JP2002163720A - Automated rental system and rental software used by the automated rental system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an automated rental system which automatically perform starting with member registration to returning of rental softwares without human interventions and the rental software used by the automatic rental system. SOLUTION: This automatic rental system is constituted by connecting via a network a renting and returning system which stores the rental software, rents the rental software to a user, and receives the returned software and a data center which sends and receives messages to and from the user terminal that the user who desires to rent the rental software has; and the data center has a means which receives a request to become a member from the user terminal and examines the user; a means which rents the rental software to the user through the renting and returning system; and a means which makes the user to return the rental software rented by the renting and return system.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic rental method and system for automatically performing a process from member registration to return of rental software without manual intervention, and to rental software used in the automatic rental system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Hitherto, when a person who wants to rent rental software (hereinafter referred to as a user) borrows rental software, that is, a process from member registration to return of rental software has been performed by a human. First, the user must become a member of the store, go to a counter in the store, fill in and submit personal information, and the store clerk registers as a member. At that time, the clerk issues a card for identifying an individual such as a membership card.
When renting the rental software, the user searched for the rental software by himself and submitted the card together with the rental software to the clerk, thereby performing the procedure of renting the rental software. When returning rental software,
Submit the rental software to the clerk, check if the clerk has an extended fee, return it if it has not been extended, and if it has, extend it to the user Fees were being collected.

[0003]

It is clear that such a conventional rental method has the following problems. 1. Users need to find rental software by themselves. 2. It is difficult to determine whether or not the rental software that the user wants to see is correct with the rental software of the found title. 3. Lack of accuracy of user identification due to self-reporting system from user. That is, it is difficult to determine whether or not the user is a person having a settlement ability. 4. It takes time for the clerk to search for rental software requested by the user for rental.

[0004] In view of the above problems, the present invention has made it possible to automate a series of flows from a procedure for becoming a member to returning rental software, and to solve the above problems. That is, by unifying the subscription procedure using a user terminal such as a mobile phone, the procedure procedure can be simplified.
Also, by unifying the process of searching, viewing, renting, and returning rental software, it has become possible to realize a system that reduces the burden on the user and the clerk.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a rental return system for storing rental software and accepting rental rental returns to users, and wishing to manage the rental return system and rent rental software. An automatic rental system in which a data center for transmitting and receiving messages to and from a user terminal of the user is connected via a network, wherein the data center desires to become a member from the user terminal. Means for receiving a request to perform a membership check, means for renting out the rental software to the user in the loan return system, and means for returning the rented rental software in the loan return system. It is an automatic rental system.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the means for executing the member examination includes means for receiving the identity identification information of the user terminal from the user terminal and examining whether or not to join based on the identity identification information. And means for transmitting the result of the enrollment to the user terminal.

The invention according to claim 3 is an automatic rental system including a telephone number as the identity identification information.

[0010] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, as a result of the membership, if membership is permitted, a membership number and a password are transmitted to the user terminal. Is an automatic rental system having a means for transmitting to a rental company.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, when renting rental software to the user in the rental return system,
This is an automatic rental system having a means for performing a title search.

The invention according to claim 6 is an automatic rental system including a director name and / or an actor name and / or a genre selection as search conditions of the title search.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, when renting rental software to the user in the rental return system,
The rental return system is an automatic rental system having means for viewing rental software selected by a user.

[0012] In the invention according to claim 8, when renting rental software to the user in the rental return system,
An automatic rental system having means for receiving a code specifying the user, a code specifying a title of rental software, and a rental period from the rental return system.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, when the rental software is returned in the rental return system,
An automatic rental system having means for identifying the title of the returned rental software by reading the rental software and a specific identification code attached to the case of the rental software.

The invention according to claim 10 is the automatic rental system wherein the specific identification code is a two-dimensional barcode.

[0015] In the invention of claim 11, after the title of the rental software is identified, an extension fee is calculated by receiving the identified title name and a code specifying a user, and the amount of the extension fee is rented back. An automatic rental system having means for transmitting to the system.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided rental software for using a disk attached to a location where the identification code of the information stored in the disk is on the disk surface and not in the storage layer as rental software of the rental return system. is there.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided rental software wherein the identification code is a two-dimensional bar code.

[0018]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an example of a system configuration diagram of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the automatic rental system 1
D (Digital Video Disk), CD
(Compact Disk), a user terminal 2 directly operated by a user who wants to rent a video or the like (hereinafter referred to as rental software 21), and a data center 3 having a database of members and lending status and executing management and control of all members.
And a rental return system 9 for renting and returning rental software 21, and these systems are connected via a network 19. Although not shown,
Each system has a means for transmitting and receiving data, and it is natural that data is transmitted and received using this means.

A code (for example, a two-dimensional bar code 22) for specifying the rental software 21 is attached to the surface of the rental software 21 and the surface of the case 23 containing the rental software 21. Thereby, it is checked whether there is any trouble such as the rental software 21 different from the case 23 being entered at the time of lending and returning, and the rental software 21 itself not being in the case 23. In the present embodiment, a two-dimensional barcode 22 is used as a code capable of specifying the rental software 21. FIG. 22 shows an example of a disc 20 in which a two-dimensional barcode 22 is added to rental software 21.
Shown in As shown, the two-dimensional barcode 22 is affixed to a place other than the storage layer of the disk 20, and the same two-dimensional barcode 22 is also affixed to the case 23 for accommodating the disk 20. Code 2
It is affixed to places that do not overlap with 2. Here, the disk 20 refers to a storage medium, and the rental software 21 refers to the disk 20 and a case 23 that stores the disk 20.

The user terminal 2 includes a mobile phone connectable to a network, a simple mobile phone, and a PD having a communication function.
A (Personal Digital Assist)
ant) and the like.

The data center 3 is a system which can be connected to the user terminal 2 via a network 19 or the like by a known communication technique and executes management and control of all members of the system. The data center 3 and the lending / returning system 9 are connected via a network 19 and can transmit and receive information necessary for issuing a card. The data center 3 has a matching unit 4, a contract confirmation unit 5, a member creation unit 6, a lending database 7, and a member database 8.

The contract confirmation means 5 transmits data from the user terminal 2 (in this embodiment, a mobile phone, but may be other means) to a user who wants to use the automatic rental system 1. When the center 6 is accessed, the identity of the owner of the user terminal 2, that is, the telephone number of the user exists from the identity identification information (the telephone number in this embodiment because a mobile phone is used as the user terminal 2). No, confirm whether the mobile phone is a prepaid mobile phone. If the telephone number cannot be confirmed or is a telephone number of a prepaid mobile phone, the admission is not permitted. If the telephone number can be confirmed and is not the telephone number of the prepaid mobile phone, the admission is permitted. However, this is merely an example, and it goes without saying that the admission criteria may be set differently. Here, it is hard to imagine that the usage amount of this system will be high, and it is natural that the settlement of this system will be possible if there is the ability to settle mobile phone charges. Whether or not the telephone number of the prepaid mobile phone is public information, and can be confirmed by a known method.

The member creation means 6 recognizes the user as a member if the user can be permitted to access the system based on the contract status confirmed by the contract confirmation means 5 and predetermined conditions. This is a means for issuing a member number, a password, and the like, and transmitting a card issuance instruction to the issuance means 10 of the lending / returning system 9. Further, the created information such as the member number and the password is transmitted to the member database 8 to register the contract information confirmed by the contract confirmation means 5.

The collating means 4 receives and collates the returned information of the two-dimensional bar code 22 of the rental software 21 and the user's lending information stored in the lending database 7 from the returning means 16 in the lending / returning system 9. This is a means for checking whether the rental software 21 rented by the user matches the rental software or whether the rental period has been extended.

The rental database 7 stores a list of rental software 21 rented by the user and information such as a rental period of the rental software 21 in a database.

The member database 8 stores user telephone numbers, names, passwords, settlement methods, and the like in a database.

The lending return system 9 includes an issuing unit 10, a display unit 11, an input unit 12, a search unit 13, and a viewing unit 1.
4, rental means 15, return means 16, and viewing database 1
7 and a rental software database 18.
The lending return system 9 is connected to the data center 3 via a network 19, and data is transmitted and received. Although not shown, the rental software 21
It is a matter of course that it has a takeout port for taking out a rent, a charge entry port for putting in a rental fee, and the rental software 21.

The issuing means 10 receives the user's card issuance request transmitted from the data center 3,
This is a means for receiving the information to be written to the card transmitted from the data center 3 to the card, and after issuing predetermined information to the card, issuing the card to the user. Here, the card refers to a membership card indicating that access to the present system is permitted, that is, that the card has been approved as a member.

The display means 11 is a means for displaying a message urging the user to perform an operation. It goes without saying that the display method may be a message alone or a voice. Although there are several display methods, a known display device is used in this embodiment.

The input means 12 is a means for the user to execute a specific input to a message prompted by the user on the display means 11. Known input devices such as a voice input, a touch panel, a mouse, and a keyboard exist as the input unit 12, and any of them may be used. In the present embodiment, a keyboard is used.

The search means 13 displays a message prompting the user to input a title of the desired rental software 21 or to search for a title. If a title is input or a search condition is input, it is determined whether or not there is such a condition. This is a means for searching for whether or not rental is possible. Examples of title search conditions include a keyword search, a genre search, a director search, an actor search, an age search, a country search, and a combination search of these, and any of them may be used.

The viewing means 14 displays a message as to whether or not to view the corresponding rental software 21 as a result of the search by the search means 13.
Rental software 21 from the viewing database 17
This is means for transmitting the viewing information (sample of video / audio data of the rental software 21) to the display means 11 and allowing the user to view the viewing information via the display means 11.

The lending means 15 is means for performing a lending procedure of the rental software 21 to the user on the display means 11. That is, the user is urged to confirm the rental software 21, and when renting, the storage location of the corresponding rental software 21 is searched from the rental software database 18 of the rental return system 9, and the rental software 21 is taken out from the storage location. Carry to the outlet. Also, the user is inquired of the rental period via the display means 11, the corresponding rental fee is displayed via the display means 11, and the user waits for the rental fee to be input. When the user inputs a predetermined rental fee, an open request is transmitted to the takeout port so that the user can take out the rental software 21 from the takeout port. After the rental software 21 is taken out from the outlet by the user, an update request is transmitted to the lending database 7 in the data center 3 to be updated.

The return means 16 is means for performing a procedure for returning the rental software 21 on the display means 11. That is, the user is urged to return the rental software 21,
The two-dimensional code of the rental software 21 inserted into the takeout port is read by a known barcode reading means (not shown). The read two-dimensional code is converted into information by a specific method, and the converted information is compared with matching means 4 in data center 3.
Send to The collation unit 4 receives the collation result (that is, whether the returned rental software 21 is the same as the one actually rented by the user or whether the rental period is extended). Then, a message suitable for the user is displayed based on the matching result. In other words, if you return the valid rental software 21 and it is still within the time limit, a message such as “Thank you for your use. If extended, a message such as "The term has been extended. The extension fee is XX yen. Please note that this extension fee will be settled by the method specified in advance." In the case of the software 21, a message such as "Rental software 21 is different. Please check and re-enter" is displayed. Of course, you can choose to return all or part of the rental software.

The viewing database 17 stores video / audio information prepared in advance for viewing each title in a database. An example of the video / audio information for viewing may be a trailer for a movie or an introduction to a song for a music album such as a CD album.

The rental software database 18 stores the storage locations of the rental software possessed by the present system in a database. For example, storage locations arranged by assigning numbers such as what number in column A are stored in a database.

[0037]

Next, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to flowcharts shown in FIGS. 2 to 9 and screen images shown in FIGS. 10 to 21.

A user who wants to use the automatic rental system 1 can use the data center 3 at the user terminal 2 (in this embodiment, the user terminal 2 is a mobile phone, but it is needless to say that other means may be used). Access (ie, call). At this time, the identity identification information of the user (the telephone number in this embodiment because the user terminal 2 is a mobile phone) is notified to the contract confirmation means 5 of the data center 3 (S100). The telephone number of the data center 3 may be displayed on the lending / returning system 9 of the present system, or may be displayed by other means. Upon receiving power from the user terminal 2, the contract confirmation means 5 confirms whether or not the mobile phone is a prepaid mobile phone and whether or not the telephone number has been notified based on the calling number, that is, confirms the user attribute information (S11).
0).

If there is a problem with the user attribute information, for example, if the telephone number used by the user is a prepaid telephone and there is a problem with the payment, the contract confirmation means 5 sends a message stating that it cannot be a member. User terminal 2 of the user
Notify. If there is no problem in the user attribute information, the contract confirmation means 5 transmits the user attribute information to the member creation means 6, and the member creation means 6 creates and notifies the user unique member number and personal identification number (S120). The user receives the member number and the password (S130).

Subsequently, the member creating means 6 prompts the user to select a rental fee settlement method (S140). In other words, the voice says, "Please select the payment method of the rental fee. 1 is paid by cash, 2 is paid by credit card
Is sent to the user terminal 2. " The user who has received the message at the user terminal 2 selects a desired payment method by a predetermined method (S150),
It is transmitted to the member creation means 6 of the data center 3 (S
160).

The settlement method transmitted in S160 is received by the member creation means 6 of the data center 3 (S17).
0). The member creation means 6 prompts the user to reconfirm the payment method received in S170 (S180). This is done by voice "Payment is done in cash.
Is changed, please press 3 ".

The user who is prompted to confirm the settlement method in S180 confirms the settlement method (S190), and if that is the case, approves by selecting the 1 (accept) button in the previous example. 3 to change the payment method
(Change) button, etc., and select the settlement method again.

The user who has approved the settlement method in S190 transmits the approval information to the member creation means 6 (S20).
0). The approval information transmitted in S200 is received by the member creation unit 6 of the data center 3 (S210), and the member creation unit 6 transmits the approved settlement information and the user attribute information to the member database 8, and newly registers the user. The member is added as a member and the member database 8 is updated. If the processing is performed normally, the telephone call between the user and the user terminal 2 is disconnected (S220).

The user inputs the member number and the password received in S130 to the new membership card creation screen displayed via the display means 11 of the lending / returning system 9.
Is input using (S230). At this time, other information such as an address may be input. The new membership card creation screen includes a field for inputting a member number and a password, an "OK" command button for determining that the entered information is to be transmitted to the data center 3, and a "clear" command button for clearing the entered information. And FIG. 10 shows an example of a new membership card creation screen.

The issuing means 10 of the lending return system 9
The information input in 230 is transmitted to the member database 8 in the data center 3 (S240). The received member database 8 searches whether or not the user is already registered as a member. If the member is not registered as a member, a new membership card creation screen is re-displayed together with a re-entry message to prompt for re-entry. If registered, the user attribute information and the settlement method information are transmitted to the issuing unit 10 of the lending and return system 9 (S250).

The issuing means 10 receiving the information transmitted in S250 (S260) writes predetermined information on the card (S270) and issues the card (S28).
0). The user receives the card issued by the issuing means 10 (S290).

The card contains user attribute information, a payment method,
The member number etc. are written. The material of the card may be any material as long as it can read and write data, but a magnetic card having a plastic magnetic stripe,
It is preferably a C card or the like.

When the user wants to rent the rental software 21 based on the card issued in S290, the card is first inserted into a card insertion slot (not shown) provided in the lending / returning system 9. Yes (S30
0). The information recorded on the inserted card is read by known card reading means (not shown) (S31).
0).

After the end of S310, the lending / returning system 9 transmits an authentication screen to the display means 11 to display it (S32).
0). The authentication screen includes a field for entering a personal identification number, an "OK" command button for determining that the entered information is to be compared with the information written on the card, and a "Cancel" for canceling the operation and determining to eject the card. Has a command button. FIG. 11 shows an example of the authentication screen.

In the authentication screen displayed in S320, the user uses the input means 12 to enter a password and enters "O
By selecting the "K" command button, the password information is collated (S330). The personal identification number information input in S330 is received by the lending means 15 (S34).
0), collation with the personal identification number information recorded on the card read by the card reading means (S35)
0). As a result of the collation (S360), if they do not match, it is determined that the user is an unauthorized user, and the process returns to S320 to prompt the user for re-authentication.

If the result of the comparison at S360 is a match, it is determined that the user is a legitimate user, and the lending means 15 displays the menu screen via the display means 11 (S37).
0). The menu screen includes a “title search” command button for displaying a screen on which a search for the rental software 21 can be executed, a “viewing” command button for displaying a screen for viewing the rental software 21 specified by the user, and cancels all processing. And a "stop" command button for deciding to eject the card. FIG. 12 shows an example of the menu screen.

If the user can input the title of the rental software 21 that he / she wants to rent in advance, the user can directly "rent"
Although a command button may be selected, in the present embodiment, a description will be given of a procedure in which after searching for a title, the searched title is viewed and rented. It goes without saying that it is possible to rent without watching.

The user uses the input unit 12 to display the display unit 1.
When the title search of the menu screen displayed in No. 1 is selected (S380), the lending unit 15 transmits a title search screen display request to the search unit 13 and
3 displays a title search screen via the display means 11 (S390).

The title search screen includes a field for inputting a natural language such as a title, a director, an actor (singer), a pull-down menu for selecting a country, a genre, an age, a field for inputting other conditions, and a condition for input / selected conditions. It has a "search" command button for searching based on this, and a "stop" command button for deciding to stop the system and eject the card. FIG. 13 shows an example of the title search screen.
It goes without saying that these compound searches are possible. In addition, since the input data may not be accurate for titles, directors, actors, etc., it is natural that a concept search for searching for similar ones is provided.

On the title search screen displayed in S390, the user uses the input means 12 to input search conditions (S400). The search condition input by the user is received by the search means 13, the search engine is started, and a search is executed from the rental software database 18 based on the search condition (S410). In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the director has been entered as "Anjay Weida" as the search condition and "Poland" as the country selection. in this case,
It indicates that it will search for Polish films directed by Anjay Weida.

The search means 13 displays the search result executed in S410 as a title search result screen via the display means 11 (S420). On the title search result screen, as a result of the search, a list of the rental software 21 of the corresponding title and an indication of whether or not the title is being rented, a “view” command button for requesting to view the selected title, and executing another search Command button to request that the title search screen be displayed, a "rental" command button to rent the selected title, and a "stop" command button to cancel the system and eject the card have. FIG. 14 shows an example of the title search result screen. If the number of hits is large as a result of the search, a narrowing search may be prompted. If the number of hits is zero, the user is prompted again for search conditions.

The user selects a title from the search results displayed in S420 (S430). S3
If the title search is not executed at 80, FIG.
When the "view" command button is selected from the menu screen shown in FIG. 7, a screen for inputting a title for direct viewing is displayed, and the title is directly input from the screen (S435). After selecting or inputting the title, the user selects whether to view, rent as it is, or search using other search conditions (S440). After selecting a title on the title search result screen,
The rental software 21 of the selected title may be rented, but in this embodiment, it is assumed that the rental software 21 is rented after being viewed.

By selecting the "view" command button on the title search result screen (S450), a request to view the title selected in S430 (viewing request).
Is transmitted from the search means 13 to the viewing means 14 (S46).
0). Upon receiving the viewing request, the viewing means 14 searches the viewing database 17 for video / audio information (viewing information) prepared in advance for viewing the title. The viewing means 14 plays the video / music on the searched viewing information via the display means 11 (S470).

By viewing the specified title, the user can confirm that the title is desired by the user. After the viewing in S470, the viewing means 14
Displays a title confirmation screen in order to urge the user to confirm whether or not the currently watched title can be borrowed (S48).
0). This is performed by displaying a title confirmation screen. The title confirmation screen allows the user to select the title of the viewed rental software 21, a message prompting confirmation such as "If you want to borrow this title, select a confirmation button", a "confirmation" command button, and another title. It has a "different title" command button. FIG. 15 shows an example of the title confirmation screen.

The user browses the title confirmation screen displayed in S480 (S490), and selects whether or not to view rental software 21 of another title (S50).
0). When the "another title" command button on the title confirmation screen is selected, the search means 13 displays the title re-search selection screen via the display means 11 to allow the user to select (S510). The title re-search selection screen is
There is a command button for selecting whether to display the title search screen, that is, to return to S390, or to display the title search result screen in S420. FIG.
6 shows an example of the title re-search result screen.

If the user selects to display the title search screen in S510, the process returns to S390. If the user selects to display the title search result screen, the user returns to S390.
Return to 430.

When the user selects the “confirm” command button on the title confirmation screen in S500 (S5
20) The search unit 13 transmits to the lending unit 15 a request to display a charge table for each lending period according to the rental software 21 of the selected title. The lending unit 15 that has received the request displays a charge table screen via the display unit 11 (S530). The charge table screen has a display of a charge of the rental software 21 and an extension charge according to each lending period, and command buttons for deciding to select a lending period. FIG. 17 shows an example of the charge table screen.

When the lending period is selected in S540 (S54)
0), the lending means 15 displays a charge confirmation screen via the display means 11. Also, the rental fee and the title of the rental software 21 selected in S540 are displayed in the rental return system 9.
It is transmitted to and stored in a storage means (not shown) in the inside. On the charge confirmation screen, the title of the software to be rented, the lending period, the display of the charge and a message as to whether to borrow another title, and "borrow" to decide to borrow another title
The command button has a "don't borrow" command button for deciding not to borrow another title. FIG. 18 shows an example of the fee confirmation screen.

When the "borrow" command button is selected on the fee confirmation screen (S550), a title re-search selection screen (FIG. 16) is displayed. That is, the process returns to S510.
If the "don't borrow" command button is selected in S550, the lending means 15 displays a comprehensive charge confirmation screen (S560). The comprehensive fee confirmation screen displays the titles of all the rental software 21 rented by the user, the lending period,
There is a display of charges and their total charges, and a "confirm" command button to approve these. FIG. 19 shows an example of the comprehensive fee confirmation screen.

The user selects the "confirm" command button on the total charge confirmation screen displayed in S560 (S5).
70), when the fee is input to the fee input port of the lending and return system 9 (S580), the fee is settled (S59).
0). After settlement of the fee in S590, the lending means 15 records the title of the rental software 21 and the lending period on the card (S600). At the same time, the user name, the title of the rental software 21, and the lending period are transmitted from the lending means 15 to the lending database 7 in the data center 3, and the lending database 7 is updated.

After recording the information on the card in S600,
The card is ejected from the card insertion slot (S610), and the user receives the card (S620). The renting means 15 sends the rental software 2 to the rental software database 18.
The first title is transmitted, the storage location information of the rental software 21 of the title rented by the user is searched, and the rental software 21 is carried to the rental exit based on the storage location information. In response to the user receiving the card in S620, the take-out opening is opened (S630), and the user receives the rental software 21 from the take-out opening (S640).

Next, a case where the user returns the rental software 21 will be described. When the user returns the rental software 21, the user first inserts the user's card into the card insertion slot of the rental / return system 9 (S700). The lending / returning system 9 determines the user's member number from the inserted card,
The title of the rental software 21 and the information of the rental period are read. (S710). At this time, a message "Please put rental software into the outlet" is displayed on the display means 11 (S720). The user inserts the rental software 21 into the outlet (S730).

The rental / return system 9 senses that the rental software 21 has been inserted into the take-out port by a known means (S740), and stores the title of the rental software lent to the user and the input rental software 21 as one. In order to check that the two-dimensional barcode is correct, a two-dimensional barcode reader (not shown) is activated (S750), and the two-dimensional barcode 22 affixed to the case 23 and the disk 20 itself.
Is read (S760).

The read information of the two-dimensional barcode 22 and the member number information are transmitted to the matching means 4 in the data center 3 (S770). When the information of the two-dimensional barcode 22 and the member number information are received by the collation means 4 (S780), the received information is collated with the rental information of the rental software in the rental database 7 (S790).

If it is determined in step S790 that there is no match, the matching unit 4 transmits a rental software difference message display request to the return unit 16 in the rental return system 9 (S800). The return means 16 having received the rental software difference message display request is (S81
0), a rental software difference message screen is displayed via the display means 11 (S820). The rental software difference message screen has a message indicating that there is some abnormality with the supplied rental software 21 and a “confirm” command button indicating that the rental software 21 has been confirmed. FIG. 20 shows an example of the rental software difference message screen.

When the "confirm" command button on the rental software difference message screen is selected, the rental return system 9
Opens the takeout opening (S830), and the user collects the rental software 21 (S840). Rental software 21
Is collected, the lending / returning system 9 returns the card from the card insertion slot (S850), and the user collects the card (S860). Then, the user checks and corrects the collected rental software 21 again, and returns to S700 again.

If the result of the collation with the lending database 7 in S790 is that they match, the lending period is collated (S870). As a result of the comparison of the lending period in S870, if the lending period has been extended, the collation unit 4 returns the extended fee request for requesting the corresponding extended fee to the return unit 16
(S880). The return unit 16 that has received the extended fee request transmitted in S880 (S80)
890), an extension fee request screen is displayed via the display means 11. The extension fee request screen displays a title of the rental software 21 whose rental period has been extended, an extension period, an extension fee, and a message prompting payment. FIG. 21 shows an example of the extension fee request screen.

When the user pays a predetermined extension fee from the fee slot after the extension fee request screen is displayed (S90
0) or if the lending period has not been extended in S870, the return means 16 searches the rental software database 18 for storage location information of the title.
The rental software 21 at the outlet is stored based on the storage position information (S910).

After storing the rental software 21 in S910, the card is ejected from the card insertion slot (S920).
The user receives the card (S930).

Although not particularly specified in the present embodiment, it is needless to say that the process can be stopped at any step by a known means. In this embodiment, cash is used for payment of the rental fee. However, as described above, if the payment method is specified in advance, the payment method is changed accordingly.

In carrying out the present invention, a storage medium storing a software program for realizing the functions of the present embodiment is supplied to the system, and the computer of the system reads and executes the program stored in the storage medium. Of course, it is realized by.

In this case, the program itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the program and the storage medium storing the program naturally constitute the present invention. .

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk,
A hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, or the like can be used.

The computer executes the readout program, not only to realize the functions of the above-described embodiment, but also to execute an operating system or the like running on the computer based on the instructions of the program. It goes without saying that a part or all of the processing is performed and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

Further, after the program read from the storage medium is written to a nonvolatile or volatile storage means provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the program is read out. Based on the instruction, the arithmetic processing system or the like provided in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing may realize the functions of the above-described embodiments. It is.

[0081]

According to the present invention, it is possible to: The user can rent his desired rental software simply by entering the title. Even if you only have a vague memory of the title and what movie it was, you can search and rent the desired rental software. 2. The user can determine whether the rental software of the selected title is correct or not by watching,
In addition to the determination based on the character information described in the conventional case, the confirmation can be made by video / audio, so that a title closer to the user's preference can be borrowed. 3. Since the mobile phone number is received from the user and the enrollment screening is performed based on the received mobile phone number, it is easy to confirm whether the user has the settlement ability. In addition, the telephone number that the user normally hesitates to teach can be easily obtained. 4. This saves the clerk the trouble of searching for rental software requested by the user to rent, thereby improving time efficiency. Also, the number of clerks themselves can be significantly reduced. Etc. became possible.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a system configuration diagram of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a first page of a flowchart showing an example of a process for issuing a card.

FIG. 3 is a second page of a flowchart showing an example of a process for issuing a card.

FIG. 4 is a first page of a flowchart showing an example of a lending process.

FIG. 5 is a second page of a flowchart showing an example of a process for lending.

FIG. 6 is a third page of the flowchart showing an example of the process of lending.

FIG. 7 is a first page of a flowchart showing an example of a process of performing a return.

FIG. 8 is a second page of the flowchart showing an example of the process of performing the return.

FIG. 9 is a third page of the flowchart showing an example of the process of performing the return.

FIG. 10 is an example of a new membership card creation screen.

FIG. 11 is an example of an authentication screen.

FIG. 12 is an example of a menu screen.

FIG. 13 is an example of a title search screen.

FIG. 14 is an example of a title search result screen.

FIG. 15 is an example of a title confirmation screen.

FIG. 16 is an example of a title re-search selection screen.

FIG. 17 is an example of a charge table screen.

FIG. 18 is an example of a charge confirmation screen.

FIG. 19 is an example of a comprehensive fee confirmation screen.

FIG. 20 is an example of a rental software difference message screen.

FIG. 21 is an example of an extended charge request screen.

FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating an example of rental software.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1: Automatic rental system 2: User terminal 3: Data center 4: Matching means 5: Contract confirmation means 6: Member creation means 7: Lending database 8: Member database 9: Lending return system 10: Issuing means 11: Display means 12: Input means 13: Search means 14: Viewing means 15: Lending means 16: Returning means 17: Viewing database 18: Rental software database 19: Network 20: Disk 21: Rental software 22: Two-dimensional barcode 23: Case

Claims (13)

[Claims] A rental return system in which rental software is stored and which accepts a rental return of a rental software for a user, and a user terminal of the user who manages the rental return system and desires to rent the rental software. An automatic rental system in which a data center for transmitting and receiving a message is connected via a network, wherein the data center receives a request from the user terminal for requesting to become a member and executes a member examination. An automatic rental system comprising: means for renting the rental software to the user in the rental return system; and means for returning the rented software in the rental return system. 2. The means for executing the member examination includes means for receiving identity identification information of the user terminal from the user terminal and judging whether or not to join based on the identity identification information; Means for transmitting the result of the automatic rental to the user terminal. 3. The automatic rental system according to claim 2, wherein the identity identification information includes a telephone number. 4. A means for transmitting a membership number and a password to the user terminal if the membership is permitted as a result of the membership, and transmitting a message to the user terminal if the membership is not permitted. 3. The automatic rental system according to claim 2, wherein the automatic rental system has: 5. The automatic rental system according to claim 1, further comprising means for performing a title search when renting rental software to the user in the rental return system. 6. The automatic rental system according to claim 5, wherein search conditions for the title search include a director name and / or an actor name and / or a genre selection. 7. The rental / return system according to claim 1, wherein when lending the rental software to the user in the lending / returning system, the lending / returning system has means for viewing the rental software selected by the user. Automatic rental system. 8. A means for receiving a code specifying the user, a code specifying a title of the rental software, and a lending period from the lending / returning system when lending the rental software to the user in the lending / returning system. The automatic rental system according to claim 1, comprising: 9. When returning the rented rental software in the rental return system, the rental software and a specific identification code affixed to a case of the rental software are read to obtain the rental software. 2. The automatic rental system according to claim 1, further comprising means for identifying a title. 10. The automatic rental system according to claim 9, wherein said specific identification code is a two-dimensional barcode. 11. A means for calculating an extension fee by receiving the title of the rental software and a code identifying the user after the identification of the title of the rental software, and transmitting the amount of the extension fee to the rental return system. The automatic rental system according to claim 9, comprising: 12. Rental software characterized in that a disc attached to a location where the identification code of the information stored in the disc is on the disc surface and is not a storage layer is used as rental software for the rental return system. 13. The rental software according to claim 12, wherein the identification code is a two-dimensional barcode.