JP2021061037A - Rental system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a rental system and a recording medium that can prevent users from committing a fraud in data entry in a technique that allows the users to rent and return rental items.SOLUTION: A rental system 10 includes: a station-side unit 30 that is installed at the position of each station 20 and outputs station information for identifying the station 20 in a state in which a user cannot decrypt it; and a center-side unit 50 that centrally manages a plurality of stations. The user in a state of actually being in any of the stations transmits the station information output from the station-side unit installed in any of the stations to the center-side unit via a communication apparatus without decrypting it by the communication apparatus 90. The center-side unit decrypts the station information received from the communication apparatus and thereby identifies the station where the user actually is.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

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

In recent years, services for lending and returning rental objects to users have become widespread. Various rental targets already exist, and new ones may exist in the future. Existing rental targets extend to movables and real estate as tangibles, and also to audiovisual content as intangibles (eg, content represented by data that is not fixed on a recording medium).

Movables can be rented, for example, on land, on the water or in flying vehicles (eg, for transportation or entertainment), furniture, clothing, electrical products, and accessories that are detachably attached to electrical products (eg, batteries). Or a charger), a recording medium (for example, a CD) on which audiovisual content is recorded, which can be played by a user. In addition, as real estate rental targets, for example, rooms of accommodation facilities (for example, hotels) where users can stay for a short period of time or accommodation facilities (for example, apartments) where users can stay for a long period of time, coin lockers, and the like. There are individual parking spaces in the parking lot.

For example, a bicycle can be rented as a land vehicle. For example, in tourist destinations, there is a service for renting bicycles to travelers as a means for travelers to travel to their destinations, and in urban areas, bicycles are used as a means for commuting and other transportation to users. There is a service to rent.

Specific technologies for providing services 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 technology 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. The point that each bicycle is locked to store each bicycle, and the user reads the two-dimensional code of the bicycle he / she wants to rent and manages the information via the user's mobile communication device. The feature is that the bicycle is transmitted to the center, so that the management center recognizes the bicycle this time.

In this technology, the user further reads the two-dimensional code of the station in which he / she is present and transmits the information to the management center via the user's mobile communication device, whereby the management center becomes the station this time. When the bicycle is rented, the management center sends the unlocking number of the key to the user's mobile communication device, and when the unlocking number is received, the user receives the unlocking number. It is characterized in that the key is unlocked by using.

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

Further, Patent Document 3 discloses a technique for independently managing each station in order to rent a bicycle. This technology is to install a numerical input unit and a bicycle parking management unit (having a storage device) common to multiple bicycles, a bicycle lock control unit for each bicycle, and each bicycle lock control in the same station. 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 input unit). The bicycle lock control unit is controlled to unlock the key when the user receives a personal identification number registered in advance to identify the person.

Further, 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 is specific to the mobile communication device from the user via the mobile communication device. When an operation message representing a stand is received, an unlocking signal for unlocking the key is transmitted to the specific stand, and when an unlocking signal is received, the key is unlocked. And.

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

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-248913 Japanese Patent No. 50008108 Japanese Patent No. 5507916 U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0196631 Japanese Patent No. 5340466

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

One example of such a case is that a user returns a bicycle at the same station as the station where the user rented the bicycle for the billing rule adopted by the management center to calculate the amount of rental fee charged to the user. This is an example of adopting a billing rule so that the amount of the rental fee charged to the user differs depending on whether the item is returned at another station or the case where the item is returned.

Another example is by accurately ascertaining the station where the bicycle was rented each time the bicycle was rented and the station where the bicycle was returned each time the bicycle was returned. 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 result, multiple bicycles are deployed at each station in just proportion. This is an example in which bicycles are appropriately distributed between stations.

However, when the user stores information for identifying the rented station and communicates the same information to the management center at the time of return, the returning station and the rented station will be displayed. Actually, regardless of whether it is the same or different, the management center recognizes that the user has returned the item at the same station as the station where the user rented the item.

Therefore, the user abuses such a reality, and even though the user actually returns the frog at a station different from the rented station, the information for intentionally identifying the rented station is provided. There is a possibility of fraudulent activity of communicating the same information to the management center when returning it.

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 explained. A similar problem exists when lending and returning other rental objects to the user.

Based on the above findings, the present invention relates to a technique for lending and returning a rental object to a user among a plurality of stations selected by the user, and is necessary for identifying the selected station. The challenge was to provide a technology to prevent the user from cheating when the user communicates such data to a management center located in a remote location for multiple stations via a mobile terminal. ..

In order to solve this problem , according to an aspect of the present invention, each rental system is a rental system that rents or returns a rental object to a user at a plurality of stations that store the rental object.
A station information output device that is installed at the location of each station and outputs station information for identifying that station in a state that cannot be decrypted by the user.
With a management server that centrally manages the plurality of stations by communicating with the mobile terminal of the user who wishes to rent or return the rental target at the position of any station.
Including
The user is actually present at any station, and the station information output from the station information output device installed at that station is passed through the mobile terminal without being deciphered by the mobile terminal. And send it to the management server
The management server
A receiving unit that receives the station information from the mobile terminal, and
By decoding the received station information, a station identification unit that identifies the station where the user actually exists, and a station identification unit
When the user returns the rental target to the specified station, the determination result of whether or not the rental target is rented at the specified station and the length of time that the user has used the rental target are determined. Based on the rental fee calculation unit that calculates the amount of rental fee for the user,
In order to collect the rental fee from the user, a payment processing unit that performs processing for settling the rental fee by a payment method including at least one of bank payment, credit card payment, and prepaid payment, and a payment processing unit.
When the payment of the rental fee is completed, a transmission unit that transmits a signal indicating the completion of return of the rental object and a signal indicating the completion of payment of the rental fee to the user's mobile terminal.
A rental system including is provided.

Further , according to one aspect of the present invention, it is a rental system that rents or returns the rental object to the user at a plurality of stations that store the rental object, respectively.
A station information output device that is installed at the location of each station and outputs encrypted station information for identifying that station.
Including a management server that centrally manages the plurality of stations by communicating with the mobile terminal of the user who wishes to rent or return the rental object at the position of any station.
The user acquires station information generated for any of the stations at the position of any station in which the user is actually present, and the acquired station information is not decrypted in the mobile terminal. To the management server via
The management server
A receiving unit that receives the station information from the mobile terminal, and
By decoding the received station information, a station identification unit that identifies the station where the user actually resides, and a station identification unit.
When the user returns the rental target to the specified station, the determination result of whether or not the rental target is rented at the specified station and the length of time that the user has used the rental target are determined. Based on the rental fee calculation unit that calculates the amount of rental fee for the user,
In order to collect the rental fee from the user, a payment processing unit that performs processing for settling the rental fee by a payment method including at least one of bank payment, credit card payment, and prepaid payment, and a payment processing unit.
When the settlement of the rental fee is completed, a rental system including a signal indicating the completion of return of the rental object and a transmission unit for transmitting the signal indicating the completion of payment of the rental fee to the user's mobile terminal is provided.

Further, according to another aspect of the present invention, each of the rental systems is a rental system in which the rental object is rented or returned to the user at a plurality of stations for storing the rental object.
A station information output device that is installed at the location of each station and outputs station information that identifies that station and is encrypted with the time.
Including a management server that centrally manages the plurality of stations by communicating with the mobile terminal of a user who wishes to rent or return any rental object at the position of any station.
At the location of any station where the user is actually present, the user provides the station information generated for that station and any rental target that the user wishes to rent or return at that station. The rental target information for identification is acquired, and the acquired station information and rental target information are transmitted to the management server via the mobile terminal.
The management server
A receiving unit that receives the station information and the rental target information from the mobile terminal, and
Based on the received station information, the station identification unit that identifies the station where the user is actually located by decryption,
A time recovery unit that decrypts the encrypted time so that it is restored as the rental time when lending to the user and as the return time when returning from the user.
Based on the received rental target information, the rental target identification unit that specifies the rental target that the user wants to rent or return,
A rental system is provided that includes a usage time calculation unit that calculates the length of usage time of the specified rental object as the elapsed time from the rental time to the return time.

Further, according to an aspect of the present invention, it is a rental system that rents or returns a rental object to a user at a plurality of stations that store the rental object, respectively.
A station information output device that is installed at the location of each station and outputs station information that identifies that station and is encrypted with the time.
A rental target information display medium that is installed at each rental target position and displays rental target information for identifying the rental target,
Including a management server that centrally manages the plurality of stations by communicating with the mobile terminal of a user who wishes to rent or return any rental object at the position of any station.
The user is responsible for the station information generated for that station at the location of any station where the user is actually present and for any rental object that the user wishes to rent or return at that station. The generated rental target information is acquired, and the acquired station information and rental target information are transmitted to the management server via the mobile terminal.
The management server
A receiving unit that receives the station information and the rental target information from the mobile terminal, and
Based on the received station information, it is a station identification unit that identifies the station where the user actually resides by decryption, and further, the encrypted time is lent out to the user at the time of lending, and returned from the user. Sometimes it's decrypted at the time of return,
Based on the received rental target information, the rental target identification unit that specifies the rental target that the user wants to rent or return,
A permit unit that permits the user to rent or return the specified rental object at the specified station, provided that the difference between the rental time or the return time and the current time is less than or equal to the allowable value. A rental system including and is provided.

Further, according to the first aspect of the present invention, it is a rental system that lends and returns a rental object that is movable property to a user.
Multiple stations, each storing at least one rental target,
A management server that lends and returns one of the rental targets to the user by communicating with the user who wishes to use one of the stations to rent one of the rental targets via a communication device. Including and
The management server is
When the user receives the rental request and the first information for identifying any station for which the rental target is desired to be rented as the rental station via the communication device, the user associates the rental request with the user. The rental processing unit that stores the rental time of any of the rental targets and the rental station in the memory,
Any station that wishes to receive a return request from the user via the communication device and the return of the rented object, which is the same as or different from the rented station. When the second information for identifying the rental station is received, the rental is made to the user as the elapsed time from the rental time read from the memory of the return time of the rental target to be rented. 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 of the rental target is calculated as the calculated rental time. Based on the result of the match / mismatch determination, the return processing unit is calculated so that if the return station does not match the lending station, the amount will be increased from the case where it matches. A rental system including is provided.

Further, according to the second aspect of the present invention, it is a rental method for lending and returning a rental object which is movable property to a user.
To carry out the rental method
Multiple stations, each storing at least one rental target,
A management server that lends and returns one of the rental targets to the user by communicating with the user who wishes to use one of the stations to rent one of the rental targets via a communication device. And are used,
The rental method is
In the lending processing process executed by the management server, a lending request and any station desired to be rented for rental are specified as a lending station by the user via the communication device. When the first information for receiving the first information is received, the rental time of one of the rental targets and the rental station are stored in the memory in association with the user.
A return processing step executed by the management server, which is any station that a user wishes to make a return request and a return of the rented object to be rented via the communication device. Upon receiving the second information for identifying the station that is the same as or different from the rented station as the return station, the memory at the time when the rented rental object is returned to the user. The length of the rental time of the rental target is calculated as the elapsed time from the rental time read from, and it is determined whether or not the return station matches the rental station read from the memory. , The rental fee to be rented is increased based on the calculated length of rental time, and if the return station does not match the rental station based on the result of the match / mismatch determination, the match is made. A rental method is provided that includes a return processing process to calculate so that the amount will be higher than if you did.

Further, according to the third aspect of the present invention, it is a rental method for lending and returning a rental object which is movable property to a user.
To carry out the rental method
Multiple stations, each storing at least one rental target,
A management server that lends and returns one of the rental targets to the user by communicating with the user who wishes to use one of the stations to rent one of the rental targets via a communication device. And are used,
The rental method is
When the management server returns any of the rental targets, a determination step of determining whether or not the return station where the return is performed matches the rental station where the rental target is rented is determined.
A rental time calculation step of calculating the rental time as an elapsed time from the time when the rental is performed by the management server at the time when the return is performed.
Rental fee calculation calculated so that the rental fee to be rented is increased based on the calculated length of rental time, and if the return station does not match the rental station, it will be increased from the case where it matches. Rental methods including processes are provided.

Further, according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is a rental system that lends and returns the rental object to the user.
Multiple stations, each storing at least one rental target,
A management server that lends and returns one of the rental targets to the user by communicating with the user who wishes to use one of the stations to rent one of the rental targets via a communication device. Including those commonly used by the plurality of stations.
The management server is
A rental request from the user via the communication device, first information for identifying any station for which one of the rental targets is desired to be rented as a rental station, and a rental target to be rented are provided. Upon receiving the second information for identification, the password unique to the rental target this time is read from the memory and transmitted to the user on the condition that both the first information and the second information are genuine. Allows the user to rent the specified rental object at the specified lending station, and stores the lending time and the lending station in the memory.
Any station that wishes to receive a return request from the user via the communication device and return of the rented object, which is the same as or different from the rented station. When the third information for specifying the return station and the fourth information for specifying the rented rental target are received, the third information and the fourth information are both authentic. , A return permission unit that allows the user to return the specified rental object at the specified return station,
The length of the rental time of the rental target is calculated as the elapsed time from the rental time read from the memory of the return time, and the return station is the rental station read from the memory. It is determined whether or not there is a match, the rental fee to be rented is increased based on the calculated length of rental time, and the return station rents out based on the result of the match / mismatch determination. A rental system is provided that includes a rental fee calculation unit that calculates the amount if it does not match the station.

Further, according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the bicycle rental system is a bicycle rental system in which the rental bicycle is rented and returned to the user at a plurality of stations for storing the rental bicycle.
An encryption unit that generates encryption by encrypting the station ID unique to each station,
At the position of each station, a display unit that displays the generated cipher and
Including 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.
The management server is
A receiver that receives the cipher from the user's communication device at any station,
It includes a cryptanalyzer that decrypts the received cipher, thereby recovering the corresponding station ID, thereby identifying the station where the user is actually located.
A bicycle rental system is provided in which the plurality of ciphers displayed at the plurality of station positions are dynamic dynamic ciphers with respect to the station positions.

Further, according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, each is a bicycle rental method in which the rental bicycle is rented and returned to the user at a plurality of stations for storing the rental bicycle.
An encryption process that generates encryption by encrypting a station ID unique to each station,
At the position of each station, a display process for displaying the generated cipher on the screen and
A receiving process in which the management server that centrally manages the plurality of stations receives the cipher from the communication device of the user at any station by communicating with the communication device of the user who uses any station. ,
The management server includes a decryption step of decrypting the received cipher, thereby restoring 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 plurality of station positions are dynamic dynamic ciphers with respect to the station positions.

Further, according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, each is a bicycle rental method in which the rental bicycle is rented and returned to the user at a plurality of stations for storing the rental bicycle.
An encryption process that generates the cipher to be dynamic with respect to the station location,
Including a display step of displaying the generated cipher on the screen at the position of each station.
A user at any of the stations uses an available communication device to transmit the code displayed on the screen to a management center that centrally manages the plurality of stations.
The method further
The receiving process of receiving the cipher from the user's communication device, and
A measurement process that measures the time when the reception was performed as the reception time,
A bicycle rental method is provided that includes a decryption step of decrypting the received code, thereby restoring the corresponding station ID, thereby identifying the station where the user is actually located.

Further, according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, it is a rental system that lends and returns a rental object that is movable property to a user.
Multiple stations, each storing at least one rental target,
A management server that lends and returns one of the rental targets to the user by communicating with the user who wishes to use one of the stations to rent one of the rental targets via a communication device. Including those commonly used by the plurality of stations.
The management server is
A rental request from the user via the communication device, first information for identifying any station for which one of the rental targets is desired to be rented as a rental station, and a rental target to be rented are provided. Upon receiving the second information for identification, the password unique to the rental target this time is read from the memory and transmitted to the user on the condition that both the first information and the second information are genuine. Allows the user to rent the specified rental object at the specified lending station, and stores the lending time and the lending station in the memory.
Any station that wishes to receive a return request from the user via the communication device and return of the rented object, which is the same as or different from the rented station. When the third information for specifying the return station and the fourth information for specifying the rented rental target are received, the third information and the fourth information are both authentic. , A return permission unit that allows the user to return the specified rental object at the specified return station,
The length of the rental time of the rental target is calculated as the elapsed time from the rental time read from the memory of the return time, and the return station is the rental station read from the memory. It is determined whether or not there is a match, the rental fee to be rented is increased based on the calculated length of rental time, and the return station rents out based on the result of the match / mismatch determination. A rental system is provided that includes a rental fee calculation unit that calculates the amount if it does not match the station.

In one example, the rental target is a rental vehicle including a rental bicycle, a rental motorcycle, or a rental car.
The security code is a security code for unlocking the rental vehicle.

In another example, the rental object is rental furniture.
The PIN is a PIN applied to the door key of the closed space where the rental furniture is stored.

In yet another example, the rental target is a rental CD.
The PIN is a PIN applied to the door key of the closed space where the rental CD is stored.

According to the present invention, the following aspects can be obtained. Each aspect is divided into sections, each section is numbered, and the numbers of other sections are cited as necessary. This is to facilitate understanding of some of the technical features that can be adopted by the present invention and combinations thereof, and the technical features that can be adopted by the present invention and combinations thereof are limited to the following aspects. Should not be interpreted as. That is, it should be interpreted that it is not hindered from appropriately extracting and adopting the technical features described in the present specification as the technical features of the present invention, which are not described in the following aspects.

Furthermore, describing each term 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 and independent from the technical features described in the other sections. It does not mean, and it should be interpreted that the technical features described in each section can be made independent as appropriate according to their properties.

(1) A rental device installed at each of a plurality of stations capable of storing at least one rental object in order to lend and return the at least one rental object to the user.
Includes a display that momentarily displays a code that is dynamic with respect to time and station location at each station location.
The encryption is a rental device 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 target is a vehicle, furniture, clothing, electric appliances, a battery, a charger, a recording medium on which audiovisual contents are recorded, a room where people can stay, an individual storage space in a coin locker, and a parking lot. The rental device according to item (1), which includes at least one of the individual parking spaces of the above.

(3) Further, it includes an encryption unit that generates the encryption every moment by encrypting the information before encryption using an encryption algorithm.
Is the combination of the pre-encryption information and the encryption algorithm dynamic at least one of the pre-encryption information and the encryption algorithm with respect to time, but at least with respect to the station position? , Or at least one of those pre-encrypted information and encryption algorithms is configured to be dynamic with respect to time and station location.
The cipher is
The nature that the user cannot decipher,
The property that if a user is actually present or in the past at any station, the user cannot obtain a genuine cipher unless he or she is actually present or past at that station.
It has the property that the management center can decipher and estimate that the user was actually at the station or was 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 device according to item (1) or (2).

(4) A bicycle rental device installed at each of a plurality of stations capable of storing a plurality of bicycles in order to rent and return the bicycles to the user.
Includes a display that momentarily displays a code that is dynamic with respect to time and station location at each station location.
The cipher is a bicycle rental device that is transmitted by a user to a management center that remotely manages the plurality of stations via a communication device.

(5) Further, it includes an encryption unit that generates the encryption every moment by encrypting the information before encryption using an encryption algorithm.
The pre-encrypted information includes information about at least one of the time and the station location.
Is the combination of the pre-encryption information and the encryption algorithm dynamic at least one of the pre-encryption information and the encryption algorithm with respect to time, but at least with respect to the station position? , Or at least one of those pre-encrypted information and encryption algorithms is configured to be dynamic with respect to time and station location.
The cipher is
The nature that the user cannot decipher,
The property that if a user is actually at any station at any time, the user cannot get it unless he or she is actually at that station at that exact time.
It has the property that the management center can decipher and estimate that the user is actually at the station at that exact time.
The management center decrypts the cipher received from the user by using the same encryption algorithm for decryption, thereby determining the station where the user is actually present and the time when the user is actually present at the station. The bicycle rental device according to item (4).

(6) A bicycle rental system that rents and returns bicycles to users at multiple stations that store multiple bicycles.
A display unit that is installed in each of the plurality of stations and displays a code that is dynamic with respect to time and station position from moment to moment.
When the code currently displayed on the display unit is transmitted to the center-side unit using a communication device that is installed in the management center that remotely manages the plurality of stations and can be used by the user, the code is received. A bicycle rental system that includes an analyzer that estimates the station where the user is actually and the time when the user is actually at the station by analyzing the received cipher.

(7) A bicycle rental system that rents and returns bicycles to users at multiple stations that store multiple bicycles.
A plurality of station-side units installed in the plurality of stations, respectively,
Including the center side unit installed in the management center that centrally manages the plurality of stations.
Each of the plurality of stations is assigned a unique station ID in advance.
Each station side unit
A clock that measures the current time every moment,
It is an encryption unit that encrypts the current time measured by the clock and the station ID unique to the corresponding station. The station ID is for the same station, but it changes from moment to moment. What to encrypt to
Includes a display that displays information that includes the encrypted current time and station ID as two ciphers.
The user uses an available communication device to transmit the two ciphers displayed on the display unit to the center-side unit.
The center side unit is
When the above two ciphers are received from the user, a cryptanalyzer that decrypts those ciphers and
The user recognizes that he / she is actually at the station having the station ID restored by decrypting the encrypted station ID at the time restored by decrypting the encrypted current time. Bicycle rental system including information processing department.

(8) Each station ID is a station ID that is dynamic with respect to the station position but static with respect to the 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 the time, and is common to the plurality of stations. The bicycle rental system according to item (7), which is encrypted with a code that changes from moment to moment.

(9) Each station ID is a station ID that is dynamic with respect to both the station position and the 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).

(10) The center side unit further
Includes memory that can read and store information
When renting a bicycle, the user uses the communication device to transmit the renting ciphers, which are the two ciphers acquired from the display unit, to the center side unit.
When the decryption unit receives the two lending codes from the user at the time of lending, the decryption unit recognizes the lending information including the lending time and the lending station by decrypting the two lending codes, and uses the lending information as the user. Or, save it in the memory in association with the bicycle rented to the user,
When the bicycle is returned, the user uses the communication device to transmit the return code, which is the two codes acquired from the display unit, to the center side unit.
When the decryption unit receives the two return ciphers from the user at the time of the return, the decryption unit recognizes the return information including the return time and the return station by decrypting the two return ciphers.
The information processing unit reads out the rental time and the rental station stored in association with the user or the bicycle rented to the user from the memory, and the bicycle usage time as the elapsed time from the rental time to the return time. The bicycle rental system according to any one of (7) to (9), wherein the length of the bicycle is calculated and the match / mismatch between the rental station and the return station is determined.

(11) When renting a bicycle, the user uses the communication device to transmit the renting ciphers, which are the two ciphers acquired from the display unit, to the center side unit.
When the decryption unit receives the two lending codes from the user at the time of lending, the decryption unit recognizes the lending information including the lending time and the lending station by decrypting the two lending codes.
When the bicycle is returned, the user uses the communication device to transmit the return-time ciphers, which are the two ciphers acquired from the display unit, to the center-side unit together with the two lending-time ciphers that have already been transmitted.
When the decryption unit receives the two lending codes and the two returning codes from the user at the time of the return, the decryption unit decrypts the two received lending codes to determine the lending time and the lending station. By recognizing the rental information including, and by deciphering the two received code at the time of return, the return information including the return time and the return station is recognized.
The information processing unit calculates the length of the bicycle usage time as the elapsed time from the rental time to the return time, and determines the match / mismatch between the rental station and the return station (7) to The bicycle rental system according to any one of (10).

(12) A bicycle rental system that rents and returns bicycles to users at multiple stations that store multiple bicycles.
A plurality of station-side units installed in the plurality of stations, respectively,
Including the center side unit installed in the management center that centrally manages the plurality of stations.
Each station side unit
The first clock that measures the current time every moment,
By using an encryption algorithm corresponding to each station-side unit and different from the encryption algorithm used in other stations, the current time measured by the first clock is the same current time, but the current time is the same. An encryption unit that encrypts to a cipher different from the cipher acquired at other stations,
Including a display unit that displays information including the code,
The plurality of encryption algorithms used by the plurality of stations in their respective encryption units are different from each other, and the correspondence between these stations and the encryption algorithm is known.
The user uses an available communication device to transmit the code displayed on the display unit to the center-side unit.
The center side unit is
When the cipher is received from the user, a second clock that measures the time when the reception is performed as the reception time, and
The received cipher is decrypted, thereby restoring the time, comparing the restored time with the received time, thereby using one of the plurality of encryption algorithms to receive the received. When the decrypted code is decrypted, the decryption unit selects the encryption algorithm in which the difference between the time restored by the decryption and the reception time is equal to or less than the reference value as the authentic encryption algorithm corresponding to the station where the user actually exists. When,
Bicycle rental including an information processing unit that recognizes that the user is actually at the station corresponding to the selected authenticity encryption algorithm at the time restored by decryption using the selected authenticity encryption algorithm. ·system.

(13) A rental method in which at least one rental object is rented and returned to a user at a plurality of stations that store at least one rental object.
Including a display step of displaying a code that is dynamic with respect to both the time and the station position at each station position from moment to moment.
A rental method in which 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 in which the bicycles are rented and returned to the user at a plurality of stations that store a plurality of bicycles.
Each of the plurality of stations is assigned a unique station ID in advance.
The method involves multiple steps performed at each station.
Those processes are
A timekeeping process that measures the current time from moment to moment,
It is an encryption process that encrypts the measured current time and the station ID unique to the corresponding station, and the station ID is encrypted to the code that changes from moment to moment even though it is for the same station. And what to change
Including a display step of displaying information including the encrypted current time and station ID as two ciphers.
The user uses an available communication device to transmit the two displayed ciphers to a management center that centrally manages the plurality of stations.
The method involves multiple steps performed in the control center.
Those processes are
When the above two ciphers are received from the user, a cryptanalysis step of decrypting those ciphers and
The user recognizes that he / she is actually at the station having the station ID restored by decrypting the encrypted station ID at the time restored by decrypting the encrypted current time. Bicycle rental method including information processing process.

(15) A bicycle rental method in which the bicycles are rented and returned to the user at a plurality of stations each storing a plurality of bicycles.
The method involves multiple steps performed at each station.
Those processes are
The first timekeeping process, which measures the current time from moment to moment,
The measured current time is different from the ciphers obtained at other stations at the same current time by using an encryption algorithm that is dynamic with respect to the station position but static with respect to the time. The encryption process that encrypts to encryption and
Including a display process for displaying information including the code,
The plurality of encryption algorithms used by the plurality of stations in their respective encryption units are different from each other, and the correspondence between these stations and the encryption algorithm is known.
The user uses an available communication device to transmit the code displayed on the display unit to the management center that centrally manages the plurality of stations.
The method involves multiple steps performed in the control center.
Those processes are
When the code is received from the user, the second timekeeping process of measuring the time when the reception is performed as the reception time, and
The received cipher is decrypted, thereby restoring the time, comparing the restored time with the received time, thereby using one of the plurality of encryption algorithms to receive the received. Cryptanalysis step of selecting an encryption algorithm in which the difference between the time restored by the decryption and the reception time is equal to or less than the reference value as the authentic encryption algorithm corresponding to the station where the user is actually present. When,
Bicycle rental including an information processing process that recognizes that the user is actually at the station corresponding to the selected authenticity encryption algorithm at the time restored by decryption using the selected authenticity encryption algorithm. Method.

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

The program according to this section is interpreted to mean, for example, a combination of instructions executed by a computer to perform its function, and not only a combination of these instructions but also files and 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 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 may be based on data, but is not limited thereto.

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

Various formats can be adopted for this recording medium, for example, a magnetic recording medium such as a flexible disk, an optical recording medium such as a CD or CD-ROM, an optical magnetic recording medium such as an MO, or an unremovable storage such as a ROM. Etc., but are not limited to them.

FIG. 1 (a) is a perspective view showing station-side equipment installed at a certain station in a bicycle rental system according to an exemplary first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 (b) is a perspective view showing FIG. It is an enlarged side view which shows a part of the rental bicycle shown in (a), and FIG. 1 (c) is a display part of the station-side unit of the station-side equipment shown in FIG. It is a front view showing an example of how the code changes from moment to moment on the screen of FIG. 1 (d), and FIG. 1 (d) is used to fasten a bicycle to a bicycle rack among the station-side equipment shown in FIG. It is a front view which shows the dial lock type wire lock to be enlarged. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of how a user at a certain station and a management center at a remote location communicate with each other in the bicycle rental system shown in FIG. 1 (a). FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing a station-side unit shown in FIG. 1 (a). FIG. 4 is a flowchart conceptually representing 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. 2 that operates when the bicycle is rented. 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 side unit shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart conceptually representing the remaining portion of the lending / returning program shown in FIG. FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram showing a portion of the center-side unit of the bicycle rental system according to the second embodiment of the present invention that operates when the bicycle is rented. FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram showing a portion of the center-side unit of the bicycle rental system according to the second embodiment that operates when the bicycle is returned. 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 an exemplary third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a flowchart conceptually representing 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 portion of the center-side unit of the bicycle rental system according to the third embodiment that operates when the bicycle is rented. FIG. 15 is a functional block diagram showing a portion of the center-side unit of the bicycle rental system according to the third embodiment that operates when the bicycle is returned. FIG. 16 is a flowchart conceptually showing a part of the rental / return 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 representing the rest of the lending / returning program shown in FIG.

Hereinafter, some exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

<First Embodiment of the present invention>

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

This bicycle rental system (hereinafter, simply referred to as "system") 20 is an example of a plurality of station-side units (the above-mentioned "rental device" and "bicycle rental device", respectively, which are installed in a plurality of stations 20. 30) and a center-side unit 50 installed in a management center 40 that remotely and centrally manages a plurality of stations 20. Each of the plurality of stations 20 is assigned a unique station ID in advance. Each station-side unit 30 is commonly used by a plurality of bicycles 12 stored in the corresponding station 20.

As shown in FIG. 1 (b), a unique chassis number 60 assigned in advance to each bicycle 12 is displayed on a specific portion of each bicycle 12. In some examples, the chassis number 60 is immovably printed, in the form of a character / number string that is directly visible to the user or a computer-readable display (eg, a bar code, two-dimensional code). It is displayed on a specific part of each bicycle 12 (for example, a panel mounted near the uppermost apex 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 from moment to moment, and measures the measured current time and the station ID unique to the corresponding station, respectively, and the station ID is for the same station. However, it is encrypted so as to change from moment to 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 united in a series so as not to be visually separated from each other. As an example of "data that is"), the portion of the encryption 66 whose current time is encrypted at a predetermined time interval (15-minute interval in the illustrated example) is also the portion where the station ID is encrypted. Is also displayed on the screen 68 so that it changes dynamically with respect to time. Here, "encryption" means visualization data that cannot be deciphered by a user but can be deciphered by a specific authorized person.

As shown in FIG. 1A, 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 at each station 20. It is equipped with a bicycle rack (bicycle accommodating device) 70 for using the bicycle. The bicycle rack 70 includes a plurality of bicycle stalls (small compartments) 72 for accommodating one bicycle 12 at a time. 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 lending to the user, each bicycle 12 is housed in each bicycle stall 72, and in this housed state, the bicycle 12 is attached to the individual frame of the bicycle stall 72 with the dial lock type wire shown in FIG. 1 (d). It is secured using a lock 80. As is well known, the dial lock type wire lock 80 is configured by connecting both ends of one flexible wire 82 to each other via a dial lock 84.

The plurality of bicycles 12 housed in the plurality of stations 20 managed by the management center 40 are assigned dial locks 84, which are unlocked by different PINs. Therefore, only one bicycle 12 can be unlocked with one PIN.

As shown in FIG. 2, in this system 10, as will be described in detail later, a communication device that can be used by a user (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, etc.) The code 66 displayed on the screen 68 using a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a PDA), a landline telephone installed at the station 20, a public telephone installed near the station 20, etc.) 90. To the management center 40.

When the cipher 66 is represented as a user-identifiable (eg, pronouncable) figure, as in the illustrated example, the user may manually enter the cipher 66 into the communication device 90 or speak. It is possible to enter with. On the other hand, when the cipher 66 is expressed as an unidentifiable figure by the user, the user can read and input the cipher 66 with the scanner of the communication device 90.

When the center-side unit 50 in the management center 40 receives the code 66 from the user, the center side unit 50 breaks the code 66, and as a result, the user sets the time restored by breaking the encrypted current time. , Recognizes that it is actually in the station 20 having the station ID restored by decrypting the encrypted station ID.

In FIG. 3, one station-side unit 30 installed in one station 20 is shown in a functional block diagram.

The station-side unit 30 is mainly composed of 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 from moment to 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 to a code that changes from moment to moment even though it is for the same station 20. The display unit 114 displays the encrypted current time and station ID as encryption 66 on the screen 68 so as to change from moment to moment.

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

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

In the present 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 the time (does not change with time), and the encryption unit 112 is a station ID. By using an encryption algorithm that is static for the station position but dynamic for the time and is common to a plurality of stations 20, the station ID changes from moment to moment (to be exact). , The part of the encryption 66 related to the station ID, which is hereinafter referred to as “station ID related partial encryption”).

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 the station ID-related partial cipher is a station by encrypting this station ID from moment to moment by an encryption algorithm that is dynamic with respect to time. It is acquired as a dynamic cipher that is dynamic both in terms of 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 is static with respect to the time, and is for the station ID. The encryption algorithm is static with respect to the location of the station 20 (the encryption algorithm for the station ID is common to the plurality of stations 20), whereas it is dynamic with respect to the time. As a result, the station ID-related partial encryption, which is the result of encryption, becomes dynamic with respect to the position and time of the station 20.

That is, this 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 (that is, transforms 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. In addition, 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 part of the cipher 66) at the time of renting the bicycle 12 when returning the bicycle. This prevents impersonation of the user who returned the bicycle at the same station 20 as when it was rented, thereby deterring fraudulent activity.

Of the encryption 66, the current time-related partial cipher related to the current time is the current time-related portion that is the result of encryption because the object of encryption is the current time, which is time-dynamic information in the first place. It can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art that cryptography becomes dynamic in time. Therefore, this point does not deserve special mention. 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 that the station ID-related partial cipher that is the result of the encryption is temporally. Even those skilled in the art cannot easily come up with the idea of making it dynamic.

Further, 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 the same cipher 66 is focused on, the information about the station ID and the information about the current time are associated with each other, so that the user can set the information at any time (for example, the current time or the past time). It is possible to estimate that you are in any of the stations 20.

Further, in the present embodiment, since the cipher 66 is visually recognized as a meaningless character / number string cipher 66 by the user, the user is discouraged from trying to decipher the cipher 66 and misuse it. There is expected. Further, in the cipher 66, the character / number string which is the current time-related partial cipher (in the example shown in FIG. 1, the number string for the lower four digits) and the character / number string which is the station ID-related partial cipher are combined. Because it is configured as a series, it is more likely that the user will attempt to abuse the cipher 66 than if the two related partial ciphers are displayed on the screen 68 so that they are visually separated from each other. 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 plurality of stations 20 that are of interest this time) 30 shown in FIG. It is represented by a flowchart in. This encryption / display program is stored in the memory 102 in advance like other programs described later, and is read from the memory 102 by the processor 100 and executed as needed.

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

Subsequently, in step S403, the station ID assigned to the station 20 corresponding to the station-side unit 30 this time is read from the memory 102. Then, 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 the time, is read from the memory 102.

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

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

After that, 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 this encryption / display program.

In FIGS. 5 and 6, the center side unit 50 installed in the management center 40 is shown in a functional block diagram. However, FIG. 5 shows the center side unit 50 paying attention to the part that functions when the bicycle is rented, while FIG. 6 shows the center side unit 50 paying attention to the part that functions when the bicycle is returned. Has been done.

The center-side unit 50 is mainly composed of a processor 200 and a computer 204 having a memory 202 for storing a program executed by the processor 200. The hardware configuration realized by the computer 204 is shown in a functional block diagram in FIGS. 5 and 6.

To specifically explain the hardware configuration, as shown in FIG. 5, the center-side unit 50 includes a receiving unit 210, a decryption unit 212, a rental permission unit 214, and a clock for renting a bicycle. The 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, and 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 receiving unit 210, the decryption unit 212, the clock 216, and the transmitting unit 222 are operated for both the bicycle rental and the bicycle return.

With the hardware configuration configured in this way, the rental / return method represented by the rental / return program described later, that is, the bicycle rental method (which is an example of the above-mentioned "rental method") is executed.

To explain the hardware configuration more specifically by paying attention to the process of renting 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 code 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 upper digit of the received cipher 66 at the time of lending to the current time (to be exact, the user sets the cipher 66 to the management center 40). (Time sent to) is restored and treated as the rental time.

To be precise, the encryption algorithm may be called a cryptanalysis algorithm, noting that it is now used for decryption, not for encryption. However, since the encryption algorithm has the property of a table showing the correspondence between the information before encryption and the information after encryption, whether it is a scene of encryption or a scene of decryption. 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 at the time of lending by using the encryption algorithm for the station ID, and reconstructs the station ID. Treat as an ID.

The lending permission unit 214 has a permissible value for the difference between the lending time and the current time measured by the clock 216 (as long as the difference between the lending time and the current time is normal and there is no fraud in the user's operation. The bicycle 12 is given to the user this time on the condition that the length is less than or equal to the length that cannot occur statistically, the rental station ID is genuine, and the received chassis number 60 is genuine. Allow to rent.

In order to determine whether or not the rental station ID is genuine, a plurality of station IDs assigned to the plurality of stations 20 are stored in advance in the memory 202 as a first table, and the rental station this time is used. 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 genuine.

Similarly, in order to determine whether or not the chassis number 60 is genuine, the plurality of chassis numbers 60 assigned to the plurality of bicycles 12 stored in the plurality of stations 20 are set in the second table. When the chassis number 60 of this time matches any one of the plurality of chassis numbers 60 in the second table, it is determined that the chassis number 60 of this time is genuine.

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 loan permission unit 214 issues the loan permission, the security code acquisition unit 220 obtains the security code for unlocking the dial lock 84 used for the bicycle 12 corresponding to the chassis number 60 this time from the third table. Read out. In the third table, a plurality of chassis numbers 60 and a plurality of personal identification numbers are stored in advance in association with each other.

The transmission unit 222 transmits a message for notifying that the lending has started to the user's communication device 90 together with the read password. By using the password, 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.

To explain the hardware configuration more specifically by paying attention to the process of returning the bicycle, as shown in FIG. 6, the receiving unit 210 is displayed by the user on the screen 68 of the display unit 114 at the time of returning. The code 66 and the chassis number 60 of the bicycle that the user intends to return are received.

The cryptanalysis unit 212 decrypts the upper digit of the received cipher 66 at the time of return by using the encryption algorithm for the time, so that the current time (to be exact, 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 cipher 66 at the time of return using the encryption algorithm for the station ID, and returns the station ID. Treat as an ID.

In the return permission unit 230, the difference between the return time and the current time measured by the clock 216 is equal to or less than the allowable value, the return station ID is genuine, and the received chassis number 60 Allows the user to return the bicycle 12 on condition that is genuine.

When the return station ID of this time matches any one of the plurality of station IDs in the first table, the return permission unit 230 determines that the return station ID of this time is genuine. When the current chassis number 60 matches any of the plurality of chassis numbers 60 in the second table, the return permission unit 230 determines that the current chassis number 60 is genuine.

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

The rental fee calculation unit 234 calculates the length of the elapsed time from the rental time to the return time as the length of the usage time (rental time) in which the user uses the bicycle 12. The amount of the rental fee is set to increase according to the length of the usage time, and if the return station ID does not match the rental station ID, it is set to be higher than if it matches. Is stored in the memory 202 in advance as the fourth table. The rental fee calculation unit 234 determines whether or not the return station ID matches the rental station ID, and refers to the fourth table based on the determination result and the calculated length of use time. By doing so, the amount of the rental fee this time is calculated.

The payment processing unit 236 collects the rental fee from the user by making a bank payment, a credit card payment, a prepaid payment, or the like for the user this time.

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 rental fee this time. After that, the user secures the bicycle 12 to be returned to any unused bicycle stall 72 by using the wire lock 80, and then locks the dial lock 84 of the wire lock 80.

In FIGS. 7 and 8, a lending / returning program executed by the processor 200 of the center-side unit 50 and stored in advance in the memory 202 is conceptually represented by a flowchart.

Each execution of the lending / returning program is started in step S701 shown in FIG. 7, and in the step S701, the type of the current request issued from the user to the management center 40 via the communication device 90 is set. The information for identifying whether to lend or return, the chassis number 60, and the code 66 are received together with the member ID and password pre-assigned for the user this time.

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

Next, in step S702, it is determined whether or not the personal authentication for the user this time has succeeded from the collation result between the received member ID and password and the registered information. If the personal authentication is successful, in step S703, it is determined 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. However, if the current request is a lending request, the determination is YES, and step S704. Move to.

In step S704, the upper digit of the received cipher 66 is decrypted using the encryption algorithm for the time, whereby the lending time is restored. 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 permissible value, it is assumed that there is something wrong with the data received from the user this time, and the execution of this lending / returning program ends without providing the service this time to the user.

On the other hand, when the difference between the lending time and the current time is equal to or less than the allowable value, the determination in step S705 is YES, and subsequently, in step S706, the encryption algorithm for the station ID is used in the memory 202. Among the plurality of individual algorithms constituting the above (the same as the plurality of individual algorithms stored in the memory 102 of the station side unit 30 described above), the one corresponding to the current time (restored lending time is also possible) is selected. And 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, whereby the lending station ID is restored.

Subsequently, in step S708, it is determined whether or not the current rental station ID is genuine by determining whether or not the rental station ID matches any of the plurality of station IDs in the first table. Will be done. If the rental station ID this time is not genuine, it is assumed that there is something wrong with the data received this time from the user, and the execution of this rental / return program ends without providing the service this time to the user.

On the other hand, when the current rental station ID is genuine, the determination in step S708 is YES, and subsequently, in step S709, the current chassis number 60 is any of the plurality of chassis numbers in the second table. By determining whether or not they match, it is determined whether or not the chassis number 60 this time is genuine. If the chassis number 60 this time is not genuine, it is assumed that there is something wrong with the data received this time from the user, and the execution of this lending / returning program ends without providing the service this time to the user.

On the other hand, when the chassis number 60 this time is genuine, the determination in step S709 is YES, and subsequently, in step S710, the bicycle 12 having the chassis number 60 is allowed to be rented to the user. As a premise, it is recognized that the user is actually at the station 20 having the restored station ID at the restored lending time. After that, 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 himself / herself unlocks the password corresponding to the chassis number 60 of this time, that is, the dial lock 84 locked in the bicycle 12 of this time. The number to be given to the dial lock 84 (for example, a multi-digit number) is acquired.

Then, in step S713, the acquired personal identification number and a message indicating that the bicycle 12 is to be rented are transmitted to the user's communication device 90. This completes the execution of the part of the rental / return program for renting the bicycle 12.

On the other hand, when the current request issued by the user is a return request, the determination in step S703 becomes 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 by using the encryption algorithm for the time, whereby the return time is restored.

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 permissible value, it is assumed that there is something wrong with the data received this time from the user, and the execution of this lending / returning program ends without providing the current service to the user.

On the other hand, when the difference between the return time and the current time is equal to or less than the allowable value, the determination in step S802 is YES, and subsequently, in step S803, the encryption algorithm for the station ID is selected in the memory 202. And it is read from the memory 202. Specifically, as described above, among the plurality of individual algorithms constituting the encryption algorithm for the station ID, the one corresponding to the current time (the restored return time is also possible) 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), whereby the return station ID is restored.

Subsequently, in step S804, it is determined whether or not the return station ID this time is genuine by determining whether or not the return station ID matches any of the plurality of station IDs in the first table. Will be done. If the return station ID this time is not genuine, it is assumed that there is something wrong with the data received this time from the user, and the execution of this lending / returning program ends without providing the service this time to the user.

On the other hand, when the return station ID this time is genuine, the determination in step S805 is YES, and subsequently, in step S806, the chassis number 60 this time is any of the plurality of chassis numbers in the second table. By determining whether or not they match, it is determined whether or not the chassis number 60 this time is genuine. If the chassis number 60 this time is not genuine, it is assumed that there is something wrong with the data received this time from the user, and the execution of this lending / returning program ends without providing the service this time to the user.

On the other hand, when the chassis number 60 this time is genuine, the determination in step S806 is YES, and then in step S807, the user returns the bicycle 12 having the chassis number 60 to the station 20 this time. Is allowed. As a premise, it is recognized that the user is actually at the station 20 having the restored station ID at the restored return time. After that, in step S808, the rental time and the rental station of the bicycle 12 to be returned this time are read from the memory 202 in association with the chassis number 60 this time.

Subsequently, in step S809, the length of the elapsed time from the rental time to the return time is calculated as the length of the usage time when the user uses the bicycle 12. Then, in step S810, it is determined whether or not the return station ID matches the rental station ID.

Subsequently, in step S811, based on the calculated length of use time and the determination result of whether or not the return station ID matches the rental station ID, the fourth table is referred to this time. The amount of rental fee is calculated. After that, in step S812, the calculated rental fee is settled to 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 a payment statement for the rental fee this time are transmitted to the user's communication device 90. This completes the execution of the part of the lending / returning program for returning the bicycle 12.

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 static with respect to the time, and the encryption unit 112 shown in FIG. 3 is the station ID. By using an encryption algorithm that is static with respect to the position of the station 20 but dynamic with respect to the time and is common to a plurality of stations 20, the station ID is also set with respect to the position of the station 20. It also encrypts to a dynamic cipher.

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

Specifically, in order to realize a station ID that is dynamic with respect to both 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. The collection of these individual station IDs for one day is different for each station 20. The encryption unit 112 selects the 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 current time of the station 20. Encrypt using an encryption algorithm that is static both in terms of 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 encryption 66, which is the result of encryption, becomes dynamic with respect to the position and time of the station 20.

Therefore, if the time and the code 66 at that time are specified, the station 20 from which the code 66 has been acquired can be identified. In addition, since the code 66 is dynamic with respect to the time, the user impersonates the user who returned the bicycle at the same station 20 as when the bicycle 12 was rented by using the same code as the code 66 when the bicycle 12 was rented. Is stopped, thereby deterring fraud.

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 with the ever-changing cipher 66.

However, of the ciphers 66, only the station ID-related partial cipher is a cipher that is dynamic with respect to the position and time of the station 20, 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 identifying the same station 20 is encrypted by a plurality of different ciphers 66 at a plurality of different times. Therefore, since the return time is different from the lending time, the code 66 at the time of return does not actually match the code 66 at the time of lending even if it is the code for the same station 20.

Nevertheless, because the encryption scheme is kept secret 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 code at the time of return is an illegal code that cannot exist at that time. Therefore, the management center 40 that receives the code at the time of return from the user uses the code at the time of return. I can't decipher it.

If the management center 40 reports to the user that the code at the time of return is invalid when the code at the time of return cannot be decrypted, the user who receives the report will be notified of the presence or absence of fraudulent activity. Know that you were being monitored and that your misconduct was discovered. Therefore, the user becomes aware that he / she wants to prevent the same fraudulent activity from being performed again, thereby obtaining a deterrent effect against the user's fraudulent activity.

On the other hand, the management center 40 adopts a method of receiving the dynamic encryption 66 from the user via the mobile communication device 90, so that the user has a positioning function (for example, a GPS function) that measures the user's current position every moment. It is possible for the user to recognize the station 20 in which the user is truly located at the time of lending and returning without activating it in the mobile communication device 90.

Further, thanks to the adoption of the method of receiving the dynamic encryption 66 from the user via the mobile communication device 90, a signal for identifying the station 20 to be rented or returned is transmitted from the station 20 to the management center 40. It is possible for the user to recognize the station 20 in which the user is truly located at the time of renting and returning without having to install the communication equipment for the operation at each station 20. As a result, the equipment cost of each station 20 can be reduced, and by extension, the maintenance cost of the equipment can be reduced.

Further, according to the present embodiment, when the borrowed bicycle 12 is returned, the user is not required to send the rental information including the rental time and the rental station to the management center 40, and the bicycle usage time is long. It is possible to calculate the time and determine the match / mismatch between the lending station and the return station. Therefore, the burden imposed on the user is reduced.

<Second Embodiment of the present invention>

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

First, to briefly explain, the bicycle rental system (hereinafter, simply referred to as “system”) 300 has the bicycle rental system 10 according to the first embodiment described above, whereas the station side unit 30 has an overall structure. However, the center side unit 50 is common except that it does not have the storage unit 218 and the reading unit 232 as shown in the functional block diagrams in 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 code 66 at the time of return is also sent to the management center 40 together with the code 66 at the time of return. You are required to send.

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

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

Specifically, the flowchart showing the lending / returning program in the present embodiment does not store the lending time and the lending station ID in the memory 202 in association with the chassis number 60 in the process for lending. , The first embodiment is common to the flowchart shown in FIG.

Further, the flowchart showing the lending / returning program in the present embodiment does not read the lending time and the lending station ID from the memory 202 in association with the chassis number 60 in the process for returning, and has already been rented. FIG. 8 shows the first embodiment, except that the user who is about to return the bicycle 12 is required to enter the code 66 at the time of rental, but is not required to enter the chassis number 60. It is common with the flowchart shown.

Of the flowcharts representing the lending / returning program in the present embodiment, the portion corresponding to the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 omits further explanation by illustration and text, while the portion corresponding to the flowchart shown in FIG. 8 is shown in FIG. Will be described in comparison with the flowchart of FIG.

When the request issued by the user is a return request, the determination of the step (not shown) corresponding to step S703 shown in FIG. 7 becomes NO, and the process proceeds to step S1101 shown in FIG. In step S1101, in the same manner as in step S704 shown in FIG. 7, the upper digit of the code 66 at the time of lending is decrypted by using the encryption algorithm for the time, whereby the lending time is restored. To.

Then, in step S1102, in the same manner as in step S801 shown in FIG. 8, the upper digit of the code 66 at the time of return is decrypted using the encryption algorithm for the time, whereby the return time is restored. To.

Subsequently, in step S1103, it is determined in the same manner as in step S802 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 this lending / returning program is immediately terminated.

On the other hand, when the difference between the return time and the current time is equal to or less than the permissible 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 constituting the encryption algorithm for the station ID (stored in the memory 102 of the station side unit 30 to generate the encryption 66). Among the plurality of individual algorithms described above, the one corresponding to the lending time (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. Is read out.

Subsequently, in step S1105, the lower digit of the code 66 at the time of lending is decrypted using the read individual algorithm, whereby the lending station ID is restored.

After that, in step S1106, among the plurality of individual algorithms constituting the encryption algorithm for the station ID, the one corresponding to the current time (the restored return time is also possible) is selected and read in the memory 202.

Subsequently, in step S1107, the lower digit of the code 66 at the time of return is decrypted using the read individual algorithm, whereby the return station ID is restored.

After that, in step S1108, it is determined whether or not the current return station ID is genuine by determining whether or not the return station ID matches any of the plurality of station IDs in the first table. To. If the return station ID this time is not genuine, the execution of this lending / returning program ends immediately.

On the other hand, when the return station ID this time is genuine, the determination in step S1108 is YES, and subsequently, 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 usage time using the bicycle 12. Then, in step S1110, it is determined whether or not the return station ID matches the rental 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 rental station ID. The amount of rental fee is calculated. After that, in step S1112, the calculated rental fee is settled to the current user, and the current rental fee is collected from the user.

Subsequently, in step S1113, a message indicating that the return has been completed and a payment statement for the rental fee this time are transmitted to the user's communication device 90. This completes the execution of the part of the lending / returning program for returning the bicycle 12.

As is clear from the above description, according to the present embodiment, the center side unit 50 may request that the rental information including the rental time and the rental station be stored in the memory 202 in association with the chassis number 60. , The calculation of the length of bicycle usage time and the match / mismatch between the rental station and the return station are not required to read the rental information from the memory 202 in association with the chassis number 60 at the time of return. It is possible to make a judgment of. Therefore, the burden imposed on the center side unit 50 is reduced.

<Third Embodiment of the present invention>

Next, the bicycle rental system 400 according to the exemplary third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 to 17. However, since this bicycle rental system 400 has many common elements with the bicycle rental system 10 according to the first embodiment described above, only different elements will be described in detail, and the common elements have the same name or the same name. Duplicate description is omitted by quoting with a reference.

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

Further, this system 400 is for restoring the station ID of the center side unit 50 with respect to the system 10, as shown in the functional block diagram in FIGS. 14 and 15 and the flowchart in FIGS. 16 and 17, respectively. It is common except that it does not decrypt.

In FIG. 13, the encryption / display program executed by the computer 104 of the station-side unit 30 shown in FIG. 12 is conceptually represented by a flowchart.

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

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

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

By the way, when the current time is encrypted every moment, even if the current time is encrypted using a static encryption algorithm with respect to time, the object of encryption is dynamic with respect to time, so the current time is obtained by the encryption. The ciphers that are made become dynamic ciphers with respect to time.

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

Further, if a different encryption algorithm is assigned to each station 20 to encrypt the time, each station 20 obtains a different encryption from the other stations 20 at the same time. The cipher will eventually become a dynamic cipher not only with respect to time, but also with respect to the location of station 20.

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

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 the position of the station 20 from which the cipher was acquired can be estimated.

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

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

The center-side unit 50 further compares the restored time with the reception time, and thereby, the plurality of encryption algorithms different for each station 20 (hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, “a plurality of candidate ciphers”. The user uses the candidate encryption algorithm EA in which the difference between the time restored by the decryption and the reception time is equal to or less than the reference value when the received cipher is decrypted by using the EA. Is selected as the authentic encryption algorithm corresponding to the actual station.

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 station 20. The station 20 is identified from the cipher 66 without using a unique station ID assigned to each station 20 or encrypting the station ID into a dynamic cipher in a broad sense. it can.

In addition, since the code 66 is dynamic with respect to time, the user can impersonate the user who returned the bicycle at the same station 20 as when renting the bicycle by using the same code as the code 66 when renting the bicycle. Is thwarted, thereby deterring fraud.

Each execution of the lending / returning program in the present embodiment is started in step S1601 shown in FIG. 16, and in the step S1601, the user makes a request to the management center 40 via the communication device 90. Information for identifying whether the type of the user is rented or returned, the chassis number 60, and the code 66 are received together with the member ID and password assigned in advance for the user this time.

Next, in step S1602, it is determined whether or not the personal authentication for the user this time has succeeded from the collation result between the received member ID and password and the registered information. If the personal authentication is successful, in step S1603, it is determined 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, but if the current request is a lending request, the determination is YES, and step S1604. Move 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, among the plurality of candidate encryption algorithms EA, the one to which the current value of the number i is assigned is selected in the memory 202.

Then, in step S1606, the selected candidate encryption algorithm EAi is read from the memory 202, and by using the read candidate encryption algorithm EAi, the received cipher 66 is decrypted, whereby the received cipher 66 is decrypted. 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 in step S1608, the number i is incremented by 1. Then, the process returns to step S1605.

On the other hand, when the difference between the candidate lending time and the current time is equal to or less than the reference value, the determination in step S1607 is YES, and subsequently, in step S1609, the current candidate encryption algorithm EAi is used for this time. It is selected as a genuine encryption algorithm suitable for decrypting the cipher 66.

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

After that, in step S1612, it is determined whether or not the current rental station ID is genuine by determining whether or not the rental station ID matches any of the plurality of station IDs in the first table. To. If the rental station ID this time is not genuine, the execution of this rental / return program ends immediately.

On the other hand, when the current rental station ID is genuine, the determination in step S1612 is YES, and subsequently, in step S1613, the current chassis number 60 is any of the plurality of chassis numbers in the second table. By determining whether or not they match, it is determined whether or not the chassis number 60 this time is genuine. If the chassis number 60 this time is not genuine, the execution of this lending / returning program ends immediately.

On the other hand, when the chassis number 60 this time is genuine, the determination in step S1613 is YES, and subsequently, in step S1614, the bicycle 12 having the chassis number 60 is allowed to be rented to the user. After that, in step S1615, 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 S1616, by referring to the third table, the user himself / herself unlocks the password corresponding to the chassis number 60 of this time, that is, the dial lock 84 locked in the bicycle 12 of this time. The number to be given to the dial lock 84 (for example, a multi-digit number) is acquired.

Then, in step S1617, the acquired personal identification number and a message indicating that the bicycle 12 is to be rented are transmitted to the user's communication device 90. This completes the execution of the part of the rental / return program for renting the bicycle 12.

On the other hand, when the current request issued by the user is a return request, the determination in step S1603 becomes 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, among the plurality of candidate encryption algorithms EA, the one to which the current value of the number j is assigned is selected in the memory 202.

Then, in step S1703, the selected candidate encryption algorithm EAj is read from the memory 202, and by using the read candidate encryption algorithm EAj, the received cipher 66 is decrypted, whereby the received cipher 66 is decrypted. The 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 in step S11705, the number j is incremented by 1. Then, the process returns to step S1702.

On the other hand, when the difference between the candidate return time and the current time is equal to or less than the reference value, the determination in step S1704 is YES, and subsequently, in step S1706, the current candidate encryption algorithm EAj is used for this time. It is selected as a genuine encryption algorithm suitable for decrypting the cipher 66.

After that, 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 genuine encryption algorithm number j, which is stored in the memory 202 in advance, the authentic encryption algorithm number j is set to this time. The corresponding return station ID is determined.

After that, in step S1709, it is determined whether or not the current return station ID is genuine by determining whether or not the return station ID matches any of the plurality of station IDs in the first table. To. If the return station ID this time is not genuine, the execution of this lending / returning program ends immediately.

On the other hand, when the return station ID this time is genuine, the determination in step S1709 is YES, and subsequently, in step S1710, the chassis number 60 this time is any of the plurality of chassis numbers in the second table. By determining whether or not they match, it is determined whether or not the chassis number 60 this time is genuine. If the chassis number 60 this time is not genuine, the execution of this lending / returning program ends immediately.

On the other hand, when the chassis number 60 this time is genuine, the determination in step S1710 is YES, and subsequently, in step S1711, the user returns the bicycle 12 having the chassis number 60 to the station 20 this time. Is allowed. After that, in step S1712, the rental time and the rental station of the bicycle 12 to be returned this time are read from the memory 202 in association with the chassis number 60 this time.

Subsequently, in step S1713, the length of the elapsed time from the rental time to the return time is calculated as the length of the usage time when the user uses the bicycle 12. Then, 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 length of use time and the determination result of whether or not the return station ID matches the rental station ID, this time. The amount of rental fee is calculated. After that, in step S1716, the calculated rental fee is settled to the current user, and the current rental fee is collected from the user.

Subsequently, in step S1717, a message indicating that the return has been completed and a payment statement for the rental fee this time are transmitted to the user's communication device 90. This completes the execution of the part of the lending / returning program for returning the bicycle 12.

As is clear from the specific description of some of the embodiments described above, in those embodiments, the encryption unit 112 of the station-side units 30 installed in each station 20 is before encryption. By encrypting information (for example, station ID, current time) using an encryption algorithm, encryption 66 is generated every moment.

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

Therefore, the pre-encryption information includes information regarding at least one of the time and the station position. Is the combination of the pre-encryption information and the encryption algorithm dynamic at least one of the pre-encryption information and the encryption algorithm with respect to time, but at least with respect to the station position? , Or at least one of those pre-encrypted information and encryption algorithms is configured to be dynamic with respect to time and station location.

The cipher 66 has a property that the user cannot decipher it due to its nature. The cipher 66 is further configured to be dynamic with respect to time and station position, 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 has the property that the user cannot obtain the genuine code 66 unless he / she is actually at the station 20, and that the user is actually at the station 20 at that exact time. It has the property of being able to decipher and estimate the code 66.

When the type of the encryption algorithm is common to the plurality of stations 20, the center-side unit 50 has a plurality of ciphers that can be generated, a plurality of decryption results, and the positions of the plurality of stations 20 (for example, the plurality of stations 20). Multiple ciphers and plurals that can be generated according to a predetermined relationship with (plurality of unique station IDs pre-assigned to) or if the type of encryption algorithm is unique to each station 20. From the user according to a predetermined relationship between the decryption result of the above, 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 pre-assigned to the plurality of stations 20). The received code 66 is decrypted, thereby estimating the station 20 where the user is actually present and the time when the user is actually present at the station 20.

Here, focusing on the station ID-related partial cipher among the ciphers 66, the station ID-related partial cipher is dynamic with respect to both the time and the station ID. This means that the station ID-related partial cipher changes with time even though it is for the same station. However, for each station, the number taken by the station ID-related partial cipher at each time is known, so the time when the station ID-related partial cipher is valid (for example, the time displayed on the screen 68) is known. Then, the corresponding station ID can be estimated.

When the time when the management center 40 receives the station ID-related partial cipher is known without the help of the current time-related partial cipher (for example, in the rental scene, the rental time is the time when the management center 40 receives the station ID. (It is substantially the same time as the time when the related partial cipher is received), the station ID related partial cipher can be decrypted in association with the found time without the help 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 receives the station ID-related partial cipher cannot be determined without the help of the current time-related partial cipher (for example, in the return scene, the lending time precedes the lending time). Is required), first, the rental time is restored by decrypting the current time-related partial cipher, and then the station ID-related partial cipher is decrypted in association with the restored time. The corresponding station ID can be estimated.

Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings, taking the case where the rental object is a bicycle as an example, the present invention can also be applied to other rental objects.

For example, the rental target is a motorcycle (for example, the PIN is applied to the engine key of the motorcycle), a vehicle (for example, the PIN is applied to the door key or engine key of the vehicle). ), An engineed boat or jet ski (the PIN applies to, for example, the engine key of the boat or jet ski), or a go-cart running on a particular course (the PIN is, for example, of the go-cart). The present invention can also be applied when it is applied to a door key or an engine key).

Further, the rental target is furniture (the PIN is applied to, for example, a door key of a closed space for storing the furniture), an electric product (the PIN is, for example, a closed for storing the electric equipment). (Applies to space door keys), accessories that are detachably attached to electrical appliances (the PIN applies, for example, to closed space door keys that store the accessories), or A recording medium (eg, a CD) on which audiovisual content is recorded that is playable by the user (the PIN applies, for example, to a closed space door key that stores the storage medium). Also, the present invention can be applied.

In addition, the rental target is a room in a hotel or apartment where the user can live (the PIN is applied to the door key of the room, for example), and an individual storage space in a coin locker (the PIN is, for example, the door key of the room). An individual parking space in a parking lot (applicable to the door key of each room of Coin Rocka), or an individual parking space (the PIN code is used, for example, in a device that manages the rental of the parking lot for each individual parking space). The present invention can also be applied in the case of (associated and input by the user).

Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings, these are examples, and are based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art, including the embodiments described in the [Summary of Invention] column. It is possible to carry out the present invention in other forms with various modifications and improvements.

Claims (6)

Each is a rental system that rents or returns the rental target to the user at multiple stations that store the rental target.
A station information output device that is installed at the location of each station and outputs station information for identifying that station in a state that cannot be decrypted by the user.
Including a management server that centrally manages the plurality of stations by communicating with the mobile terminal of the user who wishes to rent or return the rental object at the position of any station.
The user, in fact there state to one of the station, via the mobile terminal without decrypting the station information output from the station information output device installed in one of its stations in said mobile terminal And send it to the management server
The management server
A receiving unit that receives the station information from the mobile terminal, and
By decrypting the station information thus received, and a station specifying portion identifying a station user actually there,
When the user returns the rental target to the specified station, the determination result of whether or not the rental target is rented at the specified station and the length of time that the user has used the rental target are determined. Based on the rental fee calculation unit that calculates the amount of rental fee for the user,
In order to collect the rental fee from the user, a payment processing unit that performs processing for settling the rental fee by a payment method including at least one of bank payment, credit card payment, and prepaid payment, and a payment processing unit.
A rental system including a transmitter that transmits a signal indicating the completion of return of the rental object and a signal indicating the completion of payment of the rental fee to the user's mobile terminal when the payment of the rental fee is completed. Further, the rental target information display medium installed at the rental target position and displaying the rental target information for identifying the rental target is included.
The rental according to claim 1, wherein the user acquires rental target information to be transmitted to the management server from the rental target information display medium, and transmits the rental target information to the management server via the mobile terminal. system. The management server further
The second aspect of claim 2 includes a storage unit that stores in a memory the specified station and the time when the user rents or returns the station in association with the rental target specified from the rental target information received from the mobile terminal. Rental system. The management server further
A permitting unit that allows the user to rent or return the specified rental object at the specified station.
The third aspect of claim 3 includes a transmission unit that transmits a personal identification number unique to the specified rental object to the mobile terminal when the permission unit permits the user to rent or return the specified rental object. Rental system. A program for operating a computer as a management server according to any one of claims 1 to 4. A recording medium in which the program according to claim 5 is recorded in a computer-readable manner.

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