JP2021177269A - Article management unit and article management system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an article management unit and an article management system in which a user can conveniently use a receipt/return service of articles.SOLUTION: An article management unit 33 provided at an outlet of an article management apparatus 3 storing articles includes: a first reader 331 and a second reader 332 that read a tag attached to an article; lock means 333 that is provided between the first reader and the second reader and can be switched between an unlocked state where the article can pass through and a locked state; and a unit control unit than can control the first reader, the second reader, and the lock means. The unit control unit causes either one of the first reader and the second reader to be activated in a readable state based on a lock unlocked request from a user terminal, and when one of the reader reads the tag, controls the lock means to be switched to the unlocked state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

The present invention relates to an article management system that manages the receipt and return of articles.

In recent years, the idea of the sharing economy has become widespread, and services that allow sharing of various things have been proposed.

Patent Document 1 discloses an article lending system for renting an umbrella found as a forgotten item.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2008-84165

It is described that the above-mentioned technology stores various information such as a lending unit price and a lending time in an RFID attached to an umbrella, and calculates a lending amount. However, the convenience of renting and returning goods has not been fully considered.

Therefore, one object of the present invention is to provide an article management unit in which a user can conveniently use an article receiving / returning service, and an article management system using the article management unit.

According to the present invention, the article management unit provided at the outlet of the article management device for accommodating the article, the first reader and the second reader for reading the tag attached to the article, and the first reader. A locking means provided between the and the second reader and capable of switching between an unlocked state and a locked state through which the article can pass, the first reader, the second reader, and the locking means. The unit control unit is provided with a unit control unit capable of controlling the above, and the unit control unit is in a state in which either the first reader or the second reader can be read based on the unlock request from the user terminal. An article management unit is obtained that is activated and controls the locking means to switch to an unlocked state when the one reader reads the tag.

According to the present invention, the user can conveniently use the service for receiving and returning goods.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of the system by embodiment of this invention. This is a configuration example of an article management device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic diagram of the article management apparatus by embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the operation of the article management apparatus by embodiment of this invention. This is an example of a hardware configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention. This is an example of software configuration according to the embodiment of the present invention. This is a configuration example of user information according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a configuration example of the article accommodating part information by embodiment of this invention. It is a composition example of article information by embodiment of this invention. It is an operation flow diagram of the system by embodiment of this invention. It is an operation flow diagram of the system by embodiment of this invention. This is a modified example of the article management device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

The contents of the embodiments of the present invention will be described in a list. The present invention has the following configurations.
[Item 1]
An article management unit provided at the outlet of an article management device for accommodating articles.
The first and second readers who read the tags attached to the goods,
A locking means provided between the first reader and the second reader and capable of switching between an unlocked state and a locked state through which the article can pass.
The first reader, the second reader, and a unit control unit capable of controlling the locking means are provided.
Based on the unlock request from the user terminal, the unit control unit activates either the first reader or the second reader in a readable state.
An article management unit, characterized in that when one of the readers reads the tag, the locking means is controlled to be switched to an unlocked state.
[Item 2]
The first reader is provided inside the article management device rather than the locking means.
Item 1. The unit control unit is characterized in that, when receiving an unlock request for receiving the article from the user terminal, the unit control unit activates the first reader in a readable state. Goods management unit.
[Item 3]
The unit control unit is characterized in that, when the first reader reads the tag, the reading function of the first reader is stopped and the second reader is activated in a readable state. The article management unit according to item 2.
[Item 4]
The article management unit according to item 3, wherein the unit control unit further controls the locking means to be switched to a locked state when the second reader reads the tag.
[Item 5]
An article management system including the article management unit according to any one of items 1 to 4, the user terminal, and a server.
The user terminal includes a receipt request transmission unit that transmits a receipt request for the article to the server, and when the request permission information is received from the server, the unlock request is transmitted to the article management unit. An article management system characterized by doing so.
[Item 6]
The server includes a request permission determination unit that determines whether or not to permit the receipt request.
The article management system according to item 5, wherein the request permission determination unit permits the receipt request when the number of available stocks of the article management device is equal to or more than the number required for the receipt request.
[Item 7]
The server includes a request permission determination unit that determines whether or not to permit the receipt request.
The article management system according to item 5 or 6, wherein the request permission determination unit permits the receipt request when the receipt request matches the usage restriction information of the user.
[Item 8]
The server includes a reservation management unit that accepts a reservation for receiving the goods from the user terminal.
The article management system according to any one of items 5 to 7, wherein the reservation management unit performs a process of reducing the number of available inventory of the article management device by the number of the receipt reservations when the receipt reservation is accepted.
[Item 9]
The server sends the time information together with the request permission information to the user terminal.
The user terminal transmits the time information to the article management unit together with the unlock request.
The unit control unit is characterized in that when the received time information is newer than the time information received in the past, the first reader or the second reader is activated in a readable state. The article management system according to any one of items 5 to 8.

<Details of the embodiment>
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<Overview>
The system according to the embodiment of the present invention is a system for managing the receipt / return of goods. For example, it is useful for smoothly operating an article rental service such as an umbrella. Items are not limited to umbrellas, but shopping bags and shoes, facilities such as conference rooms, automobile / bicycle keys, basketball, clothes, rain shoes, kappa, drones, remote controls, pocket tissues, masks, personal computer devices including tablets, earphones, etc. Charger, various charging cables, pocket wifi, translator, parasol, tent, battery (including dry battery, button battery, lithium battery, etc.), writing utensils, vermilion, hochikisu, ruler, scissors, cutter, cigarette, lighter, hat, parasol , Uchiwa, refreshing spray, cooling sheet, sunscreen, stockings, general cosmetics, handkerchiefs, mufflers, pockets, outerwear, etc. (Including for travel), SIM, mobile terminal, etc. may be used, and there are no particular restrictions. An IC tag such as RFID is installed in a predetermined place on the article and is used for management.

<Structure>
As shown in FIG. 1, this system includes a server 1, a user terminal 2, and an article management device 3. The server 1, the user terminal 2, and the article management device 3 can communicate with each other via or without a network. Further, it is preferable that the user terminal 2 and the article management device 3 can communicate data through short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy (BLE), in which case the article management device 3 is connected to a network. You do not have to have the means.

FIG. 2 is an example of the article management device 3 when this system is used for an umbrella rental service. When the system of the present invention is used for the umbrella rental service, the article management device 3 has an umbrella stand configuration as a whole. However, the article accommodating section 31 for accommodating one or more rentable umbrellas and the aisle 32 for taking out the umbrella from the article accommodating section 31 are provided. The user can take one umbrella from the article storage unit 31 and pass it through the passage 32 to take it out. At the time of return, the umbrella is passed through the passage 32 and returned to the article storage unit 31. The article management unit 33 of the present invention described below is provided on at least one side surface of the aisle 32, and the passage 32 is switched to a non-passable / passable state by the locking means 333. The article management unit 33 controls the locking means 333 according to the operation of the user to make the article passable, and enables the user to receive and return the article.

The shape of the article management device 3 is not particularly limited, but in the example of FIG. 2, it is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped having a height sufficient to accommodate an umbrella, and a plurality of widths capable of hooking the handle of the umbrella. A top plate having an elongated through hole of the above can be provided. At least one passage 32 having a width through which one umbrella can pass is formed on the top plate so as to communicate with the outside. It is preferable that the through hole of the top plate is formed in a branched shape so as to connect to the passage 32 from any place. Further, on one side of the passage 32, the article management unit 33 is installed at a position where the locking means 333 can block the passage 32, and is located on a part of the top plate (substantially directly above the position where the article management unit 33 is installed). Is provided with a display 34 indicating that the user terminal 2 is held over, and a two-dimensional code including identification information such as an article storage unit ID, an NFC tag, or the like is installed on the display, as will be described later. The structure of the article accommodating portion 31 is not limited to this, and should be appropriately designed according to the size, shape, and properties of the article.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing the configuration of the article management device 3. As a function, the article management device 3 includes an article accommodating unit 31 for accommodating articles, a passage 32 through which articles can be passed at the time of receipt / return, and an article management unit 33.

The article management unit 33 communicates with the user terminal 2 and controls the receipt / return of the article via the locking means 333. The article management unit 33 includes a first reader 331, a second reader 332, a locking means 333, a unit communication means 334, and a unit control unit 335 and a unit storage unit 336 (not shown). The unit control unit 335 is an arithmetic unit that performs information processing and the like necessary for executing the functions of each unit in the article management unit 33, and is, for example, a microcomputer. The unit storage unit 336 is an information storage device, and can store various data such as a time stamp described later. The unit communication means 334 is a means for enabling communication with the user terminal 2, and preferably includes a short-range communication interface such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) and BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy). Further, the unit communication means 334 may be connected to a network so that it can communicate with the server 1 and the user terminal 2.

The first reader 331 and the second reader 332 are readers for reading tag information attached to the article. For example, it may be capable of transmitting radio waves and receiving information on IC tags such as RFID. The first leader 331 and the second leader 332 are arranged on both sides of the locking means 333, the first leader 331 is on the article storage unit 31 side in the article management unit 33, and the second leader 332 is on the article accommodating portion 31 side. It shall be arranged outside the passage 32.

The locking means 333 can switch between a locked state in which the article cannot pass through the passage 32 and an unlocked state in which the article can pass. As an example, in the locked state, the passage 32 can be blocked to prevent the article from physically passing through the passage 32. In the example of FIG. 3, the three convex portions have a shape extending toward the passage 32 at predetermined angular intervals. In particular, the central convex portion may be thicker than the left and right convex portions. In the locked state, the central convex portion faces in the direction perpendicular to the passage 32 and protrudes into the passage 32 to prevent the passage of articles. At this time, the left and right convex portions may slightly protrude into the passage 32, but the positions of the left and right convex portions are preferably at an angle at which the article can pass. In the example of FIG. 3, the locking means 333 is rotatable in the unlocked state and may be controlled to be non-rotatable in the locked state. The locking means 333 may be configured so that the convex portion at the center returns to the initial position facing the passage 32 in the direction perpendicular to the passage 32 by itself by an urging means such as a spring. Upon receiving an instruction from the unit control unit 335 to unlock the locking means 333, the locking means 333 becomes rotatable. When the user passes the article, the article or the user's hand pushes the central convex portion to rotate, and the convex portion blocking the passage 32 disappears, so that the article can pass. Further, when the passage of the article is completed, the unit control unit 335 receives an instruction to lock the locking means 333, and the locking means 333 becomes non-rotatable.

The movement of the locking means 333 when receiving the article will be described with reference to FIG. When the locking means 333 is in the initial position, as shown in FIG. 4A, the article is prevented from passing through the passage 32 by the central convex portion of the locking means 333. When the unit control unit 335 controls the locking means 333 to the unlocked state and the user pulls out the article and applies a force to rotate the locking means 333, the locking means 333 rotates as shown in FIG. 4B, and the article Passes through the passage 32. At this time, the convex portion on the left side protrudes into the passage 32 to prevent the second article from passing through at once. When the article passes through the passage 32, the locking means 333 returns to the initial position by itself by a spring or the like (FIG. 4 (c)).

The configuration of the locking means 333 is merely an example, and the shape and movement are not limited to this. For example, a plurality of convex portions may be provided radially like a star and may be rotated by a predetermined angle in the same direction, or may have a structure in which the unlocked state and the locked state can be switched by moving the shutter in and out. ..

<Hardware configuration>
The server 1 and the user terminal 2 according to the present embodiment have the following hardware configurations. The following configuration is an example, and may have other configurations.

As shown in FIG. 1, the server 1 constitutes a part of the system by executing information processing via communication with the user terminal 2. The server 1 may be a general-purpose computer such as a workstation or a personal computer, or may be logically realized by cloud computing.

The user terminal 2 constitutes a part of the system of the present invention by communicating with the server 1 and the article management device 3 to execute information processing. The user terminal 2 may be, for example, a general-purpose computer such as a workstation or a personal computer, a portable communication device such as a smartphone, a wearable terminal such as a smart watch, or the like. It is preferable to have a short-range communication interface such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) and BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy), a two-dimensional code reading function, and a tag reading function such as NFC (Near Field Communication).

As shown in FIG. 5, the server 1 includes at least a control unit 10, a memory 11, a storage 12, a transmission / reception unit 13, an input / output unit 14, and the like, and these are electrically connected to each other through a bus 15.

The control unit 10 is an arithmetic unit that controls the operation of the entire server 1, controls the transmission and reception of data between each element, and performs information processing and the like necessary for executing an application. For example, the control unit 10 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and executes each information processing by executing a program or the like stored in the storage 12 and expanded in the memory 11.

The memory 11 includes a main memory composed of a volatile storage device such as a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) and an auxiliary memory composed of a non-volatile storage device such as a flash memory or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive). .. The memory 11 is used as a work area or the like of the control unit 10, and also stores a BIOS (Basic Input / Output System) executed when the server 1 is started, various setting information, and the like.

The storage 12 stores various programs such as application programs. A database storing data used for each process may be built in the storage 12.

The transmission / reception unit 13 connects the server 1 to the network. The transmission / reception unit 13 may be provided with a short-range communication interface such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) and BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy).

The input / output unit 14 is an information input device such as a keyboard and a mouse, and an output device such as a display, which are used as needed.

The bus 15 is commonly connected to each of the above elements and transmits, for example, an address signal, a data signal, and various control signals.

The user terminal 2 can also be provided with the same hardware configuration as that described with reference to FIG.

The server 1 can provide the service to the user terminal 2 via the application. The user terminal 2 downloads an application from the server 1 or another server, executes this application, and accesses the server 1 via web page browsing software such as a browser or an application to send and receive information to and from the server 1. And you will be able to receive services.

FIG. 6 is an example of software configuration in the user terminal 2 and the server 1. The server 1 can include a request reception unit 111, a request permission determination unit 112, a completion information reception unit 113, a payment processing unit 114, a user information storage unit 121, an article storage unit information storage unit 122, and an article information storage unit 123. .. The request reception unit 111, the request permission determination unit 112, the completion information reception unit 113, and the payment processing unit 114 read the program stored in the storage 12 by the control unit 10 included in the server 1 into the memory 11 and execute the program. The user information storage unit 121, the article storage unit information storage unit 122, and the article information storage unit 123 are realized as a part of the storage area provided by at least one of the memory 11 and the storage 12.

The user terminal 2 can include a receiving / returning request transmitting / receiving unit 211, an unlock request unit 212, and an account information storage unit 221. The receipt / return request transmission / reception unit 211 and the unlock request unit 212 are realized by the control unit 10 included in the user terminal 2 reading the program stored in the storage 12 into the memory 11 and executing the account information storage. Unit 221 is implemented as part of the storage area provided by at least one of the memory 11 and the storage 12. In addition to this, the user terminal 2 may appropriately include a display control unit that controls the display on the user terminal 2, a position information acquisition unit that acquires the position information of the user terminal 2, and the like.

The user information storage unit 121 stores user information when using the application of this system for all the users registered as users in this system. The user information storage unit 121 stores various types of information in association with user identification information such as a user ID. FIG. 7 is a configuration example of user information stored in the user information storage unit 121. The user information can include basic information such as name, address, telephone number, and payment information. Further, contract information, information on the current usage status, and the like may be included. The contract information is information such as a contract regarding the use of this system. For example, if the content of services that a member can use differs depending on the class, such as free / paid, normal / special, etc., the contract information of the member is included. For example, when this system is used as an article rental service, it may include information on the number and types of articles that the user can rent at one time, the available area and time zone, and the calculation method of the charge. The current usage status is information such as currently using, renting, or reserving an article, such as information on the target article (article ID, type of article, etc.) and information on the article storage unit 31 (article). Containment unit ID, address, etc.) may be included. Further, the user information storage unit 121 may include past usage history information and the like. The past usage history information may be, for example, the type, number, time zone, pick-up place / return place, etc. of the goods used in the past.

The account information storage unit 221 in the user terminal 2 has account information related to the user. The content of the account information may be the same as the above user information, and the explanation is omitted. Further, the user terminal 2 may appropriately acquire the information by inquiring to the user information storage unit 121 in the server 1 without holding a part or all of the account information.

The article accommodating unit information storage unit 122 stores information about the article accommodating unit 31. FIG. 8 is a configuration example of the article accommodating unit information stored in the article accommodating unit information storage unit 122. The article storage section information is, for example, linked to identification information such as the article storage section ID, and as basic information, the location (address), area, number / type of items that can be accommodated, available time zone, etc. Can be included. In addition, as information on the stored goods, the currently stored goods ID, the number of stocks of the goods currently stored, the number of available stocks among the stocks, the number of reserved goods among the stocks, etc. Information may be included, but is not limited to this.

The article information storage unit 123 stores information about the article. FIG. 9 is a configuration example of article information stored in the article information storage unit 123. The information about the article includes, for example, tag information which is the basic information of the article, the type of the article, the date of manufacture, etc. in association with the identification information such as the article ID, and further, the information about the current status and the past. It can include, but is not limited to, information about usage history. The current status is, for example, "accommodating" when the article is accommodated in the article accommodating section 31, and "reserving" when the article is reserved. In that case, the information of the stored article storage unit ID, the reserved user ID, and the like may be further included. In addition, when the user possesses it, it is "in use", and information such as the possessed user ID information and the scheduled return date and time may be included. In addition, there may be other statuses such as "repairing", "lost" if the user is lost, and "finding" if found. The status information is not limited to these, and may be simply represented by "available", "unavailable", etc. indicating whether or not the status is available. In addition, information on the past usage history can record the date and time of receipt / return, the article storage unit ID, the user ID, and the like. In addition, the article information storage unit 123 may store features such as the color and pattern of the article, and may include an image of the article.

The receiving / returning request transmission / reception unit 211 transmits a request (receipt / return request) from the user terminal 2 to the server 1 to perform the procedure for receiving or returning the goods. Further, the server 1 later receives the permission or denial information for the request. The receipt / return request includes user information such as an account, identification information of the goods storage unit 31, and the like. At this time, information that identifies the article (article ID, etc.) may be included in the transmission information. In addition, when there are a plurality of types of articles, information specifying the types of articles may be included.

The identification information of the article storage unit 31 may be manually input by the user, or the identification information may be obtained by communication with the article management unit 33 as described below. The user can operate the user terminal 2 in front of the article storage unit 31 and connect the short-range wireless communication with the article management unit 33 before transmitting the receipt / return request to the server 1. First, the user uses a tag reading function such as an NFC reader or a two-dimensional code reader mounted on the user terminal 2 to be unique to the article management device 3 required for pairing wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark). Read device information. That is, the NFC tag storing the device information and the two-dimensional code are installed in the article management device 3 at a place that can be read by the user terminal 2. Next, the user terminal 2 can connect communication with the article management unit 33 by a wireless communication means such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) using the read device information. Since the user terminal 2 can acquire information such as the article storage unit ID by wireless communication with the article management unit, when the receipt / return request is subsequently transmitted to the server 1, the article storage unit ID or the like is used. The identification information of the article storage unit can be automatically included in the above-mentioned receipt / return request.

The request receiving unit 111 of the server 1 receives the receiving / returning request transmitted from the user terminal 2. The request reception unit 111 transmits the received information to the request permission determination unit 112. The request permission determination unit 112 determines whether to approve or reject the request based on the received information, and notifies the user terminal 2 of the result. The request permission determination unit 112 can authenticate the user. User authentication may be performed by a known method. For example, it is confirmed whether or not the received user identification information (user ID or the like) is registered in the user information storage unit 121. If the same account is not registered in the user information storage unit 121, the user terminal 2 is notified to request the user registration. If it can be confirmed that the same account information is registered in the user information storage unit 121, the user authentication is completed.

When the receipt / return request is particularly a receipt request, the request permission determination unit 112 further confirms whether the goods are in stock. The request permission determination unit 112 reads the information associated with the article storage unit ID specified in the receipt / return request information in the article storage unit information storage unit 122, and confirms the number of stocks. Further, as described in the following modification 1, when the user can make a reservation, the number of available stocks obtained by subtracting the number of reservations from the number of stocks is set as the number of available stocks, and the number of available stocks is equal to or greater than the number requested for receipt. To confirm.

Further, when the user information storage unit 121 contains information related to the user's contract, the request permission determination unit 112 confirms whether or not the receipt / return request may be permitted in light of the contract contents. You can also. For example, if the user has a contract that only two items can be used at a time, the current usage status is inquired to the user information storage unit 121, and it is determined that permission can be granted if the current number of uses is one or less. However, if the current number of users is already two, it is judged that it is not permitted. In addition, if there is a usage restriction based on the user's account information, the request permission determination unit 112 can determine whether the request content matches the restriction.

When the request permission determination unit 112 determines that the request can be permitted, the request permission determination unit 112 transmits information to the effect that the request is permitted to the user terminal 2. When the reception / return request transmission / reception unit 211 of the user terminal 2 receives the information for permitting the request from the server 1, the reception / return request transmission / reception unit 211 transmits the information to the unlock request unit 212.

The unlock request unit 212 of the user terminal 2 transmits the unlock request information to the article management unit 33. Hereinafter, information transmission / reception between the user terminal 2 and the article management unit 33 can be performed via short-range wireless communication. The article management unit 33 receives the unlock request information, executes the following "receipt flow" if the request is a request for receiving the article, and "returns" if the request is a request for returning the article. Execute "Flow".

<Receipt flow>
First, normally, the first reader 331 and the second reader 332 are in a state in which the reading function is not activated, and the locking means 333 is controlled in a locked state. Here, when the unlock request for receiving the article is received, the unit control unit 335 activates the first reader 331 in a readable state. When the user takes out the article from the article accommodating unit 31 and passes it in front of the first reader 331, the first reader 331 reads the IC tag attached to the article and transmits information to the unit control unit 335. When the unit control unit 335 receives the information that the tag of the article has been read from the first reader 331, the unit control unit 335 unlocks the locking means 333. That is, when the locking means 333 is the mechanism shown in FIG. 3, the locking means 333 is in a rotatable state. Further, the second reader 332 is activated in a readable state, while the reading function of the first reader 331 is stopped. As the user pulls the article further out of the passage 32, the locking means 333 rotates and the article passes in front of the second leader 332. The second reader 332 reads the IC tag attached to the article and transmits the information to the unit control unit 335. When the second reader 332 receives the information that the tag of the article has been read, the unit control unit 335 locks the locking means 333 and fixes the locking means 333 so that it does not move. It also stops the reading function of the second reader 332. Further, the unit control unit 335 transmits a notification to the user terminal 2 that the procedure for receiving the goods has been completed. The notification may include information such as an article ID read by the reader and a completion date and time.

<Return flow>
Upon receiving the unlock request for returning the article, the unit control unit 335 activates the second reader 332 in a readable state. When the user tries to pass the article through the passage 32 and passes in front of the second reader 332, the second reader 332 reads the IC tag attached to the article and transmits information to the unit control unit 335. The unit control unit 335 unlocks the locking means 333 when it receives information from the second reader 332 that the tag of the article has been read. That is, when the locking means 333 is the mechanism shown in FIG. 3, the locking means 333 is in a rotatable state. Further, the first reader 331 is activated in a readable state, while the reading function of the second reader 332 is stopped. When the user further pushes the article into the back side of the passage 32, the locking means 333 rotates, and the article passes in front of the first leader 331. The first reader 331 reads the IC tag attached to the article and transmits information to the unit control unit 335. When the unit control unit 335 receives the information that the first reader 331 has read the tag of the article, the unit control unit 335 locks the locking means 333 and fixes it so that it does not move. In addition, the reading function of the first reader 331 is stopped. Further, the unit control unit 335 transmits a notification to the user terminal 2 that the procedure for returning the article has been completed. The notification preferably includes the article ID read by the reader, and may further include information such as the completion date and time.

The user terminal 2 transmits the completion notification received from the article management unit 33 to the server 1. The completion information receiving unit 113 of the server 1 receives information from the user terminal 2 that the procedure for receiving / returning the goods has been completed. The completion information reception unit 113 updates the article storage unit information storage unit 122, the article information storage unit 123, and the user information storage unit 121 based on the received information. That is, when the receipt of the specific article is completed, the information storage unit 122 of the article accommodating unit updates the information about the accommodating article. For example, the article ID in the corresponding article storage unit 31 is deleted, and the number of available inventories is reduced. In addition, the status of the corresponding article in the article information storage unit 123 is changed, and processing such as adding to the usage history information is performed. In addition, the current usage status of the user information storage unit 121 is updated, and past usage history information is added.

The user can receive the goods at a predetermined place, use the goods, and then return the goods at the same place or different places. The payment processing unit 114 of the server 1 can charge a predetermined usage fee according to the usage of the user. The billing of the usage fee to the user can be performed based on the credit information, account information, etc. of the user registered in the user information storage unit 121 in advance, but the billing method of the usage fee is not limited to this. Any known means may be used. In addition, the amount of the usage fee may be determined based on a predetermined rule according to the contract contents of the user. When the usage fee is calculated according to the usage time, when the server 1 receives the notification that the user has completed the return procedure, the payment processing unit 114 between the receipt time and the return time of the goods. Calculate the usage time and calculate the prescribed amount.

Next, the basic processing flow of the system according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 10 with respect to an example at the time of receiving the article.

First, the user starts the application of the user terminal 2 in the vicinity of the article storage unit 31 wishing to receive / return the article, and logs in. Further, the article storage unit ID is acquired by the NFC reader or the two-dimensional code reader of the user terminal 2, and the short-range wireless communication with the article management unit 33 is connected.

When the user operates the user terminal 2, the receiving / returning request transmitting / receiving unit 211 transmits the receiving request of the article to the server 1 (S51). The receipt request information includes user identification information and an article storage unit ID. The request permission determination unit 112 of the server 1 confirms that the received user ID is a member user registered in the user information storage unit 121, and performs user authentication (S52). When it is confirmed that the user is a member user (S53 = Yes), the request permission information is transmitted to the user terminal 2 (S54). On the other hand, if the user is not a member user (S53 = No), information indicating that the member could not be confirmed or information requesting member registration is transmitted to the user terminal 2, and the process ends. In addition, the request permission determination unit 112 may check the number of stocks, check the user's account information, and check whether the restriction on the receipt of goods is satisfied, if necessary.

When the user terminal 2 receives the request permission information, the unlock request unit 212 of the user terminal 2 transmits an unlock request for receipt to the article management unit 33 (S55). The unlock request unit 212 does not operate in the state where the request permission information from the server 1 is not received.

In the article management unit 33, when the unlock request for receipt is received, the unit control unit 335 activates the first reader 331 in a readable state (S56). When the first reader 331 reads the IC tag of the article (S57 = Yes), the unit control unit 335 unlocks the locking means 333 and controls the article so that it can pass through the passage 32 (S58). Further, when the article moves and the second reader 332 reads the IC tag of the article (S59 = Yes), the unit control unit 335 locks the locking means 333 again (S60). If the first reader 331 and the second reader 332 fail to read the IC tag of the article (S57 = No, S59 = No), a message may be issued to bring the article closer to the reader. In particular, if reading is not performed within a predetermined time after each reader is activated, it may be determined that reading has failed. Further, even if the second reader 332 fails to read, the locking means 333 may be controlled to be locked after a lapse of a predetermined time.

When the second reader 332 reads the IC tag of the article, that is, the receipt of the article is completed, the article management unit 33 transmits a notification to the user terminal 2 that the receipt of the article is completed (S61). The user terminal 2 transmits the completion information to the server 1 (S62). The completion information receiving unit 113 of the server 1 updates the article accommodating unit information storage unit 122, the article information storage unit 123, and the user information storage unit 121 based on the received information (S63).

The above is the basic configuration of this system. The above-described embodiments are merely examples for facilitating the understanding of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the interpretation of the present invention. It goes without saying that the present invention can be modified and improved without departing from the spirit thereof, and the present invention includes an equivalent thereof.

<Modification example 1>
Next, a modification 1 of the system of the present invention will be described. Modification 1 is a modification of the above-mentioned basic system with a function related to reservation of goods. In this modification, the software of the user terminal 2 may further include a reservation requesting unit in addition to the one shown in FIG. 6, and the software of the server 1 may include a reservation management unit.

The reservation request unit transmits the reservation request information of the goods from the user terminal 2 to the server 1. The user inputs or selects information such as the type and number of articles to be reserved, the identification information and area of the article storage unit 31, and the desired date and time of receipt, and transmits the information to the server 1. The reservation management unit of the server 1 may search the article storage unit information storage unit 122 based on the received information and return whether or not there is an article that can be reserved. For example, when a specific article storage section 31 or area is specified in the reservation request information, the available inventory quantity in the corresponding article storage section information is confirmed, and the inventory quantity of the desired type of article is equal to or greater than the desired number. If there is, it is judged that reservation is possible. Further, when the articles that can be used are accommodated in the plurality of article accommodating units 31, the information of the article accommodating unit 31 that can be reserved may be presented to the user terminal 2. Further, when the information for identifying the article accommodating unit 31 is not particularly input from the user terminal 2, all the information of the article accommodating unit 31 that can be reserved may be presented, or based on the position information of the user terminal 2. In addition, the information of the article storage unit 31 in the same area or in a short distance may be presented with priority. When a plurality of article accommodating units 31 are available, the user further selects the article accommodating unit 31 for which reservation is desired, and transmits the article accommodating unit 31 to the server 1. In addition, the reservation may be made by designating a specific item.

When the article storage unit 31 and / or the article to be reserved by the user is determined, the reservation management unit of the server 1 updates the information of the article storage unit information storage unit 122, the article information storage unit 123, and the user information storage unit 121. do. That is, it is possible to reduce the number of available inventories and increase the number of reservations in the article storage section information. Further, in the information about the stored goods, the reservation flag can be set for the goods for which the reservation has been made, and the information of the user ID can be input. In addition, the article information storage unit 123 can change the status to "reserved" and perform processing such as inputting user ID information. In addition, the user information storage unit 121 adds the current usage status as "reserved". Further, the account information storage unit 221 in the user terminal 2 can be updated in the same manner.

The processing flow of the first modification will be described with reference to FIG. First, the user sends a reservation request to the server 1 via the application (S71). The server 1 authenticates the user as necessary (S72), and when it is confirmed that the user is a registered member (S73 = Yes), the article storage unit 31 that can make a reservation to the user terminal 2 and the like. Information on the article is presented (S74). When a plurality of article accommodating units 31 and articles that can be reserved are presented, the user further selects a desired article accommodating unit 31 and articles from among them (S75). The reservation management unit of the server 1 accepts the reservation and updates the article storage unit information storage unit 122, the article information storage unit 123, and the user information storage unit 121 (S76).

When the user who made the reservation actually receives the article, the user connects the communication with the article management unit 33 in front of the reserved article accommodating unit 31 and transmits the receipt request to the server 1. The server 1 authenticates the user and further confirms whether the user has made a receipt reservation. When the user has made a reservation for the article in the article storage unit 31 with reference to the user information storage unit 121, it is determined that the receipt of the article this time is the receipt related to the reservation. Alternatively, the user may recognize that the server 1 side is the receipt request related to the reservation by transmitting the receipt request after selecting the reservation information via the user terminal 2. The reservation management department updates the information regarding the reservation when the receipt of the goods is completed. That is, the user information storage unit 121 changes the current usage status from "reserved" to "in use", reduces the number of reservations in the article storage section information, and deletes the reservation flag of the stored article. Can be done. Further, the status in the article information storage unit 123 can be changed and the usage history information can be updated.

On the other hand, in the case of a user who has made a receipt request without making a reservation, the request permission determination unit 112 confirms that the number of available stocks of the target article storage unit 31 is larger than the desired number of receipts, and permits the request. That is, even when the articles are stored in the article storage unit 31, if they are reserved, the user who has not made a reservation is not allowed to receive the articles.

According to this modification, since the user can make a reservation in advance, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the user cannot use the service due to lack of inventory after arriving at the site.

<Modification 2>
Next, a modification 2 of the system of the present invention will be described. Modification 2 is a modification of the above-mentioned basic system with a function related to loss / finding of an article. In this modification, the software of the server 1 can include a loss management unit and a found information receiving unit.

This modification has a function when a user using the article loses the article somewhere. First, when the user notices that the article has been lost, the user transmits the lost information to the effect that the article has been lost to the server 1. Upon receiving the lost information, the loss management unit of the server 1 updates the information of the lost article in the article information storage unit 123. That is, it is possible to perform processing such as changing the status of the article to "lost" or the like. Further, regarding the current usage status of the user information storage unit 121, it is possible to perform processing such as changing the usage status of the corresponding article ID to "lost".

The loss management department can also perform a process of imposing a penalty for the user's loss of the item according to the terms of use and the contract contents. That is, it is possible to execute a compensation fee claim process, limit the use of the user, and the like. When restricting the use of a user, even if the receipt request information is received from the user during the restriction, the receipt may not be permitted. For example, if the number of lost times in a predetermined period exceeds the predetermined number of times, it is considered malicious and the use of the user may be stopped. In that case, the user information storage unit 121 records the past lost information, calculates the number of lost times in a predetermined period, and confirms whether or not the condition is satisfied.

In addition, a case where a third party finds the article will be described. The finder who has found the article transmits the identification information of the finder to the server 1. It can also include information about the current storage location of the found article. If the finder is a member of this system, these information can be transmitted from the finder's terminal to the server 1 via the application. If the finder is not a member of this system, the management website of this system, etc. Information can be sent by accessing. Further, the article may be attached with a label or the like on which the article ID is described so that the finder can be seen, and the finder may input the article ID, or a two-dimensional code in which the article ID is embedded. Etc. may be attached to the label of the code such as, and the article ID may be input by reading the code with the terminal of the finder.

When the found information receiving unit of the server 1 receives the information from the founder, the lost information receiving unit conveys the information to the lost management unit, and the lost management unit updates the information of the found article in the article information storage unit 123. That is, it is possible to perform processing such as changing the status of the article to "found" or the like. In addition, the loss management unit identifies the user ID of the found article and transmits information to the user terminal 2 that the article has been found. The information may include the current storage location of the found article. The user who receives the found information may go to the storage place and collect the goods, or if the collection is difficult, the administrator can request the collection. In any case, the user can transmit the information that the article has been collected or the information that the administrator is requested to collect the article via the user terminal 2. When the user collects the goods or the administrator collects the goods, the compensation fee may be canceled or refunded.

According to the modification, it is possible to manage the article so that the user does not lose it unnecessarily. In addition, when a third party finds the article, the article can be smoothly collected.

<Modification example 3>
Next, a modification 3 of the system of the present invention will be described. Modification 3 is a modification of the above-mentioned basic system with a function for preventing unauthorized use using a time stamp. In this modification, the article management unit 33 may include a time stamp storage unit in the unit storage unit 336, and the software of the server 1 may include a time stamp generation unit.

In this modification, when the user sends a receipt / return request to the server 1 and the server 1 approves the request, the server 1 generates a time stamp by the time stamp generation unit. The time stamp can be generated by a known method. Specifically, time information can be added to the information to the effect that the request is permitted to obtain a time stamp. The generated time stamp is transmitted to the user terminal 2.

The user sends a time stamp to the article management unit 33 together with the unlock request. If necessary, the unlock request information and the time stamp may be encrypted using a predetermined function or the like before being transmitted.

Here, the article management unit 33 includes a time stamp storage unit. The time stamp storage unit stores the time stamp information received from the user in the past. When the time stamp information is transmitted from the user together with the unlock request, the unit control unit 335 compares the received time stamp information with the time stamp stored in the time stamp storage unit. If the unlock request or time stamp information is encrypted, decrypt it. Then, when the received time stamp is newer than the stored time stamp, it is determined that the unlock request is valid, the received time stamp is stored in the time stamp storage unit, and the article is stored. Continue processing for receipt / return. On the other hand, if the received time stamp has the same time stamp as the time stamp stored in the time stamp storage unit or has time information earlier than the stored time stamp, the received time stamp is judged to be invalid. Refuse to process receipt / return of goods. That is, even if an unauthorized user who intercepts the unlock request by a legitimate user sends an unlock request to the article management unit 33 using the time stamp illegally obtained by interception, the article management unit 33 still has the time stamp. It is possible to detect that it is illegal from the time information of.

Since the user terminal 2 is paired with the article management unit 33 only 1: 1, the article management unit 33 stores the time stamp after the legitimate user sends the unlock request and the time stamp to the article management unit 33. Even if the information is intercepted before updating the unit, the intercepted unauthorized user cannot communicate with the article management unit 33.

According to this modification, it is possible to prevent the use by an unauthorized user by using the time stamp.

<Modification example 4>
Next, a modification 4 of the system of the present invention will be described. In the fourth modification, the automatic locking / locking mechanism is further mounted on the above-mentioned basic system. In this modification, the article management unit 33 may further include a switch 337.

FIG. 12 is a schematic view of the article management device 3 in this modified example. The article management unit 33 is further provided with two switches 337. The switch 337 can detect that the locking means 333 has rotated. For example, it may have a physical switch structure capable of emitting a signal by being pressed by the left and right convex portions when the locking means 333 rotates, or a predetermined sensor capable of detecting the rotation of the locking means 333, or the like. It may be. An existing switch mechanism can be adopted as the physical switch structure. As an example, as shown in FIG. 12B, a movable wing portion urged by an elastic member such as a spring is provided, and when the locking means 333 rotates, the side surfaces of the left and right convex portions push the wing portion. It is placed in such a position.

The switch 337 detects that the locking means 333 has rotated and switches the locking means 333 to the locked state. The lock means 333 may be designed to be directly locked when the switch 337 detects rotation, or the unit control unit 335 is notified that the switch 337 has detected the rotation, and the unit control unit locks the lock means 333. It may be controlled to the state. In this way, when the locking means 333 rotates with the passage of the article, the locking means 333 is automatically locked by the switch 337, so that even if the second reader (the second leader 332 in the case of receipt, the return) In that case, the locking means 333 is automatically locked even when the reading of the article by the first reader 331) fails. Therefore, even if the second leader is in trouble, there is no concern that the goods will be taken out without permission.

1 Server 2 User terminal 3 Goods management device 31 Goods storage 32 Passage 33 Goods management unit 331 First leader 332 Second leader 333 Locking means 334 Unit communication means 335 Unit control unit

Claims (9)

An article management unit provided at the outlet of an article management device for accommodating articles.
The first and second readers who read the tags attached to the goods,
A locking means provided between the first reader and the second reader and capable of switching between an unlocked state and a locked state through which the article can pass.
The first reader, the second reader, and a unit control unit capable of controlling the locking means are provided.
Based on the unlock request from the user terminal, the unit control unit activates either the first reader or the second reader in a readable state.
An article management unit, characterized in that when one of the readers reads the tag, the locking means is controlled to be switched to an unlocked state. The first reader is provided inside the article management device rather than the locking means.
The first aspect of claim 1, wherein the unit control unit activates the first reader in a readable state when it receives an unlock request for receiving the article from the user terminal. Goods management unit. The unit control unit is characterized in that, when the first reader reads the tag, the reading function of the first reader is stopped and the second reader is activated in a readable state. The article management unit according to claim 2. The article management unit according to claim 3, wherein the unit control unit further controls the locking means to switch to a locked state when the second reader reads the tag. An article management system including the article management unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the user terminal, and a server.
The user terminal includes a receipt request transmission unit that transmits a receipt request for the article to the server, and when the request permission information is received from the server, the unlock request is transmitted to the article management unit. An article management system characterized by doing so. The server includes a request permission determination unit that determines whether or not to permit the receipt request.
The article management system according to claim 5, wherein the request permission determination unit permits the receipt request when the number of available stocks of the article management device is equal to or more than the number corresponding to the receipt request. The server includes a request permission determination unit that determines whether or not to permit the receipt request.
The article management system according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the request permission determination unit permits the receipt request when the receipt request matches the usage restriction information of the user. The server includes a reservation management unit that accepts a reservation for receiving the goods from the user terminal.
The article according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the reservation management unit reduces the number of available inventory of the article management device by the number of the receipt reservation when the receipt reservation is accepted. Management system. The server sends the time information together with the request permission information to the user terminal.
The user terminal transmits the time information to the article management unit together with the unlock request.
The unit control unit is characterized in that when the received time information is newer than the time information received in the past, the first reader or the second reader is activated in a readable state. The article management system according to any one of claims 5 to 8.

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