JP2005173713A - Lending management system for rented item - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize a system capable of precisely and efficiently managing a rented item lent in a set. <P>SOLUTION: In lending items in a set, a set number common between the respective rented items and a set size representing the number of rented items included in the set are registered in a lending ledger database 1036 in association with the item name and a lending period. When returning processing, search for an expired unreturned item, issue of a bill and the like is also carried out by referring to the lending ledger database 1036 including the set number and the set size, a human error in management of the lending items in a set can be prevented and efficiency can be improved. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a rental product rental management system, and more particularly to a rental product rental management system using an IC tag.

  Rental companies that rent out personal computers, photocopiers, books, video tapes, etc. manage rental products by attaching identification symbols such as serial numbers to individual rental products. That is, when renting, record the name and quantity, the company name / name of the borrower, telephone number, address, etc., lending period, rental fee, etc. together with the identification symbol of the rented item to be lent, and when returned Put a returned mark on the record or delete the record. Since it may not be returned even after the rental period has passed, the above records are checked regularly, and if there are expired unreturned items, a reminder is made by telephone or the like. Such management records, updating, searching, and the like are performed using a personal computer today, but it is troublesome to manually perform all input operations on the personal computer, and mistakes cannot be avoided.

As a measure to improve this, if a rental code is managed by pasting a barcode or IC tag on which information such as an identification symbol is recorded on the rental product and reading the barcode or IC tag information with the reader, it is possible Since no input operation is required, it greatly contributes to efficient rental management and prevention of management errors. In particular, if a non-contact type IC tag is used, information can be read without bringing the reader into close contact with the IC tag. Therefore, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, monitoring of unauthorized removal of books, video tapes, etc., It can be used for efficient search of books and videotapes arranged on the shelf.
JP 2001-101285 A

  In the case of equipment rental such as a personal computer, peripheral devices such as a display, a keyboard, a mouse, and a printer are often rented as a set together with the main body. Even in the case of such a set rental, if a non-contact IC tag is attached to each rental product and managed individually, management can be performed more efficiently and accurately than manual operation. However, in the case of set lending, it is more efficient to perform most of the management work as a set, such as lending procedures, lending documents, creating invoices, checking for expiration and prompting for returns. For example, a customer who uses a lot of rental rentals of the same type returns them in a set unit at the time of return, but if the rental document is listed separately for each rental item, it is necessary to identify the rental item It takes time and effort. In such a case, it is preferable that a loan document that is described in an easy-to-understand manner in units of sets is issued. Further, when returning a set rental product, it is preferable that the rental management is performed in advance so that it is easy to search in units of sets when checking whether there are any leaks in the set product. However, in the known technique, the set rental management as described above is not particularly considered.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a rental product rental management system that rationally manages set rental, further improves the efficiency of rental management, improves the error prevention function, and is easily used by customers. There is.

The present invention relates to a contactless IC tag that stores information including an identification symbol given to each rental item and is affixed to the rental item, and the name and identification symbol of the rental item prepared for rental Of a rental product obtained by referring to the first database on the basis of information read from the IC tag attached to the rental product at the time of rental A second database in which information including the symbol and the product name, the name of the customer receiving the loan, and information including the lending period are registered, the registration process at the time of lending to the second database, and the second A rental product lending management system comprising processing means for performing return processing with reference to a database and management processing of expired unreturned items,
In the registration process when renting a plurality of rental items as a set to the same customer, the processing means sets a set number for identifying the set and a set size indicating the number of rental items included in the set. In the processing of return processing related to each rental product in the database 2 and management of return processing related to the set rental product and expired unreturned products, processing including a check for return omission with reference to the set number and set size A rental product rental management system characterized by having a function of performing

  Set lending can be managed using the set number and set size, making it easy to check by checking the display of each set and to create a loan book, and to check for return omissions when returning. It is possible to prompt the customer in a form that makes it easy for the customer to identify the device that has not been returned.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a rental item rental management system according to the present invention. The item to be rented is a device, in particular, a device such as a personal computer and its peripheral devices that are frequently rented as a set. In this system, it is assumed that a non-contact type IC tag is affixed to all individual rental devices. A reader / writer 102 capable of reading information on the IC tag is connected to the personal computer 101. Software 103 for executing processing necessary for this system is incorporated in the personal computer 101, and this software 103 includes a control unit 1031, a rental management control unit 1032 and a rental device search processing unit for overall control. 1033, the print processing unit 1034, a device database 1035 indicating a list of owned devices, a rental ledger database 1036 indicating a list of rental devices that are being lent, and an unreturned device database 1037 indicating a list of unreturned rental devices whose rental period has expired Etc. are provided.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of a personal computer as a set rental device and peripheral devices thereof, and it is assumed that the personal computer main body 201, the display 202, and the keyboard 203 are usually rented out as a set. IC tags 201T, 202T, and 203T are attached to each rental device. FIG. 3 shows a top view and a side view of the IC tag 203T. As shown in the side view, the IC tag 203T is composed of a main body of a non-contact type IC tag and a seal attached thereon. As shown in the top view of the seal, the rental company name “Hitachi International Rental” and the identification symbol “001234567-2” attached to the keyboard 203 are described so as to be visually recognizable. The seal is provided so as to cover the entire surface of the tag body, and has a function of preventing damage to the tag body.

  In the main body of the IC tag attached to each rental device, at least an identification symbol of the rental device is stored as electronic information. Further, in the equipment database 1035, for each rental equipment owned by the rental company, a product name, an identification symbol, a model, a model year, a charge, a rental flag indicating whether or not the rental is being performed, and the like are recorded. . Here, the fee varies depending on the lending period and year even for the same model, but if there are many models of the same type, not the fee itself but the model (model), year, lending period, etc. as a key. You may make it refer to the charge database prepared separately.

  In the system of FIG. 1, a set rented device may or may not have a fixed combination. For example, since there can be a plurality of peripheral devices such as a display and a keyboard that can be used in combination with a single personal computer, any peripheral device can be lent as a set. In this case, the set combination is not fixed, but can be arbitrarily combined at the time of lending, so that it is easier to deal with lending in the case of some equipment failure or single item. It is also easy for customers to choose a CRT display that is easy to rent or a slightly higher liquid crystal display. Therefore, the system operation will be described on the premise of a system that can dynamically combine set lending devices.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing executed by the lending management control unit 1032 when lending. When renting out, the operator checks the rental equipment in stock by placing an order from the customer, picks it up from the warehouse, and starts the program of FIG. 4 (step 401). Next, it is input whether or not the rental is a set rental (step 402). This input is performed by a predetermined key operation or input to a dialog box. When the rental device is not a set but is rented out separately, the information of the IC tag attached to the device is read using the reader / writer 102, and the set number S is set to 0 (steps 403 and 404). In the case of set rental, the IC tag information of each set device is read by the reader / writer 102 (step 405), and then the set number and set size to be assigned to the set are determined (step 406). Here, the set number is assumed to be a positive integer value when renting a set, for example, selecting and assigning one of the prepared number groups other than the one used for the set being lent, 0 is assigned to a single item that is not a set. The set size is the number of devices that make up the set.

  Next, an order number is determined (step 407). The order number may not be provided, but if a serial number is automatically given in the order of reception, it is useful when performing a search or the like. Once the order number is determined, the customer name, lending period, etc. are input (step 408), the device database 1035 is searched using the identification information included in the IC tag information as a key, and the device name, format, fee, etc. are read out. (Step 409). Then, read information from the IC tag, set number, set size, lending period, etc. are registered in the lending ledger database 1036 (step 410). In addition, the return flag is a flag that takes “1” when lending within the time limit, “2” when expired, and “0” when returned, and therefore, “1” is recorded at the time of lending.

  Next, the set number and set size determined in steps 403 to 406 are written via the reader / writer 102 to the IC tag of each device that lends (step 411). If this information is used when a customer returns or searches for a device that is not returned, work efficiency can be improved. Note that the reader / writer 102 is not fixed to the personal computer terminal 101 but can be moved freely so that the reader / writer can easily read / write the IC tag.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of registration of lending information in the lending ledger database 1036. In this registration example, the order number “03.501” is a number indicating the 501st lending in the year 2003. However, this may be a serial number throughout the year, or a number that shows the month. The order number “03.501” “tester” is a single item (set number = 0), and the order number “03.502” is common to PC set, display and keyboard set rental devices. “315” The size “3” is recorded. Since both are at the start of lending, the return flag is set to “1”. The fee for this set is “70,000 yen” only for the PC itself, but this is representative of the set fee and is not described on the display or keyboard. However, this may be specified individually. Although the return date column is blank, when the return is accepted, the date is recorded by the return process, and the return flag is updated to “0” at the same time. With this database, it is possible to check where and what equipment will be lent out, and whether the period has expired. Further, these data are transferred to the print processing unit 1034, and a rental slip is generated for transfer to the customer.

  FIG. 6 is an example of a flow of processing for searching for rental devices that have expired, and is executed by the rental product search processing unit 1033. When the processing is started, all of the rented devices are searched in the lending ledger database (steps 602 and 608), and the lending devices that have not yet been returned after the lending period are checked (steps 603 and 604). If there is, the return flag is set to “2” (step 605), and the customer name, device name, etc. are recorded in the unreturned database 1037 (step 606). Further, when the expired device is set rental, information including its return flag and return date is recorded in the non-returned database 1037 for other devices in the same set (step 607). The processing start timing in step 601 is based on one or both of periodic automatic activation based on the clock of the control unit 1031 (for example, 9:00 am every day) or manual activation at any time. When the search of the lending ledger 1036 is completed as described above (NO in step 608), excess charges are calculated and recorded (step 609). That is, since the excess time is obtained from the lending period and the current date and time, an amount corresponding to the excess time is automatically or manually input based on the prepared fee table.

  FIG. 7 shows an example of the unreturned product database 1037, and the inspection date is February 20, 2004. Of the set rented item with the order number “03.502” in FIG. Has been. Here, the PC body and the display whose reminding record is “* 03/12/20” have been returned, “*” has been returned, and the subsequent date is recorded in the lending ledger database 1036. Indicates the return date. Recording on the return date database 1036 is performed by return processing described later.

  If such a database is created, the status of expired lending devices and return prompts can be accurately and efficiently performed by referring to the database. For example, using this database, if there is an unreturned set rental, by displaying the returned and unreturned devices in the set separately by color coding etc., you can reliably check the set rental return omission, Return reminders for customers can be created accurately and easily. In addition, when the set is lent out, if the set number and the set size are written in the IC tag of the lending device as described in step 411 in FIG. 4, a handy type IC tag reader is lent to the customer together with the return reminder. Then, when a customer searches for an unreturned item, the work can be made more efficient by reading the IC tag information.

  The non-returned database 1037 described above may be included in the rental ledger database 1036. However, when there are a large number of rental devices or a large number of customers, the database becomes large and the processing system becomes complicated. Therefore, it is preferable to separate these databases as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 8 is an example of a flowchart of the return process, and is executed by the lending management control unit 1032. When there is a return from a customer A, first, all IC tag information of the return device is read by the reader / writer 102 (step 801). Next, the rental ledger database 1036 is searched using the identification symbol included in the IC tag information as a key, and the return flag of the corresponding device is set to 0 (step 802). The update of the return flag is performed on the set rental device, and when there is an unreturned device in the same set, the processing of step 607 in FIG. Reflected in the return flag. Next, referring to the set number and set size of the return device, it is checked whether there is a set rental device among the return devices of customer A and all the devices in the set have been returned (steps 803 and 804). When an unreturned device is found, the set device and its return status are displayed on the display means, and the customer A is notified that there is an unreturned item on the spot (step 805).

  Management of lending, returning, and expedited item return reminders, especially set lending management, can always be performed accurately, so that human error can be prevented and work can be done efficiently. .

  In the embodiment described above, it is assumed that the combination of devices that are lent out as a set can be dynamically performed, but when all of these combinations are fixed and a number corresponding to the set number is assigned in advance. Deletes steps 402, 404, 406, and 411 in the lending process of FIG. 4 and records the set number and set size in advance in the device database 1035 and the IC tag, and lends them to the lending process, return process, and unreturned It may be used in the product search process.

  Also, image data indicating the appearance of the rental device is prepared in the device database 1035 or a separately provided database, or prepared as necessary, and this is sent to the customer as image data of a return target item at the time of return prompting. In this case, it is possible to assist the customer in searching for returned items. Further, if this image data is displayed and used when rental equipment is rented or returned, recording and confirmation can be performed more accurately.

  The rental management system of the present invention is not limited to rental of equipment such as personal computers, but can be similarly applied to set rental in many fields such as sports equipment such as skis, camping equipment, rental of books, videotapes, etc. Accurate management and efficiency of management work can be achieved.

It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the rental article rental management system which becomes this invention. It is an example of rental equipment. It is explanatory drawing of an IC tag. It is a flowchart which shows the example of a lending process. It is an example of lending apparatus registration to a lending ledger database. It is a flowchart which shows the process example of an expired rental apparatus. This is an example of unreturned device registration in the unreturned product database. It is a flowchart which shows the example of a return process.

Explanation of symbols

102 IC Tag Reader / Writer 1031 Control Unit 1032 Rental Management Control Unit 1033 Rental Product Search Processing Unit 1034 Print Processing Unit 1035 Device Database 1036 Lending Ledger Database 1037 Unreturned Device Database 201T, 202T, 203T IC Tag

Claims (1)

Information including the identification symbol given to each rental item is stored and the contactless IC tag attached to the rental item, and the information including the item name and identification symbol of the rental item prepared for rental A rental database identification symbol and a product name obtained by referring to the first database stored on the basis of the information read from the IC tag attached to the rental product at the time of lending. Refer to the second database in which information including the information to be included, the name of the customer receiving the loan, and the information including the loan period are registered, the registration process at the time of loan to the second database, and the second database. A rental product rental management system comprising a processing means for managing all return processing and expired unreturned products,
In the registration process when renting a plurality of rental items as a set to the same customer, the processing means sets a set number for identifying the set and a set size indicating the number of rental items included in the set. In the processing of return processing related to each rental product in the database 2 and management of return processing related to the set rental product and expired unreturned products, processing including a check for return omission with reference to the set number and set size Rental product rental management system characterized by having a function of performing

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