JP2002288784A - Car rental system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a car rental system that is economically and environmentally advantageous by keeping a sharable vehicle in a parking space and automatically lending it. SOLUTION: The computer-used vehicle rental system that shares a vehicle kept in a parking device of an apartment house such as a housing complex and a condominium has a card reader for reading in information on a magnetic card, an IC card and the like for charging, a member identifying and authenticating means for identifying and authenticating a member registered in advance to use the vehicle, a vehicle key unlocking and locking means where a vehicle key for driving a vacant vehicle kept in the parking device can be produced or stored, and a car rental controller for controlling the series of operations. The car rental controller operates the vehicle key unlocking and locking means to permit the vehicle key for driving the vacant vehicle to be produced, when the member identifying and authenticating means identifies and authenticates the registered member.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a car rental system provided with vehicles shared for use in a parking lot of an apartment complex, an apartment, or the like, and realizing automatic vehicle rental.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At present, there are many places in parking lots such as apartment complexes and condominiums, which have 100% of occupants' capacity or, conversely, have insufficient problems to satisfy occupants. . Where the parking lot is vacant, it cannot be used effectively and is uneconomical. Where there is no empty parking lot, it is unequal and inconvenient for residents. Nowadays,
The term park-and-ride and car-sharing have come to be heard, and awareness of the environment and economy is increasing at the national, municipal, and even individual levels.

[0003] Against this background, as a car rental system for condominiums, there is a large-scale condominium where a counter is set up to operate the window of a partner rental car company, and a small condominium is targeted. In terms of goods, home delivery rental car companies that can apply by telephone or the Internet have emerged. However, hesitate to use it in a short time for shopping, etc.
There are few things that target time, such as early morning and late night use,
There was a problem with the use in an emergency.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, according to the present invention, a vehicle which can be shared and used is installed even if a parking space is vacant or even if there is no parking space. It is an object of the present invention to provide a car rental system that is economically and environmentally advantageous by making it possible to rent a car.

[0005]

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle rental system using a computer for jointly using vehicles provided in a parking lot of an apartment house such as an apartment complex or an apartment. A card reader for reading information such as a magnetic card and an IC card for billing; a member identification and authentication means for identifying and authenticating a registered member who uses the vehicle in advance; A vehicle key release / locking means capable of taking out and storing a vehicle key for driving the empty vehicle, and a car rental control device for controlling a series of operations, wherein the car rental control device includes the member identification It is characterized in that the vehicle key release / locking means is operated by being identified and authenticated as a registered member by the authentication means, so that a vehicle key for driving an empty vehicle can be taken out. It is set to.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the parking lot, in conjunction with the member identification and authentication means and the vehicle key release / locking means, a gate for restricting entry / exit of the vehicle or movement of the vehicle is restricted. A vehicle movement restricting means using a flap or the like is provided, and the car rental control device operates the vehicle key releasing / locking means by operating the vehicle key releasing / locking means by being identified and authenticated as a registered member by the member identification authenticating means. The method is characterized in that the vehicle movement restricting means is operated by taking out a vehicle key for driving the vehicle, and the vehicle is controlled to be movable. According to a third aspect of the present invention, the vehicle movement restriction unit has a function of detecting and identifying the vehicle, and the car rental control device detects and identifies the presence of the vehicle to release the vehicle key. The locking means is operated to control the vehicle key so that it can be returned and stored.

The invention according to claim 4 is characterized in that the member identification and authentication means uses a password registered in advance to use the vehicle. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the member identification and authentication means uses biometric identification information, such as a fingerprint, a voiceprint, an iris, and a vein pattern, registered in advance to use the vehicle, which can identify an individual. It is characterized by having.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a web server which connects one or a plurality of the car rental control devices to a communication network and is accessible by a terminal device owned by a member who uses the vehicle. A rental server, the vehicle, and a database server that comprehensively manages the information of the member, and provides and manages various information including vehicle reservation by the member, provision of empty vehicle information to the member, and charging to the member. And a car rental management center capable of providing information and applying for a vehicle to the member connected to the communication network via a Web page.

[0009]

Next, a specific example of an embodiment of a car rental system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a car rental system according to the present embodiment. In the parking lot 3 of the condominium, the number of vehicles 4 that can be shared is prepared in consideration of the use situation and the space of the parking lot 3. The ownership of the vehicle 4 and various facilities may be managed by the condominium management association 6 or leased from a car rental management company.

When the rental car (rental vehicle) 4 is used, it is operated by operating the car rental control device 2. The car rental control device 2 releases and locks the vehicle key, and controls the operation of the vehicle 4 placed in the parking lot 3. The movement restriction device is released or restricted, and is connected to a security company 8 or a card company 7 via a communication network 10 and is linked with a system such as security and billing. Further, a service station 9 of a partner is connected to the communication network 10 so that liquidation of fuel can be performed collectively.

The car rental management center 1 is connected via a communication network 10 to car rental control devices 2 installed in a plurality of condominiums. The car rental management center 1 is obtained via the communication network 10. The information is stored and accumulated in the member / vehicle database 11, and is provided to the corresponding condominium management association 6, the condominium resident 5b, and the general member 5a other than the condominium resident via the Web, and a car rental application. Also accept.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the car rental system shown in FIG. When using the vehicle 4, the apartment resident 5 b registers necessary items in advance through the apartment management association 6. It is also available to nearby residents other than apartment residents by registering as a member via the Internet 10b. The member registration information is stored and accumulated in the member / vehicle database 11 provided in the car rental management center 1.

The car rental control device 2 is installed near the condominium parking lot 3, and is operated by a user when lending or returning the vehicle 4. The car rental control device 2 includes a card reader 21 for credit / charging, a guidance monitor 22 for displaying operation methods and procedures, a numeric keypad 23 as an operation button, an emergency call button 24, and a vehicle key insertion place for the rental vehicle 4. 25, a member identification and authentication means 2 for identifying and authenticating a member by reading a card, operating a key, and the like.
6. Release the vehicle key of the rented vehicle after identification and authentication of the member.
It has a vehicle key release locking means 27 for locking.

The rental vehicle 4 in the parking lot 3 is restricted in movement by vehicle movement restriction means 31 provided with a gate type or flap type vehicle movement restriction device (not shown). Is restricted and released.

The car rental control device 2 is connected to the communication network 10a. When the emergency call button 24 is operated, the car rental control device 2 is notified to the partner security company 8 to perform security and security. It is also connected to the card company 7, and credit / billing is performed by operating the card reader 21.

The information associated with the operation of the car rental control device 2 is collected at the car rental management center 1 connected via the communication network 10a, and is stored and accumulated in the member / vehicle database 11 by the database server 13. The service station 9 of the partner is also connected to the communication network 10a, and the cost for the refueled fuel and the like is incorporated in the charging system.

The car rental management center 1 includes a Web server 12, a member information providing unit 14, and a vehicle information providing unit 15, and a terminal device such as a PC or a mobile phone owned by the member connected via the Internet 10b. (Not shown), member registration, rental vehicle application, billing information,
Acquisition of empty vehicle information, vehicle reservation, and the like can be performed.
Provision of such information and various applications are provided by the apartment management association 6,
In addition to the apartment resident 5b, it is open to general members 5a who have already registered nearby residents.

The car rental management center 1 can be connected to the card company 7, security company 8, partner gas station 9, and car rental control device by a dedicated line or a dedicated communication network 10a for security. Desirable, but if security can be ensured, the Internet 10b
Can also be used.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing an example of the car rental control device 2 shown in FIG. Car rental control device 2
Is equipped with a card reader 21 that can use a magnetic card, an IC card, and the like.
The user operates the numeric keypad 23 along 2 to input a password registered in advance. The read information is transmitted to the car rental management center 1 and a part of the information is transmitted to the card company 7 via the communication network 10 to be used for credit inquiry and billing.

The numeric keypad 23 employs the same arrangement as a general telephone, a portable telephone, an auto lock apartment, or the like. “C” is a clear key. In addition, a menu key can be provided below the guidance monitor to operate the menu key according to the guidance. An emergency call button 24 is connected to the security company 8 and is notified.

For identification of personal information, biometric identification information such as fingerprints, voiceprints, irises, vein patterns, etc., which can identify an individual, is registered in advance in addition to the input of a password using the numeric keypad 23. Alternatively, such biometric identification information may be used.

The car rental control device 2 is provided with a vehicle key insertion place 25 for driving the rental vehicle 4 so that the empty vehicle can be seen at a glance.・ The vehicle key can be taken out after authentication. When returning the vehicle, returning the vehicle key to a predetermined location allows the rental fee to be cleared.

The removal and return of the vehicle key from the vehicle key insertion place 25 is linked with the vehicle movement restricting means 31 provided in the parking lot 3 shown in FIG. The movement of the vehicle is restricted by the movement restriction device. When the vehicle key is taken out, the vehicle movement restricting device is released, and the vehicle key is returned to restrict the vehicle movement. Therefore, unauthorized use of the vehicle by the vehicle key copied without permission can be prevented. further,
Although not shown, the vehicle movement restriction means 31 has a function of detecting and identifying the vehicle, and the car rental control device returns the vehicle key when detecting and identifying that the vehicle exists at a predetermined place. -The vehicle key release / locking means is controlled so that it can be stored.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the car rental control device shown in FIG. The user of the car rental system starts operation according to the guidance monitor screen of the car rental control device 2 shown in FIG. 3 (S10).
1). Apartment resident 5b can reserve vehicle 4
The general member 5a other than the resident of the apartment is prohibited from making a reservation for the vehicle 4 (S102). The apartment resident 5b performs a reservation procedure (S103), inputs identification information such as a name (S104), and inputs a vehicle use time zone (S105).

Next, the apartment resident 5b or the registered general member 5a inserts a card into the card reader 21 (S106) and inputs personal identification information such as a personal identification number. Once credit card credit and member identification and authentication are completed,
A desired rent-a-car number can be input (S107), and the vehicle key selected by the key rotation permission (S108) can be removed (S109). By removing the vehicle key, the vehicle movement restriction device in the parking lot is released and charging starts. For actual billing, for example, some grace time for moving the vehicle from the parking lot is set, such as 5 minutes.

As shown in the description of FIGS. 1 and 2, when using the rental car 4, the service station 9 of the partner can be used, and the fuel can be supplied at any time during the drive (S110). Costs such as fuel used at partner gas stations are included in the billing system. In the case of returning the rental car 4, return the rental car 4 to a predetermined place in the parking lot 3,
After getting off, the vehicle key insertion place 2 of the car rental control device 2
The vehicle key is inserted into No. 5 and returned (S111).

When the vehicle key is returned, the vehicle movement restriction device in the parking lot 3 is activated, and the vehicle 4 cannot move until the next operation. The charging is completed by returning the vehicle key, and the card is inserted into the card reader 21 (S11).
2) If necessary, the personal identification of the user is completed by using a personal identification number or the like, and the card is settled (S113). The settled usage fee is paid and paid by the card company to the condominium management association 6 and the car rental management center 1 (S114).

It should be noted that a manual for processing in the event of an accident or the like is provided in the rented vehicle, and that the necessary information such as mileage, reading of a fuel gauge, simple check items, etc. is described, so that the vehicle can be settled. In this case, the input is also made to the car rental control device 2. The travel distance and fuel information required for settlement may be configured so that a measurement device is provided in the rental vehicle and automatically read into the car rental control device 2 by wireless communication or the like.

As described above, by effectively utilizing the empty space in the parking lot of an apartment and providing a rental car to the apartment and neighboring residents, a stable source of income for apartment management costs can be provided. In addition, an ECO car, a light passenger car, a one-box, or the like is used as a vehicle to be used in consideration of the frequency of shopping and holidays on weekdays.

[0030]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle lending system using a computer for sharing a vehicle provided in a parking lot of an apartment house such as an apartment complex or an apartment. Magnetic card for billing,
A card reader for reading information such as an IC card, a member identification and authentication means for identifying and authenticating a registered member who uses a vehicle, and taking out a vehicle key for driving an empty vehicle provided in a parking lot. It has a vehicle key release / locking means capable of storage and a car rental control device for controlling a series of operations, and the car rental control device is identified and authenticated as a registered member by the member identification and authentication means. Since the vehicle key releasing / locking means is operated and the vehicle key for driving the empty vehicle can be taken out, an unmanned car rental management system can be provided for vehicle lending, return, management, and charging.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in the parking lot, in conjunction with the member identification and authentication means and the vehicle key releasing / locking means, a gate for restricting entry and exit of the vehicle or a flap for restricting movement of the vehicle. Equipped with vehicle movement restriction means using
The car rental control device operates the vehicle key release / locking means by being identified and authenticated as a registered member by the member identification / authentication means, and then takes out a vehicle key for driving an empty vehicle to thereby restrict vehicle movement. Activate the means,
Since the vehicle is controlled to be movable, unauthorized use of the copied vehicle key can be prevented. According to the third aspect of the present invention, the vehicle movement restricting means has a function of detecting and identifying the vehicle, and the car rental control device detects and identifies the presence of the vehicle so that the vehicle key releasing / locking means can be used. Since the vehicle key is operated and controlled so that the vehicle key can be returned and stored, the vehicle can be securely returned and the illegal use of the copied vehicle key can be more reliably prevented.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the member identification and authentication means uses a personal identification number registered in advance to use the vehicle, personal identification can be performed by a simple method. According to the invention described in claim 5, the member identification and authentication means uses biometric identification information, such as a fingerprint, a voiceprint, an iris, and a vein pattern, registered in advance to use the vehicle, which can identify an individual. Therefore, personal identification can be performed more reliably and in a shorter time.

According to the invention described in claim 6, one or more of the car rental control devices are connected to a communication network, and a Web server accessible by a terminal device owned by a member who uses the vehicle; Equipped with a rental server, a vehicle, and a database server that comprehensively manages the information of members, and provides and manages various information, including vehicle reservations by members, provision of empty vehicle information to members, and billing to members. Since there is a car rental management center that allows members connected to the communication network to provide and apply for vehicles via a Web page, you can go to a parking lot or a place equipped with a car rental control device Even, Internet and Web
Using a mobile phone having a browser function, it is possible to obtain a rental car use application, usage status, billing information, and the like.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a car rental system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the car rental system shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing an example of the car rental control device shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation of the car rental control device shown in FIG. 3;

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Car Rental Management Center 2 Car Rental Control Device 3 Parking Lot 4 Vehicle 5 Member 5a General Member 5b Condominium Resident 6 Condominium Management Association 7 Card Company 8 Security Company 9 Partner Refueling Station 10, 10a Communication Network 10b Internet 11 Member / Vehicle Database 12 Web server 13 Database server 21 Card reader 22 Guidance monitor 23 Numeric keypad 24 Emergency call button 25 Vehicle key insertion place 26 Member identification and authentication means 27 Vehicle key release locking means 31 Vehicle movement restriction means

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat II (reference) G06F 17/60 342 G06F 17/60 342 502 502 502

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A vehicle lending system using a computer for sharing a vehicle provided in a parking lot of an apartment house such as an apartment complex, a card reader for reading information such as a magnetic card and an IC card for billing. Device, member identification and authentication means for identifying and authenticating a previously registered member using the vehicle, and a vehicle key capable of taking out and storing a vehicle key for driving an empty vehicle provided in the parking lot It has a release lock means, and a car rental control device for controlling a series of operations, wherein the car rental control device is identified and authenticated as a registered member by the member identification authentication means, so that the vehicle key release lock is performed. A car rental system characterized in that the means is operated to enable the removal of a vehicle key for driving an empty vehicle. 2. In the parking lot, a vehicle movement using a gate for restricting entry and exit of the vehicle or a flap for restricting the movement of the vehicle in conjunction with the member identification and authentication means and the vehicle key release / lock means. A vehicle for driving an empty vehicle after actuating the vehicle key release and locking means by being identified and authenticated as a registered member by the member identification and authentication means; The car rental system according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle movement restricting means is operated by taking out a key to control the vehicle to be movable. 3. The vehicle movement restricting means has a function of detecting and identifying the vehicle, and the car rental control device activates the vehicle key release locking means by detecting and identifying the presence of the vehicle. The car rental system according to claim 2, wherein the control is performed so that the vehicle key can be returned and stored. 4. The car rental system according to claim 1, wherein the member identification and authentication means uses a password registered in advance to use the vehicle. 5. The member identification and authentication means uses biometric identification information, such as a fingerprint, a voiceprint, an iris, and a vein pattern, registered in advance for using the vehicle, which can identify an individual. The car rental system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein 6. A web server accessible by a terminal device owned by a member who uses the vehicle by connecting one or a plurality of the car rental control devices to a communication network, the car rental device, the vehicle, and A database server that comprehensively manages the information of the members; a vehicle reservation by the members; provision of empty vehicle information to the members; provision of various information including billing to the members;
6. A car rental management center capable of performing management and providing information and applying for a vehicle to said member connected to a communication network via a Web page. Car rental system according to any of the above.