JP2005267029A - Rental bicycle system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a rental bicycle system capable of simplifying a management task by eliminating settlement in cash, and managing the rental information of a rental cycle, thereby increasing a return ratio. <P>SOLUTION: This rental bicycle system includes: a use card issuing machine 1 which communicates with a credit server 3 which manages the information of a credit card 7 owned by a customer, and issues the use card of a rental bicycle 5 by recording at least the specific information of the use card when settlement has been completed by a credit card 3; and a management means 4 which stores the settlement processing number of settlement by the credit card 7 input from the use card issuing machine 1 and the specific information by associating them with other, and which manages the rental and return of the rental bicycle 5 on the basis of the specification information read by the use card and the settlement processing number. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a rental cycle system that realizes 24-hour unattended management, and more particularly to a rental cycle system that eliminates cash settlement and simplifies management work, manages rental cycle rental information, and increases a return rate.

Conventionally, this type of rental cycle system reads an account number from, for example, a credit card presented by a customer, compares the account number with a database of a credit company, for example, via a network, and authenticates the credit card. If it can be taken, the customer inputs the encryption on the encryption key card separately purchased by the customer, registers the encryption in the database corresponding to the account number, and unlocks the rental cycle. The system can be used simply by inputting (for example, see Patent Document 1).
JP 2001-325540 A

  However, in such a conventional rental cycle system, it is necessary to install a separate encryption key card vending machine, which increases the cost of the encryption key card vending machine, and as a result, the system becomes expensive. is there. In particular, when the encryption key card vending machine is a cash settlement machine, there is a problem that collection work and change replenishment work are required, making the management work complicated and increasing the labor cost. Furthermore, in this case, since the encryption key card vending machine holds cash, there is a risk of theft.

  If the encryption key card is lost or stolen, it may be freely used by a third party who has picked up the encryption key card. There is inconvenience such as having to do.

  Furthermore, since the rental cycle return management function is not provided, there is a problem that it is impossible to determine whether or not the rental cycle has been reliably returned. Therefore, for example, when the vehicle is not returned due to abandonment or the like, the user is not prompted to return the vehicle, so that the rental cycle return rate cannot be improved.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made paying attention to the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a rental cycle system that eliminates cash settlement, simplifies management work, manages rental cycle rental information, and increases the return rate. And

  To this end, the invention of claim 1 communicates with a server that manages information of a cashless payment means owned by a customer, and when payment is made by the cashless payment means, a rental cycle use card is at least stored in the use card. Recording and issuing specific information, storing the payment information by the cashless payment means and the specific information of the use card in association with each other, and renting a bicycle based on the specific information and the payment information read from the use card It was configured to manage lending and returning.

  With such a configuration, when a customer uses a cashless payment method to communicate with a server that manages information on a cashless payment method owned by the customer, and obtains payment information by the cashless payment method, at least the use card of the rental cycle is used. Card specific information is recorded and issued, payment information by cashless payment means and the specific information are stored in association with each other, rental cycle rental and return based on the specific information and payment information read from the card used Manage.

  In this case, as in claim 2, the lending management reads the specific information, releases the lock of the rack selected based on the user's selection operation, and can take out a rental cycle, and associates it with the specific information. The lending information is preferably stored.

  Further, as in claim 3, the return management reads the specific information, compares the rack number recorded on the use card at the time of lending with the rack number of the rack in which the user returned the rental cycle, and confirms the return. The rental cycle may be locked, and return information may be stored in association with the specific information.

  Specifically, according to the configuration of the present invention, when the payment is made by the cashless payment means by communicating with the server that manages the information of the cashless payment means owned by the customer as in claim 4, the rental cycle use card And at least the usage card issuing means for recording and issuing the specific information, and the cashless payment means input from the usage card issuing means and the specific information are stored in association with each other and read from the usage card. In addition, a management unit that manages rental cycle rental and return based on the specific information and the settlement information is provided.

  In this case, the management means reads the specific information as in claim 6, unlocks the rack selected based on the user's selection operation at the time of lending, and outputs the lending information together with the specific information. At the time of rental, the rack number recorded on the use card is checked against the rack number of the rack from which the user has returned the rental cycle, the return is confirmed, the rental cycle is locked, and the return information is included together with the specific information. It is preferable to include a card reading unit that outputs and a management personal computer that manages the lending and the return by associating and storing the specific information, the lending information, and the return information input from the card reading unit with the payment information.

  In addition, as for the payment information, the information of the cashless payment means is verified by checking the information of the cashless payment means with the database stored in the server as in claim 6 and the payment is made. It is good to apply the settlement processing number returned at the time.

  The cashless settlement means may be a credit card as in the seventh aspect.

  According to the rental cycle system of the present invention, payment is performed by cashless payment means, and when the payment information is acquired, a rental cycle use card is issued. In addition, it is possible to realize a simplified management operation without the need for a replenishment operation. Moreover, since the system as a whole does not hold cash, there is no risk of theft. Furthermore, when the rental card rental and return are managed based on the specific information of the usage card read from the usage card and the settlement information associated with the specific information, the specific information is not returned. Since the user can be identified from the settlement information, rental cycle rental and return management can be unmanned, and the return rate can be improved.

  Further, if rental information is stored in association with the specific information, rental cycle rental management can be reliably performed unattended.

  Furthermore, if you check the return by comparing the rack number recorded on the card at the time of rental with the rack number of the rack where the user returned the rental cycle, the return of the rental cycle can be confirmed automatically, and return management can be done unattended. Can be done.

  Furthermore, if the payment processing number returned when the payment is made by the cashless payment means as the payment information, the information of the cashless payment means is not left except for the server that manages the customer information. There is no fear of being stolen and security is ensured.

  If the cashless payment means is a credit card, the already established credit payment system can be used, and the construction of the rental cycle system becomes easy.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a conceptual diagram of an embodiment of a bicycle rental system according to the present invention.
In FIG. 1, the rental cycle system according to the present embodiment realizes unmanned management for 24 hours. The use card issuing machine 1 as a use card issuing means, the network 2, and a server installed in a management center. A credit server 3, a management means 4, and a rack 6 that accommodates a rental bicycle 5 (bicycle) are provided.

  The use card issuing machine 1 issues a use card of a rental cycle 5 by, for example, a credit card 7 as a cashless settlement means, and is installed in a rental shop connected to the network 2. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, a credit card reader 8 that reads information (hereinafter referred to as card information) of the credit card 7 from the inserted credit card 7, and the card information read by the credit card reader 8. Is issued to the management center and receives a reply from the management center, and issues a use card in which an issue number is recorded as specific information based on the reply from the management center received by the communication unit 9 The card issuing unit 10, the transmitting unit 11 for transmitting the issuing number and the settlement processing number returned from the management center to the management PC 16 to be described later, the numeric keypad 12 for inputting the number of units used, and the usage corresponding to the number of units used A display unit 13 for displaying a charge, and a statement issuing unit 14 for issuing a usage statement for the credit card 7; Constituting a control unit 15 for controlling integrated whole. In addition, the said utilization card | curd is a magnetic card which can record the said issue number and rental information, for example. In this case, the card issuing unit 10 includes a recording unit capable of magnetic recording. The use card is not limited to a magnetic card, and any card may be used as long as it can record information. For example, it may be an optical recording medium or an IC card.

  The network 2 is a credit settlement network such as a packet communication network, and the credit server 3 is a credit server that stores and stores customer card information in a database. A credit settlement system is constructed by the network 2 and the credit server 3.

  Further, the management means 4 comprises a management personal computer (hereinafter referred to as management PC 16) and a card reader post 17 as card reading means.

  Here, the management PC 16 is a general personal computer, and the issue number and the settlement processing number input from the use card issuing machine 1 and the issue number and rental cycle 5 input from the card reader post 17 are lent. Information and return information are processed in association with each other, and lending management and return management are performed.

  The card reader post 17 reads and issues the issue number, and outputs the rental number and rental cycle 5 rental information and return information to the management PC 16 and is installed in a rental shop. ing.

  The specific configuration example of the card reader post 17 reads the information such as the issued number or unused or used from the inserted usage card as shown in FIG. The card reader / writer 18 that writes rental information such as the rack number of the rack 6 that accommodates the rental cycle 5 selected by the user, and the rental cycle 5 accommodated in the rack 6 of the rack number selected by the user at the time of lending are unlocked, At the time of return, a control signal for locking the rental cycle 5 returned to the rack 6 with the rack number is output to the rack 6 and a detection signal of the rental cycle 5 is received from the rack 6, and the rental information and return information are received. A transmitting unit 20 for transmitting to the management PC 16 together with the issue number, and a rental cipher selected by the user When the numeric keypad 21 for inputting the rack number of the rack 6 that houses the rack 5 and the rack number recorded on the use card at the time of return and the rack number of the rack 6 corresponding to the returned rental cycle 5 do not match, for example, An informing unit 22 for informing guidance information such as display or informing by voice and the like are integrated and controlled. When a user inputs a rack number with the numeric keypad 21 at the time of lending, the card reader / writer 18 is Write the rental information to the use card and unlock the rental cycle 5 accommodated in the rack 6 with the rack number, and determine the return of the rental cycle based on the rack number recorded on the use card at the time of return, A control signal for locking the returned rental cycle 5 is output to the rack 6 through the connection portion 19. Configure a that controller 23.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of racks 6 for housing the rental cycle 5 are installed in a bicycle parking lot of a rental shop, and the rental cycle 5 can be individually accommodated and managed. As shown in FIG. 4, the rack 6 has locking means 24 for individually locking the rental cycle 5 accommodated therein, a connection part 25 connected to the connection part 19 of the card reader post 17 by a cable, a card reader A lock unit driving unit 26 that locks and unlocks the lock unit 24 based on a control signal of the post 17, and a detection unit that detects the presence or absence of a rental cycle in the rack 6 and outputs the detection signal to the card reader post 17. 27.

Next, the operation of the rental cycle system of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.
First, the operation of the use card issuing procedure will be described with reference to FIG.
In step 1 (shown as S1 in FIG. 5 and the same shall apply hereinafter), the user inputs the number of units to be used with the numeric keypad 12 of the usage card issuing machine 1 installed in the rental shop (see FIG. 2). Based on this, in step 2, the charge for the number of units used is displayed on the display unit 13.

  Next, in step 3, the user inserts the credit card 7 into a card insertion slot (not shown) of the usage card issuing machine 1. Here, the card information is read from the credit card 7 inserted by the credit card reader 8 shown in FIG. Then, the credit card reader 8 is returned immediately.

  In step 4, the card information read in step 3 is sent to the management center via the network 2 through the communication unit 9 shown in FIG. 2 (see FIG. 1). In the management center, the card information stored in the database of the credit server 3 installed in the management center and managing customer card information is checked.

  In step 5, the credit server 3 determines whether payment is possible based on the card information transmitted from the use card issuing machine 1. This determination is a negative determination. If it is determined that payment is possible (“YES” determination), the payment processing number is acquired and the payment processing number is returned to the use card issuing machine 1 via the network 2 (see FIG. 1). Then, the process proceeds to Step 6.

  In step 6, the card issuing unit 10 shown in FIG. At the same time, the statement issuing unit 14 issues a usage statement for the credit card 7. Further, the settlement processing number and the issue number are transmitted from the transmission unit 11 to the management PC 16 and recorded in association with each other by the management PC 16 (see FIG. 1). Then, the use card issuance procedure ends.

  On the other hand, when the credit server 3 rejects the payment by the card information (“NO” determination) in step 5, the fact is returned to the use card issuing machine 1. In this case, the usage card issuing machine 1 displays on the display unit 13 that the usage card cannot be issued and ends the usage card issuing procedure.

Next, the operation of the rental procedure of the rental cycle 5 will be described with reference to FIG.
First, in step 11, the user selects a rental cycle 5 to be borrowed from among the rental cycles 5 parked in the rental shop.

  Next, in step 12, the user inserts the acquired use card into a card insertion slot (not shown) of the card reader post 17 installed in the rental shop (see FIG. 1). The card reader / writer 18 shown in FIG. 3 reads information recorded on the use card, for example, information such as an issue number or unused or used.

  In step 13, it is determined whether or not the use card is valid. Here, for example, when it is determined that the card is unused and valid (“YES” determination), the process proceeds to step 14. In this case, the notification unit 22 displays or voices a message for guiding the rack number input.

  In step 14, the user inputs the rack number of the rack 6 that accommodates the pre-selected rental cycle 5 using the numeric keypad 21 in accordance with the above message.

  In step 15, a control signal for receiving the input of the rack number and driving the lock means 24 of the rack number is sent to the rack 6 shown in FIG. In the rack 6, the lock means driving unit 26 is driven based on the control signal, and the lock means 24 is unlocked. Thereby, the user can take out the selected rental cycle 5.

  In step 16, the card reader / writer 18 writes rental information such as a rack number and a use start date on the use card, and then the use card is returned. In step 17, the user takes out the rental cycle 5 from the rack 6.

  In step 18, the issue number recorded on the use card from the card reader post 17 and the lending information such as the rack number and use start date entered by the user are entered into the management PC 16 to start lending management, and already recorded. The lending information is recorded in the management PC 16 in association with the issued issue number and settlement processing number. Thereby, the operation of the lending procedure is completed.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 13 that the card reader / writer 18 has read the information recorded on the use card and the use card is invalid or unusable due to being used or damaged ("NO" decision). ) Go to Step 19.

  In step 19, the notifying device 22 sends a message indicating that it cannot be lent, and at the same time returns the use card. Then, the operation of the lending procedure ends.

Next, the operation of the return processing procedure of the rental cycle 5 will be described with reference to FIG.
First, in step 21, the user returns the rental cycle 5 to the original rack 6 (see FIG. 1). In step 22, the user inserts the usage card into the card insertion slot of the card reader post 17.

  Next, in step 23, the rack number recorded on the use card is read by the card reader / writer 18 shown in FIG. At the same time, whether or not the rental cycle 5 is present in the rack 6 with the rack number is detected by the detection unit 27 provided in the rack 6 (see FIG. 4), and the detection signal is output to the card reader post 17. The controller 23 of the card reader post 17 collates the parking situation based on the detection signal.

  In step 24, the control unit 23 determines whether the rental cycle 5 is parked in the rack 6 having the rack number. Here, if the rental cycle 5 is not parked in the rack 6 ("NO" determination), the routine proceeds to step 25.

  In step 25, the notification unit 22 notifies the user that the returned rack number is different by display or voice. In response to this, in step 26, the user confirms the returned rack number and replaces the rental cycle 5 with the rack 6 having the correct number. Then, the process returns to step 23.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step 24 that the rental cycle 5 is correctly returned to the rack 6 with the rank number recorded on the use card (“YES” determination), the process proceeds to step 27.

  In step 27, the card reader / writer 18 writes used information to the use card and returns it. Further, in step 28, a control signal is output from the card reader post 17 to the rack 6, and the rental cycle 5 returned by driving the locking means driving unit 26 shown in FIG. 4 is locked by the locking means 24.

  Next, in step 29, the card reader post 17 inputs the use card issue number and return information indicating that the rental cycle 5 has been returned to the management PC 16, and the lending information corresponding to the issue number recorded in the management PC 16 Is deleted. Thereby, the return processing procedure ends.

  As described above, according to the rental cycle system of the present embodiment, since the use of the rental cycle 5 is issued at the same time that the payment is made with the credit card 7, the rental payment of the rental cycle 5 is not accompanied by the cash settlement, and the collection or change of the change is made. Simplified management work can be realized without the need for work.

  In addition, since there is no cash in the entire system, there is no risk of theft. Furthermore, when the rental card rental and return are managed based on the specific information of the usage card read from the usage card and the settlement information associated with the specific information, the specific information is not returned. Since the user can be identified from the settlement information, rental cycle rental and return management can be unmanned, and the return rate can be improved.

  Further, if the payment processing number returned when the payment by the cashless payment means is made as the card information, the information on the cashless payment means is not left except for the credit server 3 that manages the customer information. There is no risk of information being stolen, and security is ensured.

  In the present embodiment, the return management of the rental cycle 5 is input with the issue number recorded on the usage card and the return information indicating that the rental cycle 5 has been returned to the rack number recorded at the time of lending read from the usage card. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and return information indicating that the rental cycle has been accommodated in the rack 5 of the rack number arbitrarily selected by the user at the time of return may be input. In this case, it is not necessary to record the rack number on the use card. According to this, the user only has to return to one of the vacant racks 6 at the time of return, and convenience at the time of return is improved.

  In the rental cycle system according to the present embodiment, the cashless payment means is not limited to a credit card. For example, a bank debit card or a mobile phone can be used as long as it can identify an individual and has a cashless payment function. May be.

  And in the above description, although the use card was used once, it is not restricted to this, A coupon ticket may be sufficient. In this case, it is necessary to provide the card reader post 17 with a function of recording the number of uses. Further, the use card may be a prepaid card. In this case, the card reader post 17 needs to have a function of subtracting the usage fee from the prepaid card.

It is a conceptual diagram which shows embodiment of the rental cycle system by this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the use card issuing machine of the said rental cycle system. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the card reader post | mailbox of the said rental cycle system. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the rack of the said rental cycle system. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of a use card | curd issuance procedure. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of the rental procedure of a rental cycle. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of the return process procedure of a rental cycle.

Explanation of symbols

1 ... Used card issuing machine (used card issuing means)
3 ... Credit server (server)
4 ... Management means 5 ... Rental cycle 6 ... Rack 7 ... Credit card (cashless payment means)
16 ... Management PC (Management PC)
17 ... Card reader post (card reading means)

Claims (7)

  When a payment is made by the cashless payment means by communicating with a server that manages information on a cashless payment means owned by a customer, at least a rental card use card is recorded and issued with specific information on the use card, and the cash The payment information by the less payment means and the specific information of the use card are stored in association with each other, and rental cycle rental and return are managed based on the specific information and the payment information read from the use card. Bicycle rental system characterized by   The lending management is configured to read the specific information, unlock a rack selected based on a user's selection operation, and take out a rental cycle, and store the lending information in association with the specific information. The rental cycle system according to claim 1.   The return management reads the specific information, compares the rack number recorded on the use card at the time of lending with the rack number of the rack from which the user returned the rental cycle, confirms the return, locks the rental cycle, The rental cycle system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the return information is stored in association with the specific information. A use card issuing means for recording and issuing at least the specific information of a rental cycle use card when communicating with a server for managing information of the cashless payment means owned by the customer and making a payment by the cashless payment means;
The cashless payment means input from the use card issuing means stores the payment information and the specific information in association with each other, and rents and returns rental cycles based on the specific information and the payment information read from the use card Management means for managing
The rental cycle system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein:   The management means reads the specific information, unlocks the rack selected based on the user's selection operation at the time of lending, and outputs the lending information together with the specific information, while the use at the time of lending at the time of return A card reading means for collating the rack number recorded on the card with the rack number of the rack to which the user returned the rental cycle, confirming the return, locking the rental cycle, and outputting the return information together with the specific information; and the card 5. The rental cycle according to claim 4, further comprising: a management personal computer that manages the rental and returns by associating and storing the specific information, the loan information, and the return information input from the reading unit with the payment information. system.   The payment information is a payment processing number that is returned when the information of the cashless payment means is verified by checking the information of the cashless payment means with a database stored in the server and the payment is made. The rental cycle system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein:   The rental cycle system according to claim 1, wherein the cashless settlement means is a credit card.

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