System use support method, and server and program therefor

• US 20040068434A1
• Filed: 09/16/2003
• Published: 04/08/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
• Original Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
• Inventors: Kanekon, Tetsuya
• Application Number:
  US10/662,324
• Publication Number:
  US 20040068434A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/13
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/04 Billing or invoicing
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 15/02 taking into account a variable factor such as distance or time, e.g. for passenger transport, parking systems or car rental systems G07B15/06 takes precedence; taximeters G07B13/00; parking meters per se G07F17/24; car rental systems per se G07B15/00

Abstract

A center device includes an identification number management DB (database), a communications process unit, an information providing unit, and a parking charge payment process unit. The center device can be configured to provide a simple home page for mobile phones, and has a Web facility for user entry, data input, etc. for a payment. The center device can communicate with each parking meter by connection to a network. The center device obtains information about a parking charge, etc. from a corresponding parking meter at a request from a mobile phone of a user of a parking lot, and adjusts charge or provides information.

Claims

1. A server, comprising:

a communications process unit performing a communicating process with a user device and a system of billing a user by a predetermined time through a network; and

a payment process unit performing a payment by communicating with the system of billing a user by a predetermined time, and obtaining charge information from the system through the network.

4. The server according to claim 1, wherein

said system of billing a user by a predetermined time is a parking meter, and the charge is a parking charge for use of the parking meter.

2. A server, comprising:

a communications process unit performing a communicating process with a user device and a system of billing a user by a predetermined time through a network; and

an information providing unit obtaining current use information from the system of billing a user by a predetermined time according to recorded information transmitted in advance from the user device or at a request from the user device, and transmitting the obtained use information to the user device.

3. The server according to claim 2, wherein

when the payment is made in a front-end payment system for a predetermined time, a message is transmitted to the user device at any time before the predetermined time elapses.

5. The server according to claim 2, wherein

said system of billing a user by a predetermined time is a parking meter, and the charge is a parking charge for use of the parking meter.

6. A system use support method, comprising:

transmitting an identification number of a system of billing a user by a predetermined time and user information from a user device; and

obtaining an address of a system of billing a user by a predetermined time corresponding to the identification number, obtaining use information from the system at the address, and adjusting a charge or providing information.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein

said system of billing a user by a predetermined time is a parking meter, and the charge is a parking charge for use of the parking meter.

8. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program used to direct a computer to perform the steps comprising:

performing a communicating process with a user device and a system of billing a user by a predetermined time through a network; and

performing a payment by communicating with the system of billing a user by a predetermined time, and obtaining charge information from the system through the network.

10. The storage medium according to claim 8, wherein

said system of billing a user by a predetermined time is a parking meter, and the charge is a parking charge for use of the parking meter.

9. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program used to direct a computer to perform the steps comprising:

performing a communicating process with a user device and a system of billing a user by a predetermined time through a network; and

obtaining current use information from the system according to recorded information transmitted in advance from the user device or at a request from the user device, and transmitting the obtained use information to the user device.

11. The storage medium according to claim 9, wherein

said system of billing a user by a predetermined time is a parking meter, and the charge is a parking charge for use of the parking meter.

12. A computer data signal embodied in a carrier wave storing a computer program used to direct a computer to perform the steps comprising:

performing a communicating process with a user device or a system of billing a user by a predetermined time through a network; and

performing a payment by communicating with the system of billing a user by a predetermined time, and obtaining charge information from the system through the network.

13. A computer data signal embodied in a carrier wave storing a computer program used to direct a computer to perform the steps comprising:

performing a communicating process with a user device and a system of billing a user by a predetermined time through a network; and

obtaining current use information from the system according to recorded information transmitted in advance from the user device or at a request from the user device, and transmitting the obtained use information to the user device.

14. A server, comprising:

a communications process unit performing a communicating process with a user device through a network;

an information providing unit obtaining use information about a user who uses a system of billing a user by a predetermined time, determining a transmission timing of a message according to the obtained use information, and transmitting the message to the user device through the network with the transmission timing; and

a payment unit for making a payment at a payment request from the user device.

15. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program used to direct a computer to perform the steps comprising:

performing a communicating process with a user device through a network;

obtaining use information about a user who uses a system of billing a user by a predetermined time, determining a transmission timing of a message according to the obtained use information, and transmitting the message to the user device through the network with the transmission timing; and

making a payment at a payment request from the user device.

16. A computer data signal embodied in a carrier wave storing a computer program used to direct a computer to perform the steps comprising:

performing a communicating process with a user device through a network;

obtaining use information about a user who uses a system of billing a user by a predetermined time, determining a transmission timing of a message according to the obtained use information, and transmitting the message to the user device through the network with the transmission timing; and

making a payment at a payment request from the user device.

17. A server, comprising:

communications process means for performing a communicating process with a user device and a system of billing a user by a predetermined time through a network; and

payment process means for performing a payment by communicating with the system of billing a user by a predetermined time, and obtaining charge information from the system through the network.