Bicycle parking management system

Abstract

To provide a bicycle parking lot management system capable of eliminating inconvenience from an application for use of a bicycle parking lot to a start of the use, both in terms of operation of a bicycle parking lot operator and a user.SOLUTION: A bicycle parking lot management system 1 manages a bicycle parking lot 10 by associating the bicycle parking lot 10 with a user 23 and a bicycle 25 by pasting a commuter pass sticker 28, according to a contract made between the user 23 and a bicycle parking lot operator 24. By inputting application information D1 including user information D1-1, bicycle parking lot specification information D1-2, and bicycle parking lot usage period information D1-3 from a smartphone 27 owned by the user 23 via a server 22, a renewal adjustment machine 20 generates commuter pass sticker information D2 that specifies the user 23, the bicycle parking lot 10, and a bicycle parking lot use period. When receiving a commuter pass sticker issuance request from the renewal adjustment machine 20, a commuter pass sticker issuing machine 21 creates and issues the commuter pass sticker 28 based on the commuter pass sticker information D2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a bicycle parking lot management system. [Background technology]

[0002] Monthly bicycle parking lots, which are primarily used for fixed-term use and are located near train stations, sometimes use bicycle parking lot management systems to operate the lot. In this bicycle parking lot system, a user first identifies their bicycle and applies to a bicycle parking lot operator or the like to use the bicycle parking lot. After verifying the user's identity, name, address, etc., and payment of the usage fee, the bicycle parking lot operator or the like confirms the establishment of a usage contract, then creates an identification sticker or the like that identifies the user and their bicycle as having been contracted and sends it to the user by mail or the like.

[0003] Therefore, bicycle parking lot management systems such as those disclosed in Patent Document 1 have been proposed to eliminate the inconvenience from applying to use a bicycle parking lot to actually starting to use it. The bicycle parking lot management system described in Patent Document 1 is a bicycle parking lot management system that allocates and manages bicycle parking spaces to both users and bicycles. This bicycle parking lot management system has a server owned by the bicycle parking lot operator that receives sticker information from the bicycle parking lot operator's server and transmits and receives information related to the management of the bicycle parking lot to and records it with a sticker issuing machine that issues identification stickers to users. The user's terminal device (PC, tablet, smartphone, etc.), the ticket issuing machine installed in the bicycle parking lot, and the server are connected via a public line such as the Internet, allowing them to communicate with each other. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-141512 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] According to the bicycle parking lot management system described in Patent Document 1, the entire process from contract application to issuing of identification stickers can be carried out through mutual communication via the Internet between the user's terminal device, sticker issuing machine, and server. This is equivalent to the user directly operating the device to obtain the sticker, simplifying the work of bicycle parking lot operators and shortening the time from contract application to sticker issuance. However, this bicycle parking lot management system includes contract information such as an authentication key, user information, bicycle parking location information, validity period, and payment information. Since users are limited to smartphone users and authentication requires input, it cannot be said to be equally user-friendly for all users. Furthermore, because bicycle parking locations within the bicycle parking lot are assigned to both users and bicycles, the following challenges arise from both the operational aspects of bicycle parking lot operators and the user's perspective.

[0006] (a) Contract information will be stored and managed by the bicycle parking lot management system. However, if personal information is included in the contract information, the bicycle parking lot operator that obtains the personal information is not necessarily the operator or owner of the bicycle parking lot management system. In addition, since general bicycle parking lot operators are not necessarily technically knowledgeable about server operation or are not necessarily able to employ specialist staff, it is possible that the server operation will be outsourced. However, since there is no physical document such as a paper ledger, there is a risk that the bicycle parking lot operator that collects the contract information is not the entity responsible for security measures, such as the location, management, or whether or not the personal information is copied. The same is true for bicycle parking lot operators, and it is easy for the entity that manages important personal information to be unclear. (b) In the case of a system that assigns bicycle parking locations, there may be cases where a user is unable to park their bicycle for some reason, and the bicycle parking lot operator must prepare a spare bicycle parking location to fill the gap or secure another bicycle parking location to replace the user. This reduces the effective utilization rate of bicycle parking locations relative to the total number of locations. (c) Because bicycle parking locations are fixed, there may be a sense of unfairness in terms of convenience, such as the location of a bicycle parking location being close to an entrance or being convenient for transferring to a train, etc. Also, if there are price differences depending on the bicycle parking location, it may be necessary to provide compensation such as refunds or discounts when the contracted bicycle parking location cannot be used due to reasons such as breakdowns. (d) In the case of a bicycle parking lot management system that allows free access without an entrance gate, it is not possible to distinguish between regular users and users who are using the lot for the day but do not have a regular usage contract, i.e., so-called temporary users, at the time of entry, and it is particularly difficult to prevent temporary users from accidentally parking in a bicycle parking space used by regular users, making it difficult to use both methods and hindering diverse bicycle parking lot management. Furthermore, if the parking lot is clearly divided into sections to allow both regular and temporary users to use the lot simultaneously, it becomes difficult to easily change or adjust the management format during periods such as busy periods, long holidays, and summer holidays when temporary users are expected to increase.

[0007] Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve such problems, and aims to provide a bicycle parking lot management system that can eliminate inconveniences from the operational perspective of bicycle parking lot operators and users from the time they apply to use a bicycle parking lot to the time they start using it. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] [1] The bicycle parking lot management system of the present invention comprises a renewal settlement machine and a commuter pass sticker issuing machine installed in the bicycle parking lot, as well as a server, and manages the bicycle parking lot by associating the bicycle parking lot with the user and the commuter pass sticker affixed to the bicycle based on a contract concluded between the user and the bicycle parking lot operator, wherein the renewal settlement machine is configured to be able to generate commuter pass sticker information that identifies the user, the bicycle parking lot, and the bicycle parking lot usage period by inputting application information including user information, bicycle parking lot identification information, and bicycle parking lot usage period information from the user's mobile terminal device via the server, and the commuter pass sticker issuing machine is configured to be able to create and issue the commuter pass sticker based on the commuter pass sticker information when it receives a commuter pass sticker issuance request from the renewal settlement machine.

[0009] [2] In the bicycle parking lot management system of the present invention, it is preferable that the renewal settlement machine has an IC card reading device that can also read the mobile terminal ID, which does not identify the individual, held by the mobile terminal device owned by the user, and is configured to add the mobile terminal ID to the application information and use it to identify the user.

[0010] [3] In the bicycle parking lot management system of the present invention, it is preferable that the renewal settlement machine is configured to read either a commuter pass using an IC card or a copy of the mobile terminal ID replaced with the mobile terminal ID, and to be able to use it as an IC commuter pass instead of the mobile terminal ID.

[0011] [4] In the bicycle parking lot management system of the present invention, it is preferable that the renewal settlement machine further has a settlement device that determines a regular bicycle parking fee based on the application information and settles the regular bicycle parking fee.

[0012] [5] In the bicycle parking lot management system of the present invention, it is preferable that the settlement device is a cash settlement device capable of settling the regular bicycle parking fee based on the bill.

[0013] [6] In the bicycle parking lot management system of the present invention, it is preferable that the payment device is a cash payment device capable of settling the regular bicycle parking fee based on the bill, or a cashless payment device such as electronic money or credit card.

[0014] [7] In the bicycle parking lot management system of the present invention, it is preferable that the payment device is a cashless payment device such as electronic money or credit card that can settle the regular bicycle parking fee based on the bill.

[0015] [8] In the bicycle parking lot management system of the present invention, it is preferable that the update settlement machine is capable of converting the information paid for at least one of the multiple online payments into payment information using a cash payment device via the server.

[0016] [9] In the bicycle parking lot management system of the present invention, it is preferable that the renewal settlement machine is configured to be able to record the issuance history of the commuter pass sticker issuing machine completing the issuance of the commuter pass sticker.

[0017]

[10] In the bicycle parking lot management system of the present invention, it is preferable that the renewal settlement machine is configured to allow the commuter pass sticker issuing machine to issue the commuter pass sticker at any time.

[0018]

[11] In the bicycle parking lot management system of the present invention, it is preferable that the renewal settlement machine further has an entry / exit control device that controls the entrance / exit gate equipment of the bicycle parking lot, and that the renewal settlement machine is configured to be able to control the entry / exit control device based on information read from a mobile terminal device ID or an IC commuter pass.

[0019]

[12] In the bicycle parking lot management system of the present invention, it is preferable that the bicycle parking lot has a regular use area and a temporary use area, and the renewal settlement machine is capable of issuing a bicycle parking ticket after settling the bicycle parking fee set for the user using the temporary use area.

[0020]

[13] In the bicycle parking lot management system of the present invention, it is preferable that the portable terminal device is configured to read a two-dimensional code dedicated to each bicycle parking lot that is displayed on the display of the renewal settlement machine or affixed to the renewal settlement machine or the commuter pass sticker issuing machine, thereby enabling the user to easily and error-free access to the server.

[0021]

[14] In the bicycle parking lot management system of the present invention, it is preferable that the commuter pass sticker is affixed in a location that is easily visible from the outside of the bicycle.

[0022]

[15] In the bicycle parking lot management system of the present invention, it is preferable that the renewal settlement machine and either of the commuter pass sticker issuing machine can be integrated. [Effects of the Invention]

[0023] The bicycle parking lot management system of the present invention is a bicycle parking lot management system that allocates bicycle parking lots to users and bicycles and operates them. Commuter pass users do not need to input an authentication key or the like when issuing a commuter pass sticker, and can choose any available bicycle parking spot at their own discretion to park their bicycle. Bicycle parking lot operators can eliminate the inconvenience of users being unable to park their bicycles when a specific bicycle parking spot within the bicycle parking lot becomes unavailable, and can also operate bicycle parking lots in response to demand for regular and temporary use, thereby increasing the utilization rate of bicycle parking lots. As a result, it is possible to eliminate inconveniences from the operational side of bicycle parking lot operators and users from applying to use a bicycle parking lot to the start of use. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a bicycle parking lot management system 1. FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an external perspective view seen from the front side illustrating an overview of the renewal settlement machine 20. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the main functional configuration of the renewal settlement machine 20. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an external perspective view seen from the front side showing an overview of the renewal settlement machine 20 having a cashless payment means. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of a commuter pass sticker issuing machine 21 as seen from the front side. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the bicycle parking lot management system 2 when a temporary usage fee is paid in advance. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] (First embodiment) FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of a bicycle parking lot management system 1. The bicycle parking lot management system 1 is made up of a renewal adjustment machine 20, a commuter pass sticker issuing machine 21, and a server 22, which are installed in a bicycle parking lot 10. The bicycle parking lot management system 1 manages the bicycle parking lot 10 by associating the user 23 with the commuter pass sticker 28 affixed to the bicycle 25 in accordance with a usage contract concluded between the user 23 and the bicycle parking lot operator 24. The renewal adjustment machine 20 and the commuter pass sticker issuing machine 21 may be installed together within the bicycle parking lot 10 or in a separate location. The bicycle parking lot 10 is divided into a number of bicycle parking spaces 15. The user 23 can select an available bicycle parking space 15 at their own discretion and park their bicycle there.

[0026] (Communication connection with users) A user 23 can sign a contract to use the bicycle parking lot 10 by accessing and registering various information required for using the bicycle parking lot (details shown in FIG. 3) held by the renewal settlement machine 20 via the Internet 30, the server 22, and the network 35 using a mobile terminal such as a personal computer 26 or a smartphone 27. Alternatively, an IC commuter pass 31 can be used instead of a mobile terminal.

[0027] (Communication connection with the operator) The bicycle parking lot operator 24 can view and set all information related to bicycle parking lot operation held by the renewal adjustment machine 20 from his / her own PC 29 via the server 22. Unlike the communication connection with the user 23, the PC 29 owned by the bicycle parking lot operator 24 is connected to the renewal adjustment machine 20 via the server 22 and the bicycle parking lot operator 24's network 34. The server 22 is connected to the renewal adjustment machine 20 via a network 35 such as a dedicated line that is not open to the public, facilitating security measures. Note that the bicycle parking lot operator 24 can connect to the renewal adjustment machine 20 without using the network 34 when outside the company, but in such cases there may be restrictions, such as treating them the same as the user 23.

[0028] (Communication connection with commuter pass sticker issuing machine) The commuter pass sticker issuing machine 21 is directly connected to the renewal settlement machine 20 in the same way as a general PC and printer.

[0029] (External configuration of the renewal settlement machine) Fig. 2 is an external perspective view seen from the front, outlining the outline of the renewal settlement machine 20. The example shown in Fig. 2 is a case where the bicycle parking fee payment method is cash payment. The renewal settlement machine 20 has a touch panel 40, which is a display device with display and operation functions that displays an operation menu and bicycle parking fees, etc., at the top, or serves as a user interface provided for selecting an operation menu, an IC card reader 41 that reads information from a smartphone 27 brought into the bicycle parking lot 10 by a user 23, and a cash settlement device 47 that includes a bill insertion slot 42, a bill return slot 43, a coin insertion slot 44, and a coin return slot 45.

[0030] A receipt is issued in response to a request by the user 23, such as by pressing a receipt button. The coin return slot 45 also serves as a receipt issuing slot. The renewal settlement machine 20 also has an approach detector 54. When the approach detector 54 detects that a person is approaching, the renewal settlement machine 20 activates the touch panel 40 and other interfaces. These devices are similar in configuration to the settlement machines installed in general coin parking lots.

[0031] (Overview of the functional configuration of the renewal settlement machine) FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the main functional configuration of the renewal settlement machine 20. The touch panel 40 is used as an interactive user interface with the user 23 by touching the display or screen. The IC card reader 46 is used to identify the user 23 by reading the smartphone 27 of the user 23 when the user brings the smartphone 27 into the bicycle parking lot 10. The cash settlement device 47 is used to pay the bicycle parking fee in cash, such as bills or coins, at the bicycle parking lot 10. The memory device 49 stores information such as application information D1 including personal information of the user 23, commuter pass sticker information D2 related to bicycle parking lot operation set by the bicycle parking lot operator 24, bicycle parking lot information 39, payment completion information D5 related to payment, and ticket issuance history information D4 related to sticker issuance. The internal control device 38 controls the entire device, and the commuter pass sticker information generation device 48 and the commuter pass sticker issuance control device 58 have the function of controlling the commuter pass sticker issuing machine 21. The entrance / exit control device 51 has a function of controlling devices that restrict entry and exit to the bicycle parking space 10, and the communication device 53 has a function for communicating with the external server 22.

[0032] (Information contained in storage device 49) The application information D1 includes user information D1-1, bicycle parking lot specification information D1-2, and bicycle parking lot usage period information D1-3, all of which are the minimum information required for the user 23 to specify the location and period of the bicycle parking lot 10 desired. Each item in the application information D1 is determined arbitrarily by the bicycle parking lot operator 24, but the content of each item, such as the user's name, the unique name of the bicycle parking lot 10, and the start and end dates of parking, is basically set directly by the user 23. If the user 23 does not wish to use either the PC 26 or the smartphone 27, or does not wish to set the information directly, the bicycle parking lot operator 24 can set the content on their behalf using the PC 29. The bicycle parking lot information 39 includes bicycle parking fee setting information D3 and bicycle parking location information D6, both of which are information regarding the fees for the bicycle parking lots 10 that the bicycle parking lot operator 24 operates, and are set by the bicycle parking lot operator 24 using the PC 29.

[0033] (From setting up bicycle parking space 10 to receiving commuter pass sticker 28) Once installation of the renewal settlement machine 20 is complete in the bicycle parking lot 10, bicycle parking lot information 39 is set by the bicycle parking lot operator 24. Once the URL of this information, etc., is made public, the bicycle parking lot information 39 can be viewed via the network 35, server 22, and Internet 30. When a user 23 wishes to park their bicycle after viewing the information using an Internet browser, application information D1 is manually set by the user 23. The user 23 drives their bicycle 25 to the bicycle parking lot 10 they wish to park, enters their user ID, etc., into the touch panel 40 of the renewal settlement machine 20 to identify themselves, confirms the displayed application information D1, and begins settling the regular bicycle parking fee displayed on the touch panel 40 using the cash payment device 47.

[0034] The commuter bicycle parking fee is calculated by the internal control device 38 using the bicycle parking lot usage period information D1-3 and bicycle parking fee setting information D3, and is compared with the amount deposited from the cash payment device 47. Once the settlement is complete, the completion of the payment is recorded in payment completion information D5. Once the payment is complete, print information including application information D1 and bicycle parking lot information 39 is generated in the commuter pass sticker information generation device 48 based on commuter pass sticker information D2, which is set to reflect the design and print content of the bicycle parking lot operator 24. The print information is sent from the commuter pass sticker issuance control device 58 to the commuter pass sticker issuing machine 21, which creates and issues a commuter pass sticker 28. The completion of issuance of the commuter pass sticker 28 is recorded in the ticket issuance history information D4.

[0035] (From payment completion to bicycle parking) Once user 23 receives the issued commuter pass sticker 28 and affixes it to bicycle 25, user 23 can park his / her bicycle in the contracted bicycle parking lot 10. Commuter pass sticker 28 is a sticker member that can be affixed to a location that is easily visible from the outside of bicycle 25. This allows user 23 to use bicycle parking lot 10 until the expiration of the application period stated on commuter pass sticker 28.

[0036] The button for starting the settlement is not limited to a button function displayed on the touch panel 40, but may be a mechanical button or the like.

[0037] The entrance / exit control device 51 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0038] A part of the IC card reader 46 is exposed to the outside as the IC card reader 41 (see FIG. 2), and can read information without contact. The IC card reader 41 reads the unique serial number of the contactless IC card function used exclusively in the smartphone 27, which is used as the mobile terminal ID for individual identification and to identify the owner, user 23. When user 23 brings the smartphone 27 used at the time of application into the bicycle parking lot 10 and holds it over the IC card reader 41 of the renewal settlement machine 20, the renewal settlement machine 20 recognizes that user 23 has come to the bicycle parking lot 10.

[0039] In order for user 23 to register application information D1, a device generally called a reader is required, and if user 23 does not have this, the application cannot be used; however, it is also possible to use IC card reader 46 of renewal settlement machine 20 as a reader. After inputting a user ID or the like into touch panel 40 to identify user 23, user 23 holds smartphone 27 used at the time of application over IC card reader 41 to read the user ID, i.e., mobile terminal ID, and add and save it to user information D1-1, thereby associating user 23 with smartphone 27. Thereafter, user 23 can be identified by the above-mentioned holding operation, without having to input a user ID or the like into touch panel 40.

[0040] (Replaces mobile device ID) The contactless reading method can be changed to a method in which a contactless IC card is used as the IC commuter pass 31 (see Figure 1), or a contact IC card is used and read by inserting it into the IC card reader 41. The renewal settlement machine 20 is also configured to be able to read either a copy or a replacement of an IC card-based commuter pass on a mobile terminal such as a smartphone 27, and use it as the IC commuter pass 31 instead of the mobile terminal ID.

[0041] (Confirmation of receipt of commuter pass sticker) When the user 23 completes the settlement, the renewal settlement machine 20 does not prevent the user from noticing that they have forgotten to collect the ticket, for example, by displaying a message on the touch panel 40 when issuing the commuter pass sticker 28, by turning on a light at the commuter pass sticker issuing port 60 of the commuter pass sticker issuing machine 21, or by sending an email to the user's address to inform them that the ticket has been issued.

[0042] (Issuance of stickers when replacing cash payments) The renewal settlement machine 20 can convert payment information from at least one payment method, also known as web payment or online payment via the Internet 30, or a so-called online payment device (not shown), into payment information using a cash settlement device 47 via the server 22. When paying online, the user 23 may be located far from the bicycle parking lot 10 or may not be near the commuter pass sticker issuing machine 21, resulting in the unintended issuance of a commuter pass sticker 28. In such a case, the commuter pass sticker information generation device 48 is configured to record, at the user 23's request, payment completion information D5, which stores information indicating that payment has been made online, and ticket issuance history information D4, indicating that the commuter pass sticker issuing machine 21 has not yet issued the commuter pass sticker 28, thereby allowing the commuter pass sticker issuing machine 21 to arbitrarily determine the timing at which the commuter pass sticker issuing machine 21 issues the commuter pass sticker 28. This ensures that the user 23 can receive the commuter pass sticker 28 reliably. The same applies when the commuter pass sticker issuing machine 21 is installed far from the renewal settlement machine 20.

[0043] The update settlement machine 20 is not limited to cash payment as a payment method, and can also adopt cashless payment.

[0044] (Cashless payment types and devices) Figure 4 is an external perspective view seen from the front, showing an overview of the renewal settlement machine 20 equipped with a cashless payment means. Figure 4 shows an example in which the renewal settlement machine 20 equipped with the cash settlement device 47 described in Figure 2 is equipped with a transportation electronic money payment unit 55, a credit card payment unit 56, and a magnetic card R / W unit 57 as cashless payment devices. The magnetic card R / W unit 57 can read magnetic cards such as prepaid cards and service coupons, and apply them to the settlement amount or part thereof.

[0045] (Cashless card types) The transportation electronic money payment unit 55 is a device used to pay parking fees with, for example, Suica, PASUMO, ICOCA, SUGOCA, nimoca (all registered trademarks of each company), or an IC card ticket of an interoperable electronic money.

[0046] (Cashless payment only) The updated settlement machine 20 shown in Figure 4 is an example equipped with a cash settlement device 47, but this does not exclude the possibility of it being equipped with only a transportation electronic money settlement unit 55, a credit card settlement unit 56, or a magnetic card R / W unit 57, or a combination of one or more of these, or even an online payment only machine with none of these.

[0047] (Alternative means of communication connection) The aforementioned URL can be displayed on the renewal settlement machine 20, on the touch panel 40, or as a two-dimensional code to simplify input and prevent input errors. This URL can also be dedicated to an individual bicycle parking lot, or the server 22 can add randomly generated information to the URL and display it, eliminating the need for the user 23 to select the bicycle parking lot 10. A dedicated two-dimensional code sticker 32 can also be affixed to the commuter pass sticker issuing machine 21, and by reading and accessing this, it can be processed as a request for the issuance of a commuter pass sticker 28. Furthermore, while the above new user registration was performed using an internet browser, a dedicated application program, or so-called app, can be used when using a smartphone 27 to further simplify procedures and input.

[0048] Additionally, while the user ID and password are used to identify a specific individual without using personal information, similar to recent online user registration and product registration, the user ID can be an email address and the password can be a PIN. While a new user's initial application information D1 requires the user to enter all necessary information, such as their name and address, subsequent entries of the user ID and password eliminate the need to re-enter their name, similar to online user registration. Furthermore, various information verification methods, such as automatically sending a confirmation message to the registered email address or two-step authentication, can be used to confirm the registration information. As shown in Figure 3, all of the set information is stored by the update settlement machine 20, and the server 22 is limited to displaying the information on the screen and mediating the data for communication with the user's smartphone 27, etc.

[0049] Next, the commuter pass sticker issuing machine 21 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0050] (Configuration of Commuter Pass Sticker Vending Machine 21) 5 is an external perspective view of commuter pass sticker issuing machine 21, viewed from the front. Commuter pass sticker issuing machine 21 has a commuter pass sticker issuing port 60 disposed on the front for issuing commuter pass stickers 28. When commuter pass sticker issuing machine 21 receives a commuter pass sticker issuance request from renewal adjustment machine 20, it creates commuter pass sticker 28 using a built-in commuter pass sticker creation device based on commuter pass sticker information D2, and issues the sticker from commuter pass sticker issuing port 60.

[0051] (Renewal of subscription period) Since the use of this bicycle parking lot may not be limited to one period but may be renewed, a method for extending the use of the same bicycle parking lot 10 using the smartphone 27 of the user 23 will now be described.

[0052] At the bicycle parking lot 10, the user 23 accesses the renewal settlement machine 20 via the server 22 using their smartphone 27 and enters their set user ID and password, after which the user's usage history, such as the period of use, is displayed on the touch panel 40. If the displayed content is correct, the user 23 enters the extension period on the touch panel 40 and pays the displayed bicycle parking fee. The commuter pass sticker issuing machine 21 then generates and issues a commuter pass sticker 28 with the updated period, following the steps up to the issuance described above. The user 23 can receive this commuter pass sticker 28 and affix it to their bicycle 25 to renew their bicycle parking lot usage period. If the user 23 saved their mobile terminal ID from their previous use, they can simply hold their smartphone 27 over the IC card reader 41 of the renewal settlement machine 20, eliminating the need to enter their user ID and password, thereby reducing the workload.

[0053] Furthermore, the update settlement machine 20 may display only the bicycle parking lot 10 that the user 23 visited in the usage history, or this may be changed at will depending on the operation style of the bicycle parking lot operator 24, such as other bicycle parking lots 10 that the user 23 has used, or bicycle parking lots 10 that the user has used previously, and it does not necessarily have to match the bicycle parking lot 10 that the user 23 has registered or used on their PC 26 or smartphone 27.

[0054] The bicycle parking lot management system 1 according to the first embodiment is a bicycle parking lot management system 1 that is operated by having the bicycle parking lot operator 24 confirm that a bicycle 25 has a commuter pass sticker 28 affixed thereto, thereby recognizing that a usage contract has been completed. A user 23 inputs information required for the contract, such as the user's name, address, and age, as specified by the bicycle parking lot operator 24, using their own PC 26 or smartphone 27, and sets the desired bicycle parking lot 10 and the period of use of the bicycle parking lot. This allows the user to apply for a commuter pass to the bicycle parking lot 10, receive a commuter pass sticker 28, and affix it to the bicycle 25 to park the bicycle. On the other hand, a user 23 who does not use a PC 26 or smartphone 27 can have the bicycle parking lot operator 24 set, on the user's behalf, the information required for the contract, the desired bicycle parking lot usage period, and an IC commuter pass 31 (see FIG. 1 ) to be provided in place of the mobile terminal ID, using the PC 29, and then park the bicycle.

[0055] The user 23 selects at his / her own discretion any available bicycle parking location 15 in the temporary use area 10B and parks his / her bicycle there. The bicycle parking lot operator 24 determines whether or not the bicycle can be parked based on the commuter pass sticker 28, so that when a specific bicycle parking location 15 in the bicycle parking lot 10 becomes unavailable, for example, the user 23 is not inconvenienced by not being able to park his / her bicycle, and it becomes possible to increase the utilization rate of the bicycle parking lot.

[0056] As a result of the above, the bicycle parking lot management system 1 can eliminate inconveniences from the operational standpoint of the bicycle parking lot operator 24 and from the user 23, from the time of application to use the bicycle parking lot until the start of use.

[0057] (Second embodiment) The bicycle parking lot management system 1 described above is an example in which the bicycle parking lot 10 can only be used by regular users, but as a second embodiment, we will explain a bicycle parking lot management system 2 in which the bicycle parking lot 10 is provided with a regular use area 10A and a temporary use area 10B for use by non-regular users, for example, for just one day.

[0058] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a bicycle parking lot management system 2 in the case where the temporary use fee is paid in advance. In the bicycle parking lot management system 2, a bicycle parking lot 10 is divided into a regular use area 10A and a temporary use area 10B. The regular use area 10A and the temporary use area 10B each have a plurality of partitioned bicycle parking locations 15. The occupancy rates of the regular use area 10A and the temporary use area 10B are set as appropriate by the bicycle parking lot operator 24. However, it is possible to operate and manage the bicycle parking lot management system 2 without necessarily clearly separating the regular use area 10A and the temporary use area 10B with a structure such as a fence.

[0059] The bicycle parking lot management system 2 has an entrance / exit gate device 75 (hereinafter referred to as gate 75) at the entrance to the bicycle parking lot 10. The gate 75 may have the same function as the gates used in general coin parking lots to restrict entry and exit, and a detailed explanation will be omitted. The renewal settlement machine 20 has an entrance / exit control device 51 (see Figure 3) that restricts entry and exit through the gate 75, and can control the opening of the gate 75 by paying a temporary usage fee or by using a valid commuter pass.

[0060] (Entry and exit of primary users to bicycle parking lot 10) When a temporary user wishes to use the bicycle, they stop the bicycle 25 at the stop line 75A, select temporary use on the touch panel 40 of the renewal settlement machine 20, check the bicycle parking fee, and insert cash into the bill slot 42 and coin slot 44. Once the settlement is complete, a bicycle parking ticket 33 is issued from the coin return slot 45 and the gate 75 opens. The temporary user receives the bicycle parking ticket 33 and enters. The gate 75 closes after confirming that the bicycle 25 has passed. The temporary user displays the bicycle parking ticket 33 by attaching it to a location designated by the bicycle parking lot operator 24, and parks the bicycle at their own discretion in any available parking location 15 in the temporary use area 10B. Note that the bicycle parking ticket 33 may be attached not only after passing through the gate 75, but also at the discretion of the bicycle parking lot operator 24.

[0061] When the temporary user wants to exit, he or she stops the bicycle 25 at the stop line 75B, and the gate 75 opens automatically, allowing the user to exit.

[0062] (Entry and exit of regular users) On the other hand, when a user 23 with a commuter pass enters, they stop at the stop line 75A in front of the gate 75 (outside the bicycle parking lot) and hold their registered smartphone 27 over the IC card reader 41. The renewal adjustment machine 20 recognizes the mobile terminal ID of the smartphone 27 and opens the gate 75. The gate 75 closes after confirming that the bicycle 25 has passed. The user 23 selects any available bicycle parking space 15 in the commuter pass area 10A at their own discretion and parks their bicycle there. As mentioned above, the IC commuter pass 31 can still be used instead of the smartphone 27.

[0063] When a regular user exits the bicycle parking lot, the user stops at the stop line 75B inside the bicycle parking lot 10 at the gate 75, just as for temporary use. The gate 75 then opens, allowing the user to exit. The bicycle parking lot management system 2 does not prevent the user from scanning the bicycle parking ticket 33, smartphone 27, or IC commuter pass 31 to open the gate 75 upon exit. Furthermore, to facilitate smooth entry and exit and prevent tailgating, the entry and exit directions may be mechanically one-way, with dedicated entrances and exits. A separate IC card reader 46 specifically designed for exiting, separate from the fee settlement device, may be attached to the renewal settlement machine 20 or installed separately. By making the entry and exit one-way in this way, the aforementioned entrance and exit directions may be reversed, resulting in the renewal settlement machine 20 and gate 75 being located at the exit side. This allows for a deferred payment system, and fees may be collected based on the time of use in addition to a fixed fee.

[0064] (Change of ticket medium) The bicycle parking ticket 33 may be used in conjunction with a receipt, or may be attached using a commuter pass sticker issuing machine 21, or the bicycle parking ticket 33 may be a magnetic card and issued from a magnetic card R / W unit 57.

[0065] When exiting the parking lot if the bicycle parking ticket 33 is a magnetic card, the temporary user stops the bicycle 25 at the stop line 75B of the gate 75 and inserts the magnetic card bicycle parking ticket 33 into the magnetic card R / W unit 57. The renewal adjustment machine 20 reads the magnetic card bicycle parking ticket 33, opens the gate 75, and the temporary user can exit. The temporary user can request a receipt. The magnetic card R / W unit 57 can either collect the bicycle parking ticket 33 or return it in place of a receipt. When collecting the bicycle parking ticket 33, a receipt can be requested by pressing the receipt button on the touch panel 40 or a dedicated button (not shown), and a receipt is issued from the coin return slot 45.

[0066] As in the examples described above, the bicycle parking lot management system 2 may be provided with an exit device incorporating a magnetic card R / W unit 57 dedicated to exiting the parking lot, or a dedicated exit may be provided with an exit device or the like, in order to improve convenience when exiting the parking lot.

[0067] (User percentage adjustment) The bicycle parking lot operator 24 obtains the application status of regular users 23 from the update settlement machine 20, which is confirmed before use by the regular users 23, and stops accepting applications from users 23 when the regular use area 10A reaches its capacity. For temporary use, the issuance of bicycle parking tickets 33 also stops when the temporary use area 10B reaches its capacity. If there is a possibility that regular use applications will exceed the regular use area 10A, the bicycle parking lot operator 24 can expand the regular use area 10A to the temporary use area 10B. Alternatively, to make the operation of the bicycle parking lot 10 more flexible, although this requires more effort, such as checking whether or not use is permitted, including illegal parking, it is possible to allow regular users 23 to park their bicycles at their own discretion in any available bicycle parking space 15 in the temporary use area 10B. In this case, the total number of bicycles 25 that can be accommodated in the bicycle parking lot 10 remains unchanged, so bicycle parking is not impossible. However, for management purposes, for example, if a bicycle 25 without a commuter pass sticker 28 is parked in the commuter pass area 10A, it may be necessary to confirm that there are bicycles 25 with the same number of parking tickets 33 in the commuter pass area 10A.

[0068] The bicycle parking lot management system 2 according to the second embodiment is a bicycle parking lot management system that can be used by both regular users and temporary users. The bicycle parking lot 10 is divided into a regular use area 10A and a temporary use area 10B. Regular users use a smartphone 27 or an IC commuter pass 31 to access the renewal adjustment machine 20 via the IC card reader 41, open the gate 75, and park their bicycle in the regular use area 10A. Temporary users pay the bicycle parking fee in advance via the renewal adjustment machine 20, open the gate 75, and park their bicycle in the temporary use area 10B.

[0069] The bicycle parking lot operator 24 can flexibly operate the bicycle parking lot 10 according to demand since the bicycle parking positions for regular use and temporary use are not fixed, and can increase the operating rate of the bicycle parking lot 10.

[0070] In the first and second embodiments described above, the configuration is provided with a commuter pass sticker issuing machine 21, but it is also possible to provide multiple commuter pass sticker issuing machines 21 and issue tickets by switching between renewal settlement machines 20, or to install the commuter pass sticker issuing machine 21 and the renewal settlement machine 20 together as one unit.

[0071] Furthermore, in each of the bicycle parking lot management systems 1 and 2 described above, the bicycle parking lot 10 corresponding to the bicycle 25 has been described, but such bicycle parking lot management systems can also be applied to regular use of parking lots where a parking lot is attached to the bicycle parking lot 10, so-called monthly parking lots, and can also be applied to coin parking lots that are also used on a regular basis. [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] 1,2...Bicycle parking lot management system 10...Bicycle parking lot 10A...Regular use area 10B: Temporary use area 15...Bicycle parking area 20…Renewal payment machine 21...Commuter pass sticker issuing machine 22...Server 23...User 24...Bicycle parking lot operators 25...Bicycle 26,29…PC 27...Smartphone (mobile terminal) 28...Commuter pass sticker 30…Internet 31...IC commuter pass 34,35…Network 38...Internal control device 39...Bicycle parking information 40...Touch panel (display) 41...IC card reader 42…Banknote slot 43...Bill return slot 44...Coin return slot 45...Coin return slot 46...IC card reader 47...Cash payment device 48...Commuter pass sticker information generation device 49…Storage device 51...Entry / exit control device 53...Communication equipment 54...Approach detector 55...Transportation electronic money payment unit 56...Credit card payment unit 57...Magnetic card R / W unit 58... Commuter pass sticker issuing control device 60...Commuter pass sticker issuing counter 75...Gate (entrance / exit gate equipment) D1...Application Information D1-1...User information D1-2…Bicycle parking lot specific information D1-3…Bicycle parking lot usage period information D2...Commuter pass sticker information

Claims

1. A bicycle parking lot management system has a renewal adjustment machine and a commuter pass sticker issuing machine installed in a bicycle parking lot, and a server, and manages the bicycle parking lot by associating the bicycle parking lot with the user and the commuter pass sticker affixed to the bicycle according to a contract concluded between the user and the bicycle parking lot operator, The renewal settlement machine is configured to be able to generate commuter pass sticker information that identifies the user, the bicycle parking lot, and the bicycle parking lot usage period by inputting application information including user information, bicycle parking lot identification information, and bicycle parking lot usage period information from the mobile terminal device owned by the user via the server, The commuter pass sticker issuing machine is configured to be able to create and issue the commuter pass sticker based on the commuter pass sticker information when it receives a commuter pass sticker issuance request from the renewal adjustment machine. A bicycle parking lot management system characterized by the above.

2. The bicycle parking lot management system according to claim 1, The bicycle parking lot management system is characterized in that the renewal settlement machine has an IC card reading device that can also read the non-personal mobile terminal ID held by the mobile terminal owned by the user, and is configured to add the mobile terminal ID to the application information and use it to identify the user.

3. The bicycle parking lot management system according to claim 1, The renewal settlement machine is configured to read either a commuter pass using an IC card or a copy of the mobile terminal ID in place of the mobile terminal ID, and to be able to use the commuter pass as an IC card instead of the mobile terminal ID. A bicycle parking lot management system characterized by the above.

4. The bicycle parking lot management system according to claim 1, The renewal settlement machine further includes a settlement device that determines a regular bicycle parking fee based on the application information and settles the regular bicycle parking fee. A bicycle parking lot management system characterized by the above.

5. The bicycle parking lot management system according to claim 4, the payment device is a cash payment device that can settle the regular bicycle parking fee based on the bill; A bicycle parking lot management system characterized by the above.

6. The bicycle parking lot management system according to claim 4, The payment device is a cash payment device that can settle the payment based on the bill for the regular bicycle parking fee, and a cashless payment device that can settle the payment based on the bill for the regular bicycle parking fee and can also settle with electronic money or a credit card. A bicycle parking lot management system characterized by the above.

7. The bicycle parking lot management system according to claim 4, The payment device is a cashless payment device that can settle the regular bicycle parking fee based on the bill and can accept payments by electronic money or credit card. A bicycle parking lot management system characterized by the above.

8. The bicycle parking lot management system according to claim 4, The update settlement machine is capable of converting payment information for at least one of the plurality of online payments into payment information for a cash settlement device via the server. A bicycle parking lot management system characterized by the above.

9. The bicycle parking lot management system according to claim 1, The renewal settlement machine is configured to be able to record an issuance history indicating that the commuter pass sticker issuing machine has completed issuing the commuter pass sticker. A bicycle parking lot management system characterized by the above.

10. The bicycle parking lot management system according to claim 1, The renewal settlement machine is configured so that the commuter pass sticker issuing machine can issue the commuter pass sticker at any time. A bicycle parking lot management system characterized by the following:

11. The bicycle parking lot management system according to claim 1, The renewal adjustment machine further includes an entrance / exit control device that controls the entrance / exit gate equipment of the bicycle parking lot, The renewal adjustment machine is configured to be able to control the entrance / exit control device based on information read from a mobile terminal ID or an IC commuter pass. A bicycle parking lot management system characterized by the above.

12. The bicycle parking lot management system according to claim 1, The bicycle parking lot has a regular use area and a temporary use area, The renewal settlement machine is capable of issuing a bicycle parking ticket after settling a bicycle parking fee for the user who uses the temporary use area. A bicycle parking lot management system characterized by the above.

13. The bicycle parking lot management system according to claim 1, The portable terminal is configured to read a two-dimensional code dedicated to each bicycle parking space that is displayed on the display of the renewal settlement machine or affixed to the renewal settlement machine or the commuter pass sticker issuing machine, thereby enabling the user to easily and error-free access to the server. A bicycle parking lot management system characterized by the above.

14. The bicycle parking lot management system according to claim 1, The commuter pass sticker is affixed to a location that is easily visible from the outside of the bicycle. A bicycle parking lot management system characterized by the above.

15. The bicycle parking lot management system according to claim 1, The renewal adjustment machine and the commuter pass sticker issuing machine can be integrated into one machine. A bicycle parking lot management system characterized by the above.

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