JPH02140895A - Lending device for article such as video cassette - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make unnecessary the interruption of a lending processing even at the time of change shortage by comparing the lending charge of an article with a deposited amount, and recording a balance on a customer card as a prepaid amount when the deposited amount is larger. CONSTITUTION:A control part 30 provides a memory 31 to store a program, the lending charge and other data, and a data write/read part 32 to read the data of a memory card 45 belonging to the customer and to write the data, and provided a function, which compares the amount deposited by a depositing means 36 with the charge concerning the lending, and records the difference of the amounts of the customer card 45 as the prepaid amount when the deposited amount is judged to be larger than the charge concerning the article lending. Thus, even when the change shortage occurs, by adding the change as the prepaid amount, the lending processing is made unnecessary to be interrupted in the middle of the processing.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] Summary of the Invention In an apparatus for renting out goods such as video cassettes using a customer card that can be used as a prepaid card, the renting fee for the goods is compared with the deposited fee. If the amount paid is higher than the amount paid, the difference will be recorded as a prepayment on the customer card. In addition, when it is determined that the rental fee needs to be returned after the fee has been deposited in a rental device for items such as video cassettes that uses a customer card that can be used as a prepaid card, the amount equivalent to the deposited rental fee will be refunded. Record as prepayment on customer card.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a rental device for renting out items such as video cassettes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In recent years, article lending devices for unmanned lending of articles such as video cassettes have been put into practical use. The article lending device rents out articles by discharging the articles stored in the device into a discharge port according to a user's designation. To use an article lending device, a contract is made between a customer who wishes to use the device and the owner of the device (store, company, etc.), and a customer card is issued. The customer uses this customer card to borrow items from the device.

On the other hand, by having the customer card function as a prepaid card, the customer can borrow items from the device even when the customer does not have cash on hand.

By the way, when the amount of money deposited in an article rental device such as a video cassette is greater than the rental fee, the difference in fees must be returned to the customer as change. There may also be times when it is necessary to return the deposited rental fee after the rental fee has been deposited. For example, when a refund is requested because the customer changes his mind and presses the lending cancel button, etc., and the lending of the item is canceled, or when the item cannot be lent due to a failure of the item transport mechanism, etc., the item is released. For example, when the item is returned by the customer within a certain period of time and is considered canceled.

If refund processing can be performed after the fee is deposited, it is necessary to provide a pool function for temporarily holding the deposited fee, which complicates the structure of the article lending device. In addition to this, the owner of the device is likely to lose benefits that could have been obtained.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an article lending device such as a video cassette that can add and record change or an amount equivalent to a once-paid fee on a customer card as an advance payment.

Structure and Effects of the Invention The first invention provides an article such as a video cassette in which the stored articles can be lent out according to the user's wishes by inserting a customer card that can be used as a prepaid card. In the rental device, a notification means for notifying the user of the fee for renting the item desired to be rented, a depositing means for depositing the fee for renting the item notified by the notification means, and a fee deposited by the depositing means. A comparison means for comparing the size with the charges related to the rental of goods, and when it is determined by the above comparison means that the deposited charges are greater than the charges related to the rental of goods, the difference between these charges will be used as an advance payment by the customer. It is characterized by comprising a recording means for recording on a card.

According to the first invention, since there is provided a recording means that can add and record the difference between the deposited fee and the rental fee on the customer card, even if the change has run out, the change can be used as an advance payment. By adding the amount, there is no need to cancel the lending process. Further, since there is no need to replace the change with a denomination other than the denomination for which change is insufficient, jams can be prevented.

Furthermore, if the rental fee is discounted because the item is returned before the scheduled return date, the amount equivalent to the discounted fee can be added to the customer card without paying as change.

The second invention is a lending device for items such as video cassettes, which rents out stored items according to the user's wishes by inserting a customer card that can be used as a prepaid card. A notification means that notifies the user of the rental fee for the item they wish to rent, a depositing method that deposits the rental fee for the item notified by the notification means, and whether the rental fee deposited by the above payment method needs to be returned. and a recording means for recording an amount equivalent to the rental fee already deposited from the depositing means as a prepayment on the customer card when the determination means determines that the rental fee needs to be returned. It is characterized by having the following.

According to the second invention, recording means is provided for recording an amount equivalent to the deposited amount as an advance payment on the customer card without returning the deposited rental fee when it is necessary to return it.
A pool function for temporarily holding fees paid by customers for return becomes unnecessary, and the device can be simplified.

Furthermore, since the paid fee is recorded on the customer card as an advance payment, the customer will not have to use the rental device again and the usage revenue will not decrease.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a video cassette rental and return device will be described in detail.

FIG. 1 shows the external appearance of a video cassette rental and return device 1o. On the right side of the front panel of the video cassette lending/returning device 10, there is a CRT l that displays operational guidance.
2. Mode setting switch for specifying lending, return, cancellation, etc. Keyboard 3 for entering the specification of the video cassette you wish to borrow; card slot 4 for inserting a memory card (customer card); A coin insertion slot 5 and a bill insertion slot 6 for paying fees are provided.

A portion of the left side of the front panel of the video cassette lending and return device 1o is opened, and a transparent plate such as glass is fitted into this opening so that the video cassette 8 stored inside the device 1o can be seen from the outside. It is being done. The video cassettes 8 are each labeled with a unique cassette number using a bar code, label, etc., and are stored inside the device 10, separated by storage shelves 9. A video cassette loading/unloading port 11 is also provided for ejecting video cassettes to be rented and collecting video cassettes to be returned. The video cassette rental and return device 1o is a support stand 1
It is established by 2.

FIG. 2 shows a system configuration diagram when a plurality of rental devices are connected. Multiple rental devices are available (code 1)
0A, IOB, etc.), and is connected to the host computer 21 by using a public line 2o. As a result, each lending device 10A and IOB will be controlled by the host computer 21. When the rental device and the host computer 21 are not far apart, they can be directly connected without using the public line 20.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the device 10 for renting out items such as video cassettes. The control unit 3o that controls the entire lending of goods includes a memory 31 that stores programs, rental fees, and other data, and a memory card 45 that reads and writes data provided to the customer as described later. Data writing/reading section 3
2.

The control unit 30 also includes a CRT unit 33 including a CRTI.
．． A keyboard unit 34 including a keyboard 3, a card reader unit 35. A cash handling unit 3B that stores charges deposited from the coin slot 5 or bill slot δ into a predetermined bill storage unit, a printer unit 37 that prints a receipt, and a modem provided when connected to the public line 20. 38. A video that performs operations such as releasing the video cassette 8 stored in the storage shelf into the slot 11 and collecting the video cassette 8 returned to the slot 11 into the storage shelf 9 according to the user's specifications. - A clock 40 is connected to the cassette handling section 391, and a power outlet 42 is connected to the Fjs source unit 41.

The memory card 45 given to the user who has entered into a contract with the owner of the article lending device 10 includes a customer-specific membership number,
Data regarding the rented video cassette 8, such as the cassette number uniquely attached to the video cassette 8, the rental date, etc., are stored. Furthermore, since the memory card 45 is also used as a prepaid card, it has an area for storing prepaid amounts. In addition to the memory card 45, an IC card or the like can be used as the customer card.

4 to 6 show the processing procedure of the video cassette rental and return apparatus 10 according to the present invention. Here the fourth
The figures show the preparation process for the video cassette lending process, FIG. 5 shows the lending process procedure, and FIG. 6 shows the video cassette return process procedure.

Referring to FIG. 4, when the video cassette lending device 10 is in so-called idling, when neither lending nor returning processing is performed, a message prompting the insertion of the memory card 45 is displayed on the CRTl ( Step 51)
. Depending on the user, the memory card 4 can be inserted from the card slot 4.
5 is inserted and the mode setting switch 2 is pressed, it is determined whether the transaction is for lending or returning the video cassette 8 (steps 52 and 53). When the return process is selected by the user (No in step 53)
, proceed to return processing. The return process will be described later.

When the user selects the video cassette lending process (YES in step 53), the balance of the advance payment on the memory card 45 is calculated, and if there is a balance (NO in step 54), the loan is continued as there is no unpaid amount. Proceed to processing.

When there is no prepaid balance in the memory card 45 (YES in step 54), a display requesting CRTI to pay is given priority to the payment of the unpaid amount over the video cassette 8 lending business in order to prevent the unpaid amount from increasing. is carried out (step 55). Wait for payment from the user for a predetermined time (step 5B).

If the money is not deposited, it is assumed that the user has no intention of paying the outstanding amount, and a message to the effect that the card should be returned is displayed on the CRT 1, and then the card 45 is returned to the user through the card insertion slot 4 (No in step 57, 03.84).

When the amount due is deposited from the coin insertion slot 5 or the bill insertion slot 6 (YES at step 57), it is determined whether all the amount due is paid (step 58). If the balance is insufficient (YES in step 58), the process returns to step 55. When the amount is deposited to cover all the outstanding amount (No in step 5B), it is determined whether the first deposited amount is greater than the amount due (step 59).
).

If the deposited amount is greater than the unpaid amount, the excess amount is recorded in the memory card 45 as a prepayment and the balance is updated (YES in step 59 (to). The deposited amount and the unpaid amount are If they are equal, the unpaid amount is cleared (NO in step 59, 61).Next, the balance of the memory card 45 is checked, and if there is still unpaid amount, the card 45 is returned without performing the lending process (step 62).
YES, 63.64). When the unpaid amount disappears as a result of the deposit (NO in step B2), the process shifts to the video cassette 8 lending process.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the procedure for lending the video cassette 8. When the lending process begins, a message is displayed on the CRT 1 asking the user to specify the video cassette 8 he or she wishes to borrow (step 71).

The user selects the stored video cassette 8 from the opening opened in the front of the lending device IO and inputs the unique cassette number assigned to the cassette 8 using the keyboard 3 (step 72). When the lending of the video cassette 8 to be borrowed is interrupted due to lending or the like, the inserted memory card 45 is returned to the user (YES in step 73).

74, 75).

When the video cassette 8 to be rented is specified using the keyboard 3 (No in step 73), the balance of the advance payment on the memory card 45 and the rental fee for the specified video cassette 8 are compared (step 76). . If the prepaid amount remaining on the memory card 45 is greater than the rental fee (No in step 7G), the data writing/reading unit 32 records the balance of the memory card 45 minus the rental fee. As a result, the balance is updated (step 77). Thereafter, the borrowed video cassette 8 is transported to the loading/unloading port 11 by the video cassette handling unit 39, and a display to that effect is displayed on the CRTI (step 88). Further, the cassette 8 is ejected from the slot 11, a message indicating that the card has been returned is displayed on the CRTI, the card 45 is returned, and a receipt is ejected (steps 89, 90, and 91).

If a video cassette different from the one you want to borrow is ejected due to a user's human error, the user can return the video cassette to the slot 11 within a certain period of time (for example, 10 minutes) measured by the clock 40. (YES in step 92) The fee paid is considered to be canceled and is recorded in the memory card 45 (step 93). In addition, even if the video cassette 8 cannot be lent out due to a failure of the video cassette φ handling unit 39, etc., the fee paid will be transferred to the memory card 45.
to be recorded.

If the rental fee is higher than the balance on the memory card 45 (YES at step 76), the insufficient fee is displayed on the CRTI (step 78). The user waits for the payment of the missing charge for a predetermined period of time, and if the missing charge is not paid, it is assumed that the user does not intend to borrow the video cassette 8, and the lending transaction is canceled and the card is returned (NO in step 80).
Step 90.91).

Even if there is a deposit (YES at step 80), the user may change his or her mind and press the cancel button of the mode setting switch 2 to cancel the transaction (YES at step 81). In this case, the deposited fee that should be returned is not returned, but is recorded as an advance payment on the customer card 45 (step 82).

If the lending process continues without pressing the cancel button (NO in step 81), the input amount is displayed on the CRTl and the input amount is compared with the rental fee (step 83.
84). If the input amount is insufficient (Y in step 84)
ES''), the process returns to step 79 to request payment of the insufficient amount.

If the input amount exceeds the rental fee (N at step 84)
o) Next, the input amount and the rental fee are compared, and if the input amount and the rental fee are equal (YES in step 85).
, the balance of the advance payment recorded in the memory card 45 is cleared (step 86). If the input amount and the rental fee are not equal, the input amount exceeds the rental fee (No in step 85), and the difference is recorded in the memory card 45 as an advance payment (step 87).

After each memory card balance is updated (step 88.87), the videos to be lent and the memory cards inserted are
The card is released to the user (steps 89-91).

FIG. 6 shows the processing procedure when returning the rented video cassette 8. When the return button of the mode setting switch 2 is pressed, the CRT 1 changes to a display prompting the return of the cassette (step lot). When the video cassette 8 is inserted from the cassette slot 11 (step 102), the barcode attached to the cassette 8 is
The cassette number etc. are read from the label etc. and it is determined whether the video cassette 8 is a loaned video cassette 8 (step 10).
3).

When it is determined that the video cassette 8 inserted into the slot 11 is not lent (N in step 103)
o) The video φ cassette 8 is returned to the user without being stored (step 123).

If the cassette 8 inserted into the slot 11 is a lent one (YES in step 103), the video cassette handling unit 39 stores it in a storage shelf and charges the cassette 8 for overdue payments, etc. If there is no shortage of funds, CRTI
The card is returned after the amount is displayed (NO in step 104, steps 120, 121, 12).
2>. If there is a shortage of money (YES in step 104)
S), it is determined whether the shortfall can be covered by the advance payment remaining on the memory card 45, and if it can be covered (No in step 105), the card is returned after the shortfall is paid from the memory card 45. (Step [14. NO in step 118, steps 120 to 12
2).

When the balance on the memory card 45 is not sufficient to pay all the missing money (YES in step 105)
, the difference in the shortfall is calculated and displayed on the CRTI (steps 108, 107). When there is a deposit from the user (YES in steps 108 and 109).

After the input amount is displayed on the CRTI, the input amount and the deficit amount are compared (step 11O2111).

Even if the money has been deposited, if the amount to be paid is still insufficient (
YES in step 111! 3) Return to step 108. When the insufficient amount disappears due to the deposit (No in step 111), the process proceeds to step 112 and subsequent steps. Even if there is a shortage (YES in step 105) and the deposit is not made (NO in step 109), in order to give priority to the collection of the video cassette 8, the loaned video cassette 8 is not released and the step is continued. The process proceeds to steps 112 and below.

When the process proceeds to step 112, it is determined whether the amount deposited by the user exceeds the shortfall. If the input amount does not exceed the deficit amount (Step 1)
12: No) Second, it is checked whether the input amount and the shortage amount are equal (step 113). If the input amount and the missing amount are equal (YES in step 113), the balance recorded in the memory card 45 is cleared (
Step 115).

If the input amount and the deficit amount are not equal (Step 11)
3), the balance of the memory card 45 is updated by subtracting only the amount of the difference from the balance of the memory card 45 (step 116). Also, if the input amount is greater than the insufficient amount, YES in step 112.
”), the difference in memory will be taken as an advance payment without refund.
It is added to the card 45 (step 117).

When the balances of the memory card 45 are updated (steps 114 to 117), the balance status of the memory card 45 is checked and if there is an unpaid amount (Y in step 11g).
ES) A reminder is displayed to remind you to pay the CRTI the next time you use it (NO in step 118).

119). If there is a balance in the memory card 45 (NO in step 118), the CRTI will display that the card 45 has been recorded as an advance payment (step 120). Thereafter, the inserted memory card 45 is returned to the user (steps 121, 122).

In this embodiment, when processing the rental of video cassettes, priority is given to the payment processing over the rental, and the cassette is not rented out until the payment has been completed, and when processing the return of the cassette, even if the payment has not been completed, the payment process is prioritized. However, the present invention is not limited to these processing methods. That is, the cassette may be lent out even if the payment process has not been completed, or the cassette may not be returned until the payment process has been completed.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a front view showing the external appearance of the video cassette lending device, Fig. 2 is a configuration diagram when using multiple video cassette lending devices, and Fig. 3 is an electrical configuration of the video cassette lending device. FIG. 4 to 6 are flowcharts showing the processing procedure of the video cassette lending apparatus according to the present invention, in which FIG. 4 shows the procedure for preparing for lending processing, FIG. 5 shows the procedure for lending processing, and FIG. 6 shows the procedure for lending processing. indicate the return processing procedure. 2...Mode setting switch. 3...Keyboard. 4...Card insertion slot. 5... Coin slot. 6...Banknote insertion slot. 8...Video conference cassette. lO...Video cassette lending device. 11... Video cassette slot. 30...control unit. 31...Memory. 32...Data writing/reading section. 39...Video cassette handling section. 45...Memory battle card. that's all

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) In a rental device for items such as video cassettes, the stored items can be lent out according to the user's request by inserting a customer card that can be used as a prepaid card. a notification means for notifying the user of the fee for renting the article, a depositing means for depositing the fee for renting the article notified by the notification means, and a difference in size between the fee deposited by the depositing means and the fee for renting the article; a comparison means for comparing the charges, and a recording means for recording the difference between these charges on the customer card as an advance payment when it is determined by the comparison means that the deposited charges are higher than the charges for renting the goods. Equipment for renting out items such as video cassettes. (2) In a rental device for items such as video cassettes, the stored items can be lent out according to the user's request by inserting a customer card that can be used as a prepaid card. a notification means for notifying the user of the rental fee for the item to be used; a depositing means for depositing the rental fee for the item notified by the notification means; and determining whether or not the rental fee deposited by the depositing means needs to be returned. and a recording means for recording an amount equivalent to the rental fee already deposited from the depositing means as a prepayment on the customer card when the determination means determines that the rental fee needs to be returned. Equipment for renting out items such as video cassettes.