Management system for temporary construction equipment and materials

Abstract

This invention provides a temporary equipment management system that allows for easy management of temporary equipment and materials at construction sites. [Solution] A temporary equipment management system configured to enable communication between a smartphone 100 and a management server 200, wherein the smartphone includes an imaging unit that takes pictures to acquire individual identification information attached to the temporary equipment, and a communication unit that transmits the individual identification information acquired by taking pictures with the imaging unit to the management server 200, and the management server 200 includes a communication unit that receives the individual identification information transmitted by the smartphone 100, and a control unit that controls the system to aggregate the number of temporary equipment based on the individual identification information received by the communication unit 207.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a management system for temporary facilities and equipment.

Background Art

[0002] Temporary facilities and equipment rented to construction companies etc. are used at the work site by each contractor (cooperating company) to whom the construction company has subcontracted the work, with the user being determined for each contractor. When such temporary facilities and equipment are lost, generally, a contract is made for the construction company to buy back the lost temporary facilities and equipment. Therefore, the inventory of temporary facilities and equipment is regularly taken at the work site to prevent loss, and the number of temporary facilities and equipment is totaled. Conventionally, such an inventory of temporary facilities and equipment has been carried out, for example, by the rental company periodically as part of maintenance inspections etc. of the temporary facilities and equipment, or by the person in charge of on-site supervision etc. of the construction company. However, when the rental company conducts the inventory, it can only be done periodically, so the time when the temporary facilities and equipment were lost could not be accurately grasped. On the other hand, when the person in charge of on-site supervision etc. conducts the inventory, it takes time because it is done manually, and there may be counting mistakes.

[0003] In the rental system for temporary materials disclosed in Patent Document 1, IC tags are attached to the temporary materials for management. The IC tags attached to the temporary materials are read by a reader connected to the management computer for each function. The management computer for each function manages the temporary materials by transmitting information identifying the read IC tag to the management computer of the management sensor.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, the temporary construction material rental system disclosed in Patent Document 1 does not take into account inventory management of temporary construction materials at the work site. Furthermore, the temporary construction material rental system in Patent Document 1 is difficult to manage because it requires managing readers / writers in addition to the temporary construction materials. This invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and provides a temporary equipment management system that can easily manage temporary equipment at work sites. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention relates to a temporary equipment management system for temporary equipment configured to communicate between a portable information terminal and a server, wherein the portable information terminal comprises a shooting means for taking photographs to acquire individual identification information attached to the temporary equipment, and a terminal-side transmission means for transmitting the individual identification information acquired by the shooting means to the server, and the server comprises a server-side receiving means for receiving the individual identification information transmitted by the terminal-side transmission means, and a server-side control means for controlling the system to aggregate the number of temporary equipment of each type based on the individual identification information received by the server-side receiving means. Furthermore, the temporary equipment management system of the present invention is a management system for temporary equipment configured to communicate between a portable information terminal and a server, wherein the portable information terminal includes a shooting means for taking pictures to acquire individual identification information attached to the temporary equipment, and a terminal-side transmission means for transmitting the individual identification information acquired by taking pictures with the shooting means and information of the company to be changed to the server when the company using the temporary equipment to which the individual identification information is attached is changed, and the server includes a recording means for recording information relating the individual identification information and information of the company using the temporary equipment to which the individual identification information is attached, a server-side receiving means for receiving the individual identification information transmitted by the terminal-side transmission means and the information of the company to be changed, and a server-side control means for controlling the information recorded by the recording means to change the information of the company associated with the individual identification information received by the server-side receiving means to the information of the company received by the server-side receiving means. Furthermore, the temporary equipment management system of the present invention is a management system for temporary equipment configured to communicate between a portable information terminal and a server, wherein the portable information terminal comprises a shooting means for taking photographs to acquire individual identification information attached to the temporary equipment, and a terminal-side transmission means for transmitting the individual identification information acquired by taking photographs with the shooting means to the server, and the server comprises a recording means for recording information relating the individual identification information to information of a contractor using the temporary equipment to which the individual identification information is attached, a server-side receiving means for receiving the individual identification information transmitted by the terminal-side transmission means, and a server-side control means for controlling the creation of contractor label printing information based on the contractor information associated with the individual identification information received by the server-side receiving means from the information recorded by the recording means. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, temporary equipment and materials at a work site can be easily managed. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] It is a diagram showing an example of the system configuration of the management system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a smartphone. [Figure 3] It is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a management server. [Figure 4] It is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a PC. [Figure 5] It is a diagram showing an example of a transport cart as the delivered temporary capital equipment. [Figure 6] It is a diagram showing an example of an individual identification number DB. [Figure 7] It is a diagram showing an example of a delivery slip. [Figure 8] It is a diagram showing an example of a product management DB. [Figure 9] It is a diagram showing an example of a site DB. [Figure 10] It is a flowchart showing an example of the inventory taking process. [Figure 11] It is a diagram showing the top screen of an application. [Figure 12] It is a diagram showing an example of a login screen. [Figure 13] It is a diagram showing an example of a vendor selection screen. [[ID=,38]] [Figure 14] It is a diagram showing an example of a product registration screen. [Figure 15] [[ID=,43]]It is a diagram showing an example of a summary table. [Figure 16] It is a diagram showing an example of a summary screen. [Figure 17] It is a flowchart showing an example of the vendor change process. [Figure 18] It is a diagram showing an example of a vendor change screen. [Figure 19] It is a diagram showing an example of a product lending list. [Figure 20] It is a flowchart showing an example of the label printing process. [Figure 21] It is a diagram showing an example of a label printing screen. [Figure 22] It is a diagram showing an example of the system configuration of the management system according to the third embodiment. [Figure 23] It is a flowchart showing an example of the outgoing flow. [Figure 24] It is a diagram showing an example of a shipping instruction. [Figure 25] It is a diagram showing an example of a smartphone screen. [Figure 26] It is a flowchart showing an example of the incoming flow. [Figure 27] It is a diagram showing an example of a pick-up instruction. [Figure 28] It is a diagram showing an example of a smartphone screen. [Figure 29] It is a diagram showing an example of a smartphone screen. [Figure 30] It is a diagram showing an example of a smartphone screen or the like. [Figure 31] It is a diagram showing an example of a smartphone screen or the like. [Figure 32] It is a diagram showing an example of a smartphone screen. [Figure 33] It is a diagram showing an example of a smartphone screen or the like. [Figure 34] It is a diagram showing an example of a smartphone screen or the like. [Figure 35] It is a diagram showing an example of a smartphone screen. [Figure 36] It is a diagram showing an example of a smartphone screen.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] (First Embodiment) Hereinafter, a management system for temporary capital equipment according to the present embodiment (hereinafter referred to as management system 10) will be described with reference to the drawings. Here, the temporary capital equipment is an article used by workers at a work site when constructing a building. In the present embodiment, a transport cart is mainly used as an example of the temporary capital equipment. However, the temporary capital equipment may be any article as long as it needs to be managed at the work site. For example, the temporary capital equipment includes workbenches and heavy machinery such as forklifts. Figure 1 shows an example of the system configuration of the management system 10 of this embodiment. The management system 10 of this embodiment is mainly deployed or installed at work sites and rental companies. At a work site, there are workers from the construction company acting as the general contractor, and workers from multiple subcontractors (cooperating companies) that have been contracted by the construction company to perform specific tasks. Here, the construction company orders the necessary temporary equipment and materials from the rental company according to the content and scale of the work at the work site, and designates the contractors who will use the delivered temporary equipment and materials and has them use them at the work site. On the other hand, the rental company delivers the temporary equipment and materials according to the orders from the construction company. When delivering the equipment, the rental company manages each piece of temporary equipment and materials by linking it to the contractor who will use it, according to the orders from the construction company.

[0010] The work site is equipped with a smartphone 100 as a portable information terminal and a label printer 400 as a printing device. The smartphone 100 and label printer 400 are intended to be operated at the work site by personnel of the contractors using the temporary equipment. The smartphone 100 is assumed to be owned by the contractor's personnel or the contractor itself. The label printer 400 is assumed to be either rented out by a rental company or owned by the contractor's personnel or the contractor itself. Furthermore, the work site is equipped with a PC (Personal Computer) 300, which serves as an information processing device. The PC 300 is intended to be operated by construction company site supervisors and other personnel in charge, and is intended to be owned by such personnel.

[0011] Meanwhile, the rental company will have a management server 200 installed as a server. The management server 200 may also be configured as a cloud system including multiple information processing devices. A cloud system is a system that includes multiple information processing devices connected via a network, and these devices work together to perform processing, thereby providing various functions. The smartphone 100 and the management server 200 are connected via a network 500 such as the internet. Similarly, the PC 300 and the management server 200 are connected via a network 500 such as the internet.

[0012] Figure 2 shows an example of the configuration of smartphone 100. The smartphone 100 includes a control unit 101, an imaging unit 102, a non-volatile memory 103, a volatile memory 104, an operation unit 105, a display unit 106, a recording medium 107, a communication unit 108, a short-range wireless communication unit 109, a GPS receiver 110, an altimeter 111, and the like. The control unit 101 controls various parts of the smartphone 100 by executing the operating system (OS), which is basic software, in response to operations performed via the operation unit 105. Furthermore, the control unit 101 works in cooperation with the OS to execute applications (hereinafter referred to as "apps"), thereby realizing the flowchart processing described later. The control unit 101 corresponds to an example of terminal-side control means.

[0013] The imaging unit 102 includes a lens and an image sensor, and captures an image of the subject. The imaging unit 102 can capture a 2D code attached to temporary equipment in response to operations via the operation unit 105. The imaging unit 102 corresponds to an example of an imaging means. The non-volatile memory 103 is an electrically erasable and recordable memory. The OS and applications (programs), etc., are stored in the non-volatile memory 103. The volatile memory 104 is a memory used as a work area for the control unit 101. The operation unit 105 receives instructions from the user. The operation unit 105 includes a touch panel which is integrated with the display unit 106. The display unit 106 displays display items and the like to enable interactive operation with the user. In this way, the user can intuitively operate the smartphone 100 using the operation unit 105 and the display unit 106. The recording medium 107 is a recording medium that is detachable from or built into the smartphone 100. The recording medium 107 is, for example, an SD card.

[0014] The communication unit 108 is an interface for sending and receiving data to and from the management server 200 via the network 500. The communication unit 108 corresponds to an example of terminal-side transmitting means and terminal-side receiving means. The short-range wireless communication unit 109 is an interface for sending and receiving data to and from the label printer 400 without going through the network 500. The short-range wireless communication unit 109 can achieve communication using, for example, a wireless LAN communication protocol or a Bluetooth® communication protocol.

[0015] The GPS receiver 110 receives radio waves from multiple satellites. The control unit 101 can obtain location information of the smartphone 100 by calculating the latitude and longitude based on the radio waves received by the GPS receiver 110. However, the control unit 101 may also obtain latitude and longitude information from the network 500 (e.g., a base station) via the communication unit 108. The control unit 101 corresponds to an example of an acquisition means for obtaining latitude and longitude information. The altimeter 111 measures altitude from atmospheric pressure. The control unit 101 can obtain location information of the smartphone 100 by receiving altitude information from the altimeter 111. However, the control unit 101 may also obtain altitude information by calculating the altitude from radio waves received by the GPS receiver 110 or location information received from the network 500 (e.g., a base station). The control unit 101 corresponds to an example of an acquisition means for obtaining altitude information.

[0016] Figure 3 shows an example of the configuration of the management server 200. The management server 200 includes a control unit 201, a non-volatile memory 202, a volatile memory 203, an operation unit 204, a display unit 205, a database 206, a communication unit 207, and the like. The control unit 201 controls various parts of the management server 200 by executing a program stored in the non-volatile memory 202. Furthermore, the control unit 201 implements the flowchart processing described later by executing the program stored in the non-volatile memory 202. The control unit 201 corresponds to an example of server-side control means.

[0017] Non-volatile memory 202 is electrically erasable and recordable memory. Programs executed by the control unit 201 are stored in non-volatile memory 202. Volatile memory 203 is memory used as a work area for the control unit 201. The control unit 204 receives instructions from the user. The control unit 204 is, for example, a keyboard, mouse, etc. The display unit 205 displays the results executed by the control unit 201. The display unit 205 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, etc. Database 206 stores the databases necessary for implementing the management system 10. Database 206 stores individual identification number databases, product management databases, field databases, delivery slip databases, etc. Database 206 may also be configured as a database server. Database 206 corresponds to an example of a recording means. The communication unit 207 is an interface for sending and receiving data between the smartphone 100 or PC 300 via the network 500. The communication unit 207 corresponds to an example of server-side transmitting means and server-side receiving means.

[0018] Figure 4 shows an example of the configuration of the PC300. The PC300 includes a control unit 301, a non-volatile memory 302, a volatile memory 303, an operation unit 304, a display unit 305, a recording medium 306, a communication unit 307, and the like. For example, a mobile PC can be used as the PC300. The control unit 301 controls various parts of the PC 300 by executing a program stored in the non-volatile memory 302. Furthermore, the control unit 301 implements the flowchart processing described later by executing the program stored in the non-volatile memory 302.

[0019] The non-volatile memory 302 is an electrically erasable and recordable memory. The non-volatile memory 302 stores programs and other data executed by the control unit 301. The volatile memory 303 is used as a workspace for the control unit 301. The operation unit 304 receives instructions from the user. The operation unit 304 is, for example, a keyboard, mouse, etc. The display unit 305 displays the results executed by the control unit 301. The display unit 305 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, etc. The recording medium 306 stores various types of data. The communication unit 307 is an interface for sending and receiving data between the smartphone 100 or the management server 200 via the network 500. The communication unit 307 corresponds to an example of a receiving means.

[0020] Next, we will describe the configuration that is a prerequisite for realizing the management system 10 of this embodiment. Figure 5 shows an example of a transport cart 20 delivered as temporary construction equipment. The transport cart 20 is equipped with an individual identification plate 30 and a contractor label 40, positioned in a location where workers at the work site can easily see them. The individual identification plate 30 is a plate that the rental company attaches to the temporary equipment. The individual identification plate 30 displays a two-dimensional code 31 and an individual identification number 32. The two-dimensional code 31 and the individual identification number 32 correspond to an example of individual identification information for identifying temporary equipment. Here, the two-dimensional code 31 and the individual identification number 32 are the same information. That is, if the two-dimensional code 31 is expressed numerically, it can be represented by the individual identification number 32, and conversely, if the individual identification number 32 is expressed as a code, it can be represented by the two-dimensional code 31. The two-dimensional code 31 and the individual identification number 32 remain the same and unchangeable from the time the temporary equipment is manufactured until it is discarded. Furthermore, the two-dimensional code 31 and the individual identification number 32 are uniquely assigned to the temporary equipment, and the same two-dimensional code 31 and individual identification number 32 are not assigned to different temporary equipment. Therefore, the two-dimensional code 31 and the individual identification number 32 can be used to uniquely identify the temporary equipment. Furthermore, since the two-dimensional code 31 and the individual identification number 32 remain the same until the temporary equipment is discarded, the individual identification plate 30 is fixed to the temporary equipment so that it does not detach during normal use.

[0021] Figure 6 shows an example of the individual identification number DB600, in which individual identification numbers are managed. The individual identification number DB600 is stored in database 206 of management server 200. Individual identification number 601 contains information about the temporary equipment's product name 602, manufacturing year 603, manufacturer 604, and serial number 605. For example, individual identification number "03514S1234" contains information about the product name "Transport Cart 1200 Type", manufacturing year "2014", manufacturer "*** Factory", and serial number "1234". In this way, individual identification number 601 can be used to uniquely identify temporary equipment, and by referring to the individual identification number DB600, information about the product name, manufacturing year, and manufacturer can be obtained.

[0022] Returning to Figure 5, let's explain the contractor label 40. The contractor label 40 is affixed by the rental company when the temporary equipment is delivered to the work site. The contractor label 40 is a label that can be affixed to identify the contractor using the temporary equipment at the work site. The contractor label 40 displays the product name 41 of the temporary equipment, the name of the construction company 42, the contractor using the temporary equipment 43, a QR code (registered trademark) 44, and the invoice item number 45. The QR code 44 and the invoice item number 45 are the same information. That is, if the QR code 44 is written as numbers, it can be represented by the invoice item number 45, and conversely, if the invoice item number 45 is written as a code, it can be represented by the QR code 44. Here, we will briefly explain the process from when a rental company receives an order for temporary construction equipment from a construction company, to when it attaches a vendor label 40 to the equipment and delivers it. First, the rental company creates an order slip in response to the construction company's order, and then prepares the temporary construction equipment and materials from the warehouse according to the created order slip and gets ready for shipment. The construction company's order includes information such as the construction company's name, the site name, the product name and quantity of the temporary construction equipment and materials, and the shipment date. If the contractor who will be using the temporary construction equipment and materials has been decided, the contractor's name will also be included.

[0023] Next, the rental company prepares a delivery slip for the delivery of the temporary equipment and materials. Figure 7 shows an example of a delivery slip 700 in the process of being created. Delivery slip 700 includes the order number, order date, shipment date, construction company name, and site name. The details of delivery slip 700 include item number 701, product code 702, temporary equipment product name 703, quantity 704, supplier name 705, and individual identification number 706. Product code 702 is a numerical representation of the temporary equipment product name. Here, because it is unknown which individual identification number corresponds to the temporary equipment being shipped until shipment, the individual identification number 706 is left blank in the in-progress delivery slip 700. Next, the rental company creates vendor labels 40 to be attached to the temporary construction equipment using the information from the in-progress delivery slip 700. Specifically, the rental company prints the product name 41, construction company name 42, and vendor 43 on the vendor label 40 from the information on the in-progress delivery slip 700. The QR code 44 and the slip detail number 45 on the vendor label 40 are based on the order number, item number 701, etc., of the in-progress delivery slip 700. For example, the number in the slip detail number 45 shown in Figure 5 indicates that it is item number "1" of slip number "333444" shown in Figure 7. In other words, the number in the slip detail number 45 is a unique number assigned to each slip and to each line of each slip. The rental company then attaches the printed vendor labels 40 to the temporary construction equipment that is actually being shipped. Therefore, as shown in Figure 5, the temporary equipment is fitted with an individual identification plate 30 and a contractor label 40.

[0024] Next, the rental company uses a code reader to read the 2D code 31 on the individual identification plate 30 and the QR code 44 on the vendor label 40 attached to the temporary equipment being shipped, and sends them to the management server 200. As a result, the control unit 201 of the management server 200 receives the individual identification number and the invoice detail number of the temporary equipment. The control unit 201 extracts the incomplete delivery slip 700 from the invoice detail number. The control unit 201 also identifies the item number from the invoice detail number and outputs the received individual identification number to the blank individual identification number 706 for the identified item number. By reading the 2D code 31 on the individual identification plate 30 and the QR code 44 on the vendor label 40 for all the temporary equipment being shipped, the control unit 201 outputs the received individual identification number to the individual identification number 706 as shown by the arrow in Figure 7. By outputting the individual identification number, the delivery slip 700 is completed. Furthermore, since the contractor to be used is identified by the contractor name 705, the temporary equipment corresponding to the individual identification number is linked to the contractor using it. The rental company dispatches the temporary equipment, which has the 2D code 31 on the individual identification plate 30 and the QR code 44 on the contractor label 40 attached, and delivers it to the ordering construction company along with the completed delivery slip 700. The control unit 201 of the management server 200 records the completed delivery slip in the delivery slip DB and manages it in the database 206.

[0025] Furthermore, the rental company's management server 200 creates a product management database for each site based on the completed delivery slips 700 and manages it in database 206. Figure 8 shows an example of the product management DB800. The product management DB800 records product code 801, product name 802, dispatch date 803, receipt date 804, supplier name 805, individual identification number 806, dispatch quantity 807, receipt quantity 808, lost quantity 809, remaining quantity 810, etc. Note that receipt date 804 indicates the month and day when the temporary equipment corresponding to the individual identification number was returned to the rental company after the rental period ended. Here, since none of the temporary equipment is returned, receipt date 804 is blank. Dispatch quantity 807 indicates the number of items that have been dispatched. Here, since it is listed by individual identification number, the dispatch quantity for each is "1". Note that when the management server 200 sorts by product name or supplier name in response to user operations or requests from PC300, the dispatch quantity is added to get the dispatch quantity. Receipt quantity 808 indicates the number of items that have been received. Lost quantity 809 indicates the number of items that have been lost. The remaining number of 810 represents the number obtained by subtracting the number of received items and the number of lost items from the number of items sent out. In this way, the control unit 201 of the management server 200 records and manages the individual identification number and the vendor using it in the product management DB 800 based on the completed delivery slip 700. The control unit 201 manages the product management DB 800 for each work site. That is, the product management DB 800 is linked to the site ID, which will be described later.

[0026] Additionally, the rental company's management server 200 creates a field database and manages it using database 206. Figure 9 shows an example of a field DB900. The site database 900 records site ID 901, site name 902, floor management information 903, building management information 904, contractor name 905, etc. Here, site ID 901 indicates the identification information of the work site. Site name 902 indicates the name of the construction company and the project. Floor management information 903 indicates the altitude of each floor. The server administrator of the rental company records the altitude range of each floor based on the design drawings if there are multiple floors in the project. Building management information 904 indicates the latitude and longitude of each building. The server administrator of the rental company calculates and records the latitude and longitude of each building based on the design drawings and maps if there are multiple buildings in the project. Note that building management information 904 may indicate the area of ​​a building by using multiple latitudes and longitudes. For example, if the building is rectangular in plan view, the area of ​​the building can be indicated by using the latitudes and longitudes of the four vertices. Contractor name 905 indicates the contractor that was contracted by the construction company for the project. The management server 200 or the server administrator records the contractor names based on the contractor names included in the delivery slips 700, or based on the information provided by the construction company.

[0027] <Inventory process> Next, we will describe the case of taking inventory of temporary construction equipment delivered to a work site. In this embodiment, a person in charge of a company using the temporary construction equipment (for example, company A) can take inventory using, for example, their own smartphone 100. The person in charge of the company downloads an application that implements the processing of this embodiment, provided by the rental company, to the smartphone 100 from the network 500 in advance. Therefore, the application is stored in the non-volatile memory 103 of the smartphone 100. Figure 10 is a flowchart showing the processing of smartphones 100 and management servers 200 during inventory. In the flowchart of Figure 10, the processing of management servers 200 is achieved by the control unit 201 executing a program recorded in non-volatile memory 202.

[0028] In S101, a representative of the contractor (Contractor A) using the temporary equipment and materials launches the application via the control unit 105. The control unit 101 of the smartphone 100 launches the application by loading the application stored in the non-volatile memory 103 into the volatile memory 104 in response to the representative's operation. The control unit 101 then displays the top screen on the display unit 106. Figure 11 shows an example of the top screen 120 displayed on the display unit 106. The top screen 120 shown in Figure 11 consists of multiple items. Specifically, the top screen 120 displays items such as Login 121, Vendor Selection 122, Inventory - Product Registration 123, Inventory - Summary Confirmation 124, Vendor Change 125, Label Printing 126, and Homepage 127. When any of these items is selected, the control unit 101 transitions to the screen corresponding to the selected item. If the Homepage 127 item is selected, the control unit 101 launches a browser and displays the designated homepage.

[0029] S102 indicates that the person in charge selects login 121. The control unit 101 of the smartphone 100 displays the login screen on the display unit 106 according to the selection of login 121. Figure 12 shows an example of the login screen 130 displayed on the display unit 106. The login screen 130 shown in Figure 12 displays a field for entering a site ID 131, a field for entering a password 132, and a login button 133. The person in charge enters the previously obtained site ID and password into the site ID input field 131 and password input field 132 to log in, and then selects the login button 133. The control unit 101 of the smartphone 100 transmits the site ID and password information to the management server 200 via the communication unit 108 in response to the selection of the login button 133.

[0030] In S201, the control unit 201 of the management server 200 receives site ID and password information from the smartphone 100 and performs login authentication. The site DB 900 stored in the database 206 has passwords set according to the site ID. Therefore, the control unit 201 performs login authentication based on the site DB 900. If authentication is successful, the control unit 201 sends information from the site DB 900 to the smartphone 100, including the site name corresponding to the site ID, the names of multiple contractors using temporary equipment and materials at the site, floor information, and building information. Here, the information sent as floor information is information about the floors that make up the site (for example, 1F to 20F). The information sent as building information is information about the buildings that make up the site (for example, Building 1 to Building 3, West Building, South Building). The control unit 101 of the smartphone 100 records the information sent from the management server 200 in the non-volatile memory 103 or volatile memory 104. Furthermore, if authentication fails, the control unit 201 of the management server 200 will refrain from executing any processing in response to the operation from the smartphone 100 until authentication is successful.

[0031] In S103, the person in charge selects a vendor selection 122 from the top screen 120. The control unit 101 of the smartphone 100 displays the vendor selection screen according to the selection of vendor selection 122. Figure 13 shows an example of the vendor selection screen 140. The contractor selection screen 140 shown in Figure 13 displays the site name 141, contractor input field 142, password input field 143, and send button 144. The control unit 101 of the smartphone 100 displays the site name information sent from the management server 200 in S201 in the site name field 141. The control unit 101 also displays all the contractor names sent from the management server 200 in S201 in the contractor input field 142, allowing selection via a pop-up menu. For example, if the site ID in the site DB 900 has information for contractors A, B, and C, the contractor input field 142 will display a selection of contractor A, B, or C. The person in charge enters their vendor's name in the vendor input field 142, and enters the vendor's password, which they have obtained in advance, in the password input field 143 to authenticate the vendor, and then selects the send button 144. The control unit 101 of the smartphone 100 sends the vendor name and password information to the management server 200 via the communication unit 108.

[0032] In S202, the control unit 201 of the management server 200 receives vendor name and password information from the smartphone 100 and authenticates the vendor. The site DB 900 stored in the database 206 has a password set for each vendor recorded in the site ID. Therefore, the control unit 201 authenticates the vendor based on the site DB 900. If the control unit 201 succeeds in authenticating the vendor, it sends a message to the smartphone 100 indicating that authentication has been successful. On the other hand, if the vendor authentication fails, the control unit 201 refrains from executing any processing in response to the operation from the smartphone 100 until it succeeds. Thus, the reason for sending the site ID during login authentication is that the same contractor may exist at different work sites. In other words, since the management of temporary equipment and materials is carried out on a work site-by-work site basis, it can be limited to the management of temporary equipment and materials at that particular work site.

[0033] In S104, the person in charge selects Inventory - Product Registration 123 from the top screen 120. The control unit 101 of the smartphone 100 displays the product registration screen. The person in charge registers the temporary equipment to be inventoryed from the product registration screen. Figure 14 shows an example of the product registration screen 150. The product registration screen 150 shown in Figure 14 displays a photo display unit 151, an individual identification number display unit 152, an individual identification number input field 153, a floor input field 154, a building input field 155, and a send button 156. The image display unit 151 displays images taken by the person in charge using the image capture unit 102 of the smartphone 100. Specifically, the person in charge takes a picture of the 2D code attached to the temporary equipment being inventoryed using the image capture unit 102, and the control unit 101 displays the image of the captured 2D code on the image display unit 151. The individual identification number display unit 152 displays the individual identification number, which the control unit 101 has converted from the 2D code into a number. The control unit 101 converts from the 2D code to the individual identification number according to the application. The individual identification number input field 153 is a field for the person in charge to directly input the individual identification number when the 2D code attached to the temporary equipment is dirty or otherwise cannot be photographed. The floor input field 154 is a field for inputting the floor on which the temporary equipment with the photographed 2D code is located. The control unit 101 displays the floor information (e.g., 1F~20) transmitted from the management server 200 in S201 in the floor input field 154 so that it can be selected using a so-called pop-up menu. The building input field 155 is a field for inputting the building where the temporary equipment with the photographed 2D code is located. The control unit 101 displays the building information (for example, Building 1 to Building 3) transmitted from the management server 200 in S201 in the building input field 155 so that it can be selected using a so-called pop-up menu. If floor information or building information has not been transmitted from the management server 200 in S201, the control unit 101 may allow direct input in the floor input field 154 or building input field 155, or it may choose not to display the floor input field 154 or building input field 155. The person in charge, for example, focuses on the contractor's label and uses the imaging unit 102 to photograph the 2D code of the temporary equipment used by their contractor. They then input the floor and building where the temporary equipment is located and select the transmit button 156. The control unit 101 of the smartphone 100 transmits the individual identification number information, floor information, and building information to the management server 200 via the communication unit 108. The floor information and building information correspond to an example of location information. In S105, the person in charge determines whether to finish scanning the 2D code. If not, they repeat the process in S104 for the temporary equipment used by their contractor. If they do finish, they proceed to S106.

[0034] In S203, the control unit 201 of the management server 200 identifies the type of temporary equipment (product) from the individual identification number information received from the smartphone 100, based on the product management DB 800 stored in the database 206. The control unit 201 counts and aggregates the number of each type of temporary equipment (each product) identified. Furthermore, the control unit 201 counts and aggregates the number of each type of temporary equipment, and also for each building and floor, based on the floor information and building information received from the smartphone 100. The control unit 201 aggregates the counted numbers and creates an aggregation table. The aggregation table corresponds to an example of the aggregated information. The control unit 201 identifies the vendor based on the individual identification number information received from the smartphone 100, using the product management DB 800 stored in the database 206. The control unit 201 counts only the identified vendor if it matches the vendor authenticated in S202, and does not count if they do not match. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the system from counting a case where a person in charge mistakenly photographs the 2D code of temporary equipment used by a different vendor. Furthermore, the control unit 201 of the management server 200 records the individual identification number that has been counted once in the non-volatile memory 103 or volatile memory 104, and refrains from counting if information with the same individual identification number is received. Therefore, even if a person in charge photographs the 2D code of the same temporary equipment more than once, or if different people in charge photograph the 2D code of the same temporary equipment, it is possible to prevent the count from being duplicated.

[0035] Figure 15 shows an example of a summary table 160 that has been counted and compiled by the control unit 201. The summary table 160 shown in Figure 15 aggregates the following information for each rental company regarding temporary equipment and materials: product name 161, number of rentals 162, number of completed projects 163, number of uncompleted projects 164, progress rate 165, and number of projects completed this time 166. The number of rentals 162 is the total number of items rented to the company in question. The control unit 201 retrieves the number of rentals by filtering the product management DB 800 by product name 802 and company name 805, etc., and outputs the retrieved number of rentals. The number of completed projects 163 is the number counted for each type of temporary equipment and materials based on the individual identification number information received from the smartphone 100. Here, the breakdown of the number of completed projects 163 is output by building and floor. The control unit 201 also outputs the number counted by building and floor based on the floor and building information received from the smartphone 100. The number of uncompleted projects 164 is the number obtained by subtracting the number of completed projects 163 from the number of rentals 162. The progress rate of 165 is calculated by dividing the number of actions taken (163) by the number of actions taken (162) and multiplying by 100. The control unit 201 calculates and outputs the number of unactiond actions (164) and the progress rate of 165. The number of actions taken this time (166) is the number counted for each type of temporary equipment from the time the person in charge started taking pictures of the 2D code with the imaging unit 102 in S104 until the shooting was completed in S105. In other words, inventory may be taken by the person in charge at intervals of time or days, and the control unit 201 outputs the number counted this time. If the control unit 201 receives information from the smartphone 100, for example, that it has logged out, it resets the number of actions taken this time (166), and adds the number counted this time to the number of actions taken this time (166) until it is reset.

[0036] In S106, the person in charge selects Inventory - Summary Confirmation 124 from the top screen 120. The control unit 101 of the smartphone 100 displays the summary screen. Figure 16 shows an example of the aggregation screen 170. The summary screen 170 shown in Figure 16 displays a button to obtain the latest information 171, a summary display section 172, and a location input field 173. The "Get Latest Information" button 171 is selected when you want to check the latest summary. The summary display unit 172 displays the summary table. Until the "Get Latest Information" button 171 is selected, the control unit 101 of the smartphone 100 displays the information of the previous summary table, which is stored in the non-volatile memory 103 or volatile memory 104, on the summary display unit 172. The location input field 173 is a field for entering the building and floor when you want to know the number of activities performed for each building and floor. Based on the building and floor information in the summary table, the control unit 101 displays the building and floor information (for example, Building 1, 2F, Building 1 2F, Building 1 3F, etc.) so that it can be selected using a so-called pop-up menu. If nothing is selected in the location input field 173, the control unit 101 displays the overall summary table as shown in Figure 16, and if a building and floor are selected, it displays the number of activities performed for each selected building and floor. The person in charge selects the latest information acquisition button 171 to check the latest summary. The control unit 101 of the smartphone 100 sends information requesting the latest summary to the management server 200 via the communication unit 108.

[0037] In S204, the control unit 201 of the management server 200 transmits the summary table information compiled in S203 to the smartphone 100 via the communication unit 207, in response to the latest summary request information received from the smartphone 100. In S107, the control unit 101 of the smartphone 100 receives the summary table information transmitted from the management server 200, records it in the non-volatile memory 103 or volatile memory 104, and displays it on the summary display unit 172 of the display unit 106. Therefore, the person in charge can check the inventory results on the display unit 106 of the smartphone 100. Furthermore, if the number of uncompleted items in the summary table is not zero, i.e., the progress rate is not 100%, the person in charge can determine that there are temporary construction materials and equipment that have not been inventoryed. Therefore, the person in charge can find the temporary construction materials and equipment that have not been inventoryed as needed and repeat the process from S104 to S107. On the other hand, if the number of uncompleted items in the summary table is zero, i.e., the progress rate is 100%, the person in charge can determine that all the temporary construction materials and equipment used by their own contractor exist. In this case, in response to the person in charge's operation to reset the inventory via the operation unit 105, the control unit 101 of the smartphone 100 sends information to reset the inventory to the management server 200. Upon receiving the information to reset the inventory, the control unit 201 of the management server 200 records the summary table 160 as the summary history and resets the number of completed items 163, the number of uncompleted items 164, the progress rate 165, and the number of items completed this time 166 in preparation for the next inventory.

[0038] According to the management system 10 of this embodiment, when taking inventory of temporary construction equipment, a smartphone 100 is used to take a photograph to obtain individual identification information attached to the temporary construction equipment, and the obtained individual identification information is sent to the management server 200, which then counts the number of each piece of temporary construction equipment. Therefore, since inventory of temporary construction equipment can be performed without any effort, temporary construction equipment can be easily managed. According to the management system 10 of this embodiment, a portable information terminal such as a smartphone 100 equipped with functions for taking pictures and communicating can be used for inventory taking without requiring any special equipment. Therefore, contractors using temporary construction equipment can take inventory themselves. Consequently, temporary construction equipment can be managed in real time at the work site without having to wait for periodic inventory taking by the rental company.

[0039] <Process for changing service providers> Next, we will explain the case where the contractor using temporary equipment and materials delivered to the work site is changed. As the construction period progresses, the content of the work changes, and the contractors undertaking the work change. In such cases, it may be necessary to change the contractor using the temporary equipment and materials. In this embodiment, the person in charge of the contractor (Contractor B) that will be using the temporary equipment and materials can change the contractor using the temporary equipment and materials, for example, by using their own smartphone 100. Figure 17 is a flowchart showing the processes of the smartphone 100, management server 200, and PC 300 during a change of service provider. In the flowchart of Figure 17, the processing of the management server 200 is achieved by the control unit 201 executing a program stored in the non-volatile memory 202. Similarly, the processing of the PC 300 is achieved by the control unit 301 executing a program stored in the non-volatile memory 302.

[0040] In S111, the person in charge of the contractor (Contractor B) who will be using the temporary equipment and materials will launch the application via the control unit 105. This process is the same as the process in S101 in Figure 10. In S112, the person in charge selects login 121. This process is the same as S102 in Figure 10. In S211, the control unit 201 of the management server 200 receives the field ID and password information from the smartphone 100 and performs login authentication. This process is the same as the process in S201 in Figure 10. In S113, the person in charge selects a vendor from the top screen 120 (Vendor Selection 122). This process is the same as S103 in Figure 10. In S212, the control unit 201 of the management server 200 receives the vendor name and password information from the smartphone 100 and performs vendor authentication. This process is the same as the process in S202 in Figure 10.

[0041] In S114, the person in charge selects "Change Vendor" 125 from the top screen 120. The control unit 101 of the smartphone 100 displays the product registration screen. The person in charge registers the temporary equipment and materials for which they want to change the vendor from the product registration screen. Here, the product registration screen can be the same as the product registration screen 150 in Figure 14. However, if the vendor change 125 is selected, the control unit 101 may hide the floor input field 154 and the building input field 155 of the product registration screen 150 in Figure 14. The person in charge uses the imaging unit 102 to photograph the 2D code of the temporary equipment to be used by their contractor and selects the transmit button 156. The control unit 101 of the smartphone 100 transmits the individual identification number information to the management server 200 via the communication unit 108.

[0042] In S213, the control unit 201 of the management server 200 obtains information about the changes to be made based on the individual identification number information received from the smartphone 100. Specifically, the control unit 201 obtains information about temporary equipment and materials and the contractors currently in use, associated with the individual identification number, from the product management DB 800 stored in the database 206. The control unit 201 of the management server 200 also obtains information about all contractors associated with the site ID received in S211 from the site DB 900 stored in the database 206. Next, the control unit 201 of the management server 200 sends the obtained information about temporary equipment and materials, the contractors currently in use, and all contractors associated with the site ID to the smartphone 100. In step S115, the control unit 101 of the smartphone 100 receives information about the changes to be made from the management server 200, records it in the non-volatile memory 103 or volatile memory 104, and displays the vendor change screen on the display unit 106.

[0043] Figure 18 shows an example of the vendor change screen 180. The vendor change screen 180 shown in Figure 18 displays a change details display section 181 and a send button 187. The change details display section 181 displays the date 182, individual identification number 183, product name 184, previous vendor 185, and input field 186 for the new vendor. The control unit 101 of smartphone 100 displays today's date in date 182. The control unit 101 also displays the individual identification number transmitted in S114 in individual identification number 183. The control unit 101 also displays the temporary equipment and materials and the currently used contractors transmitted from the management server 200 in S213 in product name 184 and previous contractor 185. The control unit 101 also displays the information of all contractors transmitted from the management server 200 in S213 in the changed contractor input field 186, allowing selection via a so-called pop-up menu. At this time, the control unit 101 initially displays the contractor selected in S113 in the contractor input field 186. Therefore, in this case, contractor B is displayed first in the changed contractor input field 186. The reason why the changed contractor input field 186 allows selection of information of all contractors associated with the site ID is that the person in charge of the currently used contractor or the site supervisor of the construction company may change contractors.

[0044] In S116, the person in charge decides whether to terminate the vendor change. If not, the process in S114 and S115 is repeated. If the process in S114 and S115 is repeated, the control unit 101 displays the change details display unit 181 side by side as shown in Figure 18. If the vendor change is terminated, the person in charge confirms that the change details displayed on the change details display unit 181 are correct and selects the send button 187. The control unit 101 transmits the individual identification number information and the information of the changed vendor to the management server 200 via the communication unit 108. In S214, the control unit 201 of the management server 200 receives information on the individual identification number and the information on the changed vendor. The control unit 201 confirms the change in vendor by changing the vendor information associated with the received individual identification number in the product management DB 800 stored in the database 206 to the information on the changed vendor. The control unit 201 also creates and records a history of vendor changes and changes the vendor information associated with the received individual identification number in the delivery slips recorded in the delivery slip DB of the database 206 to the information on the changed vendor.

[0045] Next, we will explain the process for checking the current status of equipment rentals. There are cases where it is necessary to confirm whether the contractor using the temporary equipment has been correctly changed due to a change in the contractor. In this embodiment, a person in charge, such as a site supervisor at a construction company, can check the equipment rental status using, for example, the PC300. In S311, the control unit 301 of the PC 300 launches a browser in response to user input and accesses the management server 200. At this time, the control unit 301 transmits the field ID and password information to the management server 200 via the communication unit 307, similar to S112 described above. In S312, the control unit 301 of the PC 300 requests a product loan list from the management server 200 in response to user operation. At this time, the control unit 301 can add item-specific information that the user wishes to check to the request. Here, the item-specific information that the user wishes to check may include, for example, information by product, by vendor, or by individual identification number. The control unit 301 transmits the product loan list request and the item-specific information to the management server 200 via the communication unit 307.

[0046] In S215, the control unit 201 of the management server 200 receives a request for a product loan list and item-specific information from the PC 300. In response to the request for a product loan list, the control unit 201 rearranges the product management DB 800 stored in the database 206 according to the items and creates a product loan list. Since the product management DB 800 is managed for each site ID, the control unit 201 creates the product loan list from the product management DB 800 associated with the site ID transmitted in S311. Next, the control unit 201 transmits the information of the created product loan list to the PC 300 via the communication unit 207. In S313, the control unit 301 of the PC300 receives the information from the product loan list and displays it on the display unit 305. Figure 19 shows an example of a product rental list 190 sorted by vendor. The product loan list 190 shown in Figure 19 displays product code 191, product name 192, supplier name 193, number of items dispatched 194, number of items received 195, number of items lost 196, and number of items remaining 197. Therefore, site supervisors and other personnel can check the product loan status of temporary equipment and materials at the work site using the display unit 305 of the PC300.

[0047] According to the management system 10 of this embodiment, when changing the contractor using temporary construction equipment, the user takes a photograph using a smartphone 100 to obtain the individual identification information attached to the temporary construction equipment, and then transmits the obtained individual identification information and the information of the contractor to be changed to the management server 200, which then changes the contractor using the temporary construction equipment. Therefore, since the contractor using the equipment can be changed without any hassle, temporary construction equipment can be easily managed. According to the management system 10 of this embodiment, a portable information terminal such as a smartphone 100 equipped with functions for taking pictures and communicating can be used to change service providers without requiring any special equipment, so that the service provider can change service providers themselves.

[0048] <Label printing process> Next, we will explain the case where the contractor using the temporary equipment is changed, and the new contractor prints the contractor label. If the contractor label remains with the previous contractor's name even after the contractor using the temporary equipment is changed, it is difficult to identify which contractor is using it. In this embodiment, the person in charge of the contractor (Contractor B) that changed the contractor using the temporary equipment can, for example, use their own smartphone 100 to instruct the label printer 400 to print. It is assumed that the smartphone 100 and the label printer 400 have been paired in advance, and that the label printer 400 is configured to print information transmitted via the smartphone 100's short-range wireless communication unit 109. Figure 20 is a flowchart showing the processes of the smartphone 100, management server 200, and label printer 400 in label printing. In the flowchart of Figure 20, the process of the management server 200 is realized by the control unit 201 executing a program stored in the non-volatile memory 202.

[0049] In S121, the person in charge of the label printing company (Company B) launches the application via the operation unit 105. This process is the same as the process in S101 in Figure 10. In S122, the person in charge selects login 121. This process is the same as S102 in Figure 10. In S221, the control unit 201 of the management server 200 receives the field ID and password information from the smartphone 100 and performs login authentication. This process is the same as the process in S201 of Figure 10. In S123, the person in charge selects a vendor from the top screen 120 (Vendor Selection 122). This process is the same as S103 in Figure 10. In S222, the control unit 201 of the management server 200 receives the vendor name and password information from the smartphone 100 and performs vendor authentication. This process is the same as the process in S202 in Figure 10.

[0050] In S124, the person in charge selects label printing 126 from the top screen 120. The control unit 101 of the smartphone 100 displays the label printing registration screen. The person in charge registers the temporary equipment to which the contractor labels will be replaced from the label printing registration screen. Here, the label printing registration screen can use the same screen as the product registration screen 150 in Figure 14. However, if label printing 126 is selected, the control unit 101 may hide the floor input field 154 and the building input field 155 in the product registration screen 150 in Figure 14. The person in charge uses the imaging unit 102 to photograph the 2D code on the temporary equipment to which the contractor's label is to be replaced, and then selects the transmit button 156. The control unit 101 of the smartphone 100 transmits the individual identification number information to the management server 200 via the communication unit 108.

[0051] In S223, the control unit 201 of the management server 200 creates print content based on the individual identification number information received from the smartphone 100. The print content corresponds to an example of print information. Specifically, the control unit 201 retrieves information on temporary equipment and vendors associated with the individual identification number from the product management DB 800 stored in the database 206. The control unit 201 also retrieves the delivery slip detail number and QR code information corresponding to the individual identification number from the delivery slip DB stored in the database 206. If a QR code is not recorded in the delivery slip DB, the control unit 201 identifies the delivery slip detail number from the individual identification number based on the delivery slip 700 and retrieves the QR code from the identified delivery slip detail number. Here, among the information retrieved by the control unit 201, the temporary equipment, delivery slip detail number, and QR code are identical to the print content on the vendor label attached to the temporary equipment. Next, the control unit 201 of the management server 200 transmits the acquired information on temporary equipment, contractors, invoice details number, and QR code to the smartphone 100 as the content to be printed on the label. Furthermore, if the control unit 201 of the management server 200 has not performed vendor authentication in S212, it retrieves information on all vendors associated with the site ID received in S122 from the site DB 900 stored in the database 206, and also sends the information on all vendors to the smartphone 100. In step S125, the control unit 101 of the smartphone 100 receives the label print content transmitted from the management server 200, records it in the non-volatile memory 103 or volatile memory 104, and displays the label print screen on the display unit 106.

[0052] Figure 21 shows an example of the label printing screen 210. The label printing screen 210 shown in Figure 21 displays a vendor input field 211, a print quantity input field 212, and a label printing button 213. The control unit 101 of the smartphone 100 displays the information of the transmitted contractor in the contractor input field 211 if only one contractor's information has been transmitted from the management server 200 in S213. On the other hand, if the control unit 101 has also transmitted information of all contractors associated with the site ID, it displays the information of all contractors so that they can be selected using a pop-up menu. In this case, the control unit 101 first displays the information of the contractor associated with the individual identification number in the product management DB 800 in the contractor input field 211. The reason why the information of all contractors associated with the site ID can be selected in the contractor input field 211 is that a person in charge such as a site supervisor at a construction company may print the labels. In addition, the control unit 101 displays the number of copies to print in the print quantity input field 212 so that the number of copies to print can be entered. Since multiple contractor labels may be attached to a single piece of temporary equipment, the number of copies to print can be entered for two or more copies.

[0053] The person in charge confirms that the print content displayed on the label printing screen 210 is correct and selects the label printing button 213. The control unit 101 of the smartphone 100 transmits information on temporary equipment, invoice detail number, QR code, vendor information entered in the vendor input field 211, and the number of prints entered in the print quantity input field 212 to the label printer 400 via the short-range wireless communication unit 109. In S401, the label printer 400 prints vendor labels based on the print content sent from the smartphone 100. Specifically, the label printer 400 prints the temporary equipment, vendor, invoice detail number, and QR code for the number of copies sent. The person in charge replaces the vendor labels printed by the label printer 400 onto the temporary equipment. In S127, the person in charge determines whether to finish printing the labels. If not, they repeat the processes in S124, S125, and S126 to replace the printed vendor labels with the temporary equipment. In this way, when the vendor using the temporary equipment changes, the vendor using it can be identified by printing and replacing the labels.

[0054] According to the management system 10 of this embodiment, when replacing the contractor label attached to temporary construction equipment, a smartphone 100 is used to take a photograph to obtain the individual identification information attached to the temporary construction equipment, and the obtained individual identification information is sent to the management server 200, which then creates the print content for printing the contractor label. Therefore, since the print content for printing on the contractor label can be created without any effort, the contractor label can be easily printed. According to the management system 10 of this embodiment, a portable information terminal such as a smartphone 100 equipped with functions for taking pictures and communicating can be used to replace the vendor label without requiring any special equipment, so vendors can print and replace the vendor label themselves.

[0055] (Second Embodiment) In the inventory process of the first embodiment, the case where the person in charge inputs the floor and building where the temporary equipment is located from the floor input field 154 and building input field 155 of the product registration screen 150 shown in Figure 14 was described. In this embodiment, the case where the control unit 101 of the smartphone 100 transmits the floor information and building information to the management server 200 via the communication unit 108 without the person in charge inputting the floor and building where the temporary equipment is located will be described. The same flowchart shown in Figure 10 can be used for the inventory process in this embodiment. Here, we will focus on explaining steps S104 and S203, which differ from the process in the first embodiment.

[0056] In S104, the person in charge selects Inventory - Product Registration 123 from the top screen 120. The control unit 101 of the smartphone 100 displays the product registration screen. The person in charge registers the temporary equipment to be inventoryed from the product registration screen. The product registration screen in this embodiment is the screen in Figure 14 with the floor input field 154 and building input field 155 hidden. The person in charge uses the imaging unit 102 to photograph the 2D code of the temporary equipment used by their contractor and selects the transmit button 156. At this point, the control unit 101 of the smartphone 100 acquires latitude and longitude information based on the radio waves received by the GPS receiver 110. The control unit 101 also acquires altitude information from the altimeter 111. The control unit 101 transmits individual identification number information, latitude and longitude information, and altitude information to the management server 200 via the communication unit 108. The latitude and longitude information corresponds to an example of location information where the temporary equipment whose 2D code was photographed is located. The altitude information corresponds to an example of location information where the temporary equipment whose 2D code was photographed is located.

[0057] In S203, the control unit 201 of the management server 200 counts and aggregates the number of each type of temporary equipment based on the individual identification number information received from the smartphone 100. Furthermore, the control unit 201 obtains building information from the received latitude and longitude information. Specifically, the control unit 201 refers to the building management information 904 associated with the site ID received by S201 from the site DB 900 stored in the database 206. Based on the building management information 904, the control unit 201 identifies the building corresponding to the received latitude and longitude. For example, the control unit 201 identifies the building closest to the received latitude and longitude, or, if a building area is indicated, identifies the building included in the received latitude and longitude. Furthermore, the control unit 201 obtains floor information from the received altitude information. Specifically, the control unit 201 refers to the floor management information 903 associated with the site ID received by S201 from the site DB 900 stored in the database 206. Based on the floor management information 903, the control unit 201 identifies the floor corresponding to the received altitude. For example, in the floor management information corresponding to the site ID "99990001" shown in Figure 9, the control unit 201 identifies the floor as "2F" if the received altitude information is "5.0mm". The control unit 201 counts and aggregates the number of temporary equipment items for each type, and for each specified building and floor. Therefore, the location of temporary equipment items can be determined for each building and floor without the person in charge having to input the floor and building where the temporary equipment items are located.

[0058] According to the management system 10 of this embodiment, the control unit 101 of the smartphone 100 acquires information on the latitude and longitude where the temporary equipment is located, and the control unit 201 of the management server 200 aggregates the number of temporary equipment for each building based on the latitude and longitude information. Therefore, the location of temporary equipment can be determined for each building. Furthermore, according to the management system 10 of this embodiment, the control unit 101 of the smartphone 100 acquires information on the altitude at which temporary equipment is located, and the control unit 201 of the management server 200 aggregates the number of temporary equipment items on each floor based on the altitude information. Therefore, the location of temporary equipment can be determined for each floor.

[0059] In this embodiment of the management system 10, the control unit 101 of the smartphone 100 transmits acquired latitude and longitude information and altitude information to the management server 200, and the control unit 201 of the management server 200 identifies the building and floor. However, this is not the only case. For example, the control unit 101 of the smartphone 100 receives and records building management information 904 and floor management information 903 associated with the site ID from the site DB 900 in advance from the management server 200. Next, the control unit 101 identifies the building corresponding to the latitude and longitude based on the building management information 904. The control unit 101 also identifies the floor corresponding to the altitude information based on the floor management information 903. Next, the control unit 101 transmits the identified building information and floor information, along with the individual identification number information, to the management server 200. The building information and floor information correspond to an example of location information. Through this process, the control unit 201 of the management server 200 can count and aggregate the number of temporary equipment for each type, and for each building and floor.

[0060] In the embodiments described above, the case in which temporary equipment is delivered by one rental company was explained, but this is not limited to this case, and the temporary equipment may be delivered by two or more rental companies. In this case, for example, the individual identification number DB600, which manages the individual identification numbers shown in Figure 6, can include information on the rental company that manages the temporary equipment. Also, for example, the product management DB800, shown in Figure 8, can also include information on the rental company that manages the temporary equipment. Therefore, the control unit 201 of the management server 200 can check the current product rental status for each rental company from the product management DB800 stored in the database 206.

[0061] In the embodiments described above, the rental company has described the case in which it affixes the contractor label 40 to the temporary equipment. However, the company is not limited to this case, and for example, it does not need to affix the label if it is not requested to do so by the construction company that placed the order. In the embodiments described above, a case was explained in which a vendor label 40 to be attached to temporary construction equipment is created using information from a delivery slip 700 that is in the process of being created. However, the invention is not limited to this case, and a vendor label 40 to be attached to temporary construction equipment may also be created using information from an order slip (not shown). The order slip can be, for example, a slip that does not have the individual identification number 706 field among the item number 701, product code 702, product name 703, quantity 704, vendor name 705, and individual identification number 706 of the delivery slip 700.

[0062] In the embodiments described above, the case where one of the individual identification information is a two-dimensional code was explained, but the invention is not limited to this case, and a one-dimensional code may also be used. Furthermore, the case where an individual identification number is transmitted from the smartphone 100 to the management server 200 was explained, but the invention is not limited to this case, and an image of the two-dimensional code may also be transmitted. In this case, the control unit 201 of the management server 200 converts the received image of the two-dimensional code to obtain the individual identification number. In the embodiments described above, the case in which the items managed by the management system 10 are temporary construction materials and equipment was explained, but the invention is not limited to this case, and other items may also be managed. In the embodiments described above, the management system 10 was described as a case where the management server 200 is composed of a single information processing device, but it is not limited to this case. For example, it may be configured by adding a new server to an existing server that manages the delivery slip database, etc. The newly added server is connected in a way that allows communication between it and the smartphone 100 and with the existing server.

[0063] In the embodiments described above, inventory, supplier changes, and label printing were performed by photographing a 2D code attached to temporary construction equipment. However, the invention is not limited to this case, and inventory, supplier changes, and label printing may also be performed by photographing a QR code attached to a supplier label. In this case, information linking the invoice detail number (or QR code) and the individual identification number is stored in the database 206 of the management server 200. The control unit 201 of the management server 200 can perform the above-described processing by converting the invoice detail number (or QR code) transmitted from the smartphone 100 into an individual identification number based on the information stored in the database 206.

[0064] (Third embodiment) In the first and second embodiments, the case where temporary equipment is delivered by a single rental company was described. In this embodiment, the case where other rental companies deliver temporary equipment using the management system 11 is described. Hereinafter, for ease of understanding, the rental company that manages the management server 200 will be referred to as the managing rental company, and other rental companies different from the managing rental company will be referred to as other rental companies. Note that there may be two or more other rental companies, not just one.

[0065] Figure 22 shows an example of the system configuration of the management system 11 of this embodiment. Components similar to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and their descriptions are omitted. Other rental companies offer smartphones 60 as portable information terminals and PCs 70 as information processing devices. Smartphones 60 and PCs 70 are intended to be operated by staff of other rental companies. Furthermore, smartphones 60 and PCs 70 are assumed to be owned by or operated by other rental companies. The configuration of smartphone 60 is the same as that of smartphone 100, as explained in Figure 2. The configuration of PCs 70 is the same as that of PCs 300, as explained in Figure 4.

[0066] As shown in Figure 22, the management rental company may manage the web server connected to the management server 200, and the server system may be configured with the web server and the management server 200. In this case, the smartphones 100 and PC 300 at the work site, and the smartphones 60 and PC 70 of other rental companies will communicate with the management server 200 via the web server, rather than communicating directly with the management server 200. For the sake of ease of understanding, the following explanation will assume that the web server and the management server constitute a single management server 200.

[0067] Assuming that other rental companies will use the management system 11, as shown in Figure 5, individual identification plates 30 are attached to the temporary equipment in a location where workers at the work site can see them. In the first embodiment, the case where the individual identification number includes product name, year of manufacture, and manufacturer information was described. In this embodiment, individual identification numbers already used by other rental companies can be used. However, the individual identification numbers of temporary equipment managed by the managing rental company and the individual identification numbers of temporary equipment managed by other rental companies must not be the same.

[0068] In this embodiment, the individual identification number DB600 shown in Figure 6 manages not only the individual identification numbers of temporary equipment managed by the managing rental company, but also the individual identification numbers of temporary equipment managed by other rental companies. In addition, in the individual identification number DB600 of this embodiment, the rental company's information is also linked to individual identification number 601. Therefore, the managing rental company's information is linked to the individual identification numbers of temporary equipment managed by the managing rental company, and the information of other rental companies is linked to the individual identification numbers of temporary equipment managed by other rental companies. In this case, the management server 200 may receive data in CSV format containing the individual identification numbers of other rental companies and add it to the individual identification number DB 600. Alternatively, the management server 200 may receive data in CSV format containing operational data of temporary equipment and materials from other rental companies (data on temporary equipment and materials being received and dispatched) and add it to the product management DB 800.

[0069] <Process for dispatching goods> Next, we will explain the process of dispatching temporary construction equipment and materials ordered by construction companies from other rental companies. Figure 23 is a flowchart showing the processing performed by the smartphone 60, PC 70, and management server 200 during the outbound shipment process. In S701, the control unit 301 of PC70 launches a browser in response to an operation by a representative of another rental company and accesses the management server 200. If necessary, a login process may be added to send the ID and password information specified by each rental company to the management server 200.

[0070] In S702, a representative from another rental company enters order information into PC70 based on the order from the construction company. The control unit 301 of PC70 registers the order information by sending the entered order information to the management server 200. Here, the order information includes the name of the construction company, the site name, the product name and quantity of the temporary equipment, and the delivery date (dispatch date). If the contractor to use the temporary equipment has been decided, the contractor's name is also included. In S221, the control unit 201 of the management server 200 generates print data for printing the shipping instructions and vendor labels 40 based on the order information received from the PC 70, and sends the generated print data to the PC 70. Here, the print data includes information on the shipping instruction number (barcode image and shipping instruction number) to uniquely identify the shipping instructions. The control unit 201 records the order information and the shipping instruction number information.

[0071] In the S703, the control unit 301 of the PC70 uses the printer connected to the PC70 to print the shipping instructions and vendor labels 40 based on the received print data. If the received print data does not contain vendor name information, the vendor labels 40 will not be printed. Figure 24 shows an example of a shipping instruction sheet 2400. Shipping instruction sheet 2400 includes shipping instruction number 2411, barcode 2412, order date, delivery date (dispatch date), construction company name, site name, etc. The detailed items of shipping instruction sheet 2400 include item number 2401, product code 2402, temporary equipment product name 2403, quantity 2404, and supplier name 2405. If the received print data does not include the supplier name, the supplier name 2405 will be printed blank. Here, shipping instruction number 2411 and barcode 2412 are the same information. That is, shipping instruction number 2411 can be represented by barcode 2412 when expressed as a code, and conversely, barcode 2412 can be represented by shipping instruction number 2411 when expressed as a number.

[0072] Furthermore, the vendor label 40 is identical to that in Figure 5. The product name 41, construction company name 42, and vendor 43 on the vendor label 40 are indicated by print data created based on the order information. In addition, the QR code 44 and the invoice item number 45 on the vendor label 40 are indicated based on the shipping instruction number 2411, item number 2401, etc., of the shipping instruction 2400. For example, the invoice item number 45 is a combination of the numbers from shipping instruction number 2411 and item number 2401. In other words, the number of the invoice item number 45 is a unique number assigned to each shipping instruction and to each piece of temporary equipment included in the shipping instruction. The representative from the other rental company attaches the printed vendor label 40 to the temporary equipment that is actually being shipped out. Therefore, as shown in Figure 5, the temporary equipment will have both the individual identification plate 30 and the vendor label 40 attached to it.

[0073] In S601, a representative from another rental company launches the application via the operation unit 105 of the smartphone 60. Here, it is assumed that the representative operating the smartphone 60 and the representative operating the PC 70 are different people. The control unit 101 of the smartphone 60 launches the application by loading the application stored in the non-volatile memory 103 into the volatile memory 104 in response to the representative's operation. The control unit 101 displays the top screen on the display unit 106. If necessary, a login process may be added to send the ID and password information specified by each rental company to the management server 200. Figure 25(a) shows an example of the top screen 2500 displayed on the display unit 106. In this embodiment, in addition to the items of the top screen 120 shown in Figure 11, the items of outbound shipment 2501 and inbound shipment 2502 are displayed.

[0074] In S602, a representative from another rental company selects "Outbound 2501" from the top screen 2500. The control unit 101 of the smartphone 60 displays the shipping instruction number input screen 2510 in accordance with the selection of "Outbound 2501". Figure 25(b) shows an example of the shipping instruction number input screen 2510. The shipping instruction number input screen 2510 in Figure 25(b) displays the image display unit 2511, the shipping instruction number input field 2512, and the send button 2513. The image display unit 2511 displays an image taken by the person in charge using the image capture unit 102 of the smartphone 60. Specifically, the person in charge takes a picture of the barcode 2412 displayed on the shipping instruction sheet 2400 with the image capture unit 102, and the control unit 101 displays the image of the captured barcode 2412 on the image display unit 2511. The shipping instruction number input field 2512 is a field for the person in charge to directly input the shipping instruction number when the barcode 2412 displayed on the shipping instruction sheet 2400 is not clear enough to take a picture of. In S603, the control unit 101 of the smartphone 60 transmits information about the shipping instruction number (image of barcode 2412 or shipping instruction number) to the management server 200 when the person in charge takes a picture of the barcode 2412 or enters the shipping instruction number and selects the send button 2513.

[0075] In S222, the control unit 201 of the management server 200 identifies the corresponding order information based on the shipping instruction number information received from the smartphone 60. The control unit 201 transmits the quantity information of the temporary equipment included in the order information to the smartphone 60. In addition, if the order information includes the name of the contractor that will use the temporary equipment, the control unit 201 transmits the information including the contractor name to the smartphone 60. In S604, the control unit 101 of the smartphone 60 displays the outbound product registration screen 2520 based on the quantity information of the products received from the management server 200.

[0076] Figure 25(c) shows an example of the outbound product registration screen 2520. The outbound product registration screen 2520 shown in Figure 25(c) displays the shipping instruction number display section 2521, the number of items to be registered display section 2522, the image display section 2523, the individual identification number input field 2524, and the invoice detail number input field 2525. The shipping instruction number display unit 2521 displays the shipping instruction number sent by S603. The registration target quantity display unit 2522 displays the total quantity of temporary equipment to be photographed and the quantity of temporary equipment that has been photographed. Here, "2" is displayed as the total quantity of temporary equipment to be photographed, and "0" is displayed because none have been photographed yet. The quantity of temporary equipment received from the management server 200 is displayed as the total quantity of temporary equipment to be photographed. The image display unit 2523 displays images taken by the person in charge using the image capture unit 102 of the smartphone 60. Specifically, the person in charge takes a picture of the 2D code 31 on the individual identification plate 30 attached to the temporary equipment being shipped, and the QR code 44 on the vendor label 40, and the control unit 101 displays the image of the captured 2D code 31 or QR code 44 on the image display unit 2523. The individual identification number input field 2524 is for the person in charge to directly enter the individual identification number when the 2D code attached to the temporary equipment is dirty or otherwise unusable for photography. Similarly, the invoice detail number input field 2525 is for the person in charge to directly enter the invoice detail number when the QR code 44 on the vendor label 40 is unclear or otherwise unusable for photography. Note that the invoice detail number input field 2525 is displayed when information containing the vendor name is received from the management server 200, and is not displayed when information containing the vendor name is not received.

[0077] The control unit 101 of the smartphone 60 displays a transmission confirmation screen 2530 in response to the person in charge successively taking photos of the 2D code 31 and QR code 44 attached to the temporary equipment, or successively entering the individual identification number and invoice detail number. If the control unit 101 has not received information containing the contractor name from the management server 200, it will display the transmission confirmation screen 2530 in response to the person in charge taking a photo of the 2D code 31 attached to the temporary equipment or entering the individual identification number. If information containing the contractor name has not been received, it means that the temporary equipment does not have a contractor label 40 attached and does not have a QR code 44. Figure 25(d) shows an example of the transmission confirmation screen 2530. Here, the same reference numerals are used for displays similar to those in Figure 25(c). The transmission confirmation screen 2530 shown in Figure 25(d) displays the transmission confirmation selection section 2531. The registration target quantity display section 2522 displays "1" as the quantity for which photography has been completed, since photography has been completed for one piece of temporary equipment.

[0078] In S605, the control unit 101 of the smartphone 60 transmits the individual identification number and invoice detail number information to the management server 200 in response to the person in charge selecting to transmit from the transmission confirmation selection unit 2531. If the control unit 101 has not received information containing the vendor name from the management server 200, it transmits only the individual identification number information to the management server 200. The control unit 101 transmits the individual identification number and invoice detail number information for all temporary equipment to the management server 200 in response to the person in charge's operation. In S223, the control unit 201 of the management server 200 generates print data for printing a delivery slip based on the individual identification number and slip detail number information received from the smartphone 60, and sends the generated print data to the PC 70. In S704, the control unit 301 of PC70 prints a delivery slip based on the received print data. Therefore, a delivery slip 700 as shown in Figure 7 is printed. The control unit 301 also prints the individual identification number corresponding to the slip detail number in the individual identification number 706 field of the delivery slip 700.

[0079] In S224, the control unit 201 of the management server 200 creates or updates a product management DB for each site based on the individual identification number information received from the smartphone 60 and manages it in the database 206. In this embodiment, information on rental companies that manage temporary equipment is also recorded as the product management DB 800 shown in Figure 8. The control unit 201 of the management server 200 can obtain the rental company information that manages temporary equipment from the rental company information linked to individual identification number 601, which is stored in the individual identification number DB 600. Therefore, the control unit 201 of the management server 200 can manage the current inventory summary or product rental status for each rental company from the product management DB 800 stored in the database 206.

[0080] Here, we will describe the case in the first embodiment where a contractor's representative checks the inventory summary for each rental company. In S203 of Figure 10, the control unit 201 of the management server 200 creates a summary table for each rental company. In S107, the control unit 101 of the smartphone 100 receives the summary table information transmitted from the management server 200 and displays it on the summary display unit 172 of the display unit 106. At this time, the control unit 101 can display the summary table for each rental company, for example, according to the selection of the person in charge. Therefore, even if different types of temporary construction equipment or the same type of temporary construction equipment are delivered from multiple rental companies, inventory can be taken for the temporary construction equipment from each rental company. Therefore, the contractor's representative can easily check which rental companies have delivered temporary construction equipment and whether inventory has been completed at this time.

[0081] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, we will describe the case in which a construction company representative checks the rental status of goods for each rental company. In S312 of Figure 17, the control unit 301 of the PC 300 requests a goods rental table from the management server 200 in response to the user's operation. At this time, the representative can input or select the rental company whose goods rental status they wish to check, and the control unit 301 adds the rental company's information to the request. In S215, the control unit 201 of the management server 200 receives the request for the goods rental table and the rental company information from the PC 300. In response to the request for the goods rental table, the control unit 201 sorts the goods management DB 800 stored in the database 206 by rental company and creates a goods rental table. In S313, the control unit 301 of the PC 300 receives the information from the goods rental table and displays it on the display unit 305. The display unit 305 displays a goods rental table 190 for each rental company, as shown in Figure 19. Therefore, the person in charge can easily check whether any temporary equipment delivered by any rental company is currently missing. In this embodiment, the outbound process when another rental company uses the management system 11 has been described, but it is not limited to this case and can be similarly applied when the managing rental company is the one issuing the goods.

[0082] Here, when the temporary construction equipment that has been dispatched is delivered to the site, the construction company's representative may use the smartphone 80 described later to confirm receipt. For example, the construction company's representative uses the smartphone 80 to read the barcode printed on the delivery slip as information on the delivery slip, and sends an image of the read barcode to the management server 200. The management server 200 transmits information about the quantity of temporary construction equipment dispatched based on the information on the received delivery slip to the smartphone 80. The construction company's representative can use the smartphone 80 to photograph the individual identification plates 30 of the delivered temporary construction equipment, and if the quantity of the photographed temporary construction equipment matches the quantity of the received temporary construction equipment, they can confirm that the ordered temporary construction equipment has been delivered.

[0083] <Process for receiving goods> Next, I will explain the process by which other rental companies receive temporary construction equipment and materials that have been returned from construction companies. Figure 26 is a flowchart showing the processing performed by the smartphone 60, PC 70, and management server 200 during the receiving process. In S711, the control unit 301 of PC70 launches a browser in response to an operation by a representative of another rental company and accesses the management server 200. This process is the same as that of S701.

[0084] In S712, a representative from another rental company enters information about the pickup of temporary equipment returned from the construction company into PC70. The control unit 301 of PC70 registers the pickup information by sending the entered pickup information to the management server 200. Here, the pickup information includes the name of the construction company, the site name, the product name and quantity of the temporary equipment, and the date of removal (date of arrival). Note that the contractor's name information is not required.

[0085] In S231, the control unit 201 of the management server 200 generates print data for printing a pickup instruction sheet based on the pickup information received from the PC 70, and sends the generated print data to the PC 70. Here, the print data includes information on the pickup instruction number (barcode image and pickup instruction number) to uniquely identify the pickup instruction sheet. The control unit 201 records the pickup information and the pickup instruction number information.

[0086] In S713, the control unit 301 of PC70 uses the printer connected to PC70 to print a pickup instruction sheet based on the received print data. Figure 27 shows an example of a pickup instruction form 2700. The pickup order form 2700 includes pickup order number 2711, barcode 2712, order date, removal date (receiving date), construction company name, site name, etc. The detailed items of pickup order form 2700 include item number 2701, product code 2702, temporary equipment product name 2703, and quantity 2704. Here, pickup order number 2711 and barcode 2712 are the same information. The pickup order form 2700 does not include the contractor's name.

[0087] In S611, a representative from another rental company launches the application via the control panel 105 of the smartphone 60. This process is the same as in S601, and the top screen 2500 shown in Figure 25(a) is displayed. In S612, a representative from another rental company selects "In-Store 2502" from the top screen 2500. The control unit 101 of the smartphone 60 displays the pickup instruction number input screen 2810 in response to the selection of "In-Store 2502". Figure 28(a) shows an example of the pickup instruction number input screen 2810. The pickup instruction number input screen 2810 in Figure 28(a) displays the image display unit 2811, the pickup instruction number input field 2812, and the transmit button 2813. In S613, the control unit 101 of the smartphone 60 displays an image of the barcode 2712 on the image display unit 2811 when the person in charge photographs the barcode 2712 displayed on the instruction sheet 2700 using the imaging unit 102. Alternatively, the person in charge may directly enter the pickup instruction number into the pickup instruction number input field 2812.

[0088] In S614, the control unit 101 of the smartphone 60 displays the incoming product registration screen 2820 in response to the scanning of the barcode 2712 or the input of the pickup instruction number. Figure 28(b) shows an example of the incoming goods registration screen 2820. The incoming goods registration screen 2820 shown in Figure 28(b) displays the pickup instruction number display unit 2821, the number of items to be registered display unit 2822, the photo display unit 2823, and the send button 2824. The pickup instruction number display unit 2821 displays the pickup instruction number that was photographed or entered in S613. The registration target quantity display unit 2822 displays the quantity of temporary equipment that has been photographed. In this case, "4" is displayed because four pieces of temporary equipment have been photographed. The image display unit 2823 displays images taken by the person in charge using the image capture unit 102 of the smartphone 60. Specifically, the person in charge photographs the 2D code 31 on the individual identification plate 30 attached to the temporary equipment being stored, and the control unit 101 displays the image of the photographed 2D code 31 on the image display unit 2823. Alternatively, a field may be displayed for the person in charge to directly input the individual identification number.

[0089] The control unit 101 of the smartphone 60 displays a transmission confirmation screen 2830 when the person in charge takes a picture of the 2D code 31 attached to the temporary equipment being brought in and selects the transmit button 2825. Figure 28(c) shows an example of the transmission confirmation screen 2830. Here, the same reference numerals are used for displays similar to those in Figure 28(b). The transmission confirmation screen 2830 shown in Figure 28(c) displays the transmission confirmation selection section 2831.

[0090] In S615, the control unit 101 of the smartphone 60 transmits information about the pickup instruction number (barcode image or pickup instruction number) and the individual identification number to the management server 200 when the person in charge selects to transmit from the transmission confirmation selection unit 2831. In S232, the control unit 201 of the management server 200 updates the product management DB based on the individual identification number information received from the smartphone 60. Specifically, the control unit 201 records the actual arrival date in the arrival date 804 item of the product management DB 800, which corresponds to the received individual identification number, and records the number of items shipped 807 as "1", the number of items received 808 as "1", and the remaining number 810 as "0".

[0091] In this first embodiment, at S203 in Figure 10, when the control unit 201 of the management server 200 creates a summary table, it creates a summary table that excludes the temporary equipment and materials that have been received. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the creation of a summary table that includes temporary equipment and materials that have already been received. Furthermore, in S215 of Figure 17 of the first embodiment, when the control unit 201 of the management server 200 creates a product loan list in response to a request for a product loan list, it creates a product loan list that excludes the temporary equipment and materials that have already been received into storage. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the creation of a product loan list that includes temporary equipment and materials that have already been received into storage. In this embodiment, we have described the process of receiving goods when another rental company uses the management system 11, but this is not limited to this case, and the same can be applied when the managing rental company receives the goods.

[0092] (Fourth Embodiment) In the first to third embodiments, the outbound and inbound of temporary construction equipment when a rental company lends temporary construction equipment to a construction company was described. In this embodiment, a system for managing temporary construction equipment is described when a construction company lends out temporary construction equipment it owns to contractors, or when a construction company lends out temporary construction equipment it has borrowed from a rental company to contractors. In the following, for ease of understanding, temporary construction equipment borrowed by a construction company from a rental company will also be described as temporary construction equipment owned by the construction company. The construction company has a smartphone 80 as a portable information terminal. The smartphone 80 is assumed to be owned by a construction company employee or the construction company itself. The configuration of the smartphone 80 is the same as that of the smartphone 100 described in Figure 2.

[0093] <Master Registration> First, the construction company's representative creates a rental company master database, a storage location master database, a product master database, a contractor master database, and an individual item master database. The rental company master database records information about rental companies that lend temporary construction equipment. The storage location master database records information about the locations where the temporary construction equipment is stored. For example, temporary construction equipment may be stored on multiple floors or in multiple buildings, and depending on the work site, there may be multiple storage locations. The product master database records information about the product names of the temporary construction equipment. The contractor master database records information about contractors that rent temporary construction equipment from the construction company. The individual item master database records information about the individual identification number of each piece of temporary construction equipment.

[0094] First, the construction company representative launches the application via the operation unit 105 of the smartphone 80. The control unit 101 of the smartphone 80 launches the application by loading the application stored in the non-volatile memory 103 into the volatile memory 104 in response to the representative's operation. The application in this embodiment will be described in a case where it differs from the application in the first to third embodiments, but it may also be the same application. The control unit 101 displays the top screen on the display unit 106. If necessary, a login process may be added to send the ID and password information, which is determined for each construction company and site, to the management server 200.

[0095] Figure 29(a) shows an example of the top screen 2900 displayed on the display unit 106. The top screen 2900 displays master registration 2901, inventory registration 2902, movement registration 2903, loan registration 2904, return registration 2905, inspection registration 2906, and inspection history 2907. Next, the construction company representative selects master registration 2901 from the top screen 2900. The control unit 101 of the smartphone 80 displays the master selection screen 2910 according to the selection of master registration 2901. Figure 29(b) shows an example of the master selection screen 2910. The master selection screen 2910 in Figure 29(b) displays the rental company master 2911, storage location master 2912, product master 2913, vendor master 2914, and individual item master 2915.

[0096] If the construction company representative wants to create a rental company master database, they select rental company master 2911. The control unit 101 of the smartphone 80 displays the rental company master registration screen 2920 according to the selection of rental company master 2911. Figure 29(c) shows an example of the rental company master registration screen 2920. In Figure 29(c), the rental company master registration screen 2920 displays a rental company code input field 2921 and a rental company input field 2922. The construction company representative enters information about the rental company from which they are currently renting or plan to rent temporary construction equipment into the rental company code input field 2921 and the rental company input field 2922, respectively. Figure 29(c) shows the information of the managing rental company, but information on other rental companies should be added and entered as needed. When the person in charge enters the rental company's information and selects, for example, a send button (not shown), the control unit 101 of the smartphone 80 sends the rental company's information to the management server 200. Based on the information received from the smartphone 80, the control unit 201 of the management server 200 creates and records a rental company master database containing the rental company's information for each site. If it is necessary to add information of another rental company to the rental company master database, the person in charge can do so using the same operation as described above.

[0097] Furthermore, if the construction company representative wants to create a storage location master database, they select storage location master 2912. The control unit 101 of the smartphone 80 displays the storage location master registration screen 3000 according to the selection of storage location master 2912. Figure 30(a) shows an example of the storage location master registration screen 3000. The storage location master registration screen 3000 in Figure 30(a) displays a storage location code input field 3001 and a storage location name input field 3002. Figure 30(a) shows information for one storage location, but information for multiple storage locations can be added and entered as needed. The construction company representative enters information about the storage location where the temporary construction equipment will be stored into the storage location code input field 3001 and the storage location name input field 3002, respectively. When the person in charge enters the storage location information and selects, for example, a send button (not shown), the control unit 101 of the smartphone 80 sends the storage location information to the management server 200. Based on the information received from the smartphone 80, the control unit 201 of the management server 200 creates and records a storage location master DB containing the storage location information for each site. If information for other storage locations needs to be added to the storage location master DB, the person in charge can add the storage location information using the same operation as described above.

[0098] Furthermore, if the construction company representative wants to create a product master database, they select product master 2913. The control unit 101 of the smartphone 80 displays the product master registration screen 3010 according to the selection of product master 2913. Figure 30(b) shows an example of the product master registration screen 3010. The product master registration screen 3010 in Figure 30(b) displays a product code input field 3011, a product name input field 3012, a product category input field 3013, and a rental company input field 3014. The construction company representative determines the information regarding the temporary construction equipment they own and enters it into the respective fields: product code input field 3011, product name input field 3012, and product classification input field 3013. If the temporary construction equipment is rented from a rental company, the representative also enters the rental company's information into the rental company input field 3014. When the person in charge inputs information about the temporary construction equipment and rental company, and selects, for example, a send button (not shown), the control unit 101 of the smartphone 80 sends the information about the equipment and rental company to the management server 200. Based on the information received from the smartphone 80, the control unit 201 of the management server 200 creates and records a product master database for temporary construction equipment for each site. If information about other products needs to be added to the product master database, the person in charge can add the product information using the same operation as described above. Furthermore, if a construction company representative wants to create a contractor master database, they select contractor master 2914. The control unit 101 of the smartphone 80 displays a contractor master registration screen (not shown) according to the selection of contractor master 2914. The construction company representative enters the information of the contractors who are currently renting or plan to rent temporary construction equipment from the construction company into the contractor code input field and the contractor input field, respectively. When the person in charge enters the vendor's information and selects, for example, a send button (not shown), the control unit 101 of the smartphone 80 sends the vendor's information to the management server 200. Based on the information received from the smartphone 80, the control unit 201 of the management server 200 creates and records a vendor master DB containing vendor information for each site. If it is necessary to add information of other vendors to the vendor master DB, the person in charge can do so using the same operation as described above.

[0099] Furthermore, if the construction company representative wants to create an individual master database, they select individual master 2915. The control unit 101 of the smartphone 80 displays the individual master registration screen 3020 according to the selection of individual master 2915. Figure 30(c) shows an example of the individual master registration screen 3020. The individual master registration screen 3020 in Figure 30(c) displays the image display unit 3021, the product code input field 3022, and the individual identification number input field 3023. The image display unit 3021 displays images taken by the person in charge using the imaging unit 102 of the smartphone 80. Specifically, the person in charge photographs the 2D code 31 on the individual identification plate 30 attached to the temporary equipment, and the control unit 101 displays the image of the photographed 2D code 31 on the image display unit 3021, and also displays the individual identification number in the individual identification number input field 3023 from the image of the 2D code 31. The person in charge also enters the product code of the photographed temporary equipment into the product code input field 3022. After the person in charge selects the individual master 2915 and enters the quantity of temporary equipment to be registered in the individual master DB, the control unit 101 of the smartphone 80 prompts the person in charge to take a photograph or enter the individual identification number corresponding to the entered quantity.

[0100] Here, for temporary construction equipment owned by the construction company that does not have an individual identification plate 30 attached, the person in charge determines an individual identification number for that temporary construction equipment so as not to overlap with the individual identification numbers of other temporary construction equipment, and enters it into the individual identification number input field 3023. The control unit 101 prints the individual identification number on the individual identification plate 30 using a printer (not shown) according to the person in charge's selection. The person in charge at the construction company attaches the individual identification plate 30 with the printed individual identification number to the temporary construction equipment. When the person in charge enters the product code and individual identification number information and selects, for example, a send button (not shown), the control unit 101 of the smartphone 80 sends the product code and individual identification number information to the management server 200.

[0101] The control unit 201 of the management server 200 creates and records an individual master database of temporary equipment for each site based on the information received from the smartphone 80. When adding information on the individual identification numbers of other temporary equipment to the individual master database, the person in charge can add the information using the same procedure as described above. Figure 30(d) shows an example of the individual master DB3030. The individual master DB 3030 records the product code 3031, individual identification number 3032, storage location 3033, product name 3034, rental company 3035, status 3036, etc. The control unit 201 of the management server 200 can retrieve the product name 3034 and rental company 3035 information from the product master DB. Status 3036 contains information such as available for rental, currently on rental, or unavailable for rental. Currently, the storage location 3033 and status 3036 of the temporary equipment corresponding to the individual identification number are blank because they have not yet been determined. In this way, by creating the individual master DB3030, it becomes possible to manage the temporary equipment owned by the construction company (including temporary equipment rented from rental companies) for each construction site.

[0102] <Inventory Registration> Next, before lending temporary construction equipment to contractors, the construction company representative registers the equipment in inventory beforehand. Here, only temporary construction equipment corresponding to the individual identification number recorded in the individual master DB3030 can be registered in inventory. The construction company representative selects inventory registration 2902 from the top screen 2900 shown in Figure 29(a). The control unit 101 of the smartphone 80 displays the inventory registration screen 3100 according to the selection of inventory registration 2902. Figure 31(a) shows an example of the inventory registration screen 3100. The inventory registration screen 3100 in Figure 31(a) displays the inventory number 3101, registration date input field 3102, storage location input field 3103, status input field 3104, registrant input field 3105, product name input field 3106, and quantity input field 3107.

[0103] The inventory number 3101 is automatically assigned by the control unit 101 of the smartphone 80. The person in charge enters the storage location information of the temporary equipment to be registered in inventory into the storage location input field 3103. The control unit 101 may also receive storage location information from the management server 200, which is included in the storage location master DB, and allow the person in charge to select from the received storage locations. The person in charge enters the status of the temporary equipment to be registered in inventory into the status input field 3104. The control unit 101 may also allow the person in charge to select whether the equipment is available for loan or not. The person in charge enters their own name into the registrant input field 3105. The person in charge enters the product name information of the temporary equipment to be registered in inventory into the product name input field 3106 and the quantity into the quantity input field 3107. The control unit 101 may also receive product name information from the management server 200, which is included in the product master DB, and allow the person in charge to select from the received product names.

[0104] When the person in charge enters information about the temporary equipment they want to register in inventory and selects, for example, the "Next" button (not shown), the control unit 101 of the smartphone 80 displays the inventory registration shooting screen 3110. Figure 31(b) shows an example of the inventory registration shooting screen 3110. The inventory registration shooting screen 3110 in Figure 31(b) displays the inventory scan number display unit 3111, the inventory registration target quantity display unit 3112, the shooting display unit 3113, and the product name / quantity display unit 3114. The inventory scan number display unit 3111 displays a number that is incremented each time a scan is performed. The inventory registration target quantity display unit 3112 displays the total quantity of temporary equipment to be scanned and the quantity of temporary equipment that has been scanned. Here, "4" is displayed as the total quantity of temporary equipment to be scanned, and "0" is displayed because no equipment has been scanned yet. The total quantity of temporary equipment to be scanned is the sum of the quantities entered in the quantity input field 3107 in Figure 31(a). The image display unit 3113 displays images taken by the person in charge using the image capture unit 102 of the smartphone 80. Specifically, the person in charge photographs the 2D code 31 on the individual identification plate 30 attached to the temporary equipment to be registered in inventory, and the control unit 101 displays the photographed 2D code 31 on the image display unit 3113. Alternatively, the person in charge may directly input the individual identification number. The product name / quantity display unit 3114 displays the product name of the temporary equipment to be photographed, the quantity to be photographed, and the quantity of temporary equipment that has been photographed. The product name of the temporary equipment to be photographed and the quantity to be photographed are the product name entered in the product name input field 3106 and the quantity entered in the quantity input field 3107 in Figure 31(a).

[0105] The control unit 101 of the smartphone 80 displays a transmission confirmation screen 3120 in response to the person in charge continuously scanning the 2D code 31 attached to the temporary equipment or continuously entering the individual identification number. Figure 31(c) shows an example of the transmission confirmation screen 3120. Here, the same reference numerals are used for displays similar to those in Figure 31(b). The transmission confirmation screen 3120 shown in Figure 31(c) displays the transmission confirmation selection section 3121. The inventory registration target quantity display section 3112 displays "4" as the quantity for which photography has been completed, since photography has been completed for all temporary equipment and materials.

[0106] The control unit 101 of the smartphone 80 transmits the information entered in the inventory number 3101, registration date input field 3102, storage location input field 3103, status input field 3104, registrant input field 3105 in Figure 31(a), and individual identification number information to the management server 200 when the person in charge selects to transmit from the transmission confirmation selection unit 3121. The control unit 201 of the management server 200 creates and records inventory registration DB 3130 for each site based on the information received from the smartphone 80. Figure 31(d) shows an example of the inventory registration DB3130. The inventory registration DB3130 records inventory number 3131, inventory detail number 3132, inventory scan number 3133, product name 3134, individual identification number 3135, quantity 3136, registration date 3137, status 3138, storage location 3139, registrant 3140, etc. The control unit 201 of the management server 200 assigns an inventory detail number 3132 for each product name of temporary equipment, and assigns an inventory scan number 3133 in the order in which the individual identification plates 30 were photographed.

[0107] In this way, by creating an inventory registration DB 3130, the inventory of temporary construction equipment owned by the construction company (including temporary construction equipment rented from rental companies) can be managed for each construction site. The control unit 201 of the management server 200 updates the individual master DB 3030 based on the recorded inventory registration DB 3130. Specifically, the control unit 201 updates the individual master DB 3030 so that the storage location 3033 and status 3036 in the individual master DB 3030 record the information of storage location 3139 and status 3138 that correspond to the same individual identification number in inventory registration DB 3130 as the individual identification number in individual master DB 3030.Therefore, the information of "Yard A" is recorded for each of the storage locations 3033 in Figure 30(d), and the information of "Available for Loan" is recorded for each of the statuses 3036. Furthermore, if the control unit 201 of the management server 200 does not contain the individual identification number received from the smartphone 80 in the individual master DB 3030, or if the product name of the temporary equipment is not contained in the product master DB, it sends error information to the smartphone 80. The control unit 101 of the smartphone 80 displays an error message based on the error information, allowing the person in charge to recognize that they are trying to register in inventory a temporary equipment item with an individual identification number not contained in the individual master DB 3030, or a temporary equipment item not contained in the product master DB.

[0108] <Movement registration> Next, when a construction company representative changes the storage location of temporary construction equipment registered in inventory, they register the movement of the temporary equipment. Here, only temporary construction equipment corresponding to the individual identification number recorded in inventory registration DB3130 can be registered for movement. The construction company representative selects movement registration 2903 from the top screen 2900 shown in Figure 29(a). The control unit 101 of the smartphone 80 displays the movement registration screen 3200 according to the selection of movement registration 2903. Figure 32(a) shows an example of the movement registration screen 3200. The movement registration screen 3200 in Figure 32(a) displays the movement number 3201, registration date input field 3202, source input field 3203, destination input field 3204, registrant input field 3205, product name input field 3206, and quantity input field 3207.

[0109] The movement number 3201 is automatically assigned by the control unit 101 of the smartphone 80. The person in charge enters the information of the storage location from which the temporary equipment to be moved is to be stored, and the information of the storage location to which it is to be moved, into the source input field 3203 and the destination input field 3204. The control unit 101 may also receive information of storage locations included in the storage location master DB from the management server 200, allowing the person in charge to select from the received storage locations. The person in charge enters the product name information of the temporary equipment to be moved into the product name input field 3206 and the quantity into the quantity input field 3207. The control unit 101 may also receive information of product names included in the product master DB from the management server 200, allowing the person in charge to select from the received product names.

[0110] When the person in charge enters information about the temporary equipment they want to register for relocation and selects, for example, the next button (not shown), the control unit 101 of the smartphone 80 displays the relocation registration and shooting screen 3210. Figure 32(b) shows an example of the mobile registration and shooting screen 3210. The movement registration and shooting screen 3210 in Figure 32(b) displays the movement scan number display unit 3211, the number of movement registration targets display unit 3212, the shooting display unit 3213, and the product name / quantity display unit 3214. The mobile scan number display unit 3211 displays a number that is incremented each time a photograph is taken. The mobile registration target quantity display unit 3212 displays the total quantity of temporary equipment to be photographed and the quantity of temporary equipment that has been photographed. The total quantity of temporary equipment to be photographed is the sum of the quantities entered in the quantity input field 3207 in Figure 32(a). The image display unit 3213 displays images taken by the person in charge using the image capture unit 102 of the smartphone 80. Specifically, the person in charge photographs the 2D code 31 on the individual identification plate 30 attached to the temporary equipment to be registered for movement, and the control unit 101 displays the photographed 2D code 31 on the image display unit 3213. Alternatively, the person in charge may directly input the individual identification number. The product name / quantity display unit 3214 displays the product name of the temporary equipment to be photographed, the quantity to be photographed, and the quantity of temporary equipment that has been photographed. The product name of the temporary equipment to be photographed and the quantity to be photographed are the product name entered in the product name input field 3206 and the quantity entered in the quantity input field 3207 in Figure 32(a).

[0111] The control unit 101 of the smartphone 80 displays a transmission confirmation screen 3220 in response to the person in charge continuously scanning the 2D code 31 attached to the temporary equipment or continuously entering the individual identification number. Figure 32(c) shows an example of the transmission confirmation screen 3220. Here, the same reference numerals are used for displays similar to those in Figure 32(b). The transmission confirmation screen 3220 shown in Figure 32(c) displays the transmission confirmation selection section 3221.

[0112] The control unit 101 of the smartphone 80 transmits the information entered in the movement number 3201, registration date input field 3202, source input field 3203, destination input field 3204, registrant input field 3105 in Figure 32(a), and individual identification number information to the management server 200 when the person in charge selects to transmit from the transmission confirmation selection unit 3221. The control unit 201 of the management server 200 updates the individual master DB 3030 and the inventory registration DB 3130 based on the information received from the smartphone 80. Specifically, the control unit 201 updates the storage location 3033 in the individual master DB 3030 that corresponds to the relevant individual identification number, changing it to the storage location entered in the destination input field 3204. The control unit 201 also updates the storage location 3139 in the inventory registration DB 3130 that corresponds to the relevant individual identification number, changing it to the storage location entered in the destination input field 3204. Therefore, each of the storage locations 3033 in Figure 30(d) has the information "Yard B" recorded, and each of the storage locations 3139 in Figure 31(d) has the information "Yard B" recorded. Furthermore, if the control unit 201 of the management server 200 does not contain the individual identification number received from the smartphone 80 in the individual master DB 3030, or if the product name of the temporary equipment is not contained in the product master DB, it sends error information to the smartphone 80. The control unit 101 of the smartphone 80 displays an error message based on the error information, allowing the person in charge to recognize that they are attempting to register a temporary equipment item with an individual identification number not contained in the individual master DB 3030, or a temporary equipment item not contained in the product master DB.

[0113] <Loan Registration> Next, when a construction company representative lends temporary construction equipment registered in their inventory to a contractor, they register the loan of the temporary construction equipment. Here, only temporary construction equipment corresponding to the individual identification number recorded in inventory registration DB3130 can be registered for loan. The construction company representative selects loan registration 2904 from the top screen 2900 shown in Figure 29(a). The control unit 101 of the smartphone 80 displays the loan registration screen 3300 in accordance with the selection of loan registration 2904. Figure 33(a) shows an example of the loan registration screen 3300. The loan registration screen 3300 in Figure 33(a) displays the loan number 3301, loan date input field 3302, return date input field 3303, loan location input field 3304, registrant input field 3305, lender input field 3306, product name input field 3307, and quantity input field 3308.

[0114] Loan number 3301 is automatically assigned by the control unit 101 of the smartphone 80. The person in charge enters the location where the temporary equipment to be loaned will be loaned in the loan location input field 3304. The person in charge enters the name of the company that will be lending the temporary equipment in the lender input field 3306. The person in charge also enters the product name of the temporary equipment to be loaned in the product name input field 3307 and the quantity in the quantity input field 3308. The control unit 101 may also receive product name information contained in the product master DB from the management server 200, allowing the person in charge to select from the received product names.

[0115] When the person in charge enters information such as the name of the lending company and selects, for example, the next button (not shown), the control unit 101 of the smartphone 80 displays the company label issuance screen 3310. The company label issuance screen 3310 is a screen for issuing company labels to be affixed to temporary equipment to identify the lending company. Figure 33(b) shows an example of the vendor label issuance screen 3310. The vendor label issuance screen 3310 in Figure 33(b) displays the loan number display section 3311, the label quantity input field 3312, the vendor name display section 3313, the product name display section 3314, the quantity display section 3315, and the issuance instruction input field 3316. The loan number display section 3311 displays the automatically assigned loan number. The label quantity input field 3312 is for entering the number of labels to be issued for a single piece of temporary equipment. For example, if the person in charge wants to attach two of the same vendor labels to a single piece of temporary equipment, they would enter "2" in the label quantity input field 3312. The vendor name display section 3313, product name display section 3314, and quantity display section 3315 display the vendor name, product name, and quantity entered in the vendor input field 3306, product name input field 3307, and quantity input field 3308 in Figure 33(a), respectively. The issuance instruction input field 3316 is, for example, a checkbox and is for entering print instructions for the loan details number for which vendor labels should be issued.

[0116] When the person in charge enters a print command in the print command input field 3316 and selects, for example, the next button (not shown), the control unit 101 of the smartphone 80 uses the printer connected to the smartphone 80 to print a vendor label 40 similar to that in Figure 5. Furthermore, the product name 41 and vendor name 43 on the printed vendor label 40 will be the product name and vendor name entered in the product name input field 3307 and the lender input field 3306, respectively, as shown in Figure 33(a). Additionally, the QR code 44 and invoice detail number 45 on the vendor label 40 will be a number that combines the loan number and loan detail number, etc., as shown in Figure 33(b). The person in charge will then affix the printed vendor label 40 to the temporary equipment being loaned. Furthermore, the control unit 101 of the smartphone 80 displays the loan registration screen 3320 according to the selection of the next button described above.

[0117] Figure 33(c) shows an example of the loan registration screen 3320. The loan registration screen 3320 shown in Figure 33(c) displays the loan scan number display section 3321, the number of items to be registered display section 3322, the image display section 3323, the individual identification number input field 3324, and the loan details number input field 3325. The loan scan number display unit 3321 displays a number that is incremented each time a scan is performed. The registration target quantity display unit 3322 displays the total quantity of temporary equipment to be scanned and the quantity of temporary equipment that has been scanned. Here, "4" is displayed as the total quantity of temporary equipment to be scanned, and "0" is displayed because none have been scanned yet. The total quantity of temporary equipment to be scanned is the sum of the quantities displayed in the quantity display unit 3315 in Figure 33(b). The image display unit 3323 displays images taken by the person in charge using the image capture unit 102 of the smartphone 80. Specifically, the person in charge takes a picture of the 2D code 31 on the individual identification plate 30 attached to the temporary equipment being lent out, and the QR code 44 on the vendor label 40, and the control unit 101 displays the image of the captured 2D code 31 or QR code 44 on the image display unit 3323. The individual identification number input field 3324 is for the staff member to directly enter the individual identification number. The loan details number input field 3325 is for the staff member to directly enter the loan details number.

[0118] The control unit 101 of the smartphone 80 displays a transmission confirmation screen 3330 in response to the person in charge successively taking photos of the 2D code 31 and QR code 44 attached to the temporary equipment, or successively entering the individual identification number and loan details number. Figure 33(d) shows an example of the transmission confirmation screen 3330. Here, the same reference numerals are used for displays similar to those in Figure 33(c). The transmission confirmation screen 3330 shown in Figure 33(d) displays the transmission confirmation selection section 3331. The registration target quantity display section 3322 displays "4" as the number of items for which photography has been completed, since photography has been completed for all temporary equipment and materials.

[0119] The control unit 101 of the smartphone 80 transmits to the management server 200 the information entered in the loan number 3301, loan date input field 3302, return date input field 3303, loan location input field 3304, registrant input field 3305, loan details number, lender input field 3306, product name input field 3307, quantity input field 3308, individual identification number and loan details number information, and loan scan number information, in response to the person in charge selecting to transmit from the transmission confirmation selection unit 3331. The control unit 201 of the management server 200 creates and records the loan registration database based on the information received from the smartphone 80. If information such as the individual identification number of the temporary equipment to be loaned is to be added to the loan registration database, the person in charge can add the individual identification number information using the same procedure as described above.

[0120] Figure 33(e) shows an example of the loan registration DB3340. The loan registration DB 3340 records the loan number 3341, loan detail number 3342, loan scan number 3343, lender name 3344, product name 3345, individual identification number 3346, quantity 3347, loan date 3348, expected return date 3349, loan location 3350, registrant 3351, etc. The control unit 201 of the management server 200 updates the status 3036 in the individual master DB 3030 corresponding to the individual identification number, changing it from available for loan to currently loaned. The control unit 201 also updates the status 3138 in the inventory registration DB 3130 corresponding to the individual identification number, changing it from available for loan to currently loaned. Furthermore, the control unit 201 updates the lender name 805 in the product management DB 800 shown in Figure 8, corresponding to the individual identification number, by changing it to the lender name entered in the lender input field 3306. In this way, by creating a loan registration database (DB3340), it becomes possible to manage which contractors lend out temporary construction equipment owned by the construction company for each construction site. Furthermore, if the control unit 201 of the management server 200 finds that the individual identification number received from the smartphone 80 is not included in the individual master DB 3030, or that the product name of the temporary equipment is not included in the product master DB, or that the rental location is not included in the storage location master DB, it sends error information to the smartphone 80. The control unit 101 of the smartphone 80 displays an error message based on the error information, allowing the person in charge to recognize that they are trying to register a rental of temporary equipment with an individual identification number not included in the individual master DB 3030, or temporary equipment not included in the product master DB.

[0121] <Return Registration> Next, when temporary construction equipment registered for loan by the construction company is returned by the contractor, the return of the temporary equipment is registered. Here, only temporary equipment corresponding to the individual identification number recorded in the loan registration DB3340 can be registered for return. The construction company representative selects return registration 2905 from the top screen 2900 shown in Figure 29(a). The control unit 101 of the smartphone 80 displays the return registration screen 3400 according to the selection of return registration 2905. Figure 34(a) shows an example of the return registration screen 3400. The return registration screen 3400 in Figure 34(a) displays the return number 3401, the return date input field 3402, the return location input field 3403, the registrant input field 3404, the product name input field 3405, and the quantity input field 3406.

[0122] The return number 3401 is automatically assigned by the control unit 101 of the smartphone 80. The person in charge enters the return location of the returned temporary equipment into the return location input field 3403. The person in charge enters the product name information of the returned temporary equipment into the product name input field 3405 and the quantity into the quantity input field 3406. Alternatively, the control unit 101 may receive product name information contained in the product master DB from the management server 200, allowing the person in charge to select from the received product names. When the person in charge inputs information about the returned temporary equipment and selects, for example, the next button (not shown), the control unit 101 of the smartphone 80 displays the return registration and shooting screen 3410. Figure 34(b) shows an example of the return registration shooting screen 3410. The return registration shooting screen 3410 in Figure 34(b) displays the return scan number display unit 3411, the number of items to be returned for registration display unit 3412, the shooting display unit 3413, and the product name / quantity display unit 3414. The return scan number display unit 3411 displays a number that is incremented each time a scan is performed. The return registration target quantity display unit 3412 displays the total quantity of temporary equipment to be scanned and the quantity of temporary equipment that has been scanned. The total quantity of temporary equipment to be scanned is the sum of the quantities entered in the quantity input field 3406 in Figure 34(a). The image display unit 3413 displays images taken by the person in charge using the image capture unit 102 of the smartphone 80. Specifically, the person in charge photographs the 2D code 31 on the individual identification plate 30 attached to the temporary equipment to be returned, and the control unit 101 displays the photographed 2D code 31 on the image display unit 3413. Alternatively, the person in charge may directly input the individual identification number. The product name / quantity display unit 3414 displays the product name of the temporary equipment to be photographed, the quantity to be photographed, and the quantity of temporary equipment that has been photographed. The product name of the temporary equipment to be photographed and the quantity to be photographed are the product name entered in the product name input field 3405 and the quantity entered in the quantity input field 3406 in Figure 34(a).

[0123] The control unit 101 of the smartphone 80 displays a transmission confirmation screen 3420 in response to the person in charge continuously scanning the 2D codes 31 attached to the temporary equipment or continuously entering the individual identification numbers. Furthermore, the person in charge must pre-enter the quantity of temporary equipment to be returned, and the transmission confirmation screen 3420 will not be displayed unless they scan the corresponding 2D codes 31 or enter the individual identification numbers. This prevents the person in charge from missing scans or inputs. Figure 34(c) shows an example of the transmission confirmation screen 3420. Here, the same reference numerals are used for displays similar to those in Figure 34(b). The transmission confirmation screen 3420 shown in Figure 34(c) displays the transmission confirmation selection section 3421.

[0124] The control unit 101 of the smartphone 80 transmits the information entered in the return number 3401, return date input field 3402, return location input field 3403, registrant input field 3404, return details number, product name input field 3405, quantity input field 3406 in Figure 34(a), individual identification number information, and return scan number information to the management server 200 when the person in charge selects to transmit from the transmission confirmation selection unit 3421. The control unit 201 of the management server 200 creates and registers the return registration DB based on the information received from the smartphone 80. If it is necessary to add information such as the individual identification number of the returned temporary equipment to the return registration DB, the person in charge can add the individual identification number information using the same procedure as described above.

[0125] Figure 34(d) shows an example of the return registration DB3430. The return registration DB 3430 records the return number 3431, return detail number 3432, return scan number 3433, return company name 3434, product name 3435, individual identification number 3436, quantity 3437, return date 3438, scheduled return date 3439, return location 3440, registrant 3441, etc. The control unit 201 of the management server 200 records the return company name 3434 and scheduled return date 3439 from the loan registration DB 3340, corresponding to the individual identification number. The control unit 201 of the management server 200 also updates the status 3036 in the individual master DB 3030, corresponding to the individual identification number, from "on loan" to "available for loan". The control unit 201 also updates the status 3138 in the inventory registration DB 3130, corresponding to the individual identification number, from "on loan" to "available for loan". Furthermore, the control unit 201 updates the vendor name 805 in the product management DB 800 shown in Figure 8, which corresponds to the relevant individual identification number, by changing it to a blank field. By creating a return registration database (DB3430) in this way, it is possible to manage temporary construction equipment and materials returned to the construction company for each site. Furthermore, if the control unit 201 of the management server 200 finds that the individual identification number received from the smartphone 80 is not included in the individual master DB 3030 or the loan registration DB 3340, or that the product name of the temporary equipment is not included in the product master DB, or that the return location is not included in the storage location master DB, it sends error information to the smartphone 80. The control unit 101 of the smartphone 80 displays an error message based on the error information, allowing the person in charge to recognize that they are trying to register the return of temporary equipment with an individual identification number not included in the individual master DB 3030 or the loan registration DB 3340, or temporary equipment not included in the product master DB.

[0126] <Inspection Registration> Next, we will explain the process of registering an inspection to check for any abnormalities in temporary construction equipment and materials, conducted by a representative of the construction company or a representative of a company that rents temporary construction equipment and materials from the construction company. In the following explanation, we will use the example of heavy machinery such as forklifts being inspected, but other temporary construction equipment and materials that require inspection may also be used. For example, a representative from a construction company selects inspection registration 2906 from the top screen 2900 shown in Figure 29(a). The control unit 101 of the smartphone 80 displays the inspection selection screen 3500 according to the selection of inspection registration 2906. Figure 35(a) shows an example of the inspection selection screen 3500. The inspection selection screen 3500 in Figure 35(a) displays pre-operation inspection 3501, monthly self-inspection 3502, and specific self-inspection 3503. Here, pre-operation inspection, monthly self-inspection, and specific self-inspection are examples of inspection types. A pre-operation inspection is, for example, an inspection performed daily before starting work. A monthly self-inspection is, for example, an inspection performed once a month. A specific self-inspection is, for example, an inspection performed once a year.

[0127] The construction company representative selects "Pre-operation inspection 3501" when performing a pre-operation inspection. The control unit 101 of the smartphone 80 displays the inspection registration screen 3510 according to the selection. Figure 35(b) shows an example of the inspection registration screen 3510. The inspection registration screen 3510 in Figure 35(b) displays an inspection number display section 3511, an inspection date input field (or inspection date input field) 3512, and a registrant input field (or inspector input field) 3513. The inspection number display unit 3511 displays the automatically assigned inspection number. When the person in charge enters the inspection date and the registrant in the inspection date input field 3512 and the registrant input field 3513, respectively, and selects the next button (not shown), the control unit 101 of the smartphone 80 displays the inspection registration shooting screen 3520.

[0128] Figure 35(c) shows an example of the inspection registration and shooting screen 3520. The inspection registration and shooting screen 3520 in Figure 35(c) displays the inspection scan number display unit 3521, the shooting display unit 3522, and the individual identification number input field 3523. The inspection scan number display unit 3521 displays a number that is incremented each time a photograph is taken. The image display unit 3522 displays the image taken by the person in charge using the image capture unit 102 of the smartphone 80. Specifically, the person in charge photographs the 2D code 31 on the individual identification plate 30 attached to the temporary equipment being inspected, and the control unit 101 displays the image of the photographed 2D code 31 on the image display unit 3522. The individual identification number input field 3523 is a field for the person in charge to directly input the individual identification number.

[0129] When a person in charge takes a picture of the 2D code 31 attached to the temporary equipment they want to register for inspection, or enters the individual identification number, and selects, for example, a send button (not shown), the control unit 101 of the smartphone 80 sends to the management server 200 the information of the inspection type selected on the inspection selection screen 3500 in Figure 35(a), the information entered on the inspection registration screen 3510 in Figure 35(b), and the information of the individual identification number photographed or entered in Figure 35(c). The control unit 201 of the management server 200 identifies the inspection items corresponding to the temporary equipment based on the information received from the smartphone 80. Here, the aforementioned product master DB records information on inspection items associated with each product name of the temporary equipment and each inspection type.

[0130] Figure 35(e) shows an example of inspection items 3540 associated with each inspection type when the product name is forklift. Here, when the inspection type is "pre-operation inspection," information such as "brakes" and "clutch" is associated as inspection item 3541. When the inspection type is "monthly self-inspection," information such as "operating device," "working device," "working equipment," "wire rope," and "chain" is further associated as inspection item 3542. When the inspection type is "specific self-inspection," information such as "power line," "safety device," "steering brake," "working equipment," "hydraulic system," and "electrical circuit" is associated as inspection item 3543. Furthermore, the information on inspection items is not limited to being recorded in the product master database; it may also be recorded in other databases if the information on inspection items can be obtained based on the product name and inspection type information.

[0131] The control unit 201 of the management server 200 identifies the product name information based on the individual master DB 3030 using the individual identification number information received from the smartphone 80. Based on the identified product name information and the received inspection type information, it obtains the inspection item information for the corresponding temporary equipment based on the inspection item 3540 in Figure 35(e). The control unit 201 transmits the identified product name information and the acquired inspection item information to the smartphone 80. The control unit 101 of the smartphone 80 displays the inspection screen 3530 based on the information received from the management server 200.

[0132] Figure 35(d) shows an example of the inspection screen 3530. The inspection screen 3530 in Figure 35(d) displays the product name display section 3531, the inspection item display section 3532, the inspection input field 3533, and the remarks input field 3534. The product name display section 3531 displays the product name of the temporary equipment to be inspected. The inspection item display section 3532 displays the product name and inspection items according to the inspection type. The inspection input field 3533 is, for example, a checkbox, and is a field for the person in charge to input that the inspection of the inspection items has been completed. The remarks input field 3534 is a field for the person in charge to input any points of concern or work performed during the inspection.

[0133] When the person in charge enters information in the inspection input field 3533 and selects, for example, a send button (not shown), the control unit 101 of the smartphone 80 sends the input information entered in the inspection input field 3533 and the remarks input field 3534 in Figure 35(d) to the management server 200. The control unit 201 of the management server 200 creates or updates the inspection history DB as inspection history information based on the information received from the smartphone 80. The inspection history DB includes the inspection date information entered in the inspection date input field 3512, the registrant information entered in the registrant input field 3513, the individual identification number information, the inspection item information, the information entered in the inspection input field 3533 for each inspection item, and the information entered in the remarks input field 3534. In this way, by creating an inspection history database, it is possible to manage the inspection history for each piece of temporary equipment.

[0134] The explanation described a case where the control unit 101 of the smartphone 80 transmits information about the individual identification number to the management server 200, allowing the control unit 201 of the management server 200 to obtain information about the product name and then obtain information about the inspection items from that product name. However, this is not the only case. For example, the control unit 101 of the smartphone 100 may transmit information about the product name to the management server 200, allowing the control unit 201 of the management server 200 to obtain information about the inspection items from that product name.

[0135] <Inspection History> Next, we will explain how a representative of a construction company or a representative of a company that rented temporary construction equipment from a construction company can check the inspection history information. For example, a representative from a construction company selects inspection history 2907 from the top screen 2900 shown in Figure 29(a). The control unit 101 of the smartphone 80 displays the inspection history capture screen 3600 according to the selection of inspection history 2907. Figure 36(a) shows an example of the inspection history capture screen 3600. The inspection history capture screen 3600 in Figure 36(a) displays the inspection history scan number display unit 3601, the capture display unit 3602, and the individual identification number input field 3603. The inspection history scan number display unit 3601 displays a number that is incremented each time a photograph is taken. The image display unit 3602 displays the image taken by the person in charge using the image capture unit 102 of the smartphone 80. Specifically, the person in charge takes a photograph of the 2D code 31 on the individual identification plate 30 attached to the temporary equipment whose inspection history they want to check, and the control unit 101 displays the image of the photographed 2D code 31 on the image display unit 3602. The individual identification number input field 3603 is a field for the person in charge to directly input the individual identification number.

[0136] When a person in charge takes a picture of the 2D code 31 attached to the temporary equipment or enters the individual identification number and selects, for example, a send button (not shown), the control unit 101 of the smartphone 80 sends the information of the individual identification number that was photographed or entered in Figure 36(a) to the management server 200. The control unit 201 of the management server 200 identifies the inspection history corresponding to the temporary equipment in question from the inspection history database based on the information received from the smartphone 80. The inspection history database records the inspection history in association with the individual identification number information. Based on the identified inspection history, the control unit 201 of the management server 200 sends the inspection date information for each inspection type to the smartphone 80. The control unit 101 of the smartphone 80 displays the inspection history confirmation screen 3610 based on the information received from the management server 200.

[0137] Figure 36(b) shows an example of the inspection history confirmation screen 3610. In the inspection history confirmation screen 3610 in Figure 36(b), multiple inspection dates 3611 and 3612 are displayed for each inspection type. When the person in charge selects the inspection date for which they want to check the inspection history, the control unit 101 of the smartphone 80 sends information about the inspection type and the inspection date to the management server 200. Based on the information received from the smartphone 80, the control unit 201 of the management server 200 retrieves the information entered in the inspection input field 3533 for each inspection item, the information of the inspection item, the information entered in the remarks input field 3534, etc., from the inspection history DB for the corresponding inspection date in Figure 35(d), and sends it to the smartphone 80. The control unit 101 of the smartphone 80 displays the inspection history details screen 3620 based on the information received from the management server 200.

[0138] Figure 36(c) shows an example of the inspection history details screen 3620. The inspection history details screen 3620 in Figure 36(c) displays the inspection history details display section 3621 and the remarks display section 3622. The inspection history details display unit 3621 includes inspection items and an identification display indicating that each inspection has been completed. The inspection history details display unit 3621 may also include information about the registrant (or inspector). Furthermore, the remarks display unit 3622 includes information about points of concern or tasks performed by the person in charge during the inspection. In this way, by being able to check the inspection history for each piece of temporary equipment, construction company personnel and personnel of companies renting the temporary equipment can easily confirm whether or not the equipment in question has been inspected. Furthermore, some construction companies or construction sites are required to retain inspection records for, for example, three years, and storing inspection records in an inspection history database helps prevent loss compared to storing them on paper.

[0139] Although the present invention has been described above in conjunction with the embodiments described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and modifications and other changes are possible within the scope of the present invention, and each embodiment may be combined. In the embodiments described above, a smartphone was used as the portable information terminal, but the invention is not limited to this case. Any portable device having an imaging unit and a communication unit is acceptable, such as a tablet terminal, a notebook PC, or a wearable device. Furthermore, temporary equipment may be equipped with means for acquiring location information, such as a GPS receiver, and means for transmitting location information, such as a transmitter. In this case, the temporary equipment can transmit its own location information. Furthermore, temporary equipment and materials may be equipped with IC tags. In this case, the person in charge can use a reader to simultaneously read the IC tags of multiple pieces of temporary equipment and materials. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0140] 10, 11: Management system for temporary equipment and materials 60, 80, 100: Smartphone (portable information terminal) 101: Control unit (terminal-side control means) 102: Imaging unit (shooting means) 108: Communication unit (terminal-side transmission means, terminal-side reception means) 200: Management server (server) 201: Control unit (server-side control means) 207: Communication unit (server-side transmission means, server-side reception means) 206: Database (recording means) 70, 300: PC (information processing device) 400: Label printer (printing device)

Claims

[Claim 1] A management system for temporary equipment and materials configured to enable communication between a portable information terminal and a server, The aforementioned portable information terminal is A means of taking photographs to obtain individual identification information attached to temporary construction equipment, The system includes a terminal-side transmission means that transmits individual identification information obtained by taking a photograph with the aforementioned photographing means to the aforementioned server, The aforementioned server, A server-side receiving means that receives individual identification information transmitted by the terminal-side transmitting means, A temporary equipment management system comprising: a server-side control means that controls the system to aggregate the number of temporary equipment items for each type based on individual identification information received by the server-side receiving means.

Images