JP2017073158A - Rental system and rental method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a novel technique for calculating a rental fee in a technique for lending a rental object to a user and performing return processing of the rental object.MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEM: When a rental object is returned, it is determined whether or not, a return station matches a lending station, and a rental fee of the rental object is increased based on a length of a rental period, and when the return station does not match the lending station, the rental fee is increased relative to when the return station matches the lending station.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for lending and returning a rental target to a user.

  In recent years, services for renting and returning rental objects to users have become widespread. Various rental objects already exist, and may be newly added in the future. Existing rental objects cover property and property as tangibles and audiovisual content as intangibles (for example, content represented by data not fixed on a recording medium).

  The rental object as movable property includes, for example, land, water or flying vehicles (for example, for movement or entertainment), furniture, clothing, electrical appliances, accessories that are detachably attached to electrical appliances (for example, batteries Or a charger), a recording medium (for example, a CD) on which audio-visual content is recorded, which can be reproduced by the user. In addition, examples of rental objects as real estate include, for example, a room of an accommodation facility (for example, a hotel) where the user can stay for a short time or a stay facility (for example, an apartment) where the user can stay for a long time, a coin locker, There are individual parking spaces in the parking lot.

  Examples of rental objects as land vehicles include bicycles. For example, in tourist areas, there are services for renting bicycles to travelers as a means for travelers to travel to their destinations. In urban areas, bicycles are used as a means for commuting and other movements to users. There are services to rent.

  Specific techniques for providing a service for renting and returning bicycles to users have already been proposed.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for managing each station by communicating with an external management center in order to rent a bicycle. This technique assigns a two-dimensional code to each bicycle and displays it on the first print medium, and assigns a two-dimensional code to each station and displays it on the second print medium. A dial lock is locked on each bicycle to store each bicycle, and the user reads the two-dimensional code of the bicycle he wants to borrow and manages the information via the user's portable communication device. It is transmitted to the center, whereby the management center recognizes the current bicycle.

  In this technology, the user further reads the two-dimensional code of the station where the user is actually present, and transmits the information to the management center via the user's portable communication device, whereby the management center And when the bicycle is rented, when the management center transmits the unlock number of the key to the user's mobile communication device, and when receiving the unlock number, the user receives the unlock number The key is unlocked by using the key.

  Patent Document 2 also discloses a technique for managing each station by communicating with an external management center in order to rent a bicycle. In this technique, a key is used for each bicycle, and when the management center receives a vehicle number of a bicycle that the user wants to borrow from the user's portable communication device, the bicycle is unlocked to unlock the key of the bicycle. A signal is transmitted to the key, and the key is automatically unlocked when the unlock signal is received.

  Patent Document 3 discloses a technique for managing each station independently in order to rent a bicycle. In this technology, in the same station, a numerical value input unit and a bicycle parking management unit (having a storage device) common to a plurality of bicycles and a bicycle lock control unit for each bicycle are installed, and each bicycle lock control is performed. The point that the unit uses a key, the point that a unique device number is assigned to each bicycle lock control unit, and the bicycle parking management unit receives the device number and the password from the user via the numerical value input unit ( When the user receives a personal identification number registered in advance to identify the person, the bicycle lock control unit is controlled to unlock the key.

  Patent Document 4 also discloses a technique for managing each station by communicating with an external management center in order to rent a bicycle. In this technology, a stand is installed for each bicycle in the same station, the stand uses a key, and the management center receives a specific communication with the mobile communication device from the user via the mobile communication device. When an operation message indicating a stand is received, an unlock signal for unlocking the key is transmitted to the specific stand, and when the release signal is received, the key is unlocked. And

  Patent Document 5 discloses a technique of encrypting the current time on a display of a ticket issuing machine installed in a parking lot and displaying it momentarily.

JP 2011-248813 A Japanese Patent No. 5008108 Japanese Patent No. 5507916 US Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0196631 Japanese Patent No. 5340466

  In the bicycle rental service described above, there are cases in which it is important for the management center to correctly grasp at which of a plurality of stations a user rents or returns a bicycle.

  An example of such a case is that for a billing rule adopted by the management center to calculate the amount of rental fees charged to a user, a user returns a bicycle at the same station that borrowed it. This is a case where the charging rule is adopted so that the amount of the rental fee charged to the user is different between when the return is made and when the return is made at another station.

  Another example is that every time a bicycle is rented, it knows exactly which station it was rented, and every time a bicycle is returned, it knows exactly what station it was returned to, Calculate the balance of the number of bicycles at each station (for example, estimate the number of bicycles that can be rented from moment to moment), and based on the results, multiple bicycles can be deployed at each station without excess or deficiency. This is an example where bicycles are distributed appropriately between stations.

  However, if the user stores information for identifying the station that lent out and communicates the same information to the management center at the time of return, the station that performs the return and the station that performed the rent are Regardless of whether they are the same or different, the management center recognizes that the user has returned at the same station where the user lent out.

  For this reason, the user misuses such a reality, and in fact, although the return is performed at a station different from the station that rented out, information for deliberately identifying the station that lent out There is a possibility of performing an illegal act of communicating the same information to the management center at the time of return.

  In the above, taking the case where the rental target is a bicycle as an example, the problem that the user may cheat when the user inputs the data necessary for renting and returning the rental target has been described. Similar problems also exist when renting and returning other rental objects to the user.

  Against the background of the above knowledge, the present invention relates to a technology for lending and returning a rental object to a user, and a case where a user returns a rental object at the same station as the borrower. It is an object of the present invention to provide a technique for calculating a rental fee so that the amount of the rental fee charged to the user differs depending on whether the return is made at the station.

In order to solve the problem, according to the first aspect of the present invention , a rental system that lends and returns a rental object that is a movable property to a user,
A plurality of stations each storing at least one rental object;
A management server that lends and returns a rental object to a user by communicating via a communication device with a user who wishes to use any station to rent any rental object When
Including
The management server is
When a rental request is received from the user via the communication device and the first information for identifying any one of the stations desired to be rented as a rental station is associated with the user A rental processing unit that stores the rental time of the rental object and the rental station in a memory;
A station that is requested to return a rental request from the user via the communication device and is the same as or different from the station from which the rental was performed. And the second information for specifying the rental station as the return station, the rental time as the elapsed time from the rental time read from the memory of the rental return time of the rental target to the user is received. The length of the target rental time is calculated, it is determined whether or not the return station matches the rental station read from the memory, and the rental fee for the rental target is calculated as the calculated rental time. And the return based on the result of the match / mismatch determination. As it increased than when station is to be matched if it does not match with the lending station, a return processing section for calculating
A rental system is provided.

Moreover, according to the second aspect of the present invention, there is a rental method for lending and returning a rental object that is a movable property to a user,
  To execute the rental method,
  A plurality of stations each storing at least one rental object;
  A management server that lends and returns a rental object to a user by communicating via a communication device with a user who wishes to use any station to rent any rental object When
  Is used,
  The rental method is
  A lending process executed by the management server, which identifies a lending request from a user and any of the stations that are desired to be lent as a lending station via the communication device. When receiving the first information to do so, in association with the user, the one of the rental target rental time and the rental station are stored in a memory,
  A return processing step executed by the management server, which is any station that desires a return request from the user via the communication device and a return of the rented rental target to be performed, The memory at the time when the rented rental object is returned to the user when receiving the second information for identifying a station that is the same as or different from the rented station as the return station. The rental time length of the rental object is calculated as the elapsed time from the lending time read from, and it is determined whether or not the return station matches the lending station read from the memory. , Based on the calculated rental time, the rental fee for the rental And forehead, and, based on the match-mismatch decision result, so that the return station to increase than the case where a match does not match the said lending station, and return processing step of calculating
  A rental method is provided.

Moreover, according to the third aspect of the present invention, there is a rental method for lending and returning a rental object that is a movable property to a user,
  To execute the rental method,
  A plurality of stations each storing at least one rental object;
  A management server that lends and returns a rental object to a user by communicating via a communication device with a user who wishes to use any station to rent any rental object When
  Is used,
  The rental method is
  A determination step of determining whether or not a return station where the return is made coincides with a rental station where the rental of any of the rental objects is performed, when the management server returns any of the rental objects;
  A rental time calculating step of calculating a rental time as an elapsed time from the time when the lending was performed, by the management server,
  Rental fee calculation for calculating the rental fee to be rented based on the calculated length of rental time and so as to increase if the return station does not match the renting station. Process and
  A rental method is provided.

Moreover, according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, there is a rental system for lending and returning a rental object to a user,
A plurality of stations each storing at least one rental object;
A management server that lends and returns a rental object to a user by communicating via a communication device with a user who wishes to use any station to rent any rental object And commonly used for the plurality of stations,
The management server is
A rental request from the user via the communication device, first information for identifying any one of the stations desired to be rented as a rental station, and a rental target to be lent When the second information for identification is received, on the condition that both the first information and the second information are authentic, the personal identification number unique to the rental object is read from the memory and transmitted to the user. A loan permitting unit that allows the user to lend the specified rental target at the specified rental station, and stores the rental time and the rental station in the memory;
A station that is requested to return a rental request from the user via the communication device and is the same as or different from the station from which the rental was performed. Is received as the return station and the fourth information for specifying the rented rental object is received on condition that both the third information and the fourth information are authentic. A return permission unit that permits the user to return the specified rental object at the specified return station;
The return time is calculated as an elapsed time from the lending time read from the memory, and the rental time length of the rental target is calculated, and the return station and the lending station read from the memory It is determined whether or not they match, the rental fee to be rented is increased based on the calculated rental time length, and the return station determines the rental fee based on the result of the match / mismatch determination. A rental system is provided that includes a rental fee calculator that calculates to increase the amount if it does not match the station.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bicycle rental system for renting and returning a rental bicycle to a user at a plurality of stations each storing the rental bicycle,
An encryption unit that generates a cipher by encrypting a station ID unique to each station;
A display unit for displaying the generated cipher at the position of each station;
A management server that centrally manages the plurality of stations by communicating with a communication device of a user who uses any of the stations, and
The management server is
A receiving unit that receives the cipher from a user's communication device in any station;
Decrypting the received cipher, thereby restoring the corresponding station ID, thereby identifying the station where the user is actually located, and
A bicycle rental system is provided in which the plurality of ciphers respectively displayed at the positions of the plurality of stations is a dynamic cipher that is dynamic with respect to the station positions.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bicycle rental method for renting and returning a rental bicycle to a user at a plurality of stations each storing the rental bicycle,
An encryption step of generating a cipher by encrypting a station ID unique to each station;
A display step of displaying the generated cipher on the screen at the position of each station;
A receiving step in which a management server that centrally manages the plurality of stations receives the cipher from a user communication device at any station by communicating with the communication device of a user using any of the stations; ,
The management server decrypts the received cipher and thereby restores the corresponding station ID, thereby identifying the station where the user is actually located;
A bicycle rental method is provided in which the plurality of ciphers displayed at the positions of the plurality of stations are dynamic ciphers that are dynamic with respect to the station positions.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bicycle rental method for renting and returning a rental bicycle to a user at a plurality of stations each storing the rental bicycle,
An encryption process for generating the cipher to be dynamic with respect to the station position;
A display step of displaying the generated cipher on the screen at the position of each station,
A user at any station uses the available communication device to transmit the cipher displayed on the screen to a management center that centrally manages the plurality of stations,
The method further includes:
A receiving step of receiving the cipher from a user communication device;
A measurement step of measuring the time when the reception was performed as the reception time;
Decrypting the received cipher, thereby restoring the corresponding station ID, thereby providing a bicycle rental method that includes a decryption step that identifies the station where the user is actually located.

Moreover, according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, there is a rental system for lending and returning a rental object that is a movable property to a user,
  A plurality of stations each storing at least one rental object;
  A management server that lends and returns a rental object to a user by communicating via a communication device with a user who wishes to use any station to rent any rental object And commonly used for the plurality of stations.
  Including
  The management server is
  A rental request from the user via the communication device, first information for identifying any one of the stations desired to be rented as a rental station, and a rental target to be lent When the second information for identification is received, on the condition that both the first information and the second information are authentic, the personal identification number unique to the rental object is read from the memory and transmitted to the user. A loan permitting unit that allows the user to lend the specified rental target at the specified rental station, and stores the rental time and the rental station in the memory;
  A station that is requested to return a rental request from the user via the communication device and is the same as or different from the station from which the rental was performed. Is received as the return station and the fourth information for specifying the rented rental object is received on condition that both the third information and the fourth information are authentic. A return permission unit that permits the user to return the specified rental object at the specified return station;
  The return time is calculated as an elapsed time from the lending time read from the memory, and the rental time length of the rental target is calculated, and the return station and the lending station read from the memory It is determined whether or not they match, the rental fee to be rented is increased based on the calculated rental time length, and the return station determines the rental fee based on the result of the match / mismatch determination. If it does not match the station, the rental fee calculation part to be calculated will be increased so that it will be higher than the case of matching
  A rental system is provided.

In one example, the rental object is a rental vehicle including a rental bicycle, a rental motorcycle, or a rental vehicle,
  The personal identification number is a personal identification number for unlocking the rental vehicle.

In another example, the rental object is rental furniture,
  The personal identification number is a personal identification number applied to a door key in a closed space where the rental furniture is stored.

In yet another example, the rental object is a rental CD,
  The personal identification number is a personal identification number applied to a door key in a closed space where the rental CD is stored.

  The following aspects are obtained by the present invention. Each aspect is divided into sections, each section is given a number, and is described in a form that cites other section numbers as necessary. This is to facilitate understanding of some of the technical features that the present invention can employ and combinations thereof, and the technical features that can be employed by the present invention and combinations thereof are limited to the following embodiments. Should not be interpreted. That is, it should be construed that it is not impeded to appropriately extract and employ the technical features described in the present specification as technical features of the present invention although they are not described in the following embodiments.

  Further, describing each section in the form of quoting the numbers of the other sections does not necessarily prevent the technical features described in each section from being separated from the technical features described in the other sections. It should not be construed as meaning, but it should be construed that the technical features described in each section can be appropriately made independent depending on the nature.

(1) A rental device installed in each of a plurality of stations capable of storing at least one rental object for lending and returning the at least one rental object to a user,
In each station position, including a display unit that displays momentarily the encryption that is dynamic with respect to time and station position,
The cipher is a rental apparatus that is transmitted by a user to a management center that remotely manages the plurality of stations via a communication device.

(2) The at least one rental object is a vehicle, furniture, clothing, electrical appliance, battery, charger, recording medium on which audio-visual content is recorded, a room where the user can stay, an individual storage space in a coin locker, and a parking lot The rental apparatus according to item (1), including at least one of the individual parking spaces.

(3) Furthermore, an encryption unit that generates the cipher from time to time by encrypting information before encryption using an encryption algorithm,
The combination of the pre-encryption information and the encryption algorithm is that one of the pre-encryption information and the encryption algorithm is dynamic at least with respect to time, but the other is at least dynamic with respect to station location Or at least one of the pre-encryption information and the encryption algorithm is configured to be dynamic with respect to time and station location,
The cipher is
The fact that users cannot decipher,
The fact that if a user is actually present or in the past at any station, the user cannot obtain a genuine cipher unless it is actually present or past at that station,
The management center has the property that it can be estimated by decrypting the cipher if the user is actually present at the station or in the past.
The management center decrypts the cipher received from the user by using the same encryption algorithm for decryption, thereby estimating the station where the user is actually present or in the past The rental apparatus according to (1) or (2).

(4) A bicycle rental apparatus installed in each of a plurality of stations capable of storing a plurality of bicycles for lending and returning the bicycles to a user,
In each station position, including a display unit that displays momentarily the encryption that is dynamic with respect to time and station position,
A bicycle rental apparatus in which the cipher is transmitted by a user via a communication device to a management center that remotely manages the plurality of stations.

(5) Furthermore, an encryption unit that generates the cipher from time to time by encrypting information before encryption using an encryption algorithm,
The information before encryption includes information on at least one of time and station position,
The combination of the pre-encryption information and the encryption algorithm is such that one of the pre-encryption information and the encryption algorithm is dynamic at least with respect to time but the other is at least dynamic with respect to station location Or at least one of the pre-encryption information and the encryption algorithm is configured to be dynamic with respect to time and station location,
The cipher is
The fact that users cannot decipher,
The fact that if a user is actually at any station at any time, the user will not be able to retrieve it unless it is actually at that station at that time,
The management center can decipher the cipher and estimate that the user is actually at the station at that time,
The management center decrypts the cipher received from the user by using the same encryption algorithm for decryption, so that the station where the user is actually present and the time at which the user is actually present The bicycle rental apparatus according to (4), wherein

(6) A bicycle rental system for renting and returning a bicycle to a user at a plurality of stations each storing a plurality of bicycles,
A display unit that is installed at each of the plurality of stations, and that displays a cipher that is dynamic with respect to time and station position from time to time;
Installed in a management center that remotely manages the plurality of stations, using a communication device that can be used by a user, when the cipher currently displayed on the display unit is transmitted to the center side unit, the cipher is received. And a bicycle rental system including an analysis unit that estimates a station where the user is actually present and a time when the user is actually present by analyzing the received encryption.

(7) A bicycle rental system for renting and returning bicycles to a user at a plurality of stations each storing a plurality of bicycles,
A plurality of station side units respectively installed in the plurality of stations;
A center-side unit installed in a management center that centrally manages the plurality of stations,
Each of the plurality of stations is pre-assigned a unique station ID;
Each station side unit
A clock that measures the current time every moment,
An encryption unit that encrypts the current time measured by the clock and the station ID unique to the corresponding station, and the station ID is for the same station, but changes from moment to moment. And what to encrypt
A display unit for displaying information including the encrypted current time and station ID as two ciphers, and
The user transmits the two ciphers displayed on the display unit to the center unit using an available communication device,
The center side unit is
When receiving the two ciphers from the user, a decryption unit for decrypting the ciphers;
Recognizing that the user is actually at a station having a station ID restored by decrypting the encrypted station ID at a time restored by decrypting the current encrypted time Bicycle rental system that includes an information processing unit.

(8) Each station ID is a station ID that is dynamic with respect to the station position but static with respect to time.
The encryption unit uses a station ID unique to the corresponding station, which is an encryption algorithm that is static with respect to the station position but dynamic with respect to time and is common to the plurality of stations. The bicycle rental system according to item (7), wherein the cipher is encrypted into a cipher that changes from time to time.

(9) Each station ID is a station ID that is dynamic with respect to station position and time,
The encryption unit changes from moment to moment by using a station ID unique to the corresponding station, which is an encryption algorithm that is static in terms of station position and time and is common to the plurality of stations. The bicycle rental system according to item (7), wherein the bicycle is encrypted to be encrypted.

(10) The center side unit further includes:
Including memory from which information can be read and stored,
When renting a bicycle, the user uses the communication device to transmit the rental cipher, which is the two ciphers obtained from the display unit, to the center unit.
The decryption unit, upon receiving the two lending ciphers from the user at the time of lending, recognizes lending information including a lending time and a lending station by decrypting the lending ciphers, and the lending information is Or store it in the memory in association with a bicycle rented to the user,
When the user returns the bicycle, the communication device is used to transmit the return encryption, which is the two encryptions acquired from the display unit, to the center unit.
When the two decryption codes are received from the user at the time of return, the decryption unit recognizes return information including a return time and a return station by decrypting the return codes.
The information processing unit reads a rental time and a rental station stored in association with a user or a bicycle lent to the user from the memory, and uses a bicycle as an elapsed time from the return time to the rental time. The bicycle rental system according to any one of items (7) to (9), wherein the length of the rental station is calculated and a match / mismatch between the rental station and the return station is determined.

(11) At the time of renting a bicycle, the user uses the communication device to transmit the rental cipher that is the two ciphers acquired from the display unit to the center unit.
The cryptanalysis unit, when receiving the two lending ciphers from the user at the time of lending, recognizes lending information including a lending time and a lending station by decrypting the lending ciphers,
When returning a bicycle, the communication device is used to transmit the return cipher, which is the two ciphers obtained from the display unit, together with the two lent ciphers already transmitted to the center side unit,
The decryption unit, when receiving the two rental ciphers and the two return ciphers from the user at the time of the return, decrypts the received two rental ciphers, thereby obtaining a lending time and a lending station. Recognizing the lending information included, and recognizing the return information including the return time and the return station by decrypting the received two return codes.
The information processing unit calculates a length of a bicycle use time as an elapsed time from the return time to the lending time, and determines a match / mismatch between the lending station and the return station (7) to The bicycle rental system according to any one of (10).

(12) A bicycle rental system that lends and returns a bicycle to a user at a plurality of stations each storing a plurality of bicycles,
A plurality of station side units respectively installed in the plurality of stations;
A center-side unit installed in a management center that centrally manages the plurality of stations,
Each station side unit
A first clock that measures the current time every moment,
The current time measured by the first clock is the same current time by using an encryption algorithm corresponding to each station-side unit and different from the encryption algorithm used in other stations, An encryption unit for encrypting to a cipher different from the cipher obtained at another station;
A display unit for displaying information including the encryption, and
The plurality of encryption algorithms used by the plurality of stations in the respective encryption units are different from each other, and the correspondence between the stations and the encryption algorithm is known,
The user transmits the encryption displayed on the display unit to the center unit using an available communication device,
The center side unit is
A second clock that, when receiving the cipher from the user, measures the time when the reception was performed as a reception time;
Decrypting the received cipher, thereby restoring the time, comparing the restored time and the reception time with each other, and thereby using the plurality of encryption algorithms to receive the reception A decryption unit that selects an encryption algorithm whose difference between the time restored by the decryption and the reception time is equal to or less than a reference value as a genuine encryption algorithm corresponding to a station where the user is actually present When,
A bicycle rental comprising: an information processing unit that recognizes that the user is actually in a station corresponding to the selected authentic encryption algorithm at a time restored by decryption using the selected authentic encryption algorithm ·system.

(13) A rental method for lending and returning the at least one rental object to a user at a plurality of stations storing at least one rental object,
At each station location, including a step of displaying a cipher that is dynamic with respect to time and station location.
The rental method wherein the cipher is transmitted by a user to a management center that remotely manages the plurality of stations via a communication device.

(14) A bicycle rental method for renting and returning a bicycle to a user at a plurality of stations each storing a plurality of bicycles,
Each of the plurality of stations is pre-assigned a unique station ID;
The method includes a plurality of steps performed at each station;
These processes are
A timekeeping process that measures the current time every moment,
It is an encryption process for encrypting the measured current time and the station ID unique to the corresponding station, and the station ID is encrypted for a cipher that changes from moment to moment while being for the same station. And what
A display step for displaying information including the encrypted current time and station ID as two ciphers, and
The user transmits the displayed two ciphers using an available communication device to a management center that centrally manages the plurality of stations,
The method includes a plurality of steps executed in the management center,
These processes are
Upon receiving the two ciphers from the user, a decryption step of decrypting the ciphers;
Recognizing that the user is actually at a station having a station ID restored by decrypting the encrypted station ID at a time restored by decrypting the current encrypted time A bicycle rental method including an information processing step.

(15) A bicycle rental method for renting and returning bicycles to a user at a plurality of stations each storing a plurality of bicycles,
The method includes a plurality of steps performed at each station;
These processes are
A first timekeeping process that measures the current time every moment;
The measured current time is different from the ciphers obtained at other stations with the same current time by using an encryption algorithm that is dynamic with respect to station position but static with respect to time. An encryption process for encrypting the cipher,
A display step for displaying information including the encryption, and
The plurality of encryption algorithms used by the plurality of stations in the respective encryption units are different from each other, and the correspondence between the stations and the encryption algorithm is known,
The user transmits the encryption displayed on the display unit to a management center that centrally manages the plurality of stations using an available communication device,
The method includes a plurality of steps executed in the management center,
These processes are
When receiving the cipher from the user, a second timing step of measuring the reception time as the reception time;
Decrypting the received cipher, thereby restoring the time, comparing the restored time and the reception time with each other, and thereby using the plurality of encryption algorithms to receive the reception A decryption step of selecting an encryption algorithm whose difference between a time restored by the decryption and the reception time is equal to or less than a reference value as a genuine encryption algorithm corresponding to a station where the user is actually present When,
A bicycle rental comprising: an information processing step in which the user recognizes that the user is actually in a station corresponding to the selected authentic encryption algorithm at a time restored by decryption using the selected authentic encryption algorithm. Method.

(16) A program executed by a computer to perform the method according to any one of (13) to (15).

  The program according to this section may be interpreted to mean, for example, a combination of instructions executed by a computer to perform its function, or not only a combination of these instructions but also a file or data processed according to each instruction. Can be interpreted to include, but is not limited to.

  In addition, this program may achieve its intended purpose by being executed by a computer alone, or may be intended to achieve its intended purpose by being executed by a computer together with other programs. Yes, but not limited to them. In the latter case, the program according to this section can be mainly composed of data, but is not limited thereto.

(17) A recording medium on which the program according to item (16) is recorded so as to be readable by a computer.

  This recording medium can adopt various formats, for example, a magnetic recording medium such as a flexible disk, an optical recording medium such as a CD and a CD-ROM, a magneto-optical recording medium such as an MO, and an unremovable storage such as a ROM. However, it is not limited to them.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view showing station-side equipment installed at a certain station in the bicycle rental system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. It is a side view which expands and shows a part of bicycle for a rental shown to (a), FIG.1 (c) is a display part of the station side units of the station side equipment shown to Fig.1 (a). FIG. 1D is a front view showing an example of how the cipher changes every moment on the screen of FIG. 1, and FIG. 1D is used for securing a bicycle to the bicycle rack of the station side equipment shown in FIG. It is a front view which expands and shows the dial lock type | mold wire lock made. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a state where a user at a certain station and a management center at a remote place communicate with each other in the bicycle rental system shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing the station side unit shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart conceptually showing an encryption / display program executed by the computer of the station side unit shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram showing a portion of the center side unit shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing a portion of the center side unit shown in FIG. 2 that operates when the bicycle is returned. FIG. 7 is a flowchart conceptually showing a part of the lending / returning program executed by the computer of the center unit shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart conceptually showing the remaining part of the lending / returning program shown in FIG. FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram showing a portion that operates at the time of bicycle rental in the center side unit of the bicycle rental system according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram showing a portion that operates when the bicycle is returned in the center side unit of the bicycle rental system according to the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a flowchart conceptually showing a portion corresponding to FIG. 8 in the rental / return program executed by the computer of the bicycle rental system according to the second embodiment. FIG. 12 is a functional block diagram showing a station-side unit installed at a certain station in a bicycle rental system according to the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a flowchart conceptually showing an encryption / display program executed by the computer of the station side unit shown in FIG. FIG. 14 is a functional block diagram showing a part that operates at the time of bicycle rental in the center side unit of the bicycle rental system according to the third embodiment. FIG. 15 is a functional block diagram showing a portion that operates when the bicycle is returned in the center side unit of the bicycle rental system according to the third embodiment. FIG. 16 is a flowchart conceptually showing a part of a lending / returning program executed by the computer of the center side unit of the bicycle rental system according to the third embodiment. FIG. 17 is a flowchart conceptually showing the remaining part of the lending / returning program shown in FIG.

  Hereinafter, some exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described in detail based on a drawing.

<First Embodiment of the Present Invention>

  First, referring to FIG. 1 (a) and FIG. 2, a bicycle rental system 10 according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of stations 20 (FIG. 1) each storing a plurality of bicycles 12, respectively. (A) is a system for providing a service for lending and returning the bicycle 12 to the user at only a representative station 20 of these stations 20 is shown). Each station 20 is assigned to a corresponding bicycle parking lot 22.

  This bicycle rental system (hereinafter simply referred to as “system”) 20 is an example of each of a plurality of station side units (the above-mentioned “rental device” and “bicycle rental device”) installed in a plurality of stations 20, respectively. 30) and a center side unit 50 installed in a management center 40 for managing a plurality of stations 20 remotely and centrally. Each of the plurality of stations 20 is assigned a unique station ID in advance. Each station side unit 30 is used in common for a plurality of bicycles 12 stored in the corresponding station 20.

  As shown in FIG. 1 (b), a specific chassis number 60 assigned in advance to each bicycle 12 is displayed at a specific portion of each bicycle 12. In some examples, the chassis number 60 is immovable by printing in the form of a character / numeric string or a computer-readable display (eg, barcode, two-dimensional code) that can be directly viewed by the user, It is displayed on a specific part of each bicycle 12 (for example, a panel mounted near the uppermost vertex of the triangular frame 64 that supports the saddle 62 from below in the bicycle 12).

  As will be described in detail later, the station-side unit 30 measures the current time every moment, and the measured current time and a station ID specific to the corresponding station are respectively provided. However, encryption is performed so as to change every moment, and the encrypted current time and station ID are displayed as two ciphers regardless of whether they are visually distinguished from each other.

  As a result, as in the example shown in FIG. 1 (c), the two ciphers are combined together so that they are not visually separated from each other. As an example of “data that is”, at a predetermined time interval (15-minute interval in the illustrated example), the portion of the cipher 66 in which the current time is encrypted is also the portion in which the station ID is encrypted. Are also displayed on the screen 68 so as to change dynamically with respect to time. Here, “encryption” means visualization data that cannot be decrypted by a user but can be decrypted by a specific person having authority.

  As shown in FIG. 1 (a), this system 10 stores the above-mentioned station side unit 30 and a plurality of bicycles 12 as fixed objects installed in one bicycle parking lot 22 in each station 20. And a bicycle rack (bicycle storage device) 70. The bicycle rack 70 includes a plurality of bicycle stalls (small sections) 72 for accommodating the bicycles 12 one by one. In one example, the bicycle rack 70 is partitioned into a plurality of bicycle stalls 72 by a frame 74 installed in the bicycle parking lot 22.

  Prior to renting to the user, each bicycle 12 is accommodated in each bicycle stall 72. In this accommodated state, the bicycle 12 is attached to the individual frame of the bicycle stall 72 with the dial lock type wire wire shown in FIG. It is secured using a lock 80. As is well known, the dial lock type wire lock 80 is constituted by connecting both ends of a flexible single wire 82 to each other via a dial lock 84.

  The plurality of bicycles 12 accommodated in the plurality of stations 20 managed by the management center 40 are assigned dial locks 84 that are unlocked by different passwords. Therefore, only one bicycle 12 can be unlocked with one password.

  As shown in FIG. 2, in this system 10, as will be described in detail later, a communication device (for example, a mobile phone that can be carried by the user or a device having a communication function (for example, a mobile phone, a smartphone, A laptop computer, a tablet computer, a PDA), a fixed telephone installed in the station 20, a public telephone installed in the vicinity of the station 20, and the like. Is transmitted to the management center 40.

  When the cipher 66 is expressed as a user-identifiable (for example, soundable) figure as in the illustrated example, the user manually inputs the cipher 66 into the communication device 90, or the voice It is possible to input with. On the other hand, when the code 66 is expressed as a figure that cannot be identified by the user, the user can read and input the code 66 with the scanner of the communication device 90.

  When the center side unit 50 in the management center 40 receives the cipher 66 from the user, the center side unit 50 decrypts the cipher 66, and as a result, the user is restored to the time when the encrypted current time is decrypted. , The encrypted station ID is decrypted to recognize that it is actually in the station 20 having the restored station ID.

  FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing one station side unit 30 installed in one station 20.

  The station side unit 30 is mainly configured by a computer 104 having a processor 100 and a memory 102 for storing a program executed by the processor 100. Specifically, the station side unit 30 includes a clock 110, an encryption unit 112, and a display unit 114.

  The clock 110 measures the current time every moment. The encryption unit 112 encrypts the current time measured by the clock 110 and the station ID unique to the station 20 corresponding to the station side unit 30. The encryption unit 112 encrypts the station ID into a cipher that changes from moment to moment while being for the same station 20. The display unit 114 displays the encrypted current time and station ID on the screen 68 so as to change from time to time as the encryption 66.

  In the present embodiment, the cipher 66 is composed of a multi-digit character / numerical string (for example, a string composed of a plurality of characters, a string composed of a plurality of numbers, and a string in which characters and numbers are mixed). The upper digit is the portion where the current time is encrypted, and the lower digit is the portion where the station ID is encrypted.

  In the present embodiment, the data displayed on the screen 68 that needs to be transmitted to the management center 40 by the user is the encryption 66, that is, the portion where the current time is encrypted, and the station Although the ID is a combination with the encrypted portion, the data may include other information added to the combination, such as other ciphers.

  In this embodiment, the station ID is a station ID that is dynamic with respect to the station position (different for each station 20) but static with respect to time (does not change with time), and the encryption unit 112 The station ID is changed from moment to moment by using an encryption algorithm that is static with respect to the position of the station but dynamic with respect to the time and is common to the plurality of stations 20. , The portion related to the station ID of the cipher 66, which is hereinafter referred to as “station ID related partial cipher”).

  In this system 10, a different station ID is assigned to each station 20. Each station ID is a station ID that is static with respect to time, but this station ID is encrypted from time to time by an encryption algorithm that is dynamic with respect to time, so that the station ID-related partial cipher becomes a station ID. It is acquired as a dynamic cipher that is dynamic in both position and time.

  Specifically, in this system 10, the station ID to be encrypted is dynamic with respect to the position of the station 20, whereas it is static with respect to the time, and The encryption algorithm is static with respect to the position of the station 20 (the encryption algorithm for the station ID is common to multiple stations 20), while it is dynamic with respect to time. As a result, the station ID-related partial cipher, which is the result of encryption, is dynamic with respect to the position of the station 20 and the time.

  That is, the station ID-related partial cipher is generated by encrypting a station ID that is dynamic with respect to the station position into a cipher that is dynamic with respect to time (ie, converts with time).

  Therefore, if the time and the station ID-related partial cipher at that time are specified, the station from which the station ID-related partial cipher is acquired can be identified. Further, since the station ID-related partial cipher is dynamic with respect to time, the user should use the same cipher 66 (including the station ID-related partial cipher) as the cipher 66 when the bicycle 12 is rented. This prevents impersonation of the user who made the return at the same station 20 as at the time of lending, thereby preventing fraud.

  Of the cipher 66, the current time-related partial cipher related to the current time is the current time, which is the temporally dynamic information to be encrypted, so the current time-related part that is the result of the encryption. A person skilled in the art can easily conceive that encryption becomes dynamic in time. Therefore, this point is not worth mentioning. However, among the ciphers 66, the station ID-related partial cipher is the position of the station 20 whose encryption target is temporally static information, so the station ID-related partial cipher that is the result of the encryption is temporally different. Even a person skilled in the art cannot easily conceive of making it dynamic.

  In the present embodiment, the station ID related partial cipher and the current time related partial cipher are combined to generate one cipher 66. As a result, as long as attention is paid to the same cipher 66, the information related to the station ID and the information related to the current time are linked, so that the user can select any time (for example, the current time or the past time). It can be estimated that the user is in any one of the stations 20.

  Further, in this embodiment, since the code 66 is visually recognized as a meaningless character / number string code 66 for the user, it is discouraged that the user tries to decipher the code 66 and misuse it. There is expected. Further, the cipher 66 is a combination of a character / numeric string that is the current time-related partial cipher (in the example shown in FIG. 1, a numeric string for the lower 4 digits) and a character / numeric string that is the station ID-related partial cipher. Since the two related partial ciphers are displayed on the screen 68 so as to be visually separated from each other, the user is more likely to abuse the cipher 66. It is also expected to be strongly discouraged.

  FIG. 4 conceptually shows an encryption / display program executed by the computer 104 of the station side unit (station side unit installed in the station of interest at this time among a plurality of stations 20) 30 shown in FIG. Is represented by a flowchart. This encryption / display program is stored in advance in the memory 102 as with other programs described later, and is read from the memory 102 and executed by the processor 100 as necessary.

  The execution of the encryption / display program is repeated at a time interval of 15 minutes, for example. Each execution of the encryption / display program is started in step S401, and the current time is measured using the clock 110 in step S401. Next, in step S402, a time encryption algorithm that is static with respect to the position of the station 20 and the time is read from the memory 102, and by using the static encryption algorithm, The measured current time is encrypted.

  Subsequently, in step S 403, the station ID assigned to the station 20 corresponding to the current station side unit 30 is read from the memory 102. Thereafter, in step S404, an encryption algorithm for the station ID, which is static with respect to the position of the station 20 but dynamic with respect to time, is read from the memory 102.

  As described above, the encryption algorithm for the station ID is dynamic with respect to time, and specifically, is configured as a collection of a plurality of individual algorithms that are selectively used for each time. These individual algorithms are stored in the memory 202 in association with the time (for example, a plurality of times elapses every 15 minutes), and in this step S404, the current time (restored lending) among these individual algorithms is stored. The one corresponding to the time) is selected in the memory 202 and read out.

  Subsequently, in step S405, the read station ID is encrypted by using the selected individual algorithm.

  Thereafter, in step S406, the encrypted current time and the encrypted station ID are combined to generate a cipher 66, and the generated cipher 66 is displayed on the screen 68. This completes one execution of the encryption / display program.

  5 and 6 are functional block diagrams showing the center unit 50 installed in the management center 40. FIG. However, in FIG. 5, the center side unit 50 is shown paying attention to the part that functions when the bicycle is rented, while in FIG. 6, the center side unit 50 is shown paying attention to the part that functions when the bicycle is returned. Has been.

  The center side unit 50 is mainly configured by a computer 204 having a processor 200 and a memory 202 for storing a program executed by the processor 200. The hardware configuration realized by the computer 204 is shown in functional block diagrams in FIGS.

  Specifically, the center unit 50 includes a receiving unit 210, a decryption unit 212, a lending permission unit 214, a watch, and the like, as shown in FIG. 216, the password acquisition unit 220, and the transmission unit 222 are operated.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the center side unit 50 includes a receiving unit 210, a decryption unit 212, a clock 216, a return permission unit 230, a reading unit 232, a rental fee for returning the bicycle. The calculation unit 234, the settlement processing unit 236, and the transmission unit 222 are operated.

  Therefore, in the center side unit 50, the reception unit 210, the decryption unit 212, the clock 216, and the transmission unit 222 are operated for both bicycle rental and bicycle return.

  A rental / return method represented by a later-described rental / return program, that is, a bicycle rental method (an example of the above-mentioned “rental method”) is executed by the hardware configuration thus configured.

  The hardware configuration will be described in more detail by paying attention to a process of renting out a bicycle. As shown in FIG. 5, the receiving unit 210 is displayed on the screen 68 of the display unit 114 at the time of renting from the user. The cipher 66 and the chassis number 60 of the bicycle 12 that the user intends to borrow are received.

  The cryptanalysis unit 212 uses the encryption algorithm for the time to convert the higher digit of the received cipher 66 at the time of lending to the current time (to be exact, the user sends the cipher 66 to the management center 40. The time sent to the destination is restored, and it is handled as the lending time.

  To be precise, the encryption algorithm may be referred to as a decryption algorithm, noting that this time it is used for decryption, not for encryption. However, since the encryption algorithm has the property of a table indicating the correspondence between the information before encryption and the information after encryption, whether it is an encryption scene or a decryption scene. Regardless, for convenience of explanation, it will be referred to as an encryption algorithm.

  Further, the decryption unit 212 restores the station ID by decrypting the lower digit of the received cipher 66 using the station ID encryption algorithm, and reconstructs the station ID. Treat as ID.

  The lending permission unit 214 determines that the difference between the lending time and the current time measured by the clock 216 is an allowable value (as long as the difference between the lending time and the current time is normal and the user's operation is not incorrect) The bicycle 12 to the current user on condition that the rental station ID is authentic and the received chassis number 60 is authentic. Allow to lend.

  In order to determine whether or not the lending station ID is authentic, a plurality of station IDs respectively assigned to the plurality of stations 20 are stored in advance in the memory 202 as a first table, and this lending station When the ID matches any of the plurality of station IDs in the first table, it is determined that the current rental station ID is authentic.

  Similarly, in order to determine whether or not the chassis number 60 is authentic, a plurality of chassis numbers 60 respectively assigned to the plurality of bicycles 12 respectively stored in the plurality of stations 20 are stored in the second table. Is stored in advance in the memory 202, and it is determined that the current chassis number 60 is authentic when the current chassis number 60 matches any of the plurality of chassis numbers 60 in the second table.

  The storage unit 218 stores the rental time and the rental station ID in the memory 202 in association with the chassis number 60 in preparation for later use.

  When the lending permission is issued from the lending permission unit 214, the code number obtaining unit 220 obtains the code number for unlocking the dial lock 84 used for the bicycle 12 corresponding to the current chassis number 60 from the third table. Read out. In the third table, a plurality of chassis numbers 60 and a plurality of passwords are stored in advance in association with each other.

  The transmission unit 222 transmits a message for notifying that the start of lending has been performed to the user's communication device 90 together with the read password. By using the personal identification number, the user can unlock the dial lock 84 of the bicycle 12 to be borrowed and release the bicycle 12 from the bicycle stall 72.

  The hardware configuration will be described more specifically by paying attention to the process of returning the bicycle. As shown in FIG. 6, the receiving unit 210 is displayed on the screen 68 of the display unit 114 when the user returns. The cipher 66 and the chassis number 60 of the bicycle to be returned by the user are received.

  The decryption unit 212 decrypts the high-order digits of the received return cipher 66 using the time encryption algorithm, so that the current time (more precisely, the user manages the cipher 66). The time (sent to the center 40) is restored and treated as the return time. Further, the decryption unit 212 restores the station ID by decrypting the lower digit of the received return cipher 66 using the encryption algorithm for the station ID, and returns it to the return station. Treat as ID.

  The return permission unit 230 determines that the difference between the return time and the current time measured by the clock 216 is less than or equal to the allowable value, the return station ID is authentic, and the received chassis number 60 Is permitted to return the bicycle 12 to the user this time.

  The return permission unit 230 determines that the current return station ID is authentic when the current return station ID matches any of the plurality of station IDs in the first table. The return permission unit 230 determines that the current chassis number 60 is authentic when the current chassis number 60 matches any of the plurality of chassis numbers 60 in the second table.

  The reading unit 232 reads the lending time and the lending station ID stored in association with the current chassis number 60 from the memory 202.

  The rental fee calculation unit 234 calculates the length of elapsed time from the lending time to the return time as the length of use time (rental time) when the user uses the bicycle 12. The amount of the rental fee is increased according to the length of the usage time, and when the return station ID does not match the rental station ID, the rental fee is set to be increased from the case of matching, and the relationship Are stored in the memory 202 in advance as a fourth table. The rental fee calculation unit 234 determines whether the return station ID matches the rental station ID, and refers to the fourth table based on the determination result and the calculated usage time length. Therefore, the amount of rental fee this time is calculated.

  The settlement processing unit 236 collects the current rental fee from the user by performing bank settlement, credit settlement, prepaid settlement or the like for the current user.

  The transmission unit 222 transmits a message indicating that the return has been completed to the user's communication device 90 together with the payment details for the current rental fee. Thereafter, the user secures the bicycle 12 to be returned to any bicycle stall 72 that is not being used by using the wire lock 80, and then locks the dial lock 84 of the wire lock 80.

  FIGS. 7 and 8 conceptually show flowcharts of lending / returning programs executed by the processor 200 of the center unit 50 and stored in the memory 202 in advance.

  Each execution of this lending / returning program is started in step S701 shown in FIG. 7, and in this step S701, the type of the current request issued from the user to the management center 40 via the communication device 90 is determined. Information for identifying whether it is rented or returned, the chassis number 60, and the encryption 66 are received together with the member ID and password assigned in advance for the current user.

  In order to enjoy the bicycle rental service provided by the system 10, the user is required to register in advance as a member, and at that time, the password necessary for subsequent personal authentication is also registered. It is requested that.

  Next, in step S702, it is determined from the collation result of the received member ID and password and the registered information whether or not the personal authentication for the current user is successful. If the personal authentication is successful, it is determined in step S703 whether or not the current request from the user is a lending request. If the current request is a return request, the determination is NO, and then the process proceeds to the step group shown in FIG. 8, but if the current request is a lending request, the determination is YES and step S704 is performed. Migrate to

  In step S704, the upper digit of the received cipher 66 is decrypted using the time encryption algorithm, thereby restoring the lending time. Subsequently, in step S705, it is determined whether or not the difference between the lending time and the current time measured by the clock 216 is equal to or less than the allowable value. If the difference is larger than the allowable value, it is determined that there is some abnormality in the data received from the user this time, and the execution of the lending / returning program ends without providing the user with the current service.

  On the other hand, if the difference between the lending time and the current time is less than or equal to the allowable value, the determination in step S705 is YES, and then, in step S706, the encryption algorithm for the station ID is stored in the memory 202. Of the plurality of individual algorithms (the same as the plurality of individual algorithms stored in the memory 102 of the station-side unit 30 described above) corresponding to the current time (restored lending time is acceptable) is selected. It is read from the memory 202.

  Subsequently, in step S707, the lower digit of the received cipher 66 is decrypted using the read individual algorithm, thereby restoring the lending station ID.

  Subsequently, in step S708, it is determined whether or not the current lending station ID is authentic by determining whether or not the lending station ID matches any of the plurality of station IDs in the first table. Is done. If the current lending station ID is not authentic, the execution of this lending / returning program is terminated without providing the current service to the user, assuming that there is some abnormality in the data received from the user this time.

  On the other hand, if the present rental station ID is authentic, the determination in step S708 is YES, and then, in step S709, the current chassis number 60 is one of the plurality of chassis numbers in the second table. It is determined whether or not the current chassis number 60 is authentic. If the current chassis number 60 is not authentic, it is determined that there is some abnormality in the data received from the user this time, and the execution of the lending / returning program ends without providing the current service to the user.

  On the other hand, if the current chassis number 60 is authentic, the determination in step S709 is YES, and subsequently, in step S710, the bicycle 12 having the chassis number 60 is permitted to be lent to the user. As a premise, it is recognized that the user is actually in the station 20 having the restored station ID at the restored lending time. Thereafter, in step S711, the current rental time and the rental station are stored in the memory 202 in association with the current chassis number 60 in preparation for later use.

  Subsequently, in step S712, by referring to the third table, the user unlocks the personal identification number corresponding to the current chassis number 60, that is, the dial lock 84 locked on the current bicycle 12. A number (for example, a multi-digit number) to be given to the dial lock 84 is acquired.

  Thereafter, in step S713, the acquired personal identification number and a message indicating that the bicycle 12 starts to be rented are transmitted toward the communication device 90 of the user. With the above, the execution of the portion of the lending / returning program that lends the bicycle 12 is completed.

  On the other hand, if the current request issued by the user is a return request, the determination in step S703 is NO, and the process proceeds to step S801 shown in FIG. In step S801, the upper digit of the cipher 66 received at the time of return is decrypted using the time encryption algorithm, thereby restoring the return time.

  Subsequently, in step S802, it is determined whether or not the difference between the return time and the current time is equal to or less than the allowable value. If the difference is larger than the allowable value, it is determined that there is some abnormality in the data received from the user this time, and the execution of the lending / returning program ends without providing the user with the current service.

  On the other hand, if the difference between the return time and the current time is less than or equal to the allowable value, the determination in step S802 is YES, and then in step S803, the encryption algorithm for the station ID is selected in the memory 202. It is read from the memory 202. Specifically, as described above, among the plurality of individual algorithms constituting the station ID encryption algorithm, the one corresponding to the current time (or the restored return time is acceptable) is selected in the memory 202. Read out.

  Subsequently, in step S804, the lower digit of the cipher 66 received at the time of return is decrypted using the read encryption algorithm (individual algorithm), thereby restoring the return station ID.

  Subsequently, in step S804, it is determined whether or not the current return station ID is authentic by determining whether or not the return station ID matches any of the plurality of station IDs in the first table. Is done. If the current return station ID is not authentic, the execution of this lending / return program is terminated without providing the current service to the user, assuming that there is some abnormality in the data received from the user this time.

  On the other hand, if the current return station ID is authentic, the determination in step S805 is YES, and then, in step S806, the current chassis number 60 is one of the plurality of chassis numbers in the second table. It is determined whether or not the current chassis number 60 is authentic. If the current chassis number 60 is not authentic, it is determined that there is some abnormality in the data received from the user this time, and the execution of the lending / returning program ends without providing the current service to the user.

  On the other hand, if the current chassis number 60 is authentic, the determination in step S806 is YES. Subsequently, in step S807, the user returns the bicycle 12 having the chassis number 60 to the current station 20. Is allowed. As a premise, it is recognized that the user is actually in the station 20 having the restored station ID at the restored return time. Thereafter, in step S808, the lending time and lending station for the bicycle 12 to be returned this time are read from the memory 202 in association with the current chassis number 60.

  Subsequently, in step S809, the length of the elapsed time from the lending time to the return time is calculated as the length of the usage time that the user has used the bicycle 12. Thereafter, in step S810, it is determined whether or not the return station ID matches the lending station ID.

  Subsequently, in step S811, this time by referring to the fourth table based on the calculated length of use time and the determination result of whether or not the return station ID matches the lending station ID. The amount of rental fee for is calculated. Thereafter, in step S812, the calculated rental fee is settled for the current user, and the current rental fee is collected from the user.

  Subsequently, in step S813, a message indicating that the return has been completed and the payment details for the current rental fee are transmitted to the communication device 90 of the user. With the above, the execution of the part of the lending / returning program for returning the bicycle 12 is completed.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the station ID is a station ID that is dynamic with respect to the position of the station 20 but is static with respect to time, and the encryption unit 112 illustrated in FIG. By using an encryption algorithm that is static with respect to the position of the station 20 but is dynamic with respect to the time and is common to a plurality of stations 20, the station ID is also time with respect to the position of the station 20. Encrypt to encryption that is also dynamic.

  On the other hand, in one modified example, each station ID is a station ID that is dynamic with respect to the position of the station 20 and the time. The encryption unit 112 encrypts the station ID with an encryption algorithm that is static with respect to the position of the station 20 and the time, so that the station ID is dynamic with respect to the position of the station 20 and the time. 66 is obtained.

  Specifically, in order to realize a station ID that is dynamic with respect to the position of the station 20 and the time, a plurality of individual station IDs are stored in the memory 202 in association with different times. What collected these individual station IDs for one day differs for every station 20. The encryption unit 112 selects one corresponding to the current time from the individual station IDs, reads the selected individual station ID from the memory 202, and reads the read individual station ID of the station 20. Encryption is performed using an encryption algorithm that is static with respect to position and time.

  Specifically, in this modification, the station ID to be encrypted is dynamic with respect to the position of the station 20 and the time, whereas the encryption algorithm is also related to the position of the station 20. The time is also static. As a result, the cipher 66 resulting from the encryption becomes dynamic with respect to the position of the station 20 and with respect to time.

  Therefore, if the time and the cipher 66 at that time are specified, the station 20 from which the cipher 66 is acquired can be identified. In addition, since the encryption 66 is dynamic with respect to time, the user uses the same encryption as the encryption 66 at the time of rental of the bicycle 12 at the time of return, thereby impersonating the user who returned at the same station 20 as at the time of rental. Is prevented and fraud is deterred.

  As is clear from the above description, in the system 10 according to the present embodiment, the unique information for identifying the station 20, that is, the station ID (whether static or dynamic) is the same. Although it is about the station 20, it is encrypted to a cipher 66 that changes from moment to moment.

  However, of the ciphers 66, only the station ID related partial cipher is a cipher that is dynamic with respect to the position of the station 20 and the time, whereas the current time related partial cipher is the position of the station 20 It is a cipher that is static with respect to but dynamic with respect to time.

  Therefore, the unique information for specifying the same station 20 is encrypted into a plurality of different ciphers 66 at a plurality of different times. Therefore, the cipher 66 at the time of return is different from the cipher 66 at the time of lending even if the cipher for the same station 20 is actually the cipher for the same station 20 because the return time is different from the lending time.

  Nevertheless, since the encryption scheme is concealed from the user, the user can easily use the same encryption as the encryption 66 displayed on the screen 68 at the time of lending to another station 20. If it is used at the time of return, the encryption at the time of return is an illegal encryption that cannot exist at that time, so the management center 40 that received the encryption at the time of return from the user uses the encryption at the time of return. I can't decipher it.

  If the management center 40 is unable to decrypt the returned cipher, the management center 40 reports to the user that the cipher at the time of return is illegal. Know that they were being monitored and that their fraud was overlooked. Therefore, the user is conscious of not wanting to perform the same fraud again afterwards, thereby obtaining a deterrent effect on the user's fraud.

  On the other hand, the management center 40 employs a method of receiving the dynamic encryption 66 from the user via the mobile communication device 90, thereby providing a positioning function (for example, a GPS function) that measures the current position of the user every moment. It is possible to recognize the station 20 where the user is truly located at the time of lending and returning without being activated in the portable communication device 90.

  Further, thanks to the method of receiving the dynamic cipher 66 from the user via the portable communication device 90, a signal for identifying the station 20 to be lent or returned is transmitted from the station 20 to the management center 40. Therefore, the user can recognize the station 20 that is truly located at the time of lending and returning without requiring the installation of communication equipment for each station 20. Thereby, the equipment cost of each station 20 can be reduced, and also the maintenance management cost of the equipment can also be reduced.

  Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, when the borrowed bicycle 12 is returned, the user can request that the rental information including the rental time and the rental station be transmitted to the management center 40 without increasing the bicycle usage time. It is possible to calculate the length and to determine whether the loan station and the return station match or not. Therefore, the burden imposed on the user is reduced.

<Second Embodiment of the Present Invention>

  A bicycle rental system 300 according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 11. However, since this bicycle rental system 300 has many common elements with respect to the bicycle rental system 10 according to the first embodiment described above, only the different elements will be described in detail, and the common elements have the same name or Duplicated description is omitted by quoting with reference numerals.

  First, as schematically described, the bicycle rental system (hereinafter simply referred to as “system”) 300 is different from the bicycle rental system 10 according to the first embodiment described above in terms of the station-side unit 30. However, the center side unit 50 is common except that the storage unit 218 and the reading unit 232 are not provided as shown in the functional block diagrams of FIGS. 9 and 10. Further, in this system 300, instead of having the storage unit 218 and the reading unit 232, when the user returns the rented bicycle 12, the cipher 66 at the time of lending is also sent to the management center 40 together with the cipher 66 at the time of return. You are required to send.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, the receiving unit 210 receives both the encryption 66 at the time of return and the encryption 66 at the time of lending from the user when returning. Similarly to the first embodiment, the cryptanalysis unit 212 restores the lending time and the lending station ID from the encryption 66 at the time of lending by using a dynamic encryption algorithm, and further, the encryption 66 at the time of return Thus, the lending time and the lending station ID are restored. In the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the unique station ID assigned to each station is a static one that does not change with time.

  Therefore, the lending / returning program executed by the computer 204 of the center unit 50 is basically the same as the lending / returning program shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 in the first embodiment.

  Specifically, the flowchart representing the lending / returning program in the present embodiment, except that the lending time and lending station ID are not associated with the chassis number 60 and stored in the memory 202 in the lending process. The first embodiment is common to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  Further, the flowchart representing the lending / returning program in the present embodiment has already been lent out in the processing for return, in which the lending time and the lending station ID are not read from the memory 202 in association with the chassis number 60. FIG. 8 shows the first embodiment except that the user who is going to return the bicycle 12 is requested to input the cipher 66 at the time of lending, but the user does not request to input the chassis number 60. Common to the flowchart shown.

  Of the flowchart representing the lending / returning program in the present embodiment, the portion corresponding to the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 is omitted from the illustration and the further explanation by text, while the portion corresponding to the flowchart shown in FIG. Will be described in comparison with the flowchart of FIG.

  If the request issued by the user is a return request, the determination in step (not shown) corresponding to step S703 shown in FIG. 7 is NO, and the process proceeds to step S1101 shown in FIG. In step S1101, as in step S704 shown in FIG. 7, the upper digit of the cipher 66 at the time of lending is decrypted using the encryption algorithm for time, thereby restoring the lending time. The

  Thereafter, in step S1102, in the same manner as in step S801 shown in FIG. 8, the upper digits of the encryption 66 at the time of return are decrypted using the encryption algorithm for time, thereby restoring the return time. The

  Subsequently, in step S1103, similarly to step S802, it is determined whether or not the difference between the return time and the current time is equal to or less than the allowable value. If the difference is larger than the allowable value, the execution of the lending / returning program is immediately terminated.

  On the other hand, if the difference between the return time and the current time is less than or equal to the allowable value, the determination in step S1103 is YES.

  Subsequently, in step S1104, in the same manner as in step S803 shown in FIG. 8, a plurality of individual algorithms (encrypted 66 are stored in the memory 102 of the station side unit 30 in order to generate the encryption 66). Among the plurality of individual algorithms that are used, the one corresponding to the lending time (the same as the individual algorithm used in the station side unit 30 to generate the cipher 66 at the time of lending) is selected in the memory 202. Read out.

  Subsequently, in step S1105, the lower digit of the cipher 66 at the time of lending is decrypted using the read individual algorithm, thereby restoring the lending station ID.

  Thereafter, in step S1106, among the plurality of individual algorithms constituting the station ID encryption algorithm, the one corresponding to the current time (or the restored return time is acceptable) is selected and read in the memory 202.

  Subsequently, in step S1107, the lower digit of the cipher 66 at the time of return is decrypted by using the read individual algorithm, thereby restoring the return station ID.

  Thereafter, in step S1108, it is determined whether or not the current return station ID is authentic by determining whether or not the return station ID matches any of the plurality of station IDs in the first table. The If the current return station ID is not authentic, the execution of the lending / return program is immediately terminated.

  On the other hand, if the current return station ID is authentic, the determination in step S1108 is YES, and in step S1109, the length of the elapsed time from the lending time to the return time is determined by the user. It is calculated as the length of the use time using the bicycle 12. Thereafter, in step S1110, it is determined whether or not the return station ID matches the lending station ID.

  Subsequently, in step S1111, this time by referring to the fourth table based on the calculated length of use time and the determination result of whether or not the return station ID matches the lending station ID. The amount of rental fee for is calculated. Thereafter, in step S1112, the calculated rental fee is settled for the current user, whereby the current rental fee is collected from the user.

  Subsequently, in step S <b> 1113, a message indicating that the return has been completed and the payment details for the current rental fee are transmitted to the user's communication device 90. With the above, the execution of the part of the lending / returning program for returning the bicycle 12 is completed.

  As is clear from the above description, according to the present embodiment, the center unit 50 may request that the lending information including the lending time and the lending station be stored in the memory 202 in association with the chassis number 60. When returning, it is not required to read out the rental information associated with the chassis number 60 from the memory 202, and the calculation of the length of the bicycle use time and the match / mismatch between the rental station and the return station Can be determined. Therefore, the burden imposed on the center side unit 50 is reduced.

<Third embodiment of the present invention>

  A bicycle rental system 400 according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. However, since this bicycle rental system 400 has many common elements with respect to the bicycle rental system 10 according to the first embodiment described above, only the different elements will be described in detail, and the common elements have the same name or Duplicated description is omitted by quoting with reference numerals.

  First of all, the bicycle rental system (hereinafter simply referred to as “system”) 400 is different from the bicycle rental system 10 according to the first embodiment described above with respect to the station-side unit 30 in FIG. As shown in the functional block diagram of FIG. 13 and the flowchart of FIG. 13, the encryption algorithm used for encrypting the current time is different for each station 20, that is, the position of the station 20 is dynamic. This point is common except that the station ID is not encrypted.

  Further, the system 400 is different from the system 10 in that the center unit 50 is for restoring the station ID as shown in the functional block diagrams of FIGS. 14 and 15 and the flowcharts of FIGS. Common except that decryption is not performed.

  FIG. 13 conceptually shows a flowchart of the encryption / display program executed by the computer 104 of the station side unit 30 shown in FIG.

  Each execution of the encryption / display program is started in step S1301, and the current time is measured using the clock 110 in step S1301. Next, in step S1302, a time encryption algorithm that differs for each station 20 is read from the memory 102, and the measured current time is encrypted by using the encryption algorithm. .

  In step S1303, the encrypted current time is displayed on the screen 68 as a cipher 66. This completes one execution of the encryption / display program.

  FIGS. 16 and 17 conceptually show a flowchart of the lending / returning program executed by the processor 200 of the center unit 50 shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 and stored in the memory 202 in advance. ing.

  By the way, when encrypting the current time from moment to moment, even if the current time is encrypted using a static encryption algorithm with respect to time, the encryption target is dynamic with respect to time. The ciphers used are dynamic ciphers with respect to time.

  On the other hand, when a number string representing the time is encrypted using a plurality of different encryption algorithms at the same time, a plurality of different ciphers are obtained.

  If a different encryption algorithm is assigned to each station 20 and time encryption is performed, each station 20 obtains a different cipher from the other stations 20 at the same time. The cipher eventually becomes a dynamic cipher not only with respect to time but also with respect to the position of the station 20.

  Therefore, if the time is made common, a known relationship is established between the type of the encryption algorithm and the encryption, and the relationship is associated with the time. Also, the type of encryption algorithm and the position of the station 20 have a one-to-one correspondence.

  Therefore, if the time and the cipher at that time are known, the type of the encryption algorithm used to acquire the cipher can be estimated, and as a result, the position of the station 20 from which the cipher is acquired can be estimated.

  Based on such knowledge, first of all, in this system 400, in this system 400, the encryption using the communication device 90 is displayed on the screen 68 of the display unit 114 installed in the station 20 this time by the user. 66 is transmitted to the center side unit 50 of the management center 40.

  When the center side unit 50 receives the encryption 66 from the user, the center side unit 50 measures the time when the reception is performed as the reception time, decrypts the received encryption, and thereby restores the time.

  The center unit 50 further compares the restored time and the reception time with each other, whereby the plurality of encryption algorithms different for each station 20 (hereinafter referred to as “multiple candidate ciphers” for convenience of explanation). When the received encryption is decrypted using EA among the EAs, a candidate encryption algorithm EA whose difference between the time restored by the decryption and the reception time is equal to or less than a reference value is designated as a user Is selected as the genuine encryption algorithm that corresponds to the station where is actually located.

  The center-side unit 50 further recognizes that the user is actually at the station corresponding to the selected authentic encryption algorithm at the time restored by decryption using the selected authentic encryption algorithm. To do.

  Thus, according to this system 400, the type of encryption algorithm for time, that is, the encryption method is changed for each station 20, that is, the type of encryption algorithm for time is changed with respect to the position of the station 20. Therefore, the current station 20 can be identified from the cipher 66 without using a unique station ID assigned to each station 20 or encrypting the station ID into a broad dynamic cipher. it can.

  In addition, since the encryption 66 is dynamic with respect to time, the user can use the same encryption as the encryption 66 at the time of renting the bicycle when returning it, and impersonate the user who returned at the same station 20 as at the time of renting. Is deterred, and fraud is deterred.

  Each execution of the lending / returning program in this embodiment is started in step S1601 shown in FIG. 16, and in this step S1601, the current request issued to the management center 40 from the user via the communication device 90 is performed. The information for identifying whether the type is rental or return, the chassis number 60, and the encryption 66 are received together with the member ID and password assigned in advance for the current user.

  Next, in step S1602, it is determined from the collation result of the received member ID and password and the registered information whether or not the personal authentication for the current user has been successful. If the personal authentication is successful, it is determined in step S1603 whether or not the current request from the user is a lending request. If the current request is a return request, the determination is no, and then the process proceeds to the step group shown in FIG. 17. If the current request is a lending request, the determination is yes, and step S1604 is performed. Migrate to

  In step S1604, the number i for specifying the candidate encryption algorithm EA to be selected this time is set to 1. Subsequently, in step S1605, the memory 202 is selected from the plurality of candidate encryption algorithms EA to which the current value of number i is assigned.

  Thereafter, in step S1606, the selected candidate encryption algorithm EAi is read from the memory 202, and the received cipher 66 is decrypted by using the read candidate encryption algorithm EAi, thereby Candidate lending time is restored.

  Subsequently, in step S1607, it is determined whether or not the difference between the candidate lending time and the current time is equal to or less than the reference value. If the difference is larger than the reference value, the determination is no, and then the number i is incremented by 1 in step S1608. Then, it returns to step S1605.

  On the other hand, if the difference between the candidate lending time and the current time is equal to or smaller than the reference value, the determination in step S1607 is YES, and then in step S1609, the current candidate encryption algorithm EAi is The authentic encryption algorithm suitable for decrypting the cipher 66 is selected.

  Thereafter, in step S1610, the current candidate lending time is selected as the genuine lending time. Subsequently, in step S1611, according to the predetermined relationship between the station ID and the authentic encryption algorithm number i, which is stored in the memory 202 in advance, the current authentic encryption algorithm number i is set. A corresponding lending station ID is determined.

  Thereafter, in step S1612, it is determined whether or not the current lending station ID is authentic by determining whether or not the lending station ID matches any of the plurality of station IDs in the first table. The If the current lending station ID is not authentic, the execution of this lending / returning program is immediately terminated.

  On the other hand, if the present rental station ID is authentic, the determination in step S1612 is YES, and then, in step S1613, the current chassis number 60 is one of the plurality of chassis numbers in the second table. It is determined whether or not the current chassis number 60 is authentic. If the current chassis number 60 is not authentic, the execution of the lending / returning program is immediately terminated.

  On the other hand, if the current chassis number 60 is authentic, the determination in step S1613 is YES, and in step S1614, the bicycle 12 having the chassis number 60 is permitted to be lent to the user. Thereafter, in step S1615, the current rental time and rental station are stored in the memory 202 in association with the current chassis number 60 in preparation for later use.

  Subsequently, in step S1616, by referring to the third table, the user unlocks the personal identification number corresponding to the current chassis number 60, that is, the dial lock 84 locked on the current bicycle 12. A number (for example, a multi-digit number) to be given to the dial lock 84 is acquired.

  Thereafter, in step S <b> 1617, the acquired personal identification number and a message indicating that the bicycle 12 starts to be rented are transmitted toward the user's communication device 90. With the above, the execution of the portion of the lending / returning program that lends the bicycle 12 is completed.

  On the other hand, if the current request issued by the user is a return request, the determination in step S1603 is NO, and the process proceeds to step S1701 shown in FIG.

  In step S1701, the number j for specifying the candidate encryption algorithm EA to be selected this time is set to 1. Subsequently, in step S1702, the memory 202 is selected from the plurality of candidate encryption algorithms EA to which the current value of number j is assigned.

  Thereafter, in step S1703, the selected candidate encryption algorithm EAj is read from the memory 202, and the received cipher 66 is decrypted by using the read candidate encryption algorithm EAj, whereby Candidate return time is restored.

  Subsequently, in step S1704, it is determined whether or not the difference between the candidate return time and the current time is equal to or less than the reference value. If the difference is larger than the reference value, the determination is no, and then the number j is incremented by 1 in step S11705. Subsequently, the process returns to step S1702.

  On the other hand, if the difference between the candidate return time and the current time is less than or equal to the reference value, the determination in step S1704 is YES, and then in step S1706, the current candidate encryption algorithm EAj is The authentic encryption algorithm suitable for decrypting the cipher 66 is selected.

  Thereafter, in step S1707, the current candidate return time is selected as the genuine return time. Subsequently, in step S1708, according to the predetermined relationship between the station ID and the number j of the genuine encryption algorithm stored in the memory 202 in advance, the number j of the current authentic encryption algorithm is set. The corresponding return station ID is determined.

  Thereafter, in step S1709, it is determined whether or not the current return station ID is authentic by determining whether or not the return station ID matches any of the plurality of station IDs in the first table. The If the current return station ID is not authentic, the execution of the lending / return program is immediately terminated.

  On the other hand, if the current return station ID is authentic, the determination in step S1709 is YES, and then in step S1710, the current chassis number 60 is one of the plurality of chassis numbers in the second table. It is determined whether or not the current chassis number 60 is authentic. If the current chassis number 60 is not authentic, the execution of the lending / returning program is immediately terminated.

  On the other hand, if the current chassis number 60 is authentic, the determination in step S1710 is YES, and then, in step S1711, the user returns the bicycle 12 having the chassis number 60 to the current station 20. Is allowed. Thereafter, in step S 1712, the rental time and rental station for the bicycle 12 to be returned this time are read from the memory 202 in association with the current chassis number 60.

  Subsequently, in step S <b> 1713, the length of the elapsed time from the lending time to the return time is calculated as the length of the usage time when the user uses the bicycle 12. Thereafter, in step S1714, it is determined whether or not the return station ID matches the rental station ID.

  Subsequently, in step S1715, by referring to the fourth table based on the calculated usage time length and the determination result of whether or not the return station ID matches the lending station ID, this time The amount of rental fee for is calculated. Thereafter, in step S1716, the calculated rental fee is paid to the current user, and the rental fee is collected from the user.

  Subsequently, in step S <b> 1717, a message indicating that the return has been completed and the payment details for the current rental fee are transmitted to the user's communication device 90. With the above, the execution of the part of the lending / returning program for returning the bicycle 12 is completed.

  As is clear from the specific descriptions of the several embodiments described above, in these embodiments, the encryption unit 112 of the station-side units 30 installed in each station 20 is not encrypted. By encrypting information (for example, station ID, current time) using an encryption algorithm, a cipher 66 is generated every moment.

  Here, the encryption process can be compared to a process of multiplying the information before encryption and the encryption algorithm for the sake of simplicity. Then, in order for the cipher as a result of the multiplication to be dynamic with respect to time and station position, one of the information before encryption and the encryption algorithm is at least dynamic with respect to time. The other is at least dynamic with respect to the station position, or at least one of the pre-encryption information and the encryption algorithm is required to be dynamic with respect to time and station position.

  Therefore, the information before encryption includes information on at least one of time and station position. The combination of the pre-encryption information and the encryption algorithm is that one of the pre-encryption information and the encryption algorithm is dynamic at least with respect to time, but the other is at least dynamic with respect to station location Alternatively, at least one of the pre-encrypted information and the encryption algorithm is configured to be dynamic with respect to time and station position.

  The cipher 66 has such a nature that the user cannot decipher it. The cipher 66 is further configured to be dynamic with respect to time and station location, so that if the user is actually at any station 20 at any time, then exactly at that time. If the center side unit 50 of the management center 40 indicates that the user cannot actually obtain the genuine cipher 66 unless the station 20 is actually present, and that the user is actually at the station 20 at the exact time. The cipher 66 can be deciphered and estimated.

  When the type of encryption algorithm is common to a plurality of stations 20, the center side unit 50 has a plurality of ciphers that can be generated, a plurality of decryption results, and positions of the plurality of stations 20 (for example, a plurality of stations 20). A plurality of unique station IDs assigned in advance), or if the type of encryption algorithm is unique to each station 20, a plurality of ciphers that can be generated and a plurality of ciphers In accordance with a predetermined relationship between the result of decryption, the types of the plurality of encryption algorithms, and the positions of the plurality of stations 20 (for example, a plurality of unique station IDs assigned in advance to the plurality of stations 20). The received cipher 66 is decrypted, so that the station 20 where the user is actually located and its station. To estimate the time and actually being in 20.

  Here, paying attention to the station ID-related partial cipher in the cipher 66, the station ID-related partial cipher is dynamic with respect to time and station ID. This means that although it is for the same station, the station ID related partial cipher changes with time. However, since the number taken by the station ID related partial cipher at each time is known for each station, the time when the station ID related partial cipher is valid (for example, the time displayed on the screen 68) is found. Then, the corresponding station ID can be estimated.

  When the time when the management center 40 receives the station ID-related partial cipher is determined without the help of the current time-related partial cipher (for example, in the lending scene, the lending time is determined by the management center 40 as the station ID). The time is substantially the same as the time when the related partial cipher is received), and the station ID related partial cipher is decrypted in association with the found time without the assistance of the current time related partial cipher. The corresponding station ID can be estimated.

  On the other hand, when the time when the management center 40 received the station ID-related partial cipher cannot be determined without the help of the current time-related partial cipher (for example, the lending time preceding the lending time in the return scene) In the case where the current time-related partial cipher is decrypted, the lending time is first restored and then the station ID-related partial cipher is decrypted in association with the restored time. The corresponding station ID can be estimated.

  As described above, some embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail based on the drawings by taking the case where the rental object is a bicycle as an example, but the present invention can also be applied to other rental objects.

  For example, a rental object is a motorcycle (for example, the personal identification number is applied to the engine key of the motorcycle), an automobile (the personal identification number is applied to a door key or an engine key of the automobile, for example). ), An engineed boat or jet ski (the PIN is applied, for example, to the engine key of the boat or jet ski), or a go-kart running in a specific course (the PIN is, for example, The present invention can also be applied to the case of a door key or an engine key.

  Further, the rental object is furniture (the PIN is applied to, for example, a door key of a closed space for storing the furniture), and electrical products (the PIN is closed, for example, for storing the electrical equipment). (Applies to space door keys), accessories removably attached to electrical appliances (the PIN is applied, for example, to closed space door keys that store the accessories), or A recording medium (for example, CD) on which audio-visual content is recorded and reproducible by the user (the password is applied to, for example, a door key of a closed space for storing the storage medium) In addition, the present invention can be applied.

  Furthermore, a hotel or apartment room in which the user can live (for example, the password is applied to a door key of the room), an individual storage space in a coin locker (the password is, for example, Applied to the door key of each room of the coin locker), or an individual parking space in the parking lot (for example, the personal identification number is assigned to the device for managing the rental of the parking lot for each individual parking space. The present invention can also be applied to the case of being input by the user in association.

  As mentioned above, although several embodiment of this invention was described in detail based on drawing, these are illustrations and are based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art including the aspect as described in the above-mentioned [summary of invention] column. The present invention can be implemented in other forms with various modifications and improvements.

Claims (8)

A rental system that lends and returns a rental object that is a movable property to a user,
A plurality of stations each storing at least one rental object;
A management server that lends and returns a rental object to a user by communicating via a communication device with a user who wishes to use any station to rent any rental object And including
The management server is
When a rental request is received from the user via the communication device and the first information for identifying any one of the stations desired to be rented as a rental station is associated with the user A rental processing unit that stores the rental time of the rental object and the rental station in a memory;
A station that is requested to return a rental request from the user via the communication device and is the same as or different from the station from which the rental was performed. And the second information for specifying the rental station as the return station, the rental time as the elapsed time from the rental time read from the memory of the rental return time of the rental target to the user is received. The length of the target rental time is calculated, it is determined whether or not the return station matches the rental station read from the memory, and the rental fee for the rental target is calculated as the calculated rental time. And the return based on the result of the match / mismatch determination. As it increased than when station is to be matched if it does not match with the rental station, rental system including a return processing section for calculating. The rental object is a rental vehicle including a rental bicycle, a rental motorcycle or a rental automobile,
The rental system according to claim 1, wherein the personal identification number is a personal identification number for unlocking the rental vehicle. The rental object is rental furniture,
The rental system according to claim 1, wherein the personal identification number is a personal identification number applied to a door key in a closed space for storing the rental furniture. The rental object is a rental CD,
The rental system according to claim 1, wherein the personal identification number is a personal identification number applied to a door key in a closed space for storing the rental CD. A rental method of lending and returning a rental object that is a movable property to a user,
  To execute the rental method,
  A plurality of stations each storing at least one rental object;
  A management server that lends and returns a rental object to a user by communicating via a communication device with a user who wishes to use any station to rent any rental object When
  Is used,
  The rental method is
  A lending process executed by the management server, which identifies a lending request from a user and any of the stations that are desired to be lent as a lending station via the communication device. When receiving the first information to do so, in association with the user, the one of the rental target rental time and the rental station are stored in a memory,
  A return processing step executed by the management server, which is any station that desires a return request from the user via the communication device and a return of the rented rental target to be performed, The memory at the time when the rented rental object is returned to the user when receiving the second information for identifying a station that is the same as or different from the rented station as the return station. The rental time length of the rental object is calculated as the elapsed time from the lending time read from, and it is determined whether or not the return station matches the lending station read from the memory. , Based on the calculated rental time, the rental fee for the rental And forehead, and, based on the match-mismatch decision result, so that the return station to increase than the case where a match does not match the said lending station, and return processing step of calculating
  Including rental methods. A rental method of lending and returning a rental object that is a movable property to a user,
  To execute the rental method,
  A plurality of stations each storing at least one rental object;
  A management server that lends and returns a rental object to a user by communicating via a communication device with a user who wishes to use any station to rent any rental object When
  Is used,
  The rental method is
  A determination step of determining whether or not a return station where the return is made coincides with a rental station where the rental of any of the rental objects is performed, when the management server returns any of the rental objects;
  A rental time calculating step of calculating a rental time as an elapsed time from the time when the lending was performed, by the management server,
  Rental fee calculation for calculating the rental fee to be rented based on the calculated length of rental time and so as to increase if the return station does not match the renting station. Process and
  Including rental methods. A program executed by a computer of the management server to implement the method according to claim 5 or 6. A recording medium on which the program according to claim 7 is recorded so as to be readable by a computer.

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