Parking fee payment methods

Abstract

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

Description

Technical Field

[0007]

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

Background Art

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

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

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

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

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

[0007] It should be noted that there seems to be a formatting issue with the "!28" and "!35" tags in the original text which might be a mistake. I've translated them as they are but they might need to be corrected in the original source. For this reason, with conventional parking fee payment methods, if the information terminal fails to transmit terminal identification information to the parking server when the vehicle enters the parking lot due to a malfunction or other reason, the parking fee discount indicated in the discount information cannot be applied to the parking fee.

[0008] Therefore, it is preferable to improve the convenience of ETC payment compared to conventional parking fee payment methods.

[0009] The object of the present invention is to provide a parking fee payment method that can improve the convenience of applying discounts or reductions to parking fees when processing payment of parking fees for vehicles entering a parking lot using ETC payment. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The parking fee payment method according to the present invention is a parking fee payment method that processes the payment of discounted or reduced parking fees for vehicles entering a parking lot by ETC payment associated with an ETC number related to the user of the vehicle entering the parking lot, comprising: a first association step in which a parking server related to the parking lot into which the vehicle enters the parking lot associates the ETC number held by the ETC onboard unit of the vehicle entering the parking lot with the time the vehicle enters the parking lot; and a second association step in which the parking server, or a parking fee settlement device that settles the parking fees for vehicles leaving the parking lot, associates the ETC number with discount information indicating a discount or reduction. The system includes a second association step in which the ETC number and discount information are associated via a code containing either the ETC number or the discount information, the parking ticket number issued by the parking ticket machine when the vehicle enters the parking lot, the vehicle number of the vehicle entering the parking lot, or user identification information that identifies a user related to the user of the vehicle entering the parking lot, and a calculation step in which the parking server or parking fee settlement device calculates the parking fee to which the discount or reduction indicated by the discount information associated with the ETC number is applied, based on the time of entry, the time of exit of the vehicle, and the discount information associated with the ETC number. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, when processing the payment of parking fees for vehicles entering a parking lot using ETC payment, the convenience of applying discounts or reductions to parking fees can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of a system for implementing a parking fee payment method according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the parking server 19. [Figure 3] This is a sequence diagram of the system operation when a vehicle 11 enters a parking lot in the parking fee payment method according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of a table representing the relationships between ETC numbers, vehicle numbers, etc., stored in database 19c in step S21 of the system operation sequence shown in Figure 3. [Figure 5] This is a sequence diagram of the system's operation when associating an ETC number with discount information in a parking fee payment method according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] Figure 5 shows an example of a table representing the relationships between ETC numbers, vehicle numbers, etc., stored in database 19c in step S37 of the system operation sequence shown in Figure 5. [Figure 7] This is a sequence diagram of the system operation when a vehicle 11 exits a parking lot in a parking fee payment method according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of a system for implementing a parking fee payment method according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] This is a sequence diagram of the system's operation when issuing a shopping voucher 28 and when recording discount information on the shopping voucher 28 in a parking fee payment method according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10]It is a sequence diagram of the operation of the system when the vehicle 11 exits the parking lot in the parking fee payment method according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] It is a block diagram showing the configuration of a system for implementing the parking fee payment method according to the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] It is a sequence diagram of the operation of the system when the vehicle 11 enters the parking lot in the parking fee payment method according to the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] It is a diagram showing an example of a table representing the relationship between the ETC number, vehicle number, etc. stored in the database 19c in step S132 of the sequence of the operation of the system shown in FIG. 12. [Figure 14] It is a sequence diagram of the operation of the system when discount information is recorded on the parking ticket 25 in the parking fee payment method according to the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] It is a sequence diagram of the operation of the system when the vehicle 11 exits the parking lot in the parking fee payment method according to the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] It is a block diagram showing the configuration of a system for implementing the parking fee payment method according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17] It is a sequence diagram of the operation of the system when the bulk purchase ticket 28 is issued in the parking fee payment method according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18] It is a block diagram showing the configuration of a system for implementing the parking fee payment method according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 19] It is a sequence diagram of the operation of the system when the ETC number and discount information are associated in the parking fee payment method according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 20] It is a block diagram showing the configuration of a system for implementing the parking fee payment method according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 21]It is a sequence diagram of the operation of the system when associating an ETC number with discount information in the parking fee payment method according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 22] It is a block diagram showing the configuration of a system for implementing the parking fee payment method according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 23] It is a diagram showing an example of a table representing the relationship among a house card member number, an ETC number, a vehicle number, etc., which is stored in advance in the database of the business server 32 in FIG. 22. [Figure 24] It is a sequence diagram of the operation of the system when vehicle 11 enters the parking lot in the parking fee payment method according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 25] It is a diagram showing an example of a table representing the relationship among a house card member number, an ETC number, a vehicle number, etc., which is stored in the database of the business server 32 in step S234 of the sequence of the operation of the system shown in FIG. 24. [Figure 26] It is a sequence diagram of the operation of the system when associating an ETC number with discount information in the parking fee payment method according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 27] It is a diagram showing an example of a table representing the relationship among a house card member number, an ETC number, a vehicle number, etc., which is stored in the database of the business server 32 in step S245 of the sequence of the operation of the system shown in FIG. 26. [Figure 28] It is a sequence diagram of the operation of the system when vehicle 11 exits the parking lot in the parking fee payment method according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

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

[0014] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a system for implementing a parking fee payment method according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The system 1 shown in Figure 1 comprises an ETC onboard unit 12 mounted on a vehicle 11, a parking ticket issuing machine 13, a payment machine 14, a control device 15, ETC installation detection devices 16, 16', an information terminal 17, a store terminal 18, a parking server 19, an agency server 20, a credit card company server 21, and communication networks 22, 23.

[0015] In System 1 shown in Figure 1, vehicles 11 entering the parking lot are shown with solid lines, and vehicles 11 leaving the parking lot are shown with dashed lines.

[0016] Vehicle 11 is associated with the user of vehicle 11. The ETC onboard unit 12 can accept an ETC card 24 associated with the user of vehicle 11. For example, vehicle 11 and ETC card 24 are the property of the user of vehicle 11.

[0017] The parking ticket dispenser 13 is connected to loop coils L1 and L2 embedded in the ground to detect vehicles 11 entering the parking lot. When the parking ticket dispenser 13 detects a vehicle 11 entering the parking lot using the loop coils L1 and L2, that is, when the vehicle 11 enters the parking lot, it issues a parking ticket 25 with the parking ticket number recorded on it.

[0018] The payment machine 14 is connected to loop coils L1' and L2' embedded in the ground to detect vehicles 11 exiting the parking lot. The payment machine 14 has an insertion section (not shown) into which tickets such as parking tickets 25 are inserted, and various operations for settling parking fees based on the time the vehicle 11 entered the parking lot are performed by the user of the vehicle 11 at the payment machine 14.

[0019] The control device 15 controls various functions of the parking ticket issuing machine 13 and the payment machine 14, and also determines the parking fee for the vehicle 11. The control device 15 functions as a parking fee payment device that settles the parking fee for vehicles exiting the parking lot. For clarity, the control device 15 is shown as being implemented with a single control device, but the control device 15 may be implemented with multiple control devices. The ETC installation detection device 16 is positioned close to the entrance gate of the parking lot so that it can acquire ETC information transmitted by the ETC onboard unit 12 into which the ETC card 24 is inserted when the vehicle 11 enters the parking lot. The ETC information includes the vehicle number of the vehicle 11, the ETC number of the ETC card 24, etc.

[0020] The ETC-equipped detection device 16' is positioned close to the exit gate of the parking lot so that it can acquire ETC information transmitted by the ETC onboard unit 12 into which the ETC card 24 is inserted when the vehicle 11 exits the parking lot.

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

[0022] Furthermore, the information terminal 17 has pre-registered the ETC number and other information of the ETC card 24 via a dedicated application. The information terminal 17 has a display that shows codes and a code reader (neither of which is shown) that reads codes.

[0023] The store terminal 18 relates to a store associated with a parking lot used by a user of vehicle 11. For example, the store terminal 18 is a set of devices installed in one of several stores in a shopping mall that has a parking lot.

[0024] The store terminal 18 has a display that displays codes, etc., similar to the display of the information terminal 17, a code reader that reads codes, similar to the display of the information terminal 17, a card slot into which membership cards, etc., are inserted, and a card reader (none of which are shown) that reads the cards inserted into the card slot.

[0025] The parking server 19 is a server device that manages the parking lot used by the user of vehicle 11 and at least one other parking lot. In other words, the parking server 19 functions as a parking server associated with the parking lot into which vehicle 11 enters. For clarity, the parking server 19 is shown as being implemented with a single server, but the parking server 19 may be implemented with multiple servers.

[0026] The third-party server 20 is a server device managed by a third-party company that associates ETC information and credit information on ETC cards 24. The credit card company server 21 is a server device managed by a credit card company that handles credit card payments (electronic payments) using ETC cards 24.

[0027] Communication network 22 is a wireless or wired communication network for communication between the control device 15, the parking server 19, etc. Communication network 23 is a large-scale communication network connecting the store terminal 18, the parking server 19, the agency company server 20, the credit card company server 21, etc. For clarity, communication networks 22 and 23 are shown as being implemented as single communication networks, but communication networks 22 and 23 may also be implemented as networks combining multiple communication networks.

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

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

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

[0031] The communication unit 19a receives ETC information and the time of vehicle 11's entry into the parking lot from the control device 15 when vehicle 11 enters the parking lot. In addition, when vehicle 11 enters the parking lot and the user of vehicle 11 takes out the parking ticket 25 from the parking ticket dispenser 13, the communication unit 19a also receives the parking ticket number of the parking ticket 25 from the control device 15.

[0032] The association unit 19b associates the ETC number of the ETC card 24 with the vehicle number of the vehicle 11 and the time the vehicle 11 entered the parking lot. Furthermore, when the vehicle 11 enters the parking lot and the user of the vehicle 11 takes out the parking ticket 25 from the parking ticket dispenser 13, the association unit 19b associates the ETC number of the ETC card 24 with the vehicle number of the vehicle 11, the time the vehicle 11 entered the parking lot with the parking ticket number of the parking ticket 25.

[0033] Database 19c stores a table for each parking lot in which the time of entry of vehicle 11 into the parking lot is associated with the vehicle number of vehicle 11, the ETC number of ETC card 24, etc.

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

[0035] As shown in Figure 1, if the parking ticket 25 is not removed from the parking ticket dispenser 13 when the vehicle 11 enters the parking lot, the parking ticket 25 that was not removed from the parking ticket dispenser 13 is collected and discarded inside the parking ticket dispenser 13.

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

[0037] First, the ETC onboard unit 12 transmits ETC information (step S1), and the ETC installation detection device 16 receives the ETC information transmitted by the ETC onboard unit 12 (step S2). Next, the ETC installation detection device 16 transmits the received ETC information to the control device 15 (step S3).

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0046] Next, the control device 15 transmits to the communication unit 19a of the parking lot server 19 via the communication network 22 the time when the control device 15 received ETC information from the ETC-equipped determination device 16, which is approximately the time when the vehicle 11 entered the parking lot (step S19).

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

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

[0049] Figure 4 shows an example of a table representing the relationship between ETC numbers, vehicle numbers, etc., stored in database 19c in step S21 of the system operation sequence shown in Figure 3. As shown in Figure 4, database 19c includes table T1, which records vehicles parked in parking lots identified by location ID "aaa", and table T2, which records vehicles parked in parking lots identified by location ID "bbb". The number of tables stored in database 19c is the same as the number of parking lots managed by parking server 19, and for convenience, only tables T1 and T2 are shown in Figure 4.

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

[0051] Furthermore, Table T1 in Figure 4 shows that the communication unit 19a of the parking server 19 has received ETC information from the ETC installation determination device 16, and that the payment method is ETC payment and that no discount or reduction will be applied.

[0052] If the discount information means a discount, for example, it might mean a 10% discount on parking fees. If the discount information means a reduction, for example, it might mean that the first hour of parking is free. Furthermore, Table T1 in Figure 4 shows that the parking ticket number is not recorded because parking ticket 25 was not retrieved from the parking ticket dispenser 13.

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

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

[0055] Next, the store terminal 18 reads the code displayed on the information terminal 17's screen (step S33). Then, based on the ETC number of the ETC card 24 contained in the code read by the store terminal 18, the store terminal 18 generates discount information indicating the discount or reduction that will be applied according to the vehicle 11 user's purchase at the store (step S34).

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

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

[0058] Steps S33 to S37 in Figure 5 correspond to a second association step in which the ETC number of the ETC card 24 is associated with the discount information. In this case, the ETC number of the ETC card 24 and the discount information are associated via a code that includes the ETC number of the ETC card 24.

[0059] Figure 6 shows an example of a table representing the relationships between ETC numbers, vehicle numbers, etc., stored in database 19c in step S37 of the system operation sequence shown in Figure 5. Table T1 in Figure 6 shows that it is recorded that a 10% discount was applied.

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

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

[0062] First, the ETC onboard unit 12 transmits ETC information (step S41), and the ETC installation detection device 16' receives the ETC information transmitted from the ETC onboard unit 12 (step S42). Next, the ETC installation detection device 16' transmits the received ETC information to the control device 15 (step S43).

[0063] Next, the control device 15 receives the ETC information transmitted from the ETC installation detection device 16', identifies the time that approximately matches the time the control device 15 received the ETC information from the ETC installation detection device 16' as the vehicle 11's departure time, and temporarily stores it in the RAM of the control device 15 (step S44). Next, the control device 15 transmits the received ETC information to the communication unit 19a of the parking server 19 via the communication network 22 (step S45).

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0070] Next, the credit card company server 21 performs payment processing based on the received billing information (step S58). Steps S59 to S62, which are performed next, are the same as steps S12 to S15 shown in Figure 3, so their explanation is omitted.

[0071] After step S62 is performed, the communication unit 19a of the parking server 19 sends an open command signal to the control device 15 via the communication network 22 in response to the authorization information, to open the parking exit gate (step S63).

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

[0073] According to the first embodiment described above, the ETC number of the ETC card 24 and discount information associated via a code including the ETC number of the ETC card 24 are used. This allows the association between the ETC number of the ETC card 24 and the discount / reduction information to be performed without transmitting the terminal identification information of the information terminal 17 to the parking server 19 when the vehicle 11 enters the parking lot. Therefore, the convenience of applying discounts or reductions to parking fees when processing the payment of parking fees for the vehicle 11 using ETC payment can be improved.

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

[0075] The shopping ticket dispenser 26 is associated with a store linked to a parking lot used by the user of vehicle 11. The shopping ticket dispenser 26 has a code reader for reading codes and a display (neither of which is shown) for displaying the vehicle number of a vehicle parked in the parking lot. For example, the shopping ticket dispenser 26 is placed near the entrance of the store.

[0076] The shopping ticket issuing machine 26 responds to the reader reading of the code including the ETC number of the ETC card 24 displayed on the information terminal 17 by the reader and issues a shopping ticket 28 that records the ETC number of the ETC card 24.

[0077] The shopping ticket issuing machine 26 is an example of a recording medium issuing device. The shopping ticket 28 is a ticket on which discount information applicable to purchases made by the user of vehicle 11 at stores can be magnetically recorded, and is an example of a recording medium on which the ETC number is recorded.

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

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

[0080] In the second embodiment, the control device 15 detects the shopping ticket 28 inserted into the insertion slot of the payment machine 14 and reads the discount information recorded on the shopping ticket 28 detected by the control device 15.

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

[0082] Figure 9 is a sequence diagram of the system's operation when issuing a shopping voucher 28 and when recording discount information on the shopping voucher 28 in a parking fee payment method according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0083] The operation sequence shown in Figure 9(a) is initiated in response to the user of vehicle 11 operating the information terminal 17 from the time vehicle 11 enters the parking lot until it exits. The operation sequence shown in Figure 9(b) is initiated in response to the user of vehicle 11 operating the purchase authentication device 27.

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

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

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

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

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

[0089] In the system operation sequence shown in Figure 10, steps S81 to S86 are identical to steps S41 to S46 shown in Figure 7, so their explanation is omitted. The ETC number of ETC card 24 included in the ETC information transmitted in step S81 is the ETC number "12345XX" shown in Figure 4.

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

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

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

[0093] Next, the control device 15 associates the ETC number of the ETC card 24, which is included in the ETC information transmitted from the parking server 19 and matches the ETC number of the ETC card 24 recorded on the shopping voucher 28, with the discount information recorded on the shopping voucher 28. Then, based on the vehicle 11's entry and exit times and the discount information recorded on the shopping voucher 28, the control device 15 calculates the parking fee to which the discount or reduction indicated in the discount information associated with the ETC number of the ETC card 24 is applied (step S92).

[0094] Step S92 in Figure 7 corresponds to a second association step, which associates the ETC number of ETC card 24 with discount information, and a calculation step, which calculates the parking fee to which the discount or reduction is applied. In this case, the ETC number of ETC card 24 and the discount information are associated via a code that includes the ETC number of ETC card 24.

[0095] The next steps, S93 to S107, are identical to steps S51 to S65 shown in Figure 3, so their explanation will be omitted.

[0096] According to the second embodiment described above, similar to the first embodiment described above, the convenience of applying discounts or reductions to parking fees when processing payment for vehicle 11 parking fees via ETC payment can be improved.

[0097] Figure 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a system for implementing a parking fee payment method according to a third embodiment of the present invention. System 3 shown in Figure 11 has the same configuration as System 1 shown in Figure 1, except that it is equipped with a purchase authentication device 27 instead of an information terminal 17 and a store terminal 18.

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

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

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

[0101] In the operation sequence shown in Figure 12, steps S111 to S128 are identical to steps S1 to S18 in Figure 3, so their explanation is omitted. After step S128 is executed, the control device 15 detects that the parking ticket 25 has been removed from the parking ticket dispenser 13 and obtains the parking number of the parking ticket 25 (step S129).

[0102] Next, the control device 15 transmits to the communication unit 19a of the parking lot server 19 via the communication network 22 the time when the control device 15 received ETC information from the ETC-equipped detection device 16, the time when the vehicle 11 entered the parking lot, and the parking number on the parking ticket 25 (step S130).

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

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

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

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

[0107] In table T1 of Figure 13, it is shown that the time of entry of vehicle 11, which entered the parking lot identified by location ID aaa, was 15:01, and that the parking ticket number of parking ticket 25, which is "1234", the ETC number of ETC card 24, which is "12345XXX", and the vehicle number of vehicle 11, which is "6789", are associated with this entry time.

[0108] Furthermore, Table T1 in Figure 13 shows that the communication unit 19a of the parking server 19 has received ETC information from the ETC installation determination device 16, and that the payment method is ETC payment and that no discount or reduction will be applied.

[0109] Figure 14 is a sequence diagram of the system operation when recording discount information on a parking ticket 25 in a parking fee payment method according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The operation sequence in Figure 14 is initiated in response to the user of the vehicle 11 operating the purchase authentication device 27. The parking ticket 25 has the parking ticket number "1123" recorded on it.

[0110] First, the purchase authentication device 27 detects the insertion of the parking ticket 25 (step S141). Next, the purchase authentication device 27 generates discount information indicating the discount or reduction applicable according to the purchase amount at the store (step S142). Next, the purchase authentication device 27 records the discount information on the parking ticket 25 (step S143).

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

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

[0113] In the system operation sequence shown in Figure 15, steps S151 to S156 are identical to steps S41 to S46 shown in Figure 7, so their explanation is omitted. The ETC number of ETC card 24 included in the ETC information transmitted in step S151 is the ETC number "12345XX" shown in Figure 4.

[0114] After step S156 is performed, the identification unit 19d of the parking server 19 identifies the time the vehicle 11 entered the parking lot in table T1 based on the ETC number of the ETC card 24 included in the received ETC information (step S157).

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

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

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

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

[0119] The next steps, S163 to S177, are identical to steps S51 to S65 shown in Figure 3, so their explanation will be omitted.

[0120] According to the third embodiment described above, the ETC number and discount information of the ETC card 24 associated via the parking ticket number of the parking ticket 25 are used. This allows the association between the ETC number of the ETC card 24 and the discount / reduction information to be performed without transmitting the terminal identification information of the information terminal 17 to the parking server 19 when the vehicle 11 enters the parking lot. Therefore, the convenience of applying discounts or reductions to parking fees when the vehicle 11 pays for parking fees via ETC payment can be improved.

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

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

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

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

[0125] In Figure 17, first, the shopping ticket dispenser 26 responds to the operation of the shopping ticket dispenser 26 by the user of vehicle 11 by displaying a list of vehicle numbers of vehicles parked in the parking lot on the display of the shopping ticket dispenser 26 (step S181).

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

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

[0128] According to the fourth embodiment described above, the ETC number and discount information of the ETC card 24 associated via the vehicle number of the vehicle 11 are used. This allows the association between the ETC number of the ETC card 24 and the discount / reduction information to be performed without transmitting the terminal identification information of the information terminal 17 to the parking server 19 when the vehicle 11 enters the parking lot. Therefore, the convenience of applying discounts or reductions to parking fees when processing parking fee payments for the vehicle 11 via ETC payment can be improved.

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

[0130] The pre-payment machine 29 has an insertion slot into which a service ticket is inserted and a display (neither of which is shown) that displays the vehicle number of a vehicle parked in the parking lot. The pre-payment machine 29 obtains the vehicle number (in this case, "6789") selected by the user of the vehicle 11 entering the parking lot and reads the service ticket 30 on which the discount information is recorded.

[0131] The pre-payment machine 29 then transmits the vehicle number it has acquired and the discount information it has read from the service ticket 30 to the parking server 19 via the communication network 22. The pre-payment machine 29 functions as a parking fee payment device that settles parking fees for vehicles exiting the parking lot.

[0132] The service voucher 30 is a voucher on which discount information applicable to purchases made by users of vehicle 11 at stores is magnetically recorded, and is an example of a recording medium on which discount information is recorded.

[0133] The pre-payment machine 29 comprises a microcomputer consisting of a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc., peripheral circuits such as input / output ports and interface circuits, and a display.

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

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

[0136] In Figure 19, first, the pre-payment machine 29 responds to the operation of the pre-payment machine 29 by the user of vehicle 11 and displays a list of vehicle numbers of vehicles parked in the parking lot on the display of the pre-payment machine 29 (step S191).

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

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

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

[0140] Steps S191 to S197 in Figure 19 correspond to a second association step, which associates the ETC number of the ETC card 24 with the discount information. In this case, the ETC number of the ETC card 24 and the discount information are associated via the vehicle number of the vehicle 11.

[0141] The table representing the relationship between ETC number, vehicle number, etc., stored in database 19c in step S197 of the system operation sequence shown in Figure 19 is the same as table T1 in Figure 6, so its explanation is omitted.

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

[0143] According to the fifth embodiment described above, similar to the fourth embodiment described above, the convenience of applying discounts or reductions to parking fees when processing the payment of parking fees for the vehicle 11 by ETC payment can be improved.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0151] The table representing the relationship between ETC number, vehicle number, etc., stored in database 19c in step S206 of the system operation sequence shown in Figure 21 is the same as table T1 in Figure 6, so its explanation is omitted.

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

[0153] According to the sixth embodiment described above, the ETC number and discount information of the ETC card 24, which are associated via a code containing discount information, are used. This allows the association between the ETC number of the ETC card 24 and the discount / reduction information to be performed without transmitting the terminal identification information of the information terminal 17 to the parking server 19 when the vehicle 11 enters the parking lot. Therefore, the convenience of applying discounts or reductions to parking fees when the vehicle 11 pays for parking fees via ETC payment can be improved.

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

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

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

[0157] House card 31 is associated with the user of vehicle 11. For example, house card 31 is owned by the user of vehicle 11. The house card 31 has the house card membership number recorded on it.

[0158] The House Card 31 membership number is the membership number of the user of vehicle 11 and is identified as "6789YYY". The House Card 31 membership number is an example of user identification information, and House Card 31 is an example of a recording medium on which user identification information is recorded.

[0159] The business server 32 is associated with the store where the store terminal 18 is installed. For example, the business server 32 is a server owned by the company that operates the store where the store terminal 18 is installed. The business server 32 functions as a parking server associated with the parking lot where the vehicle 11 enters. The business server 32 comprises a microcomputer consisting of a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc., and peripheral circuits such as input / output ports and interface circuits.

[0160] The business server 32 further includes a database (not shown) that stores tables showing the relationship between the store numbers of multiple stores in a shopping mall that own parking lots and the discount information corresponding to these store numbers, as well as tables showing the relationships between house card member numbers, ETC numbers, vehicle numbers, etc. of house cards 31.

[0161] A table showing the relationship between the store numbers of multiple stores in a shopping mall that owns a parking lot and the discounts or reductions corresponding to these store numbers would, for example, show that a 10% discount on parking fees is applied when shopping at a store equipped with store terminal 18.

[0162] Figure 23 is a diagram showing an example of a table representing the relationships between house card member numbers, ETC numbers, vehicle numbers, etc., which are pre-stored in the database of the business server 32 shown in Figure 22. As shown in Figure 23, the database of the business server 32 includes a table T11 in which house card member numbers are associated with ETC numbers, vehicle numbers, location IDs for identifying parking lots, entry times to parking lots identified by location IDs, discount information applied to parking fees, etc.

[0163] In table T11 of Figure 23, the house card membership number of house card 31, "6789YYY", the name of the owner of house card 31, "XXZZ", the ETC number of the owner's ETC card 24, "12345XXX", and the vehicle number of vehicle 11, "6789", are associated. Also, in table T11 of Figure 23, the location ID, entry time, and discount information are not recorded because vehicle 11 has not entered the parking lot.

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

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

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

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

[0168] Figure 25 is a diagram showing an example of a table representing the relationships between house card member numbers, ETC numbers, vehicle numbers, etc., stored in the database of the business server 32 in step S234 of the system operation sequence shown in Figure 24. As shown in Figure 25, the location ID "aaa" for identifying the parking lot into which vehicle 11 entered, and the time of vehicle 11's entry into the parking lot, which is 15:01, are recorded in table T11.

[0169] Figure 26 is a sequence diagram of the system's operation when associating an ETC number with discount information in a parking fee payment method according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention. The system's operation sequence shown in Figure 26 begins when a house card 31 is inserted into the card slot of the store terminal 18 in response to a purchase made at a store associated with the store terminal 18 by a user of the vehicle 11.

[0170] In Figure 26, first, the store terminal 18 detects the house card 31 inserted into the card slot of the store terminal 18 (step S241). Next, the store terminal 18 reads the house card membership number recorded on the house card 31 that the store terminal 18 detected (step S242).

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

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

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

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

[0175] Figure 27 is a diagram showing an example of a table representing the relationships between house card member numbers, ETC numbers, vehicle numbers, etc., stored in the database of the business server 32 in step S246 of the system operation sequence shown in Figure 26. As shown in Figure 27, it is indicated that a 10% discount applied to parking fees when shopping at a store equipped with a store terminal 18 is recorded in table T11.

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

[0177] In the system operation sequence shown in Figure 28, the payment processing for the parking fee of vehicle 11 to which the discount or reduction has been applied is performed by ETC payment associated with the ETC number of ETC card 24. Furthermore, the system operation sequence shown in Figure 28 will explain the case where the parking fee of vehicle 11 to which the discount or reduction has been applied exceeds 0 yen.

[0178] In the system operation sequence shown in Figure 28, steps S251 to S256 are identical to steps S41 to S46 shown in Figure 7, so their explanation is omitted. The ETC number of ETC card 24 included in the ETC information transmitted in step S251 is the ETC number "12345XX" shown in Figure 4.

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

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

[0181] The next steps, S262 to S279, are identical to steps S48 to S65 shown in Figure 7, so their explanation will be omitted.

[0182] According to the seventh embodiment described above, the ETC number and discount information of the ETC card 24, which are associated via the house card membership number of the house card 31, are used. This allows the association between the ETC number of the ETC card 24 and the discount / reduction information to be performed without transmitting the terminal identification information of the information terminal 17 to the parking server 19 when the vehicle 11 enters the parking lot. Therefore, the convenience of applying discounts or reductions to parking fees when processing the payment of parking fees for the vehicle 11 by ETC payment can be improved.

[0183] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and numerous modifications and variations are possible. For example, in the first, fifth, and sixth embodiments described above, the calculation step for calculating the discounted or reduced parking fee may be performed by the parking server 19. In this case, step S50 in Figure 7 is performed by the parking server 19, and steps S48, S49, S51, and S52 are omitted from the system operation sequence shown in Figure 7.

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

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

[0186] In the seventh embodiment described above, the second association step of associating the ETC number of the ETC card 24 with discount information and the calculation step of calculating the parking fee to which the discount or reduction has been applied may be performed in the parking server 19. In this case, table T11 is included in the database 19c of the parking server 19, not in the database of the business server 32. Also, steps S232, S233, and S234 are omitted from the system operation sequence shown in Figure 24. Furthermore, in step S243 of Figure 26, the store number and house card member number are transmitted from the store terminal 18 to the parking server 19, and steps S244, S245, and S246 of Figure 26 are executed in the parking server 19. Also, step S264 of Figure 28 is performed in the parking server 19. Furthermore, steps S258, S259, S260, S261, S262, S263, S265, and S266 are omitted from the system operation sequence shown in Figure 28.

[0187] In the first embodiment described above, the control device 15 may perform a second association step to associate the ETC number of the ETC card 24 with the discount information. In this case, tables T1 and T2 are included in the database of the control device 15, not the database 19c of the parking server 19. Also, in step S35 of Figure 5, the ETC number of the ETC card 24 and the discount information are transmitted from the store terminal 18 to the control device 15, and steps S36 and S37 of Figure 5 are executed in the control device 15.

[0188] In the fifth embodiment described above, the control device 15 may perform a second association step in which the ETC number of the ETC card 24 is associated with the discount information. In this case, tables T1 and T2 are included in the database of the control device 15, not the database 19c of the parking server 19. Also, in step S195 of Figure 19, the vehicle number and discount information of the vehicle 11 are transmitted from the prepayment machine 29 to the control device 15, and steps S196 and S197 of Figure 19 are performed in the control device 15.

[0189] In the sixth embodiment described above, the control device 15 may perform a second association step to associate the ETC number of the ETC card 24 with the discount information. In this case, tables T1 and T2 are included in the database of the control device 15, not the database 19c of the parking server 19. Also, in step S204 of Figure 21, the ETC number and discount information of the ETC card 24 are transmitted from the information terminal 17 to the control device 15, and steps S205 and S206 of Figure 21 are performed in the control device 15.

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

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

[0192] In the second embodiment described above, the system 2 shown in Figure 8 may be used, or the system 4 shown in Figure 16 may be used, to which the business server 32 shown in Figure 22 may be added, and the business server 32 may perform a second association step of associating the ETC number of the ETC card 24 with the discount information. In this case, in step S85 of Figure 10, the ETC information is transmitted from the control device 15 to the business server 32, step S87 of Figure 10 is performed by the business server 32, and steps S88 and S89 are omitted from the system operation sequence shown in Figure 10. Also, after step S91 of Figure 10, the ETC information and discount information are transmitted from the control device 15 to the business server 32, and step S92 of Figure 10 is performed by the business server 32. Furthermore, in step S93 of Figure 10, the parking fee calculated by the business server 32 is transmitted from the business server 32 to the communication unit 19a of the parking server 19.

[0193] In the third embodiment described above, the system 3 shown in Figure 11 may be modified to include the business server 32 shown in Figure 22, and the business server 32 may perform a second association step to associate the ETC number of the ETC card 24 with the discount information. In this case, in step S155 of Figure 15, the ETC information is transmitted from the control device 15 to the business server 32, step S157 of Figure 15 is performed by the business server 32, and steps S158 and S159 are omitted from the system operation sequence shown in Figure 15. Furthermore, after step S161 of Figure 15, the ETC information and discount information are transmitted from the control device 15 to the business server 32, and step S162 of Figure 15 is performed by the business server 32. In addition, in step S163 of Figure 15, the parking fee calculated by the business server 32 is transmitted from the business server 32 to the communication unit 19a of the parking server 19.

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

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

[0196] Furthermore, if the second association step, which associates the ETC number of the ETC card 24 with the discount information, is performed on the business server 32 without using the house card number of the house card 31, the database of the business server 32 does not need to have a table showing the relationship between the store number and the discount information. (1) A parking fee payment method in which the payment processing for discounted or reduced parking fees for vehicles entering the parking lot is carried out by ETC payment associated with the ETC number related to the user of the vehicle entering the parking lot, A parking server associated with the parking lot into which a vehicle enters performs a first association step of associating the ETC number held by the ETC onboard unit of the vehicle entering the parking lot with the time the vehicle enters the parking lot, A second association step in which the parking server or a parking fee settlement device that settles parking fees for vehicles exiting the parking lot associates the ETC number with discount information indicating the discount or reduction, wherein the ETC number and the discount information are associated via a code including either the ETC number or the discount information, the parking ticket number of the parking ticket issued by the parking ticket issuing machine when the vehicle enters the parking lot, the vehicle number of the vehicle entering the parking lot, or user identification information that identifies a user related to the user of the vehicle entering the parking lot. The parking server or the parking fee settlement device calculates the parking fee to which the discount or reduction indicated by the discount information associated with the ETC number is applied, based on the time of entry, the time of exit of the vehicle, and the discount information associated with the ETC number. A parking fee payment method that includes the following features. (2) The second association step described above is: The steps include: a store terminal associated with a store that is associated with a parking lot where a vehicle is parked reads the code, including the ETC number, displayed by a user terminal associated with the user of the vehicle entering the parking lot; The store terminal generates the discount information in response to reading the code including the ETC number. The store terminal transmits the ETC number included in the code read by the store terminal and the discount information generated by the store terminal to the parking server. The parking server associates the ETC number included in the code read by the store terminal with the discount information generated by the store terminal. The parking fee payment method described in (1). (3) The second association step described above is: A recording medium issuing device associated with a store that is associated with a parking lot where a vehicle is parked reads the code, including the ETC number, displayed by a user terminal associated with the vehicle user. The recording medium issuing device issues a recording medium containing the ETC number in response to the reading of the code containing the ETC number, A discount information recording device related to a parking lot where a vehicle enters includes the steps of recording the discount information on the recording medium, The parking fee payment device includes the step of reading the ETC number and the discount information from the recording medium, The parking fee payment device includes the step of associating the ETC number read from the recording medium with the discount information, The parking fee payment method described in (1). (4) The first association step described above is: The parking server has the step of associating the ETC number, the time of entry, and the parking ticket number, The second association step described above is: A discount information recording device associated with a store in a parking lot where a vehicle is parked records the discount information on the parking ticket in association with the parking ticket number. The parking server transmits the ETC number associated with the parking ticket number to the parking fee payment device. The parking fee payment device includes the step of reading the discount information associated with the parking ticket number from the parking ticket, The parking fee payment device performs the step of associating the ETC number associated with the parking ticket number, which is transmitted from the parking server, with the discount information associated with the parking ticket number, which is read from the parking ticket. The parking fee payment method described in (1). (5) The first association step described above is: The parking server has the step of associating the ETC number, the time of entry, and the vehicle number, The second association step described above is: A recording medium issuing device associated with a store that is associated with a parking lot where a vehicle enters obtains the vehicle number selected by the user of the vehicle entering the parking lot, The recording medium issuing device, in response to the selection of the vehicle number by a user of a vehicle entering the parking lot, issues a recording medium including the vehicle number, A discount information recording device associated with a store related to a parking lot where a vehicle is parked records the discount information associated with the vehicle number on the recording medium. The parking server transmits the ETC number associated with the vehicle number to the parking fee payment device. The parking fee payment device includes the step of reading the discount information associated with the vehicle number from the recording medium, The parking fee payment device performs the step of associating the ETC number associated with the vehicle number, transmitted from the parking server, with the vehicle number and the discount information read from the recording medium. The parking fee payment method described in (1). (6) The first association step described above is: The parking server has the step of associating the ETC number, the time of entry, and the vehicle number, The second association step described above is: The parking fee payment device includes the step of obtaining the vehicle number selected by the user of the vehicle entering the parking lot, The parking fee payment device includes the step of reading the recording medium on which the discount information is recorded, The parking fee payment device transmits the vehicle number acquired by the parking fee payment device and the discount information read by the parking fee payment device from the recording medium to the parking server. The parking server, based on the vehicle number acquired by the parking fee payment device, performs the step of associating the ETC number associated with the vehicle number in the first association step with the discount information read by the parking fee payment device from the recording medium, The parking fee payment method described in (1). (7) The second association step described above is: The user terminal, which is associated with the user of a vehicle entering the parking lot and has stored the ETC number, reads the code, which includes the discount information, displayed by a store terminal associated with a store related to the parking lot where the vehicle is entering. The user terminal transmits the ETC number stored in the user terminal and the discount information contained in the code read by the user terminal to the parking server. The parking server associates the ETC number stored in the user terminal with the discount information contained in the code read by the user terminal. The parking fee payment method described in (1). (8) The parking server stores the discount information associated with the store identification information for identifying the store associated with the parking lot into which the vehicle enters, and the ETC number associated with the user identification information. The second association step described above is: A store terminal associated with a store that stores the store identification information and which is associated with the user of the vehicle entering the parking lot reads the user identification information from a recording medium on which the user identification information is recorded, The store terminal transmits the store identification information stored in the store terminal and the user identification information read from the recording medium to the parking server. The parking server performs the steps of associating the ETC number associated with the user identification information with the discount information for the store identification information, based on the store identification information and the user identification information transmitted to the parking server, The parking fee payment method described in (1). [Explanation of Symbols]

[0197] System 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 11 vehicles 12 ETC onboard device 13. Parking ticket machine 14 Payment machine 15 Control device 16,16' ETC equipped judgment device 17 Information terminals 18 Store terminals 19 Parking Server 19a Communications Department 19b Association section 19th Century Database 19d Specific section 20 Proxy company server 21 Credit card company server 22,23 Communication Networks 24 ETC card 25 Parking ticket 26 Shopping spree ticket dispensing machine 27 Purchase Authentication Machine 28 Shopping vouchers 29 Pre-payment machine 30 service coupons 31 House Cards 32 Business Servers

Claims

[Claim 1] A parking fee payment method in which the payment processing for discounted or reduced parking fees for vehicles entering the parking lot is carried out by ETC payment associated with the ETC number related to the user of the vehicle entering the parking lot, A parking server associated with the parking lot into which a vehicle enters performs a first association step of associating the ETC number held by the ETC onboard unit of the vehicle entering the parking lot with the time the vehicle enters the parking lot. A second association step in which the parking server associates the ETC number with discount information indicating the discount or reduction, wherein the ETC number and the discount information are associated via user identification information that identifies a user related to the user of the vehicle entering the parking lot. The parking server performs a calculation step of calculating the parking fee to which the discount or reduction indicated by the discount information associated with the ETC number is applied, based on the time of entry, the time of exit of the vehicle, and the discount information associated with the ETC number. Equipped with, The parking server stores the discount information associated with the store identification information for identifying the store associated with the parking lot into which the vehicle enters, and the ETC number associated with the user identification information. The second association step described above is: A store terminal associated with a store that stores the store identification information and which is associated with the user of the vehicle entering the parking lot reads the user identification information from a recording medium on which the user identification information is recorded, The store terminal transmits the store identification information stored in the store terminal and the user identification information read from the recording medium to the parking server. The parking server performs the steps of associating the ETC number associated with the user identification information with the discount information for the store identification information, based on the store identification information and the user identification information transmitted to the parking server, A method of paying parking fees.

Images