Bicycle rental system

The present invention relates to a rental cycle system that enables unmanned management, and in particular, enables unmanned rental of a rental cycle and returns a return rate by performing a predetermined lending and returning operation using a pre-registered and acquired usage card. Regarding an improved bicycle rental system.

In recent years, bicycles such as commuters, students, and shoppers have overflowed around the station, which has become a social problem because it obstructs the passage of pedestrians and spoils the aesthetics. Looking at the usage status of bicycles, users living near the station use bicycles as a means of transportation to the station, while users attending companies and schools around the station use bicycles as a means of transportation from the station. There are many cases of doing. Therefore, in order to solve the above problem, a rental shop is set up near the station, and the bicycles used by the residents around the station to the station are rented to the passengers to the companies around the station, while the area around the station. It is conceivable to rent a bicycle used for returning home from the office to the station for returning home from the station to the home around the station.

In the conventional rental cycle system of this type, in the operation management center that centrally manages the rental cycle information, a membership card is created in which the initial information including the membership number and the rental usage period or number of rental cycles is stored in advance, and this membership card is used for rental cycle. At the bicycle parking lot management office, which is distributed to the users of the bicycle and serves as the contact point for renting and returning the bicycles at multiple locations, each time the bicycles are rented or returned, the stored contents of the membership card are read and the membership card is used. It is managed by giving identification information of lending / returning (see, for example, Patent Document 1).<patcit num="1"><text>Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2002-008128</text></patcit>

<p> However, in such a conventional bicycle rental system, there is a problem that labor costs increase because the manager who manages the rental / return management of the bicycle is performed by the manager who is packed in the bicycle parking lot management office.</p><p> In addition, since the use of the rental cycle is limited to the time when the manager is in the management office, there is a problem that the use time is limited.</p><p> Therefore, the present invention has been made by paying attention to the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a rental cycle system that enables unmanned rental of rental cycles and has an improved return rate.</p>

<p> To this end, the invention of claim 1 registers and manages specific information that identifies a user and management information associated with the specific information, and issues a usage card that records the management information to the user. When the user performs a predetermined lending operation including payment of the usage fee using the means and the usage card, the lending information is recorded on the usage card and returned, and the restraint of the rental cycle is released, while the predetermined return operation is performed. The structure is such that the return information is recorded on the usage card and returned, and the rental cycle is bound by a loan return processing means.</p><p> With such a configuration, specific information that identifies the user by the management means and management information associated with the specific information are registered and managed, and a usage card that records the management information is issued to the user by the management means. When the user performs a predetermined lending operation including payment of the usage fee using the above-mentioned usage card, the lending information is recorded and returned on the above-mentioned usage card by the loan return processing means, and the restraint of the rental cycle is released, and the user mentioned above. When a predetermined return operation is performed using the usage card, the return information is recorded on the usage card by the above-mentioned loan return processing means and returned, and the rental cycle is restricted.</p><p> In this case, the loan return processing means determines that the loan is possible when the loan operation is performed using the usage card in which the return information is recorded at the time of lending as in claim 2, and is used when the usage fee is paid. It is preferable to release the restraint of the rental cycle selected by the person and to record the loan information on the usage card and return it. In addition, the loan return processing means restrains the rental cycle after confirming that the user has returned the rental cycle at the time of return as in claim 3, and the usage period calculated based on the loan information read from the usage card is calculated. When the usage period corresponding to the usage fee paid at the time of lending has been exceeded, the return information may be recorded on the usage card and returned when the settlement processing of the additional fee for the exceeded usage period is completed.</p><p> Further, the specific configuration of the rental cycle system according to the present invention is that, as in claim 4, the rental return processing means is a rack provided with a locking means for restraining the rental cycle, and payment processing of the usage fee is performed and the user at the time of rental. While outputting the restraint release signal of the rack selected based on the selection operation of, the rack number of the rack entered by the user at the time of return is compared with the rack number of which the user returned the rental cycle to confirm the return. Then, the charge settlement machine that outputs the restraint signal of the rack and transmits the management information, the rental information, and the return information to the management means, and the rental information and the rental information and the rental information and the rental information are read from the usage card. A card reader post for writing the return information and outputting the respective information to the charge settlement machine is provided, and the management means records the respective information from the charge settlement machine in association with the specific information, and lends and returns the information. Was configured to manage.</p><p> In this case, as in claim 5, the usage fee may be set including the deposit fee, and the deposit fee may be refunded when the rental cycle is returned.</p><p> In the case of the configuration of claim 6, the loan / return processing means is configured to enable the settlement of the regular usage fee.</p>

<p> According to the rental cycle system of the present invention, the user charges the usage fee by registering the specific information that identifies the user and the management information associated with the specific information, and using the usage card issued by recording the management information. By performing the prescribed lending and returning operations including payment, the rental cycle is released and restrained, so that the rental cycle can be rented unattended. Therefore, there is no limit on the usage time, and it can be used 24 hours a day.</p><p> In addition, if it is determined that the rental is possible when the rental operation is performed using the usage card in which the return information of the rental cycle is recorded at the time of lending, it is possible to prevent duplicate usage with one usage card.</p><p> Furthermore, when the usage period calculated based on the rental information exceeds the usage period corresponding to the usage fee paid at the time of lending, the information returned to the usage card when the settlement processing of the additional charge for the excess usage period is completed. By recording and returning the information, it is possible to prevent unauthorized use of the rental cycle and reduce economic loss.</p><p> Then, if the rack number of the rack entered by the user at the time of return is compared with the rack number of the rack in which the user returned the rental cycle to confirm the return, the user has one of the vacant rental cycles. You only have to return it to the rack, which improves convenience when returning it.</p><p> In addition, if the management information, the lending information, and the return information are recorded and managed in association with the specific information, the user can be identified from the management information even when the rental cycle is not returned or the additional fee is not paid, for example. It is possible to urge the return of the rental cycle or the payment of an additional fee, the return rate can be improved, and the economic loss can be further reduced.</p><p> Further, even if the usage fee is set to include the deposit fee and the deposit fee is refunded at the time of return, the return rate can be improved.</p><p> If the commuter pass fee can be settled, the user can renew the commuter pass card or select regular or temporary use at any time by using the loan / return processing means, which improves convenience.</p>

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 shows a conceptual diagram of an embodiment of the rental cycle system according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, the rental cycle system of the present embodiment enables unmanned management, and is configured to include a management means 1 and a loan / return processing means 2. The management means 1 registers and manages specific information that identifies an individual, such as an address, name, and telephone number, which is recorded and submitted by the user on a predetermined form, and is associated with the specific information, for example, an issue number, etc. It records the management information of the above and issues a usage card, and is equipped with a management personal computer (hereinafter referred to as management PC 3) and a card reader 4.

Here, the management PC3 is a general personal computer, which records and manages the above-mentioned specific information, and is installed in, for example, a management center such as an administrative center or a station. Further, the card reader 4 is connected to the management PC 3 and records the management information output from the management PC 3 to issue a usage card. The card used may be any medium such as a magnetic card, an optical recording card, or an IC card, as long as it can record information.

In addition, the above-mentioned loan return processing means 2 is installed in the rental shop, and when the user performs a predetermined loan operation including payment of the usage fee, the loan information is recorded on the usage card and returned, and the rental cycle 5 is locked. On the other hand, when the predetermined return operation is performed, the return information is recorded on the usage card and returned, and the rental cycle 5 is locked. The rack 6 equipped with the locking means 9 described later for locking the rental cycle 5 and the usage fee While processing the payment and outputting the unlock signal of the rack 6 selected based on the user's selection operation at the time of lending, the rack number of the rack 6 entered by the user at the time of return and the user renting cycle 5 From the charge settlement machine 7 that collates the returned rack number, confirms the return, outputs the lock signal of the rack 6, and sends the above management information, rental information, and return information to the above management PC3, and the usage card. While reading each of the above information, the loan information such as borrowing and the return information indicating the return have been written on the usage card, the above information is output to the charge settlement machine 7, and the unlock signal from the charge settlement machine 7 and the lock release signal It is configured to include a card reader post 8 that relays a lock signal and outputs it to the rack 6. The charge settlement machine 7 and the card reader post 8 may be integrated. In addition, the above-mentioned regular use means continuous use for a certain period of time, and temporary use means irregular use. The above-mentioned loan information includes at least information that regular use, prepaid card use, temporary use, use start date, borrowing and cash settlement, and the above-mentioned return information includes at least return information.

A plurality of racks 6 are connected to a card reader post 8 by a cable and are arranged in a bicycle parking lot of a rental shop. As shown in FIG. 2, a specific configuration example thereof locks the wheels of a housed bicycle rental 5, for example. And the locking means 9 for unlocking, the locking means driving unit 10 for driving the locking means 9, and the locking means 9 input from the charge settlement machine 7 via the card reader post 8 by connecting the cable to the card reader post 8. Detects the presence or absence of the connection unit 11 and the rental cycle 5 that transmit the lock and unlock signals to the lock means drive unit 10 and output the detection signal of the detection unit 12 described later to the charge settlement machine 7 via the card reader post 8. It is equipped with a detection unit 12 that outputs a detection signal. The detection unit 12 is, for example, an optical sensor or a micro switch, and is designed to detect the wheels of the rental cycle 5.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a specific configuration example of the charge settlement machine 7 is connected to the card reader post 8 by a cable, and the management information and the lending and returning information are input from the card reader post 8 and the charge is charged. Interface 13 that outputs payment processing information and lock / unlock signals of locking means 9 to the card reader post 8, rack number that accommodates the rental cycle 5 selected by the user at the time of lending, and the user returns the rental cycle 5 at the time of return. A ten-key 14 for entering the rack number, a display unit 15 for displaying usage charges and other guidance information based on the above rental information, and an update selection button 16 for selecting the renewal of the subscription card whose validity period has expired. , The bill processing unit 17 that reads the inserted bill, the money processing unit 18 that reads the inserted money, the clock unit 19 that shows the current time, the usage disclosure date and time recorded on the usage card, and the current time by the clock unit 19. The calculation unit 20 that calculates the usage time and the shortage fee from the calculation unit 20, the charge return unit 21 that refunds the deposit fee and change based on the calculation result of the usage fee in the calculation unit 20, and the receipt issuance request. Receipt button 22 for the purpose, receipt issuing unit 23 for issuing receipts, transmission unit 24 for transmitting the above management information, lending and returning information to management PC3, and control unit 25 for integrated control of the whole. To be configured.

As shown in FIG. 4, a specific configuration example of the card reader post 8 includes a card reader / writer 26 that reads the management information and the lending / returning information from the usage card and rewrites the lending / returning information, and the card reader / writer 26. While transmitting the management information and the above-mentioned lending and returning information to the charge settlement machine 7 and receiving the charge payment processing information from the charge settlement machine 7 and the lock / unlock signal of the lock means 9, the detection unit provided in the rack 6 is provided. The interface 27 that sends the detection signal of 12 to the charge settlement machine 7 and the lock and unlock signals that drive the lock means 9 from the charge settlement machine 7 by connecting the cable to the rack 6 are sent to the rack 6 and the rack 6 A connection unit 28 that receives the detection signal of the detection unit 12 and a control unit 29 that integrates and controls the whole are provided.

Next, the operation of the rental cycle system of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8. First, the procedure for issuing a usage card will be described with reference to FIG. The user goes to the management center such as an administrative center or a station, and uses the prescribed application form provided for regular use, prepaid card use, or temporary use together with specific information that identifies an individual such as address, name, and telephone number. Fill in and submit to the management window. At the management window, the above-mentioned specific information described in the above-mentioned application form and the management information associated with the specific information are registered in the management PC3.

Next, the manager of the management window requests the presentation of an identification card such as a driver's license that proves the identity of the user in order to confirm the authenticity of the above-mentioned specific information. When the user presents the ID card in response to this, the manager of the management window collates the ID card with the above-mentioned specific information to confirm whether or not the user is the user himself / herself. Then, when it is determined that the person is the person himself / herself, the management PC 3 is operated and the card reader 4 issues a usage card in which the management information and the usage pattern are recorded and hands them over to the user. This completes the procedure for issuing a usage card. In addition, the user pays the regular usage fee in the case of regular use, and pays the predetermined fee in the case of prepaid use at the management window.

Next, the rental processing operation of the rental cycle 5 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. First, in step 1 (shown in S1 in FIG. 6 and the same applies hereinafter), the user inserts the used card into the card insertion slot of the card reader post 8 installed in the rental shop. At this time, the information recorded on the card used is read by the card reader / writer 26 shown in FIG.

In step 2, the above information read from the usage card is sent to the charge settlement machine 7 through the interfaces 27 and 23 , and the control unit 25 shown in FIG. 3 determines the validity of the usage card from the above information. Here, for example, if the borrowed information is recorded on the used card, it is determined that the used card is invalid (NO determination), and the process proceeds to step 3. Then, in step 3, the display unit 15 displays the fact and the card is returned from the card reader post 8 to complete the usage procedure.

On the other hand, in step 2, if the loan information and the return information are not recorded because they are unused, or if the returned information is recorded, the card is judged to be valid (YES judgment), and the process proceeds to step 4. In step 4, the user inputs the rack number of the rental cycle 5 selected in advance with the numeric keypad 14.

Next, in step 5, the control unit 25 determines whether or not it is a regular use from the information recorded in the usage card. Here, if it is determined to be a regular use (YES determination), the process proceeds to step 6. In step 6, it is determined whether or not the above-mentioned usage card is within the valid period. Here, when it is determined that the usage date is valid within the valid period (YES determination), the process jumps to step 10. On the other hand, in step 6, when the validity period of the card used has expired and it is determined that the card is invalid (NO determination), that fact is displayed on the display unit 15 shown in FIG. 3 and the renewal fee is paid. Display prompting guidance. Then proceed to step 7.

In step 7, it is determined whether or not the user renews the usage period. Here, when the user operates the update selection button 16 shown in FIG. 3 to select an update (YES determination), the process proceeds to step 8. On the other hand, when the user selects not wanting to update by pressing the update selection button 16 (NO determination), the user jumps to step 14 shown in FIG. 7 and pays the daily usage fee in cash. In this case, the usage fee does not include the deposit fee described later.

In step 8, the calculation unit 20 shown in FIG. 3 calculates the renewal fee, and the result is displayed on the display unit 15. Then proceed to step 9. In step 9, the control unit 25 determines whether or not the renewal fee has been settled. Here, when the user pays the renewal fee, the judgment is "YES" and the process proceeds to step 10.

In step 10, when the card reader post 8 receives the information on the completion of charge settlement from the charge settlement machine 7 and records the validity period and the loan information being borrowed on the regular use card, and when the usage charge is settled in cash, Record and return loan information including information on the start date of use, borrowing, and payment of cash. At the same time, the recorded lending information is transmitted from the transmission unit 24 of the charge settlement machine 7 shown in FIG. 3 to the management PC3 together with the management information recorded on the usage card, and is recorded in association with the specific information registered in the management PC3. And manage it.

In step 11, the charge settlement machine 7 transmits an unlock signal to the lock means drive unit 10 via the card reader post 8, drives the lock means drive unit 10 to unlock the lock means 9, and rents a bicycle 5. Make it available for rent. As a result, in step 12, the user can rent a bicycle 5 and use it.

On the other hand, in step 5, if it is not a regular use (NO determination), the process proceeds to step 13 shown in FIG. In step 13, the information recorded on the card is read by the card reader / writer 26 of the card reader post 8 shown in FIG. 4, and based on the information, the card is used by the control unit 25 of the charge settlement machine 7 shown in FIG. Determine if it is a prepaid card. Here, if the judgment is "NO", the usage card is a temporary use card, so the charge settlement machine 7 uses a deposit fee, for example, a usage fee including 200 yen, for example, 500 yen (in this case, the actual usage fee is 500 yen). (It will be 300 yen) is displayed on the display unit 15 shown in FIG. The user will pay the usage fee according to the display. The specific processing operation is that when a user inserts a bill or money into a bill insertion slot or a coin insertion slot (not shown) for charge settlement, the bill or money inserted by the bill processing unit 17 or the money processing unit 18 The amount of money is read, the amount of money and the usage fee are compared and calculated by the calculation unit 20, and when a change is generated, the change is refunded from the charge return unit 21. Then, in step 14, when the charge settlement is completed, a YES determination is made, and the process proceeds to step 10 shown in FIG. In the following, in the same manner as described above, the temporary use card is returned and the rental cycle is unlocked so that the user can rent the rental cycle.

Further, in step 13, when the used card is determined to be a prepaid card from the information recorded on the used card (YES determination), the process proceeds to step 15. Then, in step 15, the control unit 25 of the charge settlement machine 7 shown in FIG. 3 determines whether or not the balance is larger than the usage charge based on the balance information of the prepaid card read by the card reader / writer 26 shown in FIG. To do. Here, if the remaining amount is larger than the usage fee (YES judgment), the process proceeds to step 16, and in step 16, the calculation unit 20 calculates the reduction process, and the card reader / writer 26 shown in FIG. 4 is used to calculate the prepaid card. Rewrite the balance of. Then, the process proceeds to step 10 shown in FIG. 6, and the following is the same as described above, the prepaid card is returned and the rental cycle 5 is unlocked so that the user can rent the rental cycle 5.

On the other hand, in step 15, when the balance of the prepaid card is insufficient (NO determination), the process proceeds to step 14. Then, in step 14, the usage fee is settled in cash (YES determination), so that the user can borrow the rental cycle 5. When using a prepaid card, the above usage fee does not include the deposit fee.

Next, the return processing operation of the rental cycle 5 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 10. First, as shown in FIG. 8, in step 21, the user returns the rental cycle 5 to any of the empty racks 6. Next, in step 22, the user inserts the used card into the card insertion slot of the card reader post 8. Further, in step 23, the user inputs the rack number returned by the numeric keypad 14 shown in FIG.

In step 24, the control unit 25 in FIG. 3 collates the input rack number with the returned rack number to determine whether or not they match. Specifically, in the collation of the rack numbers, the detection unit 12 shown in FIG. 2 provided in the rack 6 having the corresponding rack number detects whether or not the rack 6 has a rental cycle 5, and the detection signal is displayed in FIG. 2. It is received from the connection unit 11 of the above via the card reader post 8 by the control unit 25 of the charge settlement machine 7 shown in FIG. In this case, if the two rack numbers do not match (NO determination), the process proceeds to step 25.

In step 25, the display unit 15 displays that the entered rack number and the returned rack number are different to notify the user. Then, in step 26, after confirming the rack number returned by the user, the process returns to step 23.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step 24 that both rack numbers match (YES determination), the process proceeds to step 27 shown in FIG. Then, in step 27, the control unit 25 shown in FIG. 3 determines whether or not it is a regular use based on the loan information read from the usage card, and if it is determined as "YES", the process proceeds to step 28. Next, in step 28, the control unit 25 determines whether or not the subscription card is within the valid period from the information recorded on the subscription card and the current time information of the clock unit 19. Here, when it is determined that it is within the valid period (YES determination), the process jumps to step 32.

In step 28, when the validity period of the subscription card has expired and it is determined that the subscription card is invalid (NO determination), the process proceeds to step 29, and in step 29, whether or not to renew the usage period is determined. It is displayed on the display unit 15 to prompt the user to perform the renewal procedure. Here, when the user selects the update by pressing the update selection button 16 (determines YES), the process proceeds to step 30.

In step 30, the calculation unit 20 calculates the renewal fee, and the result is displayed on the display unit 15. If the user did not select renewal and settled the usage fee in cash in step 7 shown in Fig. 6 at the time of lending, and recorded the first day of the validity period as the day of use, it was read from the subscription card. It is calculated based on the information that the loan information has been settled in cash, and the charge obtained by subtracting the above usage charge from the renewal charge is displayed. Here, when the user pays the renewal fee, the judgment is "YES" in step 31, and the process proceeds to step 32. In step 32, the borrowed loan information of the commuter pass card is rewritten as returned and the commuter pass card is replaced. return. At the same time, this returned return information is transmitted to the management PC3 via the transmission unit 24 of the charge settlement machine 7 together with the management information recorded on the subscription card, and the loan information registered in the management PC3 is being borrowed. Rewrite as returned. When recording the first day of the above valid period as the day after the usage date, the renewal fee is displayed as it is.

On the other hand, in step 29, when the user does not select the update (NO determination), the process proceeds to step 33, the additional charge is calculated in step 33, and the result is displayed on the display unit 15. In this case, the additional charge will be incurred when the user does not choose to renew the commuter pass at the time of lending and the daily usage fee is settled in cash and borrowed for two days or more, or when the commuter pass is rented. However, it is conceivable that the validity period has expired while the user is borrowing for multiple days. In the case of regular use, the usage fee at the time of rental does not include the deposit fee, so as an additional fee, for example, a real usage fee of 300 yen per day will be charged.

In this case, if the user pays the above additional charge in step 31, the judgment is "YES", the process proceeds to step 32, and the borrowed loan information of the subscription card is rewritten as returned and the subscription is used in the same manner as described above. Return the card. At the same time, the return information is sent to the management PC3 together with the management information, and the borrowed management PC3 is rewritten as returned.

Next, in step 34, a lock signal for locking the lock means 9 from the control unit 25 of the charge settlement machine 7 shown in FIG. 3 is transmitted to the lock means drive unit 10 of the rack 6 via the card reader post 8 (see FIG. 2). The lock means 9 is driven by the lock means drive unit 10 to lock the rental cycle 5.

In step 35, it is determined whether or not a receipt is required. Here, when the user needs a receipt and presses the receipt button 22 (YES determination), the process proceeds to step 36. Then, in step 36, the receipt is issued from the receipt issuing unit 23 shown in FIG. As a result, the return processing operation of the rental cycle 5 is completed.

In step 35, if the user does not press the receipt button 22 and the predetermined time has elapsed, the control unit 25 determines that the receipt is unnecessary (NO determination), and in this case also, the rental cycle 5 is returned. The process ends.

On the other hand, in step 27 shown in FIG. 9, when it is determined that the used card is not for regular use (NO determination), the process proceeds to step 37 shown in FIG. Then, in step 37, it is determined whether or not the used card is a prepaid card based on the information read from the used card. Here, when the used card is a temporary used card, the determination is "NO" and the process proceeds to step 38.

In step 38, the control unit 25 determines whether or not the rental cycle 5 has been returned in one day by comparing the rental information usage start date with the current time of the clock unit 19. Here, if it is determined that the product has been returned in one day (YES determination), the process proceeds to step 39. In step 19, the deposit fee is refunded from the fee return unit 21 based on the above determination result.

On the other hand, in step 38, if it is determined from the usage start date information of the loan information recorded on the temporary use card that the number of days of use exceeds one day (NO determination), the process proceeds to step 40. Then, in step 40, an additional charge is calculated according to the number of excess days. For example, when the number of excess days is one day, the temporary usage fee for one day, for example, the additional fee of 100 yen obtained by subtracting the deposit fee, for example, 200 yen from 300 yen, is calculated by the calculation unit 20 shown in FIG. 3, and step 41 Proceed to. Then, in step 41, the additional charge is displayed on the display unit 15. Further, in step 42, it is determined whether or not the charge settlement is completed. Here, when the user pays an additional fee, a YES determination is made and the process proceeds to step 32 shown in FIG. Hereinafter, in the same manner as described above, the return processing operation of the rental cycle 5 is terminated. If the deposit fee is higher than the actual usage fee, a part of the deposit fee may have to be returned even if the loan is borrowed for two days or more. In that case, although not shown, the process proceeds to step 39 after step 41 to refund a part of the deposit fee.

Further, in step 37, when it is determined that the card used is a prepaid card (YES determination), the process proceeds to step 43. Then, in step 43, the control unit 25 determines whether or not the rental cycle 5 has been returned in one day from the usage start date information of the loan information recorded in the prepaid card. Here, if it is determined that the bicycle has been returned in one day (YES determination), the process proceeds to step 32 shown in FIG. 9, and the return process of the rental cycle 5 is completed in the same manner as described above. When using a prepaid card, when cash is settled at the time of lending (see step 15 in Fig. 7), the deposit fee is not included in the usage fee, so the deposit fee will not be returned at the time of return.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step 43 that the number of days of use exceeds one day (NO determination), the process proceeds to step 44. Then, in step 44, an additional charge is calculated according to the number of excess days. Further, in step 45, it is determined whether or not the balance of the prepaid card is larger than the additional charge. Here, when the remaining amount is larger than the additional charge (YES judgment), the process proceeds to step 46, and in step 46, for example, 300 yen per day is set as the actual additional charge from the remaining amount of the prepaid card in the calculation unit 20 of FIG. To reduce the amount. Then, based on the information, the balance reduced to the prepaid card by the card reader / writer 26 of FIG. 4 is recorded. After that, the process proceeds to step 32 shown in FIG. 9, and the return processing operation is terminated in the same manner as described above.

Further, in step 45, when the balance of the prepaid card is less than the additional charge (NO determination), the process proceeds to step 42, and in step 42, the user pays the additional charge in cash. Then, the process proceeds to step 32 shown in FIG. 9, and the return processing operation of the rental cycle 5 is completed in the same manner as described above.

As described above, according to the rental cycle system according to the present embodiment, the specific information that identifies the user and the management information associated with the specific information are registered, and the management information is recorded and issued by using the usage card. When the user performs a predetermined lending and returning operation including payment of the usage fee, the rental cycle 5 is unlocked and locked, so that the rental cycle 5 can be rented unattended. Therefore, the user can use the service 24 hours a day without any limitation on the usage time.

Further, if the usage fee is set to include the deposit fee and the deposit fee is refunded at the time of return, the return rate can be improved.

Furthermore, when the rental cycle 5 is used beyond the usage period corresponding to the usage fee paid at the time of lending, an additional fee is collected for the excess usage period, and when the settlement process of the additional fee is completed, the usage card Is returned, so it is possible to prevent unauthorized use of rental cycle 5 and reduce economic loss.

Furthermore, since the management information, lending information, and return information are stored in association with the specific information, the user can be identified from the management information and the rental cycle 5 can be returned or returned even when the item is not returned or the additional fee is not paid. Payment of additional charges can be urged, the return rate can be further improved, and economic loss can be further reduced.

By making it possible to use various usage cards for regular use, prepaid card use, and temporary use, the user can appropriately select the usage form according to his / her own usage situation, and the convenience is improved.

In this embodiment, the deposit fee is not collected in the case of regular use and prepaid card use, but it is not limited to this, for example, when the regular use expires or the balance of the prepaid card is insufficient and the cash is settled. , A deposit fee may be collected. In this case, based on the information recorded on the usage card to the effect that the cash has been settled, the same processing as for temporary use will be performed at the time of return.

Further, in the present embodiment, in the case of using a prepaid card, when a "NO" judgment is made in step 15 shown in FIG. 7 and step 45 shown in FIG. 10, it is set to process cash settlement, but the charge is charged. A charge function may be provided in the settlement machine, and a determination step as to whether or not to charge may be provided after the NO determination of each step. In this case, when the charge is made, the process proceeds to step 16 and step 46, respectively, and the reduction process is performed. On the other hand, when the charge is not made, the process proceeds to step 14 and step 42, respectively, to settle the cash.

Further, in the present embodiment, the rack number input by the user at the time of return is not limited to the one for collating the returned rack number as described above, and the rack number selected by the user at the time of lending is recorded on the usage card. , The rack number may be read at the time of return to determine whether or not the rental cycle 5 has been returned to the rack 6 corresponding to the rack number. In this case, the user does not need to enter the rack number of the returned rack 6 at the time of return.

Further, in the present embodiment, an example in which a lock / unlock signal is output from the charge settlement machine 7 to the lock means 9 via the card reader post 8 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the charge settlement machine 7 directly locks the lock. The above signal may be output to means 9.

Further, in the present embodiment, the usage modes such as regular and prepaid cards and temporary use are registered at the time of card issuance, but may be configured to be selectable by the charge settlement machine 7. In this case, the charge settlement machine 7 is provided with a usage pattern selection operation unit for regular or prepaid card or temporary use, and information on the selected usage pattern is written on the usage card.

<figref num="1">It is a conceptual diagram which shows the embodiment of the rental cycle system by this invention.</figref><figref num="2">It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the rack of the said rental cycle system.</figref><figref num="3">It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the charge settlement machine of the said rental cycle system.</figref><figref num="4">It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the card reader post of the said rental cycle system.</figref><figref num="5">It is explanatory drawing which shows the procedure of issuing a use card.</figref><figref num="6">It is a flowchart explaining the lending processing operation mainly by a subscription card in the lending processing operation of a rental cycle.</figref><figref num="7">It is a flowchart following FIG.</figref><figref num="8">It is a flowchart explaining the first half part of the return processing operation of a rental cycle.</figref><figref num="9">It is a flowchart following FIG.</figref><figref num="10">It is a flowchart following FIG.</figref>

Code description

1 ... Management means 2 ... Lending / returning processing means 3 ... Management PC 5 ... Rental cycle 6 ... Rack 7 ... Charge settlement machine 8 ... Card reader post 9 ... Locking means