Vehicle rental / return system

Abstract

To provide a vehicle rental / return system in which a user can rent and return a key easily.SOLUTION: A vehicle rental / return system includes: a key rental / return machine 1 which is a key rental device that includes a holding part 20 capable of switching locking or releasing of a plurality of keys, an input part 30 in which information for switching locking or releasing of the holding part 20 can be input, and a communication part 40 for transmitting key holding / non-holding information in the holding part 20; and a central control device 11 which is a management device for receiving holding / non-holding information transmitted from the key rental / return machine 1, and for managing the rental situation of the key. The central control device 11 transmits release information for performing releasing of the holding part 20 with respect to the input part 30 to a user terminal 3 based on the reservation situation input through an electronic communication line 13, and by inputting release information transmitted to the user terminal 3 into the input part 30, locking or releasing of a lock mechanism 22 of the key rental / return machine 1 is switched.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle rental and return system. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, 24-hour rental car offices have been established to perform rental car rental and return operations 24 hours a day in order to improve user convenience and increase the demand for rental cars. In order to reduce the operating costs of such rental car offices, the construction of an unmanned operation system has been proposed. By using a vehicle rental and return machine, vehicle rental and return operations are performed unmanned. For example, as described in Patent Document 1.

[0003] The vehicle rental and return machine described in Patent Document 1 includes input / output means for vehicle rental information and vehicle key rental and return means (holding means). The vehicle rental and return machine performs key rental, payment, return, and other operations by the user operating it himself, realizing labor savings at rental car offices and unmanned stores. When managing rental car keys using the vehicle rental and return machine, to lock or unlock the key, the user inputs information into a reservation site, inputs the unlocking information obtained from the reservation site into the rental device, removes the key from the vehicle rental and return machine, and uses the vehicle.

[0004] If the release information sent from the reservation site to the user can be sent to the user's terminal, the user can avoid the task of inputting the release information into the key lending device, making it easier for the user to use the vehicle lending and returning machine. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 8-16900 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and has an object to provide a vehicle rental and return system that allows users to easily rent and return keys. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] That is, in claim 1, a key lending device having a holding unit capable of switching between locking and unlocking a plurality of keys, an input unit capable of inputting information for switching between locking and unlocking of the holding unit, and a communication unit for transmitting information on whether the key is held or not in the holding unit; a management device that receives the hold / non-hold information transmitted from the key lending device and manages the lending status of the key; The management device sends release information to the user terminal to release the holding unit based on the reservation status input through a communication line, and inputs the release information sent to the user terminal into the input unit, thereby switching between locking and unlocking the lock unit of the key lending device.

[0008] In claim 2, the holding portion is provided with a tag insertion portion into which a tag attached to the key is inserted, and the key can be locked or unlocked by fixing / unlocking the tag in the tag insertion portion.

[0009] In claim 3, a simple building for storing the key lending device is provided, The simple building is provided with transport wheels that come into contact with the ground during transportation. Effect of the Invention

[0010] The present invention has the following advantages.

[0011] That is, according to the present invention, when a key is loaned, release information is sent to the user terminal, and the key can be taken out from the key loaning device using the release information sent to the user terminal. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle rental / return system including a vehicle rental / return system according to the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a front view showing the configuration of a key lending and returning machine according to the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a key lending / returning machine installed in a parking space according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] A vehicle lending and returning system 100 including a plurality of key lending and returning machines 1, which are key lending and returning devices according to an embodiment of the present invention, will be described below with reference to FIG.

[0014] The vehicle rental and return system 100 manages vehicle (rental car) rental and return operations using a plurality of key rental and return machines 1.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, a vehicle rental and return system 100 is configured by connecting key rental and return machines 1·1··· and a central control device 11 located at a headquarters 10 via an information communication line 12.

[0016] The key lending / return machine 1 is connected to a central control device 11 via an information communication line 12. Information processed by the key lending / return machine 1 and information related to the operating status of the key lending / return machine 1 are configured to be centrally managed by the central control device 11 at the headquarters 10. The vehicle lending / return system 100 is configured so that a user can communicate with an operator stationed at the headquarters 10 via the key lending / return machine 1.

[0017] The headquarters 10 is an organization that supervises and controls the vehicle rental and return system 100, and these functions are performed by a central control device 11 provided in the headquarters 10. The central control device 11 performs the function of a management device for managing the key rental status, as well as a member registration function, an unsettled billing function for calculating unsettled fees and reporting any shortfall to the card payment company, an inventory management function for managing vehicle inventory, a cleaning instruction function for instructing the cleaning of rented and returned vehicles, and a repair function for instructing a repair company to repair damaged vehicles.

[0018] This makes it possible to centrally manage vehicle rental information and user information, facilitating management of users who use the rental car service and management of vehicles, and enabling the provision of wide-area services. In addition, because the central control device 11 centrally manages all vehicles, even if the vehicle is returned to a parking lot other than the one where the key rental and return machine 1 is installed, the vehicle's status is known and additional fees can be settled.

[0019] Next, the key lending / returning machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0020] The key lending and returning machine 1 is for a user to carry out vehicle lending and returning operations by himself / herself. The key lending and returning machine 1 is stored in an unmanned simple building 2 (see FIG. 2).

[0021] 1 to 3, the key lending / returning machine 1 has a holding unit 20 capable of switching between locking and unlocking a plurality of keys, an input unit 30 capable of inputting information for switching between locking and unlocking the holding unit 20, a communication unit 40 that transmits information on whether the keys are held in the holding unit 20 and receives reservation information from the headquarters, and a control unit 50 that controls the holding unit 20, the input unit 30, and the communication unit 40. Note that in this embodiment, the holding unit 20, the input unit 30, and the communication unit 40 are provided in a single housing 60, but it is also possible to configure the input unit 30 and the holding unit 20 to be separable, for example.

[0022] The holding unit 20 has an insertion hole 21, which is a tag insertion portion into which a tag attached to a key is inserted, and the key is lent or returned by switching the insertion hole 21 between a locked state and an unlocked state. The holding unit 20 has a plurality of insertion holes 21 on the front surface of the housing 60. A lock mechanism 22 is provided inside the insertion hole 21. The lock mechanism 22 has a pin 22a that can be inserted into a tag hole provided in the key tag. The lock mechanism 22 is controlled by the control unit 50, and can switch between a locked state and an unlocked state of a key corresponding to a vehicle that has become available to the user. The key tag is classified into types by a plurality of colors, and is configured so that the vehicle model rank can be visually confirmed. It is also possible to manage more detailed vehicle information by incorporating an IC chip in the tag and providing an IC reader inside the insertion hole 21.

[0023] The input unit 30 inputs information related to the lending and returning of the vehicle key, makes payments, etc. The input unit 30 includes an information reading device 31, a human sensor 32, a camera 33, and an alcohol detection device .

[0024] The information reading device 31 is disposed so as to face a user standing at a predetermined position. The information reading device 31 is composed of, for example, a reader that reads two-dimensional codes. The user can input reservation information by having the information reading device 31 read the two-dimensional code containing the reservation information sent to the user terminal 3 that the user possesses.

[0025] The human sensor 32 is a sensor that detects people. The sensor is, for example, an infrared human sensor, and sends an electric signal by detecting the surrounding heat. The camera 33 is a device for capturing an image of the user's face. The alcohol detection device 34 is a device for measuring the amount of alcohol contained in the user's breath.

[0026] The communication unit 40 performs two-way information transmission. The communication unit 40 is configured to be able to transmit information input from the information reading device 31 and information made transmittable by the control unit 50, such as key holding / non-holding information, to the central control device 11 of the headquarters 10 via the information communication line 12. The communication unit 40 is also configured to be able to transmit information from the central control device 11 of the headquarters 10 to the key lending / return machine 1 via the information communication line 12. In other words, the headquarters 10 can assist the user in operation based on the malfunction state or operating state of the key lending / return machine 1 and the user's information.

[0027] The information reading device 31 may be a card reading device. The card reading device reads information on various cards and driver's licenses. The card reading device is configured to be able to obtain information on a card inserted through a card insertion slot provided on the front side of the housing 60 by an image recognition device such as OCR or a magnetic information reading device (not shown).

[0028] The control unit 50 controls the key lending and returning machine 1. The control unit 50 stores various programs and data for controlling the key lending and returning machine 1. The control unit 50 may be configured with a CPU, ROM, and RAM connected via a bus, or may be configured as a one-chip LSI or the like. When multiple key lending and returning machines 1 are installed in the simple building 2 where they are installed, it is also possible to configure each key lending and returning machine 1 to be collectively controlled by a single control unit 50.

[0029] The control unit 50 is connected to the information reading device 31, and is capable of obtaining information input from the information reading device 31 and controlling the display device provided in the housing 60 to display the information.

[0030] In addition, the control unit 50 is connected to the camera 33 , and is capable of acquiring images captured by the camera 33 and controlling the camera 33 .

[0031] The control unit 50 is not limited to this embodiment, and may be connected to, for example, a printing device or a card reading device.

[0032] The control unit 50 is connected to the communication unit 40, and is capable of obtaining information from the communication unit 40 and controlling the communication unit 40 to transmit information.

[0033] The control unit 50 is connected to the holding unit 20 of the key lending and returning machine 1, and is capable of controlling the locking and unlocking of the lock mechanism 22 of the holding unit 20.

[0034] The following describes the aspects of control in the lending and returning operations of the key lending and returning machine 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] To register as a rental car user, the user transmits an image of his / her driver's license to the central control device 11 at the headquarters via an electronic communication line 13 such as the Internet from his / her own user terminal 3. The image of the driver's license is not limited to one image of the driver himself / herself, but multiple images of licenses of assistant drivers, etc. can be transmitted.

[0036] The driver's license image of the reserving person is stored in the central control device 11. However, if the reservation is not completed due to reasons such as the vehicle being full, or if the reservation is canceled due to the user's convenience, the stored driver's license image of the reserving person is discarded.

[0037] The user inputs information regarding the reservation date and time and the vehicle type into his / her user terminal 3. The input information regarding the reservation date and time and the vehicle type is transmitted to the central control device 11 in the headquarters 10 via an electronic communication line 13 such as the Internet.

[0038] The central control device 11 automatically determines the availability of a vehicle and judges whether or not to lend it out based on the information sent from the communication unit 40 of the control unit 50 of each key lending / returning machine 1. With regard to information regarding vehicle models, even if all vehicles of the same model are lent out, the availability of vehicles of the same model class is also determined and a vehicle to be lent out is assigned.

[0039] When a reservation is made, the user inputs his / her credit card information from his / her own user terminal 3. The credit card information is transmitted to the central control device 11 at the headquarters via an electronic communication line 13 such as the Internet. The credit card information is stored in the central control device 11 and can be used not only for settlement after the rental contract is established, but also for collecting cancellation fees when the rental contract is cancelled for reasons of the user.

[0040] Furthermore, the credit card information can be used to collect any additional charges that may arise after the rental vehicle is returned.

[0041] When a reservation is made, a reservation number or a two-dimensional code is transmitted from the central control device 11 to the user terminal 3 via an electronic communication line 13 such as the Internet. The user inputs the transmitted reservation number or two-dimensional code into the information reading device 31 of the key lending / returning machine 1 , whereby the reservation number is input into the control unit 50 of the key lending / returning machine 1 .

[0042] The control unit 50 of the key lending / returning machine 1 transmits the reservation number to the central control device 11 via the communication unit 40, and the central control device 11 compares the reservation number with the reservation information. If the reservation number and reservation information match and the reservation is established, a rental confirmation is automatically transmitted to the user terminal 3.

[0043] The rental certificate contains the user's name or title, address or residence, the driver's name, address, type and number of driver's license, the registration number or vehicle number of the rented vehicle, the date and time of rental, the location of the rented key lending and return machine 1 and the location of the returned key lending and return machine 1, and other notes.

[0044] As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the key lending and returning machine 1 is provided with an information reading device 31, a human sensor 32, a camera 33, and an alcohol detection device 34. When a user enters the unmanned simple building 2, the key lending and returning machine 1 is activated based on the entry information detected by the human sensor 32. The user's facial image is captured by the camera 33. The captured facial image is collated with the stored driver's license image information, and the user's identity is confirmed by image comparison. In addition, the user is required to inject breath into the alcohol detection device 34. When the alcohol detection device 34 measures the alcohol content in the breath and determines that the user has drunk alcohol, the control unit 50 of the key lending and returning machine 1 determines that the key cannot be lent and does not release the lock mechanism 22 of the holding unit 20.

[0045] Once the user has finished inputting information and the control unit 50 has determined that the key can be loaned, the transmitted reservation number or two-dimensional code is entered into the information reading device 31 of the key loan / return machine 1, which releases the locking mechanism 22 of the holding unit 20 and allows the user to obtain the key.

[0046] The holding unit 20 is provided with a weight pressure sensor 23, which makes it possible to manage the lending and returning of keys.

[0047] The holding section 20 is composed of units having multiple insertion holes 21. Each unit has a connection terminal, and is configured so that multiple units can be connected together. This makes it easy to increase or decrease the number of keys managed by one key lending / return machine 1.

[0048] As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the temporary building 2 is a prefabricated hut for housing the key lending and returning machine 1, and has a structure that can be easily assembled. The temporary building 2 has movable wheels 71, which are removable transport wheels, on the underside. The movable wheels 71 are wheels that come into contact with the ground during transportation, and are configured to be removable at the installation site by jacking up the building or the like. This allows the temporary building 2 to be moved to the installation site.

[0049] As shown in Fig. 3, the location for setting up the simple building 2 can be an empty space in a rental car parking lot or within the premises of an existing facility such as a gas station. By configuring it in this way, it becomes possible to carry out rental car operations by providing a parking space and the simple building 2 without constructing an office or the like.

[0050] 3, a foundation 72 is made in advance using blocks, floor plates, etc. at the location where the temporary building 2 is to be installed, and the temporary building 2 is moved to the location where the foundation 72 has been made. Then, the movable wheels 71 are removed and the temporary building 2 is fixed to the foundation 72 using bolts, anchors, etc., whereby the temporary building 2 can be installed.

[0051] As described above, the vehicle lending and returning system 100 of this embodiment comprises a key lending and returning machine 1 which is a key lending device having a holding unit 20 capable of switching between locking and unlocking multiple keys, an input unit 30 capable of inputting information for switching between locking and unlocking the holding unit 20, and a communication unit 40 for transmitting key holding / non-holding information in the holding unit 20, and a central control device 11 which is a management device that receives the holding / non-holding information transmitted from the key lending and returning machine 1 and manages the lending status of the keys. The central control device 11 transmits release information for releasing the holding unit 20 to the user terminal 3 via the input unit 30 based on the reservation status input via the electronic communication line 13, and inputs the release information transmitted to the user terminal 3 into the input unit 30, thereby locking or unlocking the locking mechanism 22 of the key lending and returning machine 1. With this configuration, when the key is lent, release information is sent to the user terminal 3, and the key can be retrieved from the key lending / return machine 1 using the release information sent to the user terminal 3.

[0052] In addition, the holding portion 20 has an insertion hole 21, which is a tag insertion portion into which a tag attached to the key is inserted, and the tag can be fixed / unlocked in the insertion hole 21, thereby switching between locking and unlocking the key. Such a configuration makes it easy to distinguish the types of cars to be rented out based on the type of tag, making it easier to manage the vehicles.

[0053] The device includes a simple building 2 for storing the key lending and returning machine 1, and the simple building 2 includes moving wheels 71 which are transport wheels that come into contact with the ground during transport. By configuring it in this manner, it is possible to set up the simple building 2 anywhere that has parking space, without having to construct a building such as an office, and it becomes possible to carry out car rental operations easily. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 1. Key lending and returning machine (key lending device) 2 Simple building 3. User terminal 10 Headquarters 11 Central control unit (management unit) 12. Information and communication lines 13 Electronic communication lines (communication lines) 20 Holding part 21 Insertion hole (tag insertion part) 22 Locking mechanism 30 Input section 31 Information reading device 32 Human Sensor 33 Camera 40 Communications Department 50 Control section 60 Case 71 Mobile Wheel 72 Basics

Claims

1. A key lending device having a holding unit capable of switching between locking and unlocking a plurality of keys, an input unit capable of inputting information for switching between locking and unlocking the holding unit, and a communication unit for transmitting information on whether the keys are held or not in the holding unit; a management device that receives the hold / non-hold information transmitted from the key lending device and manages the lending status of the keys; A vehicle lending and returning system in which the management device sends release information to the user terminal to release the holding unit based on the reservation status input through a communication line, and switches the lock unit of the key lending device between locked and unlocked by inputting the release information sent to the user terminal into the input unit.

2. 2. The vehicle rental and return system of claim 1, wherein the holding unit is provided with a tag insertion unit into which a tag attached to the key is inserted, and the key can be locked or unlocked by fixing / unlocking the tag in the tag insertion unit.

3. A simple building for storing the key lending device is provided, The vehicle rental and return system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the temporary building is provided with transport wheels that come into contact with the ground during transportation.

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