JP2012064230A - Bicycle rental system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To propose a bicycle rental system capable of providing bicycle rental services on lots of street corners, in sightseeing areas, in condominiums and other various kinds of installations, without manpower, regardless of the number of bicycles.SOLUTION: Following an instruction of a borrower, a mobile phone transmits a bicycle number corresponding to a bicycle which the borrower wants to rent. A headquarter computer receives the bicycle number transmitted from the mobile phone and transmits an unlocking signal to a bicycle parking machine where the bicycle corresponding to the bicycle number is parked. The bicycle parking machine having a communication key to lock/unlock the bicycle receives the unlocking signal transmitted from the headquarter computer and unlocks the communication key. Thus, bicycle rentals can be managed even on a small scale, and bicycle rental shops can be launched naturally in sightseeing areas and also on a number of street corners.

Description

  The present invention relates to a bicycle rental system in which a bicycle can be rented without human intervention by creating a new communication key, a rental headquarters, and a new communication means.

  In recent years, the rental of bicycles has attracted attention as a countermeasure for increasing the number of abandoned bicycles and for short-distance transportation on the go. Conventionally, when renting a bicycle, a borrower can only rent a bicycle in a place where the lessor is located. Conversely, the lender could not lend a bicycle unless he was always stationed. In bicycle rental management, the rental fee must be set relatively low, so a small number of rentals, such as one or two, was not profitable and could not be managed. Moreover, even when handling a large number of bicycles, it was difficult to make a profit due to the fact that a considerable amount of money was required for customer service. In addition, handling a large number of bicycles at a large number of bicycle parking lots was more difficult for profit. Nevertheless, the number of those who wish to rent a bicycle is on the rise for the above reasons.

  In view of the above prior art, an object of the present invention is to provide a bicycle rental system capable of renting a street corner or a sightseeing spot, a condominium, and various other facilities regardless of the number without requiring human labor. .

A bicycle rental system according to a first aspect of the present invention is a rental bicycle, a mobile phone of a borrower, a plurality of bicycle parking machines installed in a bicycle parking lot where the bicycle is parked, and communication with each of the plurality of bicycle parking machines. A bicycle rental system comprising: a computer capable of transmitting a bicycle number corresponding to a bicycle desired to be rented to the headquarter computer in accordance with an instruction from the lessee; The bicycle number transmitted from the mobile phone is received, and the unlock signal is transmitted to the bicycle parking machine in which the bicycle corresponding to the bicycle number is parked, and the bicycle parking machine locks / unlocks the bicycle. A communication key is provided, and the communication key is unlocked by receiving an unlock signal transmitted from the head office computer.
The bicycle rental system according to a second aspect of the present invention is the bicycle rental system according to the first aspect, wherein the head office computer receives a bicycle number transmitted from the mobile phone, and a bicycle corresponding to the bicycle number received by the reception unit is parked. An unlocking signal transmitting unit for transmitting an unlocking signal to the bicycle parking apparatus.
The bicycle rental system according to a third aspect of the present invention is the bicycle rental system according to the first or second aspect, wherein the bicycle parking machine includes a communication key for locking / unlocking the bicycle, and a transmission / reception unit for receiving an unlocking signal transmitted from the head office computer. And an unlocking processing unit that unlocks the communication key when the transmitting / receiving unit receives the unlocking signal.
According to a bicycle rental system of a fourth invention, in the first, second or third invention, the bicycle is provided with a display unit for displaying a bicycle number corresponding to the bicycle, and the bicycle parking machine includes the display unit. A bicycle number is read from the display unit of the bicycle to be locked when the communication key is locked, the bicycle number is read by the reader, It is characterized by discriminating.
A bicycle rental system according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the bicycle rental system according to the first, second, third or fourth aspect, wherein the mobile phone transmits the phone number of the mobile phone together with the bicycle number to the head office computer. Calculates a rental fee based on the time from when the communication key is unlocked to rent the bicycle to when the communication key is locked to return the bicycle, and the rental fee is calculated as follows: It is charged together with the telephone fee of the mobile phone corresponding to the telephone number.
A bicycle rental system according to a sixth aspect of the invention is characterized in that, in the first, second, third, fourth, or fifth invention, the bicycle is equipped with a transmitter that transmits the position of the bicycle.

  In the present invention, since a person who desires to rent a bicycle communicates with his / her mobile phone to the rental headquarters and unlocks the desired bicycle so that the person can be rented. As a matter of course, in sightseeing spots, you can open rental stores around the street. The rental headquarters can also perform unlocking work in an almost unattended state, so that the rental fee can be set at a reasonable price and can be used widely in various locations. In addition, when the rental fee is charged to the owner of the mobile phone, even if it is a small amount, it can be charged, received and processed without delay by contracting with the telephone company so that it can be charged together with the phone fee. Furthermore, if a bicycle is equipped with a transmitter and the current location is managed, accidents such as leaving the bicycle will be reduced and smooth rental will be possible.

1 is a block diagram showing an overall outline of a bicycle rental system of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control apparatus arrange | positioned with respect to each bicycle of the said system. It is explanatory drawing which shows the recording processing part processing content on the head office computer of the said system. It is a front view of the guidance board installed in the rental store of the said system. It is a flowchart which shows a borrower's debit in the said system. It is a flowchart which shows the credit of the lender (a rental shop and a rental headquarters) in the said system.

  In the bicycle rental system according to the present invention, one or a plurality of rental bicycles equipped with a communication key that can be unlocked by inputting a specific communication signal are arranged in a bicycle parking lot of a bicycle rental store equipped with a security device such as a security camera as appropriate. When a person who wants to rent a bicycle (lessee) communicates with his / her mobile phone to the rental headquarters instead of the lessor and designates a desired bicycle number, the rental headquarters designates the rental headquarters. The specific signal is output to the communication key provided on the bicycle, the communication key is unlocked, and the bicycle can be rented. When the previous communication key is locked, the bicycle to be locked is not unlocked. It is characterized in that it is the same as a bicycle.

  In the implementation of the present invention, it is promised that when the borrower calls the rental headquarters in advance from the lessee and the rental headquarters, the number is recorded as personal identification information and the communication key is unlocked. In addition, the lessee is informed that the rental fee or the like is charged to the owner of the mobile phone. The communication key may be any key that can be unlocked by a specific communication signal transmitted from the rental headquarters. For example, the communication key unlocks the tire lock of the bicycle parking machine.

  In order to unlock by wire, it is only necessary to send a signal to a predetermined line. In the case of wireless, it is necessary to provide signal identification means for each communication key. It is also conceivable that the sound output from the mobile phone is passed through the conversion device to send a signal and unlocked.

  The mobile phone may be any mobile phone with PHS and other phone functions, and the phone to the rental headquarters may be via the Internet, such as a character transfer device, even if it does not make an actual call. It is a condition that identification ability is high, that is, it has a personal identification function. In the text information, the number of the borrowed bicycle and the scheduled rental time are entered numerically. It is also conceivable that the voice of a call is input numerically through a conversion device.

  In the present invention, when a borrower who wishes to rent a bicycle calls the rental headquarters in accordance with a predetermined procedure and designates a bicycle number, the rental headquarters inputs an unconditional condition or some condition such as a conversation, and the communication Unlock the key. The time required for unlocking is instantaneous when a call is made under unconditional conditions. Thereby, the rental applicant can take out the designated bicycle from an unmanned rental shop because the communication key of the bicycle is unlocked.

  In the present invention, the rental fee for the bicycle is calculated based on the time between the person who desires to rent the bicycle, after unlocking the communication key, renting the bicycle and locking the communication key. Then, the calculated rental fee is charged together with the telephone fee of the mobile phone. The billing method may be notified to the borrower in advance in a guide or the like. In general, the rental fee is considerably low, such as 100 yen per hour or 300 yen per day, so it is difficult to issue an invoice. Therefore, it is possible to make a contract with a telephone company for such a flat rate charge and add it to the telephone bill for the mobile phone. Locking is not performed by the borrower but can be called again at the time of return to activate the communication key again.

  Furthermore, in the present invention, the bicycle is equipped with a GPS or other transmitter that transmits its position, and the current location of the bicycle is displayed on a map. Therefore, since the present location of the bicycle can be monitored at all times, it is possible to monitor a malicious usage situation such as neglecting and smoothly perform the collection process. In the event of a puncture breakdown or major damage during bicycle rental, it is possible to set a limit and claim damages against the owner of the mobile phone, including negotiations with an insurance company. It is.

  The present invention can be sufficiently implemented on the basis of these matters, and an unmanned or manned rental headquarters is used, and a large number of rental places or rental stores are arranged below it. Can be carried out. It is also possible for the rental headquarters to be directly managed by the rental headquarters.

  In FIG. 1 showing an embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of bicycle parking machines 2 are installed in each rental store 1, and front bicycles are fixed by a communication key 3 provided in each bicycle parking machine 2, and each bicycle 4 is arranged. Has been. A normal bicycle key may be attached to the bicycle 4 separately. This key is used to lock the bicycle during rental. The first-cycle bicycle 4 is provided with a knitting kite in front of it. Characters indicating the bicycle number are displayed in front of the bicycle, and a bar code 5 indicating the contents of the number is displayed below the characters. On the other hand, the bicycle parking machine 2 is provided with a control device 6 having a built-in CPU 10 (see FIG. 2). The control device 6 can read the communication key 3 and the barcode 5 and can read the barcode reader 7 and the crime prevention. The camera 8 is connected to the telephone 9 of the rental store 1. The connection with the telephone 9 may be wireless instead of wired.

  Details of the control device 6 are shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the control device 6 is configured by connecting a transmission / reception unit 11, a barcode reader 5, an imaging processing unit 12, and an unlocking processing unit 13 to a CPU 10 through an appropriate interface. When a specific unlock signal I-OPEN is input by the transmission / reception unit 11, the control device 6 operates the communication key 3 and unlocks the bicycle 4 so that the bicycle 4 can be taken out from the bicycle parking device 2. Also, the security camera 8 is operated in accordance with the unlocking and locking timing of the communication key 3 to record a photographed image for 5 minutes and store it on a video tape (not shown). Further, when the barcode 5 shown in front of the bicycle 4 is read by the barcode reader 5, it can be determined that the bicycle is the same as that before unlocking.

  In FIG. 1, the rental store 1 may be provided with accessory equipment 14 such as a card reader or a money depositing / dispensing machine that can communicate with a card such as a prepaid card, a cash card, or a loan card. However, these facilities require a relatively large amount of money and are not arranged in a small rental store 1 that handles several bicycles. The mobile phone 15 shown in the center of the rental store 1 shown is owned by a borrower (not shown) who desires to rent. The communication network 16 indicates a general telephone network or Internet line.

  One central computer 17 shown in FIG. 1 is installed anywhere in the country, but two computers may be installed as backups. On the other hand, the rental store 1 delivers and installs only the necessary number of bicycles 4 in places where there is a demand for rental such as various places, facilities, and facilities throughout the country. In addition, a bicycle parking lot for rental is set up near the bicycle parking lot of the newly built apartment, and a membership rental system for condominium residents may be constructed there. Generally, since the rental headquarters 18 cooperates with rental companies in various locations and this system is operated, the number of rental stores 1 is estimated to be several hundred to several thousand.

  The computer 17 of the rental headquarter 18 includes a telephone reception unit 19 and a character information reception unit 20, and is adapted to the Internet. The computer 17 includes an unlocking signal transmission unit 21, an abnormality handling unit 22, a recording processing unit 23, a settlement processing unit 24, and a billing processing unit 25. The unlock signal transmission unit 21 outputs a signal to the control device 6 to open the communication key 3 of the required bicycle via the telephone 9 of the rental store 1. Basically, the telephone reception unit 19 and the character information reception unit 20 are notified of the number of the mobile phone 15, and when a bicycle number is designated, the communication key 3 of the bicycle is unlocked at that time.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the recording processing unit 23 records a rental store No (bicycle parking No), a bicycle No, an unlocking time, a locking time, and the like for each mobile number that is called. The settlement processing unit 24 and the billing processing unit 25 determine the billing amount and the receipt contents in accordance with these records, and appropriately tabulate them. The totaling should be done several days before the phone bill.

  The abnormality response unit 22 appropriately responds when an abnormality occurs due to a report from the rental store 1 or the Internet. For example, if there is damage, puncture, etc., a penalty is added to the total value. If the bicycle 4 is left and is not returned, the current position of the bicycle 4 is displayed on the map by a call from the transmitter 27 attached to the bicycle 4 shown in FIG. ) Instructing the collection and requesting the expense to the borrower of the bicycle 4.

  At the entrance of the rental store 1, a guide plate 26 shown in FIG. As shown in the guide plate 26, the method of using this system is extremely simple and has a public benefit. When the contents of the guide plate 26 are shown, it can be rented if a mobile phone is called as a system outline, and if it is returned to the original state, a low fee is charged together with the telephone fee without penalty. In addition, it is also described that reimbursement is necessary in the event of an abnormality.

  Since the mobile phone 15 can use the Internet function of the mobile phone 15, in this case, the charge required for ordering can be made at a very low price of about several yen. Of course, communication is also possible. Basically, multiple operators or managers will be stationed at the rental headquarters.

  Since the rental store 1 is basically unattended, no labor cost is required, and a cheap fee can be set. The only thing that can be dealt with is the use of a mobile phone 15 by someone else, but it is considered that this case is extremely rare. It is.

  FIG. 5 shows a flowchart of the borrowing procedure. When the rental headquarter 18 is called by the mobile phone 15 in step 501 and the number of the designated bicycle 4 is input, the communication key 3 that locks the designated bicycle 4 is unlocked by a specific signal from the rental headquarters in step 502. Is done. Therefore, the borrower can take out the designated bicycle 4 and start rental. When the required time has elapsed in step 503 and the bicycle 4 is to be returned, the return process is executed in step 504 via step 504. The return process is locking the communication key 3. Through these procedures, the rental headquarters 18 performs the above-described processing and sends out the invoice. Thus, if payment is made at a later date in step 506, all of the payment is completed. If it causes a bad feeling at step 504 and is installed at step 507, a charge is charged at step 508 and payment is forced at step 509. During this time, the bicycle is collected in a separate procedure. For these billing processes, it is not preferable that the computer 17 be completely unmanned, and should be processed while communicating with each rental store 1 to the manager of the rental headquarters 18 staying.

  FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of the lending procedure. In step 601, when there is a rental order from the mobile phone 15, the designated bicycle 4 is unlocked. In step 602, the rental time is measured. If no abnormality is confirmed in step 604, a normal fee is calculated and charged in step 604. If there is an abnormality, in step 605, a corresponding charge is made and charged. If the receipt is made at step 606, a fee of about 10% is subtracted and payment is made to each rental store 1.

  As described above, in the present invention, a simple and clear and easy-to-use bicycle rental system is completed. Moreover, almost all of the rental work is performed at an unattended level, and each rental store can be rented unattended and unattended. The owner of the rental store, the manager of the condominium, and the manager of the rental bicycle designated by the rental headquarters need only perform the operation status of the unmanned rental system and clean the seats. From another point of view, it is possible to place one or several bicycles at the eaves of various stores such as supermarkets, bicycle stores, banks, etc., and use them for rental work. After all, rental stores can be scattered in various places in the city, so the user can borrow anytime, anywhere, which is very convenient. Moreover, the fee is basically unattended, so it can be set at a low price.

  Naturally, the security camera 8 should be able to record sound. It is useful for the rental headquarters 18 to solve together with the rental store 1 when any problem occurs.

  The bicycle rental system using the attached equipment (card reader or money depositing / dispensing machine) 14 shown in FIG. 1 is large and expensive, and can be sufficient as a good business in view of the recent slump in prices. There is a doubt, and a cheap rental system using the mobile phone 15 according to the present invention should be recommended.

  The method for determining the bicycle number is not limited to the barcode 5 and the barcode reader 7. It may be automatically performed by wireless communication. However, it is a condition that the cost of wireless communication does not increase the price of bicycle rental.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Rental shop 2 Bicycle parking machine 3 Communication key 4 Bicycle 5 Bar code 6 Control apparatus 7 Bar code reader 8 Camera 9 Rental shop telephone 10 CPU
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Transmission / reception part 12 Imaging processing part 13 Unlocking processing part 14 Attached equipment (card reader or money depositing / dispensing machine)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 15 Mobile phone 16 Communication network 17 Headquarters computer 18 Rental headquarters 19 Telephone reception part 20 Character information reception part 21 Unlock signal transmission part 22 Abnormality response part 23 Recording processing part 24 Settlement processing part 25 Claim processing part 26 Information board 27 Transmitter 27 Transmitter

Claims (6)

Rental bicycles,
The mobile phone of the lessee,
A plurality of bicycle parking machines installed in a bicycle parking lot where the bicycle is parked;
A bicycle rental system comprising a headquarters computer capable of communicating with each of the plurality of bicycle parking machines,
The mobile phone transmits a bicycle number corresponding to a bicycle desired to be rented to the headquarter computer according to the instructions of the lessee,
The headquarter computer receives a bicycle number transmitted from the mobile phone, and transmits an unlock signal to a bicycle parking machine on which a bicycle corresponding to the bicycle number is parked.
The bicycle parking machine
A communication key for locking and unlocking the bicycle is provided,
A bicycle rental system that receives an unlock signal transmitted from the head office computer and unlocks the communication key. The head office computer
A reception unit for receiving a bicycle number transmitted from the mobile phone;
The bicycle rental system according to claim 1, further comprising: an unlocking signal transmitting unit that transmits an unlocking signal to a bicycle parking device on which a bicycle corresponding to the bicycle number received by the reception unit is parked. The bicycle parking machine
A communication key for locking and unlocking the bicycle;
A transmission / reception unit for receiving an unlocking signal transmitted from the head office computer;
The bicycle rental system according to claim 1, further comprising: an unlocking processing unit that unlocks the communication key when the transmitting / receiving unit receives an unlocking signal. The bicycle is provided with a display unit for displaying a bicycle number corresponding to the bicycle,
The bicycle parking machine
A reader for reading the bicycle number from the display section is provided,
3. When the communication key is locked, a bicycle number is read from the display unit of the bicycle to be locked by the reader, and it is determined that the bicycle is the same as the bicycle before unlocking. Or the bicycle rental system of 3. The mobile phone transmits the mobile phone number together with the bicycle number to the head office computer,
The head office computer
A rental fee is calculated based on the time from when the communication key is unlocked to rent the bicycle to when the communication key is locked to return the bicycle,
The bicycle rental system according to claim 1, 2, 3, or 4, wherein the rental fee is charged together with a telephone fee of a mobile phone corresponding to the telephone number. The bicycle rental system according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5, wherein the bicycle is equipped with a transmitter for transmitting the position of the bicycle.

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