Method and application program

Abstract

To improve a technique related to reservation of a vacant parking lot.SOLUTION: A terminal device 10 selectively displays, on a map, a plurality of vacant parking lots respectively registered by a plurality of service companies. When a vacant parking lot is selected by a user, the terminal device 10 displays a use charge for the vacant parking lot. When electrical payment of the use charge for the vacant parking lot is completed, the terminal device 10 displays completion of reservation of the vacant parking lot.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method and an application program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there are known techniques for reserving vacant parking spaces. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for providing data for generating a visual display of vacant parking spots on a map. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] US Patent Application Publication No. 2012 / 0265434 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In recent years, several businesses (hereinafter referred to as "service businesses") have become known that accept parking lot registrations from individual parking lot owners and provide services that manage reservations for registered parking lots. However, conventional technology has not allowed users to reserve vacant parking lots registered with several service businesses on a single application, leaving room for improvement.

[0005] In view of the above circumstances, the purpose of the present disclosure is to improve the technology for reserving vacant parking spaces. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is a method executed by a terminal device in accordance with an application program, and includes displaying, on a map, a plurality of vacant parking lots registered by a plurality of service providers in a selectable manner, displaying the usage fee for the vacant parking lot when the vacant parking lot is selected by a user, and displaying completion of reservation for the vacant parking lot when electronic payment for the usage fee for the vacant parking lot is completed.

[0007] An application program according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is an application program that causes a terminal device to display, on a map, a number of vacant parking lots registered by a number of service providers in a selectable manner, and when a vacant parking lot is selected by a user, to display the usage fee for the vacant parking lot, and when electronic payment for the usage fee for the vacant parking lot is completed, to display completion of the reservation for the vacant parking lot. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, techniques for reserving vacant parking spaces are improved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on a terminal device. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a terminal device. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a first server. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a second server. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the terminal device. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of a terminal device that executes electronic payment processing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described.

[0011] <Outline of the embodiment> An overview of a system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 1. The system 1 includes one or more terminal devices 10, a first server 20, and a second server 30. Each of the terminal devices 10, the first server 20, and each of the second servers 30 can communicate with each other via a network 40 including, for example, the Internet and a mobile communication network.

[0012] The terminal device 10 is a computer such as a PC (Personal Computer), a smartphone, or a tablet terminal, and is used by a user. The first server 20 includes one or more computers that can communicate with each other. In this embodiment, the first server 20 is managed by an operator of a dedicated application described below, but is not limited to this and may be managed, for example, by an affiliate of the operator. The number of first servers 20 can be determined arbitrarily. The second server 30 includes one or more computers that can communicate with each other. In this embodiment, the second server 30 is managed by each service provider, but is not limited to this and may be managed, for example, by an affiliate of each service provider. The number of second servers 30 can be determined arbitrarily.

[0013] In this embodiment, a dedicated application program (hereinafter also referred to as a "dedicated application") for the system 1 is installed on the terminal device 10. The dedicated application has a parking lot reservation function. The "parking lot reservation function" is a function that links vacant parking lots to any point on a map and displays selectable parking lots, displays the usage fee for the selected vacant parking lot, and provides a procedure for electronic payment of the usage fee according to the attribute information of the vacant parking lot, allowing the user to reserve the desired vacant parking lot.

[0014] The information displayed for the selected vacant parking lot is not limited to the usage fee and may include any other information. For example, information including the location information, business hours, availability, or a combination of these of the vacant parking lot may be displayed. In this embodiment, this information may be stored in the first server 20, but may also be stored in the terminal device 10.

[0015] The attribute information may include any information related to the vacant parking lot other than the usage fee. For example, the attribute information may include information indicating whether the parking lot owner has passed the merchant screening for credit card payments. "Information indicating whether the parking lot owner has passed the merchant screening for credit card payments" is information that determines whether a payment procedure using an electronic payment function implemented in a dedicated application (hereinafter also referred to as "first payment procedure") can be offered as a procedure for electronic payment of the usage fee. Details will be described later.

[0016] In this embodiment, the usage fee and attribute information of each vacant parking lot are stored in the first server 20, but one or both of the information may be stored in the terminal device 10.

[0017] A specific example of how the dedicated application is used will be described with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 shows an example of a screen displayed on the terminal device 10 while the dedicated application is running in the foreground. In the example shown in FIG. 2, pins P1, P2, and P3 indicating three vacant parking lots are displayed on the screen of the terminal device 10 as multiple vacant parking lots. While each vacant parking lot is represented by a pin in the example of FIG. 2, the vacant parking lots can be displayed in any identifiable manner. In this embodiment, an "vacant parking lot" refers to a parking lot that can accommodate at least one vehicle in at least one unit of time during the parking lot's business hours among a group of parking lots registered with each service provider (hereinafter also referred to as "registered parking lots") at the time the parking lot reservation function of the dedicated application is executed. A user can select a vacant parking lot by specifying (e.g., tapping a pin) any vacant parking lot on a map displayed on the screen of the terminal device 10 using the parking lot reservation function. When a vacant parking lot is selected, related information about the vacant parking lot (hereinafter also referred to as "vacant parking lot information"), including information corresponding to the usage fee in this embodiment, is displayed on the screen of the terminal device 10. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the pin P1 is selected by the user, and vacant parking lot information 50 of the corresponding vacant parking lot is displayed.

[0018] In the example shown in Figure 2, the vacant parking lot information 50 includes three items: "parking lot ID," "vacancy status," and "parking lot details," but is not limited to these and may include any other items. "ID" is an abbreviation for "identifier." For example, the vacant parking lot information 50 may include an item indicating the distance from the vacant parking lot to a destination specified by the user.

[0019] "Parking lot ID" is any information that identifies the selected vacant parking lot. In the example shown in Figure 2, "Parking lot ID" indicates the name of the vacant parking lot indicated by pin P1.

[0020] "Availability" indicates whether a selected vacant parking lot can be reserved for each time slot on the date the dedicated application is launched or the date of use specified by the user. The availability of a reservation for each time slot can be indicated using any method. In the example shown in FIG. 2, time slots labeled "Vacant" indicate time slots available for reservation, while time slots labeled "Full" indicate time slots unavailable for reservation. In other words, the business hours of a vacant parking lot include time periods during which parking reservations cannot be made. However, the display of the availability of each parking lot is not limited to these examples, and any method can be used. For example, availability may be indicated by adding a different label, using a different display color, or by displaying only information about time slots available for reservation. Availability may also include information indicating the number of available spaces for reservation, i.e., the number of remaining vacant spaces.

[0021] In the example shown in FIG. 2, "Availability" indicates whether the selected vacant parking lot can be reserved and also the usage fee. The usage fee can be set arbitrarily, but may also be set arbitrarily for each vacant parking lot by the service provider to which the parking lot is registered. The usage fee indicated by "Availability" corresponds to the usage fee for the vacant parking lot in this embodiment.

[0022] "Parking lot details" indicates, but is not limited to, the location of the parking lot, the type (e.g., surface or multi-story parking), and the types of vehicles that can be accommodated.

[0023] The user can refer to vacant parking lot information 50 for each vacant parking lot, as shown in FIG. 2, displayed on the screen of the terminal device 10, and select and reserve a desired vacant parking lot from among a plurality of vacant parking lots.

[0024] The dedicated application according to the present embodiment may have any other functions in addition to the parking lot reservation function, such as a route search function or a function for displaying surrounding information. Each function of the dedicated application may be realized by the terminal device 10 alone or by cooperation between the terminal device 10 and the first server 20.

[0025] First, an overview of this embodiment will be described, and details will be provided later. The terminal device 10 performs the following operations in accordance with an application program (dedicated application). The terminal device 10 displays, on a map, a plurality of vacant parking lots registered by a plurality of service providers so that the user can select them. When a vacant parking lot is selected by the user, the terminal device 10 displays the usage fee for the vacant parking lot. When electronic payment for the usage fee for the vacant parking lot is completed, the terminal device 10 displays completion of the reservation of the vacant parking lot.

[0026] As described above, according to this embodiment, a plurality of vacant parking lots registered by a plurality of service providers are displayed on a map so that the user can select from them. Therefore, for example, by executing a single dedicated application on the terminal device 10, a user can search for a plurality of vacant parking lots registered with different service providers, select a desired vacant parking lot, and reserve it. Therefore, technology related to reserving vacant parking lots is improved in that it becomes easier to reserve vacant parking lots registered with a plurality of service providers on a single application.

[0027] Next, each of the components of the system 1 will be described in detail.

[0028] <Configuration of terminal device> As shown in FIG. 3, the terminal device 10 includes a communication unit 11, an output unit 12, an input unit 13, a storage unit 14, and a control unit 15.

[0029] The communication unit 11 includes one or more communication interfaces that connect to the network 40. The communication interfaces correspond to mobile communication standards such as 4G (4th Generation) and 5G (5th Generation), wired LAN (Local Area Network) standards, or wireless LAN standards, but are not limited to these and may correspond to any communication standard.

[0030] The output unit 12 includes one or more output devices that output information. Examples of the output devices include, but are not limited to, a display that outputs information as a video or a speaker that outputs information as a sound. Alternatively, the output unit 12 may include an interface for connecting an external output device.

[0031] The input unit 13 includes one or more input devices that detect an input operation by a user. Examples of the input devices include, but are not limited to, physical keys, capacitive keys, a mouse, a touch panel, a touch screen integrated with the display of the output unit 12, or a microphone. Alternatively, the input unit 13 may include an interface for connecting an external input device.

[0032] The storage unit 14 includes one or more memories. The memories may be, for example, semiconductor memories, magnetic memories, optical memories, etc., but are not limited to these. Each memory included in the storage unit 14 may function as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 14 stores any information used in the operation of the terminal device 10. For example, the storage unit 14 may store system programs, application programs, map information, etc. In this embodiment, the storage unit 14 stores the dedicated application described above. The dedicated application may be stored when the terminal device 10 is manufactured, or may be downloaded from any application distribution server via the communication unit 11 and the network 40.

[0033] The control unit 15 includes one or more processors, one or more programmable circuits, one or more dedicated circuits, or a combination thereof. The processor may be, for example, a general-purpose processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process, but is not limited to these. The programmable circuit may be, for example, but is not limited to, an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array). The dedicated circuit may be, for example, but is not limited to, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). The control unit 15 controls the overall operation of the terminal device 10.

[0034] In this embodiment, the control unit 15 transmits a query request to the first server 20 via the communication unit 11 and the network 40 to query various information, such as information about the service provider or information about each registered parking lot. For example, the query request may include data querying related information (such as usage fees) about each vacant parking lot selected by the user on the map of the dedicated application. The control unit 15 may receive the related information about each vacant parking lot from the first server 20. Based on the received related information, the control unit 15 displays each vacant parking lot on the map so that it can be selected, and generates vacant parking lot information 50, as shown in FIG. 2, for each vacant parking lot selected by the user, and displays the information on the dedicated application.

[0035] <Configuration of the first server> As shown in FIG. 4, the first server 20 includes a communication unit 21, a storage unit 22, and a control unit .

[0036] The communication unit 21 includes one or more communication interfaces that connect to the network 40. The communication interfaces correspond to, for example, a mobile communication standard, a wired LAN standard, or a wireless LAN standard, but are not limited to these and may correspond to any communication standard.

[0037] The storage unit 22 includes one or more memories. Each memory included in the storage unit 22 may function as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 22 stores any information used in the operation of the first server 20. For example, the storage unit 22 may store a system program, an application program, map information, embedded software, a database, and the like.

[0038] In this embodiment, the memory unit 22 stores a database (hereinafter also referred to as the "first database") for storing various information including information about the service provider that manages the second server 30 and information about each registered parking lot. The "information about the service provider" may include the service provider's identification information (such as a provider ID), the URL (Uniform Resource Locator) of a reservation and payment page described below, or both. The "information about each registered parking lot" may include the identification information (such as a parking lot ID) of each registered parking lot, the usage fee, attribute information, or a combination of these.

[0039] The control unit 23 includes one or more processors, one or more programmable circuits, one or more dedicated circuits, or a combination thereof. The control unit 23 controls the overall operation of the first server 20.

[0040] In this embodiment, the control unit 23 receives various information, including information about each service provider or information about each registered parking lot, from the second server 30 managed by each service provider via the communication unit 21 and the network 40. The control unit 23 stores the received information in a first database in the storage unit 22. In response to a query request from the terminal device 10, the control unit 23 can search the first database to read out the information indicated in the query request and transmit the information to the terminal device 10.

[0041] <Configuration of the second server> As shown in FIG. 5, the second server 30 includes a communication unit 31, a storage unit 32, and a control unit 33.

[0042] The communication unit 31 includes one or more communication interfaces that connect to the network 40. The communication interfaces correspond to, for example, a mobile communication standard, a wired LAN standard, or a wireless LAN standard, but are not limited to these and may correspond to any communication standard.

[0043] The storage unit 32 includes one or more memories. Each memory included in the storage unit 32 may function as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 32 stores any information used in the operation of the second server 30. For example, the storage unit 32 may store system programs, application programs, map information, embedded software, databases, etc.

[0044] In this embodiment, the memory unit 32 stores a database (hereinafter also referred to as the "second database") for storing various information including information about the service provider that manages the second server 30 and information about each registered parking lot.

[0045] The control unit 33 includes one or more processors, one or more programmable circuits, one or more dedicated circuits, or a combination thereof. The control unit 33 controls the overall operation of the second server 30.

[0046] In this embodiment, the control unit 33 transmits various information read from the second database in the storage unit 32 to the first server 20 via the network 40. In addition, as will be described later, the control unit 33 provides the second payment procedure of this embodiment to the user's terminal device 10.

[0047] <Operation of terminal device> The operation performed by the terminal device 10 in accordance with the dedicated application will be described with reference to Fig. 6. The operation in Fig. 6 corresponds to a method according to the present embodiment. This operation is started, for example, when a user operates the terminal device 10 to start the dedicated application, but the conditions and / or timing for starting this operation are not limited to this example.

[0048] Step S100: The control unit 15 of the terminal device 10 displays, on a map, a plurality of vacant parking lots registered by a plurality of service providers, so that the parking lots can be selected. Note that, in this embodiment, the displayed map is a map of the area around the destination specified by the user, but is not limited to this and may be a map of any location, for example, a map of the area around the location of the terminal device 10.

[0049] Specifically, while the dedicated application is running in the foreground, the control unit 15 displays a map of the area around the destination specified by the user on the screen of the terminal device 10, and displays vacant parking lots on the map so that they can be selected (e.g., tapped) (see FIG. 2). The map may be generated based on map information stored in the storage unit 14 or map information acquired from the first server 20, and displayed on the screen of the terminal device 10.

[0050] As described above, the vacant parking spaces displayed here are those that can accommodate at least one vehicle in at least one unit time (e.g., 20 minutes) during the parking lot's business hours at the time the parking lot reservation function of the dedicated application is executed. In this embodiment, the business hours of each parking lot and whether or not entry is possible for each unit time (hereinafter also referred to as "entry status") are associated with each parking lot and stored in the memory unit 22 of the first server 20. However, they may also be stored in the memory unit 14 of the terminal device 10. The control unit 15 can acquire the entry status of each parking lot from the first server 20 via the communication unit 11 and the network 40. By referring to the entry status of each parking lot, the control unit 15 can identify parking lots that can accommodate at least one vehicle in at least one unit time during business hours. The control unit 15 displays the identified parking lots as vacant parking spaces on the map. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 15 displays pins P1, P2, and P3, which indicate three vacant parking spaces, on the map as multiple vacant parking spaces. In this case, at least two of the three vacant parking spaces are registered with different service providers.

[0051] In this way, the control unit 15 can display, on a map, a plurality of vacant parking lots registered by a plurality of service providers in a selectable manner via a single dedicated application.

[0052] Step S101: The control unit 15 determines whether or not a vacant parking lot has been selected by the user. If a vacant parking lot has been selected by the user (step S101-Yes), the process proceeds to step S102. If a vacant parking lot has not been selected by the user (step S101-No), the process ends.

[0053] Specifically, the control unit 15 may determine that an empty parking lot has been selected when it is detected that the user has designated (e.g., tapped) any empty parking lot on the map via the input unit 13. In the example shown in Fig. 2, when it is detected that the user has tapped on pin P1, the control unit 15 may determine that the empty parking lot indicated by pin P1 has been selected.

[0054] Step S102: If a vacant parking lot is selected by the user (step S101-Yes), the control unit 15 displays the usage fee for the vacant parking lot.

[0055] Specifically, the control unit 15 inquires of the first server 20 via the communication unit 11 and the network 40 about the usage fee for a vacant parking lot selected by the user on the map (the vacant parking lot indicated by pin P1 in the example shown in FIG. 2). The control unit 15 receives information indicating the usage fee linked to the vacant parking lot from the first server 20 via the communication unit 21 and the network 40. The control unit 15 then generates vacant parking lot information 50 as shown in FIG. 2 based on the received information and displays it on the screen of the terminal device 10. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 15 displays information including the usage fee for the vacant parking lot indicated by pin P1 on the screen of the terminal device 10. The usage fee can be displayed in any manner, but in the example shown in FIG. 2, it is displayed as a usage fee per unit time for each usage time period.

[0056] The user can check the usage fee of the vacant parking lot displayed on the screen of the terminal device 10 (the vacant parking lot indicated by pin P1 in the example shown in FIG. 2) and decide whether or not to make a reservation. The user can also select other vacant parking lots displayed on the map (tap pin P2 or P3 in the example shown in FIG. 2) and compare usage fees, etc. In this way, the user can select the desired vacant parking lot and parking conditions (usage time period, etc.) that they wish to reserve from among multiple vacant parking lots.

[0057] Step S103: The control unit 15 executes the electronic payment process.

[0058] Specifically, the control unit 15 executes the electronic payment process by the operation described below and shown in Fig. 7. In this embodiment, the completion of the electronic payment process completes the electronic payment of the usage fee for the vacant parking lot, and the reservation of the vacant parking lot is confirmed.

[0059] Step S104: When the electronic payment of the parking fee is completed, the control unit 15 displays the completion of the reservation of the vacant parking space.

[0060] Specifically, when the control unit 15 detects that the electronic payment process for the desired parking lot selected in step S101 has been completed, it presents the user with information informing them that the reservation of the available parking lot has been completed. Any method can be used to present this information. For example, a message saying "Reservation completed" may be displayed on a dedicated application.

[0061] The operation of the terminal device 10 that executes the electronic payment process described above in step S103 will be described with reference to Fig. 7. The operation in Fig. 7 corresponds to the method according to this embodiment.

[0062] Step S200: The control unit 15 of the terminal device 10 acquires business operator information indicating the service business operators that have registered each vacant parking lot.

[0063] Specifically, the "business information" includes information (here, a flag) indicating whether or not the attribute information acquired in step S202 described below will be provided to the operator of the dedicated application (hereinafter also referred to as "whether or not the attribute information will be shared"). Any method can be used to acquire the business information. For example, the first server 20 may collect the business information from the second server 30 of each service provider and store it in the first database. In this case, the control unit 15 of the terminal device 10 can acquire the business information of the service provider that has registered each vacant parking space by querying the first server 20.

[0064] Step S201: The control unit 15 determines whether the vacant parking lot selected by the user is registered with a predetermined service provider based on the provider information acquired in step S200. In this embodiment, the "predetermined service provider" is a service provider that does not provide the attribute information acquired in step S202 (described later) to the dedicated application operating provider (first server 20). For example, a service provider that does not share attribute information with the operating provider for some reason, such as a service provider that does not have a system environment for providing attribute information, may be considered a predetermined service provider. If it is determined that the vacant parking lot is registered with a predetermined service provider (step S201-Yes), the process proceeds to step S205. On the other hand, if it is determined that the vacant parking lot is not registered with a predetermined service provider (step S201-Yes), the process proceeds to step S202.

[0065] Specifically, the control unit 15 can determine whether the vacant parking lot selected by the user is registered by a specified service provider by referring to information (here, a flag) contained in the acquired provider information that indicates whether attribute information of each service provider is shared or not.

[0066] Step S202: If it is determined that the vacant parking lot is not registered with the specified service provider (step S201-No), the control unit 15 acquires, as attribute information for each vacant parking lot, information indicating whether the parking lot owner has passed the credit card payment affiliate store screening.

[0067] Any method can be used to acquire the attribute information of each vacant parking lot. For example, the first server 20 may collect the attribute information from the second server 30 of each service provider and store it in the first database. In this case, the control unit 15 of the terminal device 10 can acquire the attribute information of each vacant parking lot by querying the first server 20.

[0068] As described above, the "information indicating whether the parking lot owner has passed the member store screening for credit card payments" is information that determines whether the first payment procedure using the electronic payment function implemented in the dedicated application can be offered as the procedure for electronic payment of the usage fee. In this embodiment, if the parking lot owner has passed the member store screening for credit card payments, the first payment procedure is offered as the procedure for electronic payment of the usage fee. On the other hand, if the parking lot owner has not passed the member store screening for credit card payments, a second payment procedure different from the first payment procedure is offered as the procedure for electronic payment of the usage fee. The "second payment procedure" refers to a payment procedure that uses the electronic payment function implemented on the website provided by the service provider that registers each parking lot. Specifically, the control unit 15 performs the following operations from step S203 to S205.

[0069] Step S203: The control unit 15 determines whether the owner of the vacant parking lot is a predetermined parking lot owner. In this embodiment, a "predetermined parking lot owner" is a parking lot owner who has not passed the credit card payment affiliated store screening. If it is determined that the owner of the vacant parking lot is a predetermined parking lot owner (step S203-Yes), the process proceeds to step S205. On the other hand, if it is determined that the owner of the vacant parking lot is not a predetermined parking lot owner (step S203-No), the process proceeds to step S204.

[0070] Any method can be used to determine whether the owner of a vacant parking lot is a predetermined parking lot owner. For example, information (here, a flag) indicating whether each parking lot owner has passed the member store screening for credit card payments may be stored in the first database of the first server 20. In this case, the control unit 23 of the first server 20, in response to a query request from the terminal device 10, for example, can determine whether the owner is a predetermined parking lot owner by searching the first database using the owner ID of the owner of the vacant parking lot as a query and referring to the flag. The control unit 23 transmits the determination result to the terminal device 10 via the network 40. The control unit 15 of the terminal device 10 can determine whether the owner of the vacant parking lot is a predetermined parking lot owner according to the received determination result.

[0071] Step S204: If it is determined that the owner of the vacant parking lot is not the specified parking lot owner (step S203-No), the control unit 15 provides the first payment procedure as a procedure for electronic payment of the usage fee for the vacant parking lot. That is, if the conditions that the vacant parking lot is not registered with the specified service provider (step S201-No) and the owner of the vacant parking lot is not the specified parking lot owner are met, the first payment procedure is provided. As described above, the first payment procedure is a payment procedure that uses the electronic payment function implemented in the dedicated application.

[0072] Any method may be used to provide the first payment procedure. For example, the dedicated application may display icons such as a reservation button for reserving a vacant parking space, a payment button for electronically paying the usage fee, and a confirmation button for finalizing the reservation.

[0073] When it is detected that the user has tapped the reservation button, an input field (hereinafter also referred to as a "first input field") in which the user can input information such as the time slot for using the vacant parking lot and the identification information of the entering vehicle (for example, the vehicle number) may be displayed on the screen of the terminal device 10. The input of the time slot for using the vacant parking lot may be performed, for example, by the user selecting the desired time slot from a list of time slots available for reservation.

[0074] After information is entered in the first input field, when it is detected that the user has tapped the payment button, an input field (hereinafter also referred to as the "second input field") into which the user can input payment method information (such as credit card information) may be displayed on the screen of the terminal device 10. Payment method information may be registered at any time, such as during initial setup of the dedicated application. In this case, a list of registered payment methods is displayed in the second input field, and the user can input payment method information by selecting the desired payment method from the list. At this time, if it is detected that a payment method such as a prepaid card has insufficient balance, the screen may transition to a screen for topping up the balance, allowing the user to top up the balance of the payment method.

[0075] After entering information about the payment method in the second input field, the user can complete the electronic payment for the available parking space on the dedicated application by tapping the decision button. This confirms the reservation of the available parking space. In this way, the first payment procedure of this embodiment can be provided. When the control unit 15 detects that the user has tapped the decision button, the control unit 15 can determine that the electronic payment process has been completed.

[0076] Step S205: If it is determined that the vacant parking lot is registered with a predetermined service provider (step S201-Yes), or if it is determined that the vacant parking lot is not registered with a predetermined service provider and the owner of the vacant parking lot is a predetermined parking lot owner (step S203-Yes), the control unit 15 provides a second payment procedure as a procedure for electronic payment of the usage fee. As described above, the second payment procedure is a payment procedure that uses an electronic payment function implemented in the website provided by the service provider that registers each parking lot.

[0077] Any method can be used to provide the second payment procedure. For example, when it is detected that the user has tapped the reservation button in step S204, the control unit 15 may switch the application program running in the foreground. Specifically, the control unit 15 may switch the application program running in the foreground from the dedicated application to another application program (here, a general-purpose web browser) installed on the terminal device 10. In this case, the control unit 15 causes the terminal device 10 to display, with the web browser running in the foreground, a web page (hereinafter also referred to as a "reservation and payment page") that provides functions for reserving a vacant parking space and making an electronic payment.

[0078] In this embodiment, the reservation and payment page is one of the web pages provided by a predetermined service provider, but is not limited to this and may be, for example, a web page provided by an affiliate of the predetermined service provider. The reservation and payment page may display various buttons (such as a reservation button, a payment button, and a confirmation button) having the same functions as those described above in step S203. As with the first payment procedure described above, the reservation and payment page may display an input field (hereinafter also referred to as the "third input field") in which the user can input information such as the time period for using the available parking lot, and an input field (hereinafter also referred to as the "fourth input field") in which the user can input information about the payment method.

[0079] After inputting information appropriately into the third and fourth input fields, the user can tap the OK button on the reservation and payment page to complete the electronic payment for the available parking space on the web browser and confirm the reservation for the available parking space. In this way, the second payment procedure of this embodiment can be provided. When it is determined that the reservation for the available parking space and the electronic payment on the web browser have been completed, the control unit 15 can determine that the electronic payment process has been completed.

[0080] Any method can be used to determine whether the reservation of a vacant parking space and electronic payment on the web browser have been completed. For example, when it is detected that the user has tapped the OK button, the second server 30 may send data to the first server 20 notifying the user that the reservation of a vacant parking space and electronic payment have been completed. Hereinafter, this data may also be referred to as a "payment completion notice." The payment completion notice may be sent from the second server 30 to the terminal device 10 when it is detected that the user has operated the terminal device 10 to switch the application program running in the foreground from the web browser to a dedicated application. When the payment completion notice is received by the terminal device 10, the control unit 15 of the terminal device 10 may determine that the reservation of a vacant parking space and electronic payment on the web browser have been completed.

[0081] Through steps S201 to S205, the control unit 15 can provide either the first payment procedure or the second payment procedure as the procedure for electronic payment of the usage fee, depending on the attribute information of the vacant parking lot selected by the user on the map. When the electronic payment processing is completed, the process proceeds to the above-mentioned step S104, and the control unit 15 displays the completion of the reservation of the vacant parking lot.

[0082] As described above, the terminal device 10 according to this embodiment performs the following operations in accordance with an application program (dedicated application). The terminal device 10 displays, on a map, a plurality of vacant parking lots registered by a plurality of service providers so that the user can select the parking lot. When a vacant parking lot is selected by the user, the terminal device 10 displays the usage fee for the vacant parking lot. When electronic payment for the usage fee for the vacant parking lot is completed, the terminal device 10 displays the completion of the reservation of the vacant parking lot.

[0083] With this configuration, multiple vacant parking lots registered by multiple service providers are displayed on the map in a selectable manner. Therefore, for example, a user can search for multiple vacant parking lots registered with different service providers by running a single dedicated application on the terminal device 10, select a desired vacant parking lot, and reserve it. Therefore, technology related to reserving vacant parking lots is improved in that it becomes easier to reserve vacant parking lots registered with multiple service providers using a single application.

[0084] Although the present disclosure has been described based on the drawings and examples, it should be noted that those skilled in the art may make various modifications and alterations based on the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications and alterations are included in the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the functions included in each component or step can be rearranged so as not to be logically inconsistent, and multiple components or steps can be combined or divided into one.

[0085] For example, in one variation of the above-described embodiment, the control unit 15 of the terminal device 10 may vary the appearance of each vacant parking lot displayed on the map depending on whether the parking lot can be reserved, whether the first payment method is available, or both. Specifically, the control unit 15 may vary the appearance of the pin indicating each vacant parking lot displayed on the map, such as the display color of the pin, the pin's outline, or both, depending on whether the vacant parking lot can be reserved, whether the first payment method is available, or both. For example, the control unit 15 may set the display color of the pin for a vacant parking lot that can be reserved to a first color and the display color of the pin for a vacant parking lot that cannot be reserved to a second color different from the first color. Additionally or alternatively, the control unit 15 may set the display color of the outline of the pin for a vacant parking lot registered with a predetermined service provider (step S201) or owned by a predetermined parking lot owner (step S203) to a third color. These vacant parking lots are vacant parking lots for which the first payment method is not available but for which the second payment method is available. The control unit 15 may set the display color of the outline of the pin for a vacant parking lot other than the above and for which the first payment procedure is available to a fourth color different from the third color. The first to fourth colors can be set to any colors that are easy for the user to distinguish.

[0086] Furthermore, for example, an embodiment is also possible in which the first server 20 executes part of the processing executed by the terminal device 10 in the above-described embodiment.

[0087] Also, for example, an embodiment is possible in which a general-purpose computer functions as the terminal device 10 according to the above-described embodiment. Specifically, a program (application program) describing the processing content for realizing each function of the terminal device 10 according to the above-described embodiment is stored in the memory of the general-purpose computer, and the program is read and executed by a processor. Therefore, the present disclosure can also be realized as a program executable by a processor, or a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing the program. [Explanation of symbols]

[0088] 1 System 10 Terminal Equipment 11 Communications Department 12 Output section 13 Input section 14 Storage section 15 Control Unit 20 First Server 21 Communications Department 22 Memory section 23 Control Unit 30 Second Server 31 Communications Department 32 Storage section 33 Control Unit 40 Network 50 Vacant parking information P1, P2, P3 Pins indicating available parking spaces

Claims

1. A method executed by a terminal device capable of communicating with a server in accordance with an application program, comprising: To display on a map a plurality of available parking lots registered by a plurality of service providers in a selectable manner; When a vacant parking lot is selected by a user, the usage fee of the selected vacant parking lot is displayed, attribute information of the selected vacant parking lot is acquired from the server, and, depending on the attribute information, either a first payment procedure using an electronic payment function implemented in the application program or a second payment procedure different from the first payment procedure is provided as an electronic payment procedure for the usage fee of the selected vacant parking lot; When electronic payment of the usage fee for the selected vacant parking lot is completed, a display indicating completion of reservation of the selected vacant parking lot is displayed. Including, A method in which the attribute information is information that determines whether the first payment procedure can be offered as an electronic payment procedure for the usage fee of the selected vacant parking lot.

2. 10. The method of claim 1, The second payment procedure is a payment procedure using an electronic payment function implemented on a website provided by a service provider that registers each parking lot.

3. 3. The method of claim 1 or 2, The providing comprises: acquiring business information indicating whether a service business that has registered the selected vacant parking lot provides the attribute information; and When it is determined based on the business information that the selected vacant parking lot has been registered by a service business that does not provide the attribute information, the second payment procedure is provided as an electronic payment procedure for the usage fee of the selected vacant parking lot without acquiring the attribute information. The method further comprises:

4. An application program in which an electronic payment function is implemented, A terminal device capable of communicating with the server To display on a map a plurality of available parking lots registered by a plurality of service providers in a selectable manner; When a vacant parking lot is selected by a user, the usage fee of the selected vacant parking lot is displayed, attribute information of the selected vacant parking lot is acquired from the server, and, depending on the attribute information, either a first payment procedure using the electronic payment function or a second payment procedure different from the first payment procedure is provided as an electronic payment procedure for the usage fee of the selected vacant parking lot; When electronic payment of the usage fee for the selected vacant parking lot is completed, a display indicating completion of reservation of the selected vacant parking lot is displayed. Execute An application program, wherein the attribute information is information for determining whether the first payment procedure can be offered as an electronic payment procedure for the usage fee of the selected vacant parking lot.

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