] Next, the agency company server 20 transmits the credit card information associated with the received ETC information to the credit card company server 21 via the communication network 23 (step S10). Next, the credit card company server 21 receives the credit card information transmitted from the agency company server 20 (step S11).

[0042] Next, the credit card company server 21 obtains authentication information indicating that the user of the vehicle 11 has the ability to pay the parking fee of the vehicle 11 and is associated with the received credit card information. Then, the credit card company server 21 transmits the obtained authentication information to the agency company server 20 via the communication network 23 (step S12). Next, the agency company server 20 receives the authentication information transmitted from the credit card company server 21 (step S13).

[0043] Next, the agency company server 20 transmits the received authentication information to the communication unit 19a of the parking lot server 19 via the communication network 23 (step S14). Next, the communication unit 19a of the parking lot server 19 receives the authentication information transmitted from the agency company server 20 (step S15).

[0044] Next, in response to the received authentication information, the parking lot server 19 transmits an opening command signal for opening the entrance gate of the parking lot from the communication unit 19a to the control device 15 via the communication network 22 (step S16).

[0045] Next, the control device 15 receives the opening command signal transmitted from the communication unit 19a of the parking lot server 19 (step S17). Next, in response to the opening command signal transmitted from the communication unit 19a of the parking lot server 19, the control device 15 opens the entrance gate of the parking lot (step S18).

[0046] Next, the control device 15 transmits, via the communication network 22, the time of entry of the vehicle 11 into the parking lot that approximately coincides with the time when the control device 15 receives the ETC information from the ETC-equipped vehicle determination device 16, to the communication unit 19a of the parking lot server 19 (step S19).

[0047] Next, the communication unit 19a of the parking lot server 19 receives the time of entry of the vehicle 11 into the parking lot transmitted from the control device 15 (step S20). Next, the association unit 19b of the parking lot server 19 associates the ETC number included in the ETC information stored in the database 19c, the vehicle number included in the ETC information, and the time of entry of the vehicle 11 into the parking lot, and stores the thus-associated time of entry in the database 19c (step S21).

[0048] Steps S6, S7, S20, and S21 in FIG. 3 correspond to the first association step of associating the ETC number of the ETC card 24 with the time of entry of the vehicle 11.

[0049] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a table representing the relationship between the ETC number, vehicle number, etc. stored in the database 19c in step S21 of the operation sequence of the system shown in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 4, the database 19c includes a table T1 in which vehicles parked in the parking lot identified by the location ID "aaa" are recorded, and a table T2 in which vehicles parked in the parking lot identified by the location ID "bbb" are recorded. Note that the number of tables stored in the database 19c is the same as the number of parking lots managed by the parking lot server 19. In FIG. 4, for the sake of convenience, only two tables T1 and T2 are shown.

[0050] In the table T1 of FIG. 4, it is shown that the time of entry of the vehicle 11 into the parking lot identified by the location ID aaa is 15:01, and the ETC number of the ETC card 24 which is "12345XXX" at the time of entry, and the vehicle number of the vehicle 11 which is "6789", are associated.

[0051] Also, in the table T1 of FIG. 4, it is shown that since the communication unit 19a of the parking lot server 19 has received ETC information from the ETC-equipped determination device 16, the payment method is ETC settlement and no discount or reduction is applied.

[0052] When the discount information means a discount, for example, the parking fee may be discounted by 10%. When the discount information means a reduction, for example, one hour of the parking time may be free. Further, in the table T1 of FIG. 4, it is shown that since the parking ticket 25 has not been taken out from the parking ticket issuing machine 13, the parking ticket number is not recorded.

[0053] FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the system when associating the ETC number with the discount information in the parking fee payment method according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The sequence of the operation in FIG. 5 is started in response to the operation of the information terminal 17 by the user of the vehicle 11 from when the vehicle 11 enters the parking lot until it exits.

[0054] First, in response to the operation of the information terminal 17 by the user of the vehicle 11, the information terminal 17 generates a code including the ETC number of the ETC card 24 (step S31). Next, the information terminal 17 displays the code generated by the information terminal 17 on the display of the information terminal 17 (step S32).

[0055] Next, the store terminal 18 reads the code displayed on the display of the information terminal 17 (step S33). Next, based on the ETC number of the ETC card 24 included in the code read by the store terminal 18, the store terminal 18 generates discount information indicating a discount or reduction applied according to the purchase at the store by the user of the vehicle 11 (step S34).

[0056] Next, the store terminal 18 transmits, via the communication network 23, the ETC number of the ETC card 24 included in the code read by the store terminal 18 and the discount information generated by the store terminal 18 to the communication unit 19a of the parking lot server 19 (step S35). Next, the communication unit 19a of the parking lot server 19 receives the ETC number and the discount information of the ETC card 24 transmitted from the store terminal 18 (step S36).

[0057] Next, the specifying unit 19d of the parking lot server 19 specifies the ETC number recorded in the table T1 that matches the ETC number of the ETC card 24 transmitted from the store terminal 18. The associating unit 19b of the parking lot server 19 associates the ETC number specified by the specifying unit 19d of the parking lot server 19 with the discount information and stores the discount information in the database 19c (step S37).

[0058] Steps S33 to S37 in FIG. 5 correspond to a second associating step of associating the ETC number of the ETC card 24 with the discount information. In this case, the ETC number of the ETC card 24 and the discount information are associated via a code including the ETC number of the ETC card 24.

[0059] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a table representing the relationship between the ETC number, vehicle number, etc. stored in the database 19c in step S37 of the operation sequence of the system shown in FIG. 5. In the table T1 of FIG. 6, it is shown that a 10% discount has been applied.

[0060] FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the system when the vehicle 11 exits the parking lot in the parking fee payment method according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The operation sequence of the system shown in FIG. 7 starts when an exit detection signal notifying that the exiting vehicle 11 has been detected by the loop coils L1', L2' is received by the communication unit 19a of the parking lot server 19 via the cash register 14, the control device 15, and the communication network 22.

[0061] In the sequence of operations of the system shown in FIG. 7, the payment process for the parking fee of vehicle 11 to which a discount or reduction has been applied is performed by ETC settlement associated with the ETC number of the ETC card 24.

[0062] First, the on-vehicle ETC device 12 transmits ETC information (step S41), and the ETC-mounted determination device 16' receives the ETC information transmitted from the on-vehicle ETC device 12 (step S42). Next, the ETC-mounted determination device 16' transmits the received ETC information to the control device 15 (step S43).

[0063] Next, the control device 15 receives the ETC information transmitted from the ETC-mounted determination device 16', specifies the time that approximately coincides with the time when the control device 15 receives the ETC information from the ETC-mounted determination device 16' as the departure time of the vehicle 11, and temporarily stores it in the RAM of the control device 15 (step S44). Next, the control device 15 transmits the received ETC information to the communication unit 19a of the parking lot server 19 via the communication network 22 (step S45).

[0064] Next, the communication unit 19a of the parking lot server 19 receives the ETC information transmitted from the control device 15 (step S46). Next, the specifying unit 19d of the parking lot server 19 specifies the entry time of the vehicle 11 into the parking lot and the discount information in the table T1 based on the ETC number of the ETC card 24 included in the received ETC information (step S47).

[0065] Next, the communication unit 19a of the parking lot server 19 transmits the entry time of the vehicle 11, the ETC number of the ETC card 24, and the discount information to the control device 15 via the communication network 22 (step S48). Next, the control device 15 receives the entry time of the vehicle 11, the ETC number of the ETC card 24, and the discount information transmitted from the communication unit 19a of the parking lot server 19 (step S49).

[0066] Next, the control device 15 calculates the parking fee to which the discount or the amount reduction shown in the discount information associated with the ETC number of the ETC card 24 is applied, based on the entry time and the exit time of the vehicle 11 and the discount information (step S50). Step S50 in FIG. 7 corresponds to a calculation step for calculating the parking fee to which the discount or the amount reduction is applied.

[0067] Next, the control device 15 transmits the parking fee calculated by the control device 15 to the communication unit 19a of the parking lot server 19 via the communication network 22 (step S51). Next, the communication unit 19a of the parking lot server 19 receives the parking fee transmitted by the control device 15 (step S52). Next, the parking lot server 19 generates billing information based on the parking fee (step S53).

[0068] Next, the communication unit 19a of the parking lot server 19 transmits the generated billing information to the proxy company server 20 via the communication network 23 (step S54). Next, the proxy company server 20 receives the billing information transmitted from the communication unit 19a of the parking lot server 19 (step S55).

[0069] Next, the proxy company server 20 transmits the billing information associated with the credit card information to the credit card company server 21 via the communication network 23 (step S56). Next, the credit card company server 21 receives the billing information transmitted from the proxy company server 20 (step S57).

[0070] Next, the credit card company server 21 executes payment processing based on the received billing information (step S58). Next, steps S59 to S62 to be executed are the same as steps S12 to S15 shown in FIG. 3, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

[0071] After executing step S62, the communication unit 19a of the parking lot server 19 transmits an opening command signal for opening the exit gate of the parking lot to the control device 15 via the communication network 22 in response to the authentication information (step S63).

[0072] Next, the control device 15 receives the release command signal transmitted from the communication unit 19a of the parking lot server 19 (step S64). Next, the control device 15 releases the exit gate of the parking lot in response to the release command signal transmitted from the communication unit 19a of the parking lot server 19 (step S65).

[0073] According to the above-described first embodiment, the ETC number and discount information of the ETC card 24 associated via the code including the ETC number of the ETC card 24 are used. As a result, the association between the ETC number of the ETC card 24 and the discount reduction information can be made without the vehicle 11 transmitting the terminal identification information of the information terminal 17 to the parking lot server 19 when the vehicle 11 enters the parking lot. Therefore, when the parking fee payment process of the vehicle 11 is performed by ETC settlement, the convenience of applying the discounted or reduced parking fee can be improved.

[0074] FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a system for implementing a parking fee payment method according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The system 2 shown in FIG. 8 has the same configuration as the system 1 shown in FIG. 1 except that a shopping ticket issuing machine 26 and a purchase authentication machine 27 are provided instead of the store terminal 18.

[0075] The shopping ticket issuing machine 26 is related to a store associated with the parking lot used by the user of the vehicle 11. The shopping ticket issuing machine 26 has a code reader for reading a code and a display (both not shown) for displaying the vehicle number etc. of the vehicle parked in the parking lot. For example, the shopping ticket issuing machine 26 is arranged near the entrance of the store.

[0076] In response to the reading of the code including the ETC number of the ETC card 24 by the reader of the information terminal 17, the shopping ticket issuing machine 26 issues a shopping ticket 28 recording the ETC number of the ETC card 24.

[0077] The coupon issuing machine 26 is an example of a recording medium issuing device. The coupon 28 is a coupon capable of magnetically recording discount information applied according to the purchase at the store by the user of the vehicle 11, and is an example of a recording medium in which the ETC number is recorded.

[0078] The purchase authentication machine 27 is related to the store associated with the parking lot used by the user of the vehicle 11. For example, the purchase authentication machine 27 is arranged inside the store. The purchase authentication machine 27 has an insertion part (not shown) into which the coupon 28 etc. is inserted, and records discount information on the coupon 28 inserted into the insertion part of the purchase authentication machine 27. The purchase authentication machine 27 is an example of a discount information recording device.

[0079] The coupon issuing machine 26 and the purchase authentication machine 27 each include a microcomputer composed of a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc., and peripheral circuits such as input / output ports and interface circuits.

[0080] In the second embodiment, the control device 15 detects the coupon 28 inserted into the insertion part of the cash register 14, and reads the discount information recorded on the coupon 28 detected by the control device 15.

[0081] In the parking fee payment method according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the sequence of operations of the system when the vehicle 11 enters the parking lot is the same as the sequence of operations of the system shown in FIG. 3, so the description is omitted.

[0082] FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram of the operations of the system when issuing the coupon 28 and recording discount information on the coupon 28 in the parking fee payment method according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0083] The sequence of operations in FIG. 9(a) is started in response to the operation of the information terminal 17 by the user of the vehicle 11 between when the vehicle 11 enters the parking lot and when it exits. The sequence of operations in FIG. 9(b) is started in response to the operation of the purchase authentication machine 27 by the user of the vehicle 11.

[0084] In Fig. 9(a), first, in response to an operation of the information terminal 17 by the user of the vehicle 11, the information terminal 17 generates a code including the ETC number of the ETC card 24 (step S71). The ETC number of the ETC card 24 included in the code generated by the information terminal 17 is the ETC number "12345XX" shown in Fig. 4. Next, the information terminal 17 displays the code generated by the information terminal 17 on a display (not shown) of the information terminal 17 (step S72).

[0085] Next, the shopping ticket issuing machine 26 reads the code including the ETC number of the ETC card 24 displayed on the display of the information terminal 17 (step S73). Next, the shopping ticket issuing machine 26 issues a shopping ticket 28 in which the ETC number of the ETC card 24 is recorded (step S74).

[0086] In Fig. 9(b), first, the purchase authentication machine 27 detects the insertion of the shopping ticket 28 (step S75). Next, the purchase authentication machine 27 generates discount information indicating a discount or a reduction applied according to the purchase amount at the store (step S76). Next, the purchase authentication machine 27 records the discount information on the shopping ticket 28 (step S77).

[0087] Fig. 10 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the system when the vehicle 11 exits the parking lot in the parking fee payment method according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The sequence of the operation of the system shown in Fig. 10 starts when a departure detection signal notifying that the departing vehicle 11 has been detected by the loop coils L1', L2' is received by the communication unit 19a of the parking lot server 19 via the calculator 14, the control device 15, and the communication network 22.

[0088] In the sequence of the operation of the system shown in Fig. 10, the payment process of the parking fee for the vehicle 11 to which a discount or a reduction has been applied is performed by ETC settlement associated with the ETC number of the ETC card 24.

[0089] In the sequence of operations of the system shown in FIG. 10, steps S81 to S86 are the same as steps S41 to S46 shown in FIG. 7, so the description thereof is omitted. Note that the ETC number of the ETC card 24 included in the ETC information transmitted in step S81 is the ETC number "12345XX" shown in FIG. 4.

[0090] After step S86 is executed, the specifying unit 19d of the parking lot server 19 specifies the parking time of the vehicle 11 in the parking lot in the table T1 based on the ETC number of the ETC card 24 included in the received ETC information (step S87).

[0091] Next, the communication unit 19a of the parking lot server 19 transmits the parking time of the vehicle 11 and the ETC number of the ETC card 24 to the control device 15 via the communication network 22 (step S88). Next, the control device 15 receives the parking time of the vehicle 11 and the ETC number of the ETC card 24 transmitted from the communication unit 19a of the parking lot server 19 (step S89).

[0092] Next, the control device 15 detects the shopping ticket 28 inserted into the insertion unit of the cash register 14 (step S90). Next, the control device 15 reads the ETC number (in this case, "12345XXX") of the ETC card 24 recorded on the shopping ticket 28 detected by the control device 15 and the discount information (step S91).

[0093] Next, the control device 15 associates the ETC number of the ETC card 24 included in the ETC information transmitted from the parking lot server 19 that matches the ETC number of the ETC card 24 recorded on the shopping ticket 28 with the discount information recorded on the shopping ticket 28. Then, the control device 15 calculates the parking fee to which the discount or deduction shown in the discount information associated with the ETC number of the ETC card 24 is applied based on the parking time and departure time of the vehicle 11 and the discount information recorded on the shopping ticket 28 (step S92).

[0094] Step S92 in FIG. 7 corresponds to a second associating step of associating the ETC number of the ETC card 24 with the discount information and a calculating step of calculating the parking fee to which the discount or the amount reduction is applied. In this case, the ETC number of the ETC card 24 and the discount information are associated via a code including the ETC number of the ETC card 24.

[0095] Since steps S93 to S107 to be executed next are the same as steps S51 to S65 shown in FIG. 3, the description thereof is omitted.

[0096] According to the above-described second embodiment, similar to the above-described first embodiment, when performing the payment process of the parking fee of the vehicle 11 by ETC settlement, the convenience of applying the discount or the amount reduction to the parking fee can be improved.

[0097] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a system for implementing a parking fee payment method according to a third embodiment of the present invention. A system 3 shown in FIG. 11 has the same configuration as the system 1 shown in FIG. 1 except that a purchase authentication machine 27 is provided instead of the information terminal 17 and the store terminal 18.

[0098] Further, in the third embodiment, when the vehicle 11 enters the parking lot, the parking ticket 25 is taken out from the parking ticket issuing machine 13. The purchase authentication machine 27 records the discount information on the parking ticket 25 inserted into the parking ticket insertion portion of the purchase authentication machine 27.

[0099] In the third embodiment, the control device 15 detects the parking ticket 25 inserted into the insertion portion of the cash register 14, and reads the discount information recorded on the parking ticket 25 detected by the control device 15.

[0100] FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the system when the vehicle 11 enters the parking lot in the parking fee payment method according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The sequence of the operation of the system shown in FIG. 12 starts when an entry detection signal notifying that the entering vehicle 11 has been detected by the loop coils L1 and L2 is received by the communication unit 19a of the parking lot server 19 via the parking ticket issuing machine 13, the control device 15, and the communication network 22.

[0101] In the sequence of the operation in FIG. 12, steps S111 to S128 are the same as steps S1 to S18 in FIG. 3, so the description is omitted. After step S128 is executed, the control device 15 detects that the parking ticket 25 has been taken out from the parking ticket issuing machine 13 and acquires the parking number of the parking ticket 25 (step S129).

[0102] Next, the control device 15 transmits, via the communication network 22, the entry time of the vehicle 11 into the parking lot that substantially coincides with the time when the control device 15 receives the ETC information from the ETC equipped determination device 16 and the parking number of the parking ticket 25 to the communication unit 19a of the parking lot server 19 (step S130).

[0103] Next, the communication unit 19a of the parking lot server 19 receives the entry time of the vehicle 11 into the parking lot and the parking number of the parking ticket 25 transmitted from the control device 15 (step S131).

[0104] Next, the association unit 19b of the parking lot server 19 associates the received entry time, the received parking number, the vehicle number and the ETC number included in the ETC information stored in the database 19c, and stores the thus associated entry time and parking ticket number in the database 19c (step S132).

[0105] Steps S116, S117, S130, and S131 in FIG. 12 correspond to the first association step of associating the ETC number of the ETC card 24 with the entry time of the vehicle 11.

[0106] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a table representing the relationship between an ETC number, a vehicle number, etc. stored in the database 19c in step S132 of the operation sequence of the system shown in FIG. 12.

[0107] In the table T1 of FIG. 13, the entry time of the vehicle 11 entering the parking lot identified by the location ID aaa is 15:01, and the parking ticket number of the parking ticket 25 which is "1234" at the entry time, the ETC number of the ETC card 24 which is "12345XXX", and the vehicle number of the vehicle 11 which is "6789" are associated with each other.

[0108] Also, in the table T1 of FIG. 13, it shows that the payment method is ETC settlement because the communication unit 19a of the parking lot server 19 has received ETC information from the ETC-equipped determination device 16, and that no discount or reduction is applied is recorded.

[0109] FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the system when recording discount information on the parking ticket 25 in the parking fee payment method according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The operation sequence of FIG. 14 is started in response to the operation of the cash register 27 by the user of the vehicle 11. Note that the parking ticket number "1123" is recorded on the parking ticket 25.

[0110] First, the cash register 27 detects the insertion of the parking ticket 25 (step S141). Next, the cash register 27 generates discount information indicating a discount or reduction applied according to the purchase amount in the store (step S142). Next, the cash register 27 records the discount information on the parking ticket 25 (step S143).

[0111] FIG. 15 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the system when the vehicle 11 exits the parking lot in the parking fee payment method according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The sequence of the operation of the system shown in FIG. 15 starts when an exit detection signal notifying that the exiting vehicle 11 has been detected by the loop coils L1', L2' is received by the communication unit 19a of the parking lot server 19 via the calculator 14, the control device 15, and the communication network 22.

[0112] In the sequence of the operation of the system shown in FIG. 15, the payment process of the parking fee for the vehicle 11 to which a discount or a reduction has been applied is performed by ETC settlement associated with the ETC number of the ETC card 24.

[0113] In the sequence of the operation of the system shown in FIG. 15, steps S151 to S156 are the same as steps S41 to S46 shown in FIG. 7, and thus the description thereof is omitted. Note that the ETC number of the ETC card 24 included in the ETC information transmitted in step S151 is the ETC number "12345XX" shown in FIG. 4.

[0114] After step S156 is executed, the specifying unit 19d of the parking lot server 19 specifies the entry time of the vehicle 11 into the parking lot in the table T1 based on the ETC number of the ETC card 24 included in the received ETC information (step S157).

[0115] Next, the communication unit 19a of the parking lot server 19 transmits the entry time of the vehicle 11, the parking ticket number of the parking ticket 25, and the ETC number of the ETC card 24 to the control device 15 via the communication network 22 (step S158). Next, the control device 15 receives the entry time of the vehicle 11, the parking ticket number of the parking ticket 25, and the ETC number of the ETC card 24 transmitted from the communication unit 19a of the parking lot server 19 (step S159).

[0116] Next, the control device 15 detects the parking ticket 25 inserted into the insertion part of the settlement machine 14 (step S160). Next, the control device 15 reads the parking ticket number (in this case, "1123") and the discount information recorded on the parking ticket 25 detected by the control device 15 (step S161).

[0117] Next, the control device 15 associates the ETC number of the ETC card 24 associated with the parking ticket number transmitted from the parking lot server 19 that matches the parking ticket number recorded on the parking ticket 25 with the discount information recorded on the parking ticket 25. Then, the control device 15 calculates the parking fee to which the discount or the amount reduction indicated by the discount information associated with the ETC number of the ETC card 24 is applied based on the entry time and the exit time of the vehicle 11 and the discount information recorded on the parking ticket 25 (step S162).

[0118] Step S162 in FIG. 15 corresponds to a second association step of associating the ETC number of the ETC card 24 with the discount information and a calculation step of calculating the parking fee to which the discount or the amount reduction is applied. In this case, the ETC number of the ETC card 24 and the discount information are associated via the parking ticket number of the parking ticket 25.

[0119] Steps S163 to S177 to be executed next are the same as steps S51 to S65 shown in FIG. 3, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

[0120] According to the above-described third embodiment, the ETC number and the discount information of the ETC card 24 associated via the parking ticket number of the parking ticket 25 are used. Thereby, the association between the ETC number of the ETC card 24 and the discount reduction information can be performed without the vehicle 11 transmitting the terminal identification information of the information terminal 17 to the parking lot server 19 when the vehicle 11 enters the parking lot. Therefore, the convenience of applying the discount or the reduced parking fee when performing the payment process of the parking fee of the vehicle 11 by ETC settlement can be improved.

[0121] FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a system for implementing a parking fee payment method according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The system 4 shown in FIG. 16 has the same configuration as the system 1 shown in FIG. 1, except that it includes a shopping coupon issuing machine 26 and a purchase authentication machine 27 instead of the information terminal 17 and the store terminal 18.

[0122] In the fourth embodiment, the shopping coupon issuing machine 26 acquires the vehicle number selected by the user of the vehicle 11, and in response to the selection of the vehicle number by the user of the vehicle 11, issues a shopping coupon 28 including the vehicle number selected by the user of the vehicle 11. In the fourth embodiment, the shopping coupon 28 is an example of a recording medium including a vehicle number.

[0123] In the parking fee payment method according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the sequence of operations of the system when the vehicle 11 enters the parking lot is the same as the sequence of operations of the system shown in FIG. 3, so the description is omitted.

[0124] FIG. 17 is a sequence diagram of the operations of the system when issuing the shopping coupon 28 in the parking fee payment method according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The sequence of operations in FIG. 17 is started in response to an operation of the information terminal 17 by the user of the vehicle 11 from when the vehicle 11 enters the parking lot until it exits.

[0125] In FIG. 17, first, the shopping coupon issuing machine 26 displays a list of vehicle numbers of the vehicles parked in the parking lot on the display of the shopping coupon issuing machine 26 in response to an operation of the shopping coupon issuing machine 26 by the user of the vehicle 11 (step S181).

[0126] Next, the shopping coupon issuing machine 26 acquires the vehicle number (in this case, "6789") selected by the user of the vehicle 11 (step S182). Next, the shopping coupon issuing machine 26 issues a shopping coupon 28 in which the vehicle number selected by the user of the vehicle 11 is recorded (step S183). Note that the sequence of operations of the system when recording discount information on the shopping coupon 28 is the same as the sequence of operations shown in FIG. 9(b), so the description is omitted.

[0127] In the parking fee payment method according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the sequence of operations of the system when the vehicle 11 exits the parking lot is the same as the sequence of operations shown in FIG. 10, except that the vehicle number of the vehicle 11 is read from the roving ticket 28 in step S91 and the vehicle number of the vehicle 11 is associated with the discount information in step S92. Therefore, the description is omitted.

[0128] According to the above-described fourth embodiment, the ETC number and discount information of the ETC card 24 associated via the vehicle number of the vehicle 11 are used. As a result, the association between the ETC number of the ETC card 24 and the discount reduction information can be made without the vehicle 11 transmitting the terminal identification information of the information terminal 17 to the parking lot server 19 when the vehicle 11 enters the parking lot. Therefore, when the parking fee payment process of the vehicle 11 is performed by ETC settlement, the convenience of applying the discounted or reduced parking fee can be improved.

[0129] FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a system for implementing a parking fee payment method according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. The system 5 shown in FIG. 18 has the same configuration as the system 1 shown in FIG. 1, except that a pre-settlement machine 29 is provided instead of the information terminal 17 and the store terminal 18.

[0130] The pre-settlement machine 29 has an insertion portion into which a service ticket is inserted and a display (both not shown) for displaying the vehicle number and the like of a vehicle parked in the parking lot. The pre-settlement machine 29 acquires the vehicle number selected by the user of the vehicle 11 entering the parking lot (in this case, "6789") and reads the service ticket 30 in which the discount information is recorded.

[0131] Then, the pre-settlement machine 29 transmits the vehicle number acquired by the pre-settlement machine 29 and the discount information read by the pre-settlement machine 29 from the service ticket 30 to the parking lot server 19 via the communication network 22. The pre-settlement machine 29 functions as a parking fee settlement device for settling the parking fee of the vehicle exiting the parking lot.

[0132] The service ticket 30 is a ticket that magnetically records discount information applied according to the purchase at the store by the user of the vehicle 11, and is an example of a recording medium on which the discount information is recorded.

[0133] The prepayment machine 29 includes a microcomputer composed of a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, etc., peripheral circuits such as an input / output port and an interface circuit, and a display.

[0134] In the parking fee payment method according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention, the sequence of operations of the system when the vehicle 11 enters the parking lot is the same as the sequence of operations of the system shown in FIG. 3, so the description is omitted.

[0135] FIG. 19 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the system when associating the ETC number with the discount information in the parking fee payment method according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. The sequence of operations in FIG. 19 is started in response to the operation of the information terminal 17 by the user of the vehicle 11 from when the vehicle 11 enters the parking lot until it exits.

[0136] In FIG. 19, first, in response to the operation of the prepayment machine 29 by the user of the vehicle 11, the prepayment machine 29 displays a list of vehicle numbers of the vehicles parked in the parking lot on the display of the prepayment machine 29 (step S191).

[0137] Next, the prepayment machine 29 acquires the vehicle number selected by the user of the vehicle 11 (in this case, "6789") (step S192). Next, the prepayment machine 29 detects the service ticket 30 inserted into the service ticket insertion part of the prepayment machine 29 (step S193). Next, the prepayment machine 29 reads the discount information recorded on the service ticket 30 detected by the prepayment machine 29 (step S194).

[0138] Next, the prepayment machine 29 transmits the vehicle number acquired by the prepayment machine 29 and the discount information read by the prepayment machine 29 to the communication unit 19a of the parking lot server 19 via the communication network 22 (step S195). Next, the communication unit 19a of the parking lot server 19 receives the vehicle number and the discount information transmitted from the prepayment machine 29 (step S196).

[0139] Next, the specifying unit 19d of the parking lot server 19 specifies the ETC number of the ETC card 24 associated with the vehicle number recorded in the table T1 that matches the vehicle number transmitted from the prepayment machine 29. The associating unit 19b of the parking lot server 19 associates the ETC number of the ETC card 24 specified by the specifying unit 19d of the parking lot server 19 with the discount information and stores the discount information in the database 19c (step S197).

[0140] Steps S191 to S197 in the operation sequence of the system shown in FIG. 19 correspond to the second association step of associating the ETC number of the ETC card 24 with the discount information. In this case, the ETC number of the ETC card 24 and the discount information are associated via the vehicle number of the vehicle 11.

[0141] Since the table showing the relationship between the ETC number, vehicle number, etc. stored in the database 19c in step S197 of the operation sequence of the system shown in FIG. 19 is the same as the table T1 in FIG. 6, the description thereof is omitted.

[0142] In the parking fee payment method according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention, the operation sequence of the system when the vehicle 11 exits the parking lot is the same as the operation sequence shown in FIG. 7, so the description thereof is omitted.

[0143] According to the above-described fifth embodiment, similar to the above-described fourth embodiment, when the parking fee payment process of the vehicle 11 is performed by ETC settlement, the convenience of applying the discounted or reduced parking fee can be improved.

[0144] FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a system for implementing a parking fee payment method according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. The system 6 shown in FIG. 20 has the same configuration as the system 1 shown in FIG. 1, except that the information terminal 17 is connected to the communication network 22 and the store terminal 18 is not connected to the communication network 23.

[0145] In the parking fee payment method according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention, the sequence of operations of the system when the vehicle 11 enters the parking lot is the same as the sequence of operations of the system shown in FIG. 3, so the description is omitted.

[0146] FIG. 21 is a sequence diagram of the operations of the system when associating the ETC number with the discount information in the parking fee payment method according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. The sequence of operations in FIG. 21 is executed when discount information indicating a discount or a reduction applied according to the purchase at the store of the user of the vehicle 11 is generated at the store terminal 18 between when the vehicle 11 enters the parking lot and when it exits.

[0147] First, the store terminal 18 generates a code including the discount information generated by the store terminal 18 (step S201). Next, the store terminal 18 displays the code generated by the store terminal 18 on the display of the store terminal 18 (step S202).

[0148] Next, the information terminal 17 reads the code displayed on the display of the store terminal 18 (step S203). Next, the information terminal 17 transmits the ETC number of the ETC card 24 stored in the information terminal 17 and the discount information included in the code read by the information terminal 17 to the communication unit 19a of the parking lot server 19 via the communication network 22 (step S204). Next, the communication unit 19a of the parking lot server 19 receives the ETC number and the discount information of the ETC card 24 transmitted from the information terminal 17 (step S205).

[0149] Next, the specifying unit 19d of the parking lot server 19 specifies the ETC number recorded in the table T1 that matches the ETC number of the ETC card 24 transmitted from the information terminal 17. The associating unit 19b of the parking lot server 19 associates the ETC number specified by the specifying unit 19d of the parking lot server 19 with the discount information and stores the discount information in the database 19c (step S206).

[0150] Steps S201 to S206 in FIG. 21 correspond to a second associating step of associating the ETC number of the ETC card 24 with the discount information. In this case, the ETC number of the ETC card 24 and the discount information are associated via a code including the discount information.

[0151] Since the table showing the relationship between the ETC number, vehicle number, etc. stored in the database 19c in step S206 of the operation sequence of the system shown in FIG. 21 is the same as the table T1 in FIG. 6, the description thereof is omitted.

[0152] In the parking fee payment method according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention, the operation sequence of the system when the vehicle 11 exits the parking lot is the same as the operation sequence shown in FIG. 7, so the description thereof is omitted.

[0153] According to the above-described sixth embodiment, the ETC number and discount information of the ETC card 24 associated via a code including the discount information are used. Thereby, the association between the ETC number of the ETC card 24 and the discount reduction information can be performed without transmitting the terminal identification information of the information terminal 17 to the parking lot server 19 when the vehicle 11 enters the parking lot. Therefore, when the parking fee payment process of the vehicle 11 is performed by ETC settlement, the convenience of applying the discounted or reduced parking fee can be improved.

[0154] FIG. 22 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a system for implementing a parking fee payment method according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention. The system 7 shown in FIG. 22 has the same configuration as the system 1 shown in FIG. 1 except that a business server 32 is provided instead of the information terminal 17.

[0155] In the seventh embodiment, the store terminal 18 stores a store number for identifying the store where the store terminal 18 is provided. The store terminal 18 reads out the house card member number of the house card 31 by the card reader of the store terminal 18, and transmits the house card member number of the house card 31 read by the store terminal 18 and the store number stored in the store terminal 18 to the business server 32 via the communication network 23. The store number is an example of store identification information.

[0156] The house card 31 is a membership card related to the store associated with the parking lot where the vehicle 11 is stored. For example, the house card 31 is a membership card that can be used only at one of a plurality of stores associated with the parking lot where the vehicle 11 is stored (for example, the store where the store terminal 18 is provided).

[0157] The house card 31 is related to the user of the vehicle 11. For example, the house card 31 is an item owned by the user of the vehicle 11. The house card member number is recorded on the house card 31.

[0158] The house card member number of the house card 31 is the member number of the user of the vehicle 11 and is identified by "6789YYY". The house card member number of the house card 31 is an example of user identification information, and the house card 31 is an example of a recording medium on which user identification information is recorded.

[0159] The business server 32 is related to the store where the store terminal 18 is provided. For example, the business server 32 is a server owned by the company that operates the store where the store terminal 18 is provided. The business server 32 functions as a parking lot server related to the parking lot where the vehicle 11 is stored. The business server 32 includes a microcomputer composed of a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, etc., and peripheral circuits such as input / output ports and interface circuits.

[0160] The business server 32 further includes a database (not shown) that stores a table indicating the relationship between the store numbers of each of a plurality of stores in a shopping mall that owns a parking lot and the discount information corresponding to these store numbers, a table representing the relationship between the house card member number of the house card 31, the ETC number, the vehicle number, and the like.

[0161] The table indicating the relationship between the store number of each of a plurality of stores in a shopping mall that owns a parking lot and the discount or price reduction corresponding to these store numbers shows, for example, that a 10% discount is applied to the parking fee when shopping at a store where the store terminal 18 is provided.

[0162] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of a table representing the relationship between the house card member number, the ETC number, the vehicle number, etc. that are pre-stored in the database of the business server 32 in FIG. 22. As shown in FIG. 23, the database of the business server 32 includes a table T11 in which the house card member number is recorded in association with the ETC number, the vehicle number, the locator ID for identifying the parking lot, the time of entry into the parking lot identified by the locator ID, the discount information applied to the parking fee, and the like.

[0163] In the table T11 of FIG. 23, it is shown that the house card member number of the house card 31, which is "6789YYY", is associated with the name of the owner of the house card 31, which is "XXZZ", the ETC number of the owner's ETC card 24, which is "12345XXX", and the vehicle number of the vehicle 11, which is "6789". Also, in the table T11 of FIG. 23, it is shown that since the vehicle 11 has not entered the parking lot, the locator ID, the entry time, and the discount information are not recorded.

[0164] FIG. 24 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the system when the vehicle 11 enters the parking lot in the parking fee payment method according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention. The sequence of the operation of the system shown in FIG. 24 starts when an entry detection signal notifying that the incoming vehicle 11 has been detected by the loop coils L1 and L2 is received by the communication unit 19a of the parking lot server 19 via the parking ticket issuing machine 13, the control device 15, and the communication network 22.

[0165] In the sequence of operations in FIG. 24, steps S211 to S231 are the same as steps S1 to S21 in FIG. 3, so the description thereof is omitted. After step S231 is executed, the communication unit 19a of the parking lot server 19 transmits the ETC information, the location ID, and the entry time recorded in the table T1 of the database 19c of the parking lot server 19 to the business server 32 via the communication network 22 (step S232).

[0166] Next, the business server 32 receives the ETC information, the location ID, and the entry time transmitted from the communication unit 19a of the parking lot server 19 (step S233), and stores the ETC information, the location ID, and the entry time in the database of the business server 32 (step S233).

[0167] Steps S216, S217, S230, and S231 in FIG. 24 correspond to the first association step of associating the ETC number of the ETC card 24 with the entry time of the vehicle 11.

[0168] FIG. 25 is a diagram showing an example of a table representing the relationship among the house card member number, the ETC number, the vehicle number, etc. stored in the database of the business server 32 in step S234 of the sequence of operations shown in FIG. 24. As shown in FIG. 25, it shows that the location ID "aaa" for identifying the parking lot where the vehicle 11 entered and the entry time of the vehicle 11 into the parking lot at 15:01 are recorded in the table T11.

[0169] FIG. 26 is a sequence diagram of the operation of a system when associating an ETC number with discount information in a parking fee payment method according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. The sequence of operations of the system shown in FIG. 26 starts when a house card 31 is inserted into the card insertion unit of the store terminal 18 in response to a purchase at a store related to the store terminal 18 of the user of the vehicle 11.

[0170] In FIG. 26, first, the store terminal 18 detects the house card 31 inserted into the card insertion unit of the store terminal 18 (step S241). Next, the store terminal 18 reads the house card member number recorded on the house card 31 detected by the store terminal 18 (step S242).

[0171] Next, the store terminal 18 transmits the store number stored in the store terminal 18 and the house card member number read by the store terminal 18 to the business server 32 via the communication network 23 (step S243). Next, the business server 32 receives the store number and the house card member number transmitted from the store terminal 18 (step S244).

[0172] Next, the business server 32 refers to a table showing the relationship between the store number and the discount information corresponding to these store numbers, and selects the discount information corresponding to the store number transmitted from the store terminal 18 (step S245).

[0173] Next, the business server 32 refers to the table T11, associates the ETC number of the ETC card 24 associated with the house card number of the house card 31 that matches the house card number received by the business server 32 with the discount information selected by the business server 32, and stores the discount information in the database of the business server 32 (step S246).

[0174] Steps S241 to S246 in FIG. 19 correspond to a second association step of associating the ETC number of the ETC card 24 with the discount information. In this case, the ETC number of the ETC card 24 and the discount information are associated via the house card number of the house card 31.

[0175] FIG. 27 is a diagram showing an example of a table representing the relationship among the house card member number, ETC number, vehicle number, etc. stored in the database of the business server 32 in step S246 of the operation sequence of the system shown in FIG. 26. As shown in FIG. 27, it shows that a 10% discount applied to the parking fee when shopping at a store where the store terminal 18 is provided is recorded in the table T11.

[0176] FIG. 28 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the system when the vehicle 11 exits the parking lot in the parking fee payment method according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention. The operation sequence of the system shown in FIG. 28 starts when an exit detection signal notifying that the exiting vehicle 11 has been detected by the loop coils L1', L2' is received by the communication unit 19a of the parking lot server 19 via the calculator 14, the control device 15, and the communication network 22.

[0177] In the operation sequence of the system shown in FIG. 28, the payment process of the parking fee for the vehicle 11 to which a discount or a reduction is applied is performed by ETC settlement associated with the ETC number of the ETC card 24. Note that in the operation sequence of the system shown in FIG. 28, the case where the parking fee for the vehicle 11 to which a discount or a reduction is applied exceeds 0 yen will be described.

[0178] In the operation sequence of the system shown in FIG. 28, steps S251 to S256 are the same as steps S41 to S46 shown in FIG. 7, and thus the description thereof is omitted. Note that the ETC number of the ETC card 24 included in the ETC information transmitted in step S251 is the ETC number "12345XX" shown in FIG. 4.

[0179] After step S256 is executed, the specifying unit 19d of the parking lot server 19 specifies the parking lot entry time of the vehicle 11 in the table T1 based on the ETC number of the ETC card 24 included in the received ETC information (step S257). Next, the communication unit 19a of the parking lot server 19 transmits the entry time specified by the specifying unit 19d of the parking lot server 19 and the ETC information received by the communication unit 19a of the parking lot server 19 to the business server 32 via the communication network 23 (step S258). Next, the business server 32 receives the entry time and the ETC information transmitted from the communication unit 19a of the parking lot server 19 (step S259).

[0180] Next, the business server 32 transmits, via the communication network 23, to the communication unit 19a of the parking lot server 19, the discount information associated with the ETC information that matches the ETC information received by the business server 32 and the entry time that matches the entry time received by the business server 32, and the ETC information associated with the discount information (step S260). Next, the communication unit 19a of the parking lot server 19 receives the ETC information and the discount information transmitted from the business server 32 (step S261).

[0181] The steps S262 to S279 to be executed next are the same as the steps S48 to S65 shown in FIG. 7, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

[0182] According to the above-described seventh embodiment, the ETC number and the discount information of the ETC card 24 associated via the house card member number of the house card 31 are used. Thereby, the association between the ETC number of the ETC card 24 and the discount reduction information can be made without the vehicle 11 transmitting the terminal identification information of the information terminal 17 to the parking lot server 19 when the vehicle 11 enters the parking lot. Therefore, the convenience of applying the discounted or reduced parking fee when the parking fee of the vehicle 11 is paid by ETC settlement can be improved.

[0183] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and numerous modifications and variations are possible. For example, in the above-described first embodiment, fifth embodiment, and sixth embodiment, the calculation step of calculating the parking fee to which a discount or reduction is applied may be executed by the parking lot server 19. In this case, step S50 in FIG. 7 is executed by the parking lot server 19, and steps S48, S49, S51, and S52 are omitted from the sequence of operations of the system shown in FIG. 7.

[0184] In the above-described second embodiment and fourth embodiment, the second association step of associating the ETC number of the ETC card 24 with the discount information and the calculation step of calculating the parking fee to which a discount or reduction is applied may be executed by the parking lot server 19. In this case, after step S91 in FIG. 10, the ETC information and the discount information are transmitted from the control device 15 to the communication unit 19a of the parking lot server 19, and step S92 in FIG. 10 is executed by the parking lot server 19. Also, steps S88, S89, S93, and S94 are omitted from the sequence of operations of the system shown in FIG. 10.

[0185] In the above-described third embodiment, the second association step of associating the ETC number of the ETC card 24 with the discount information and the calculation step of calculating the parking fee to which a discount or reduction is applied may be executed by the parking lot server 19. In this case, after step S161 in FIG. 15, the ETC information and the discount information are transmitted from the control device 15 to the communication unit 19a of the parking lot server 19, and step S162 in FIG. 15 is executed by the parking lot server 19. Also, steps S158, S159, S163, and S164 are omitted from the sequence of operations of the system shown in FIG. 15.

[0186] In the above-described seventh embodiment, the parking lot server 19 may execute a second association step of associating the ETC number of the ETC card 24 with the discount information and a calculation step of calculating the parking fee to which the discount or reduction is applied. In this case, the table T11 is included in the database 19c of the parking lot server 19 instead of the database of the business server 32. Further, steps S232, S233, and S234 are omitted from the operation sequence of the system shown in FIG. 24. Further, in step S243 of FIG. 26, the store number and the house card member number are transmitted from the store terminal 18 to the parking lot server 19, and steps S244, S245, and S246 of FIG. 26 are executed by the parking lot server 19. Further, step S264 of FIG. 28 is performed by the parking lot server 19. Furthermore, steps S258, S259, S260, S261, S262, S263, S265, and S266 are omitted from the operation sequence of the system shown in FIG. 28.

[0187] In the above-described first embodiment, the control device 15 may execute a second association step of associating the ETC number of the ETC card 24 with the discount information. In this case, the tables T1 and T2 are included in the database of the control device 15 instead of the database 19c of the parking lot server 19. Further, in step S35 of FIG. 5, the ETC number and the discount information of the ETC card 24 are transmitted from the store terminal 18 to the control device 15, and steps S36 and S37 of FIG. 5 are executed by the control device 15.

[0188] In the above-described fifth embodiment, the control device 15 may execute a second association step of associating the ETC number of the ETC card 24 with the discount information. In this case, the tables T1 and T2 are included in the database of the control device 15 instead of the database 19c of the parking lot server 19. Further, in step S195 of FIG. 19, the vehicle number and the discount information of the vehicle 11 are transmitted from the prepayment machine 29 to the control device 15, and steps S196 and S197 of FIG. 19 are performed by the control device 15.

[0189] In the above-described sixth embodiment, the control device 15 may execute a second association step of associating the ETC number of the ETC card 24 with the discount information. In this case, the tables T1 and T2 are included in the database of the control device 15 instead of the database 19c of the parking lot server 19. Also, in step S204 of FIG. 21, the ETC number and the discount information of the ETC card 24 are transmitted from the information terminal 17 to the control device 15, and steps S205 and S206 of FIG. 21 are performed by the control device 15.

[0190] In the above-described seventh embodiment, the control device 15 may execute a second association step of associating the ETC number of the ETC card 24 with the discount information. In this case, the table T11 is included in the database 19c of the control device 15 instead of the database of the business server 32. Also, from the operation sequence of the system shown in FIG. 24, steps S229, S230, S232, S233, and S234 are omitted, and step S231 of FIG. 24 is executed by the control device 15. Also, in step S243 of FIG. 26, the store number and the house card member number are transmitted from the store terminal 18 to the control device 15, and steps S244, S245, and S246 of FIG. 26 are executed by the control device 15. Further, from the operation sequence of the system shown in FIG. 28, steps S257, S258, S259, S260, S261, S262, S263, S265, and S266 are omitted.

[0191] The business server 32 shown in FIG. 22 may be added to the system 1 shown in FIG. 1 related to the above-described first embodiment, and the business server 32 may execute a second association step of associating the ETC number of the ETC card 24 with the discount information. In this case, in step S35 of FIG. 5, the ETC number and the discount information of the ETC card 24 are transmitted from the store terminal 18 to the business server 32, and steps S36 and S37 of FIG. 5 are executed by the business server 32.

[0192] Add the business server 32 shown in FIG. 22 to the system 2 shown in FIG. 8 related to the above-described second embodiment or the system 4 shown in FIG. 16 related to the above-described fourth embodiment, and the business server 32 may execute a second association step of associating the ETC number of the ETC card 24 with the discount information. In this case, in step S85 of FIG. 10, the ETC information is transmitted from the control device 15 to the business server 32, step S87 of FIG. 10 is executed by the business server 32, and steps S88 and S89 are omitted from the sequence of operations of the system shown in FIG. 10. Also, after step S91 of FIG. 10, the ETC information and the discount information are transmitted from the control device 15 to the business server 32, and step S92 of FIG. 10 is executed by the business server 32. Further, in step S93 of FIG. 10, the parking fee calculated by the business server 32 is transmitted from the business server 32 to the communication unit 19a of the parking lot server 19.

[0193] Add the business server 32 shown in FIG. 22 to the system 3 shown in FIG. 11 related to the above-described third embodiment, and the business server 32 may execute a second association step of associating the ETC number of the ETC card 24 with the discount information. In this case, in step S155 of FIG. 15, the ETC information is transmitted from the control device 15 to the business server 32, step S157 of FIG. 15 is executed by the business server 32, and steps S158 and S159 are omitted from the sequence of operations of the system shown in FIG. 15. Also, after step S161 of FIG. 15, the ETC information and the discount information are transmitted from the control device 15 to the business server 32, and step S162 of FIG. 15 is executed by the business server 32. Further, in step S163 of FIG. 15, the parking fee calculated by the business server 32 is transmitted from the business server 32 to the communication unit 19a of the parking lot server 19.

[0194] The business server 32 shown in FIG. 22 may be added to the system 5 shown in FIG. 18 related to the above-described fifth embodiment, and the second association step of associating the ETC number of the ETC card 24 with the discount information may be executed by the business server 32. In this case, in step S195 of FIG. 19, the vehicle number and discount information of the vehicle 11 are transmitted from the prepayment machine 29 to the business server 32, and steps S196 and S197 of FIG. 19 are executed by the business server 32.

[0195] The business server 32 shown in FIG. 22 may be added to the system 5 shown in FIG. 20 related to the above-described sixth embodiment, and the second association step of associating the ETC number of the ETC card 24 with the discount information may be executed by the business server 32. In this case, in step S204 of FIG. 21, the ETC number and discount information of the ETC card 24 are transmitted from the information terminal 17 to the business server 32, and steps S205 and S206 of FIG. 21 are executed by the business server 32.

[0196] Note that when the second association step of associating the ETC number of the ETC card 24 with the discount information is executed by the business server 32 without using the house card number of the house card 31, the database of the business server 32 may not have a table showing the relationship between the store number and the discount information. (1) A parking fee payment method for performing payment processing of a parking fee to which a discount or a reduction is applied for a vehicle entering a parking lot by ETC settlement associated with an ETC number related to a user of the vehicle entering the parking lot, a first association step in which a parking lot server related to the parking lot where the vehicle enters associates the ETC number included in the ETC in-vehicle unit of the vehicle entering the parking lot with the entry time of the vehicle entering the parking lot; A second associating step in which the parking lot server or a parking fee settlement device that settles the parking fee of a vehicle exiting the parking lot associates the ETC number with discount information indicating the discount or the amount reduction, wherein the ETC number and the discount information are associated via a code including either the ETC number or the discount information, a parking ticket number of a parking ticket issued by a parking ticket issuing machine of the parking lot when the vehicle enters the parking lot, a vehicle number of a vehicle entering the parking lot, or user identification information for identifying a user associated with the user of the vehicle entering the parking lot. A calculating step in which the parking lot server or the parking fee settlement device calculates a parking fee to which the discount or the amount reduction indicated by the discount information associated with the ETC number is applied based on the entry time, the exit time of the vehicle, and the discount information associated with the ETC number. A parking fee payment method comprising the above. (2) The second associating step includes a step in which a store terminal associated with a store associated with a parking lot where a vehicle enters reads a code including the ETC number displayed on a user terminal associated with a user of the vehicle entering the parking lot; a step in which the store terminal generates the discount information in response to reading the code including the ETC number; a step in which the store terminal transmits the ETC number included in the code read by the store terminal and the discount information generated by the store terminal to the parking lot server; a step in which the parking lot server associates the ETC number included in the code read by the store terminal with the discount information generated by the store terminal. The parking fee payment method according to (1), having the above. (3) The second associating step includes a step in which a recording medium issuing device associated with a store associated with a parking lot where a vehicle enters reads a code including the ETC number displayed on a user terminal associated with a user of the vehicle; The step of the recording medium issuing device issuing a recording medium including the ETC number in response to reading of the code including the ETC number; The step of a discount information recording device related to a parking lot where a vehicle enters storing the discount information in the recording medium; The step of the parking fee settlement device reading the ETC number and the discount information from the recording medium; The step of the parking fee settlement device associating the ETC number read from the recording medium with the discount information; The parking fee payment method according to (1), comprising: (4) The first association step includes: The step of the parking lot server associating the ETC number, the entry time, and the parking ticket number; The second association step includes: The step of a discount information recording device related to a store associated with a parking lot where a vehicle enters storing the discount information associated with the parking ticket number in the parking ticket; The step of the parking lot server transmitting the ETC number associated with the parking ticket number to the parking fee settlement device; The step of the parking fee settlement device reading the discount information associated with the parking ticket number from the parking ticket; The step of the parking fee settlement device associating the ETC number associated with the parking ticket number transmitted from the parking lot server with the discount information associated with the parking ticket number read from the parking ticket; The parking fee payment method according to (1), comprising: (5) The first association step includes: The step of the parking lot server associating the ETC number, the entry time, and the vehicle number; The second association step includes: The step of a recording medium issuing device related to a store associated with a parking lot where a vehicle enters obtaining the vehicle number selected by a user of the vehicle entering the parking lot; The step of the recording medium issuing device issuing a recording medium including the vehicle number in response to the selection of the vehicle number by the user of the vehicle entering the parking lot; The step of the discount information recording device associated with the store related to the parking lot where the vehicle enters recording the discount information associated with the vehicle number on the recording medium; The step of the parking lot server transmitting the ETC number associated with the vehicle number to the parking fee settlement device; The step of the parking fee settlement device reading the discount information associated with the vehicle number from the recording medium; The step of the parking fee settlement device associating the ETC number associated with the vehicle number transmitted from the parking lot server with the vehicle number and the discount information read from the recording medium; The parking fee payment method according to (1) having the above steps. (6) The first association step includes: The step of the parking lot server associating the ETC number, the entry time, and the vehicle number; The second association step includes: The step of the parking fee settlement device obtaining the vehicle number selected by the user of the vehicle entering the parking lot; The step of the parking fee settlement device reading the recording medium on which the discount information is recorded; The step of the parking fee settlement device transmitting the vehicle number obtained by the parking fee settlement device and the discount information read by the parking fee settlement device from the recording medium to the parking lot server; The step of the parking lot server associating the ETC number associated with the vehicle number in the first association step based on the vehicle number obtained by the parking fee settlement device with the discount information read by the parking fee settlement device from the recording medium; The parking fee payment method according to (1) having the above steps. (7) The second association step includes: A user terminal related to a user of a vehicle entering a parking lot and storing the ETC number reads the code including the discount information displayed by a store terminal associated with a store related to the parking lot where the vehicle enters. The user terminal transmits the ETC number stored in the user terminal and the discount information included in the code read by the user terminal to the parking lot server. The parking lot server associates the ETC number stored in the user terminal with the discount information included in the code read by the user terminal. The parking fee payment method according to (1), comprising: (8) The parking lot server stores the discount information for store identification information for identifying a store associated with the parking lot where the vehicle enters and the ETC number associated with the user identification information. The second association step includes: A store terminal related to a store associated with the parking lot where the vehicle enters and storing the store identification information reads the user identification information from a recording medium related to a user of the vehicle entering the parking lot and storing the user identification information. The store terminal transmits the store identification information stored in the store terminal and the user identification information read from the recording medium to the parking lot server. Based on the store identification information and the user identification information transmitted to the parking lot server, the parking lot server associates the ETC number associated with the user identification information with the discount information for the store identification information. The parking fee payment method according to (1), comprising:

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0197] 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 System 11 Vehicle 12 ETC On-board Unit 13 Parking Ticket Issuing Machine 14 Cashier Machine 15 Control device 16, 16’ ETC Mounting Determination Device 17 Information terminal 18 Store terminal 19 Parking lot server 19a Communication unit 19b Association unit 19c Database 19d Identification unit 20 Agency company server 21 Credit card company server 22, 23 Communication network 24 ETC card 25 Parking ticket 26 Buying-back ticket issuing machine 27 Purchase authentication machine 28 Buying-back ticket 29 Advance settlement machine 30 Service ticket 31 House card 32 Business server

Claims

1. A parking fee payment method for performing a payment process of a parking fee to which a discount or reduction has been applied for a vehicle entering a parking lot by ETC settlement associated with an ETC number related to a user of the vehicle entering the parking lot, comprising: a first association step in which a parking lot server related to the parking lot into which the vehicle is to enter associates the ETC number of the ETC on-board unit of the vehicle entering the parking lot with an entry time of the vehicle entering the parking lot; a second associating step in which the parking lot server or a parking fee settlement device that settles parking fees for vehicles leaving the parking lot associates the ETC number with discount information indicating the discount or reduction, the ETC number and the discount information being associated with each other via the vehicle number of a vehicle entering the parking lot; A calculation step in which the parking lot server or the parking fee settlement device calculates the parking fee to which the discount or reduction indicated by the discount information associated with the ETC number has been applied, based on the entry time, the exit time of the vehicle, and the discount information associated with the ETC number; Equipped with The first associating step includes: The parking lot server includes a step of associating the ETC number, the entry time, and the vehicle number, The second associating step in which the parking fee settlement device associates the ETC number with the discount information includes: A recording medium issuing device related to a store associated with a parking lot where a vehicle is to be parked acquires the vehicle number selected by a user of the vehicle to be parked in the parking lot; a step of the recording medium issuing device issuing a recording medium including the vehicle number in response to a selection of the vehicle number by a user of a vehicle entering a parking lot; a discount information recording device associated with a store related to a parking lot where the vehicle is parked records the discount information associated with the vehicle number in the recording medium; the parking lot server transmits the ETC number associated with the vehicle number to the parking fee settlement device; a step of the parking fee settlement device reading the discount information associated with the vehicle number from the recording medium; a step in which the parking fee settlement device associates the ETC number associated with the vehicle number transmitted from the parking lot server with the vehicle number and the discount information read from the recording medium; A parking fee payment method comprising:

2. A parking fee payment method for a vehicle entering a parking lot, the payment of a parking fee to which a discount or reduction has been applied being processed by ETC settlement associated with an ETC number related to a user of the vehicle entering the parking lot, comprising: a first association step in which a parking lot server related to the parking lot into which the vehicle is to enter associates the ETC number of the ETC on-board unit of the vehicle entering the parking lot with an entry time of the vehicle entering the parking lot; a second associating step in which the parking lot server or a parking fee settlement device that settles parking fees for vehicles leaving the parking lot associates the ETC number with discount information indicating the discount or reduction, the ETC number and the discount information being associated with each other via the vehicle number of a vehicle entering the parking lot; A calculation step in which the parking lot server or the parking fee settlement device calculates the parking fee to which the discount or reduction indicated by the discount information associated with the ETC number has been applied, based on the entry time, the exit time of the vehicle, and the discount information associated with the ETC number; Equipped with The first associating step includes: The parking lot server includes a step of associating the ETC number, the entry time, and the vehicle number, The second associating step in which the parking server associates the ETC number with the discount information includes: The parking fee settlement device acquires the vehicle number selected by a user of a vehicle entering the parking lot; a step of the parking fee settlement device reading a recording medium on which the discount information is recorded; a step of the parking fee settlement device transmitting the vehicle number acquired by the parking fee settlement device and the discount information read from the recording medium by the parking fee settlement device to the parking lot server; a step in which the parking lot server associates, based on the vehicle number acquired by the parking fee settlement device, the ETC number associated with the vehicle number in the first associating step with the discount information read by the parking fee settlement device from the recording medium; A parking fee payment method having the above construction.

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