JP2003087438A - Mobile phone rental system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mobile phone rental system that can readily be utilized by users. SOLUTION: A user concludes a contract with an fixed amount charge depending on a rental mode at a contract window, pays the contracted fixed amount charge, receives a mobile phone at a rental window, and returns the mobile phone to a return window without clearing. Further, the system is provided with a server, a storage device, a terminal and a mobile phone, and the storage device stores contract information including number of available call units corresponding to contract information identification information. Upon the receipt of a contract information request signal from the terminal, the server transmits the contract information corresponding to the contract information identification information to the terminal. The terminal receives the contract information identification information and makes a reception operation of the contract information, the terminal transmits a contract information request signal to the server to receive the contract information and transmits the contract information to the mobile phone when a transfer operation is made. When receiving the contract information from the terminal, the mobile phone sets number of available call units included in the received contract information.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a mobile phone rental system for renting a mobile phone to a user.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Cellular phones have become widespread all over the world, but at present, since the frequency bands used differ from country to country,
There is no mobile phone available in any country in the world. For this reason, when a user who enters the country from overseas, such as for business or sightseeing, uses a mobile phone at the destination, it is necessary to obtain the mobile phone for the destination. There are two ways to get a mobile phone. 1
One is to buy, and the other is to rent.

[0003]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In order to purchase a mobile phone from a foreign country, such as business or sightseeing, a user who needs to enter the country must have an ID card and a bank account for payment at the destination. Therefore, it is very difficult. When renting, first pay a rental fee including the expected usage fee to rent a mobile phone, and when the rental mobile phone is returned, the difference from the actual usage fee is settled. In this case, since it is necessary to apply for rental to a rental company at the entry destination, there is a problem with language and the like. Also, it takes time to settle the difference. Further, when renting, there is a method of using a prepaid card, but it takes time and cost to issue / collect the card.
The present invention was created in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a mobile phone rental system that can be easily used.

[0004]

A first invention of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is a mobile phone rental system as described in claim 1. In the mobile phone rental system according to the first aspect, at the time of contract, a fixed amount charge according to the rental mode is paid, and when the mobile phone is returned to the return window, the charge is returned without clearing the charge. If the mobile phone rental system according to claim 1 is used, the system is a so-called “payment-only” system, and by not performing settlement, both the user and the provider do not bother. Further, by not performing the clearing process, the user can easily use the service and the provider can perform the return process without trouble. In addition, since it is a flat-rate charge, the use charge is clear to the user, and the user can use it with peace of mind.

A second aspect of the present invention is a mobile phone rental system as set forth in claim 2. In the mobile phone rental system according to claim 2, a user who enters from the departure side concludes a contract at the contract window of the departure country, rents a mobile phone at the loan window of the entry country, and returns to the return window of the entry country. Return the mobile phone and return it without clearing the charges. If the mobile phone rental system according to claim 2 is used, for example, a user arriving from abroad,
You can conclude a contract in your home country, and you can easily make a contract without problems such as language and currency. In addition, the user borrows / returns the mobile phone at the destination, for example,
Since you can borrow a mobile phone using an exchange certificate and return it without clearing it, there is no problem with language and currency, there is no need to have a bank account at the entry destination, and you can use it easily. Moreover, since the provider who handles the actual mobile phone rents / returns the mobile phone in the home country where the user enters, it is possible to easily handle the rental and the return.

A third invention of the present invention is a mobile phone rental system as set forth in claim 3. The mobile phone rental system according to claim 3 includes a server, a storage device, a terminal device, and a mobile phone, and the storage device is associated with the contract information identification information, and at least the usable frequency corresponding to the callable time. Contract information including is stored. Upon receiving the contract information request signal from the terminal device, the server extracts the contract information corresponding to the contract information identification information included in the received contract information request signal from the contract information stored in the storage device. And transmits it to the terminal device. When the contract information identification information is input and the contract information receiving operation is performed, the terminal device transmits a contract information request signal including the contract information identification information to the server, and the server contract information corresponding to the contract information identification information. When the transfer information is received and the transfer operation is performed, the contract information is transmitted to the mobile phone connected to the communication line. Upon receiving the contract information from the terminal device connected to the communication line, the mobile phone sets at least the usable frequency included in the received contract information.
If the mobile phone rental system according to claim 3 is used, contract information (settings according to the contract, etc.) is stored in a storage device, and a terminal device connected to a communication line (wired line or wireless line) is used. By reading (downloading, etc.) the specified contract information into an arbitrary mobile phone, the contents (at least the usable frequency) according to the contract can be easily set, which is convenient.

A fourth invention of the present invention is a mobile phone rental system as described in claim 4. In the mobile phone rental system according to the fourth aspect, the contract information stored in the storage device further stores mobile phone identification information in association with the contract information identification information. When the transfer operation is performed, the terminal device transmits a mobile phone identification information request signal to the mobile phone connected to the communication line to receive the mobile phone identification information, and receives the mobile phone identification information from the mobile phone and the server. The mobile phone identification information included in the received contract information is collated, and if the collation matches, the contract information is transmitted to the mobile telephone. The mobile phone transmits its own mobile phone identification information when receiving the mobile phone identification information request signal from the terminal device connected to the communication line, and at least receives the contract information from the terminal device connected to the communication line. Set the availability count included in the contract information. If the mobile phone rental system according to claim 4 is used, contract information (setting etc. according to the contract) including mobile phone identification information (telephone number etc.) for specifying the mobile phone is stored in the storage device, and communication is performed. The contract information is read (downloaded, etc.) into the mobile phone corresponding to the mobile phone identification information via the terminal device connected to the line (wired line or wireless line), and the content according to the contract (at least the availability ) Is convenient because it can be easily set. In addition, the specified contract information can be read only on the specified mobile phone.
It is possible to prevent an erroneous operation etc. that would be read by another mobile phone.

[0008]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a schematic system diagram of an embodiment of a mobile phone rental system of the present invention. First, the outline of the mobile phone rental system of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. [Conclusion of Contract] When the user 10 enters an entry destination (for example, N country) from a departure source (for example, M country which is the home country of the user 10) for business or sightseeing, N is the entry destination.
When renting a mobile phone in a country, a contract for mobile phone rental is made through a provider 22a at a contract window 30 provided in M country in advance. The contract window 30 is, for example, M
It is provided by the national provider 20A. At this time, the user 10 can conclude the contract in the language of the M country at the contract window 30 of the M country. At this time, the rental fee may be paid at the contract counter 30 in M country or at the lending counter 40 in N country by cash or credit card. Various rental fee payment methods are possible.

[Transmission of Contract Information] Provider 22a in Country M
Is the communication line 90 from the terminal device 80A at the contract window 30.
Sending the contract information via (for example, the Internet). The transmitted contract information includes the server 70A of the provider 20A of country M, which is the departure source, and N, which is the entry destination of the user 10.
It is received and stored by the server 70B of the national provider 20B. Although not shown, each of the servers 70A and 70B has a storage device. In addition, the contract information is transferred to the terminal device 80.
It may be transmitted from A to the server 70A and then transmitted from the server 70A to the server 70B. Alternatively, a written contract application form may be transmitted to the providers 20A, 20B by FAX or the like, input by the operator or the like of each of the providers 20A, 20B, and stored in the storage device of each server 70A, 70B. Good. Here, for example, the user 10
Is a destination for business or tourism (eg N country)
It is assumed that a contract for receiving the mobile phone at the lending counter 40 and returning the mobile phone to the return counter 50 of the N country is concluded.

[Rental of Cellular Phone] The provider 20B of N country, which is the entry destination of the user 10, is based on the contract information received from the terminal device 80A or the server 70A of the contract window 30 of M country, which is the departure country. At the lending counter 40, preparations are made to rent out the mobile phone 60 to the user 10. For example,
Cell phone 60 to rent out and cell phone 60 to rent out
The contract information stored in the server 70B is set.
Then, when the user 10 visits the lending window 40, the provider 22b confirms that the user 10 is a contractor,
The mobile phone 60 whose setting according to the contract is completed is lent out. At this time, as a method of confirming that the user 10 is a contractor, for example, the mobile phone exchange certificate is handed to the user 10 at the contract window 30 when the contract is concluded. The provider 22b displays the contract information on the terminal device 80B, compares the contract information with the mobile phone exchange certificate, and exchanges the mobile phone exchange certificate with the mobile phone 60 when the verification matches. At this time, for example, the user 10
Will give you the N
The mobile phone 60 can be rented without using the national language. The passport number may be used for confirmation, or the user ID (identification information, etc.) at the contract window 30.
May be issued and the user ID may be collated at the lending window 40. Various methods can be used to confirm the user 10.

[Use of mobile phone] The user 10 can use the rented mobile phone 60 during business or sightseeing in N country, which is the entry destination. At this time, the rented mobile phone 60 can be used, for example, only within the availability degree (usable fee or the like) set at the time of contract.
(For example, outgoing can be used within the range of availability, and reception can be used regardless of availability.)

[Return of Mobile Phone] The provider 20B who lent out the mobile phone 60 to the user 10 is the terminal device 80A or the server 70A of the contract window 30 of the country M, which is the country of departure.
Based on the contract information received from, the return window 50 prepares for the return of the mobile phone 60 from the user 10.
Then, when the user 10 visits the return window 50, the provider 22b receives the return of the mobile phone 60 from the user 10. At this time, even if the usable frequency of the mobile phone 60 remains, the rental fee is not cleared. By not clearing the rental fee, the trouble of both the user and the provider caused by clearing the difference, the trouble of opening a bank account for the user at the entry destination, etc. are eliminated, and the user entering from overseas etc. Even so, it is possible to provide a mobile phone rental system that can be easily used.

With the mobile phone rental system described above, the user is allowed to use the home country (in this case, the M
Since it is possible to conclude a contract in (country), it is possible to easily make a contract without problems such as language and currency. Furthermore, if a mobile phone exchange certificate or the like is used, it is only necessary to present the mobile phone exchange certificate or the like when borrowing a mobile phone. Therefore, it is possible to easily borrow the mobile phone without problems such as language and currency. And
Even when returning, by not clearing the rental fee, it can be returned easily without problems such as language and currency.

Next, FIG. 2 shows an example of a use application screen 32 (contract information etc.) of the mobile phone rental system of the present invention. Figure 2 is written in Japanese, but M
The usage application screen 32 prepared at the contract window 30 of the country is described in the language of the M country. The usage application screen 32 is displayed, for example, from the terminal device 80A provided in the contract window 30 to the server 70 of the provider 20A by the operation of the provider 22a.
When A is accessed, it is displayed on the terminal device 80A. Then, based on the contract content, the required items are input by the operation of the provider 22a (hereinafter, "input" includes "selection"). All necessary items have been entered, and the contract is confirmed.
When (32a in FIG. 2) is selected, the entered contract information is sent via the communication line 90 to the server 70A of the provider 20A of the country M of departure, the provider of the country N of the country of entry. It is transmitted to the server 70B of 20B. Then, the servers 70A and 70B store the received contract information. At this time, the stored contract information is stored in association with the contract information identification information (contract number, etc.). Here, the contract information identification information may be given from the terminal device 80A. Further, the contract information to which the contract information identification information is not attached is transmitted from the terminal device 80A to the server 70A, and then the server 70A is transmitted.
May add the contract information identification information and then transmit it to the server 70B. In this case, the server 70A
The contract information identification information provided by the server 70A may be transmitted from the terminal device 80A and displayed on the terminal device 80A.

The "use plan" of the use application screen 32 is selected from the use charge table 34 shown in FIG. When the "use plan" is decided, the usable frequency according to the plan is automatically decided. (For example, if it is Plan A, the availability is automatically set to "a3".) Also, the "rental location", "return location", "desired date and time", and "scheduled return date" are the users. It can be set according to the convenience of the user based on the business or tourism plan. The contract information identification information is displayed in the "contract number" of the usage application screen 32. How to set contract information identification information,
As explained above. Instead of inputting to the use application screen 32, the use application form may be filled in and the operator or the like may input it later from the terminal device 80A or the like.

Next, FIG. 3 shows an example of the usage charge table 34. Similar to Fig. 2, Fig. 3 is written in Japanese,
The usage fee table prepared at the contract window 30 of the country of departure, M, is described in the language of the country of M. In this example, three usage plans, plan A, plan B, and plan C, are prepared according to the available communication time (frequency of use). The user selects an appropriate plan according to his or her usage schedule. In FIG. 3, each plan is provided according to the available communication time, but the rental period may be set together. (For example, Plan A has a maximum of 4 days, Plan B has a maximum of 1 week, Plan C has a maximum of 1 month, etc.)

Next, FIG. 4 shows an example of the borrowing and return confirmation table 36. Similar to FIGS. 2 and 3, FIG. 4 is written in Japanese, but the borrowing and return confirmation table prepared at the contract window 30 of the country of departure M is written in the language of the country of M. ing. The borrowing / returning confirmation table 36 is passed to the user 10 at the contract window 30 or the lending window 40. When the user 10 receives the mobile phone 60 at the lending counter 40,
Based on the borrowing / returning confirmation table 36, sign while confirming the rental item received in the “borrower borrower signature” column. Further, when the provider 22b receives the return of the mobile phone 60 at the return counter 50, based on the borrowing and return confirmation table 36, the provider 22b confirms the returned rental item in the “return recipient signature” field. While signing. Accordingly, the user 10 and the provider 22b can appropriately exchange the mobile phone 60 and peripheral devices (charger or the like) at the time of lending and returning. Next, a method of setting contract information in the rented mobile phone 60 will be described in the order of the first to sixth embodiments.

[First Embodiment of Setting Contract Information in Mobile Phone] In the first embodiment, the contract information is manually input for each input item by an operator such as a provider 22b. It is a method of inputting to the telephone and setting. A method of manually inputting contract information into a mobile phone will be described with reference to FIG.
The provider 22b operates the lent mobile phone 60 to display the contract information screen 62A. Here, the password (for example, preset by the provider 20B or the like)
Enter and select "Confirm", contract information setting screen 6
2B is displayed. The provider 22b inputs the contract number and the available frequency on the contract information setting screen 62B based on the contract information of the user who rents out the mobile phone 60.
Select “OK”. Then, the contract number and the usable frequency are set in the mobile phone 60. Here, the item displayed on the contract information setting screen 62B may be only the usable frequency, or may be displayed so that other items may be input.
The input items can be changed in various ways.

[Second Embodiment for Setting Contract Information in Mobile Phone] In the second embodiment, the terminal device 80B reads out the contract information from the server 70B and lends it out from the terminal device 80B which reads out the contract information. This is a method of transmitting and setting contract information to the mobile phone 60, and a method of setting specified contract information in an arbitrary mobile phone. in this case,
The contract information is stored in the storage device in association with the contract number (contract information identification information or the like). Also, the contract information includes
At least the available frequency corresponding to the available time is included. The second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The provider 22b operates the terminal device 80B,
Access the server 70B. When the contract number (contract information identification information or the like) is input and the contract information receiving operation is performed, the terminal device 80B transmits a contract information request signal including the contract number to the server 70B via the communication line 90. At this time, a password may be input in addition to the contract number. Upon receiving the contract information request signal from the terminal device 80B, the server 70B extracts the contract information corresponding to the contract number included in the received contract information request signal from the contract information stored in the storage device. . And
The extracted contract information is transmitted via the communication line 90 to the terminal device 80B which has transmitted the contract information request signal. The terminal device 80B displays the received contract information. The displayed example is shown in the contract information screen 82A of FIG.

The provider 22b confirms the contract information screen 82A, recognizes that the contract information is for the mobile phone 60 to be rented, and connects the terminal device 80B to the mobile phone 60 to be rented by a communication line. At this time, the communication line may be a wired line (a line connected with a cable or the like) or a wireless line (a line connected by wireless communication). Then, when “send to mobile phone” is selected (transfer operation or the like) on the contract information screen 82A, the terminal device 80B sends the contract information to the mobile phone 60 connected to the communication line. Upon receiving the contract information from the terminal device 80B connected to the communication line, the mobile phone 60 automatically sets at least the availability degree included in the contract information. When the provider 22b operates the mobile phone 60 to display the contract information confirmation screen 64A, the provider 22b can confirm the content of the received contract information (in this example, the contract number and the usable frequency). in this way,
In the second embodiment, it is possible to set the designated contract information in any mobile phone.

[Third Embodiment of Setting Contract Information in Mobile Phone] The third embodiment is different from the second embodiment in that the specified contract information is set in the specified mobile phone. Is the way to do it. The specified contract information cannot be set to mobile phones other than the specified mobile phone. In this case, the contract information further stores the mobile phone identification information (the mobile phone phone number, etc.) in association with the contract number (the contract information identification information, etc.) from the second embodiment. Less than,
Only the differences from the second embodiment will be described. A display of mobile phone identification information may be added to the contract information screen 82A shown in FIG. 6 displayed on the terminal device 80B. When the provider 22b selects "send to mobile phone" (transfer operation, etc.) on the contract information screen 82A shown in FIG. 6, the terminal device 80B
Transmits a mobile phone identification information request signal to the mobile phone 60, and the mobile phone 60 transmits the mobile phone identification information (mobile phone 60
Phone number). And the terminal device 80B
Compares the mobile phone identification information received from the mobile phone 60 with the mobile phone identification information included in the contract information received from the server 70B. If the verifications match, the mobile phone 6
Send contract information to 0. Upon receiving the mobile phone identification information request signal from the terminal device 80B connected to the communication line, the mobile phone 60 receives its own mobile phone identification information (mobile phone 6
When the contract information is transmitted from the terminal device 80B connected to the communication line, the usable frequency included in the contract information is automatically set.

In addition to the contract information and the password, the mobile phone identification information is added to the input to the terminal device 80B (to the contract information request signal to be transmitted), and the server 70B
The contract information identification information and the mobile phone identification information received are collated with the contract information identification information and the mobile telephone identification information stored in the storage device, and if the collation matches, the server 70B
The contract information may be transmitted from the terminal device 80B to the terminal device 80B. Various methods can be used for collating the mobile phone identification information. Thus, in the third embodiment, the designated contract information can be set in the designated mobile phone.

[Fourth Embodiment for Setting Contract Information in Mobile Phone] In the fourth embodiment, the server is accessed from the mobile phone without using a terminal device as compared with the second embodiment. Then, the specified contract information is set in any mobile phone. In this case, the contract information is the same as in the second embodiment. A fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The provider 22b uses the mobile phone 6 to lend.
Operate 0 to access the server 70B. The contract number (contract information identification information, etc.) is input to the mobile phone 60,
Contract information reception operation (in this example, "Request contract information")
Is performed), the contract information request signal including the contract number is transmitted to the server 70B via the communication server 100 and the communication line 90. At this time, a password may be input in addition to the contract number. An example of the display screen of the mobile phone 60 in this case is shown in the contract information request screen 66A in FIG.

When the server 70B receives the contract information request signal from the mobile phone 60, the contract information corresponding to the contract number included in the received contract information request signal is selected from the contract information stored in the storage device. To extract. And
The extracted contract information is transmitted to the mobile phone 60 that has transmitted the contract information request signal via the communication server 100 and the communication line 90. Upon receiving the contract information from the server 70B, the mobile phone 60 automatically sets at least the usable frequency included in the contract information. And provider 2
2b is a contract information confirmation screen 66 by operating the mobile phone 60
When B is displayed, the content of the received contract information (in this example, the contract number and the usable frequency) can be confirmed. As described above, in the fourth embodiment, it is possible to set the designated contract information in any mobile phone without using the terminal device.

[Fifth Embodiment of Setting Contract Information in Mobile Phone] The fifth embodiment is different from the fourth embodiment in that the specified contract information is set in the specified mobile phone. Is the way to do it. The specified contract information cannot be set to mobile phones other than the specified mobile phone. In this case, the contract information is the same as in the third embodiment. Only the differences from the fourth embodiment will be described below. When the contract number (contract information identification information, etc.) is input to the mobile phone 60 and the contract information receiving operation is performed, the contract information request including the contract number and own mobile phone identification information (cell phone number, etc.) The signal is transmitted to the server 70B via the communication server 100 and the communication line 90. Server 70B
Receives a contract information request signal from the mobile phone 60,
The contract information corresponding to the contract number and mobile phone identification information included in the received contract information request signal is extracted from the contract information stored in the storage device. Then, the extracted contract information is transmitted to the mobile phone 60 that has transmitted the contract information request signal via the communication server 100 and the communication line 90. When the contract information in which both the contract number and the mobile phone identification information match cannot be extracted, the server 70B may be in a non-response state or may reply that "corresponding contract information cannot be extracted". Upon receiving the contract information from the server 70B, the mobile phone 60 automatically sets at least the usable frequency included in the contract information. When the provider 22b operates the mobile phone 60 to display the contract information confirmation screen 66B, the provider 22b can confirm the content of the received contract information (in this example, the contract number and the usable frequency). Thus, in the fifth embodiment,
It is possible to set the specified contract information in the specified mobile phone without going through the terminal device.

[Sixth Embodiment of Setting Contract Information in Mobile Phone] In the sixth embodiment, contract information and lending plan information (mobile phone identification information corresponding to a schedule are stored in a storage device. And contract information identification information is set). Then, based on the lending plan information, the server provides the specified contract information before lending the mobile phone.
The contract information is set in the mobile phone by automatically sending it to the specified mobile phone. 6th with reference to FIG. 7 and FIG.
The embodiment will be described. In the sixth embodiment, the “contract information request signal” and the “contract information request screen” 66A in FIG. 7 are omitted, and lending plan information is added to the server 70B.

As shown in FIG. 8, the storage device stores contract information 32M and lending plan information 38M. In the contract information 32M, "usable frequency", "contractor", etc. are stored in association with the contract number (contract information identification information, etc.). Contract information identification information is stored in the “contract number” of the contract information 32M, and a collation password for reading out the contract information 32M is stored in the “password”. In the sixth embodiment, the "password" may be omitted. The "usage frequency" of the contract information 32M is the "usage plan" of the usage application screen 32 shown in FIG.
And is set based on the usage charge table 34 shown in FIG.
The "lending date" and the "return date" of the contract information 32M are set based on the "desired lending date" and the "return scheduled date" of the usage application screen 32 shown in FIG. The lending plan information 38M stores mobile phone identification information (phone number of mobile phone, etc.) and contract number (contract information identification information, etc.) corresponding to the schedule. For example, a number or the like for easily identifying each mobile phone is assigned to the "mobile phone No." of the lending plan information 38M. (In this example, serial numbers from 0001 are assigned.) Here, "mobile phone No."
May be omitted. For example, the mobile phone No. "000
The mobile phone "1" is assigned the contract number "AAAA" between August 4 and August 10, and the availability frequency is "a3".
It turns out that there is a plan to lend to the contractor “www”.

Next, the server 70B causes the lending plan information 38
Based on M, an operation of automatically transmitting designated contract information to a designated mobile phone before renting the mobile phone will be described. For example, it is assumed that the lending plan information 38M is set such that, in the lending plan of the same mobile phone, the lending period is always 4 days or more. (Depending on the delivery period at the time of lending and the delivery period at the time of returning. For example, mobile phone No. “000
"1" will leave a gap between "AAAA" and "DDDD" for four days or more. ) Further, it is assumed that the server is set to transmit the designated contract information to the designated mobile phone two days before the start of lending. (These periods can be set arbitrarily.)

For example, on August 1, the server 70B determines from the lending plan information 38M that the mobile phone No. It is confirmed that it is two days before the loan of "0002", and it is recognized that the designated contract information needs to be transmitted. Then, the server 70B determines from the lending plan information 38M that the mobile phone No.
The contract information to be transmitted to "0002" is the contract number "BB
Recognize that the contract information corresponds to "BB". Next, the server 70B, from the contract information 32M, contract information (usable frequency etc.) corresponding to the contract number “BBBB”.
The mobile phone No. It is automatically transmitted to the mobile phone corresponding to "0002". Mobile phone No. Upon receiving the contract information from the server 70B, the mobile phone corresponding to "0002" automatically sets at least the usable frequency included in the contract information. Then, the provider 22b uses the mobile phone No. By operating the mobile phone corresponding to "0002" to display the contract information confirmation screen 66B, the content of the received contract information (in this example, the contract number and the usable frequency) can be confirmed. As described above, in the sixth embodiment, based on the lending plan information 38M, the contract information designated automatically from the server is provided before the lending of the mobile phone.
It is possible to set the specified mobile phone.

When the server 70B receives the contract information from the terminal device 80A or the server 70A, the server 70B can automatically update the lending plan information 38M.
For example, the server 70B uses the contract numbers “AAAAA” to “D”.
With the contract information 32M corresponding to “DDD” stored, on August 1, the terminal device 80A or the server 70A
It is assumed that new contract information of the contract number "EEEE" is received from. Further, it is assumed that the contract number “EEEE” has a password: eee, a usable frequency: e3, a contractor: vvv, a lending date: August 21, 2001, and a return date: August 27, 2001. Hereinafter, an example in which the server 70B adds the contract number “EEEE” to the lending plan information 38M will be described. In addition, it is assumed that in the same mobile phone lending plan, the lending period is set to be always 4 days or more.

The server 70B, based on the lending date and the return date included in the received contract information (in this example, the contract information corresponding to the contract number "EEEE"), makes a vacancy from the lending plan information 38M. To search for mobile phones that have. For example, the mobile phone No. In order from "0001", a vacant period (a period in which the lending period is vacant and a period in which 4 days or more can be set before and after the lending period, in this example, from August 17 to August 3)
1 day) exists. The server 70B is
Mobile phone No. It is confirmed that there is no free period for "0001" and "0002", and then the mobile phone No. "0
003 ”, it is recognized that there is a free period. Then, the server 70B determines the mobile phone No. of the lending plan information 38M. The contract number "EEEE" is added to the plan corresponding to "0003". (Lending plan information 38M in FIG. 8
It is indicated by a dotted line in the figure. )

The mobile phone rental system of the present invention is not limited to the examples described in the embodiments, and various changes, additions and deletions can be made without changing the gist of the present invention.
For example, the system configuration is not limited to the configuration of the system diagram shown in FIG. 1, and various configurations are possible.
The storage device may be connected to any of the servers 70A and 70B as long as the storage devices can be accessed from the servers 70A and 70B without owning the storage devices. Further, it may be singular or plural. Usage application screen 32, usage fee table 34, borrowing and return confirmation table 36, contract information 32M,
The lending plan information 38M can be variously changed regarding items and contents. Further, the usage charge table 34 may use the information on the screen displayed on the terminal device or the like without using the document. Alternatively, instead of using the use application screen 32, the use application form may be filled in and the operator or the like may input the application form into the terminal device. The terminal device is a personal computer, P
It is possible to use various devices such as a DA and a mobile phone. Further, in the present embodiment, the departure origin (in this example, M
An example has been shown in which the user of the country) makes a contract at the contract window of the departure country, but a contract window may be set up at the entry point (N country in this example) and the contract may be made at the contract window of the entry point. . Further, the lending window or the return window may be provided at the departure origin. Further, the contract window and the lending window may be the same window, and when the contract is concluded at the contract window, the mobile phone may be lent out as it is. Various methods can be used to standardize the countries in which each contact is set up and each contact. In addition, contracts / loans can be made within the same country. Further, the numerical values used in the description of the present embodiment are examples, and the present invention is not limited to these numerical values.

[0033]

As described above, by using the mobile phone rental system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, it is possible to provide a mobile phone rental system that can be easily used.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic system diagram of an embodiment of a mobile phone rental system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a usage application screen 32.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a usage charge table 34.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a borrowing and returning confirmation table 36.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a method for setting contract information in a mobile phone 60.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing another example of setting contract information in the mobile phone 60.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing another example of setting contract information in the mobile phone 60.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of contract information 32M and lending plan information 38M.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 users 20A, 20B Provider 22a, 22b Provider 30 contract window 40 Rental counter 50 Return counter 60 mobile phones 70A, 70B server 80A, 80B terminal device 90 communication lines 100 communication server

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A mobile phone rental system for renting a mobile phone to a user, wherein the user is at a contract window.
While concluding a contract to rent a mobile phone at a flat rate according to the rental mode, pay the contracted flat rate, receive the mobile phone at the lending window, and return the mobile phone at the return window without clearing, Mobile phone rental system. 2. The mobile phone rental system according to claim 1, wherein the user concludes the contract at the contract window on the departure side, pays a fixed amount, and receives the mobile phone at the loan window on the entry side. A mobile phone rental system that returns mobile phones at the return counter on the entry side. 3. The mobile phone rental system according to claim 1, further comprising a server, a storage device, a terminal device, and a mobile phone, wherein the storage device is associated with contract information identification information. Contract information that includes at least the usable frequency corresponding to the available call time is stored, and when the server receives the contract information request signal from the terminal device, the server receives the contract information from the contract information stored in the storage device. The contract information corresponding to the contract information identification information included in the contract information request signal is extracted and transmitted to the terminal device, and the terminal device receives the contract information identification information and performs the contract information receiving operation. Then, the contract information request signal including the contract information identification information is transmitted to the server, the contract information corresponding to the contract information identification information is received from the server, and when the transfer operation is performed, the communication line is connected. The contract information is transmitted to the received mobile phone, and the mobile phone sets at least the usable frequency included in the received contract information when the contract information is received from the terminal device connected to the communication line. system. 4. The mobile phone rental system according to claim 3, wherein the contract information stored in the storage device further stores the mobile phone identification information in association with the contract information identification information. When the transfer operation is performed, the terminal device transmits a mobile phone identification information request signal to the mobile phone connected to the communication line, receives the mobile phone identification information, and receives the mobile phone identification information from the mobile phone. It collates with the mobile phone identification information included in the contract information received from the server, and if the collation matches, the contract information is sent to the mobile phone, and the mobile phone identifies the mobile phone from the terminal device connected to the communication line. When it receives the information request signal, it transmits its own mobile phone identification information, and when it receives contract information from the terminal device connected to the communication line, at least the usable information included in the received contract information is available. A mobile phone rental system that sets the frequency.