JP2004054692A - Locker system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a locker system that enables a user to check in by depositing baggage in the locker system and go to a place of accommodation from a place where the user has gone. <P>SOLUTION: The locker system 1 comprises: cards with an information recording and holding function; a locker part 20 comprising a card identification part 22 for reading in information recorded on the cards, locking means for locking or unlocking according to the information read by the card identification part 22, and a plurality of lockers 21 individually having the locking means; and card issuing machines 30a and 30b for recording on the cards an identification code of an available locker in the lockers 21 and a password code for locking/unlocking the locking means, and issuing the cards. At least two card issuing machines 30a and 30b are provided, and one card issuing machine 30a is installed about the locker part 20 and the other card issuing machine 30b is installed in given facilities. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a locker system for temporarily storing articles.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Hitherto, rental locker units, generally called coin lockers, which allow users to pay usage fees and temporarily store luggage, have been installed in stations, airports, and the like, and are widely used.
[0003]
For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 5-214857 discloses a rental locker of this type, which reads ID information recorded on a card and locks / unlocks the locker so that even if the user loses the key, the locker is locked. A card-type locker system has been disclosed that does not require the replacement of a new lock and key with a new one.
[0004]
In this card-type locker system, when a user deposits money into a card issuing machine, a card in which the deposited amount and ID information are recorded is issued, and this card is set in a lock means provided in each locker. When the locker is empty and the balance recorded on the card is larger than the basic charge, the lock means stores the ID information of the card, enables the locker, and unlocks the locker. When the card is set in the lock lock means when locking, the lock lock means determines that the ID information of the card matches the stored ID information and that the balance recorded on the card is lower than the usage fee. When there are many, the locker is unlocked and the balance of the card is rewritten.
[0005]
Even when traveling with a large amount of luggage on a business trip or the like, users can temporarily move their luggage to the above-mentioned locker systems installed at train stations and airports, etc. It is widely practiced to deposit it.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional card-type locker system described above, it is necessary to collect the luggage stored in the locker system before going to an accommodation such as a hotel from whereabouts, so that the behavior of the user may be restricted.
[0007]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a locker system in which a user checks in by depositing luggage in a locker system, and can go from a destination to an accommodation.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a card having an information recording and holding function, a card identification unit for reading information recorded on the card, and locking / unlocking according to the information read by the card identification unit. A locker unit including a lock unit for performing the lock operation and a plurality of lockers provided with the lock unit individually, an identification code of a locker usable in the locker, and a password for locking and unlocking the lock unit. And a card issuing machine that records the code on the card and issues the card. The card issuing machine includes at least two card issuing machines, and one card issuing machine is disposed around the locker unit, and another card issuing machine is provided. The machine is provided at a predetermined facility.
[0009]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the locker system according to the first aspect, the information recorded on the card is recorded on the card in a format readable by a user, and the user stores the information in the locker unit. An operation unit for performing manual input is provided, and the lock unit locks and unlocks the locker according to information input from the operation unit.
[0010]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the locker system according to the first or second aspect, the other card issuing machine is provided with a locker reservation unit.
[0011]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the locker system according to any one of the first to third aspects, the one card issuing machine is provided with facility reservation means for performing a reservation procedure for using the predetermined facility. And
[0012]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
As an embodiment of the present invention, a locker that is installed in a public transportation boarding facility such as a station, an airport, a bus terminal, and has a function of recording and holding various information (not shown) as a key is used as a key. The system 1 will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a locker system 1 according to the present invention.
[0013]
As shown in FIG. 1, a locker unit 20 having a plurality of lockers 21 and a use status of a plurality of locker units 20 installed in one section are grasped, and a card which is a key of the empty locker 21 is issued. A check-in machine 10 including a card issuing machine 30a as one card issuing machine is installed in a boarding facility of public transportation, and a card issuing machine 30b as another card issuing machine is installed in a hotel as a predetermined facility. , Installed in accommodations such as inns.
[0014]
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, each of the lockers 20, 20 ′, and 20 ″ has a card identification unit 22 for reading information recorded on a card, and a locker 20 according to the information read by the card identification unit 22. A plurality of lockers 21 provided individually with locking means (not shown) for locking / unlocking, and an operation unit 23 for a user to manually input information recorded on a card in the locker unit 20 are provided. In accordance with the information input from the operation unit 23, the lock means locks and unlocks the locker 21. The locker unit 20 has a lock indicating that the predetermined locker 21 'is unlocked. A lock indicator 29 is provided.
[0015]
Each locker unit 20, 20 ', 20 "is provided with a payment machine 24 for calculating the usage fee of the locker 21 and performing payment, and the locker system 1 also has a function as a general coin locker. The settlement machine 24 is provided with a shortage balance display section 25 and a settlement section 26.
[0016]
The card issuing machine 30a is disposed around the locker units 20, 20 ', 20 "installed in one section, is usable in the locker 21, and is provided with a locker 21' selected by the user. A locker number as an identification code and a personal identification number as a personal identification code for locking and unlocking the locking means are recorded on the card, and the card is issued. An operation unit for selecting a locker to be used is provided, and the operation unit is further provided with facility reservation means for performing a procedure for using a predetermined accommodation facility.
[0017]
As shown in FIG. 4, a touch panel type input device is used for the operation unit 31a of the card issuing machine 30a, and the user needs to touch the operation unit 31a in accordance with the instruction displayed on the operation unit 31a. Information is entered.
[0018]
A card issuing machine 30b as another card issuing machine is installed in an accommodation facility, and as shown in FIG. 5, a touch panel type input means is used in the operation unit 31b, and the user operates the operation unit 31b. Necessary information is input by touching the operation unit 31b in accordance with the displayed instruction, and information input by the card issuing machine 30a is displayed on the operation unit 31b. Then, the attendant checks the information displayed on the operation unit 31b, and if necessary, issues a luggage collection card in which the same information as the card issued by the card issuing machine 30a is recorded. The operation unit 31b of the card issuing machine 30b is provided with a locker reservation unit.
[0019]
<< Usage Procedure >>
First, an instruction is displayed on the operation unit 31a so that the user selects whether to use the locker system 1 as a coin locker or as a check-in machine at an accommodation facility.
[0020]
<When the user chooses to use as a check-in machine>
The operation unit 31a confirms whether or not the user has made a reservation in advance for the accommodation facility. When the use reservation has been made, the user inputs a reservation code to the operation unit 31a. When the input reservation code is authenticated, an instruction is displayed on the operation unit 31a to authenticate the card reader 32a through a credit card. When the user passes the credit card through the card reader 32a and the credit card is authenticated, the operation unit 31a displays all available locker sizes and selects which size locker to use. Is displayed. When the user selects the size of the locker to be used, a card in which the locker number and the password of the predetermined locker 21 'are recorded is issued, the locking means of the predetermined locker 21' is unlocked, and the locker number is unlocked. The unlock indicator 29 'corresponding to. Then, the user deposits the luggage in the predetermined locker 21 'and closes the door of the locker 21', so that the locker 21 'is locked by the lock means.
[0021]
At this time, in the card issuing machine 30b installed in the accommodation facility, the reservation information input by the user and the locker number and the password of the locker 21 'used are displayed on the operation unit 31b. The attendant checks the information displayed on the operation unit 31b, issues a luggage collection card, and goes to the locker 21 'in which the luggage is stored. The clerk arriving at the check-in machine 10 inserts the luggage collection card into the card identification section 22 provided in the locker section 20 provided with the predetermined locker 21 'and unlocks the lock means of the predetermined locker 21'. Collect the luggage and return to the accommodation.
[0022]
The user who left the luggage in the check-in machine 10 goes directly to the accommodation facility without returning to the boarding / alighting facility, and presents the card to confirm the use reservation.
[0023]
If the use reservation has not been made, the type of room that can be stayed is displayed on the operation unit 31a, and an instruction is displayed so that the user can select a room to stay. When the user selects a room to stay, an instruction is displayed on the operation unit 31a to authenticate the card reader 32a through a credit card. When the user passes the credit card through the card reader 32a and the credit card is authenticated, the operation unit 31a displays all available locker sizes and selects which size locker to use. Is displayed. When the user selects the size of the locker to be used, a card in which the locker number and the password of the predetermined locker 21 'are recorded is issued, and the locking means of the predetermined locker 21' is unlocked. When the user deposits the luggage in the predetermined locker 21 'and closes the door of the locker 21', the locker 21 'is locked by the lock means.
[0024]
At this time, in the card issuing machine 30b installed in the accommodation facility, the reservation information input by the user and the locker number and the password of the locker 21 'used are displayed on the operation unit 31b. The attendant checks the information displayed on the operation unit 31b, issues a luggage collection card, and goes to the locker 21 'in which the luggage is stored. The clerk arriving at the check-in machine 10 inserts the luggage collection card into the card identification section 22 provided in the locker section 20 provided with the predetermined locker 21 'and unlocks the lock means of the predetermined locker 21'. Collect the luggage and return to the accommodation.
[0025]
The user who left the luggage in the check-in machine 10 goes directly to the accommodation facility without returning to the boarding / alighting facility, and presents the card to confirm the use reservation.
[0026]
<If you leave your luggage when you check out>
When the user tells the attendant to leave his luggage in the locker system at the time of checking out the accommodation facility, the attendant enters the locker units 20, 20 ', 20 displayed on the operation unit 31b of the card issuing machine 30b. The user selects an available locker 21 "having a desired size from"", issues a luggage collection card, and hands it to the user. As a result, the locker 21 ″ is locked and reserved by the lock means, and is excluded from the available lockers managed by the card issuing machine 30a.
[0027]
The attendant carries the luggage collected from the user to the boarding / alighting facility. Then, after pressing the continuation button 27 of the operation unit 23 provided in the locker unit 20 provided with the locker 21 ", the locker number and password of the locker 21" are input, and the lock means of the locker 21 "is unlocked. The clerk puts the luggage stored from the user into the locker 21 "and closes the door of the locker 21". Note that the password is not reset when the clerk unlocks the locking means by first pressing the continuation button 27. It has become.
[0028]
The user goes through various destinations on the way to the boarding / alighting facility, and adjusts the operation unit 23 provided in the locker unit 20 provided with the locker 21 ″ having the locker number recorded on the baggage collection card. After the button 28 is pressed, the luggage collection card is inserted into the card identification unit 22. In the case of an accommodation facility user, the usage fee of the locker system 1 is free, so the shortage balance display unit 25 displays a display indicating that settlement has been completed. Next, when the luggage collection card is authenticated by the card identification unit 22, the lock means of the locker 21 "of the locker 21" is unlocked, and the unlock indicator 29 "corresponding to the locker number is displayed. Flashes. Therefore, the user can take out the luggage deposited at the accommodation facility.
[0029]
<When the user chooses to use as a coin locker>
When the user selects to use the locker system 1 as a coin locker, the operating status of each locker 21 and the usage fee are displayed on the operation unit 31a of the card issuing machine 30a. When a user pays a ticketing fee and selects a locker having a desired size, a card is issued from a card receiving slot. The issued card has a locker number (12-08 in the present embodiment) as an identification code of the available locker 21 'having a desired size, and a security code for locking / unlocking the lock means. (In this embodiment, 2543).
[0030]
The locker 21 'corresponding to the locker number specified on the card is unlocked, and the unlock indicator 29' flashes. The user deposits the luggage in the unlocked locker 21 'and closes the door to lock the locker 21'.
[0031]
> With card <
When the user finishes his business and picks up the luggage from the locker 21 ′, the user first selects the checkout button 28 of the checkout machine 24 and inserts a card into the card identification unit 22.
[0032]
The settlement machine 24 calculates the usage amount from the information recorded on the inserted card and displays the shortage balance. Then, the checkout machine 24 confirms that the shortage balance has been paid, unlocks the lock means of the locker number specified on the card, and blinks the unlock indicator 29 'corresponding to the locker number. When the user picks up the checked baggage from the unlocked locker 21 'and closes the door of the locker 21', the locker 21 'is locked by the lock means.
[0033]
> No card <
The user selects the payment button 28 of the payment machine 24 and inputs a locker number and a password into the operation unit 23.
[0034]
The payment machine 24 calculates the usage amount from the input locker number and password, and displays the usage amount. Then, the settlement machine 24 confirms that the usage amount has been paid, unlocks the lock means of the locker number input from the operation unit 23, and further flashes an unlock indicator 29 'corresponding to the locker number. When the user picks up the checked baggage from the unlocked locker 21 'and closes the door of the locker 21', the locker 21 'is locked by the lock means.
[0035]
With the above configuration, the check-in machine was installed at the public transportation boarding facility, and another card issuing machine was installed at the accommodation facility. The luggage checked in at the boarding facility can be collected at the boarding facility and transported to the accommodation facility, so the user will not have to deal with the baggage when passing through the destination before going from the boarding facility to the accommodation facility. Is eliminated, and the user can check in at a place other than the accommodation facility.
[0036]
In addition, the user can easily confirm that check-in has been completed and that the user is the owner of the baggage by presenting the card issued by the card issuing machine of the check-in machine to the attendant.
[0037]
The information recorded on the card is recorded in a format that can be read by the user, and the locker unit is provided with an operation unit for manually inputting the information. By transmitting the code, another person can unlock the locker and collect and store the luggage stored in the locker at the accommodation facility.
[0038]
Since the locker reservation means is provided in another card issuing machine, the staff at the accommodation facility can deposit the luggage received from the user into the reserved locker, and the user can collect the luggage with the locker.
[0039]
By providing the facility reservation means in one card issuing machine, a user who has not made a reservation for use of the facility in advance can check in.
[0040]
In the present embodiment, the locker unit and the card issuing machine installed in one place of getting on and off facilities and the other card issuing machine installed in one place of accommodation in the present embodiment, By installing a locker unit and one card issuing machine at multiple getting on and off facilities such as stations, ports, and airports, and installing another card issuing machine at multiple lodging facilities, users can get accommodation facilities that they like at each getting on and off facility. Can be selected and booked.
[0041]
Similar effects can be obtained by installing a locker unit and one card issuing machine at a tourist information center or the like in addition to the boarding / alighting facilities.
[0042]
As an accommodation facility, not only will it improve the service to the customers, but also by keeping the luggage from the customers, it will be possible to secure the guests who will stay on the day at an early time. Waste such as overbuilding can be eliminated.
[0043]
Since the coin locker also has the function of a coin locker, the utilization rate of the locker can be improved.
[0044]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the card issuing machine is installed in a predetermined facility, a staff member of the predetermined facility uses the issued card to get on and off the luggage deposited in the locker system. Since the data can be collected at the facility and transported to the predetermined facility, the user does not have to deal with the luggage when passing through the destination before heading to the predetermined facility from the getting on / off facility.
[0045]
When the card issuing machine is installed at the specified facility, the staff at the specified facility collects the checked baggage at the specified facility using the issued card and checks it in by storing it. be able to.
[0046]
Further, the user can confirm that he is the owner of the baggage by presenting the card issued by the card issuing machine installed around the locker unit to the attendant.
[0047]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the first aspect, the information recorded on the card is recorded in a format readable by the user, and the information is manually input to the locker unit. With the provision of the operation unit, a clerk at a predetermined facility transmits an identification code and a PIN code to another clerk, thereby unlocking the locker and allowing the luggage stored in the locker to pass to a predetermined number. Can be collected and stored at the facility.
[0048]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effects of the first and second aspects of the present invention, a locker reservation means is provided in another card issuing machine, so that a person in charge of a predetermined facility can use it. The luggage received from the person can be deposited in the reserved locker, and the user can pick up the luggage with the locker.
[0049]
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effects of the first to third aspects of the present invention, the facility reservation means is provided in one card issuing machine, so that the facility use reservation is made in advance. Users who did not have a check-in can also check in.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an embodiment of a locker system according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a front view of a locker unit.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of an operation unit of a locker unit and a checkout machine.
FIG. 4 is a front view of one card issuing machine installed in a boarding / alighting facility.
FIG. 5 is a front view of another card issuing machine installed in the accommodation facility.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Locker system 20 ... Locker part 21 ... Locker 22 ... Card identification part 23 ... Operation part 30a ... Card issuing machine 30b ... Card issuing machine

Claims (4)

A card with an information recording and holding function,
A card identification unit for reading information recorded on the card, a lock unit for locking / unlocking according to the information read by the card identification unit, and a plurality of lockers each provided with this lock unit. Equipped locker section,
An identification code of a locker that can be used in the locker, and a password code for locking and unlocking the locking means are recorded on the card, and a card issuing machine that issues the card,
Comprising at least two card issuing machines,
One card issuing machine is arranged around the locker section,
A locker system, wherein the other card issuing machines are arranged at a predetermined facility. The locker system according to claim 1,
The information recorded on the card is recorded on the card in a format readable by the user,
An operation unit for a user to manually input the information is provided in the locker unit,
A locker system, wherein the locking means locks and unlocks the locker according to information input from the operation unit. In the locker system according to claim 1 or claim 2,
A locker system, wherein the other card issuing machine is provided with a locker reservation unit. In the locker system according to claims 1 to 3,
A locker system, wherein the one card issuing machine is provided with facility reservation means for performing a use reservation procedure for the predetermined facility.

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