KR20120019586A - System and method for checking in and out of books - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: An automatic book checking out and returning system and a method thereof are provided to install an automatic book checking out and returning device in public place where the public can easily access, thereby enabling a user to check out and return books without restriction of time and space. CONSTITUTION: A plurality of interactive automatic book checking out and returning devices(107) is installed in a remote site. A data base(103) records and stores library membership information, book reservation information, and book returning information. A web server(105) receives the book reservation information from a user in association with the data base. A central management server(101) provides the automatic book checking out and returning server through the automatic book checking out and returning devices in association with the devices and the data base.

Description

Unmanned Book Loan and Return System and its Method {SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CHECKING IN AND OUT OF BOOKS}

The present invention relates to an unmanned book loan and return system, and to a system and method for allowing a user to borrow and return a book without restriction of time / space through an unmanned automated book loan / return system connected through a central management server and a network. will be.

To borrow and return books, the general public visits a library operated by a school or a public institution to borrow and return books, or borrows materials using a mutual loan service between libraries, and visits the library again after a certain period of use. You must return the book.

In addition, in order to borrow a user's desired material from the library, the user must visit the user in person and verify his / her identity and receive the book through a predetermined book loan procedure, and then return to the library within the predetermined loan period and return the material. . However, such a book loan / return process is not only inconvenient for the modern man busy in daily life because it is possible at a given time and place, but also causes inconvenience of the public data of the general public due to the inconvenience.

In addition, the library management side must maintain a dedicated manpower for loans and returns, there is a problem that the waste of resources for reservation book management and loan / return management.

The present invention is to solve the above problems, by installing an unmanned book loan and return device in a public place that is easily accessible to the general public that the user can perform the book loan and return without being constrained in time and space It is an object to provide a system.

Unattended book loan and return system according to an embodiment of the present invention for solving the above problems, a plurality of user interactive unmanned book loan / return machine installed in a remote; A database storing library membership information, book reservation information, and book return information; A web server accessible to the user through the Internet, the web server interworking with the database and receiving book reservation information from the user; And manages member information, book reservation information, and book return information by interworking with the unmanned book loan / return device and the database, and provides an unmanned book loan and return service to a remote user through the unmanned book loan / return device. It includes a central management server, the web server receives the book reservation information containing the location information that you want to borrow books from the user and delivers to the central management server, the central management server corresponds to the unmanned book loan / return period Check the reservation book storage information, characterized in that to deliver the storage information to the user.

Preferably, the unmanned book lending / returning machine includes a plurality of book storages for storing reservation books or return books from users, RFID readers for storing book reservations, returning loan books or verifying member information, and book reservation. It is characterized in that it comprises a user interface for displaying a loan and return processing process, and receives a predetermined command from the user, and an output device for outputting a book reservation loan and a return confirmation certificate.

Preferably, the unmanned book loan / return device, a display for outputting the usage method, book loan and return process, and processing results; How-to guides and microphones and speakers for manager calls; A writer for outputting a confirmation and receipt for book loan and return confirmation; A barcode scanner for recognizing a barcode including user information of the user; A USB interface for transferring the original text content to an external device; An RFID reader capable of recognizing an RFID tag and an RFID membership card attached to a book; At least one library for storing booked and returned books; And a controller controlling the display, the microphone and the speaker, an output device, a barcode scanner, a USB interface, an RFID reader, and a book storage.

In addition, the unmanned book lending / returning device is characterized in that it further comprises an RFID reader that can check the information of the book stored inside the book storage.

In addition, the unmanned book lending / returning device is characterized in that it further comprises an electronic book loan space containing a playback device that can be played in real time by borrowing electronic books, audio books or video books.

Preferably, the book loan location information received from the web server of the system is IP address information of the user or location information designated by the user, and the central management server refers to the location of the book loan of the user with reference to the location information of the book. Characterized in the decision to keep the book in the unattended book lending / returning period.

In addition, preferably, if the unmanned book lending / returning machine is not installed in the location specified by the user, or if the unmanned book lending / returning machine is installed but there is no empty storage box, the central management server at the location specified by the user After searching for the nearest unmanned book lending / returning machine, it is characterized in that it is decided to store the book in the searched unattended book lending / returning machine.

Preferably, in the system, when the book loan location information is IP address information, the central management server determines the current location of the user based on the user IP address, and exists in a geographical location close to the identified current location. Characterized in the decision to keep the book in the unattended book lending / returning period.

Unmanned book loan and return method according to an embodiment of the present invention for solving the above problems, in the book loan and return method using an unmanned book loan / return machine that can be loaned and returned, book reservation information from the user Receiving a through a web server; Processing and approving the book reservation information of the user with reference to a database in which library member information, book reservation information, and book return information are stored; Transmitting the processed book reservation information to a central management server; Determining an optimal unmanned book loan / return machine for performing a book loan to a user among a plurality of user interactive unattended book loan / return machines installed at a remote location; Delivering book storage information indicating that the book can be loaned to the user when a book requested by the user is stored in the determined unmanned book loan / return device; Lending a book stored in an unmanned book loan / returning machine by the user, or returning the borrowed book through an unmanned book loan / returning machine; And determining whether the book is loaned or returned by the bookless borrower / returner and updating the book loan information in the database.

In addition, in the unmanned book loan and return method, the user borrowing or returning the book through the unmanned book loan / return machine, receiving a predetermined information from the user; Determining whether the input information is member information or book information; Checking whether an information field corresponding to the determined information exists in a database; If the checked information is book information, it is determined that the book is returned, and if the book information is returned, the book storage is opened. If the checked information is member information, it is determined as a book loan. step; Confirming whether a book is returned or loaned to the open library; And outputting a confirmation certificate and a receipt when a book return or book loan is normally made as a result of the confirmation.

Preferably, the book reservation information received from the web server is characterized in that it includes the member information, the desired book and the desired location information loan.

Preferably, the optimal unmanned book lender to perform a book loan to the user is determined based on a location or a user IP address designated by the user.

Also, preferably, when the unmanned book lender / returner is not installed at the location designated by the user, or when the unmanned book lender / returner is installed but there is no empty storage box, the unmanned book loan closest to the location specified by the user is After the search for the returning machine, it is determined that the book is reserved for the unmanned book lending / returning machine.

Also preferably, when the unmanned book lender / returner is determined based on the user's IP address, the user's current location is determined based on the user's IP address, and the unmanned book that exists at a geographical location close to the identified current location. It is characterized in that it is determined to keep the reservation book at the loan / return.

According to the present invention, by building an unmanned book loan and return system in a public place that is easily accessible to the general public, the user can perform book loan and return without being restricted by time / space.

In addition, according to the unmanned book loan and return system of the present invention, there is an effect that the utilization of public data in the general public can be increased.

1 is a view schematically showing an unmanned book loan and return system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of an unmanned book loan and return device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of an unmanned book loan and return device including a controller according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of an unmanned book loan and return device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a flowchart sequentially showing a book return operation of the unmanned book loan and return device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a flowchart sequentially illustrating a book loan operation of an unmanned book loan and return device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
7 is a flowchart sequentially illustrating an e-book subscription process using an unmanned book loan and return device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, and the same or similar components will be given the same reference numerals regardless of the reference numerals, and redundant description thereof will be omitted. In addition, in describing the present invention, when it is determined that the detailed description of the related known technology may obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted. In addition, it should be noted that the accompanying drawings are only for easily understanding the spirit of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the spirit of the present invention by the accompanying drawings.

1 is a view schematically showing an unmanned book loan and return system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The unmanned book loan and return system 100 includes a central management server 101, a database 103, a web server 105, an unmanned book loan / return machine 107, an equipment manager 109, and a data management system 111. And they can be interworked through mutual networks.

Preferably, the unmanned book loan / return machine 107 is installed at a remote place such as a public place that is easily accessible to the public and is managed by the central management server 101 through a network to provide a remote book loan and return service.

The central management server 101 is linked with the database 103 in which various information related to book reservation and return is stored to perform overall control and management of the book loan and return service of the book.

The database 103 stores and manages user information, book reservation information, loan / return information, reservation loan return records, and library status and archive data information of the unmanned book loan / return device 107.

The web server 105 can be connected to the user terminal through the Internet and performs a function of providing a homepage reservation service.

The unmanned book loan / return machine 107 is easily accessible to the general public such as subway stations, bus stops, large marts, schools, and if possible, is installed in a crowded area of the user, and is linked with the central management server 101 through a network. Performs book loan / return function.

The equipment manager 109 manages book reservation loans and return records and performs a function of extracting various statistical data.

The data management system 111 is linked with the database 103 to provide a function for a user or administrator to query the book reservation and return status.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the user may access the book reservation homepage provided by the web server 105 to search book information stored and managed in the database 103 and apply for book reservation. At this time, the book reservation information of the user is transferred to the material management system 111 and recorded, the reservation information is transmitted to the central management server 101 is displayed on the equipment manager 109, the administrator searches for the book When the relevant book is put into the storage of the unmanned book lending / returning machine 107, the information is delivered to the user via SMS through a short message server. Therefore, the user can easily borrow a desired book by using the unmanned book loan / return machine (107).

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the web server 105 receives book reservation information including the location information desired to borrow books from the user and transfers the book reservation information received to the central management server (101). The central management server 101 checks the reservation book storage information requested by the user of the unmanned book loan / return machine 107 and delivers the storage information to the user. In this case, the book loan location information received from the web server 105 may be IP (Internet Protocol) address information of the user or location information designated by the user.

If the user wants to designate a desired location for loaning, check the location of the unmanned book lender / returner 107 provided by the web server 105 and check the location of the unmanned book lender / returner 107 located in the desired area. ) Can be selected. However, if the unmanned book lending / returning machine 107 is not installed at the location specified by the user, or if the unmanned book lending / returning machine 107 is installed but there is no empty locker, the closest to the location specified by the user After searching the unmanned book lending / returning machine 107 in the web server 105 or the central management server 101, the unmanned book lending / returning machine 107 of the searched location may be selected.

In addition, if the user does not enter a desired location for the loan, refer to the user's IP address or track the IP address to determine the location where the user applied for the reservation, and the unmanned book lender / returner located closest to the location (107) ) Can be treated as an automatic selection.

The central management server 101 may refer to the book loan location information of the user received from the web server 105 to determine to keep the reservation book in the unmanned book loan / return of the location.

Hereinafter, the detailed configuration and operation of the unmanned book loaner / returner 107 will be described in detail.

2 is a view schematically showing the configuration of the unmanned book loan / return machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

As shown, the unmanned book loan / return machine is provided on one side of the front portion of the main body 210, such as an LCD showing the administrator or user the method of using the system according to the present invention, the book loan / return process and processing results of the book Display 201, speaker and camera 203 for how to use and manager call, receipt and receipt confirmation 205 for loan and return, barcode scanner 207 for recognizing barcode containing user membership information, user's USB USB interface 209 that provides an interface for storing the original content of the library by connecting the memory, microphone, call button 211, the original text that can be called by the library manager if you need to report the complaints and complaints, the original text Printer 213 for printing, RFID tags and RFID membership cards attached to books, billing and membership numbers on transportation cards, and / or book loans Various kinds of information including the correction, etc. includes a reader 215, and library books 220 for transmission / reception.

The display 201 is preferably provided as a touch-type LCD, so that the user can directly input the command and information to the device by directly touching the output information.

The reader 215 may recognize RFID, and may be used as a personal authentication means such as storing a reservation book, returning a loan book, or recognizing a membership card.

The storage box 220 is provided with at least one side on one side of the body, the opening and closing of the storage box may be operated by an electrical signal. In addition, by installing an RFID reader that can read the RFID information attached to the book stored in each storage box 220 can obtain the RFID tag information attached to the material stored in the storage box.

Inside the main body, the display 201, the speaker and the camera 203, the receipt output device 205, the barcode scanner 207, the USB port 209, the microphone and call button 211, the printer 213, the reader 215 And a controller (not shown) for controlling the book storage box 220 to control each device.

3 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of an unmanned book loan and return device including a controller according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The controller 230 of the main body includes a display 201, a speaker and a camera 203, a receipt output device 205, a barcode scanner 207, a USB port 209, a microphone and a call button 211, a printer 213, It is electrically connected to the reader 215 and at least one book storage 220 to control their operation and function.

In particular, the book library 220 is provided with a reader therein to recognize the book information put into the library and the administrator of the remote through the control of the controller 230 can check the book information. Therefore, the administrator can guarantee the accuracy of the book when inputting the book and returning the user's book, and can check the book status in real time, thereby effectively preventing management errors or errors in use.

Meanwhile, referring to FIG. 2, the unmanned book lending / returning machine searches for the original text in the homepage displayed on the touch screen 201 through the USB port 209 and the printer 213 provided in the main body 210. It can be downloaded to a PC, laptop or mobile device or printed directly on paper. In addition, the RFID reader 215 may be used to pay for this.

On the other side of the front of the main body (cells) of a plurality of storage spaces for the space required for storing or returning the books are located, and there is a sub-bank (220-1) when adding a book and return cells can easily add cells Can be.

4 is a view schematically showing the configuration of the unmanned book loan / return machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

In the present embodiment, the main body 210 is the same as the first embodiment described above, and a predetermined space 230 is provided on one side of the main body with an electronic device reproducing apparatus that can utilize a book in the form of an E-Book. ) Is additionally installed.

The electronic device reproducing apparatus such as the electronic book is preferably installed in an enclosed room space so that the user can use contents by blocking noise and outsiders, and an RFID reader (not shown) is added. It may be provided to be used to pay a predetermined bill for the use of the electronic book, and the like.

Hereinafter, the operation of the unmanned book loan and return device will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

5 and 6 are flowcharts sequentially showing the operation of the unmanned book loan / return machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart sequentially illustrating a book return process, and FIG. 6 is a flowchart sequentially illustrating a book reservation process.

Referring to FIG. 5, predetermined information is received from a user through a reader or a touch screen of an unmanned book lending / returning machine (S501).

When information is input from the user, the type of the input information is determined.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, it is determined whether the input information is book information (S503), and in the case of book information, it is checked whether a corresponding book information field exists in the database (S507).

As a result of checking the book information, if the corresponding book information field is not found in the database, an error message "Book information not found" is output (S521) and the operation ends.

However, if the input information is not the book information, it is determined whether the member information (S505).

As a result of checking the member information, if the corresponding member information field is not found in the database, an error message "member information not found" is output (S521) and the operation ends. If the member information is found, it enters the book loan process of FIG. 6, which will be described later.

Previously, if the relevant book information field is found in the book information check process (S507), it is determined as a book returning process, and a list is displayed on the screen so that the user can select the empty book storage box 220 to display the empty box ( 220) The selection information is received (S509).

Thereafter, when the user's book input is completed by opening the empty storage box selected by the user, the RFID tag information and the like are checked to finally confirm the input of the returned book (S511).

When the confirmation of the returned book is completed, the confirmation certificate is output (S513). However, if an error occurs in the process of checking the returned book input by the user, an error message may be output to the screen to induce the user to reload the returned book.

On the other hand, if the input information is not the book information, it is determined whether the member information (S505) is determined as the member information (A), as shown in Figure 6, and operates as a book loan service process.

First, it is checked whether the member information input by the user exists in the database (S603).

If the member information does not exist in the database, an error message "Member information not found" is displayed on the screen and all processes are terminated (S621).

However, if the member information is found in the database, the book reservation information of the member is searched (S605).

If the reservation information search result (S605), if the reservation information does not exist, the error message "Reservation information does not exist" is displayed on the screen and all processes are terminated, or a guide message for performing a real-time reservation may be output. have.

If the reservation information search result (S605) and reservation information exists, and outputs the library number in which the book is stored (S607).

When the storage box number is selected from the user, the storage book is opened (S609).

When a user collects a book from a library and performs a book loan, the user recognizes this through RFID, changes the state to the user's book loan, and outputs a lock and a receipt of the library (S611).

Meanwhile, when a user subscribes to an e-book or the like using an unmanned book loan / return machine in real time, a description will be given with reference to FIG. 7.

Contents provided by the library, such as e-books or audio books, can be searched for digital content on the library's homepage, and the user can apply for a loan and use it online for a predetermined period.

First, the user may enter the e-book subscription room 230 provided on one side of the device through a member information verification process.

If the member information check fails, the member registration process may be performed so that an error message may be output and the process may be terminated or the member may be registered in real time (S721).

If member information is confirmed, it is checked whether reservation information such as an e-book exists (S705). If the reservation information does not exist, a process of outputting an error message “No reservation information exists” and performing a reservation such as an electronic book in real time may be performed (S721).

If the reservation information exists, the user receives content selection information such as an electronic book or an audio book that the user wants to subscribe to (S707).

When the user selects predetermined content, the selected electronic book or audio book is loaned (S709), and the user can play the corresponding content through a screen and a speaker in the electronic book subscription room 230 (S711).

The method according to the invention described thus far can be implemented in software, hardware, or a combination thereof. For example, the method according to the present invention may be stored in a storage medium (eg, mobile terminal internal memory, flash memory, hard disk, etc.) and may be stored in a processor (eg, mobile terminal internal microprocessor). It may be implemented as codes or instructions in a software program that can be executed by.

In the above, the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings, which are merely exemplary and will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications and equivalent other embodiments are possible. . Therefore, the true technical protection scope of the present invention will be defined by the technical spirit of the appended claims.

Claims (15)

Multiple user interactive unattended book lenders / returners installed remotely;
A database storing library membership information, book reservation information, and book return information;
A web server accessible to the user through the Internet, the web server interworking with the database and receiving book reservation information from the user; And
Manages the member information, book reservation information and book return information by interworking with the unmanned book loan / return device and the database, and provides an unmanned book loan and return service to remote users through the unmanned book loan / return device It includes a central management server,
The web server receives book reservation information including the location information desired to borrow a book from the user and delivers the book reservation information to the central management server, wherein the central management server of the loan reservation book that the user applied for the unmanned book loan / return Unmanned book loan and return system, characterized in that to check the storage information and deliver the storage information to the user.
According to claim 1, The unmanned book loan / return machine,
A plurality of book storages for storing reservation books or return books from users;
RFID reader for reservation book storage, loan book return or member information authentication;
A user interface for displaying a book reservation loan and return process and receiving a predetermined command from a user;
Unmanned book loan and return system comprising a printer for outputting the book reservation loan and return confirmation.
According to claim 1, The unmanned book loan / return machine,
A display for outputting a usage method, a book lending / returning process and a processing result;
How-to guides and microphones and speakers for manager calls;
A writer for outputting a confirmation and receipt for book loan and return confirmation;
A barcode scanner for recognizing a barcode including user information of the user;
A USB interface for transferring the original text content to an external device;
An RFID reader capable of recognizing an RFID tag and an RFID membership card attached to a book;
At least one library for storing booked and returned books; And
Unattended book loan and return system comprising a controller for controlling the display, microphone and speaker, output, barcode scanner, USB interface, RFID reader and book storage
The method of claim 3,
The book storage inside the unmanned book loan and return system further comprises an RFID reader that can check the information of the stored book.
The method of claim 3,
Unmanned book loan and return system, characterized in that it further comprises an e-book loan space containing a playback device that can be played in real time by borrowing e-books, audio books or video books.
The method of claim 1,
The book loan location information received from the web server is IP address information of the user or location information designated by the user,
The central management server by referring to the book loan location information of the user unmanned book loan and return system, characterized in that to determine to keep the reservation book in the unattended book loan / return of the location.
The method of claim 6,
If you don't have an unattended book lender / returner in the location you specify, or if an unattended book lender / returner is installed but you don't have an empty locker,
The central management server searches for the unmanned book lending / returning machine closest to the location specified by the user, unmanned book lending and return system, characterized in that to determine to keep the reservation book on the searched unmanned book lending / returning machine.
The method of claim 6,
If the book loan location information is IP address information,
The central management server is to determine the current location of the user based on the user's IP address, unmanned book, characterized in that to decide to keep the reservation book in the unmanned book lending / returning machine existing in the geographical location close to the identified current location Loan and Return System.
In the book loan and return method using an unmanned book loan / return machine that can borrow and return books,
Receiving book reservation information from a user through a web server;
Processing and approving the book reservation information of the user with reference to a database in which library member information, book reservation information, and book return information are stored;
Transmitting the processed book reservation information to a central management server;
Determining an optimal unmanned book loan / return machine for performing a book loan to a user among a plurality of user interactive unattended book loan / return machines installed at a remote location;
Delivering book storage information indicating that the book can be loaned to the user when a book requested by the user is stored in the determined unmanned book loan / return device;
Lending a book stored in an unmanned book loan / returning machine by the user, or returning the borrowed book through an unmanned book loan / returning machine; And
And determining whether to borrow or return the book by the unmanned book loaner / returner and updating the book loan information in the database.
The method of claim 9,
The user borrows or returns a book through an unmanned book loan / return machine,
Receiving predetermined information from a user;
Determining whether the input information is member information or book information;
Checking whether an information field corresponding to the determined information exists in a database;
If the checked information is book information, it is determined that the book is returned, and if the book information is returned, the book storage is opened. If the checked information is member information, it is determined as a book loan. step;
Confirming whether a book is returned or loaned to the open library; And
If the book return or book loan is confirmed as a result of the verification, unmanned book loan and return method comprising the step of outputting a confirmation and a receipt.
11. The method according to claim 9 or 10,
Book reservation information received from the web server is a method of providing unmanned book loan service, characterized in that it comprises a member information, the desired book and the desired location information loan.
11. The method according to claim 9 or 10,
The unmanned book loan / return period for performing a book loan to the user is determined based on the location or user IP address specified by the user.
The method of claim 12,
If you don't have an unattended book lender / returner in the location you specify, or if an unattended book lender / returner is installed but you don't have an empty locker,
And searching for the closest unattended book lending / returning machine at the location designated by the user, and then determining to store the reservation book on the retrieved unattended book lending / returning machine.
The method of claim 12,
If the unattended book lender / returner is determined based on the user's IP address,
The method of claiming the user's current location based on the user's IP address, and unmanned book loan and return method characterized in that it is determined to keep the reservation book in the unmanned book lender / return machine existing in the geographical location close to the identified current location.
11. The method according to claim 9 or 10,
The unmanned book loan / return device includes an ebook lending space including a player for reproducing in real time by borrowing an electronic book, an audio book or a video book.

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