JP2004318295A - Article lending/returning device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the convenience and satisfaction level of a user by providing an automatic lending/returning device for reducing the waiting time and quickly lending and returning an article. <P>SOLUTION: This article lending/returning device comprises a receiving means performing reception regarding lending and returning of the article, a storage part storing the article, a lock means prohibiting taking out of the article from the storage part, and a control means controlling drive of the lock means on the basis of the reception content by the receiving means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an article lending and returning apparatus for lending and returning articles such as video tapes and DVDs.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, there has been proposed an automatic lending / returning machine in which a plurality of video tapes are stored in a storage shelf and lent and returned by automatic processing (see Patent Documents 1 and 2).
The automatic lending / returning machine stores a videotape with a bar code on a storage shelf in a storage space surrounded by an outer wall, and transports the videotape of the storage shelf to the entrance / exit by a transport means when lending. Execute the process.
Further, at the time of return, the barcode of the video tape returned to the entrance is read, and the videotape is transported to the correct storage location of the storage shelf by the transport means and stored.
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-11-345359
[Patent Document 2]
JP-A-10-302149.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the above-mentioned automatic lending / returning device requires a transportation time for transporting the video tape between the storage shelf and the entrance / exit for lending / returning. Could not be executed.
[0005]
In addition, in order to accurately take out the video tape from the storage shelf and to correctly store the video tape, the operation of the transporting means is required to be accurate, which complicates the structure and increases the manufacturing cost. Therefore, even if an automatic lending / returning machine was introduced to reduce labor costs, the initial investment was too large to be easily implemented.
[0006]
Further, there is a problem that the entire size of the automatic lending / returning device becomes large in order to secure a transport path from the storage shelf to the entrance / exit. For this reason, if you want to use it easily within a limited range, such as installing an automatic lending and returning machine as a welfare benefit for company employees or introducing an automatic lending and returning device as a recreational facility provided by a hospital Was unsuitable.
[0007]
An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic lending / returning device which can execute lending / returning quickly with a reduced waiting time in view of the above problems, and improve the convenience and satisfaction of a user.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention is based on reception means for receiving lending and return of an article, a storage section for storing the article, a lock means for prohibiting removal of the article from the storage section, and content received by the reception means. The article lending / returning device includes a control unit for driving and controlling the lock unit.
[0009]
This allows the user to take out the borrowed item directly from the storage unit and return it directly to the storage unit at the time of return, and it is possible to shorten the conventional transport time and realize quick lending and return. it can. In addition, it is possible to manufacture the apparatus compact and compact by eliminating the transfer space, and it is possible to easily introduce the apparatus at low cost.
[0010]
As an aspect of the present invention, an authentication unit for authenticating a user can be provided as the reception unit.
As a result, the user can be authenticated and the lending permission or the return permission can be performed, and an unreturned accident or the like can be prevented.
[0011]
Further, as an aspect of the present invention, the storage section may include a variety of articles stabilizing means for stably storing any of a variety of articles having different outer shape standards.
As a result, for example, both the video and the DVD can be stored in the storage section, and the ratio between the video and the DVD can be changed flexibly according to the usage frequency or the like.
[0012]
Further, as an aspect of the present invention, a storage unit for storing calendar information, and a timing unit for measuring time are provided, and a control process executed by the control unit includes a rental fee or a rental fee based on the rental period of the article and the calendar information. And / or a lending adjustment process for adjusting the lending period can be set.
[0013]
This makes it possible, for example, to exclude or discount the holidays of the company when using it as a welfare benefit of the company, or to extend the period of time without including the holiday in the lending period, It is possible to avoid a situation in which a date on which a user cannot physically return is set as a return deadline.
[0014]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, an article rental / return device can be easily installed in a company or a hospital, and a user can easily borrow and return a rental device without going to a rental video store. It becomes. As a result, convenience can be improved, entertainment of daily life can be expanded, and user satisfaction can be improved.
[0015]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
First, the external configuration of the automatic rental apparatus 1 will be described with reference to the oblique front view of the external appearance of the automatic rental apparatus 1 shown in FIG. Note that the automatic rental apparatus 1 is installed in a company by a company (organization) as a welfare program for employees (specified majority people).
[0016]
In the automatic rental apparatus 1, storage spaces 5 (upper storage space 5a, lower storage space 5b) for storing a video (video cassette tape) 3a and a DVD (video DVD) 3b as rental articles 3 are vertically arranged. ing.
[0017]
The storage space 5 is formed in a box shape with an open front, so that a user can directly take out the rental articles 3 (video 3a, DVD 3b) placed in the storage guide 6 and directly store the rental articles 3 when returning. .
[0018]
Above each storage space 5, a product number display section 2 is provided, and the product number of the rental article 3 in the corresponding storage guide 6 is displayed.
Provided below each storage space 5 is an article information display section 4 for displaying article information (title, new / old work, and rental price) on the rental article 3, and the corresponding storage guide 6 title, new / old work, and The rental price is displayed.
[0019]
The article information display unit 4 is configured to insert a plate (resin plate, metal plate, or the like) on which article information is printed into a U-shaped mounting frame, so that the plate can be changed according to replacement of the rental article 3. I have to.
[0020]
On the right side of the automatic rental device 1, there is provided an operation unit for inputting a fee, designating a rental article 3 to be rented, and the like, and the operation unit includes the following elements in order from the top.
[0021]
At the top, a return lever 7 is provided on the left side, and a coin slot 8 for inserting coins (value media) is provided on the right side, so that a rental fee can be inserted and returned.
A fee guide display 9 is provided below the return lever 7 and the coin slot 8. The fee guidance display unit 9 is configured by pasting a sticker that prints the types of coins that can be inserted (for example, 10, 50, 100, and 500 yen) and guidance for inputting a shortage due to delinquency.
[0022]
An input amount display unit 10 and an input information display unit 11 are provided below the fee guide display unit 9 to display the input amount, the input product number, and the like by the user.
[0023]
An input button 12 is provided below the input amount display unit 10 and the input information display unit 11 to allow a user to perform an operation input. The input button 12 includes a numeric keypad composed of numbers from 0 to 9, a confirmation button and a cancel button.
[0024]
A keyhole 13 is provided at the lower left of the input button 12 so that a clerk can open a front panel (operation unit) for collecting sales proceeds, etc., and a usage display unit 14 is provided below the input button 12. . The usage method display unit 14 is configured by attaching a sticker on which a lending method, a return method, and notes are printed.
A coin return port 15 for returning change and coins upon cancellation is provided on the lower right side of the usage method display section 14, and coins are returned to the user.
[0025]
With the above external configuration, the user enters a rental fee from the coin slot 8, inputs a product number or the like with the input button 12, takes out the rental article 3 laid down by the storage guide 6 in the storage space 5, and borrows it. be able to. Also at the time of return, it is possible to directly store and return in the storage guide 6 in the storage space 5.
[0026]
Next, with reference to the perspective view shown in FIG. 2, a description will be given of the storage unit 51 (the lending return unit) including the storage guide 6 and the like provided in the storage space 5.
The storage portion 51 includes an upper storage guide 6a for stabilizing the upper side surfaces of the video 3a, a lower storage guide 6b for stabilizing the lower side surfaces of the video 3a, and an abdomen of the video 3a (opposite the title spine). It is configured with a multi-product guide 16 that guides and determines the storage depth and stabilizes both sides of the DVD 3b, and also functions as a display unit for displaying products.
[0027]
The upper storage guide 6a is formed by arranging long plates long in the front and rear side by side in a vertical position and expanding the front side into a C-shape in plan view.
The lower storage guide 6b is formed by arranging long plates long in the front and back side by side in a vertical position and in an inverted C shape when viewed from the front.
The multi-article support guide 16 is formed by arranging flat plates with the left and right corners on the near side dropped in a state of being laid down, separated by the thickness of the DVD 3b, and arranging them vertically.
[0028]
As described above, the storage section 51 including the upper storage guide 6a, the lower storage guide 6b, and the multi-item guide 16 stores the video 3a and the DVD 3b as follows.
[0029]
Here, FIG. 3A and FIG. 4A show bottom views as viewed from the cross section A in FIG. 2, and FIG. 3B and FIG. FIG. 3 shows a plan view as seen from a cross section.
[0030]
In the case of the video 3a, as shown in FIG. 3, the upper end of the side surface is fixed by the upper storage guides 6a, 6a, the lower end of the side surface is fixed by the lower storage guides 6b, 6b, and the depth is fixed by the guides 16 for various kinds of articles. I do.
In the case of the DVD 3b, as shown in FIG.
[0031]
With the above configuration, it is possible to stably store the video 3a or the DVD 3b in the storage section 51 appropriately.
[0032]
Next, a lock mechanism for performing lock control of the video 3a and the DVD 3b will be described with reference to a side sectional view shown in FIG.
The lock mechanism includes a solenoid 36 driven by passing an electric current through an electromagnet, and a drive plate 33 connected to a movable portion of the solenoid 36. The operation plate 24 is provided at the tip (left side in the figure) of the drive plate 33. The lock portion 29 is connected to the operation plate 24 by connection.
[0033]
More specifically, the operation plate 24 is formed in an inverted L-shape, and the lower end is pivotally connected to the automatic rental device 1 at a pivot 25. The distal end of a driving plate 33 connected to the solenoid 36 is pivotally connected to the central portion corresponding to the L-shaped angle of the operation plate 24 by the pivoting portion 23, and the connection protrusion 31 at the upper right end of the operation plate 24 is locked to the locking portion 29. To the connection hole 32 below.
The lock portion 29 is pivotally connected to the automatic rental device 1 at a pivot portion 30 at the upper right end.
[0034]
When the operation plate 24, the lock portion 29, and the drive plate 33 connected in this way supply electricity to the solenoid 36 and the drive plate 33 connected to the solenoid 36 moves in the lower right direction, the operation plate 24 causes the pivot portion 25 to move. The lock portion 29 connected to the connection protrusion 31 through the connection hole 32 rotates counterclockwise, and the lock claw (article fixed body) 21 formed at the left end of the lock portion 29 is moved downward. To unlock.
[0035]
A lock claw 21 is provided at the front end of the rental article 3 in the longitudinal direction, and the rental article 3 is brought into contact with the rental article 3 at this position to directly lock the rental article 3 so that the spine of the rental article 3 can be clearly seen. And display it.
[0036]
Further, the lock claw 21 is provided on the side of the storage unit 51 so as to block a passage for the rental article 3 in and out of the storage unit 51, so that a space is eliminated and the lock claw 21 is formed compact.
[0037]
In addition, by providing the lock portion 29 at a position below the storage portion 51 so as to be located in the longitudinal direction of the rental article 3, the rental articles 3 can be juxtaposed with a gap in the width direction. The external shape is small and compact.
[0038]
Also, whether or not the video is locked can be detected by an operation confirmation switch (lock operation detecting means) 34, and whether or not the video 3a and the DVD 3b are properly stored is detected by a storage confirmation switch (storage detecting means) 35. can do.
[0039]
Further, a sampling confirmation switch (sampling detecting means) 22 for detecting the presence / absence of storage of the video 3a and the DVD 3b is turned ON / OFF by the operation of the sampling check unit 28. The removal check unit 28 is pivotally connected to the automatic rental device 1 by a pivot unit 27, and the video 3a or DVD 3b is taken out by the urging force of an urging means (for example, an elastic body such as a spring) provided inside. For example, it is configured to rotate and raise the lending display panel 26.
[0040]
With the above configuration, it is possible to recognize at a glance that the user is lending, and it is possible to execute locking / unlocking of the lock unit 29.
[0041]
Next, the circuit configuration of the automatic rental device 1 will be described with reference to the block diagram shown in FIG.
The automatic rental device 1 is connected to the control unit 41, and has a button input device 42, a display device 43, a money processing device (value medium processing means) 44, a drive device 45, a drive detection sensor 46, an acquisition detection center 47, and A return detection sensor 48 is provided.
[0042]
The control unit 41 includes a CPU (arithmetic device), a FRAM (Ferroelectric Random Access Memory, a non-volatile memory), and a RAM (volatile memory). The CPU uses the RAM as a work area according to a program in the FRAM. To execute the process.
[0043]
In the FRAM, calendar data including days of the week and holidays, charge data in which a product number is associated with a rental fee, a user's personal identification number (for example, a date of birth, Authentication data that has been input in advance based on the authentication data, and history data that accumulates a lending history and a return history.
[0044]
Further, as the programs, a rental program for executing a lending process and a return process, and a maintenance program for executing a maintenance by a staff member are stored.
[0045]
Further, the control device 41 is provided with a timer so that the date, the day of the week, and the time are managed so that the lending date and time and the return date and time can be grasped.
When the user presses the input button 12 (FIG. 1), the button input device 42 transmits a signal corresponding to the pressed input button 12 to the control unit 41.
[0046]
The display device 43 corresponds to the input amount display unit 10 (FIG. 1) and the input information display unit 11 (FIG. 2), and is formed of a liquid crystal screen capable of displaying numbers. Note that characters such as "YES" and "In" are also displayed.
[0047]
The money processing device 44 executes a denomination determination and a true / false determination of a coin inserted by the user from the coin insertion slot 8 (FIG. 1), and transmits the inserted amount to the control unit 41.
[0048]
The driving device 45 controls the driving of the solenoid 36 (FIG. 5) in accordance with the driving control signal received from the control unit 41, and switches the lock unit 29 between the locked state and the unlocked state.
[0049]
The drive detection sensor 46 is formed by the operation confirmation switch 34 (FIG. 5) described above, and detects whether or not the lock unit 29 is in the unlocked state by the drive of the drive unit 45.
[0050]
The acquisition detection center 47 is formed by the extraction confirmation switch 22 (FIG. 5) described above, and detects whether or not the rental article 3 has been completely removed from the storage section 51 by the user.
[0051]
The return detection sensor 48 is formed by the storage confirmation switch 35 (FIG. 5) described above, and detects whether or not the rental article 3 has been properly stored at the time of return.
[0052]
With the above configuration, lending and returning can be executed based on the user's input. Based on various data stored in the FRAM, various processes can be executed, such as performing personal authentication, requesting additional payment of an extended fee, excluding company holidays from the number of rental days (rent adjustment process). Thus, it is possible to provide a highly convenient automatic rental device 1.
[0053]
In order to exclude a company holiday from the number of rental days in the loan adjustment process, the company holiday may be registered in calendar data. If the holiday differs depending on the department or the employee, the individual holiday data in which the personal identification number of the employee and the holiday data are set may be registered, and the rental period may be determined based on the individual holiday data.
[0054]
Next, a lending process for renting a rental article to a user will be described with a processing flowchart showing the operation of the control unit 41 (FIG. 6) in FIG.
The control unit 41 executes a rental program. When a password is input by the user using the input button 12 (FIG. 1) (step n1), the input password is stored in the authentication data in the FRAM. Then, the authentication is performed by comparing the data (step n2).
[0055]
The password is composed of six digits for the birthday, and a hyphen "-" is displayed on the input information display section 11 (FIG. 1) every time a digit is input to the user.
[0056]
If the authentication is OK (number OK), the product number input by the user using the input button 12 is accepted, and the input product number is displayed on the input information display section 11 (step n3).
[0057]
The currently input amount is displayed on the input amount display unit 10 (FIG. 1) (step n4), and the operation waits until the input amount reaches the basic charge of the input product number (step n5).
[0058]
When the input amount reaches the basic charge, it is confirmed that change is unnecessary or can be paid out (step n6). If the change cannot be paid, a buzzer sounds (step n7), the fee is returned (step n8), and the process ends.
[0059]
If there is no problem in the change, the drive unit 45 (FIG. 6) of the input product number is driven to unlock by the access permission control (lock control) of the control unit 41 (step n9), and the input information display unit 11 Is displayed (step n10) so that the user can take out the rental article 3.
[0060]
At this time, in the example of the video 3a, the lock state shown in the right side sectional view of FIG. 8 shifts to the unlocked state shown in FIG. The transition of the state is performed by turning on the solenoid 36, attracting the drive plate 33, pivoting the operation plate 24 and the lock portion 29, and retreating the lock claw 21 downward. When the operation is normal, the operation confirmation switch 34 is turned on. Therefore, the operation confirmation switch 34 is detected to confirm whether there is any abnormality in the operation.
[0061]
As described above, the standby state is established in a state in which extraction is possible, and when the extraction of the video 3a is detected by the extraction confirmation switch 22 (step n11), as shown in FIG. Is turned off to return to the locked state (step n12). The transition to the locked state at this time is performed by pushing out the drive plate 33 by the elastic force of a spring provided in the solenoid 36.
[0062]
If the input amount is greater than the lending fee, the change is returned (step n13), the lending information is recorded as history data in the FRAM of the control unit (step n14), and the process is terminated.
[0063]
With the above operation, the user can easily rent the rental article 3. Since only the rental article 3 having the input product number can be taken out, it is possible to prevent the rental article 3 having a different purpose from being erroneously borrowed.
[0064]
Note that, during the steps n10 to n11, the storage confirmation switch 35 (FIG. 8) detects whether or not the rental article 3 has moved at all in the unloading direction, and when the storage confirmation switch 35 is turned off. It is desirable to start lending.
[0065]
Also, at this time, if the extraction confirmation switch 22 is ON even though the storage confirmation switch 35 is OFF, it can be determined that the state has been taken out halfway. Therefore, at a predetermined interval (for example, every 10 seconds). Sound a buzzer.
[0066]
Further, when an allowable time (for example, 30 seconds) has elapsed in the halfway state, an error process may be executed to prohibit the rental item 3 from being rented out. Thus, for example, in the case where the rental article 3 is poorly stored and cannot be easily taken out even if the lock is unlocked, a state in which the user has requested a loan and has entered a charge but cannot borrow is linked to a plurality of users. Can be prevented.
[0067]
If the return detection sensor 48 is not turned off after the lock is released in step n9 and the input waiting time (for example, 30 seconds) elapses, the lock is performed again and the lending process and the return process can be executed. It is good to be configured to return to. Thus, even if the user is left in the middle of the process, the lending process or the like can be executed from the beginning without the next user being confused.
[0068]
Next, a return process in which the user returns the rental article 3 will be described with reference to a process flowchart showing the operation of the control unit 41 in FIG.
The control unit 41 accepts the input of the personal identification number and the input of the product number according to the rental program in the same manner as in steps n1 to n3 described above (steps p1 to p3).
[0069]
If the input product number is a lending record in the history data in the FRAM (step p4), it is checked whether the fee is insufficient due to delinquency or the like (step p5).
If the charge is not insufficient, the process skips to step p8, and if the charge is insufficient, the insufficient charge is displayed on the input information display section 11 (step p6).
It waits until a shortage charge is input (additional payment) to the user (step p7), and when the input amount reaches the shortage charge, the lock is released (step p8).
[0070]
At this time, the lock portion 29 is retracted downward as shown in FIG. 9 with the lending display board 26 raised as shown in FIG. Since the display board 26 during lending is only raised by the elastic force of the built-in spring, the user can press the rental article 3 as it is and store it without any problem. Can be detected.
[0071]
When storage completion (return) is detected by the storage confirmation switch 35 (step p9), "YES" is displayed on the input information display unit 11 (step p10), the lock unit 29 is locked (step p11), and the process is ended. I do.
[0072]
By the above operation, the user can return the rental article 3 quickly and easily. Since only the corresponding rental article 3 is unlocked, erroneous return of the return location can be prevented, and the rental article 3 can be prevented from being stored in a place different from the original place by repeated lending and returning. As a result, it is possible to avoid a state in which the difference between the fee of the new video and the old video is not correctly operated, and a state in which the data of the rental article 3 stored in the history data is different from the original and cannot be subsequently analyzed.
[0073]
Since the user directly stores the items in the storage guides 6a and 6b (FIG. 2), quick return processing can be realized. That is, it is not necessary to perform a process of returning to one return port and automatically transporting it to a return shelf as in the related art, so that the process can be speeded up and the cost of the apparatus can be reduced.
[0074]
Note that, during the steps p8 and p9, when the storage is halfway, that is, when the extraction confirmation switch 22 is ON and the storage confirmation switch 35 is OFF, a predetermined interval (for example, every 10 seconds) It is good to make a buzzer sound.
[0075]
If the return status is not normal even after the elapse of the allowable time (for example, 30 seconds), a return time-out error may be recorded in the FRAM, and the rental article may be prohibited from being rented.
[0076]
Thus, for example, in a case where the return cannot be normally detected due to a failure of the sensor or the like, the operation can be continued with only the storage unit 51 which normally prohibits lending and operates normally.
[0077]
Also, in the above-described lending process and return process executed by the rental program, if the next operation is not performed even if the input waiting time (for example, 30 seconds) elapses during the execution of the input of the personal identification number or the product number, etc. , It is preferable to return to a use standby state where lending and return are possible.
[0078]
Next, maintenance performed by the attendant will be described. As the maintenance process, as shown in the explanatory diagram of FIG. 12, “registration / deletion of a password”, “replacement of merchandise / change of rank”, “setting of rank”, “setting of basic time / delay time”・ Confirmation ”,“ Registration / deletion of holiday calendar ”,“ Confirmation of rental data ”,“ Clock setting ”,“ Delinquency release ”,“ Sales confirmation / clear ”,“ Test operation ” .
[0079]
Here, the rental article exchange processing for executing the commodity exchange / price rank change will be described with reference to a processing flowchart showing the operation of the control unit 41 in FIG.
The control unit 41 that executes the maintenance program sets the variable N to 1 (step r1), and determines whether the rental item 3 is stored in the shelf [N] (that is, the storage unit 51 of the product number “1” for the first time). It is confirmed whether or not it is (step r2).
[0080]
If not stored, it is determined that the rental is being performed, 1 is added to the variable N, and the process returns to step r1 (step r3).
If it is stored, N (that is, the product number) is displayed on the input information display section 11 (step r4), and the lock on the shelf [N] is released (step r5).
[0081]
When the rental article 3 is replaced by the attendant (step r6), if the replacement is completed and set correctly, a buzzer sounds (step r7) and the apparatus waits until the confirmation button of the input button 12 is pressed (step r8). ).
[0082]
If the confirmation button is pressed or the confirmation button is pressed without replacing the rental article 3 in step r6, the shelf [N] is locked (step r9) and the current setting is made in the shelf [N]. The displayed basic fee is displayed on the input information display section 11 (step r10).
[0083]
When the basic charge is changed by input to the clerk using the input button 12 (step r11), the changed basic charge is stored in the FRAM (step r12).
One is added to the variable N (step r13), and the process returns to step r1 and repeats the processing until the variable N becomes 20 (step r14).
[0084]
With the above operation, the staff can quickly and quickly replace the stored rental articles 3 and change the fee as necessary. Since the product numbers are automatically advanced sequentially, it is possible to prevent an input error by the attendant, and it is possible to reduce the product number input time and the work time.
[0085]
In order to start the maintenance program and enter the maintenance mode, the maintenance program may be executed by, for example, canceling the input button 12, turning on the power while pressing three buttons of 0 and confirmation, and the like.
[0086]
Further, in order to execute the rental article replacement processing, the staff presses the “2” of the input button 12 and presses “confirmation” in the maintenance mode, thereby executing according to the function setting shown in FIG. do it.
[0087]
Next, the charge rank change processing will be described with reference to a processing flowchart showing the operation of the control unit 41 in FIG.
The control unit 41 sets 1 to a variable N (step s1), and displays the basic fee and extension fee of rank N together with N on the input information display unit 11 from the fee data stored in the FRAM (step s2).
[0088]
When the basic charge is input by the attendant (step s3), the input basic charge is displayed on the input information display section 11 (step s4).
When the cancel button of the input button 12 is pressed (step s5), the process returns to step s2, where the currently registered fee is displayed again and input is performed again.
[0089]
When the confirmation button of the input button 12 is pressed (step s6), the inputted basic fee is registered in the RFOM fee data (step s7).
The control unit 41 displays the basic fee and the extension fee registered at the current stage of the rank N, and waits for the input of the extension fee (step s8).
[0090]
When the extension fee is input to the attendant (step s9), the input extension fee is displayed on the input information display section 11 (step s10).
If the cancel button of the input button 12 is pressed, the process returns to step s8, where the currently registered extension fee is displayed again and the input is performed again (step s11).
[0091]
When the confirmation button of the input button 12 is pressed, the input extension fee is registered in the fee data of the FRAM (step s13).
The control unit 41 adds 1 to the variable N (step s14), returns to step s2 until N exceeds 5 (that is, rank 5), and repeats the processing (step s15).
[0092]
By the above operation, the staff can change the charge rank sequentially, and can change the charge system appropriately according to the installation location, sales, and the like.
If the user wants to confirm the registered contents, the fee can be confirmed in order by pressing the confirmation button of the input button 12 after step s2.
[0093]
The basic lending period (basic time) to which the basic fee is applied and the extended lending period (extended time) to which the extended fee is applied are set to the function number 3 (FIG. 12). The number of days can be input by the same processing as the processing.
[0094]
Further, as shown by a virtual line in the figure, a recording medium reader / writer 49 that can read and write data may be provided on a recording medium such as a flexible disk, a CD-RW, an MO, and a nonvolatile memory medium.
This makes it possible to collect data such as sales information by copying data such as history data onto a recording medium when replacing products at a cycle such as a 10-day cycle.
[0095]
In addition, a communication device (information output means) such as a LAN board or a PHS unit is connected to the control unit 41, and data such as the history data is transmitted to another device such as a server through an electric communication line such as the Internet. It is good.
As a result, data such as sales information can be collectively acquired from the automatic rental devices 1 installed in a plurality of facilities, and centralized management can be easily performed.
[0096]
Further, instead of or in addition to the money handling device 44, a personal authentication means such as a magnetic card reader for reading a magnetic card, an IC card reader for reading an IC card, or a fingerprint reader may be provided as a receiving means.
Thus, for example, user identification information such as an employee number can be obtained from an employee card (magnetic card or IC card), and the lending and return processing can be executed by personal authentication using a personal identification number.
[0097]
With regard to rental fees, a list of usage fees for each employee can be output (printed, etc.) in a single month, and based on this, charges can be collectively collected, such as billing each employee or deducting from salary.
This makes it possible to omit the money accumulation unit (safe) for accumulating money and to design a smaller and more compact money. In addition, safe destruction for money and theft of the automatic rental device 1 can be avoided.
[0098]
Further, the FRAM may be constituted by a volatile memory such as an SRAM. In this case, a backup power supply (for example, a battery) may be provided to protect data in the event of a power failure.
[0099]
In addition, a lock unit 29 is provided for each storage unit 51 to control lending and return for each rental article 3, but one lock unit 29 is provided for a plurality of rental articles 3 and one rental article 3 is provided. It may be configured to release the lock of the plurality of rental articles 3 even if the rental is.
[0100]
In this case, if the number of rental articles 3 desired to be lent is extracted, the lock unit 29 may be locked. When the rental article 3 with a value equal to or greater than the input amount is extracted, a buzzer is sounded and a personal identification number is recorded, and the fraudulent person may be identified from the record.
[0101]
Therefore, even if such fraud is committed at a company or hospital, it can be easily identified by the password, and the installation state that can be easily identified can prevent fraud. it can.
[0102]
In addition, a biasing means such as a spring is biased at the abdomen (rear side in FIG. 1) of the rental article 3 so that the rental article 3 is appropriately (eg, about 1/3) popped out by unlocking during rental. May be. Thereby, even if the intervals between the rental articles 3 are reduced and stored, the user can easily take out the target rental articles 3.
[0103]
Further, the lock claw 21 of the lock portion 29 may be formed so as to be able to swing in the returning storage direction, so that the lock portion 29 does not need to be driven at the time of return.
Further, although the lock claw 21 is provided at the lower position of the storage unit 51, the lock claw 21 may be provided at another position as long as one lock claw is provided for the storage unit 51, such as the upper position of the storage unit 51.
[0104]
Further, the storage portion 51 may be provided with two or more lock claws 21. For example, if two lock claws 21 are provided, the lock claws 21 may be disposed vertically (at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the storage portion 51). Thereby, the rental article 3 can be more securely locked so that it cannot be taken out, and safety can be improved.
[0105]
Also, the rental article 3 may be composed of another rental article such as a music CD or a music tape.
Further, instead of or in addition to the product number display unit 2, a product number may be given to the rental article 3 itself. This can avoid the problem that the user forgets the product number of the rented rental article 3.
[0106]
In correspondence between the configuration of the present invention and the above embodiment,
The article rental / return device of the present invention corresponds to the automatic rental device 1 of the embodiment,
Similarly,
The authentication means and the reception means correspond to the input button 12,
The various article stabilization means corresponds to the various article correspondence guide 16,
The lock means corresponds to the lock portion 29,
The control means corresponds to the control unit 41,
The storage means corresponds to the FRAM of the control unit 41,
The timer means corresponds to the timer of the control unit 41,
The reception content corresponds to the product number and password,
Although the calendar information corresponds to calendar data,
The present invention is not limited to only the configuration of the above-described embodiment, but can obtain many embodiments.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view showing the appearance of an automatic rental device.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a storage unit.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a storage unit at the time of video setting.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a storage unit when a DVD is set.
FIG. 5 is a right side sectional view showing a lock mechanism.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the automatic rental device.
FIG. 7 is a processing flowchart of a lending process executed by the control unit.
FIG. 8 is a right side sectional view showing a lock mechanism when storing rental articles.
FIG. 9 is a right side sectional view showing a lock mechanism when rental of a rental article is permitted.
FIG. 10 is a right side sectional view showing a lock mechanism when extracting rental articles.
FIG. 11 is a process flowchart of a return process executed by the control unit.
FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of a maintenance function.
FIG. 13 is a processing flowchart of rental article replacement processing executed by the control unit.
FIG. 14 is a processing flowchart of a fee rank change process executed by the control unit.
[Explanation of symbols]
1. Automatic rental equipment
12 ... input button
16: Guide for various goods
29… Lock part
41 ... Control unit
51 ... storage section

Claims (4)

A receiving means for accepting lending and returning of goods;
A storage unit for storing the article,
Lock means for inhibiting removal of the article from the storage section,
An article lending / returning device comprising: a control unit for controlling the driving of the lock unit based on the content of the reception by the reception unit. 2. The article lending / returning device according to claim 1, further comprising an authentication unit for authenticating a user as the reception unit. The article lending / returning device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a variety of articles stabilizing means for stably storing any of a variety of articles having different external specifications in the storage section. Storage means for storing calendar information;
Time measuring means for measuring time,
4. The article lending return according to claim 1, wherein the control processing executed by the control means includes a lending adjustment processing for adjusting a lending fee and / or a lending period based on the lending period of the article and the calendar information. 5. apparatus.

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