WO2009005267A2

WO2009005267A2 - Check machine for rental management of media storage and the rental management method

Info

Publication number: WO2009005267A2
Application number: PCT/KR2008/003819
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sugdong Ryou
Original assignee: Sugdong Ryou
Priority date: 2007-06-29
Filing date: 2008-06-30
Publication date: 2009-01-08
Also published as: KR100931993B1; WO2009005267A3; KR20090000971A

Abstract

The present invention supplies communication applying signals communicating to a communication unit 40 and a main server 100 managed in a head office to operate an electronic locking apparatus 2 of a case for media storage, thereby controlling the locking and releasing of the case. In other words, the locking and releasing of the case for media storage cannot be achieved by other units other than the check machine for rental management of media storage of the present invention. Therefore, the head office can accurately grasp the rental frequency by the control of the locking and releasing of the case for media storage, so that the rental management method renting media images from the head office to the rental store and then sharing revenue according to the rental frequency of each media image can be performed.

Description

CHECK MACHINE FOR RENTAL MANAGEMENT OF MEDIA STORAGE AND THE RENTAL MANAGEMENT METHOD

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a check machine for rental management of media storage, and more particularly to a check machine that enables a head office to accurately grasp a rental frequency in rental management of a video or a DVD from a rental store.

Background Art [2] Generally, media storage is sorted into tape storage having video and audio data stored a magnetic disk and disk storage having digitalized video and audio data stored a magentic disk. [3] As the representative tape storage, a video home system (VHS) tape has mainly been used and as the representative disk storage, a digital versatile disk (DVD) has mainly been used. [4] The VHS tape is reproduced by a general video device and the DVD is reproduced by a DVD player or a DVD Rom, etc. [5] Each of the media storages, such as the VHS tape and the DVD, is stored in an exclusive case. The case for media storage facilitates the store and management of the media storage, protects the media storage from external impacts, and provides schematic information on images stored in the media storage. [6] Meanwhile, the media storages are sometimes purchased by the public, but only a few media storages are distributed by collection mania. Generally, the media storage is rented to the public through the video rental store or the DVD rental store. [7] The rent and return of the media storages from and to the rental store have been managed by a manager. [8] Today, the rental store purchases each media storage from makers and then rents them and in the case of popular movies, purchases them in large quantities at the very beginning to increase renting rate. [9] Also, the rental stores manage the rent and return of the media storage by attaching barcodes for each rental store to the purchased media storage for performing the rental management and reading the barcodes using a barcode scanner upon renting and returning the media storage and inputting them in a customer management database stored in a computer.

Disclosure of Invention

Technical Problem [10] However, since the media storage rent system in the related art allows each rental store to purchase and rent a plurality of movie tapes or DVDs based on popularity of each image, the rental store consumes high purchasing cost an early stage in business and it takes the rental store much time to return the purchasing expenses, such that it is difficult for the rental store to obtain operating profit.

[11] When popular images are launched, each rental store purchases a plurality of tapes or

DVDs in order to increase the renting rate. However, the popularity of the image is suddenly reduced within about one month so that each rental store should dispose the plurality of purchased images. When the rental stores sell the plurality of purchased images secondhand, they cannot help suffering a serious loss.

[12] Also, since anyone can open the case for the media storage in the related art by applying force to a case member, the rental frequency of the tape or the DVD cannot be accurately grasped until the manager of the rental store records the rent and return thereof separately, and the stored media storage can be easily stolen and a theft case can be frequently caused at the rental store.

[13] It is an object of the present invention to provide a check machine for rental management of media storage capable of enabling a head office to accurately grasp a rental frequency of a video or a DVD to facilitate the rental management thereof by opening and closing a case for media storage only when receiving a predetermined signal from the rental store.

[14] It is another object of the present invention to provide a rental management method capable of maximizing revenue of a rental store and a head office by providing a rental system that rents images from a head office to a rental store and then shares revenue according to a rental frequency of images. Technical Solution

[15] To achieve the objects, there is provided a check machine for rental management of media storage comprising:

[16] a checker housing member having an insertion unit formed on a front thereof, the insertion unit being inserted with a case for media storage provided with an electronic locking apparatus locked and released by being supplied with power;

[17] a power applying terminal unit provided inside the insertion unit of the checker housing member and connected to a power communicating terminal unit of the case for media storage;

[18] a main controller connected to the power applying terminal unit to control the locking and releasing of the case for media storage; and

[19] a communication unit communicating the main controller with an external main server to communicate a frequency of a rent and a return. [20] There is provided a rental management method using a check machine for rental management of media storage comprising:

[21] a rent registering step that registers media storage rented to a rental store in the check machine for rental management of media storage and an external main server;

[22] a renting step that rents the rented and registered media storage but rents the media storage to a renter by inserting a case for media storage into an insertion unit of a checker housing member and releasing a locking of the case for media storage by power applied from a power applying terminal unit;

[23] a rent registering step that confirms the rent of the rented and registered media storage and calculates a rental frequency thereof, by transferring a locking release signal of the case for media storage to an external main server at the renting step;

[24] a returning step that returns the media storage rented at the renting step to store it in the case for media storage but to store the media storage by inserting the case for media storage into an insertion unit of a checker housing member and locking the case for media storage by power applied from the power applying terminal unit;

[25] a return registering step that confirms the return of the rented and registered media storage and confirms whether the return is delayed, by transferring the locking release signal of the case for media storage to the external main server at the returning step; and

[26] a recapture registering step that when the rent is ended, registers the media storage recaptured from a rental store to a head office in the check machine for rental management of media storage and the external main server.

Advantageous Effects

[27] The check machine for rental management of media storage of the present invention controls the locking and releasing of the case for media storage having the electronic locking apparatus, so that the locking and releasing of the case for media storage cannot be achieved by other units.

[28] Therefore, the head office can accurately grasp the rental frequency by the control of the locking and releasing of the case for media storage, so that the rental management method renting media images from the head office to the rental store and then sharing revenue according to the rental frequency of each media image can be performed.

[29] The rental management method reduces the initial investment and the freight transportation load increased after the initial purchase, making it possible to increase the revenue of the rental store as well as to maximize the sales margin of the head office renting the media images according to the business. Brief Description of the Drawings

[30] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an entire shape of a check machine for rental management of media storage of the present invention;

[31] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a rear of the check machine for rental management of media storage of the present invention;

[32] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of the present invention;

[33] FIGS. 4 and 5 are cross-sectional views showing an operation of a case for electronic media storage locked and released according to the present invention; and

[34] FIG. 6 is a block view schematically showing a rental management method of the present invention. Mode for the Invention

[35] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[36] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an entire shape of a check machine for rental management of media storage of the present invention, wherein it shows the case for media storage inserted into an insertion unit on a front of a checker housing member and a display unit and a speaker hole formed on the front thereof.

[37] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a rear of the check machine for rental management of media storage of the present invention, wherein it shows various connecting terminals provided on a rear of the checker housing member and a barcode input device and a keypad input device, which are mounted with a power supply switch and coupled to each connecting terminal.

[38] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of the present invention, wherein it shows a communication terminal unit, a main control unit, and a communication unit, which are provided inside the checker housing member.

[39] FIGS. 4 and 5 are cross-sectional views showing the operation of the case for electronic media storage locked and released according to the present invention, wherein FIG. 4 shows a state where a locking bar is moved by a moving unit and is inserted and locked into the locking hole of the locking unit and FIG. 5 shows a state where the locking bar is released from the locking unit.

[40] FIG. 6 is a block view schematically showing a rental management method of the present invention.

[41] Hereinafter, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a checker housing member 10 of the present invention may be formed in a square box, but it may be formed in any box shapes having a space portion formed therein.

[42] The checker housing member 10 has an insertion unit 11 formed on a front thereof, wherein the case 1 for media storage can be inserted into the insertion unit 11.

[43] Preferably, the insertion unit 11 includes a first insertion unit 11a into which a disk case Ia storing disk storage is inserted and a second insertion unit 1 Ib into which a tape case Ib storing tape storage is inserted.

[44] As the general media storage, a video home system (VHS) tape being the tape storage and a digital versatile disk (DVD) being disk storage have mainly been used. Therefore, the insertion unit 11 capable of inserting each case is formed, making it possible to control a locking and a releasing of two kinds of other cases.

[45] Also, the insertion unit 11 covers an inlet of an inlet side and is provided with a door panel 12 having one end rotatably coupled to a hinge part 12a to open and close the inlet.

[46] The hinge part 12a of the door panel 12 is provided with a return spring 12b so that if the case 1 for media storage is drawn out from the insertion unit 11, the inlet of the insertion unit 11 can be automatically closed.

[47] Also, the insertion unit 11 is provided with a power applying terminal unit 20 connected to a power communication terminal of the disk case Ia inside the insertion unit.

[48] The case 1 for media storage includes an electronic locking apparatus 2 that is locked and released by a signal applied from the power communication terminal and power.

[49] The power applying terminal unit 20 is connected and communicated with a main controller 30 by a 2-line communication protocol.

[50] Also, the main controller 30 is applied with a connection signal from the power applying terminal unit 20 to be communicated with a main server 60 to be described later and then supply power to the electronic locking apparatus 2 of the case 1 for media storage and transfer the locking and releasing signal thereto.

[51] The main controller 30 includes: a media register 31 that registers information on rented goods, that is, the media storage rented to each rental store in the external main server 60; a registration information confirmation unit 32 that confirms information on the media storage inserted into the insertion unit 11 installed inside the checker housing member 10; a controller 33 including a power supply unit 35, which confirms information confirmed in the registration information confirmation unit and information registered in the external server to supply power to the electronic locking apparatus 2 of the case 1 for media storage and transfer the locking and releasing signal thereto and to be connected to the communication unit 40.

[52] The controller 33 confirms an authentication of a business manager upon inputting the information on the media storage to the media register 31 and includes an authentication confirmation unit having a business manager information input device 34 capable of inputting the information for confirming the business manager.

[53] Also, the authentication confirmation unit confirms the authentication of the business manager by inputting a password, but is based on a use of a keypad input device 34a as the business manager information input device 34. However, in addition to the con- firmation of the business manager by the password, any other known authentication confirmation methods, such as a finger scan or an iris scan, may be included in the configuration of the present invention.

[54] Preferably, the authentication confirmation unit can replace the password when the business manager is changed or the reason of security occurs, including a function that can replaces the existing password with a new password.

[55] The media register 31 is based on the use of the barcode input device 31a, wherein the barcode input 31a scans barcodes attached on the case for media storage or the case for media storage to input and register each of information in the data storing unit.

[56] The business manager information input device 34 or the media register 31, that is, the keypad input device 34a or the barcode input device 31a may be connected to the controller 33 in the state where it is installed to the checker housing member 10.

[57] The key pad input device 34a or the barcode input device 31a may be manufactured separately from the checker housing member 10. In this case, the keypad input device 34a includes a communication line having a first connection terminal 34b, and the controller 33 is mounted to be exposed to the outside of the checker housing member 10 and includes a second connection terminal 33a connecting to the first connection terminal 34b.

[58] The barcode input device 31a includes the communication line having a third connection terminal 31b, and the controller 33 is mounted on the checker housing member 10 to be exposed externally and includes a fourth connection terminal 33b connecting to the third connection terminal 31b.

[59] Only when the keypad input device 34a or the barcode input device 3 Ia are manufactured and used separately, they are used by the connection of the first and second connection terminals 34b and 33a or the third and fourth connection terminals 31b and 33b and are preferably carried and managed by the business manager.

[60] The communication unit 40 of the main controller 30 can use a wired/wireless modem, a LAN card device, etc., as a communication device, such as a modem, but can use any communication devices if the communication with the main server 60 can be made. The communication connection terminal unit 40a capable of connecting the communication terminal (not shown) for communicating with the main server 60 is provide to be exposed to the outside of the checker housing member 10.

[61] Also, the registration confirmation unit 32 is mounted inside the insertion unit 11 of the checker housing member 10, but is based on the use of the barcode scanner 32a mounted to irradiate light to a light transmission hole l ie formed in the insertion unit 11.

[62] The barcode scanner 32a confirms the information on the case 1 for media storage by reading the barcode attached and printed to the case 1 for media storage. [63] The barcode scanner 32a may be mounted on the insertion unit 11 of the checker housing member 10 and is formed by communicating the light transmission holes l ie with each insertion units 11 in the irradiation direction of light. Thereafter, only one barcode scanner 32a may be installed and used to the light transmission holes 1 Ic of the insertion units 11 formed on top and bottom.

[64] The power supply unit 35 of the controller 33 includes a power connection terminal, which is connected with the power line 35a having a plug 35b provided on the end thereof connected to a power consent, and a power switch 35c, which turns on/off the power supply, to control the supply of power by the operation of a power switch 35c after the plug 35b is connected to the power consent.

[65] Also, the power supply unit 35 of the controller 33 supplies power by connecting the plug 35b of the power supply line 35a to the power consent. In addition, as the power supply unit, a secondary battery or a dry cell, etc. mounted inside the checker housing member 10 can be used. Any power supply units capable of operating the present invention by supplying power to the main controller 30 may be used.

[66] The main server 60 includes a management program that manages the rent and return of media images rented to each rental store, wherein this management program manages the rent, return, and delay of the media images rented according to the locking and releasing frequency of the case 1 for media storage.

[67] For example, the management program is judged that the rented media images is returned if the case 1 for media is locked and the media images is rented if the locking of the case 1 for media is released.

[68] Also, the management program stores time and date when the locking of the case 1 for media storage is released and calculates the rented days through time and date sensed when the case 1 for media storage is back locked to manage the delayed days or confirm whether a normal rent is made.

[69] The rental frequency and the delayed days of each media image can be confirmed through the locking and releasing frequency and the calculation of days of the case 1 of media storage.

[70] Also, the main server 60 originates the locking applying signal upon locking and releasing the case 1 for media storage to the main controller 30 through the recording of the case 1 for media storage stored in the management program as described above.

[71] Meanwhile, the checker housing member 10 includes an operation display unit 50 connected to the main controller 30 so that the business manager can confirm the operation state.

[72] The operation display unit 50 includes a display unit 51 that is connected to the main controller 30 and displays the corresponding letters by receiving electric signals and a display control button unit 52 that is connected to the main control unit 30 to select the operation mode of the display unit 51.

[73] The display unit 51 is based on a use of a typical LED display and displays the operation step in the operation of the present invention as letters.

[74] The display unit 51 displays an initial operation signal as letters immediately when each terminal is connected by the insertion of the case 1 for media storage into the insertion unit of the checker housing member 10 and has a starting display function that displays a final operation signal as letters when the connection is shorted.

[75] Examples of the starting display function signal may include various displays, such as a greeting display, such as 'How are you', 'Goodbye', etc., a mere display of 'ON', 'OFF', a description display, such as 'Operation starts', 'Operation ends', or the like. This may be selected in a desired mode by changing the program of the main controller 30.

[76] Also, the display unit 51 has the operation display function that displays the locking operation or the releasing operation upon locking and releasing the case 1 for media storage, making it possible to allow the manager of the rental store to confirm an existence or non-existence of a rent and a return.

[77] As one example, in the locking operation of the case 1 of media storage, a letter of

'LOCK' is displayed on a display panel and in the releasing operation thereof, a letter of 'UNLOCK' is displayed thereon. However, any other letters that enable the business manager to easily confirm the operation state can be displayed.

[78] Also, the display unit 51 has an error display function that displays errors generated during the locking operation or releasing operation of the case 1 of media storage to enable the business manager or the manager of the rental store to rapidly take actions against the generated errors.

[79] The errors may include an error displaying the delayed days after the error display when the delay occurs, the communication error with the main server, the errors generated by the malfunction of the electronic locking apparatus 2, etc.

[80] The display unit 51 can be set and managed to each mode by the display control button 52 and the display control button unit 52, which controls the letter display output through the display unit 51, can select the output mode meeting the taste of the business manager.

[81] As one example, the display control button unit 52 includes a mode setting button that sets the output mode of the display unit 51 and a menu selection button that selects detailed menus in the mode selected in the mode setting button to determine the output of the display unit 51 in the mode setting button and select and determine a form of a letter or a kind of voice output from the menu selection button.

[82] The display unit 51 is operated by transferring the letters corresponding to the locking and releasing operations of the case 1 of media storage to the main controller 30, wherein the main controller 30 includes a letter output program that controls the display unit 51.

[83] Also, the operation display unit is configured to generate the buzzer sound so that it can easily confirm the errors generated during the operation, the buzzer sound being generated by the main controller 30.

[84] Meanwhile, the case 1 for media storage in which the locking and releasing of the case are controlled according to the present invention is based on 'a case device for media storage' filed on the same date by the applicant as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

[85] The case 1 for media storage includes the electronic locking apparatus 2 operated by being supplied with power, wherein the electronic locking apparatus 2 is supplied with power to generate rotary power that can rotate forward and reversely. The electronic locking apparatus 2 includes a rotation motor 2a having a shaft rotated by the rotary power, a male screw 2b mounted on the shaft of the rotation motor 2a to be rotated by the rotary power of the shaft and having a screw groove formed an outer circumference thereof, a locking bar 2c having a female screw screwed to the male screw 2b, and a motor controller 2d having a power communication terminal unit 2e to control the forward and reverse rotation of the rotation motor 2a using signals input through the power communication terminal unit 2e so that the locking bar 2c is operated forward and backward.

[86] As shown in FIG. 4, if the rotation motor 2a is rotated in a direction forwarding the locking bar 2c by the motor controller 2d, the locking bar 2c is forwarded and then is inserted into the locking hole Ic of the case 1 for media storage, thereby locking the case 1 for media storage.

[87] As shown in FIG. 5, if the rotation motor 2a is rotated in a direction backing the locking bar 2c by the motor controller 2d, the locking bar 2c is backed and then is drawn out from the locking hole Ic of the case 1 for media storage, thereby releasing the locking of the case 1 for media storage.

[88] The case 1 for media storage includes the power communication terminal unit 2e connected to the power applying terminal unit 20 of the present invention and therefore, the present invention can be applied to anything including the electronic locking apparatus 2 operated only when the communication signal and power are applied simultaneously.

[89] The operation according to the configuration of the present invention will be described in detail.

[90] If the manager of the rental store inserts the case 1 for media storage into the insertion unit 11 and connects the power communication terminal unit 2e of the electronic locking apparatus 2 to the power applying terminal unit 20, when the connection of both terminal units is made smoothly, the check machine is normally started so that the starting is displayed through the display unit 51 and when the connection of both terminal units is not made smoothly, the errors are displayed through the display unit 51.

[91] The main controller 30 receives the electric signals of the electronic locking apparatus 2 via the power applying terminal unit 20 and transfers them to the main server 60 via the communication unit 40 and then waits for the response.

[92] The main server 60 confirms the existence or non-existence of the locking and releasing of the media images by the electric signals transferred to the main controller 30 and back transfers the locking and releasing applying signals to the main controller 30 according to the rent and the return.

[93] Also, the main server 60 stores managed contents by the electric signals transferred to the main controller 30 and confirms and transfers the managed contents, that is, the rental frequency and the existence or non-existence of the delay of the rented goods to the main controller 30.

[94] The main controller 30 receives the case management contents of the main server 60 via the communication unit 40 and transfers them to the operation display unit 50.

[95] Also, the main controller 30 transfers the locking and releasing signals transferred from the main server 60 to the electronic locking apparatus 2 of the case 1 for media storage via the power applying terminal unit 20 to control the locking and releasing of the case 1 for media storage and display the operation state according to the controlled locking and releasing on the display unit 51.

[96] And, the main controller 30 generates the buzzer sound when the communication defect of the communication unit 40 in the locking and releasing operations of the case 1 for media storage or the connection defect between the terminals during the operation occurs and when the malfunction of the electronic locking apparatus 2 occurs and displays the causes of the malfunction on the display unit 51, as described above.

[97] The manager of the rental store draws out and arranges the case 1 for media storage subjected to the locking and releasing operations from the insertion unit 11, as described above.

[98] A rental management method using the check machine for rental management of media storage of the present invention is as follows.

[99] The rental management method includes a rent registering step 100, a renting step

110, a rent registering step 120, a returning step 130, a return registering step 140, and a recapture registering step 150, as shown in FIG. 6.

[100] The rent registering step 100, which registers the media storage rented to each rental store in the check machine for rental management of media storage of the present invention and the external main server 60, includes a manager authentication confirming process 101 that confirms the authentication of the business manager and a media storage registering process 102 that registers the rented media storage in the media register 31.

[101] The manager authentication confirming process 101 is confirms the business manager by allowing the business manager to couple the first connection terminal 34b of a business manager information input device 34, that is, the keypad input device 34a to the second connection terminal 33a of the controller 33 and then, to input a password using the keypad input device 34a.

[102] The media storage registering process 102 may be performed only after such a manager authentication process, wherein media storage registering process 102 allows the business manager to couple the third connection terminal 31b of the media register 31, that is, the barcode input device 31a to the fourth connection terminal 33b of the controller 33 and then, to read the barcode attached to the case 1 for media storage or the printed barcode by the barcode input device 31a.

[103] As described above, information on the barcode read in the barcode input device 31a is transferred to the external main server 60 via the controller 33 and the communication unit 40 so that the information is input and registered in the external main server 60.

[104] Such processes are repeated to register the information on the plurality of media storages rented to the rental store and the media storages rented to each rental store in the external main server 60, making it possible to manage each rental store separately.

[105] Also, the media storage subjected to the rent registering step 100 is rented to a consumer, that is, a renter through the rental store in the renting step 110.

[106] The renting step 110, which rents the media storage stored inside the case 1 for media storage by opening the case 1 for media storage, includes a case locking releasing process 111 that releases the locking state by inserting the case 1 for media storage into the insertion unit 11 of the checker housing member 10 and a renter accepting process 112 that rents the media storage by drawing out and opening the case 1 for media storage whose locking is released through the case locking releasing process 111 from the insertion unit 11.

[107] When the case 1 for media storage is inserted into the insertion unit 11 of the checker housing member 10 and the power communication terminal unit 2e of the electronic locking apparatus 2 is connected to the power applying terminal unit 20, the case locking releasing process 111 confirms the information on the media storage by the communication the controller 33 with the external main server 60 and then applies power, thereby releasing the locking state of the case 1 of media storage.

[108] And, the case locking releasing process 111 opens the case only after the confirmation of the existence or non-existence of the registration of the media storage and the information thereon by the communication of the controller 33 with the external main server 60, making it possible to perform the renter accepting process 112.

[109] The rental state of the media storage rented through the renting step 110 is registered in the external main server 60 via the rent registering step 120.

[110] The rent registering step 120 confirms the rent of the registered media storage by the electric signals transferred to the external main server through the renting step 110 and the locking releasing signal transferred from the external main server 60 to the controller 33 and if the rent is confirmed, accumulates and manages the rental frequency.

[I l l] Also, the media storage rented through the renting step 110 is subjected to the returning step 130.

[112] The returning step 130 backs locks the case 1 for media storage opened in the renting step 110 and stores the media storage inside the case 1 for media storage.

[113] The returning step 130 includes a case locking process 131 that opens the case 1 for media storage, inserts the returned media storage into the case and back closes the case 1 and then inserts the case for media storage into the insertion unit 11 of the checker housing member 10 and locks the case 1 for media storage and the rental store accepting process 132 that draws out and stores the case 1 for media storage locked through the case locking process 131 from the insertion unit 11.

[114] When the case 1 for media storage is inserted into the insertion unit 11 of the checker housing member 10 and the power communication terminal unit 2e of the electronic locking apparatus 2 is connected to the power applying terminal unit 20, the case locking process 131 confirms the information on the media storage by the communication the controller 33 with the external main server 60 and then applies power, thereby locking the locking state of the case 1 of media storage.

[115] And, the case locking process 131 performs the locking only after the confirmation of the existence or non-existence of the registration of the media storage and the information thereon by the communication of the controller 33 with the external main server 60 and only after the case 1 for media storage is locked by the case locking process 131, the renting step 110, which back releases the locking state of the case 1 for media storage, can be performed.

[116] The return registering step 140 confirms the return of the registered media storage through the electric signals transferred to the external main server 60 through the returning step 130 and the locking signal transferred from the external main server 60 to the controller 33 and confirms the existence or non-existence of the delay and the arrear according to the delayed days by confirming the rented days upon returning.

[117] As described above, the media storage to be repeatedly rented through the renting step 110 and the returning step 130 through the rent registering step 100 is back recaptured to the rental place, that is, the head office through the recapture registering step 150.

[118] The recapture registering step 150, which registers ones recaptured to the rental place, that is, the head office of the media storages rented to each rental store in the check machine for rental management of media storage and the external main server 60, includes a manager authentication confirming process 151 that confirms the authentication of the business manager and a recapture registering process 152 that registers the media storage recaptured to the head office due to the end of the rent to the rental store in the media register 31.

[119] The manager authentication confirming process 151 confirms the business manager by allowing the business manager to couple and connect the first connection terminal 34b of the business manager information input device 34, that is, the keypad input device 34a to the second connection terminal 33a of the controller 33 and then, to input a password using the keypad input device 34a.

[120] The return registration process 152 may be performed only after such a manager authentication process, wherein the return registration process 152 allows the business manager to couple and connect the third connection terminal 31b of the media register 31, that is, the barcode input device 31a to the fourth connection terminal 33b of the controller 33 and then, to read the barcode attached to the case 1 for the storage medium or the printed barcode by the barcode input device 31a.

[121] As described above, the information on the barcode read in the barcode input device 31a is transferred to the external main server 60 via the controller 33 and the communication unit 40 so that the information is input and registered in the external main server.

[122] Such processes are repeated so that information on the media storage mediums recaptured to the head office due to the end of the rent among the plurality of media storage mediums rented to the rental store is registered in the external main server and the media storage recaptured from each rental store is registered in the external main server 60 and is cancelled from rental registration items of each rental store to be managed separately.

[123] That is, the head office can accurately grasp the rental frequency and the existence or non-existence of the delay of the rented media storage through the information transferred to the external main server 60.

[124] The rental management method is a rental system that allows the head office to accurately grasp the rental frequency and the existence or non-existence of the delay of the rented media storage to share revenue with the rental store at a constant rate.

[125] The rental management method allows a popular media to be rented many times in a popular period and to be back recaptured to the rental place through the return registering step 150 so that the economical load of the rental store can be reduced due to the purchase of the plurality of media storage mediums and the rental store does not need to purchase the plurality of the same media after the media fall in popularity.

Claims

[1] A check machine for rental management of media storage comprising: a checker housing member 10 having an insertion unit formed on a front thereof, the insertion unit 11 being inserted with a case 1 for media storage provided with an electronic locking apparatus 2 locked and released by being supplied with power; a power applying terminal unit 20 provided inside the insertion unit 11 of the checker housing member 10 and connected to a power communicating terminal unit 2e of the case 1 for media storage; a main controller 30 connected to the power applying terminal unit 20 to control the locking and releasing of the case 1 for media storage; and a communication unit 40 communicating the main controller 30 with an external main server 60 to communicate a frequency of a rent and a return.

[2] The check machine for rental management of media storage according to claim

1, wherein the insertion unit 11 includes a first insertion unit 11a into which a disk case Ia storing disk storage is inserted and a second insertion unit 1 Ib into which a tape case Ib storing tape storage is inserted.

[3] A check machine for rental management of media storage according to claim 1, wherein the main controller 30 includes: a media register 31 that registers information on the media storage rented to each rental store in the external main server 60; a registration information confirmation unit 32 that confirms information on the media storage inserted into the insertion unit 11 installed inside the checker housing member 10; and a controller 33 including a power supply unit 35, which confirms information confirmed in the registration information confirmation unit 32 and information registered in the external server to supply power to the electronic locking apparatus 2 of the case 1 for media storage and transfer the locking and releasing signal thereto and to be connected to the communication unit 40.

[4] The check machine for rental management of media storage according to claim

3, wherein the controller 33 confirms an authentication of a business manager upon inputting the information on the media storage to the media register 31 and includes an authentication confirmation unit having a business manager information input device 34 capable of inputting the information for confirming the business manager.

[5] The check machine for rental management of media storage according to claim

1, wherein the checker housing member 10 includes an operation display unit 50 connected to the main controller 30 so that the business manager can confirm the operation state.

[6] The check machine for rental management of media storage according to claim

5, wherein the operation display unit 50 includes a display unit 51 that is connected to the main controller 30 and displays the corresponding letters by receiving electric signals and a display control button unit 52 that is connected to the main control unit 30 to select the operation mode of the display unit 51.

[7] The check machine for rental management of media storage according to claim

1, wherein the main server 60 includes a management program that manages the rent, return, and delay of the media images rented according to the locking and releasing frequency of the case 1 for media storage.

[8] A rental management method comprising: a rent registering step 100 that registers media storage rented to a rental store in the check machine for rental management of media storage and an external main server 60; a renting step 110 that rents the rented and registered media storage but rents the media storage to a renter by inserting a case 1 for media storage into an insertion unit 11 of a checker housing member 10 and releasing a locking of the case 1 for media storage by power applied from a power applying terminal unit 20; a rent registering step 120 that confirms the rent of the rented and registered media storage and calculates a rental frequency thereof, by transferring a locking release signal of the case 1 for media storage to an external main server 60 at the renting step 110; a returning step 130 that returns the media storage rented at the renting step 110 to store it in the case 1 for media storage but to store the media storage by inserting the case 1 for media storage into an insertion unit 11 of a checker housing member 10 and locking the case 1 for media storage by power applied from the power applying terminal unit 20; a return registering step 140 that confirms the return of the rented and registered media storage and confirms whether the return is delayed, by transferring the locking release signal of the case 1 for media storage to the external main server

60 at the returning step 130; and a recapture registering step 150 that when the rent is ended, registers the media storage recaptured from a rental store to a head office in the check machine for rental management of media storage and the external main server 60.

[9] The rental management method according to claim 8, wherein the rent registering step 100 includes a manager authentication confirming process 101 that confirms the authentication of the business manager and a media storage registering process 102 that registers the rented media storage in the media register 31.

[10] The rental management method according to claim 8, wherein the renting step

110 includes a case locking releasing process 111 that releases the locking state by inserting the case 1 for media storage into the insertion unit 11 of the checker housing member 10 and a renter accepting process 112 that rents the media storage by drawing out and opening the case 1 for media storage whose locking is released through the case locking releasing process 111 from the insertion unit 11.

[11] The rental management method according to claim 8, wherein the returning step

130 includes a case locking process 131 that opens the case 1 for media storage, inserts the returned media storage into the case and back closes the case 1 and then inserts the case into the insertion unit 11 of the checker housing member 10 and locks the case 1 for media storage and the rental store accepting process 132 that draws out and stores the case 1 for media storage locked through the case locking process from the insertion unit 11.

[12] The rental management method according to claim 8, wherein the recapture registering step 150, includes a manager authentication confirming process 151 that confirms the authentication of the business manager and a recapture registering process 152 that registers the media storage recaptured to the head office in the media register 31.