JP2002366640A - Lending job system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system suited to a lending job in a library. SOLUTION: The system is provided with a registration means 1 provided with an I/F transmitting and receiving data to/from a portable terminal and executing the processing of issuing identification information (ID) identifying a user, the processing of transmitting the ID and the storage command of the ID through the I/F and the processing of making the ID and the individual information of the user identified by the ID correspond, read means 9 and 12 for reading a code for identifying a lending object B readably attached to the object B, and a lending means 2 and a returning means 3 respectively provided with the I/F transmitting and receiving the data to/from the portable terminal and executing the processing of respectively making the means 9 and 12 operable corresponding to the reception of the ID through the I/F, the processing of adding the object B for which the code is read in the means 9 and 12 to a lending list for the user identified by the ID and the processing of excluding it from the lending list respectively.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a system for lending books and the like to users in a library, for example.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a library, in order to borrow books, compact discs, and the like (collectively referred to as books) from users, users are required to register, borrow and return books, and rent them in the near future. Operations such as reservation of lending of books that can be made (books being lent to other users or books to be purchased) are performed. In this specification, these services are collectively referred to as lending services.

Hitherto, a library has generally performed such a lending operation as follows. [User registration] Library staff (hereinafter simply referred to as staff)
Issues a user card (card-type library user card) and hands it to the user.

[Lending / Returning] At the time of lending, the staff
By reading the bar code attached to the book that the user wants to borrow (with a bar code sticker attached to the library on the library side for management) with a bar code reader, the book can be read in the computer. Add to the user's loan list. Then, the staff gives the book to the user together with the paper piece describing the return deadline.

[0005] Further, in order to prevent unauthorized removal of the books, a magnetic bar code is attached to the books (a gate is provided at the exit of the library to detect the magnetism and sound).
In some cases, the staff puts the bar code on a degausser to degauss.

[0006] On the other hand, at the time of return, the staff reads the barcode of the book to be returned by the user with a barcode reader, and deletes the book from the lending list in the computer.

[0007] When a magnetic bar code is attached to a book, an employee puts the bar code on a magnetic machine to magnetize the bar code again.

[Lending Reservation] Books can be borrowed in the library in the near future because they can be borrowed immediately (because they can be borrowed immediately, or are being lent to other users, or have plans to purchase them). A computer for searching for such a situation is installed, and the user is free to operate the computer. The staff accepts an application for lending reservation of the book from a user who has learned by operation of the computer that the book he / she wants to borrow will be available soon.

When the book becomes available for lending at a later date, a staff member contacts the user who made the lending reservation by telephone or the like.

[0010]

However, the conventional method of performing the lending business has various inconveniences such as the following (a) to (e).

(A) Today, various cards such as cash cards, credit cards, and customer cards of various stores are on the market. It is troublesome for the user to store and carry a library user card in addition to these cards.

(B) A staff member who operates a bar code reader, a degaussing machine or a magnetic zoning machine, transfers books to and from a user, receives a reservation from a user, and makes a telephone call to the user. Will be needed. If dedicated staff is assigned, labor costs will increase. In addition, when staff members who are performing other tasks are to be assigned on a rotating basis, the burden on the staff members is increased.

(C) The user may not want to see the book he or she borrows from others (for example, when borrowing a book about his or her illness that is kept secret), but at the time of lending or returning the book. It is seen by the staff.

(D) Since only a piece of paper with a return time limit is given, it is not possible to sufficiently prevent the user from seeing or losing the piece of paper and exceeding the return time limit.

(E) The user cannot make a lending reservation without going to the library. If you make a loan reservation, you will have to go to the library again after the day the staff calls you, so you will have to go to the library twice to borrow the book.

In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a system suitable for lending to a user in a library (which can eliminate various inconveniences in a conventional lending business execution method). It was done as.

[0017]

In order to solve this problem, the present applicant has an interface for transmitting and receiving data to and from a portable terminal, and performs processing for issuing identification information for identifying a user. A process of transmitting the identification information and a command for storing the identification information via the interface, and a process of associating the identification information with the personal information of the user identified by the identification information. Means, reading means for reading a code identifying the lending object readable to the lending object, and an interface for transmitting and receiving data to and from the portable terminal. A process for enabling the reading means in response to the reception of the identification information, and a lending object whose code has been read by the reading means is transmitted to the identification information. In a loan for means for executing a process of adding to the list rental for a user to be identified,
An interface for transmitting and receiving data to and from the portable terminal; a process for enabling the reading means in response to receiving the identification information via the interface; A lending business system including a return means for executing a process of removing the obtained lending object from the lending list for the user identified by the identification information is proposed.

In this lending business system, the registration means issues and transmits identification information for identifying the user, and the portable terminal receives and stores the identification information, and the identification information is identified by the identification information and the identification information. The registration of the user is completed by associating the personal information of the user with the registration means.

At the time of lending, the portable terminal transmits the identification information to the lending means. Then, the reading means is made operable by the lending means which has received the identification information. When the user himself / herself reads the code for identification of the lending object attached to the lending object to be borrowed by the reading means, the lending for the user identified by the identification information by the lending means is performed. The lending object is added to the list, and the lending is completed.

On the other hand, at the time of return, this identification information is transmitted from the portable terminal to the return means. Then, the reading means is made operable by the returning means having received the identification information. When the user himself / herself reads the code attached to the rental object to be returned by this reading means, the rental object is deleted from the rental list for the user identified by the identification information by the return means. Being
Return is completed.

As described above, in this rental business system, a portable terminal is used as a user card in a facility holding a rental object without issuing a user card for the facility. As a result, the user can borrow the rental object using the portable terminal that is carried and used on a daily basis without storing and possessing the user card. Therefore, the inconvenience as described in (a) is solved.

Further, since the user can read out the code attached to the object to be rented by the reading means and complete the lending or returning, the user can read the code at the time of lending or returning at the facility holding the object to be lent. There is no need for personnel to operate the means or to deliver the rental object to and from the user. Therefore, the inconvenience as described in (b) is at least partially solved.

[0023] By not assigning a person to deliver the rental object to the user, the user can
You will not be able to see the borrowed object you borrowed by others when you borrow it, and you will not be able to see the borrowed object you borrowed by others when you return it. Therefore, the inconvenience as described in (c) is solved.

In this rental business system,
The code attached to the lending object is a magnetic bar code, the reading means is a bar code reader, and the lending means uses the bar code in response to receiving the identification information via the interface. The power of the reader is turned on, the power of the degausser for degaussing this barcode is turned on, and the return means turns on the power of this barcode reader in response to receiving the identification information via the interface. In addition, it is preferable to turn on the power supply of the magnetic machine that magnetizes the demagnetized barcode.

Thus, at the time of lending, the user can read the bar code of the object to be borrowed by himself with a bar code reader, and can degauss this bar code by himself with a degausser. In addition, the user can read the bar code of the rental object to be returned by himself with a bar code reader, and can re-magnetize this bar code by himself with a magnet machine.

Therefore, in a facility where a bar code with magnetism is attached to the rental object in order to prevent unauthorized removal of the rental object, there is no need for personnel to operate the degaussing machine or the magnetizer. Inconveniences such as (b) are solved more.

Also, in this rental business system,
As an example, a scheduler is installed in the portable terminal, and the renting means includes information indicating a return term of the rented object whose code has been read by the reading means, and a command for writing this information in a schedule using the scheduler. It is preferable to further execute a process of transmitting via the interface.

As a result, at the time of lending, the return deadline is written in the schedule of the portable terminal in which the scheduler is installed. The user can confirm the return period of the borrowed lending item on the schedule of the scheduler of the mobile terminal. Therefore, unlike the case where only a piece of paper describing the return deadline is given, the inconvenience as described in (d) above is solved.

Further, in this rental business system,
As an example, the personal information associated with the identification information by the registration means includes an e-mail address, is provided on the Internet, and displays a Web page of a search screen of a lending status of a lending object, The process of adding a lending object whose search result can be lent in the near future to the lending reservation list for the user identified by the identification information received via the Internet, and that the lending object can be lent. And transmitting, via the Internet, an e-mail notifying that the lending object can be lent to the e-mail address associated with the identification information by the registration means. Is preferred.

Thus, the user retrieves the lending status of the lending object he wants to borrow on this Web page,
If the mobile device sends the identification information to the server via the Internet when it can be borrowed in the near future, the server adds the lending object to the lending reservation list for the user identified by the identification information, and The reservation is completed.

Then, when the lending object becomes available for lending at a later date, an e-mail is transmitted from the server to the user via the Internet, thereby completing the contact with the user.

As described above, the user can search for the lending status of the lending object to be borrowed or make a lending reservation from home or outside without going to the facility holding the lending object. Therefore, the inconvenience as described in (e) is also solved.

Further, at the facility holding the rental object, there is no need to have a person who accepts a lending reservation from the user or makes a telephone call to the user after the lending reservation, as shown in (b) above. More inconveniences are eliminated.

[0034]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an example of a lending business system according to the present invention. In this system, in the library LB,
Registration terminal 1, lending terminal 2, return terminal 3, search /
A lending reservation terminal 4, a WWW (World Wide Web) server 5, and a database terminal 6 are provided.

The registration terminal 1, the lending terminal 2, the return terminal 3, the search / lending reservation terminal 4, the WWW server 5, and the database terminal 6 are each composed of a personal computer, and each is a LAN (local) in the library LB. Area network).

The registration terminal 1 is located at a registration service corner C1 of the library LB. Service corner C
1 has a U connected to the registration terminal 1 via a USB cable.
An SB cradle 7 is also provided.

The lending terminal 2 is located at a lending service corner C2 of the library LB. In the service corner C2, a USB cradle 8 connected to the lending terminal 2 by a USB cable, a barcode reader 9 and a degausser 10 connected to the lending terminal 2 by a serial communication cable are also arranged.

The return terminal 3 is located at a return service corner C3 of the library LB. Service corner C
3, U connected to the return terminal 3 by a USB cable.
A bar code reader 12 connected to the SB cradle 11, a return terminal 3 by a serial communication cable, and the magnetic machine 1
3 are also arranged.

The lending reservation terminal 4 is arranged in a search / lending reservation service corner C4 of the library LB.
In the service corner C4, there is a terminal 4 for search and lending reservation.
Also, a USB cradle 14 connected by a USB cable is arranged.

WWW server 5 and database terminal 6
Is located in the office of the library LB.

In the library LB, in order to manage the books (books, compact discs, etc.) B held in the library LB, a bar code sticker (bar code pattern) unique to each book B (different from other books B). (Not shown). Also, in order to prevent unauthorized removal of Book B,
A magnetic sticker is attached as the bar code seal, and a gate 15 that detects and sounds a magnet is provided near the entrance / exit E of the library LB.

The bar code readers 9 and 12 are for reading the bar code stickers. The barcode readers 9 and 12 are turned on / off under the control of the lending terminal 2 and the return terminal 3, respectively. Also,
Each time the barcode readers 9 and 12 read the barcode sticker of one book B, they send a signal indicating that the reading has been performed to the lending terminal 2 and the return terminal 3 together with the barcode data.

The degaussing machine 10 is a device for degaussing the barcode seal by bringing the barcode seal of the book B close thereto. The magnetizing machine 13 is a device for magnetizing a demagnetized barcode seal by bringing the barcode seal close thereto. Demagnetizer 10, Magnetizer 1
Reference numeral 3 denotes a signal indicating that the power is turned on / off by the control of the lending terminal 2 and the return terminal 3, respectively, and that the bar code seal of one book B is demagnetized and magnetized each time it is magnetized. They are sent to the rental terminal 2 and the return terminal 3, respectively.

Each of the service corners C1 to C4 has no staff of the library LB and is unmanned. The registration terminal 1, the search / rent reservation terminal 4, the barcode readers 9, 12, the degaussing machine 10 and the magnetizing machine 13
The user of B can operate freely. (However, a staff member may be assigned to the registration service corner C1 to confirm the identity of the user who is going to register.)

The USB cradle 7, 8, 11, 14 is
It is an accessory of a specific type of PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) on the market and has the same configuration as each other. The USB cradle 7, 8, 11, 14 is shaped so that a PDA can be inserted and held, and the inserted PDA
It has a role of enabling transmission and reception of data in accordance with the USB standard between the personal computer and the personal computer.

FIG. 2 shows the USB cradle 7, 8, 1
The external configuration of USB Cradles 7, 8, 1
This is schematically shown together with a PDA 21 having accessories 1 and 14 as accessories. PD out of cradle 7, 8, 11, 14
Surface 3 that contacts the bottom of PDA 21 when A21 is inserted
1, a male connector 32 is provided. Also,
A USB cable 33 is attached to the back of the cradle 7, 8, 11, 14.

Although not shown in the figure, a female connector for joining with the male connector 32 is provided at the bottom of the PDA 21. PDA21 is Palm
It is a model equipped with an OS. The PDA 21 is a model that can be connected to the Internet by connecting to a mobile phone with a dedicated connection cable.

Based on the data and commands received via the LAN, the database terminal 6, as shown in FIG. 3A, provides a library L for each user registered in the library LB.
The user ID (identification information) issued to the user by B
Personal information such as the address, name, and e-mail address of the user, a lending list that is a list of books B lending to the user, and a lending reservation that is a list of books B that have received lending reservations from the user A process of storing the list in the internal HDD (hard disk drive) in association with the list is performed.

Further, based on the data and commands received via the LAN, the database terminal 6, as shown in FIG. 3B, for each book B held in the library LB or each book to be purchased, Information on the book lending status (whether the book can be borrowed immediately, or it will be available in the near future because it is being lent to another user or because it is scheduled to be purchased) is stored in the internal HDD. A process for storing is performed. It should be noted that for the book to be purchased (the book not yet held in the library LB), the storage processing of the lending status information “lending is possible in the near future” is as follows.
Registration terminal 1, lending terminal 2, return terminal 3, search /
Library L other than terminal 4 for lending reservation and WWW server 5
This is performed according to a command from a terminal (not shown) operated by the staff in charge of purchase at B.

The database terminal 6 performs processing for reproducing the stored information and transmitting the information via the LAN based on the command received via the LAN.

As shown in FIG. 4, the registration terminal 1 is installed with a program having the following processing contents in steps S1 to S10.

It is repeatedly determined whether or not PDA 21 is inserted into USB cradle 7 (step S).
1).

If the answer is yes, columns for inputting personal information such as the user's address, name, and e-mail address are displayed on the monitor (step S2), and it is repeatedly determined whether or not the personal information has been input using a keyboard or the like. (Step S3).

If the answer is yes, the library LB issues a user ID (a combination of numbers and symbols, which is different from any user ID issued in this process) to identify the user (FIG. 7). Step S
4).

Subsequently, the user ID, the input personal information, and a command for storing the user ID and the personal information in association with each other are transmitted to the database terminal 6 via the LAN (step S5). .

Further, the user ID is encrypted (step S6). Then, the encrypted user ID and the command for storing the encrypted user ID are stored in the U
The data is transmitted to the PDA 21 via the SB cradle 7 (step S7).

Then, a character indicating that the registration has been completed and the user ID thereof are displayed on the monitor (step S).
8).

Subsequently, the PDA 2 is inserted from the USB cradle 7
It is repeatedly determined whether or not 1 has been removed (step S
9). If the answer is yes, the monitor display is terminated (step S10), and the process returns to step S1.

As shown in FIG. 5, the rental terminal 2
A program having processing contents as in the following steps S11 to S28 is installed.

It is repeatedly determined whether or not the PDA 21 is inserted into the USB cradle 8 (step S1).
1). If the answer is yes, a command to transmit the user ID is transmitted to the PDA 21 via the USB cradle 8 (step S12). Then, the user ID (encrypted one) transmitted from the PDA 21 in accordance with this command is decrypted by the same encryption algorithm used by the registration terminal 1 (step S13).

A command for transmitting a user ID already stored in the database terminal 6 is transmitted to the database terminal 6 via the LAN (step S14).

Subsequently, whether any one of the user IDs transmitted from the database terminal 6 according to this command matches the user ID decrypted in step S13 (that is, the one transmitted from the PDA 21 It is determined whether the user ID has been issued by the terminal 1) (step S15).

If they do not match, step S
Return to 11.

On the other hand, if they match, a command for transmitting the personal information and the rental list information corresponding to the user ID transmitted from the PDA 21 is transmitted to the database terminal 6 via the LAN (step S16).

Then, based on the information transmitted from the database terminal 6 in accordance with this command, the personal information (address, name, and e-mail address) of the user and a list of books lent to the user are displayed on the monitor. (Step S17).

Subsequently, the power of the barcode reader 9 is turned on (step S18). Then, it repeatedly determines whether or not the bar code data is received from the bar code reader 9 (step S19) and whether or not the PDA 21 is removed from the USB cradle 8 (step S20).

When the answer is YES in step S 19, a command for adding the book specified by the bar code data transmitted from the bar code reader 9 to the lending list corresponding to the user ID transmitted from the PDA 21, A command to change the lending status information of the book specified by the data to “under lending” is transmitted to the database terminal 6 via the LAN (step S2).
1).

The book specified by the barcode data transmitted from the barcode reader 9 is additionally displayed on the list displayed on the monitor (step S22).

The scheduler returns information indicating the book return deadline (the return deadline is calculated based on the current date, the rentable period such as two weeks, and the information on the closed days of the library LB). Command to be written to the schedule using the USB cradle 8
A21 is transmitted (step S23).

Subsequently, the power of the degausser 10 is turned on (step S24). Then, it waits until a signal indicating that the barcode seal of one book B has been demagnetized is received from the degausser 10 (step S25), and the power of the degausser 10 is turned off (step S26). Then, the process returns to step S19.

If the answer is yes in step S20, the power of the barcode reader 9 is turned off (step S27), the monitor display is terminated (step S28), and the process returns to step S11.

As shown in FIG. 6, the return terminal 3 is installed with a program having the following processing contents in steps S31 to S47.

It is repeatedly determined whether or not PDA 21 is inserted into USB cradle 11 (step S).
31). If the answer is yes, the command for transmitting the user ID is transmitted to the PDA 21 via the USB cradle 11.
(Step S32). Then, the user ID (encrypted one) transmitted from the PDA 21 in accordance with this command is decrypted by the same encryption algorithm used by the registration terminal 1 (step S33).

A command for transmitting a user ID already stored in the database terminal 6 is transmitted to the database terminal 6 via the LAN (step S34).

Subsequently, it is determined whether or not any of the user IDs transmitted from the database terminal 6 in accordance with this command matches the user ID decrypted in step S33 (step S35).

If they do not match, step S
Return to 31.

On the other hand, if they match, a command for transmitting the personal information corresponding to the user ID and the information of the lending list transmitted from the PDA 21 is transmitted to the database terminal 6 via the LAN (step S36).

Subsequently, based on the information transmitted from the database terminal 6 in accordance with this command, the personal information (address, name, and e-mail address) of the user and the books lent to the user are displayed on the monitor. (Step S
37).

Subsequently, the power supply of the magnetic machine 13 is turned on (step S38). Then, it is determined whether a signal indicating that the barcode seal of one book B has been magnetized has been received from the magnetic machine 13 (step S39), and whether the PDA 21 has been removed from the USB cradle 11 (step S40). Is repeated.

If the determination in step S39 is YES,
Turn on the power of the barcode reader 12 (step S
41). Then, it waits until a signal indicating that the barcode sticker of one book B is read is received from the barcode reader 12 (step S42), and turns off the power of the barcode reader 12 (step S43).

Subsequently, the book specified by the bar code data transmitted from the bar code reader 12 is stored in the PDA 21.
A command to remove from the lending list corresponding to the user ID transmitted from the server and a command to change the lending status information of the book specified by the barcode data to “immediate lending” are stored in the database via the LAN. The data is transmitted to the terminal 6 (step S44).

The book specified by the bar code data received from the bar code reader 12 is deleted from the list displayed on the monitor (step S45). Then, the process returns to step S39.

If the answer is YES in step S40, the power supply of the magnetic machine 13 is turned off (step S46), the monitor display is terminated (step S47), and the process returns to step S31 again.

As shown in FIG. 7, the lending reservation terminal 4 is installed with a program having the following processing contents in steps S51 to S65.

[0086] Of the books B held in the library LB and the books to be purchased, the user selects the books whose lending status is to be searched by title, author, genre, classification in the Japan Decimal Classification system, and the like. A lending status search screen is displayed on the monitor (step S51).

Then, it is repeatedly determined whether or not a book is selected on the search screen (step S52).

If the answer is yes, a command for transmitting the lending status information on the book selected on the search screen is transmitted to the database terminal 6 via the LAN (step S53).

Then, based on the information transmitted from the database terminal 6 in accordance with this command, the lending status of the book selected on this search screen (whether the book can be borrowed immediately or will be borrowed soon) is monitored. (Step S54).

Subsequently, it is determined whether the lending status is "immediate lending is possible" (step S55). If yes, the process waits for a predetermined time (for example, about 10 seconds) (step S56), and returns to step S51.

On the other hand, if no (the lending status is “lending is possible soon”), the PDA 21 is stored in the USB cradle 14.
Is determined whether or not is inserted (step S57)
And whether or not a predetermined time (for example, about 10 seconds) has elapsed (step S58).

If the answer is yes in step S58, the process returns to step S51.

On the other hand, if the answer is yes in step S57,
A command for transmitting the user ID is transmitted to the PDA 21 via the USB cradle 14 (step S5).
9). Then, the user ID (encrypted one) transmitted from the PDA 21 in accordance with this command is decrypted by the same encryption algorithm used by the registration terminal 1 (step S60).

A command for transmitting a user ID already stored in the database terminal 6 is transmitted to the database terminal 6 via the LAN (step S61).

Subsequently, it is determined whether or not any of the user IDs transmitted from the database terminal 6 in accordance with this command matches the user ID decrypted in step S60 (step S62).

If they do not match, step S
Return to 51.

On the other hand, if they match, a command to add the book selected on the search screen to the lending reservation list corresponding to the user ID transmitted from the PDA 21 is sent to the LA.
N to the database terminal 6 (step S6).
3).

Further, a character indicating that the lending reservation has been accepted is displayed on the monitor (step S64). And
Wait for a predetermined time (for example, about 10 seconds) (step S6
5), and return to step S51.

[0098] As part of the Web page of the library LB, the WWW server 5 displays, as a part of the book B held in the library LB or the book to be purchased, a book whose user wants to search the lending status for the title or the title. A lending status search screen is displayed that includes columns for selecting by author, genre, classification in the Japanese decimal system, and the like, and includes an icon for transmitting the selection result in these columns.

As shown in FIG. 8, the WWW server 5 has installed therein programs having the following processing contents in steps S71 to S80.

This processing is performed by a terminal (a personal computer connected to the Internet at home, a mobile phone equipped with a WWW browser,
This is started each time a selection result on the search screen is transmitted from the PDA 21 or the like connected to a mobile phone, and is hereinafter collectively referred to as a user terminal) via the Internet. A command for transmitting the lending status information on the selected book is transmitted to the database terminal 6 via the LAN (step S71).

Then, based on the information transmitted from the database terminal 6 in accordance with this command, it is determined whether or not the lending status of the book selected on the search screen is "immediate lending is possible" (step S72).

If the answer is yes, an HTML document of a screen indicating that the book can be immediately lent out is transmitted to the user terminal via the Internet (step S73). Then, the process ends.

On the other hand, if No (the lending status is “can be lent soon”), as shown in FIG. 9, a character indicating that the book selected on the search screen can be lent soon, A column 41 for inputting a user ID, and a column 41
Then, an HTML document of the lending reservation application screen including the transmission icon 42 of the user ID input to the user terminal and the icon 43 to be clicked when not making a reservation is transmitted to the user terminal via the Internet (step S74).

Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the user ID has been received from the user terminal (step S75), and whether or not data indicating that the icon 43 has been clicked has been received from the user terminal (step S75). Step S76) is repeated.

If the answer is YES in step S76, the process ends.

On the other hand, if the answer is YES in step S75, a command for transmitting the user ID already stored in the database terminal 6 is transmitted to the database terminal 6 via the LAN.
(Step S77).

Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the user ID transmitted from the user terminal matches one of the user IDs transmitted from the database terminal 6 according to this command (step S78).

If they do not match, the process ends.

On the other hand, if they match, a command to add the book specified by the selection result to the search screen to the lending reservation list corresponding to the user ID is transmitted to the database terminal 6 via the LAN ( Step S79).

Also, an HTML document of a lending reservation completion screen, which indicates that the lending reservation has been accepted, is transmitted to the user terminal via the Internet (step S80). Then, the process ends.

As shown in FIG. 10, the WWW server 5 has installed therein programs having the following processing contents in steps S81 to S84.

This processing is started periodically (for example, at a fixed time every day). First, a lending reservation list for each user and lending status information after the previous execution of this processing are displayed. A command is transmitted to the database terminal 6 via the LAN to transmit the information indicating the book that has changed from "can be lent soon" to "can be rented immediately" (step S81).

Then, based on the information transmitted from the database terminal 6 in accordance with this command, the book whose lending status information has changed from “can be lent in the near future” to “can be rented immediately” is It is determined whether or not it is included in the rental reservation list (step S
82).

If no, the process ends.
On the other hand, if yes, a command to transmit the personal information about the user whose loan status information has been changed from “can be lent in the near future” to “can be borrowed immediately” is included in the lending reservation list is sent to the LAN. The data is transmitted to the database terminal 6 via the server (step S83).

Then, based on the personal information transmitted from the database terminal 6 in accordance with this command, a book whose lending status information has been changed from “soon to be available” to “immediately available” is included in the lending reservation list. An e-mail with a fixed text stating that the book is ready to be borrowed immediately is created and transmitted to the e-mail address of each individual user (step S84). Then, the process ends.

Next, a service operation for a user by the rental operation system will be described. [Registration of User] A user who intends to register at the library LB has the PDA 21 and goes to the library LB. At the registration service corner C1, the user registers the PDA 21 with the USB cradle 7.
And input personal information such as an address, a name, and an e-mail address to the registration terminal 1.

Then, in steps S1 to S7 of the process of the registration terminal 1 shown in FIG. 4, the user ID is given to the user.
Is issued, and the user ID and the personal information of the user are stored in the database terminal 6 in association with each other.
The user ID is encrypted and stored in the PDA 21.

Further, since the user ID is displayed on the monitor in step S8 of this processing, the user writes down the user ID in order to apply for a lending reservation via the Internet, and then connects the PDA 21 to the USB. When the user pulls out of the cradle 7, steps S9 to S10 of this process are performed.
As a result, the monitor display ends, and the registration is completed.

[Lending] When the registered user intends to borrow one of the books B at the library LB, the user goes to the lending service corner C2 with the book B and receives the P.
Insert DA21 into USB cradle 8.

Then, in steps S11 to S15 of the process of the rental terminal 2 shown in FIG. 5, authentication that the user has been registered is performed. Then, in steps S16 to S18 of this processing, the address, name, e-mail address and lending list of the user are displayed on the monitor, and the power of the barcode reader 9 is turned on.

The user reads the bar code sticker of one book B to be borrowed by the bar code reader 9 by himself / herself.

Then, steps S19 and S19 in the process of FIG.
21 to S23, the book B is added to the lending list of the user, the lending status information of the book is changed from "immediate lending is possible" to "lending is possible soon," and the book B is displayed on the monitor. It is additionally displayed in the list, and the return deadline of the book is written in the schedule using the scheduler of the PDA 21.

Also, steps S24 to S2 of the processing in FIG.
6, the power of the degaussing machine 10 is turned on until the barcode seal of one book B is demagnetized. Therefore, the user brings the barcode seal of the book B close to the degaussizer 10 and demagnetizes it.

When there are a plurality of books B to be borrowed, the process after the reading by the bar code reader 9 is repeated for each book B. When this process is completed for all books B to be borrowed, the user removes the PDA 21 from the USB cradle 8. Then, in steps S20 and S27 to S28 of the process in FIG. 5, the power of the barcode reader 9 is turned off, the monitor display ends, and the lending is completed.

[Return] The user who borrowed book B is
The return date of the book B is confirmed in the schedule table of the scheduler of DA21. Then, by the return deadline, go to the library LB with the book B, and insert the PDA 21 into the USB cradle 11 at the return service corner C3.

Then, in steps S31 to S35 of the process of the return terminal 3 shown in FIG. 6, authentication that the user has been registered is performed. Then, in steps S36 to S38 of this process, the address, name, e-mail address, and lending list of the user are displayed on the monitor, and the power of the magnetic zoning machine 13 is turned on.

The user is to return one book B
The bar code seal is magnetized by approaching the magnet machine 13 by itself.

Then, steps S39 and S39 of the processing in FIG.
According to 41 to S43, the power of the barcode reader 12 is turned on until the barcode sticker of one book B is read, and the user himself / herself reads the barcode sticker of the book B with the barcode reader 12.

Then, steps S44 through S44 of the processing in FIG.
45, the book B is deleted from the user's lending list, and the lending status information of the book is changed from "soon to lend" to "immediately lending", and the book B is changed from the monitor list. Will be erased.

When there are a plurality of books B to be returned, the process after the magnetization by the magnetic machine 13 is repeated for each book B. When this process is completed for all books B to be returned, the user enters the PD
Remove A21 from USB cradle 11. Then, FIG.
In steps S40 and S46 to S47 of the process, the power of the magnetic susceptor 13 is turned off, the monitor display ends, and the return is completed.

[Lending Reservation] (1) When the User is Visiting the Library LB The user goes to the search / lending reservation service corner C4, where the book B held in the library LB or the book to be purchased is Terminal 4 for searching and lending reservations for books you want to borrow
Select on the lending status search screen.

Then, in steps S52 to S54 of the processing of the search / lending reservation terminal 4 shown in FIG. 7, the lending status of the book selected on the search screen is displayed on the monitor.

This lending status indicates that "lending is possible in the near future."
And when the user intends to make a lending reservation for the book, the user places the PD on the USB cradle 14
Insert A21.

Then, steps S55 and S55 in the process of FIG.
57, S59 to S62 authenticate that the user is already registered. Then, in steps S63 to S64 of this process, the book is added to the lending reservation list of the user, a character indicating that the lending reservation has been accepted is displayed on the monitor, and the lending reservation is completed.

(2) When the User is Outside the Home or Outside the Library LB The user can use a personal computer at home, a mobile phone equipped with a WWW browser, or a PDA 2 connected to the mobile phone.
1 and the like (user terminal), browse the lending status search screen of the web page of the library LB. Then, the user selects a book to be borrowed from the book B held in the library LB or the book to be purchased on the search screen, and transmits the selection result.

When the lending status of the selected book is “lending is possible in the near future”, the lending reservation as shown in FIG. 9 is performed by steps S71 to S74 of the processing of the WWW server 5 shown in FIG. An application screen is displayed on the user terminal.

When the user intends to make a lending reservation for the book, the user ID is entered in the column 41 of the application screen.
Then, the user inputs the information (that is displayed on the registration terminal 1 at the time of registration and makes a note) and clicks the icon 42.

Then, steps S75 and S75 in the processing of FIG.
At 77 to S78, authentication that the user has been registered is performed. Then, step S79 of this process
Through S80, the book is added to the lending reservation list of the user, a lending reservation completion screen is displayed on the user terminal, and the lending reservation is completed.

[Contact to User after Lending Reservation] After a lending reservation for a book is made according to (1) or (2) above, the book is returned from another user or the library When the lending status of the book changes from “can be lent in the near future” to “can be rented immediately” due to the purchase of the book, the processing of the WWW server 5 shown in FIG. An e-mail is sent to the e-mail address of the user indicating that the book can be lent immediately, and the contact to the user is completed.

As described above, in this lending business system, a PDA is used as a user card without issuing a user card, so that the user can carry out daily operations without storing and possessing the user card. You can borrow books using a PDA that you own and use.

Accordingly, the user is freed from the trouble of having to store and possess a user card in addition to various cards such as a cash card, a credit card, and customer cards of various stores.

In this lending business system, the user operates the bar code reader, degausser, or magnetizer to read, degauss, or magnetize the book barcode seal to complete the lending or return. Therefore, there is no need for staff to operate barcode readers, degaussers, and magnetizers at the time of lending or returning, and to transfer books between users.
(The rental service corner and return service corner are
No personnel are assigned and unmanned. )

Further, in this lending business system, the reception of a lending reservation from the user is also performed by the user's operation (search / search).
(Operation of the lending reservation terminal or user terminal) and the contact to the user after the lending reservation is completed by automatic transmission of e-mail, so that the lending reservation from the user and the There is no need for staff to call the users. (The search and lending reservation service corner is also unmanned, with no staff assigned.)

Accordingly, an increase in personnel costs is prevented, and the work load on staff is reduced.

By not assigning a staff member for transferring books to and from the user, the user can see the book he or she borrows when borrowing it, or return the borrowed book to the staff member when returning it. Will not be seen.

[0146] Therefore, it is possible to satisfy the user's desire not to want others to see the book that he or she borrows.

Further, in this lending business system, the user can check the return deadline of the borrowed book on the schedule table of the scheduler of the PDA.

[0148] Therefore, unlike the case where the paper piece describing the return time limit is only given, it is sufficiently prevented that the return time limit is exceeded.

Further, in this lending business system, a user can search the lending status of books to be borrowed or make lending reservations from home or out of the office without going to the library.

Therefore, even when a user makes a lending reservation and borrows a book, the user only needs to go to the library once (after the date of contact by e-mail).

Further, in this lending business system, the user ID is encrypted and stored in the PDA, so that the user operates the PDA to illegally rewrite the user ID to another user's user ID or the like. Is also prevented.

In the above example, the user ID is encrypted and stored in the PDA. But as another example,
Store the user ID in the PDA without encryption, issue a password to rewrite the user ID corresponding to each user ID, manage it on the library side, and provide the password as a condition. A program that enables the user ID rewriting operation (that is, with the permission of the library) may be installed in the PDA.

In the above example, the library has the user ID
Is issued and stored in the PDA. However, in a PDA of a model having a unique product ID for each product, the product ID may be used as it is as a library user ID.

In the above example, the registration terminal, lending terminal, return terminal, search / lending reservation terminal, WWW
Although separate personal computers are used as the server and the database terminal, a part or all of them may be shared by the same personal computer.

In the above example, data transmission / reception between the PDA and a personal computer such as a registration terminal is performed by the USB standard, but may be performed by another standard (for example, an infrared communication standard).

In the above example, the book return deadline is written in the schedule using the scheduler of the PDA. In addition, the closed days of the library and the like may be written in the schedule.

In the above example, only the e-mail to the user after the lending reservation is sent as the e-mail to the user, but the user is interested in the e-mail based on the past lending list of the user. Such a book may be searched and an e-mail introducing the book may be transmitted.

In the above example, a PDA is used as a user card, but a portable terminal (mobile terminal) other than a PDA may be used as a user card.

In the above example, the present invention is applied to a library. However, the present invention may be applied to a facility for renting out a rental object (for example, a video) other than books to a user for a fee or free of charge. .

Further, the present invention is not limited to the above-described example, and it goes without saying that various other configurations can be adopted without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0161]

As described above, according to the present invention, a user can use a portable terminal as a user card without issuing a user card at a facility holding a rental object. In addition, the user can borrow a rental object using a portable terminal that is carried and used on a daily basis without storing and possessing the user card.

Therefore, the user is freed from the trouble of having to store and carry the user card in addition to various cards such as a cash card, a credit card, and a customer card of various stores. Can be

Further, according to the present invention, the user can read out, demagnetize, and magnetize the code attached to the rental object by operating the reading means, demagnetizer, or magnetizer by himself / herself, thereby lending or returning the object. Since the operation is completed, at the facility holding the object to be rented, at the time of lending or returning, there is no need for personnel to operate the reading means, the degaussing machine and the magnetizer, and to deliver the object to be lent to and from the user.

Further, in this lending business system, reception of a lending reservation from a user is completed only by the user's operation, and contact with the user after the lending reservation is completed by automatic transmission of electronic mail. In addition, there is no need to have a person who accepts a lending reservation from a user or makes a telephone call to the user after the lending reservation at a facility holding the lending object.

[0165] Therefore, in the facility holding the object to be rented, it is possible to prevent labor costs from increasing and to reduce the work load on the staff members.

[0166] By not allocating personnel for delivering the rental object to the user, the user can
The book you borrow will not be seen by others when you borrow it, nor will the book you borrow be seen by others when you return it.

Therefore, an effect is obtained that it is possible to fulfill the user's desire not to see the borrowed object borrowed by others by others.

Further, according to the present invention, the user can confirm the return deadline of the borrowed object on the schedule of the scheduler of the portable terminal.

[0169] Therefore, unlike the case where only the paper piece describing the return time limit is passed, the effect that the return time limit is exceeded is sufficiently prevented.

Further, according to the present invention, the user searches the lending status of the lending object to be borrowed or makes a lending reservation from home or on the go without going to the facility holding the lending object. be able to.

Therefore, even when a user makes a lending reservation and borrows an object to be borrowed, an effect is obtained that the user only has to go to the facility holding the object to be borrowed once.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a lending business system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an external configuration of the USB cradle of FIG. 1 together with a PDA.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing information stored in a database terminal of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a process executed by the registration terminal of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a process executed by the lending terminal of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a process executed by the return terminal of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing processing executed by the search / rent reservation terminal of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a process executed by the WWW server of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a rental reservation application screen.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a process executed by the WWW server of FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

1 registration terminal, 2 lending terminal, 3 return terminal, 4 search / lending reservation terminal, 5 WWW server, 6 database terminal, 7, 8, 11, 14,
USB cradle, 9, 12 barcode reader,
10 demagnetizer, 13 magnetizer, 15 gate, 21
PDA, LB Library, B Books

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G07F 17/00 G07F 17/00 Z 17/40 17/40

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An interface for transmitting and receiving data to and from a portable terminal, a process for issuing identification information for identifying a user, and a process for storing the identification information and a command for storing the identification information via the interface. Registering means for executing a process of transmitting and transmitting the identification information and a process of associating the identification information with the personal information of the user identified by the identification information; and the lending object readable to the lending object. A reading means for reading a code for identifying the data, and an interface for transmitting and receiving data to and from the portable terminal, wherein the reading means is operable in response to receiving the identification information via the interface. And adding the lending object whose code has been read by the reading means to a lending list for the user identified by the identification information. A lending unit to perform, a process to have an interface for transmitting and receiving data to and from a portable terminal, and a process for enabling the reading unit in response to receiving the identification information via the interface; A return unit for executing a process of removing the lending object whose code has been read by the reading unit from the lending list for a user identified by the identification information. system. 2. The lending business system according to claim 1, wherein the code attached to the lending object is a magnetic bar code, the reading unit is a bar code reader, The means turns on the power of the barcode reader in response to receiving the identification information via the interface, and turns on the power of a degausser for degaussing the barcode. Powering on the barcode reader in response to receiving the identification information via the interface, and powering on a magnetic machine for magnetizing the demagnetized barcode. Lending business system. 3. The lending business system according to claim 1, wherein a scheduler is installed in the mobile terminal, and the lending unit is configured to read the lending object whose code is read by the reading unit. A lending business system, further comprising a process of transmitting, via the interface, information indicating a return deadline and a command for writing the information to a schedule using the scheduler. 4. The lending business system according to claim 1, wherein the personal information associated with the identification information by the registration unit includes an electronic mail address, and is provided on the Internet. A process of displaying a web page of a search screen of the lending status of the lending object, and the lending object whose search result can be lent in the near future is identified by the identification information received via the Internet. A process for adding to the lending reservation list for the user, and on condition that the lending object is available for lending, the lending object is sent to the e-mail address associated with the identification information by the registration means. And a process for sending an e-mail notifying that the lending can be made via the Internet. Lending business system, characterized in that was.