JPH046610B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to an article lending device that lends out a plurality of different articles for a fee, and particularly relates to an article lending device that simplifies lending operations and discount operations at the time of lending. .

[Prior Art] For example, when a book rental store or a record rental store lends out an item of almost regular size to the general public for a fee, the store clerk provides the item name or product code that specifies the rental item, the address and name of the borrower, and the rental date. I try to record it on my vote or in my notebook. However, if clerks record the name and product code of each loaned item on a loan slip or notebook, the efficiency of the lending office work decreases. Items in which a membership card with a membership number recorded on it is issued to a person, and the product code of the barcode is read by a barcode reader and stored in a storage device along with the membership number entered from a keyboard, for example. Rental devices have been developed.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, even in the above-mentioned article lending device that uses barcodes to manage article lending, the following problems still occur. In other words, the clerk must always use a barcode reading device to read the barcode attached to the rental item. Therefore, it has been desired to further improve the efficiency of lending office work.

Furthermore, with the above-mentioned device, the product code of the item currently being lent out is stored in the storage device, so by printing out the stored contents of this storage device, it is possible to grasp the item being lent out. is possible. However, no information is stored as to whether items that are not currently being lent are reliably stored in each item shelf. Therefore, for example, when checking inventory at the end of the month or at the end of each day's work, it is necessary to sequentially inspect the items stored on each shelf in the store. As a result, there is also the problem that the efficiency of inventory checking is reduced.

Furthermore, depending on the item, it may be necessary to lend the item at a discount from the regular rental price, or to offer a discount only to regular customers at the discretion of the store staff. Conventionally, such discount operations were performed by first calculating the rental fee using the regular rental amount, and then calculating the discount again using a fixed discount amount or discount rate to calculate the actual rental fee. There was a problem that increased the burden. Furthermore, if a plurality of items are lent out, there is a concern that it may become unclear which item has been discounted.

Especially records, audio tapes, etc.
Software rental companies that rent out CD records, video tapes, etc. to the general public for a fee generally pay a fixed percentage of the copyright to the software supply company, such as a record company, movie company, or TV company, depending on the number of rentals or the loan amount. You need to pay the rights fee. Therefore, the software supply company needs to strictly manage which software is rented at what discount amount and how many times at each rental company's store. It is also necessary to prevent careless duplication in stores.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a rental management memory that stores rental information of each article, and to detect that an article to be rented is inserted into a shelf. It is an object of the present invention to provide an article lending device that can more easily perform article lending operations while maintaining strict lending management by providing a detection device.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an article lending device that can further simplify the lending operation, including the discount operation for each article at the time of lending.

[Means for Solving the Problems] As shown in FIG. 1, the article rental device of the present invention includes a plurality of shelves 2 into which one article 1 to be rented for a fee is inserted, and each of these shelves. A detection device 3 is installed inside the shelf and detects that an article has been inserted into the shelf, and a product information area that stores product information of this article corresponding to each article and a rental information area that stores rental information are inserted. Lending management memory 4 consisting of a plurality of tables having a storage bin area for storing shelf numbers.
When the rental key 5 is operated after the detection device detects an operation to pull out an article from the shelf, the rental registration means 6 registers the table corresponding to the shelf number of the shelf on which this pullout operation has occurred. The lending information is registered in the lending information area, and the registered lending information is printed on the lending slip by the lending slip issuing means 7.

In another invention, in addition to the above solutions, when the discount key 8 is operated before the lending key 5 is operated, the independent discount means 9 causes the discount key 8 to be operated immediately before the key operation of the discount key 8. Discount information is registered in the rental information area of the table of the shelf number corresponding to the withdrawal operation performed, and when the discount key is operated after the key operation of the rental key, the bulk discount means 10 registers the discount information before the operation of the rental key. Discount information is registered in the lending information area of the table for each shelf number corresponding to all the withdrawal operations performed in the past.

[Function] If the article lending device is configured in this way,
The presence or absence of articles on each shelf is constantly detected by a detection device. Further, product information for each article stored on each shelf is stored in each table along with the shelf number and rental information. Then, when an item is pulled out from the shelf for lending, the lending information is registered in the lending information area of the product information stored in the shelf number table of the pulled-out shelf. Additionally, a rental slip with the registered rental information printed on it is issued.

Another advantage of the invention is that, in addition to the above-mentioned effects, for example, when renting out multiple items, if you press the discount key immediately after pulling out the item from the shelf, the discount will be registered for only that item. If you pull out all the rental items from the shelf, press the rental key, and then press the discount key, discounts will be registered for all the items.

[Example] An example of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the entire article lending device of the embodiment. In this embodiment, a case will be explained in which the device is installed in a video rental shop that rents out video tapes to the general public for a fee. In other words, 21 in the figure
is a rack with a large number of shelves 22 arranged on the front, and a main body control device 23 is installed adjacent to this rack 21.
is installed. Each shelf 22 provided in the rack 21 has a rectangular shape into which a video tape cassette 24 having the shape shown in FIG. A micro switch as a detection device is attached to the end wall surface, and the cassette 24 is placed on the shelf 22.
When the microswitch is inserted to the correct position, the microswitch is closed. Further, an operation panel 25 is attached to the front surface of the main body control device 23.

As shown in FIG. 4, the operation panel 25 includes display lamps 30a and 30b that indicate that the cassette has been inserted incorrectly and cannot be borrowed, a display section 31 that displays various messages and amounts in dots, and numerical data such as membership numbers that can be input using keys. numeric keys 32 for setting various data in the storage section, alphanumeric keys 33 for hexadecimal display used when setting various data in the storage section, set key 34 used for entering numerical data, lending key 35 to be pressed when lending a cassette, Mode selection operated by a transmission key 36 for transmitting data to the host computer of the video software management center, three discount keys 37, a discount available lamp 38 that displays available discounts, and keys for selecting and setting various business modes. A key 39, an issuing port 41 of a printer 40 for printing rental slips, etc. are provided.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the main body control device 23. The CPU 42 connects to the ROM via the bus line.
43, RAM 44, input port 46 into which opening/closing information of each micro switch 45 provided in each shelf 22 is input, input port 50 into which key signals are input from the keyboard 49 of the operation panel 25, printer 40 and display section 31 It controls an output port 51 that sends data to a computer, a clock circuit 52 that has a built-in timer 52a and measures the current month, day, hour, and minute, and an I/O interface 53 that sends data such as rental information. Note that this I/O interface 53 is connected to a host computer 56 of the video software management center via a MODEM 54 and a switch 55.

Also. Each of the electronic components described above is supplied with a driving voltage from a power supply circuit 58 connected to an AC power supply via a power switch 57.

In the RAM 44, as shown in FIG.
A lending management memory 59 is formed. This rental management memory 59 is stored on a shelf 22 formed in the rack 21.
Each table 60 includes a shelf number area 62 for storing the shelf number of the shelf 22, and a shelf number area 62 for storing the shelf number of the shelf 22, and a table for each cassette consisting of a product code, branch number, title name, and rental unit price. 2
Product information area 63 that stores the product information in item 4, the total number of times it has been lent to date, the total loan amount, the total discount amount, the date and time of the loan if it is currently being lent, and the member number of the borrower if it is currently being lent. A rental information area 64 is formed to store rental information consisting of.

Furthermore, within the RAM 44, there is a lending buffer 65 that temporarily stores product information and lending information of each cassette 24 for one customer pulled out from the shelf 22 when the cassette 24 is rented out, and a lending buffer 65 that temporarily stores the product information and lending information of each cassette 24 for one customer when the cassette 24 is rented out, and stores the number N of cassettes 24 lent to one customer. Loan number counter 6 to count
6. A defective member memory 67 that records the membership number of a defective member (customer) who has caused a problem such as losing a rented cassette; a discount memory 68 that stores each discount rate or discount amount corresponding to each discount key 37; A rental days memory 69 for storing the number of days of one rental is formed.

The main body control section 23 of such an article lending apparatus performs the lending process of the cassette 24 according to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, when the power switch 57 is turned on, predetermined initial processing including clearing the lending buffer 65 and lending number counter 66 of the RAM 44 is performed in S1. When the initial processing is completed, confirm that the mode selection key 39 is set to the [ON] position indicating normal operations such as lending.

When the micro switch 45 of one shelf 22 is opened in S2, it is determined that the cassette 24 inserted into that shelf 22 has been pulled out for lending. Then, in S3, with the shelf number of the corresponding shelf 22
Each table 6 of the lending management memory 59 of the RAM 44
The shelf number area 62 of 0 is searched. When the table 60 of the relevant shelf number is specified, the current month, date and time read from the clock circuit 52 is stored in the rental information area 64 of the table 60 as the rental month, date and time.
Further, the product information in the product information area 63 of the corresponding table 60 is stored in the loan buffer 65, and 1 is added to the loan number N in the loan number counter 66. Then, the number N of loans after the addition is displayed on the display section 31 for a certain period of time, such as about 2 seconds.

If the discount amount or discount rate is set in the discount memory 68 of the RAM 44 in S4, the operation panel 2
5 lights up the discount lamp 38. When one discount key 37 is input in S5, the rental unit price of the corresponding cassette is discounted based on the discount amount or discount rate set in the discount memory 68 corresponding to the discount key 37, and the rental buffer is 6
Store in 5. In addition, if a discount rate has been set and the calculated discount amount results in a fraction less than 10 yen, that fraction will be rounded down. Then, the obtained discount amount is displayed on the display section 31 for a certain period of time. Next, in S6, the indexable lamp 38 is turned off. This completes the processing for one cassette 24, and then goes to step S7.
Proceed to. Note that if the discount information is not set in the discount memory 68, or if the discount information is not set in the discount memory 68, or if the store clerk decides not to give the discount, the process directly proceeds to S7.

If the lending key 35 is not pressed in S7, the process returns to S2 and waits for the next operation to pull out the cassette 24. When the rental key 35 is pressed in S7, the selection of the rental cassette 24 for one customer is completed, and therefore, in S8 it is checked again whether the discount amount or discount rate is set in the discount memory 68. . If set, the discount available lamp 38 is lit. When the discount key 37 is input in S9,
Discount processing is performed on the rental unit price of all cassettes for which discount processing has not yet been executed among the rental cassettes stored in the rental buffer 65. That is, the discount amount is calculated according to the discount information assigned to the operated discount key 37,
It is stored in the lending buffer 65. Then, the total discount amount for all the loaned cassettes is calculated and displayed on the display section 31.
to be displayed.

After the discount process is completed, each member number is entered using the numeric key 32 in S11, and the displayed member number is confirmed using the set key 34. In S12, this member number is stored in the defective member memory of the RAM 44. 67
Make sure it is not registered. Next, students
The code indicating the customer group, such as office workers and housewives, is placed in number key 3.
2 and the set key 34, the entered membership number and customer class are stored in the lending buffer 65.

When the above processing is completed, in S14, the product code and branch number of each rental cassette, title name, rental unit price, and discount amount are stored in the rental slip 73 as shown in FIG. 8, which is temporarily stored in the rental buffer 65. , the total number of lending points, the total loan amount, the membership number, the lending month, day, hour, minute, lending deadline, etc., are printed out by the printer 40 and discharged from the issuing port 41.

When the issuance of the lending slip 73 is completed, each piece of lending information of the lending buffer 65 is registered in the lending information area 64 of the corresponding table 60 of the lending management memory 59 in S15. That is, the total number of loans, the total loan amount, and the total discount amount are updated, and the membership number is stored. Since the lending process of the cassette to one customer has been completed, the lending buffer 65 and the lending number counter 66 are cleared in S16, and the process returns to S2, where the micro switch 45 is opened in order to lend the cassette to the next customer. wait.

Note that if the member number input in S12 is registered in the defective member memory 67, the display section 31
Displays that the item cannot be rented, and then proceeds to S16.

If the article lending device is configured in this way,
The clerk pulls out the cassette 24 desired by the customer from the shelf 22, operates the rental key 35, and simply inputs the membership number, customer class, etc., and the rental information is registered in the rental management memory 59. Additionally, a rental slip 73 with necessary information printed on it is issued. Therefore, the capacity can be adjusted by simply pulling out the cassette 24 from the shelf 22 without any special operation when lending the cassette 24. As a result, the efficiency of office work at the time of lending can be greatly improved.

In addition, the storage status of each cassette 24 on each shelf 22 is constantly monitored by the micro switch 45, and information on whether all cassettes 24 are on loan/in stock is always stored in the lending management memory 59, so the inventory is always kept strictly. Can be managed. Also, the number of times you can borrow is 2 cassettes.
Since the number is counted in response to the withdrawal operation from the shelf 22 of No. 4, stricter management is possible.

In addition, when discounting the rental fee, immediately after pulling out the cassette 24 from the shelf 22, press the discount key 37.
If the key is operated, discount processing will be performed only for that cassette 24. Also, if you key in the discount key 37 after keying in the rental key 35,
Discount processing is performed on all cassettes 24 except for the cassette 24 that was previously discounted. No matter which condition the discount is processed under, each discount information is stored in each rental information area 64.
will be registered to. Therefore, even if a plurality of cassettes 24 are lent out at once, the discount amount for each cassette 24 is stored in the lending management memory 59, so the lending information for each cassette 24 can be aggregated later and the discount amount for each cassette 24 can be summed up for each cassette. It is possible to accurately calculate copyright fees, etc.

Also, depending on the type of cassette 24, there are some that do not offer discounts for new videos, but in such cases, when you pull out the cassette 24 for which the discount is being applied, the discount key 37 must be pressed. Just enter it. Further, even if the discount rate (discount amount) is different for each cassette 24, the discount key 37 corresponding to each discount rate (discount amount) may be inputted when each cassette 24 is pulled out. Also, if you want to give the same discount to all the cassettes 24 you have lent, you can pull out all the cassettes 24 and insert the lent key 3.
5 and then input the discount key 37 for the corresponding discount rate (discount amount).

In this way, it is possible to select the optimal discount key operation depending on the discount conditions, so the overall operability at the time of lending can be further improved.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention, a rental management memory for storing rental information of each article is provided, and a detection device is provided for detecting that an article to be rented is inserted into a shelf. Therefore, lending operations of articles can be performed more easily while maintaining strict lending management. Further, the discount operation for each item at the time of lending can be more easily executed according to the lending conditions.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of the present invention, Figs. 2 to 8 show an article lending device according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the entire device, and Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the entire device. 4 is a perspective view showing the cassette, FIG. 4 is a view showing the operation panel, FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the main body control device, FIG. 6 is a view showing the storage section, FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation, Figure 8 is a diagram showing the lending slip. 22... Shelf, 23... Main body control device, 24...
Cassette, 25...Operation panel, 31...Display section, 32...Number key, 35...Rental key, 37
...Discount key, 39...Mode selection key, 40...
...Printer, 42...CPU, 44...RAM, 4
5...Micro switch, 57...Power switch, 59...Rental management memory, 60...Table, 62...Shelf number area, 63...Product information area, 64...Rental information area, 68...Discount memory , 73...Lending slip

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A plurality of shelves into which each article to be lent for a fee is inserted, and a detection device provided in each of these shelves to detect that the article is inserted into the shelf. , a rental management memory consisting of a plurality of tables having a product information area for storing product information of the item, a rental information area for storing rental information, and a shelf bin area for storing insertion shelf numbers corresponding to each of the items; , in response to a key operation of the rental key performed after the detection device detects an operation to pull out an article from a shelf, rental information is displayed in the rental information area of the table corresponding to the shelf number of the shelf where this pullout operation occurred. 1. An article lending device comprising: a lending registration means for registering the registered lending information; and a lending slip issuing means for printing the registered lending information on a lending slip. 2. A plurality of shelves into which one article to be rented for a fee is inserted, a detection device installed in each of these shelves to detect when the article is inserted into the shelf, and a detection device corresponding to each of the articles. a rental management memory comprising a plurality of tables having a product information area for storing product information of the article, a rental information area for storing rental information, and a shelf bin area for storing insertion shelf numbers; rental registration means for registering rental information in the rental information area of the table corresponding to the shelf number of the shelf where the withdrawal operation occurred in response to a key operation of the rental key performed after detecting the withdrawal operation from the shelf; a lending slip issuing means for printing the registered lending information on a lending slip; and a withdrawal operation performed immediately before the key operation in response to the discount key operation performed before the lending key operation. an independent discount means for registering discount information in the rental information area of the shelf number table to be used; What is claimed is: 1. An article rental device characterized by comprising: collective discount means for registering discount information in each rental information area of a table for each shelf number corresponding to all withdrawal operations.