Abstract:
The inventive remote control method includes opening a first communication session between a calling terminal and a centralized information system by a telecommunication network, transmitting the identifier of the calling terminal user to the centralized information system, the identifier of the information system being transmitted to a remote control by the telecommunication network, and verifying the identifier with the aid of the centralized information system. In the case of the positive verification result, the method includes transmitting an authorization from the centralized information system to a remote control information system and performing the authorized command thereby.

Description:
RELATED U.S. APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     Not applicable.  
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
       [0002]     Not applicable.  
       REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX  
       [0003]     Not applicable.  
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     This invention concerns a method and a management device for remote controls ordered from communicating terminals. It applies in particular to the remote control of portals, gates or terminals.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     Parking spaces reserved for the handicapped are frequently occupied by unauthorized persons.  
         [0006]     This invention aims to remedy these inconveniences.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     For that purpose, this invention proposes, according to a first aspect, a remote control method which is characterized by the fact that it comprises: 
        a step of opening an initial communication session through the intermediary of a telecommunication network, between a calling terminal and a centralized computer system,     a step of transmitting an identifier from the user of the calling terminal to the centralized computer system and of an identifier of a computer system to be remote-controlled, through the intermediary of the telecommunication network,     a step of verification of said identifier by the centralized computer system, and     if the verification is positive: 
            a step of transmitting an authorization, from the centralized computer system to the computer system to be remote-controlled; and     a step of executing the order that has been authorized by the computer system to be remote-controlled.    
               
 
         [0014]     Thanks to these provisions, the user can select the computer system to be remote-controlled, for instance a mobile terminal or a parking barrier, without knowing the address of the computer system to be remote-controlled on the telecommunication network. For instance, a handicapped person selects the address which he wants to reach by car and the computer system reserves for him the handicapped parking space that is nearest to that address.  
         [0015]     The manager of the parking spaces has now the assurance that the spaces reserved for the handicapped cannot be used by unauthorized persons.  
         [0016]     According to particular characteristics, the method such as succinctly described above comprises, as a preliminary to the step of transmission of an identifier from a computer system to be remote-controlled, through the intermediary of the telecommunication network, a step of communication between the computer system to be remote-controlled and the calling terminal, during which the computer system to be remote-controlled transmits its identifier to the calling terminal.  
         [0017]     Thanks to these provisions, when the user arrives in the proximity of the computer system to be remote-controlled, he receives his identifier and then transmits it to the centralized computer system in order to order the computer system to be remote-controlled.  
         [0018]     According to particular characteristics the method such as succinctly described above comprises, in case of unauthorized use of the computer system to be remote-controlled, a step of communication during which the computer system to be remote-controlled sends some representative information of unauthorized utilization.  
         [0019]     Thanks to these provisions, the unauthorized user can be contacted to ask him to cease the unauthorized use of the computer system to be remote-controlled or surveillance services and if applicable, the police can be informed of the unauthorized use.  
         [0020]     According to particular characteristics the method such as succinctly described above comprises a step of verification of the availability of the computer system to be remote-controlled by the centralized computer system.  
         [0021]     Thanks to these provisions, the user can be informed of the availability of the computer system to be remote-controlled.  
         [0022]     According to particular characteristics the method such as described succinctly above comprises a step of acknowledgment of the order by the computer system to be remote-controlled towards the centralized computer system and/or towards the calling terminal.  
         [0023]     Thanks to these provisions the user is assured that he will be able to avail himself of the advantage offered by the computer system to be remote-controlled.  
         [0024]     According to particular characteristics the method such as described succinctly above comprises a step of selecting an hour of activation of the order by the computer system to be remote-controlled and, at the selected hour, a step of implementing the order by the computer system to be remote-controlled.  
         [0025]     Thanks to these provisions the user is able to organize his time until the order is implemented.  
         [0026]     According to particular characteristics the method such as described succinctly above comprises a step of detecting, by the computer system to be remote-controlled, the end of its use.  
         [0027]     Thanks to these provisions the computer system to be remote-controlled becomes again available for a new order.  
         [0028]     According to particular provisions the method such as described succinctly above comprises a step of opening a communication session between the computer system to be remote-controlled and the centralized computer system as soon as the computer system to be remote-controlled is available.  
         [0029]     Thanks to these provisions the computer system can be permanently informed of the availability of all the computer systems to be remote-controlled and invoicing can depend on the duration of use of the computer system to be remote-controlled.  
         [0030]     According to particular characteristics the method such as described succinctly above comprises a second step of communication between a calling terminal, possibly different from the calling terminal that opened the first communication session, and the computer system to be remote-controlled, with the computer system to be remote-controlled implementing the order in response to this second session.  
         [0031]     Thanks to these provisions, for instance, a handicapped person who has reserved a parking space causes the opening of a barrier or the lowering of a mobile terminal as he arrives in the vicinity of the parking space. The second step of communication then takes place before the use of the computer system to be remote-controlled.  
         [0032]     Still thanks to these provisions, for instance, a handicapped person occupying a reserved space vacates it by causing the opening of a barrier or the lowering of a mobile terminal as he leaves the parking space. Furthermore, even if the communication with the computer system to be remote-controlled is unidirectional, the computer system is able to know when the computer system to be remote-controlled is available and when it is not. The second step of communication then takes place at the end of use of the computer system to be remote-controlled.  
         [0033]     According to particular characteristics, the method described succinctly above comprises a step of questioning by a third party and a step of providing status data relative to one or several computer systems to be remote-controlled.  
         [0034]     Thanks to these provisions, the authorized user has an authorization ticket or a virtual payment ticket and/or an unauthorized use can be known to surveillance or police services.  
         [0035]     In accordance with a second aspect, this invention proposes a remote control device characterized by the fact that it comprises: 
        a means of opening of an initial communication session through the intermediary of a telecommunication network, between a calling terminal and a centralized computer system,     a means of transmitting an identifier of the user of the calling terminal to the centralized computer system and of an identifier of the computer system to be remote-controlled, through the intermediary of the telecommunication net,     a means of verifying said identifier by the centralized computer system,     the centralized computer system being adapted, if the verification is positive, to transmitting an authorization to the computer system to be remote-controlled, and     the computer system to be remote-controlled being adapted to implementing each order that has been authorized bu the computer system to be remote-controlled.        
 
         [0041]     As the advantages, goals and particular characteristics of this device are similar to those of the method that has been described succinctly above, they are not repeated here.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0042]     Other advantages, goals and characteristics of the present invention will become evident from the description that is going to follow and which is made as an explanation and in no way limitative with respect to the attached drawings.  
         [0043]      FIG. 1  shows a schematic view of a terminal according to a particular mode of execution of the device which is the subject of this invention.  
         [0044]      FIG. 2  shows a schematic illustration of a logical diagram of a first particular mode of execution of the method of this invention.  
         [0045]      FIG. 3  shows a schematic illustration of a logical diagram of a first particular mode of execution of the method which is the subject of this invention.  
         [0046]      FIG. 4  shows another schematic illustration of a logical diagram of a first particular mode of execution of the method which is the subject of this invention.  
         [0047]      FIG. 5  shows still another schematic view of a logical diagram of a second particular mode of execution of the method which is the subject of this invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0048]     Although in the description which is going to follow, the invention is described with reference to a retractable parking barrier, this invention is not limited to this type of computer system to be remote-controlled but extends, on the contrary, to all system types that are capable of receiving remote-control signals.  
         [0049]     One can see in  FIG. 1 a  retractable parking barrier  100 , comprising: 
        a vehicle detector  105 ,     a battery  110 ,     a fixed part  115 ,     a mobile part  120 ,     a rotational axis  125  of the mobile part  120 , in relationship to the fixed part  115 ,     a modem  130 , or any type of interface with a transmission network of known type,     an electronic card  135 ,     a motor  140 ; and     a reducer  145 .        
 
         [0059]      FIG. 1  also shows a first telecommunication network  150  which connects the retractable barrier  100  to a computer system  155  and a second telecommunication network  160  connecting the computer system  155  to a mobile user terminal  165  and to a fixed user terminal  170 , a third telecommunication network  180  and a terminal for law enforcement agents  185 .  
         [0060]     The vehicle detector is of the known type. It provides a representative signal of the presence of a vehicle above the retractable barrier  100 . For that purpose it uses for instance an induction loop the magnetic field of which is influenced by the presence of a metallic mass in proximity of the detector  105 .  
         [0061]     The battery  110  is of the known type. It supplies electric energy to all components of the retractable barrier  100 . In some variants the battery  110  is replaced or complemented by a power supply from the power grid or from solar collectors.  
         [0062]     The fixed part  115  and the mobile part  120  are made of rigid material and are capable of supporting the force applied by a vehicle that might roll over the retractable barrier  100 . The fixed part  115  is attached to the ground by known means.  
         [0063]     The mobile part  120  is moved around the rotational axis  125  by the motor  140 , with the reducer  145  acting as an intermediary. The motor  140  and the reducer  145  are of known types. They include a torque limiter  146 , between the reducer  145  and the mobile part  120  thus preventing the motor  140  or the reducer  145  from breaking, if the retractable barrier is forced by a vehicle.  
         [0064]     The modem  130  is of the known type. It is able to receive signals from the first telecommunication network (not shown) and to demodulate them in order to provide information to the electronic card  135 . The modem  130  has a unique address on the first telecommunication network, i.e., two different barriers  100  do not have the same address on the first telecommunication network.  
         [0065]     The electronic card  135  is capable of actuating the motor  140  and thus the position of the mobile part  120 , in accordance with the signals it receives from the modem  130 , as shown with respect to one or the other of FIGS.  2  to  5 . The electronic card  135  is preferably architectured around a microprocessor. The electronic card  135  is able to detect a failure of one of the components of the barrier and to detect that the barrier has been forced.  
         [0066]     The first telecommunication network  150  is for instance a mobile telephone network, of portable terminals or “pagers”. The modem  130  then includes an antenna and means to receive mobile telephone signals, for instance known for the transmission of short messages known under the acronym of “SMS” (for Short Message System). As a variant the first telecommunication network is a land line telephone network.  
         [0067]     The computer system  155  consists for instance of a server storing a software implementing one of the logical diagrams shown in FIGS.  2  to  5  and at least one data base comprising the locations of the retractable barriers  100 , the addresses of the retractable barriers on the first communication network and the identifiers of the persons authorized to make a reservation for one of the parking spaces equipped with retractable barriers  100 .  
         [0068]     The second telecommunication network  160  is for instance identical to the first telecommunication network or the Internet computer system. The mobile user terminal  165  is a cell phone and the fixed user terminal  170  is a computer of the known type, for instance under the name of PC (for Personal Computer), equipped with means of connecting to the second telecommunication network  160 , for instance modem and navigation software on the Internet or a communicating terminal, for instance a PDA (personal digital assistant).  
         [0069]     The third telecommunication network  180  is for instance identical to the first telecommunication network or the Internet computer system. The law enforcement terminal  185  is a terminal that is accessible to maintenance or traffic personnel. For instance the terminal  185  may be a communicating portable terminal or a fixed central surveillance terminal.  
         [0070]     In a variant, the equipment to be remote-controlled includes a display unit (not shown) capable of displaying data concerning its utilization: For instance, the displayed data concern: 
        information that the equipment has been forced or that access has been authorized,     the duration of use of the equipment being considered,     payment for making available the equipment under consideration.        
 
         [0074]     One can see, in  FIG. 2 , exchanges of information between the user of the calling terminal, a server of the centralized computer system and an equipment or computer system to be remote-controlled, in a first case of utilization where the user arrives near the equipment and reads on the equipment its identifier before calling the server.  
         [0075]     During a step  200 , the user calls the server, for instance by dialing or dictating a telephone number of the phone line to which the server is connected or by dictating an identifier of this line (for instance “remote control”) This phone number can be a complete or standard phone number (10 digits in France) or an abbreviated number with four, five or six digits.  
         [0076]     Once the communication has been established (first communication session) during a step  205 , the user transmits to the server his identifier and the identifier of the equipment which he has read on the equipment, identifiers which are unique.  
         [0077]     During a step  210  the server verifies the identifier of the user.  
         [0078]     For example, the server compares the phone number of the calling terminal against phone numbers of authorized users stored in a data base. According to another example, the server compares the number of the “SIM” card of the calling terminal when it includes one, for example if it is a cell phone with SIM card numbers stored in a data base of authorized users. According to yet another example, the server asks the user for a password, for example an authorization or card number giving the right of authorization (for instance a handicapped ID or a Social Security number and compares the information provided by the user with the content of a data base.  
         [0079]     When the verification is negative, the server so advises the user and invites him to look for another space and to follow the necessary procedure for obtaining authorization to use the equipment. When the verification is positive during a step  215 , the server sends a command to the equipment, for instance a command to open the barrier in the case shown in  FIG. 1 . In the case of equipment with individual access, during a step  220 , this equipment executes the request, in this case to open the barrier. In case of equipment with shared access, for instance a multitude of parking spaces reserved for employees of an organization or for handicapped persons, the computer system to be remote-controlled provides the user by display, by printing a ticket, by communication through the intermediary of the server or by local communication (for instance by Bluetooth wireless technology), with an identifier of the space to occupy (for example “space 423, level 4, blue area”). Simultaneously the computer system to be remote-controlled orders the opening of an access barrier to the items of equipment and the opening of the equipment indicated.  
         [0080]     Optionally, during a step  225 , the equipment returns an acknowledgment to the server. The server then stores the occupied condition of the equipment during a step  230 , and then during a step  235 , returns an acknowledgment to the user whose terminal stores this acknowledgment during a step  240 .  
         [0081]     According to a first variant, when the user leaves the equipment, it automatically detects that it is available and sends a notice of availability to the server which the server stores and possibly determines the amount to be invoiced to the user.  
         [0082]     According to a second variant, when the user leaves the equipment, he goes through the steps indicated above, the server possibly determining the amount to be invoiced to the user.  
         [0083]     According to variants, if the equipment is forced or is out of order, it sends information to the server so that maintenance, or surveillance personnel or the police can intervene.  
         [0084]     At any time, an authorized third party, provided for instance with a specific communicating terminal or whose access authorization has been verified as described above (see step  210 ) can enter into communication with the server, step  250 , and send to it a status request concerning one or several items of equipment or computer systems to be remote-controlled, step  255 . In response the server verifies the access authorization and prepares the requested data, step  260  and sends them to the terminal of the third party concerned, step  265 .  
         [0085]     For instance, the transmitted data concerns: 
        information that the equipment has been forced or that access has been authorized,     the duration of utilization of each equipment concerned,     the payment for making the equipment concerned available.        
 
         [0089]     The method which is the subject of this invention thus allows generating virtual payment tickets which can be verified remotely.  
         [0090]     In  FIG. 3  are shown exchanges of information between the user of the calling terminal, a server of the centralized computer system and an equipment or computer system to be remote-controlled, in a second case of utilization in which the user arrives near the equipment and obtains from the equipment its identifier before calling the server.  
         [0091]     During a step  300 , the user enters into local communication with the equipment (which may be with individual or collective access) for instance in accordance with the local Bluetooth communication standard. When the communication is established, the user&#39;s terminal asks the equipment for its identifier, during a step  305 , and, during a step  310  the equipment prepares its response and returns this identifier during a step  315 .  
         [0092]     One observes that considerable other information can thus be provided by the equipment to the user&#39;s terminal, during step  315 , for instance, tourist information, the location of emergency services, useful addresses and/or advertising for local services or merchants.  
         [0093]     During a step  320 , the user&#39;s terminal stores the information received during step  315 . Then, during a step  325 , the user calls the server, for instance by dialing or dictating a phone number of a phone line to which the server is connected or by dictating an identifier of this line (for example “remote control”). This phone number can be a complete or standard phone number (10 digits in France) or an abbreviated number with four, five or six digits. Once the communication has been established (first communication session) the user sends to the server his identifier and the identifier of the equipment. During a step  330 , the server verifies the user&#39;s identifier.  
         [0094]     For example, the server compares the phone number of the calling terminal with phone numbers of authorized users stored in a data base. According to another example, the server compares the number of the “SIM” card of the calling terminal, if it has one, for instance if it is a cell phone with SIM numbers stored in a data base of authorized users. According to yet another example, the server asks the user for a password, for instance an authorization or card number giving the right of authorization (for instance a handicapped ID or a Social Security number) and compares the information provided by the user with the content of a data base.  
         [0095]     When the verification is negative, the server so advises the user and invites him to look for another space and to follow the necessary procedure for obtaining authorization to use the equipment. When the verification is positive, during a step  335 , the server sends a command to the equipment, for instance a command to open the barrier in the case illustrated in  FIG. 1 . In the case of equipment for individual access, during a step  340 , this equipment carries out the requested command, here an opening of the barrier. In the case of equipment with shared access, for instance a number of parking spaces reserved for employees of an organization or for handicapped persons, the computer system to be remote-controlled provides the user, by display, by printing of a ticket, by communication through the intermediary of the server or by local communication (for instance by wireless technology, according to the Bluetooth communication standard) with an identifier of the space to occupy (for instance, “space 423, level 4, blue area”). Simultaneously, the computer system to be remote-controlled requests the opening of a barrier giving access to the equipment and the opening of the equipment indicated.  
         [0096]     Optionally, during a step  345 , the equipment returns an acknowledgment to the server. The server then stores the occupied status of the equipment during a step  350 , then, during a step  355 , returns an acknowledgment to the user whose terminal stores this acknowledgment during a step  360 .  
         [0097]     According to a first variant, when the user leaves the equipment, it automatically detects that it is available and sends an information of availability to the server which the server stores and possibly determines the amount to invoice the user.  
         [0098]     According to a second variant, when the user leaves the equipment it performs the steps indicated above, with the server possibly determining the amount to charge the user. According to other variants, if the equipment is forced or out of order, it sends information to the server so that maintenance, surveillance or police personnel can intervene.  
         [0099]     At any time, an authorized third party, provided for instance with a specific communicating terminal or whose access authorization has been verified as described above (see step  330 ) can enter into communication with the server, step  365 , and send to it a status request concerning one or several items of equipment or computer systems to be remote-controlled, step  370 . In response the server verifies the access authorization and prepares the requested data, step  375  and sends it to the terminal of the third party concerned, step  380 .  
         [0100]     The authorized third party may also enter into communication with the equipment concerned, for instance in local wireless communication, step  365  and send it a status request, step  385 . In response the equipment verifies the access authorization, possibly with a communication with the server, prepares the requested data, step  390  and sends it to the terminal of the third party in question, step  395 .  
         [0101]     In both cases, the data sent may in particular concern: the information that the equipment has been forced or that access was authorized, the duration of utilization of each item of equipment concerned, the payment for making the equipment concerned available.  
         [0102]     The method which is the subject of this invention thus allows for generating virtual payment tickets which can be verified remotely.  
         [0103]      FIG. 4  shows a succession of steps that are put into place in a case where the user reserves, in advance, a resource that is managed by an equipment or a computer system to be remote-controlled, through the intermediary of a computer network, the Internet for example.  
         [0104]     During a step  400 , the calling terminal initiates the opening of a first communication session through the intermediary of the second telecommunication network, between a calling terminal, for example the fixed user terminal  170  and the centralized computer system  155 . For example, the user activates a navigator to select a site that is dedicated to this application, on the Internet or calls by telephone a service known under the name of audiotel.  
         [0105]     Then, during a step  405 , the centralized computer system identifies the user of the calling terminal. For example, the centralized computer system compares the phone number of the calling terminal with phone numbers of authorized users in a data base. According to another example, the centralized computer system compares the number of the “SIM” card of the calling terminal, if it is has one, for example, if it is a cell phone with SIM card numbers stored in a data base of authorized users.  
         [0106]     According to another example, the centralized computer system asks the user for a password, for instance an authorization number or the number of a card entitling [the user] to the authorization (for example a handicapped ID or a Social Security number) and compares the information provided by the user with the content of a data base.  
         [0107]     Each parking barrier or equipment to be controlled is identified by a unique alphanumerical code displayed on the equipment so the user can read it without having to leave his vehicle and be sent by the user over his cell phone.  
         [0108]     If the authorization verification of step  405  is negative, during a step  445  the centralized computer system so advises the user and in a step  450  he is given an opportunity to enroll in the service. For example, enrollment in the service requires a Social Security number or a handicapped ID or a bank card. If enrollment is not made correctly (for example because the user is not entitled to the service or because he refuses to give the requested information) the process terminates during a step  455 .  
         [0109]     If the authorization verification of step  405  is positive or if the enrollment made during step  450  has been realized correctly, during a selection step  410  the user of the calling terminal selects a computer system to be remote-controlled, for example a parking space reserved for the handicapped. For instance the user provides the address where he wants to go and the date of his trip and the computer system gives him a choice of available parking spaces for that date among which the user selects a space.  
         [0110]     In case the user activates, as he approaches his destination, a geo-locatable terminal, for instance by locating a cell in which the cell phone is located or by means of position determination technology by referring to signals emitted by satellites, known under the name of GPS (for “Global Positioning System”) or through Galileo or through a positioning system integrated in the vehicle, the central server provides the user with a reduced list of available facilities within the vicinity of the user&#39;s location, as well as their physical addresses (by reference to the building number in a street and/or the position on a map displayed for the user with its geo-located position and the position of various itineraries).  
         [0111]     During a validation step  415 , the user validates the selection he has made during step  410  and possibly pays for the service, i.e., for instance the price for parking in the selected space, or gives an authorization for payment in case of a season ticket or a term payment, possibly by extra-billing on a telephone bill.  
         [0112]     During a step  420 , the computer system opens a second communication session, through the intermediary of a second telecommunication channel, with the selected computer system to be remote-controlled. For instance, the computer system dials up the unique address of the computer system to be remote-controlled on the second telecommunication network  160  (for example a telephone number, if it involves a telephone network).  
         [0113]     When the second communication session is opened, during a step  425  the computer systems send a command to the computer system to be remote-controlled so that it will be available to the user immediately or on the selected date.  
         [0114]     During a step  430 , the computer system records in its memory that the computer system to be remote-controlled is no longer available, either immediately or at the selected date.  
         [0115]     The logical diagram shown in  FIG. 4  can function in real time, for instance when the user has already found the available parking space and triggers, with his cell phone, the opening of the parking barrier  100 , if no other user has reserved it.  
         [0116]     When the user leaves the parking space, during a step  435 , the user opens a new communication session with the computer system and selects the end of the reservation which, if applicable, corresponds also to the end of the billing period of the user. The computer system then opens a communication session with the computer system to be remote-controlled and causes the retractable parking barrier  100  to close, as soon as the vehicle detector  105  indicates that there is no longer a vehicle in that parking space.  
         [0117]     During a step  440  the computer system records in its memory that the computer system to be remote-controlled is again available.  
         [0118]     If the computer system to be remote-controlled detects that it has been forced or is out of order, during a step  465 , the computer system to be remote-controlled sends an alarm signal to the centralized computer system during a step  470 . During a step  475  the centralized computer system informs maintenance, surveillance or police service of the event in question.  
         [0119]     During a step  480 , the service intervenes and repairs or releases the computer system to be remote-controlled, and during a step  485 , the computer system to be remote-controlled sends a status signal to the centralized computer system to indicate that it is available or operational, respectively.  
         [0120]     The interrogation made by a third party as described with respect to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , has not been repeated here for the sake of brevity, but it can be performed as a complement of the steps described with respect to  FIG. 4 .  
         [0121]      FIG. 5  shows a succession of steps that are put into operation in a case where the user reserves in advance a resource that is managed by an equipment or computer system to be remote-controlled, through the intermediary of a computer network, for example the Internet.  
         [0122]     During a step  500 , the calling terminal initiates the opening of a first communication session through the intermediary of at least one telecommunication channel, between a calling terminal and a centralized computer system.  
         [0123]     Then during a step  505 , the centralized computer system identifies the user of the calling terminal. If the authorization verification performed during step  505  is negative, steps (not shown) equivalent to steps  445  to  460  are carried out.  
         [0124]     If the authorization verification of step  505  is positive, then during a step  510 , the user of the calling computer system selects a date and time of activation of the order he is going to place.  
         [0125]     During a step  515 , the computer system researches the computer systems to be remote-controlled that are available at the selected date and time. During a step  520 , the user of the calling terminal selects an available computer system to be remote-controlled.  
         [0126]     During a step  525 , the user validates the selection of the computer system to be remote-controlled, for instance by paying for his reservation.  
         [0127]     During a step  530 , the computer system opens a second communication session, through the intermediary of a second telecommunication channel, between said computer system and the selected computer system to be remote-controlled.  
         [0128]     During a step  535 , the computer system sends a command to the selected computer system to be remote-controlled and provides it with an identifier of the user, for example his cell phone number or the number of a SIM card.  
         [0129]     During a step  540 , the computer system stores the unavailability of the computer system to be remote-controlled for a predetermined duration, for instance half a day, depending on the time selected by the user.  
         [0130]     During a step  545 , the computer system to be remote-controlled acknowledges the order to the computer system and during a step  550 , the computer system confirms the order to the calling terminal.  
         [0131]     When the user is within proximity of the remote-controlled system, during a step  555 , the user opens a third communication session between a calling terminal, possibly different from the calling terminal that opened the first communication session, and the computer system to be remote-controlled. In response, during a step  560 , the computer system to be remote-controlled identifies the user and executes the order, for example the opening of a reserved parking barrier.  
         [0132]     At the time of execution of the order, during a step  560 , the computer system carries out a first incrementation of a counter (meter) assigned to the user and corresponding to the billing for the service rendered and, in the case of pricing depending on a length of space occupation this incrementation is continued up to step  570 .  
         [0133]     During a step  565 , the computer system to be remote-controlled detects the end of its utilization, for instance the absence of any vehicle in the parking space.  
         [0134]     During a step  570 , the computer system to be remote-controlled opens a fourth communication session between the computer system to be remote-controlled and the computer system.  
         [0135]     As a variant, when he leaves the parking space, during a step  575 , the user opens a fifth communication session with the computer system to be remote-controlled or with the computer system and, during a step  580 , the computer system to be remote-controlled executing a command in response to this fourth session.  
         [0136]     One notes that this fifth communication session can be performed by the user with a calling terminal that is different from the calling terminal that opened the first communication session.  
         [0137]     The interrogation performed by a third party such as described with respect to  FIGS. 2 and 3  has not been repeated here for the sake of brevity, but it can be performed as a complement to the steps described with respect to  FIG. 5 .  
         [0138]     As a variant of the execution modes described above, when a user who has not reserved the parking space arrives within proximity of this space, he opens a communication session with the system to be remote-controlled which then identifies the user, possibly by consulting a data base maintained by the computer system or an internal data base (on the basis of the cell phone number or of the SIM card number). If the identification is positive (the user is authorized to park in the parking space access to which is guarded by the system to be remote-controlled), the system to be remote-controlled indicates in response to the user, for how long it is still available. If the user accepts the indicated availability (he will be subject to extra-billing, if he encroaches upon the reservation made for this space at a later date or time), he confirms his order. In response, the system to be remote-controlled executes the command (for example opens a parking barrier) and opens a communication session with the computer system to inform it of its unavailability. When the space is again available (by detection of the absence of a vehicle) the remote-controlled system opens a new communication session with the computer system to indicate its availability.  
         [0139]     In each of the execution modes described above several categories of users can be managed by the methods and remote-control devices which are the subject of this invention. For example, emergency services can be authorized at any time to use each of the remote-controlled facilities; a physician can be authorized to use it, provided another handicapped [parking] space is available nearby and for no more than 30 minutes, and handicapped persons can be authorized to use it for two hours maximum.  
         [0140]     This invention applies to all cases where authorized users can access a resource after execution of a command by a computer system to be remote-controlled among a multitude of computer systems to be remote-controlled. For example, this invention applies to aid in mobility in all its forms, elevators reserved for handicapped persons in public places and other reserved public facilities. More generally, the invention applies to providing access to public transport (by opening doors), to premises, to information terminals, to company vehicle fleets (the system to be remote-controlled then being the vehicle the doors of which one commands to open).