JPH1049734A - Automatic commodity handling device utilizing ic card - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To construct a shop system capable of automatically selling or lending the respective kinds of commodities by performing a subtraction processing to a deposit amount recorded in an IC card corresponding to a handled commodity based on inputted commodity information and the recording information of the IC card. SOLUTION: A card issuance/deposit machine 8 prepares the IC card 13 and issues it to a user. In the IC card 13, user information and the deposit money amount are recorded. The issued IC card 13 is inserted to a liquor vending machine 3, for instance, and specifying is performed through an input means 3a. The price of sold liquor is subtracted from the deposit money amount of the IC card 13 by an arithmetic means 3d, write is performed to the IC card 13 through a reader-writer 3b and the IC card 13 is returned to the user. Thus, based on the large amount of information recorded in the IC card 13, the selling and lending operations of the products in a form easily utilizable for the user are realized.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic product handling system capable of efficiently renting video cassette tapes and selling magazines, cigarettes and other products by using an IC card as a user card. It concerns the device.

[0002] The present invention also relates to an automatic rental device for a recording medium using an IC card suitable for renting a recording medium such as a video cassette tape.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a manned / unmanned store system in which a vending machine for goods or an automatic rental machine such as a video cassette tape is installed in a store has been adopted in view of soaring labor costs and late-night business. It is becoming. In this system, there is no need for a clerk to be present for sale or rental of a product. Here, it is convenient if it is possible to purchase goods using a prepaid card or the like instead of cash. However, generally used prepaid cards are magnetic recording type cards and cannot record a large amount of information. Therefore, it is not suitable for use in a store that sells and rents various products.

[0004] On the other hand, automatic rental machines are often installed in rental stores that automatically lend / return recording media such as video cassette tapes as commodities. Also in this case, the settlement of the rental fee is performed using the prepaid member card. A commonly used membership card is a magnetic recording type card.
For this reason, there is a limit on the amount of information that can be recorded, and therefore, there is a limit on the form of use.

[0005]

As described above, generally used prepaid cards or membership cards are of the magnetic recording type, so that the amount of recordable information is limited. Therefore, it is not suitable for use in a store system that sells and rents various products.

[0006] Also, in the case of a magnetic recording type membership card used in an automatic rental machine for a recording medium such as a video cassette tape, there is a limit on the amount of information that can be recorded, and thus there are restrictions on the form of use.

Particularly, in the case of an automatic rental machine, when the recording medium to be rented is for an adult, the lending is restricted so that a minor cannot freely borrow such a recording medium. There is a need. For this reason, it is common to issue a membership card for an adult or a minor in advance. However, if the card itself to be issued is divided into two types, it is inconvenient to re-create a membership card for an adult after the user reaches an adult.

In the case of an automatic rental machine, a system in which a dedicated use card is issued for each rental machine is generally used. Then, the upper limit of the number of used (the number of lent) is set. For example, the number of loans is determined up to a maximum of three, and the simultaneous lending of more than that is regulated. However, when the same user has a use card of each rental machine, it becomes possible to borrow a video cassette tape or the like whose number greatly exceeds the maximum number of rental regulations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to pay attention to an IC card having a larger storage capacity than a magnetic card, and automatically use the IC card as a user card to automatically sell various products. It is to construct a store system that can be sold or rented.

Another object of the present invention is to construct a rental system for renting a recording medium such as a video cassette tape using an IC card as a user card.

It is a further object of the present invention to propose a rental machine for a recording medium suitable for constructing such a rental system.

[0012]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an automatic product handling apparatus using an IC card according to the present invention comprises: a card issuing machine for issuing an IC card as a user card; And a product handling machine capable of selling, renting, etc., a product using an IC card issued by the Company. And
The card issuing machine includes a card issuing unit that issues an IC card based on input information of a user, and a money processing unit that records the amount of money inserted by the user as a deposit amount on the IC card. Has adopted. In addition, the product handling machine includes an input unit for inputting the type and number of products, an IC card reader / writer, and product information input through the input unit and information recorded on the IC card. , A product handling means for selling, renting or returning a product, and a calculating means for subtracting the deposit amount recorded on the IC card according to the handled product.

[0013] Here, the money processing means of the card issuing machine is designed to perform a surcharge processing of the deposit amount to be recorded based on the recorded contents such as the deposit amount of the IC card and the product purchase record. desirable. For example, when the deposit amount is large, a premium is provided, or various extra services are performed according to the use frequency.

[0014] Further, the card issuing machine records information on the date of birth of the user on the IC card to be issued,
It is preferable that the automatic product handling machine is configured to regulate the sales of the product based on the recorded contents of the inserted IC card. For example, in a vending machine for alcoholic beverages, a vending machine for cigarettes, and the like, the sales of minors are regulated based on the contents of the IC card.

Further, it is convenient for the user to be able to check the stock status of the product handling machine, order the product, etc. at home or at the office. For this purpose, a management means for centrally managing the product handling machine and a user terminal connected to the management means via a telephone line or the like are provided. It is only necessary to be able to confirm the stock status of the product handling machine and place an order for the product.

[0016] In addition, when the user wants to stop the purchase of the product by the product handling machine, it is desirable that the balance can be settled. For this purpose, a function for paying back the balance of the deposit recorded on the IC card may be added to the money processing means of the card issuing machine.

Next, the automatic product handling apparatus using the IC card having the above configuration can be applied to an automatic rental apparatus for video cassette tapes.

The automatic rental device to which the present invention is applied is I
It has a card issuing machine that issues a C card as a user card, and a rental machine that automatically lends a recording medium such as a video cassette tape using an IC card issued by the card issuing machine.

The card issuing machine is designed to issue an IC card based on information input by a user and an input amount.

The rental machine includes an input unit for inputting at least the type and the number of recording media to be borrowed, a reader / writer for an IC card, a storage shelf for storing the recording media, and an input via the input unit. Based on the received information and the recording information of the IC card,
A transport mechanism for performing a return operation and control means for controlling the driving of each part are provided.

Here, the IC card includes at least
It is desirable to have a recording area for user identification information, money balance, and information on lending a recording medium. Then, the information regarding the rental of the recording medium includes at least the identification information of the rental machine from which the recording medium was lent, the identification information of the lent recording medium, the rental fee of the lent recording medium, and the rental date. It is desirable. Based on such information, it is possible to rent a recording medium on one rental machine and return the same recording medium on another rental machine. Therefore, there is no need to return the rental machine to the same rental machine, which is convenient for the user.

Also, in the rental machine in which the recording medium rented by the different rental machine is returned,
If the recording media can be stored separately,
The operation of returning the recording medium to the original rental machine is simplified. For this purpose, the rental machine is provided with a rental / return dedicated shelf for storing a recording medium managed by the rental machine, and a recording medium rented from another rental machine is returned when the rental medium is returned. And a spare shelf for accommodating them.

In this case, the number of rental media may be regulated based on the number of rented recording media recorded on the inserted IC card. In this way, for example, the number of rental machines rented by a plurality of rental machines installed in an automatic rental shop is always grasped on the side of each rental machine,
It is possible to easily prevent a recording medium exceeding the maximum number from being lent to the same user.

Further, it is desirable that the rental machine calculates the age from the date of birth of the user recorded on the IC card and regulates the lending of the recording medium based on the age. In this way, there is no need to issue an adult card and a minor card as usage cards. That is, the age of the user is calculated based on the date of birth of the user,
Whether the user is an adult may be determined based on the calculated age. As a result, the user does not need to recreate the card just because he / she is an adult, which is convenient.

[0025]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

(Automatic Commodity Handling Apparatus Using IC Card) FIG. 1A shows the overall configuration of a store system to which the automatic commodity handling apparatus utilizing an IC card according to the present invention is applied. Describing with reference to this figure, the store system 1 includes a store 2 in which a plurality of commodity vending machines and automatic rental machines are installed. That is, a liquor vending machine 3, a tobacco vending machine 4, a vending machine 5 for juice and the like, a vending machine 6 for other commodities, and an automatic rental machine 7 for video cassette tape are provided. In addition, card issuance /
A deposit machine 8 is provided. A management computer 10 for centrally managing these is installed in the office 9 which is separated from the place where these are installed. The management computer 10 is connected via a telephone line 11 to a terminal installed in a user's home, company, or the like, for example, a computer 12A or a telephone 12B.

As shown in FIG. 1B, the card issuing machine 8
Has a card issuing means 8a for issuing the IC card 13 based on the input information of the user, and a money processing means 8b for recording on the IC card 13 the amount of money inserted by the user as a deposit amount. This money processing means 8b is used for the IC card 1
Based on the record contents such as the deposit amount and the product purchase record of No. 3, extra processing of the deposit amount to be recorded is performed.
For example, premium money or the like corresponding to the deposit amount is increased to the actual deposit amount. Alternatively, customers who are frequently used are provided with benefits such as cashback and extra deposit amount according to the frequency of use.

Further, the money processing means 8b is configured to be able to perform an operation of repaying a deposit amount in cash in accordance with a user's input instruction.

Further, the card issuing means 8a of the card issuing machine 8 has a reader / writer 8c for recording information relating to the age of the user, the amount of deposit, etc., in the IC card 13 to be issued, or for reading recorded information of the IC card. Is provided.

On the other hand, a merchandise handling machine, for example, a liquor vending machine 3, has a merchandise shelf 3A containing liquor to be sold, input means 3a by which a user can input the kind and number of liquor, and I
A reader / writer 3b for reading recorded contents of the C card 13 and writing information therein, and input means 3
a selling means 3c for selling sake on the basis of the sake information input via the IC card 13 and the recorded information of the IC card 13.
And a calculating means 3d for subtracting the deposit amount recorded on the IC card 13 according to the price of the sold liquor. Further, the handling unit 3c obtains the age of the user from the recorded contents of the inserted IC card 13, and determines whether or not to sell the sake based on this. If you are a minor,
They refuse to sell sake.

The purchase of a product in the store system 1 configured as described above is performed as follows. The user
After entering the store 2, cash is put into the card issuing / depositing machine 8, and personal information of the user is input. Thereby, the card issuing / depositing machine 8 creates an IC card 13 that can be used as a user card and issues it to the user. This IC card 13 records user information and a deposit amount.

The user inserts the issued IC card 13 into the
For example, the liquor is inserted into the liquor vending machine 3 and the liquor to be purchased is designated via the input means 3a. In the sake vending machine 3, the recorded contents of the IC card 13 are read by the reader / writer 3b. If the user is a minor based on the recorded contents, the sales are refused, and a display to that effect is displayed on the input means 3a.
Display via a display screen installed on the
The card 13 is ejected and returns to the user.

When the user is an adult, the designated alcohol is sold. Next, I 3
The price of the sold liquor is reduced from the deposit amount of the C card 13, and the obtained subtraction result is written into the IC card 13 via the reader / writer 3b as the deposit balance. Thereafter, the IC card 13 is returned to the user.

Here, in the store system 1, the sales information of the vending machines and the like and the stock information of the products installed therein are managed by the management computer 10. As described above, the management computer 10 is connected to the computer terminal 12A, the telephone 12B, and the like installed at each user's home or the like. The user can check the stock status of the product by operating a computer terminal or the like while staying at home. Of course, it is also possible to make an order for a product and make a reservation.

When the user wants to stop using the store system 1, the IC card 13 may be returned to the card issuing / depositing machine 8. When the IC card 13 is returned, the money processing means 8b returns the balance of the deposit to the user in cash. Because of this, unlike general prepaid cards,
The initial payment is not wasted.

As described above, the store system 1 does not have a global scale, but if it is applied to the sale or rental of goods in a limited place such as one unmanned store or its chain store, the customer collection rate can be improved. Can be raised. At the same time, the labor saving of the store can be realized, and the same service to the user as the manned store can be realized.

(IC Card Issuing Machine) Here, with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4, a configuration example for realizing a card issuing function in the card issuing / depositing machine 8 will be described.

First, FIG. 2 shows an example of the appearance of the card issuing / depositing machine 8. As shown in this figure, the card issuing / depositing machine 8 has an image scanner 22 on its front surface.
Is incorporated. Information on the operation procedure is described on the back surface of the cover 22a of the image scanner 22. A user who wishes to issue an IC card 13 as a user card attaches an identification card such as a driver's license to a designated column of a provided membership application form 23 (see FIG. 3), and uses an image scanner 22. When the information is read, the read information is transmitted to the remote headquarters 100 via the communication line 24. Further, a still camera 25 is built in a position above the image scanner 22 so that a person who wants to join can be photographed at this position. The information taken is
Along with the read information of the image scanner, the head office 100
Is sent to the side.

At the top of the front of the card issuing / depositing machine 8,
A ready lamp 26 for displaying an operation state, a card issuing lamp 27, and an issue completion lamp 28 are arranged. In the middle position is a minor card issuing port 29.
And an adult card issuing port 30 are provided. Further, an enrollment money input port 31 is disposed below the image scanner 22, and a printer output port 32 is disposed further below the admission port 31.

Further, on the front of the card issuance / deposit machine 8, a head office communication button 33 for contacting the head office 100, a microphone 34 for a prospective member to contact the head office, and a head office. A speaker 35 is provided for contacting a member who wants to join and giving an operation instruction.
In addition to this, a detector 36 for detecting that the applicant for membership has approached the card issuing / depositing machine 8 is provided.

FIG. 3 schematically shows the internal structure of the card issuing / depositing machine 8 together with a control system. The control system is mainly configured by the microcomputer 40, and a ticketing operation described later is performed according to a built-in control program. A determination circuit 41 is formed by the computer 40, and a signal to the effect that a deposit has been input from the deposit processing machine 42 is input thereto. In addition, an instruction signal for instructing permission or rejection of ticketing is input from the head office 100 via the communication line 24 and the modem 43. The determination circuit 41 determines whether or not to issue based on these signals. When the issuance is permitted, an issuance signal is supplied to the card issuing unit 44. The card issuing unit 44 includes both a minor card issuing unit 44a and an adult card issuing unit 44b. On the other hand, the information read by the image scanner 22 is supplied to the printer 45, and the hard copy 23a of the application form is printed out.

At the head office 100, a facsimile machine 101 is installed as a receiving means for receiving information transmitted from the branch office. There is a resident at the headquarters side, confirming the transmitted information, and transmitting an instruction signal regarding permission or rejection of ticketing to the branch side via facsimile.

Next, the card issuing operation by the card issuing / depositing machine 8 will be described with reference to the schematic flowchart of FIG. First, when the user stands in front of the card issuing / depositing machine 8, it is detected by the detector 36 (step S).
T1). If detected, the operation is instructed by voice via the speaker 35 (step ST2). The operation content is also displayed on the back surface 22a of the cover of the image scanner 22. In accordance with these instructions, the applicant is required to fill in the application form 23 provided with his / her name and address, attach a driver's license, and enter the image scanner 22
, The application application 23 is read by the image scanner 22. At the same time, an image of the applicant is taken by the built-in still camera 25 (step ST3).

The information read from the membership application form 23 and the photographing information of the applicant are entered into the modem 43 and the communication line 24.
Is transmitted to the headquarters 100 via the
4). The resident at the headquarters 100 confirms the transmitted information. That is, by checking the membership application form and the photograph of the applicant for membership, it is checked whether the membership criterion is met and whether the user is the person himself / herself. If the membership is permitted, an issuance permission signal is transmitted to the branch via the communication line 24 together with the type of card to be issued (in this example, either a minor card or an adult card) ( Step ST5). If issuance is not permitted, leave it as it is.

When the card issuance / deposit machine 8 receives this issuance permission signal within a preset time, it instructs the applicant to enter the desired amount through the speaker 35. (Step ST6). If the issuance permission signal is not received in time, the fact that the card is not to be issued is reported to the applicant via the speaker 35 (step ST10), and the process is thereafter terminated.

Next, if a deposit is received from the slot 31 within a predetermined time after the deposit is instructed, the deposit processing machine 42
Is supplied to the determination circuit 41. The issuance permission signal transmitted from the headquarters is also supplied to the determination circuit 41, and when both are supplied, an issuance instruction signal is supplied to the card issuing unit 44 (step ST8). In this example, when issuance of the underage card 13a is instructed, the issuance unit 44a is driven, and when issuance of the adult card 13b is instructed, the issuance unit 44b is driven (step). ST9). The issued membership card is issued to the user through ticket issuing ports 29 and 30, respectively.

If there is no payment within a certain period of time, it is determined that the use has been canceled, and the process is terminated without performing the issuing operation.

(Automatic Video Cassette Tape Rental Apparatus Using IC Card) Next, an example in which the present invention is applied to an automatic video cassette tape rental apparatus will be described.

FIG. 5 shows an arrangement in a video rental store 50. As shown in this figure, a video rental store 50 has a card issuing machine 51 that issues an IC card as a membership card, and a plurality of automatic rental machines 52 (5).
2-1, 52-2, 52-3, 52-4...) Are arranged.

Here, conventionally, when a plurality of rental machines are installed, if these are not networked, the video cassette tape borrowed by the rented rental machine must be returned to another rental machine. Can not do.
However, in this example, an IC card having a much larger storage capacity than a magnetic card is used as a membership card.
Therefore, by recording a large amount of information on the IC card, it becomes possible to return the video cassette tape by different rental machines.

In other words, a lot of information such as what time and how much video cassette tape of which rental machine to borrow, how many days to rent, and how much extra charge can be recorded on the IC card. The return decision of the video cassette tape can be made in different rental machines.

As a result, each rental machine can know the number of video cassette tapes lent to one user from each rental machine installed in the video rental store. Therefore, unlike the conventional case where the maximum lending amount is individually regulated for each rental machine, a situation in which a large number of video cassette tapes are lent to one user does not occur.

If information such as the name of the member, the date of birth, and the date of payment is recorded on the IC card, for example, instructions such as the birthday of the member, the display of a celebration message, and the expiration date of the card can be given. Can be displayed on the rental machine side.

In particular, if each rental machine calculates the age from the date of birth of the user recorded on the IC card and determines whether or not the user is an adult, the conventional method can be used. Thus, it is not necessary to issue an adult card and a minor card according to the age of the user, which is convenient.

On the other hand, a magnetic card generally used as a member card cannot record information of up to 69 lines, so that the above-described various processes could not be performed. Also, in order to make a decision to return a video cassette tape with a different rental machine, it is necessary to connect a plurality of rental machines via a network as described above, so if the central host computer goes down due to a failure etc. The entire system went down and the rental business was interrupted, which was inconvenient.

However, when an IC card is used as a membership card as in the present invention, a plurality of rental machines can be networked via information recorded on the IC card. For this reason, there is no adverse effect that the whole system goes down due to the host computer going down.

Here, as information to be recorded on the IC card, the information shown in Table 1 can be mentioned.

[0058]

[Table 1]

Next, Table 2 shows an example of a video cassette tape lending operation using an IC card. Table 3 shows an example of a video cassette tape returning operation using an IC card.

[0060]

[Table 2]

[0061]

[Table 3]

[0062]

As described above, in the automatic product handling device using the IC card and the automatic rental device of the recording medium according to the present invention, the user can use the IC card based on a large amount of information recorded on the IC card. It is possible to realize a sale and rental operation of a product in an easy form.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an automatic product handling apparatus to which the present invention is applied, (A) is a schematic configuration diagram of the store system, (B)
FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a control system of a card issuing / depositing machine and a vending machine.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing an IC card issuing machine that can be applied to realize a card issuing function of the card issuing / depositing machine.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of the card issuing machine of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a schematic flowchart showing a card issuing operation of the card issuing machine of FIG.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an automatic rental device of a video cassette tape to which the present invention is applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Store system 2 Store 3, 4, 5, 6 Vending machine 3a Input means 3b Reader / writer 3c Product handling means 3d Calculation means 7 Automatic rental machine 8 Card issuing / depositing machine 8a Card issuing means 8b Money handling means 8c Reader / writer Reference Signs List 10 management computer 11 telephone line 12A user-side computer terminal 12B user-side telephone 13 IC card

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Masanori Ito 6532-5, Wada, Matsumoto-shi, Nagano Prefecture Japan TMI Co., Ltd.

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. A card issuing machine that issues an IC card as a user card, and a product handling machine that can sell, rent, etc. products using the IC card issued by the card issuing machine. The card issuing machine includes: a card issuing unit that issues an IC card based on input information of a user; and a money processing unit that records an amount inserted by the user as a deposit amount on the IC card. The handling machine is provided with input means for inputting the type, number, etc. of the product, a reader / writer for the IC card, and sales of the product based on the product information input via the input means and the record information of the IC card. Product handling means for performing a rental or return operation, and arithmetic means for subtracting the deposit amount recorded on the IC card according to the handled product. Commodity automatic handling apparatus using the IC card characterized by Rukoto. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the money processing means of the card issuing machine performs a surcharge processing of the deposit amount to be recorded based on the recorded contents such as the deposit amount of the IC card and the product purchase record. An automatic product handling device using an IC card. 3. The card issuing machine according to claim 1, wherein the card issuing machine records information on a user's age on an IC card to be issued, and the automatic product handling machine includes an inserted IC card. Wherein the sale of goods is regulated based on the recorded contents. 4. The management device according to claim 1, further comprising: management means for centrally managing the product handling machine; and a user connected to the management means via a telephone line or the like. And a terminal, via the user terminal,
An automatic product handling device using an IC card, which can check the stock status of the product handling machine and place an order for the product. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the money processing means of the card issuing machine can refund a deposit balance recorded on an IC card. Automatic merchandise handling device using an IC card. 6. A merchandise handling machine using the IC card according to any one of claims 1 to 5. 7. A card issuing machine for issuing an IC card as a user card, and a rental machine for automatically lending a recording medium such as a video cassette tape using the IC card issued by the card issuing machine. The card issuing machine is configured to issue an IC card based on input information and an amount of money input by a user; and the rental machine has at least input means for inputting the type and the number of recording media to be borrowed; A reader / writer for an IC card, a transport mechanism for renting / returning a recording medium based on information input via the input means and recording information on the IC card, and control means for controlling the driving of each part An automatic rental device for a recording medium using an IC card, comprising: 8. The IC card according to claim 7, wherein:
It has at least a recording area for user identification information, a cash balance, and information relating to lending of a recording medium. The information relating to lending of a recording medium includes, at least, identification information of a rental machine from which a recording medium has been lent, An automatic rental device for a recording medium using an IC card, wherein the identification information of the recording medium, the rental fee of the lent recording medium, the lending date, and the number of lent recording media are included. 9. The IC card according to claim 7, wherein the IC card has recorded therein information relating to the date of birth of the user, and the rental machine has the user's birth date recorded on the inserted IC card. An automatic rental device for a recording medium using an IC card, wherein an age is calculated from a date and the lending of the recording medium is regulated based on the age. 10. The rental machine according to claim 8, wherein the rental machine controls the number of rental media based on the number of rented recording media recorded on the inserted IC card. An automatic rental device for recording media using an IC card. 11. The rental machine according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the rental machine is rented from another rental machine and a rental / return-only shelf for storing a recording medium managed by the rental machine. An automatic rental device for a recording medium using an IC card, comprising: a spare shelf for storing the recording medium when the used recording medium is returned. 12. A rental machine for automatically renting a recording medium such as a video cassette tape using an IC card issued as a user card, wherein the input means is capable of inputting at least the type and the number of recording media to be borrowed. And an IC card reader / writer,
A storage mechanism in which a recording medium is stored, a transport mechanism for renting / returning the recording medium based on the information input via the input means and the recording information of the IC card, and a drive control of each part. A rental device for a recording medium using an IC card, comprising a control unit. 13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the control means calculates an age from the date of birth of the user recorded on the IC card, and controls the lending of the recording medium based on the calculated age. Rental machine for recording media using IC cards. 14. The IC card according to claim 12, wherein the control unit controls the number of lent recording media based on the number of lent recording media recorded on the inserted IC card. Rental machine for recording media using. 15. The rental shelf according to claim 12, wherein the storage shelf is a rental / return dedicated shelf for storing a recording medium under the management of the rental machine, and is rented from another rental machine. A rental device for a recording medium using an IC card, comprising: a spare shelf for storing the recording medium when the used recording medium is returned.