JP2002207944A - Personal computer rental system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a PC rental system which can eliminate the temporal loss of business work. SOLUTION: This PC rental system has a rental PC which is rented to a service user, a base where the rental PC is rented and returned, and a server of the service provider which can be connected to the rental PC through a network; and the server has storage areas previously allocated by service users and each service user rents and uses the PC, so that document data can be registered in the area and updated.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a PC (personal computer) rental system, and more particularly, to renting a PC at a main station or a hotel to enable access to a service provider server on a network to provide a service. The present invention relates to a PC rental system that allows a user to register and update document data even while traveling or traveling.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the spread of networks such as the Internet, when a business person uses his spare time while traveling or on a business trip, he uses a PC to create and obtain data regardless of location and time. It is necessary to do. In order to satisfy such demands, for example, hotels use a method such as providing a common PC or printer on a floor dedicated to business, or renting the PC itself. In some cases, the company distributes notebook PCs to each employee. As described above, it is a very important problem for a business to determine whether or not free time can be effectively used while traveling or on a business trip.

[0003]

However, conventionally, there have been the following problems. First, if there are no nearby facilities to rent a PC while traveling or on a business trip,
I couldn't use my spare time to work. Also, as mentioned above, rental PC at hotels etc.
Or a business floor, but in this case, for example, it has been difficult to update or register the document data stored in the company's PC.

[0004] Second, by distributing a PC owned by the company to each employee individually, it is possible to carry the PC together with the data. However, this increases internal costs in terms of distributing notebook PCs. Thirdly, in recent years, it is possible to substitute a notebook PC with a mobile phone terminal or a mobile mobile terminal, but these terminals are limited in tools that can be browsed, and have disadvantages such as inability to create document data. there were.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and rents a PC at a main station or a hotel to enable access to a service provider server on a network, thereby providing a service user. It is an object of the present invention to provide a PC rental system capable of registering and updating document data even when the user is traveling or on a business trip, thereby eliminating the time loss of business work.

[0006]

Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above problems,
A PC rental system of the present invention includes a rental PC lent to a service user, a base for accepting rental and return of the rental PC, a service provider server connectable to the rental PC via a network, A PC rental system comprising: a server of the service provider having a storage area allocated in advance to each service user, so that the service user can register and update document data in the area. It is characterized by the following.

[0007] By configuring the system in this manner, the service user can use the rental PC capable of accessing the service provider server, so that the registration and update of the document data can be performed at a place other than the company (or home). It can be carried out. For this reason, business work while moving or staying can be realized, and effective use of free time can be achieved. Further, in the case of a company or the like, there is no need to distribute a portable notebook PC or the like to each employee, so that costs can be reduced.

In the PC rental system according to the present invention, the server of the service provider performs authentication using an ID and a password with respect to access from the service user, and only when the authentication is successful, the server is provided to the user. It is characterized in that access to the allocated storage area is permitted.

Further, the PC rental system of the present invention is characterized in that the base is provided with printing means for document data created or updated by the rental PC. As described above, since each site is provided with the printing means, the user can easily perform a print work outside the company (or home) by bringing the document data to the site.

In the PC rental system according to the present invention, the system includes a plurality of the bases and means for transferring the rental PCs between the bases as necessary, and the base where the service user rents the rental PCs. It is characterized in that it can be returned to another base. By configuring the system in this manner, the user can return the PC rented at any base at a base convenient for him, which is very convenient.

Further, the PC rental system according to the present invention is characterized in that a storage area for each user in the server of the service provider can be accessed from a computer other than the rental PC connected to the network. By configuring the system in this way, when the user updates the document data while moving or staying, the data can be downloaded from a terminal at a company or home, or a terminal at each base.

Further, in the PC rental system according to the present invention, the storage device incorporated in the rental PC includes an unusable area that cannot be rewritten by the service user and an available area that can be freely used by the service user. It is characterized by the following.

[0013] The PC rental system of the present invention further comprises means for the rental PC to authenticate the service user using an ID and a password.
And deleting the contents of the usable area when the password does not match the previous input.

By configuring the system in this manner, even if the PC used by another user was rented last time, the document data of the other user is automatically deleted, so that the user can use the PC. The area can be used effectively. In addition, even if the PC is returned while document data such as confidential data is stored, the PC is erased when another user uses it, so there is no worry.

Further, the PC rental system according to the present invention is characterized in that the base is located at any station, airport, accommodation facility, or convenience store. By configuring the system in this way, it is possible to expand bases all over the country, so that the convenience of the PC rental system of the present invention is dramatically improved.

Further, in the PC rental method of the present invention, a step of registering a service user, and a step of allocating a storage area of a service provider server connectable via a network for each of the registered service users, Lending a rental PC to the service user;
And the service user can register and update document data in the storage area.

Further, the PC rental method of the present invention further comprises the step of performing authentication using an ID and a password for access from the service user, and to a storage area allocated to the user only when the authentication is successful. Granting access to the user.

Further, in the PC rental method of the present invention, the storage area for each user in the server of the service provider is as follows:
It is also accessible from a computer other than the rental PC connected to the network.

[0019]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the PC rental system of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the PC rental system according to the present embodiment includes a user terminal 10-1 provided in a company (or home) 10 and a service provider 20. A service provider server 20-1 having a storage area, and base terminals 30-1, 40-1, and 50-1 provided at stations 30, 40, and a hotel 50 as bases for renting PCs are connected to the Internet. They are interconnected via 100. Although the network is described as the Internet in the present embodiment, other networks such as a LAN and a WAN may be used. Although only one user terminal is shown for the sake of simplicity, an infinite number of user terminals are actually connected.

The user terminal 10-1 is a PC that the user 1 usually uses, and is an information processing terminal provided in the company (or home) 10. On the other hand, the service provider server 20-1 is an information processing server provided in the service provider 20, and the user 1 accesses a directory area (storage area) allocated to the user 1 via the Internet 100. It is built as possible. The access from the user 1 is managed based on an ID and a password given to each user, so that only the user can access the directory area. The service provider 20 is an Internet service provider (ISP), and performs the above-described directory service together with network connection.

On the other hand, the base terminals 30-1, 40-1, 50
-1 is an information processing terminal provided at each of a plurality of bases. Here, each base is located at major stations, airports,
It can be provided in an accommodation facility, a convenience store, or the like. The base terminal is connectable to the Internet 100 at each base, and includes a printer for enabling printing work. Each of the bases 30 to 50 is further provided with a coin locker type automatic PC rental machine using a notebook PC, a power cable accessory, and, as an option, a spare battery or a communication device (eg, a mobile phone or a PHS) as a rental PC pack. Rental equipment is installed. The rental PC pack may be lent from an unmanned automatic PC lending machine as described above, or a manned rental PC lending center may be provided and rented from there.

The automatic PC lending machine has a battery charging function as a dock station, and is set so that when the user 1 starts using the rental PC, the rental PC is fully charged. In addition, rental PC3 to be rented
Reference numerals 00 to 500 denote high-spec machines in which various latest document creation tools are installed, and use models having a modem or the like for connecting to a network. Further, the user 1 is set so that only the determined disk area can be used, and the other disk areas are set unusable. When logging in to this PC, the user 1 is required to enter an individual ID and password, and if different from the previous login, clear the data stored on the usable disk, and after a predetermined period of use. If there is, clear the data on the usable disk. Note that the connection setting to the Internet 100 is set in advance so that a connection to the nearest access point can be made as a toll-free number.

Next, the flow of processing of the PC rental system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a member registration procedure for the service provided by the service provider 20 by the user 1, and FIG. 3 illustrates a processing flow when the user 1 uses the service. FIG. As shown in FIG.
First, as a contract for this service, the user 1 enters a user terminal 10-1 of the company (or home) 10 or terminals 30-1 to 50-1 installed at a main station or hotel serving as a base.
From the Internet 100 through the Internet 100 (FIG. 2, step A1). Here, the user 1 can select whether the contract period as a member is temporary (for example, within one month) or permanent (for example, one month or more). As a contract procedure,
It is the same as the procedure for registering with a normal provider.

When the service provider 20 completes the membership registration procedure, the user 1 obtains a personal ID and a password as the service contract via the Internet 100 (FIG. 2, step A2). At the same time, in the service provider server 20-1, a process of allocating a directory area for each registered user is performed. Here, the user 1 can set in advance the timing of starting use and the period of use, such as starting use six months later in accordance with a business trip schedule (FIG. 2, step A3). . Next, the user 1 inputs a personal ID and a password from the terminal 10-1 of the company (or home) 10, and the document is stored in the directory area allocated in the service provider server 20-1 via the Internet 100. Upload and save the source (FIG. 2, step A4). Preparations are completed by performing the above processing.

Next, the user 1 who has completed the above preparations
However, a case where the service of the PC rental system of the present invention is used will be described with reference to FIGS. When the user wants to use the PC during his or her spare time while traveling or on a business trip, the user 1 first rents the rental PC including the rental PC 300 from the automatic PC lending machine at the station 30 nearest to the company.
Rent a C pack (FIG. 3, step B1). Next, the user 1 logs in to the rental PC 300 included in the rental PC pack by inputting the ID and password obtained at the time of member registration (FIG. 3, step B2). If the ID and password at the time of login do not match the ID and password entered at the previous login on the PC (FIG. 3, NO in step B3), the document source stored on the usable disk in the rental PC 300 is deleted. Clear (step B4 in FIG. 3). This process is for deleting a document source that has been stored by another user when another user has used the rental PC 300 last time.

On the other hand, when the ID and password entered at the previous login match (FIG. 3, step B3 YE)
S), no processing is performed on the usable disk. Next, the user 1 connects to the Internet from the rental PC 300 and connects to the service provider server 20-1.
The user downloads a previously saved document source from the directory area allocated to the user 1 of the user 1 and saves it on an available disk in the rental PC 300 (FIG. 3, step B5). It is necessary to input the ID and password of each user for each access to the server 20-1. User 1
Maintenance such as change / correction is performed on the document source downloaded while moving or staying, or a new document source is created, and the document source is temporarily overwritten and saved on a usable disk in the rental PC 300 (FIG. 3, step B6).

When the maintenance or creation of the document source is completed, the user 1 uploads the maintenance or created document source to the directory area of the service provider server 20-1 via the Internet 100 (FIG. 3, step B7). ). Note that the connection to the Internet 100 may be made via a communication device (for example, a mobile phone or a PHS) included in the rental PC pack, or via the terminals 30-1 to 50-1 at each base. It may be performed. In the case of this example, the user 1 uploads via the Internet 100 from the terminal 40-1 of the nearest station 40 at home.

When it is desired to print the uploaded document source, the document source temporarily stored in the rental PC is printed at a base such as a station or a hotel equipped with a printer (FIG. 3, step B8). Also,
When a document source is uploaded from a base such as a station or a hotel, the uploaded document source can be printed on the spot.

The user 1 who has completed uploading returns the rental PC pack to any base (FIG. 3, step B9). The location where the user 1 returns the rental PC pack is not limited to the location where the PC pack is rented, but may be returned at any location. In the case of this example, the user 1 can return to the hotel 50 during a business trip. In this case, the service provider 20 has the rental P
By providing a delivery means between the base where the C pack has been rented and the base where the C pack has been returned, the rental PC pack may be exchanged.

Here, the user 1 does not need to specifically delete the document source stored on the usable disk of the rental PC 300. The reason is this rental P next time
If another user uses C300, a different ID and password will be entered when logging on to the rental PC, and the document source on the usable disk is automatically deleted as described above. . Therefore, when the user 1 rents the same PC as the one rented last time, the previous document source may remain as it is unless it has been deleted last time.
The document source stored on the usable disk may be provided with a time limit and deleted when the time limit is exceeded.

The document source that has been uploaded to the directory area of the service provider server 20-1 is transmitted from the user terminal 10-1 in the company (or home) 10 to the service provider via the Internet 100 by the user 1. By accessing the server 20-1, it can be downloaded (FIG. 3, step B10).
The storage of the document source in the directory area of the service provider server 20-1 is, for example, 1
A deadline such as months may be set, and the source that has exceeded the deadline may be deleted. By doing so, the amount of data stored in the directory area is properly maintained.

As described above, according to the PC rental system of the present invention, the document source previously uploaded to the directory area can be easily changed while moving or staying. (Or at home), the user can download the changed document source, so that the user can effectively use the free time while moving or staying. Further, when the member is a company, there is no need for the company to distribute a dedicated notebook PC or the like to each employee, so that cost can be significantly reduced.

Here, the service provider (provider)
Contracts with major stations, airports, hotels, convenience stores, etc. to have an automatic PC lending machine and a PC lending center installed, and pay a percentage of the rental PC rental fee as a storage fee. . Alternatively, the PC rental fee may be set by a unit price in units of hours or days. The service provider can make a profit based on the remaining rental fee, the contract contents as the provider, and the use time, and can provide the service as the provider and the directory service as a value-added service. In addition, the contracting member is not limited to the individual, and can make a contract with a company. In this case, a number of personal IDs and passwords according to the contents of the contract are allocated.

[0034]

As described above, according to the PC rental system of the present invention, by realizing business work during traveling time or staying time, a user can effectively use available time. . In addition, the service provider as a provider can increase the number of members using the service by providing a value-added service called a directory service, and can expect an increase in the number of members of the provider. Further, since the document source is transmitted and received via a network such as the Internet, the user can also obtain desired news information and the like from the service provider. Further, when the user is a company, there is no need to distribute a dedicated portable notebook PC or the like to each employee, so that in-house costs can be significantly reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a configuration of a PC rental system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the flow of a member registration procedure;

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a flow of processing when a user uses a service.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 user 10 company (home) 10-1 user terminal 20 service provider 20-1 service provider server 30 station 30-1 base terminal 40 station 40-1 base terminal 50 hotel 50-1 base terminal 300, 400, 500 Rental PC

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A rental personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a "PC") to be rented to a service user, a base for renting and returning the rental PC,
A PC rental system comprising the rental PC and a server of a service provider connectable via a network, wherein the server of the service provider has a storage area previously allocated to each of the service users, A PC rental system, wherein the service user can register and update document data in the area. 2. The PC rental system according to claim 1, wherein the server of the service provider performs authentication using an ID and a password for access from the service user, and only when the authentication is successful. A PC rental system which permits access to a storage area allocated to the user. 3. The PC rental system according to claim 1, wherein the base includes a printing unit for document data created or updated on the rental PC. 4. The PC according to claim 1, wherein:
In the rental system, the system includes a plurality of the bases and a means for transferring the rental PC between the bases as necessary, and the service user can return the rental PC to a base different from the base from which the rental PC was rented. PC rental system characterized by doing so. 5. The PC according to claim 1, wherein:
In the rental system, a storage area for each user in the server of the service provider can be accessed from a computer other than the rental PC connected to the network. 6. The PC according to claim 1, wherein:
In the rental system, a storage device incorporated in the rental PC includes an unusable area that cannot be rewritten by the service user and an available area that can be freely used by the service user. . 7. The PC rental system according to claim 6, wherein the rental PC includes means for authenticating the service user using an ID and a password, and the means comprises means for determining whether the ID and the password have been input last time. A PC rental system wherein the contents of the usable area are erased when they do not match. 8. The PC rental system according to claim 1, wherein the base is located at an arbitrary station, airport, accommodation facility, or convenience store. 9. A step of registering a service user; a step of allocating a storage area of a service provider server connectable via a network for each of the registered service users; and a rental PC for the service user. And lending the service user. The service user can register and update document data in the storage area. 10. The PC rental method according to claim 9, further comprising the step of: performing authentication using an ID and a password for access from the service user; and performing the authentication only when the authentication is successful. Permitting access to the storage area allocated to the user. 11. The PC rental method according to claim 9, wherein the storage area for each user in the server of the service provider is accessible from a computer other than the rental PC connected to the network. A PC rental method characterized by the following.