Item management device

Abstract

To provide an article management device which can manage article return information in detail.SOLUTION: An article management device includes: a storage unit 41 that store an article 53 in an accessible manner: a determination unit that determines a presence or absence of return delay of the article 53 taken out of the storage unit 41: an input unit capable of inputting a return delay reason when the determination unit determines that there is a delay in returning the article 53; and a storage unit that stores the return delay reason inputted by the input unit. When there is a delay in returning the article 53, inputting the return delay reason can be made, which makes it possible to manage article return information of the article 53 which includes the return delay reason.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an article management device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, in a key management device that manages keys as items, a key lending diagram has been created based on pre-entered reservation information, and a key management means that manages the removal and return of keys is controlled according to the created key lending diagram, thereby lending out keys according to a schedule (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] In this key management device, user information is identified by a user identification means such as a card reader, and lending of a key from the key management means is permitted only during the lending time period associated with the identified user information. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2012-47018 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In an item management device such as a key management device, there is a demand for detailed management of information relating to the return of items.

[0006] The present invention aims to provide an item management device capable of managing information regarding the return of items in detail. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A first aspect of the present invention is characterized in that it comprises a plurality of storage units for storing items so that they can be removed and returned, a determination unit for determining whether or not there is a delay in the return of an item removed from the storage units, a setting unit capable of setting whether or not a reason for the delayed return needs to be input for the storage units, an input unit capable of inputting the reason for the delayed return when the determination unit determines that there has been a delay in the return of the item and the setting unit is set to require input of the reason for the delayed return, and a memory unit for storing the reason for the delayed return inputted by the input unit. A second aspect of the present invention is characterized in that it comprises a plurality of storage units for storing items so that they can be removed and returned, a determination unit for determining whether or not there has been a late return of an item removed from a storage unit for which timer monitoring has been set, a setting unit capable of setting whether or not a reason for the late return needs to be input for the storage unit for which timer monitoring has been set, an input unit capable of inputting a reason for the late return when the determination unit determines that there has been a delay in the return of an item and the setting unit has been set to require input of a reason for the late return, and a memory unit for storing the reason for the late return inputted by the input unit. A third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that it comprises a plurality of storage units for storing items so that they can be removed and returned, a determination unit for determining whether or not there has been a late return of an item removed from a storage unit for which time monitoring has been set, a setting unit capable of setting whether or not a reason for the late return needs to be input for the storage unit for which time monitoring has been set, an input unit capable of inputting a reason for the late return when the determination unit determines that there has been a delay in the return of an item and the setting unit has been set to require input of a reason for the late return, and a memory unit for storing the reason for the late return inputted by the input unit. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an item management device capable of managing information relating to the return of items in detail. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view showing an item management device according to an embodiment of the present invention with a front cover open; [Diagram 2]1 is a block diagram of a main part of an article management device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 3] 1 is a perspective view showing a key body, a key holder, and a holding portion of an item management device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is a perspective view showing stored items and a holding section of an item management device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 5] 1 is a front view showing an operation unit of an article management device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 1 is a front view showing a display example of a display unit of an article management device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 1 is a front view showing a display example of a display unit of an article management device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 1 is a front view showing a display example of a display unit of an article management device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 1 is a front view showing a display example of a display unit of an article management device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] 1 is a front view showing a display example of a display unit of an article management device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] 1 is a front view showing a display example of a display unit of an article management device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] 1 is a front view showing a display example of a display unit of an article management device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] 1 is a front view showing a display example of a display unit of an article management device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] 1 is a front view showing a display example of a display unit of an article management device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] 1 is a front view showing an example of printing on paper of an item management device according to an embodiment of the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] An article management device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, "front" means the front side in the front-to-rear direction, i.e., the front side as seen from a user, "rear" means the rear side in the front-to-rear direction, i.e., the rear side as seen from a user, "left" means the left side as seen from a user, and "right" means the right side as seen from a user.

[0011] An article management device 11 of this embodiment is used in a store of a financial institution such as a bank, and as shown in FIG. 1, has a device main body 12 and a front cover 13 for opening and closing the front side of the device main body 12.

[0012] The front side of the device body 12 is stepped so that the left side is located further back than the right side. The device body 12 has a center to left side portion as an opening / closing section 21 that is opened and closed by the front cover 13, and the right side portion that protrudes forward from the opening / closing section 21 as a front component section 22 that is not opened or closed by the front cover 13 and is always exposed. One end side of the front cover 13 is rotatably connected to the device body 12 via a hinge 23 provided on the left edge of the device body 12, and opens and closes the front of the opening / closing section 21. The item management device 11 has a built-in battery (not shown), can be powered by the built-in battery, and is portable.

[0013] In the device main body 12, a display unit 31 consisting of a liquid crystal display that displays date and time, operation status, alarm information, guidance, etc. is provided at the top of the front of the right-side front component 22, and below that is an operation unit 32 (input unit, setting unit) where the user inputs characters such as numbers, katakana, and alphabets. Also, to the right of these is a card reader 33 that reads data from an ID card 34 shown in Fig. 2 when the ID card 34 is scanned. The display unit 31 and operation unit 32 may be integrated into a touch panel.

[0014] 1, a printer unit 36 ​​is provided at the bottom of the front surface of the front component 22, which prints necessary information on paper and discharges the paper from a paper discharge port 35. The ID card 34 is an electronic card with an IC chip or a magnetic card, etc., and is prepared for each person authorized to use the article management device 11, and stores individual user identification information, etc., for identification from others.

[0015] The opening / closing section 21, which is opened and closed by the front cover 13 of the device main body 12, is provided at its front position with a plurality of holding sections 41 (storage sections) and a plurality of holding sections 42 (storage sections) for storing items so that they can be taken out and returned. The holding sections 41 are arranged in a plurality of positions, specifically 10 positions, in the left-right direction by matching their positions in the up-down direction, and the 10 holding sections 41 thus arranged are arranged in a plurality of tiers, specifically two tiers, in the up-down, i.e., height direction. The holding sections 42 are disposed below all of the holding sections 41, and are arranged in a plurality of positions, specifically 10 positions, in the left-right direction by matching their positions in the up-down direction.

[0016] 3, the item management device 11 has key holders 52 that hold key bodies 51 corresponding to each other in a one-to-one correspondence, and the holding units 41 detachably support the corresponding key holders 52. The holding units 41 hold the corresponding key holders 52 in a locked state so that they cannot be removed.

[0017] Here, key body 51 is used for opening and closing the door of a safe installed in a financial institution, opening and closing the door of a cash processing machine, opening and closing the door of a cash storage chamber inside the door of the cash processing machine, opening and closing the door of a collection chamber inside the door of the cash processing machine, switching on and off the main power supply of the cash processing machine, etc. Key body 51 and key holder 52 connected together constitute key 53. Holding unit 41 holds key holder 52, i.e. key 53, as a holding target item (in other words, an item to be managed), which is the item to be held.

[0018] As shown in Fig. 1, the device body 12 has electromagnetically driven cover lock mechanisms 61 at two locations, one above the other, on the front side of the opening / closing section 21 of the device body 12, which lock an engagement portion (not shown) provided on the front cover 13 when the front cover 13 is in a closed state. The device body 12 also has a full-closure detection sensor 62 on the front side of the opening / closing section 21 of the device body 12, which detects whether the front cover 13 is in a fully closed state by detecting a detection portion (not shown) of the front cover 13 when the front cover 13 is in a closed state. The cover lock mechanism 61 locks the engagement portion to lock the front cover 13 in a closed state, on the condition that the full-closure detection sensor 62 detects that the front cover 13 is closed. The cover lock mechanism 61 is also driven to unlock the engagement portion.

[0019] As shown in Fig. 3, key holder 52 is composed of a detachable member 71 and a connecting member 72 that connects key body 51 to detachable member 71. Detachable member 71 has an IC tag 73 shown in Fig. 2 that stores individual holder identification information for distinguishing key holder 52 from other key holders 52.

[0020] As shown in Fig. 3, each of the holding parts 41 has an individual insertion hole 75 into which the detachable member 71 of the key holder 52 connected to the key main body 51 is inserted and removed. The detachable member 71 is detachable from the holding part 41 and is locked in the attached state. Each of the holding parts 41 has an electromagnetically driven key lock mechanism 76 shown in Fig. 2 that locks and supports the detachable member 71 when it is inserted into the insertion hole 75 and can be unlocked.

[0021] 3, each of the multiple holding parts 41 has an operation button 82 integrated with an indicator lamp 81. The operation button 82 is vertically adjacent to and aligned with the insertion hole 75 constituting the same holding part 41 in the left-right direction. The operation button 82 is an operation button that is pressed when releasing the lock by the key lock mechanism 76 shown in FIG. 2 constituting each of the same holding parts 41, and the indicator lamp 81 guides the operation by turning off, on, or blinking.

[0022] In the holding portion 41, for example, when the operation button 82 is pressed, the key lock mechanism 76 of the holding portion 41 on which the operation button 82 is provided is unlocked, and a process of removing the key holder 52 from the holding portion 41 is performed.

[0023] 2 of the attached detachable member 71, and detects the removal of the key holder 52, i.e., the key 53, when switching from a communication state to a non-communication state, and detects the return of the key 53 when switching from the non-communication state to a communication state. The item management device 11 manages the removal and return of the key 53, including the key holder 52, as an item to be managed, based on the detection of the IC tag reader 85.

[0024] As shown in Fig. 4, the holding parts 42 are of a drawer type, and each of them has a drawer member 91 that can be pulled out forward and pushed in backward, and an electromagnetically driven drawer lock mechanism 92 shown in Fig. 2 that locks the pushed-in drawer member 91 so that it cannot be pulled out and can be unlocked. The drawer member 91 is box-shaped and opens upward, and stores items 95 such as ID cards, seals, documents, etc. that cannot be attached to the key holder 52 or that are attachable but are not suitable for being attached to the key holder 52 and held in the holding part 41. A separate adapter 93 is detachably attached to the drawer member 91, and when the adapter 93 is attached, a seal as the stored item 95 can be stored in an upright position between the drawer member 91 and the adapter 93.

[0025] Each of the multiple holding parts 42 also has an operation button 82 integrated with an indicator lamp 81. The operation button 82 is vertically adjacent to and aligned with the drawer member 91 constituting the same holding part 42 in the left-right direction. The operation button 82 is an operation button that is pressed when releasing the lock provided by the drawer lock mechanism 92 constituting each of the same holding parts 42, and the indicator lamp 81 can guide the operation by turning off, on, or blinking.

[0026] In the holding part 42, for example, when the operation button 82 is pressed, the drawer lock mechanism 92 (shown in Fig. 2) of the holding part 42 on which the operation button 82 is provided is unlocked, and the drawer member 91 can be drawn out from the holding part 42. In this state, the drawer member 91 is drawn out and stored items 95 such as ID cards, seals, documents, etc. are removed, and then the drawer member 91 is pushed in.

[0027] Each of the holding units 42 has a push-in detection sensor 98 shown in Fig. 2 that detects whether the drawer member 91 is pushed in or not. The holding unit 42 holds stored items 95 such as ID cards, seals, documents, etc. as items to be held. Each of the holding units 42 has a presence / absence detection sensor 99 shown in Fig. 2 as item detection means that detects the presence or absence of the stored item 95 stored in the drawer member 91. The presence / absence detection sensor 99 is a photosensor that detects the presence of the stored item 95 in the drawer member 91 by blocking a light path, a weight sensor that detects the presence of the stored item 95 in the drawer member 91 by detecting a change in weight on the bottom of the drawer member 91, or the like.

[0028] The item management device 11 manages the removal and return of stored items 95 as items to be managed based on the detection of the pushed-in detection sensor 98 and the presence / absence detection sensor 99. That is, when the state where the pushed-in detection sensor 98 detects that the drawer member 91 is in a pushed-in state and the presence / absence detection sensor 99 detects that the stored items 95 are in this drawer member 91 changes to a state where the pushed-in detection sensor 98 detects that the drawer member 91 is in a pushed-in state and the presence / absence detection sensor 99 detects that the stored items 95 are not in this drawer member 91, it detects that the stored items 95 have been removed. Also, when the state where the pushed-in detection sensor 98 detects that the drawer member 91 is in a pushed-in state and the presence / absence detection sensor 99 detects that the stored items 95 are in this drawer member 91 changes to a state where the stored items 95 have been returned.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 2, the device main body 12 has a control unit 111 (judgment unit, setting unit, output unit) that controls the above-mentioned units, a memory unit 112 that can exchange data with the control unit 111 and stores data, and an alarm sound generating unit 113 (alarm unit) that generates an alarm sound.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 5, operation unit 32 has a MENU key 121, an up key 122, a down key 123, a left key 124, a right key 125, an ENTER key 126, a character input key group 127 consisting of a plurality of keys, and a CE key 128, all of which detect input when pressed.

[0031] The up key 122, down key 123, left key 124, and right key 125 are pressed when moving a cursor or an arrow displayed on the display unit 31 in the respective directions. The ENTER key 126 is pressed when confirming input, etc. The character input key group 127 is pressed when inputting characters such as numbers, katakana, and alphabets. The CE key 128 is pressed when erasing input characters and returning the display screen to the previous state, etc. The MENU key 121 is pressed when displaying an operation menu, and is also pressed when switching the character input key group 127 between number input, katakana input, and alphabet input.

[0032] The item management device 11 stores the key 53 and the stored item 95 as items, and is capable of removing and returning the key 53 and the stored item 95, and the control unit 111 manages the removal and return of the key 53 and the stored item 95, and is capable of determining whether or not the removed key 53 and the stored item 95 are returned late. In addition, when the key 53 or the stored item 95 is returned after a preset time limit or time limit, the item management device 11 has a return delay reason input function for inputting a reason for return delay that is the reason for failure to return within the time limit or by the time limit. Furthermore, the item management device 11 stores the input reason for return delay as a history, and is capable of printing the stored reason for return delay and transmitting it to an external management device.

[0033] Next, the operation of the item management device 11 will be described.

[0034] When the article management device 11 is in a standby state, the control unit 111 causes the display unit 31 to display a standby display screen that prompts the card reader 33 to scan the ID card 34.

[0035] When the ID card 34 is scanned in the standby state, the card reader 33 reads out individual user identification information, which is pre-stored in the ID card 34 and is used to distinguish the user from other users. The control unit 111 checks the user identification information read out from the ID card 34 against a list of users who can use the article management device 11, which is pre-stored in the storage unit 112. If the user identification information in the list of users who can use the article management device 11 does not have the same user identification information as the user identification information read out from the ID card 34, the control unit 111 causes the display unit 31 to display that the article management device 11 cannot be used, and causes the alarm sound generation unit 113 to generate an alarm sound for a predetermined period of time, and then returns to the standby state.

[0036] If the user identification information read from the ID card 34 is found in the user identification information list of users who are allowed to use the device, the control unit 111 causes the display unit 31 to display a display screen prompting the user to input whether to take out or return the item to be held, which is the key 53 or the stored item 95, and waits for the selection to be input.

[0037] In this state, when the MENU key 121 of the operation unit 32 is pressed, the control unit 111 reads out operable items permitted for the user identification information currently read out from the ID card 34 from among the operable items individually set for each user identification information in the storage unit 112, displays on the display unit 31 a first display screen for allowing the user to select one from the operable items, and waits for selection input. Among the operable items, there are some that become selectable when one valid ID card 34 is scanned (so-called single authentication), and others that become selectable when two different valid ID cards 34 are scanned (so-called double authentication).

[0038] [Return Delay Monitoring Setting Processing] The monitor setting process is included in the operable items on the first display screen, and when the monitor setting process is selected and input via the operation unit 32, the control unit 111 displays, on the display unit 31, for example, a second display screen 202 as shown in Fig. 6(a) for allowing the user to select one of the multiple items of the monitor setting process, and waits for the selection input. When the return delay monitor setting process is selected and input from the multiple items of the monitor setting process, the control unit 111 performs the return delay monitor setting process. Here, the item management device 11 performs a return delay monitor setting process that monitors the return delay of the key 53 taken out of the holding unit 41 and the stored item 95 taken out of the holding unit 42, and the return delay monitor setting process is a process for setting this return delay monitor setting process.

[0039] The second display screen 202 displays a title display 202a of "CONTROL SETUP" indicating that the monitoring setup process is in progress, and as multiple selection items of the monitoring setup process, an item display 202b of "1: FRONT COVER" for selecting the setting process of the front cover monitoring process that monitors whether the front cover 13 has been left closed, an item display 202c of "2: PRE-COVER HOLDER" for selecting the setting process of the return delay monitoring process that monitors the return delay of the key 53 or the stored item 95, and an item display 202d of "3: OPERATION CONTROL" for selecting the setting process of the operation monitoring process that monitors various operations on the goods management device 11. In addition, an arrow display 202e indicating which of the multiple selection items of the monitoring setup process is selected, and an item number display field 202f for displaying inside the number of the item that matches the vertical position of the arrow display 202e are displayed.

[0040] Each time the up key 122 or down key 123 of the operation unit 32 is pressed as a selection operation for the display on this second display screen 202, the control unit 111 moves the arrow display 202e up or down to the left of the item displays 202b to 202d on the display unit 31, and displays the number of the item whose vertical position matches the arrow display 202e in the item number display field 202f.

[0041] With the second display screen 202 displayed on the display unit 31, for example, as shown in FIG. 6(a), when the item display 202c of "2: Folder" and the arrow display 202e are aligned vertically and the number in the item number display field 202f is displaying "[2]", which indicates the delayed return monitoring setting process, when the ENTER key 126 of the operation unit 32 is pressed, the control unit 111 performs the delayed return monitoring setting process.

[0042] In the return delay monitoring setting process, the control unit 111 displays, for example, a third display screen 203 as shown in Fig. 6(b) on the display unit 31 to allow the user to select one of a plurality of selection items in the return delay monitoring setting process, and waits for a selection input. Here, the return delay monitoring process set in the return delay monitoring setting process includes a timer monitoring process that monitors whether the key 53 and the stored item 95 are returned to the holding units 41, 42 after being taken out within a predetermined timer setting time from the time of taking out, and a time monitoring process that monitors whether the key 53 and the stored item 95 are returned to the holding units 41, 42 after being taken out by the time the predetermined setting time is reached, and the plurality of selection items in the return delay monitoring setting process include a timer monitoring setting process that sets the timer monitoring process, and a time monitoring setting process that sets the time monitoring process.

[0043] The third display screen 203 displays a title display 203a of "TIMER HOLDER SETTING" indicating that the delayed return monitoring setting process is in progress, and an item display 203b of "1: TIMER SETTING" for selecting the timer monitoring setting process as a selection item of the delayed return monitoring setting process, and an item display 203c of "2: TIMER SETTING" for selecting the time monitoring setting process. In addition, an arrow display 203d indicating which of the selection items of the delayed return monitoring setting process is selected, and an item number display field 203e for displaying the number of the item that matches the arrow display 203d vertically are displayed inside. The third display screen 203 also has a selection operation on the operation unit 32 similar to that of the second display screen 202.

[0044] {Timer monitoring setting process} When the timer monitoring setting process is selected and input from among multiple selection items of the return delay monitoring setting process, the control unit 111 performs the timer monitoring setting process. That is, in a state where the third display screen 203 is displayed on the display unit 31, for example, as shown in Fig. 6(b), the item display 203b of "1: Timer Setting" and the arrow display 203d are aligned vertically and the number in the item number display field 203e is displayed as "[1]" indicating the timer monitoring setting process, when the ENTER key 126 is pressed, the control unit 111 performs the timer monitoring setting process.

[0045] In the timer monitoring setting process, the control unit 111 first displays, on the display unit 31, for example, a fourth display screen 204 as shown in FIG. 6(c) to allow the user to select whether or not to perform the timer monitoring process, and waits for a selection input.

[0046] The fourth display screen 204 displays a title display 204a of "TIMER SETTING" indicating that the timer monitoring setting process is in progress, an item display 204b of "1: ON" for selecting whether to perform the timer monitoring process, and an item display 204c of "2: OFF" for selecting whether not to perform the timer monitoring process. In addition, an arrow display 204d indicating which item is selected, and an item number display field 204e in which the number of the item that matches the vertical position of the arrow display 204d is displayed inside are displayed. The fourth display screen 204 is also subjected to a selection operation on the operation unit 32 in the same manner as the second display screen 202.

[0047] When a selection operation for performing the timer monitoring process is input, the control unit 111 transitions to a timer time setting process for setting the timer setting time. That is, when the fourth display screen 204 is displayed on the display unit 31, and the item display 204b of "1: On" and the arrow display 204d are aligned vertically and the item number display field 204e is displaying "[1]" indicating on as shown in Fig. 6(c), the control unit 111 stores this in the storage unit 112 as a setting for performing the timer monitoring process, and transitions to the timer time setting process.

[0048] On the other hand, when the ENTER key 126 is pressed while the item display 204c of "2: Off" and the arrow display 204d are aligned in the vertical position and the item number display field 204e is displaying "[2]" indicating off, the control unit 111 stores this in the memory unit 112 as a setting that does not perform the timer monitoring process, terminates the timer monitoring setting process, and displays, for example, a fifth display screen 205 as shown in Figure 6(d) on the display unit 31 to confirm the completion of the return delay monitoring setting process, and enters a state in which a confirmation operation input is awaited.

[0049] The fifth display screen 205 displays a title display 205a of "RETURN DELAY HOLDER DETECTION" indicating that the delayed return monitoring setting process is in progress, and a guide display 205b of "SETTINGS CHANGED, PRESS ENTER". When the ENTER key 126 is pressed while the fifth display screen 205 is displayed on the display unit 31, the control unit 111 displays a second display screen 202 on the display unit 31 for selecting one of a plurality of items of a plurality of monitoring setting processes, and enters a state of waiting for selection input. When the CE key 128 of the operation unit 32 is pressed in this state, the control unit 111 displays a first display screen on the display unit 31 for selecting one of the operable items, and returns to a state of waiting for selection input.

[0050] In the timer time setting process, the control unit 111 displays, for example, a sixth display screen 206 as shown in FIG. 7(a) on the display unit 31 for inputting the timer setting time, and waits for the timer setting time to be input.

[0051] The sixth display screen 206 displays a title display 206a of "TIMER SETTING" indicating that the timer monitoring setting process is in progress, a guide display 206b of "SET 1-120MIN PRESS ENTER" to prompt the input of the timer setting time, and a timer setting time display field 206c to display the input timer setting time. When the timer setting time is input using the character input key group 127 of the operation unit 32 while the sixth display screen 206 is displayed, the control unit 111 displays the input timer setting time in the timer setting time display field 206c.

[0052] When the ENTER key 126 is pressed with the timer setting time input, the control unit 111 stores the input timer setting time in the memory unit 112, terminates the timer time setting process, and proceeds to the timer monitoring target setting process, which sets the holding units 41, 42 that will be the targets of the timer monitoring process.

[0053] In the timer monitoring target setting process, the control unit 111 displays, for example, a seventh display screen 207 as shown in Fig. 7(b) on the display unit 31 for inputting a monitoring target for the timer monitoring process, unlocks the cover lock mechanism 61 to enable opening of the front cover 13, and waits for an input to the operation button 82. In this state, the front cover 13 is manually opened.

[0054] On the seventh display screen 207, a title display 207a of "RETURN DELAY HOLDER DETECTION" indicating that the delayed return monitoring setting process is in progress, and a guide display 207b of "Select the folder and press ENTER" to prompt a selection input are displayed. When one or more of the operation buttons 82 are pressed and the ENTER key 126 is pressed while the seventh display screen 207 is displayed, the control unit 111 sets all of the holding units 41, 42, only those whose operation buttons 82 have been pressed and turned on, as monitoring targets for the timer monitoring process to be performed with the timer setting time input in the timer time setting process, stores them in the storage unit 112, and ends the timer monitoring target setting process.

[0055] Here, the operation button 82 alternates between on and off each time it is pressed, and the control unit 111 initially sets all operation buttons 82 to the off state in the timer monitoring target setting process. If an operation button 82 is not pressed and is in the off state, the control unit 111 does not light the indicator lamp 81 provided integrally with the operation button 82, but when an operation button 82 that is in the off state is pressed and turns on, the control unit 111 lights the indicator lamp 81 provided integrally with the operation button 82. When an operation button 82 that has been turned on with the indicator lamp 81 turned on is pressed and turns off, the control unit 111 turns off the indicator lamp 81.

[0056] In the timer monitoring target setting process, when the monitoring target of the timer monitoring process is set, the control unit 111 proceeds to the timer return delay reason presence / absence setting process. In the timer return delay reason presence / absence setting process, the control unit 111 displays, for example, an eighth display screen 208 as shown in Fig. 7(c) on the display unit 31 to allow the user to select whether or not to input the reason for the return delay in the case of a return delay, and waits for the selection input.

[0057] The eighth display screen 208 displays a title display 208a of "Chain Holder Setting" indicating that the timer return delay reason presence / absence setting process is in progress, an item display 208b of "1: On" for selecting whether to require input of the return delay reason, and an item display 208c of "2: Off" for selecting whether to not require input of the return delay reason. In addition, an arrow display 208d indicating which item is selected, and an item number display field 208e for displaying the number of the item that matches the arrow display 208d vertically are displayed inside. The eighth display screen 208 also has a selection operation on the operation unit 32 similar to that of the second display screen 202.

[0058] When a selection operation for inputting a reason for a return delay is input, the control unit 111 sets the timer monitoring return delay reason required setting, which requires the input of a reason for a return delay when a return delay occurs in the timer monitoring process, whereas when a selection operation for not requiring the input of a reason for a return delay is input, the control unit 111 sets the timer monitoring return delay reason not required setting, which does not require the input of a reason for a return delay when a return delay occurs in the timer monitoring process.

[0059] Here, in the timer monitoring return delay reason required setting, only those holding units 41, 42 that were set as targets for monitoring by the timer monitoring process in the timer monitoring target setting process require the input of a reason for a return delay when a return delay occurs in the timer monitoring process, whereas in the timer monitoring return delay reason not required setting, all those holding units 41, 42 that were set as targets for monitoring by the timer monitoring process in the timer monitoring target setting process do not require the input of a reason for a return delay when a return delay occurs in the timer monitoring process.

[0060] For example, as shown in FIG. 7(c), when the ENTER key 126 is pressed while the item display 208b of "1: On" and the arrow display 208d are aligned vertically and the item number display field 208e is displaying "[1]" indicating on, the control unit 111 enters a state in which a timer monitoring return delay reason setting is required, which requires input of a reason for a return delay when a return delay occurs in the timer monitoring process, and causes the display unit 31 to display a fifth display screen 205 for confirming the completion of the return delay monitoring setting process, and enters a state in which a confirmation operation input is awaited.

[0061] On the other hand, when the ENTER key 126 is pressed while the item display 208c of "2: Off" and the arrow display 208d are aligned in the vertical position and the item number display field 208e is displaying "[2]" indicating off, the control unit 111 sets the timer monitoring return delay reason not required setting, which eliminates the need to enter a reason for a return delay when a return delay occurs in the timer monitoring process, and causes the display unit 31 to display the fifth display screen 205 to confirm the completion of the return delay monitoring setting process, and enters a state in which a confirmation operation input is awaited.

[0062] As described above, when the article management device 11 is set to perform the timer monitoring process, the timer monitoring process is performed only on the holding units 41 and 42 that are set as monitoring targets in the timer monitoring target setting process, and among the holding units 41 and 42 that are set as monitoring targets in the timer monitoring target setting process, the time after the start of the timer monitoring process exceeds the timer setting time set in the timer time setting process, and the return is delayed as a time over. Then, when the timer return delay reason presence / absence setting process is performed and the timer monitoring return delay reason is required, the return delay reason is input when the return is delayed. On the other hand, even if the timer monitoring process is set to perform the timer monitoring process, if the timer return delay reason presence / absence setting process is performed and the timer monitoring return delay reason is not required, the return delay reason is not input when the return is delayed. Also, if the timer monitoring process is not set to perform the timer monitoring process, the timer monitoring process is not performed.

[0063] In the above, when the selection operation for requiring input of a reason for a return delay is input in the timer return delay presence / absence setting process, and the timer monitoring return delay reason is set as required, the control unit 111 sets all of the holding units 41, 42 that were set as targets for monitoring of the timer monitoring process in the timer monitoring target setting process as targets for which input of a reason for a return delay is required when a return delay occurs in the timer monitoring process, but it is also possible to select and set those that require input of a reason for a return delay when a return delay occurs in the timer monitoring process from among those that were set as targets for monitoring of the timer monitoring process.

[0064] That is, in the timer return delay reason setting process, the control unit 111 displays, for example, a ninth display screen 209 as shown in FIG. 8(a) on the display unit 31 in place of the eighth display screen 208, in order to allow the user to select and input a reason for a return delay that requires input in the event of a return delay from among the holding units 41, 42 that were set as monitoring targets for the timer monitoring process in the timer monitoring target setting process, and waits for input to the operation button 82.

[0065] In the ninth display screen 209, a title display 209a of "CHANGE HOLDER SETTING" indicating that the timer return delay reason setting process is in progress, and a guide display 209b of "Select Holder and Press ENTER" for prompting selection input are displayed. When one or more of the operation buttons 82 of the holding units 41, 42 that have been set as the monitoring target of the timer monitoring process in the timer monitoring target setting process are pressed and the ENTER key 126 is pressed, the control unit 111 sets all of the holding units 41, 42 whose operation buttons 82 have been pressed and turned on as the units that require input of the return delay reason when a return delay occurs in the timer monitoring process, and stores them in the storage unit 112.

[0066] In this timer return delay reason presence / absence setting process, the control unit 111 first turns off all operation buttons 82 of those of the holding units 41, 42 that were set as monitoring targets for the timer monitoring process in the timer monitoring target setting process and causes the indicator lamps 81 to flash, and when an operation button 82 of these operation buttons 82 is pressed to turn on, the indicator lamp 81 integrated with it is turned on. When an operation button 82 that has turned on with the indicator lamp 81 turned on is pressed to turn off, the indicator lamp 81 is turned on. At this time, the operation buttons 82 of those of the holding units 41, 42 other than those that were set as monitoring targets for the timer monitoring process in the timer monitoring target setting process are maintained in the off state even when pressed, and the integrated indicator lamps 81 are maintained in the off state.

[0067] Next, the control unit 111 displays, on the display unit 31, for example, a tenth display screen 210 as shown in FIG. 8(b) to allow the user to confirm the completion of the timer return delay reason presence / absence setting process, and waits for a confirmation operation input.

[0068] The tenth display screen 210 displays a title display 210a of "CHAIN-RETURN HOLDER SETTING" indicating that the timer return delay reason presence / absence setting process is in progress, and a guide display 210b of "SETTINGS CHANGED, PRESS ENTER." When the ENTER key 126 is pressed while the tenth display screen 210 is displayed on the display unit 31, the control unit 111 ends the timer return delay reason presence / absence setting process, displays the fifth display screen 205 on the display unit 31 to confirm the completion of the same return delay monitoring setting process as above, and waits for a confirmation input.

[0069] As a result, the item management device 11 selectively sets the on / off of the return delay reason input function during the timer monitoring setting process of the holding units 41, 42. The on / off selection of the return delay reason input function can be set collectively for all of the holding units 41, 42 that are set as the monitoring target of the timer monitoring process, or one or more of the holding units 41, 42 that are set as the monitoring target of the timer monitoring process can be selected and set.

[0070] {Time monitoring setting process} When the time monitoring setting process is selected and input from among the multiple selection items of the return delay monitoring setting process, the control unit 111 performs the time monitoring setting process. That is, in a state where the third display screen 203 shown in Fig. 6(b) is displayed on the display unit 31, the item display 203c of "2: Time" and the arrow display 203d are aligned vertically and the number in the item number display field 203e is displaying "[2]" indicating the time monitoring setting process, when the ENTER key 126 is pressed, the control unit 111 performs the time monitoring setting process.

[0071] In the time monitoring setting process, the control unit 111 first displays, on the display unit 31, an eleventh display screen 211, for example as shown in FIG. 9(a), to allow the user to select whether or not to perform the time monitoring process, and waits for a selection input.

[0072] The eleventh display screen 211 displays a title display 211a of "TIME SETTING" indicating that the time monitoring setting process is in progress, an item display 211b of "1: ON" for selecting whether to perform the time monitoring process, and an item display 211c of "2: OFF" for selecting whether not to perform the time monitoring process. In addition, an arrow display 211d indicating which item is selected, and an item number display field 211e for displaying the number of the item that matches the arrow display 211d vertically are displayed inside. The same selection operation on the operation unit 32 as on the second display screen 202 is performed on the eleventh display screen 211 as well.

[0073] When a selection operation for performing the time monitoring process is input, the control unit 111 transitions to a time setting process for setting the set time. That is, when the eleventh display screen 211 is displayed on the display unit 31, and the item display 211b of "1: On" and the arrow display 211d are aligned vertically and the item number display field 211e is displaying "[1]" indicating on as shown in Fig. 9(a), the control unit 111 stores this in the storage unit 112 as a setting for performing the time monitoring process, and transitions to the time setting process.

[0074] On the other hand, when the ENTER key 126 is pressed while the item display 211c of "2: Off" and the arrow display 211d are aligned in the vertical position and the item number display field 211e is displaying "[2]" indicating off, the control unit 111 stores this in the memory unit 112 as a setting that does not perform time monitoring processing, terminates the time monitoring setting process, and displays on the display unit 31 the fifth display screen 205 to confirm the completion of the return delay monitoring setting process, and then enters a state in which a confirmation operation input is awaited.

[0075] In the time setting process, the control unit 111 displays, on the display unit 31, for example, a twelfth display screen 212 as shown in FIG. 9(b) for inputting the set time, and waits for the input of the set time.

[0076] The twelfth display screen 212 displays a title display 212a of "SET TIME" indicating that the time monitoring setting process is in progress, a guide display 212b of "SET TIME PRESS ENTER" prompting the input of a set time, and a set time display field 212c for displaying the input set time. When a set time is input using the character input keys 127 of the operation unit 32 while the twelfth display screen 212 is displayed, the control unit 111 displays the input set time in the set time display field 212c.

[0077] When the ENTER key 126 is pressed with the set time input, the control unit 111 stores the input set time in the memory unit 112, terminates the time setting process, and proceeds to a time monitoring target setting process that sets the holding units 41, 42 that will be the targets of the time monitoring process.

[0078] In the time monitoring target setting process, the control unit 111 displays, for example, a 13th display screen 213 as shown in Figure 9 (c) on the display unit 31 to allow the user to input the monitoring target for the time monitoring process, unlocks the cover lock mechanism 61 to allow the front cover 13 to be opened, and waits for input to the operation button 82.

[0079] The thirteenth display screen 213 displays a title display 213a of "RETURN DELAY HOLDER DETECTION" indicating that the delayed return monitoring setting process is in progress, and a guide display 213b of "Select the folder and press ENTER" to prompt a selection input. When one or more of the operation buttons 82 are pressed and the ENTER key 126 is pressed while the thirteenth display screen 213 is displayed, the control unit 111 sets all of the holding units 41, 42, only those whose operation buttons 82 have been pressed and turned on, as monitoring targets for the time monitoring process to be performed at the set time input in the time setting process, stores them in the storage unit 112, and ends the time monitoring target setting process.

[0080] Here too, in the time monitoring target setting process, the control unit 111 first sets all operation buttons 82 to the off state. Then, if an operation button 82 is not pressed and is in the off state, the control unit 111 does not light the indicator lamp 81 provided integrally with the operation button 82, and when an operation button 82 that is in the off state is pressed and turned on, the control unit 111 lights up the indicator lamp 81 provided integrally with the operation button 82. When an operation button 82 that has been turned on with the indicator lamp 81 turned on is pressed and turned off, the control unit 111 turns off the indicator lamp 81.

[0081] In the time monitoring target setting process, when the monitoring target of the time monitoring process is set, the control unit 111 proceeds to the time return delay reason presence / absence setting process. In the time return delay reason presence / absence setting process, the control unit 111 displays, for example, a fourteenth display screen 214 as shown in Fig. 10(a) on the display unit 31 to allow the user to select whether or not to input the reason for the return delay in the case of a return delay, and waits for the selection input.

[0082] The fourteenth display screen 214 displays a title display 214a of "Chain holder setting" indicating that the time return delay reason presence / absence setting process is in progress, an item display 214b of "1: ON" for selecting whether to require input of the return delay reason, and an item display 214c of "2: OFF" for selecting whether to not require input of the return delay reason. In addition, an arrow display 214d indicating which item is selected, and an item number display field 214e in which the number of the item that matches the arrow display 214d in the vertical position is displayed inside are displayed. For this fourteenth display screen 214, the same selection operation to the operation unit 32 as for the second display screen 202 is performed.

[0083] When a selection operation for inputting a reason for return delay is input, the control unit 111 sets the time monitoring return delay reason required setting, which requires the input of a reason for return delay when a return delay occurs during the time monitoring process, whereas when a selection operation for not requiring the input of a reason for return delay is input, the control unit 111 sets the time monitoring return delay reason not required setting, which does not require the input of a reason for return delay when a return delay occurs during the time monitoring process.

[0084] Here, in the time monitoring return delay reason required setting, only those holding units 41, 42 that were set as targets for monitoring in the time monitoring process in the time monitoring target setting process require the input of a reason for a return delay when a return delay occurs in the time monitoring process, while in the time monitoring return delay not required setting, all holding units 41, 42 that were set as targets for monitoring in the time monitoring process in the time monitoring target setting process do not require the input of a reason for a return delay when a return delay occurs in the time monitoring process.

[0085] For example, as shown in FIG. 10(a), when the ENTER key 126 is pressed while the item display 214b of "1: On" and the arrow display 214d are aligned vertically and the item number display field 214e is displaying "[1]" indicating on, the control unit 111 enters a state in which a time monitoring return delay reason setting is required, which requires the input of a reason for a return delay when a return delay occurs in the time monitoring process, and causes the display unit 31 to display a fifth display screen 205 for confirming the completion of the return delay monitoring setting process, and enters a state in which a confirmation operation input is awaited.

[0086] On the other hand, when the ENTER key 126 is pressed while the item display 214c "2: Off" and the arrow display 214d are aligned in the vertical position and the item number display field 214e is displaying "[2]" indicating off, the control unit 111 sets the time monitoring return delay reason not required setting, which eliminates the need to enter a reason for a return delay when a return delay occurs during the time monitoring process, and causes the display unit 31 to display the fifth display screen 205 to confirm the completion of the return delay monitoring setting process, and enters a state in which a confirmation operation input is awaited.

[0087] As described above, when the item management device 11 is set to perform the time monitoring process, the time monitoring process is performed only on the holding units 41 and 42 that are set as monitoring targets in the time monitoring target setting process, and when the holding units 41 and 42 that are set as monitoring targets in the time monitoring target setting process exceed the set time set in the time setting process after the start of the time monitoring process while the holding target item is still in a removed state, the item management device 11 is deemed to have exceeded the time and is deemed to have been returned late. In addition, when the time monitoring reason for return delay is set to "required" by inputting a selection operation for "required" for inputting a reason for return delay in the time monitoring reason for return delay setting process, the item management device 11 will prompt the user to input a reason for return delay when the item is returned late. On the other hand, even if the item management device 11 is set to perform the time monitoring process, when the time monitoring reason for return delay is set to "not required" by inputting a selection operation for "not required" for inputting a reason for return delay in the time monitoring reason for return delay setting process, the item management device 11 will not prompt the user to input a reason for return delay when the item is returned late. In addition, if the item management device 11 is not set to perform the time monitoring process, the time monitoring process will not be performed.

[0088] In the above, when the selection operation for requiring input of a reason for return delay is input in the time-monitored return delay reason setting process, the control unit 111 sets all of the holding units 41, 42 that were set as targets for monitoring in the time monitoring process in the time monitoring target setting process to targets for which a reason for return delay must be input when a return delay occurs in the time monitoring process, but it is also possible to select and set those that require input of a reason for return delay when a return delay occurs in the time monitoring process from among those that were set as targets for monitoring in the time monitoring process.

[0089] That is, in the time return delay reason setting process, the control unit 111 displays, for example, a 15th display screen 215 as shown in Figure 10 (b) on the display unit 31 instead of the 14th display screen 214, in order to allow the user to select and input one of the holding units 41, 42 that has been set as a monitoring target for the time monitoring process in the time monitoring target setting process, for which input of a return delay reason is required in the event of a return delay, and waits for input to the operation button 82.

[0090] The fifteenth display screen 215 displays a title display 215a of "CHANGE HOLDER SETTING" indicating that the time return delay reason setting process is in progress, and a guide display 215b of "Select Holder and Press ENTER" to prompt selection input. When one or more of the operation buttons 82 of the holding units 41, 42 that have been set as the monitoring target of the time monitoring process in the time monitoring target setting process are pressed and the ENTER key 126 is pressed, the control unit 111 sets all of the holding units 41, 42 whose operation buttons 82 have been pressed and turned on as the units that require input of the return delay reason when the return delay occurs in the time monitoring process, and stores them in the storage unit 112.

[0091] In this time return delay reason setting process, the control unit 111 first turns off all operation buttons 82 of those of the holding units 41, 42 that were set as monitoring targets for the time monitoring process in the time monitoring target setting process and causes the indicator lamps 81 to flash, and when an operation button 82 of these operation buttons 82 is pressed to turn on, the indicator lamp 81 integrated with it is turned on. When an operation button 82 that has turned on with the indicator lamp 81 turned on is pressed to turn off, the indicator lamp 81 is turned on. At this time, the operation buttons 82 of those of the holding units 41, 42 other than those that were set as monitoring targets for the time monitoring process in the time monitoring target setting process are maintained in the off state even if pressed, and the integrated indicator lamps 81 are maintained in the off state.

[0092] Next, the control unit 111 displays, on the display unit 31, for example, a sixteenth display screen 216 as shown in FIG. 10(c) to prompt the user to confirm the completion of the time return delay reason presence / absence setting process, and waits for a confirmation operation input.

[0093] The sixteenth display screen 216 displays a title display 216a of "CHANGE HOLDER SETTING" indicating that the time return delay reason presence / absence setting process is in progress, and a guide display 216b of "SETTINGS CHANGED, PRESS ENTER." When the ENTER key 126 is pressed while the sixteenth display screen 216 is displayed on the display unit 31, the control unit 111 ends the time return delay reason presence / absence setting process, displays the fifth display screen 205 on the display unit 31 to confirm the completion of the return delay monitoring setting process similar to that described above, and waits for a confirmation input.

[0094] As a result, the item management device 11 selectively sets the on / off of the return delay reason input function even during the time monitoring setting process of the storage units 41, 42. The on / off selection of the return delay reason input function can be set collectively for all of the storage units 41, 42 that are set as the monitoring target of the time monitoring process, or one or more of the storage units 41, 42 that are set as the monitoring target of the time monitoring process can be selected and set.

[0095] As a result of the above-mentioned return delay monitoring setting process, all of the holding units 41, 42 will be set as either one of the following: one that is not set as a monitoring target for either the timer monitoring process or the time monitoring process, one that is set as a monitoring target for only the timer monitoring process out of the timer monitoring process and the time monitoring process, one that is set as a monitoring target for only the time monitoring process out of the timer monitoring process and the time monitoring process, or one that is set as a monitoring target for both the timer monitoring process and the time monitoring process.

[0096] [Setting reason for delayed return] In the item management device 11, a plurality of presumed reasons for a delayed return can be registered in advance in the storage unit 112 as candidates for reasons for a delayed return (candidate reasons for a delayed return) to be input in the event of a delayed return, and one of these candidate reasons for a delayed return can be selected and input in the event of a delayed return. If a process for setting a reason for a delayed return is included in the operable items on the first display screen described above, when the selection and input of the process for setting a reason for a delayed return is made via the operation unit 32, the control unit 111 performs a process for setting a reason for a delayed return that stores the candidate reasons for a delayed return in the storage unit 112. In other words, in the item management device 11, the input of a reason for a delayed return is made by registering presumed reasons for a delayed return in a list of reasons for a delayed return as candidates for a delayed return, and can be selected from this list of reasons for a delayed return when inputting.

[0097] The delayed return reason setting process includes a delayed return reason candidate registration process for setting and storing delayed return reason candidates in advance, and a candidate use target setting process for setting and storing a candidate for delayed return reason to be used that is set and stored in the storage units 41 and 42. When a selection input for the delayed return reason setting process is made, the control unit 111 displays, for example, a 17th display screen 217 as shown in Fig. 11(a) on the display unit 31 to allow the user to select one of the delayed return reason candidate registration process and the candidate use target setting process, and waits for the selection input.

[0098] On this 17th display screen, a title display 217a of "Change delayed return reason setting" indicating that the delayed return reason setting process is in progress, an item display 217b of "1: Chain name display" for selecting the delayed return reason candidate registration process as a selection item of the delayed return reason setting process, and an item display 217c of "2: Chain holder" for selecting the reason candidate use target setting process are displayed. In addition, an arrow display 217d indicating which item is selected, and an item number display field 217e for displaying the number of the item that matches the arrow display 217d vertically are displayed inside. For this 17th display screen 217, the same selection operation to the operation unit 32 as for the second display screen 202 is performed.

[0099] When the candidate return delay reason registration process is selected and input from among the multiple selection items of the delayed return reason setting process, the control unit 111 performs the candidate return delay reason registration process. That is, in a state where the seventeenth display screen 217 is displayed on the display unit 31, for example, as shown in Fig. 11(a), the item display 217b of "1: Chain return" and the arrow display 217d are aligned vertically, and "[1]" is displayed in the item number display field 217e, indicating the candidate return delay reason registration process, when the ENTER key 126 is pressed, the control unit 111 performs the candidate return delay reason registration process.

[0100] In the process of registering candidate reasons for delayed return, the control unit 111 waits for input of a code number to set a candidate reason for delayed return while displaying on the display unit 31, for example, an 18th display screen 218 as shown in FIG. 11(b), in which a return number is displayed corresponding to each of a number of ascending code numbers.

[0101] In the 18th display screen 218, a title display 218a of "CHENRYOUMEISHO" indicating that the return delay reason candidate registration process is in progress, a code number reason number display field 218b of "1:RYOUMI" for selecting an item with a code number of "1" and a reason number of "RYOUMI", a code number reason number display field 218c of "2:RYOUMI" for selecting an item with a code number of "2" and a reason number of "RYOUMI", and a code number reason number display field 218d of "3:RYOUMI" for selecting an item with a code number of "3" and a reason number of "RYOUMI" are displayed. In addition, an arrow display 218e indicating which item is selected and a code number display field 218f for displaying the code number of the item that matches the vertical position of the arrow display 218e are displayed. For this eighteenth display screen 218 as well, the same selection operation is performed on the operation unit 32 as for the second display screen 202.

[0102] The 18th display screen 218 is followed by the 19th display screen (not shown), the 20th display screen (not shown), and the 21st display screen (not shown) on which the same numbering reason number display field and numbering display field are displayed in sequence, and the 18th display screen 218, the 19th display screen (not shown), the 20th display screen (not shown), and the 21st display screen (not shown) are switched by operating the up key 122 or the down key 123 of the operation unit 32. A desired numbering reason number display field is selected from the 18th display screen 218, the 19th display screen (not shown), the 20th display screen (not shown), and the 21st display screen (not shown). The 18th display screen 218 displays a page display 218g of "1 / 4" indicating that it is the first page of four pages of the 18th display screen 218, the 19th display screen (not shown), the 20th display screen (not shown), and the 21st display screen (not shown).

[0103] With the 18th display screen 218 displayed on the display unit 31, for example, when the vertical positions of the code reason number display field 218b of "1:Ryuu01" and the arrow display 218e are aligned as shown in FIG. 11(b), and the code number display field 218f is displaying "[1]" indicating the code number "1", when the ENTER key 126 is pressed, the control unit 111 will cause the display unit 31 to display a 22nd display screen 222 for prompting the user to input a candidate reason for delayed return, as shown in FIG. 11(c), and the user will be prompted to input a candidate reason for delayed return corresponding to the code number "1" and reason number "Ryuu01".

[0104] In the 22nd display screen 222, the reason number for inputting the candidate for delayed return is "RETURN01", a title display 222a of "RETURN01 NAME" indicating that the candidate for delayed return reason is being registered, a guide display 222b of "ENTER NAME" prompting the user to input a candidate for delayed return reason, and a candidate for delayed return reason display field 222c showing the input candidate for delayed return reason inside. When a character string is input using the character input keys 127 of the operation unit 32 while the 22nd display screen 222 is displayed, the control unit 111 displays the input character string in the candidate for delayed return reason display field 222c.

[0105] When a candidate reason for delayed return has been entered in the candidate reason display field 222c and the ENTER key 126 is pressed, the control unit 111 will cause the display unit 31 to display a 23rd display screen 223, as shown in FIG. 11(d), which allows a confirmation operation to be performed, and the candidate reason for delayed return will be confirmed by setting the code number "1" and the reason number "RETURN01".

[0106] On the 23rd display screen 223, the reason number for inputting the candidate reason for delayed return is "RETURN 01", and a title display 223a of "RETURN 01 NAME" indicating that the candidate reason for delayed return registration process is in progress, and a guidance display 223b of "SETTINGS CHANGED. PRESS ENTER" prompting the user to confirm are displayed.

[0107] When the ENTER key 126 is pressed while the 23rd display screen 223 is displayed, the control unit 111 associates the code number, reason number, and the currently inputted return delay reason candidate with each other and stores them in the storage unit 112, and ends the process of registering the return delay reason candidate for these code numbers and reason numbers. That is, the control unit 111 associates the currently inputted return delay reason candidate with the code number "1" and reason number "RYU01" and stores them in the storage unit 112, and ends the process of registering the return delay reason candidate for the code number "1" and reason number "RYU01". After that, the display unit 31 is brought into a state where the 18th display screen 218 is displayed, and the input of the code number and reason number for setting the next return delay reason candidate is awaited. This allows the input of the corresponding return delay reason candidate for a plurality of code numbers and reason numbers and the storage in the storage unit 112. When the CE key 128 is pressed while the 23rd display screen 223 is displayed on the display unit 31, the control unit 111 returns the display unit 31 to a state in which the 22nd display screen 222 is displayed, thereby enabling the user to re-enter a candidate reason for delayed return.

[0108] When the CE key 128 is pressed while the eighteenth display screen 218 is displayed on the display unit 31, the control unit 111 causes the seventeenth display screen 217 to be displayed on the display unit 31, and goes into a state of waiting for a selection input.

[0109] With the seventeenth display screen 217 displayed on the display unit 31, when the candidate reason use target setting process is selected and input from among the multiple items of the delayed return reason setting process, the control unit 111 performs the candidate reason use target setting process. That is, with the seventeenth display screen 217 displayed on the display unit 31, when the item display 217c of "2: Chain Receipt Holder" and the arrow display 217d are aligned vertically and "[2]" is displayed in the item number display field 217e, indicating the candidate reason use target setting process, and the ENTER key 126 is pressed, the control unit 111 performs the candidate reason use target setting process.

[0110] In the process of setting the candidate reason use target, the control unit 111 causes the display unit 31 to display, for example, a 24th display screen 224 as shown in FIG. 12(a) in order to input the candidate reason use target, unlocks the cover lock mechanism 61 to enable the front cover 13 to be opened, and waits for input to the operation button 82.

[0111] The 24th display screen 224 displays, for example, a title display 224a of "CHANGE RETURN HOLDER SETTING" indicating that the reason candidate use target setting process is in progress for setting the holding units 41, 42 that use the previously set and stored return delay reason candidates, and a guide display 224b of "Select Holder and Press ENTER" for prompting selection input. When one or more of the operation buttons 82 are pressed and the ENTER key 126 is pressed while the 24th display screen 224 is displayed, the control unit 111 sets all of the holding units 41, 42 that have been turned on by pressing the operation buttons 82 as reason candidate use targets that use the previously set and stored return delay reason candidates, stores them in the storage unit 112, and ends the reason candidate use target setting process.

[0112] At this time, among the holding units 41, 42, only those that have been set to timer monitoring return delay reason required setting in the timer monitoring setting process and those that have been set to time monitoring return delay reason required setting in the time monitoring setting process are able to turn on the operation button 82, and the operation buttons 82 of the other units will remain in the off state even if pressed, and the integrated indicator lamp 81 will be kept in the off state.

[0113] Here too, the operation button 82 switches between on and off each time it is pressed, and the control unit 111 first turns off all of the operation buttons 82 of the holding units 41, 42 that are set to timer monitoring return delay reason required setting and all of the operation buttons 82 that are set to time monitoring return delay reason required setting, and blinks the indicator lamps 81. When an operation button 82 of these operation buttons 82 is pressed to turn on, the indicator lamp 81 provided integrally with it is turned on. When an operation button 82 that has been turned on with the indicator lamp 81 turned on is pressed to turn off, the indicator lamp 81 is blinked.

[0114] Next, the control unit 111 causes the display unit 31 to display, for example, a 25th display screen 225 as shown in FIG. 12(b) to confirm the completion of the reason candidate use target setting process, and waits for a confirmation operation input.

[0115] The twenty-fifth display screen 225 displays a title display 225a of "CHANGE REFERENCE HOLDER SETTING" which indicates that the reason candidate use target setting process is in progress, and a guide display 225b of "SETTINGS CHANGED, PRESS ENTER". When the ENTER key 126 is pressed while the twenty-fifth display screen 225 is displayed on the display unit 31, the control unit 111 causes the seventeenth display screen 217 to be displayed on the display unit 31. When the CE key 128 is pressed while the seventeenth display screen 217 is displayed on the display unit 31, the display unit 31 is brought into a state where the first display screen described above is displayed.

[0116] Here, the above-mentioned return delay reason candidate registration process may be performed to store a first registration pattern in which a plurality of return delay reason candidates are input, and then a reason candidate use target setting process may be performed to select one or more of the storage units 41, 42 that are set to timer monitoring return delay reason required setting and time monitoring return delay reason required setting, and set the first registration pattern as the one to be used, and then the above-mentioned return delay reason candidate registration process may be performed to store a second registration pattern in which a plurality of return delay reason candidates are input, and then a reason candidate use target setting process may be performed to select another one or more of the storage units 41, 42 that are set to timer monitoring return delay reason required setting and time monitoring return delay reason required setting, and set the second registration pattern as the one to be used. In this case, the above-mentioned return delay reason candidate registration process may be performed multiple times in advance to store multiple patterns of return delay reason candidates in the storage unit 112 in advance, and then the storage units 41, 42 to be used in the reason candidate use target setting process may be set for each registration pattern.

[0117] In the above, we have explained the process of registering a registration pattern for candidate reasons for delayed return using the candidate reason registration process, and then setting the target for which the candidate reason will be used using the candidate reason use target setting process.However, it is also possible to register candidate reasons for delayed return to be used with the target for which the candidate reasons for delayed return will be used after setting the target for which the candidate reasons for delayed return will be used.

[0118] It is also possible to register a registration pattern of candidate return delay reasons in advance by the return delay reason candidate registration process, and set the registered registration pattern to be used when setting the timer monitoring return delay reason necessity setting in the timer monitoring setting process described above and when setting the time monitoring return delay reason necessity setting in the time monitoring setting process. In this case, too, a plurality of registration patterns can be registered in advance, and the registration pattern to be used can be set from among these registration patterns.

[0119] As a result of the above, the item management device 11 is able to set candidate reasons for return delay collectively for those holding units 41, 42 that have been set as requiring timer monitoring return delay reason setting in the timer monitoring setting process, and for those that have been set as requiring time monitoring return delay reason setting in the time monitoring setting process, and is also able to set them individually.

[0120] In addition, the item management device 11 is capable of turning on and off the function of using candidate reasons for return delay collectively for those of the holding units 41, 42 that are set as requiring timer monitoring return delay reason setting in the timer monitoring setting process, and for those that are set as requiring time monitoring return delay reason setting in the time monitoring setting process, and can also turn it on and off individually.

[0121] [Removal process] In the standby state, when a valid ID card 34 is scanned by the card reader 33, the control unit 111 causes the display unit 31 to display a screen prompting the user to input whether to remove or return the key 53 or stored item 95, and waits for the selection input. In this state, when the user selects removal, the control unit 111 performs the removal process. In the removal process, the cover lock mechanism 61 is unlocked, allowing the front cover 13 to be opened.

[0122] In this state, when the front cover 13 is opened and, for example, the operation button 82 of the holding unit 41 that is permitted for removing the key 53 according to the user identification information read by the card reader 33 from the ID card 34 is pressed, the control unit 111 drives the key lock mechanism 76 of the holding unit 41 to release the lock and turns on the indicator lamp 81 of the operation button 82. Then, when the IC tag reader 85 detects that the key holder 52, i.e., the key 53, has been removed from the holding unit 41, the control unit 111 stores in the memory unit 112 the user identification information input at the time of the removal, the identification information of the holding unit 41 from which the key holder 52 has been removed, and the date and time information of the removal as a removal history.

[0123] In addition, it is determined whether the holding unit 41 is set as a monitoring target for neither the timer monitoring process nor the time monitoring process, whether it is set as a monitoring target for only the timer monitoring process, whether it is set as a monitoring target for only the time monitoring process, or whether it is set as a monitoring target for both the timer monitoring process and the time monitoring process. If the holding unit 41 is a monitoring target for the timer monitoring process, the control unit 111 starts the timer monitoring process for the holding unit 41 and starts timekeeping. Also, if the holding unit 41 is a monitoring target for the time monitoring process, the control unit 111 starts the time monitoring process for the holding unit 41.

[0124] Furthermore, when the front cover 13 is opened as described above, and, for example, the operation button 82 of the holding unit 42 for which removal of the stored item 95 is permitted according to the user identification information read by the card reader 33 from the ID card 34 is pressed, the control unit 111 drives the drawer lock mechanism 92 of the holding unit 42 to release the lock, and turns on the indicator lamp 81 of the operation button 82. Then, when the drawer member 91 of the holding unit 42 is pulled out, the stored item 95 is removed from the drawer member 91, and the push-in detection sensor 98 and the presence / absence detection sensor 99 detect that the drawer member 91 has been pushed in, the control unit 111 drives the drawer lock mechanism 92 of the holding unit 42 to lock the drawer member 91, and causes the memory unit 112 to store, as a removal history, the user identification information input at the time of removal, the identification information of the holding unit 42 from which the stored item 95 was removed, and the date and time information of the removal.

[0125] In addition, it is determined whether the holding unit 42 is set as a monitoring target for neither the timer monitoring process nor the time monitoring process, whether it is set as a monitoring target for only the timer monitoring process, whether it is set as a monitoring target for only the time monitoring process, or whether it is set as a monitoring target for both the timer monitoring process and the time monitoring process. If the holding unit 42 is a monitoring target for the timer monitoring process, the control unit 111 starts the timer monitoring process for the holding unit 42 and starts timing. On the other hand, if the holding unit 42 is a monitoring target for the time monitoring process, the control unit 111 starts the time monitoring process for the holding unit 42.

[0126] [Return Processing] The item management device 11 is set to one of two modes: a user confirmation setting mode at time of return, in which only those items associated with the user identification information of the ID card 34 among those holding sections 41, 42 from which items to be held have been removed can be returned, and a user confirmation not setting mode at time of return, in which all items to be held can be returned regardless of the user identification information of the ID card 34.

[0127] In both the return user verification non-setting mode and return user verification setting mode, when a valid ID card 34 is scanned by the card reader 33 in the standby state, the control unit 111 causes the display unit 31 to display a screen prompting the user to input whether to remove or return the key 53 or the stored item 95, and waits for the selection input. When the selection operation for return is input, the control unit 111 performs the return process.

[0128] In the return process in the return user confirmation not yet set mode, the cover lock mechanism 61 is unlocked to allow the front cover 13 to be opened, and the indicator lamps 81 of all of the holding sections 41, 42 from which the held articles have been removed are turned on. That is, in the return user confirmation not yet set mode, the held articles can be returned from all of the holding sections 41, 42 from which the held articles have been removed.

[0129] In this state, for example, when the key holder 52 of the key 53 is inserted into the insertion hole 75 of the holding unit 41 from which the key 53 as the item to be held has been taken out, the control unit 111 determines that the inserted key holder 52 is appropriate for the holding unit 41 by communicating between the IC tag 73 of the key holder 52 and the IC tag reader 85, and drives the key lock mechanism 76 of the holding unit 41 to lock the key holder 52 and turns off the display lamp 81 of the holding unit 41. Then, the identification information of the holding unit 41 to which the key 53 has been returned and the date and time information of the return execution are stored in the memory unit 112 as a return history in association with the user identification information and date and time information at the time of removal. Note that if the inserted key holder 52 is not appropriate for the holding unit 41, the key holder 52 is not locked in the holding unit 41, and a warning screen of the identification of the holding unit 41 and an abnormal return is displayed on the display unit 31.

[0130] In addition, when the holding unit 41 is a monitoring target of the timer monitoring process, the control unit 111 ends the time measurement of the timer monitoring process and ends the timer monitoring process. Also, when the holding unit 41 is a monitoring target of the time monitoring process, the control unit 111 ends the time monitoring process.

[0131] As described above, when the front cover 13 is openable and the indicator lamps 81 of all of the holding sections 41, 42 from which the held items are being removed are turned on, for example, when the operation button 82 of the holding section 42 from which the stored item 95 as the held item is being removed is pressed, the control section 111 drives the drawer lock mechanism 92 of this holding section 42 to release the lock and causes the indicator lamp 81 of this holding section 42 to flash. Then, when the drawer member 91 of this holding section 42 is drawn out, the stored item 95 is returned to this drawer member 91, and the push-in detection sensor 98 and the presence / absence detection sensor 99 detect that this drawer member 91 has been pushed in, the control section 111 turns off the indicator lamp 81 of this holding section 42 and stores the identification information of this holding section 42 to which the stored item 95 has been returned and the date and time information of the return execution in the memory section 112 as a return history in association with the user identification information and the date and time information at the time of removal.

[0132] In addition, when the holding unit 42 is a monitoring target of the timer monitoring process, the control unit 111 ends the time measurement of the timer monitoring process and ends the timer monitoring process. Also, when the holding unit 42 is a monitoring target of the time monitoring process, the control unit 111 ends the time monitoring process.

[0133] In the return process in the return user confirmation setting mode, when a valid ID card 34 is scanned by the card reader 33 and a return selection operation is input, the control unit 111 unlocks the cover lock mechanism 61 to enable the front cover 13 to be opened, and turns on the indicator lamps 81 only for those holding units 41, 42 from which held articles have been removed and for which the return of the held articles is permitted based on the user identification information read by the card reader 33 from the ID card 34. In other words, in the return user confirmation setting mode, of the holding units 41, 42 from which held articles have been removed, only those for which the return of the held articles is permitted based on the user identification information read by the card reader 33 is permitted. Therefore, even if the key holder 52 inserted into the holding unit 41 is an appropriate one corresponding to this holding unit 41, if this holding unit 41 is not authorized to return the held item based on the user identification information read by the card reader 33, the key holder 52 will not be locked to this holding unit 41, and a warning screen will be displayed on the display unit 31 identifying this holding unit 41 and indicating an abnormal return.

[0134] The return process in this return user confirmation setting mode differs from the return user confirmation not setting mode in that the return of held items is limited to those held in holding units 41, 42 that are permitted for the user identification information, and the contents stored in memory unit 112 are different, but otherwise it is almost the same as the return user confirmation not setting mode. Among holding units 41, 42, those held items that are permitted for return for the user identification information read from ID card 34 are basically those that were retrieved using this user identification information. Note that the user identification information of the administrator is permitted to return items to all holding units 41 and 42.

[0135] When the key 53 is returned to a holding unit 41 for which return is permitted, the user identification information at the time of return, the identification information of the holding unit 41 to which the key 53 was returned, and the date and time information of the return are associated with the user identification information and date and time information at the time of removal, and are stored in the memory unit 112 as a return history. Also, when the stored item 95 is returned to a holding unit 42 for which return of the stored item 95 is permitted, the user identification information at the time of return, the identification information of the holding unit 42 to which the stored item 95 was returned, and the date and time information of the return are associated with the user identification information and date and time information at the time of removal, and are stored in the memory unit 112 as a return history.

[0136] [Return Delay Monitoring Process] The control unit 111 performs a timer monitoring process for the holding units 41 and 42 from which the key 53 or the stored item 95 has been removed, and a time monitoring process for the holding units 41 and 42. When the measured time of the timer monitoring process for the holding units 41 and 42 exceeds a preset timer setting time, causing a time-over return delay, and when the current time for the holding units 41 and 42 exceeds a preset setting time, causing a time-over return delay, the control unit 111 performs a delayed return process. In the delayed return process, the notification sound generating unit 113 generates an alarm sound. Here, a case will be described in which the holding units 41 and 42 in which a return delay has occurred are set to timer monitoring return delay reason required setting and are also set to time monitoring return delay reason required setting.

[0137] In the return user verification not set mode, when a valid ID card 34 is scanned by the card reader 33 in this state, the control unit 111 unlocks the cover lock mechanism 61 to enable the front cover 13 to be opened, and causes the indicator lamp 81 of the holding unit 41, 42 for which a return delay has occurred to flash.

[0138] When the key holder 52 of the key 53 is inserted into the insertion hole 75 of the holding unit 41 where the return delay has occurred, the control unit 111 determines that the IC tag 73 of the key holder 52 and the IC tag reader 85 communicate with each other, and that the inserted key holder 52 is appropriate for the holding unit 41. Then, the control unit 111 drives the key lock mechanism 76 of the holding unit 41 to lock the key holder 52 and turns off the display lamp 81 of the holding unit 41. Meanwhile, the alarm sound generation unit 113 continues to generate an alarm sound. At the same time, if the holding unit 41 is a candidate for using a reason, the control unit 111 displays on the display unit 31 a reason delay display screen that prompts the user to select and input a reason for the return delay, for example, a 26th display screen 226 as shown in FIG. 13(a).

[0139] The 26th display screen 226 is connected to the 27th display screen (not shown), the 28th display screen (not shown), and the 29th display screen 229 as shown in Fig. 13(b), which are also display screens for reasons for delayed return, and the 26th display screen 226, the 27th display screen (not shown), the 28th display screen (not shown), and the 29th display screen 229 are switched by operating the up key 122 or the down key 123 of the operation unit 32. The 26th display screen 226, the 27th display screen (not shown), the 28th display screen (not shown), and the 29th display screen 229 display the currently registered candidates for reasons for delayed return corresponding to each of a plurality of ascending code numbers, and wait for the selection input of the candidate for reasons for delayed return to be used. In addition, if the control unit 111 determines through communication between the IC tag 73 of the key holder 52 and the IC tag reader 85 that the inserted key holder 52 is not an appropriate one for the holding unit 41, it will not lock the key holder 52 to the holding unit 41, nor will it turn off the indicator lamp 81 of the holding unit 41.

[0140] Also, for example, when the operation button 82 of the holding unit 42 where the return delay has occurred is pressed, the control unit 111 drives the drawer lock mechanism 92 of the holding unit 42 to release the lock. Then, when the pull-out member 91 of the holding unit 42 is pulled out and the push-in detection sensor 98 and the presence / absence detection sensor 99 detect that the pull-out member 91 has been pushed in by returning the stored item 95 to the pull-out member 91, the control unit 111 drives the drawer lock mechanism 92 of the holding unit 42 to lock the holding unit 42 and turn off the display lamp 81. Meanwhile, the alarm sound generation unit 113 continues to generate. At the same time, if the holding unit 42 is a candidate for using the reason candidates, the display unit 31 displays the 26th display screen 226, which is a return delay reason display screen that prompts the user to select and input a reason for the return delay, and waits for the user to select and input the candidate reason for the return delay to be used. In addition, unless the presence / absence detection sensor 99 and the push-in detection sensor 98 detect that the stored item 95 has been returned to the pull-out member 91 of the holding portion 42 and the pull-out member 91 has been pushed in, the control portion 111 will not lock the holding portion 42, nor will it turn off the indicator lamp 81 of the holding portion 42.

[0141] The 26th display screen 226 displays a title display 226a of "Select return reason" indicating that a selection process of return delay reason candidates is in progress, an item display 226b of "1: Forgot to return" for selecting a return delay reason set for code number "1", an item display 226c of "2: Work delay" for selecting a return delay reason set for code number "2", and an item display 226d of "3: Equipment error" for selecting a return delay reason set for code number "3". In addition, an arrow display 226e indicating which item is selected, a code number display field 226f for displaying the code number of the item that matches the arrow display 226e in the vertical position, and a page display 226g of "1 / 4" indicating that this is the first page of four pages of the 26th display screen 226, the 27th display screen (not shown), the 28th display screen (not shown), and the 29th display screen 229 are displayed.

[0142] The 29th display screen 229 displays a title display 229a of "Select reason for delayed return" indicating that a selection process for a candidate reason for delayed return is in progress, and an item display 229b of "10: Damage / Return" for selecting the reason for delayed return set for code number "10" of lost or damaged. Furthermore, the 29th display screen 229 displays an item display 229c of "11: Next" set for code number "11" for selecting returning to the 26th display screen 226, and an item display 229d of "12: Other" set for code number "12" for selecting text input of a candidate reason for delayed return that is not included in the options. Additionally, an arrow display 229e indicating which of the items is selected, a code number display field 229f for displaying the code number of the item that matches the vertical position of the arrow display 226e, and a page display 229g of "4 / 4" indicating that this is the fourth of four pages on the twenty-sixth display screen 226, the twenty-seventh display screen not shown, the twenty-eighth display screen not shown, and the twenty-ninth display screen 229 are displayed.

[0143] In this state, when one of the candidate reasons for delayed return is selected and confirmed, the control unit 111 stops generation of the alarm sound from the notification sound generation unit 113, and stores the identification information of the holding unit 41 to which the key 53 was returned with a delay this time or the holding unit 42 to which the stored item 95 was returned with a delay this time, the date and time information of the occurrence of the delayed return, the date and time information of the return execution, the error name indicating whether the return delay was due to a time over or time exceedance, and the selected candidate reason for delayed return as a return history in the memory unit 112 in association with the user identification information and date and time information at the time of removal. In addition, the control unit 111 ends the timer monitoring process and time monitoring process which monitor the holding unit 41, 42 to which the held item has been returned.

[0144] On the 26th display screen 226, for example, when the arrow display 226e is aligned vertically with the item display 226b of "1: Forgot to return" as shown in FIG. 13(a) and the code number "1" is displayed in the code number display field 226f, and the ENTER key 126 is pressed, the control unit 111 stores the above information, including "forgot to return" as the selected candidate reason for delayed return, in the memory unit 112 as a return history.

[0145] The selection input of the candidate reason for delayed return is not limited to one, but multiple candidates can be selected, and the multiple selected and input candidate reasons for delayed return may be stored in the memory unit 112 as a return history in association with the return of the held item in the holding units 41 and 42. In other words, at least one candidate reason for delayed return is selected and stored in the memory unit 112 as a return history in association with the return of the held item that was delayed in the holding units 41 and 42.

[0146] In addition, when a candidate for a reason for delayed return that is not included in the options of the 26th display screen 226, the 27th display screen (not shown), the 28th display screen (not shown), and the 29th display screen 229, which are the delayed return reason display screens, is to be input as text, when the option for inputting the reason for delayed return as text is selected and input, the control unit 111 displays, for example, the 30th display screen 230 as shown in Fig. 13(c) on the display unit 31, displays a message prompting the user to input the reason for delayed return as text, and waits for input to the operation unit 32. That is, when the ENTER key 126 is pressed in the state in which the arrow display 229e is aligned vertically with the item display 229d of "12: Others" as shown in Fig. 13(b) on the 29th display screen 229, and the code number "12" is displayed in the code number display field 229f, the control unit 111 displays the 30th display screen 230 on the display unit 31.

[0147] This 30th display screen 230 displays a title display 230a of "OTHER REASONS" indicating that this is a screen for inputting text of other reasons for delayed return, a guide display 230b of "ENTER MESSAGE AND PRESS ENTER" to prompt input of text of the reason for delayed return, and an input character display field 230c in which the input character string is displayed. When a character string is input using the character input keys 127 of the operation unit 32 while this 30th display screen 230 is displayed, the control unit 111 displays the input text string in the input character display field 230c.

[0148] When the ENTER key 126 is pressed to confirm the reason for the delayed return after the reason for the delayed return has been entered in text, the control unit 111 stores the entered reason for the delayed return, the identification information of the holding unit 41 to which the key 53 was returned with a delay this time or the holding unit 42 to which the stored item 95 was returned with a delay this time, the error name indicating whether the delayed return was due to a time over or time exceeding, the date and time information of the occurrence of the delayed return, and the date and time information of the execution of the return as a return history in the memory unit 112 in association with the user identification information and date and time information at the time of removal. In addition, the control unit 111 ends the timer monitoring process and time monitoring process which monitor the holding units 41, 42 in which the held item has been returned.

[0149] On the other hand, in the delayed return process in the user confirmation setting mode, an alarm is generated by the notification sound generating unit 113, as in the case of the user confirmation not setting mode, but at this time, the control unit 111 causes the display unit 31 to display, for example, a 31st display screen 231 as shown in Fig. 14(a), which prompts the user to scan the ID card 34 into the card reader 33. That is, in the delayed return process in the user confirmation not setting mode, if the front cover 13 was in the open state before the delayed return process, the object to be held can be returned without scanning the ID card 34 into the card reader 33, but in the delayed return process in the user confirmation setting mode, scanning the ID card 34 into the card reader 33 is required.

[0150] The 31st display screen 231 displays a date and time display 231a of "20XX / 11 / 12 10:15" that displays the date and time information at that time, and a guide display 231b of "Please insert card" that prompts the user to scan the ID card 34 into the card reader 33. At this time, the display unit 31 may display the alarm content including the identification of the holding unit 41, 42 that has experienced a delayed return.

[0151] In this state, when the appropriate ID card 34 is scanned by the card reader 33, the control unit 111 prompts the user to input whether to remove or return the key 53 or stored item 95, for example, by displaying a 32nd display screen 232 as shown in Figure 14(b) on the display unit 31 and waits for the selection input.

[0152] On the 32nd display screen 232, a guide display 232a of "Select removal / change" is displayed, and an item display 232b of "1: Remove" for selecting removal and an item display 232c of "2: Change" for selecting return are displayed as selection items. In addition, an arrow display 232d showing which of the selection items is selected and an item number display field 232e for displaying the number of the selection item that matches the arrow display 232d in the vertical position are displayed. On this 32nd display screen 232 as well, a selection operation on the operation unit 32 is performed in the same manner as on the second display screen 202.

[0153] On the 32nd display screen 232, for example, as shown in FIG. 14(b), when the vertical position of the arrow display 232d is aligned with the item display 232c of “2: CHANGE”, which indicates the selection of return, and the number “2” is displayed in the item number display field 232e, the ENTER key 126 is pressed to input the return selection operation, and the control unit 111 performs a delayed return process that is almost the same as the mode in which user confirmation at the time of return is not set, but at that time, as with the return process described above, only those of the holding units 41, 42 that are authorized to return the held items based on the user identification information read from the ID card 34 will be able to return the held items.

[0154] Therefore, even if the key holder 52 inserted into the holding unit 41 is a proper one corresponding to this holding unit 41, if this holding unit 41 is not permitted to return the held item based on the user identification information read by the card reader 33, the key holder 52 is not locked to this holding unit 41, the indicator lamp 81 of this holding unit 41 is not turned off, and a warning screen for identifying this holding unit 41 and for a return abnormality is displayed on the display unit 31. In this case, when the card reader 33 scans the ID card 34 storing the user identification information that indicates that the holding unit 41 is permitted to return the held item, the key holder 52 is locked to this holding unit 41 and the indicator lamp 81 of this holding unit 41 is turned off.

[0155] When a suitable key 53 is returned to a holding unit 41 that is authorized to return the key 53 as a held item based on the user identification information, and the reason for the delayed return is selected or entered by text, as in the case of the mode in which user confirmation at return is not set, the control unit 111 associates the user identification information at the time of return, the entered reason for the delayed return, the identification information of the holding unit 41 to which the key 53 was returned, the error name indicating whether the delayed return was due to a time limit or exceeding the time, the date and time information of the occurrence of the delayed return, and the date and time information of the execution of the return in memory unit 112 as a return history, in association with the user identification information and date and time information at the time of pick-up.

[0156] In addition, when a stored item 95 is returned to a holding unit 42 for which return of the stored item 95 as a held item is permitted based on the user identification information, and the reason for the delayed return is selected or entered by text, as in the case of the mode in which user confirmation at time of return is not set, the control unit 111 stores in the memory unit 112 as a return history, the user identification information at the time of return, the entered reason for the delayed return, the identification information of the holding unit 42 to which the stored item 95 was returned, the error name indicating whether the return delay was due to a time limit or exceeding the time, the date and time information of the occurrence of the delayed return, and the date and time information of the execution of the return, in association with the user identification information and date and time information at the time of retrieval.

[0157] In the above, when the key 53 is returned to the delayed return holding section 41 or the stored item 95 is returned to the delayed return holding section 42, the reason for the delayed return can be input, but in both the return user confirmation not set mode and the return user confirmation set mode, it is possible to first return the delayed return key 53 or the stored item 95 or input the reason for the delayed return. For example, in the return user confirmation set mode, when the ID card 34 is scanned by the card reader 33, it becomes possible to input the reason for the delayed return without waiting for the return, and when the input of the reason for the delayed return is completed, the alarm is stopped, and then when the delayed return key 53 or the stored item 95 is returned, the indicator lamp 81 is turned off.

[0158] When performing the delayed return process, the control unit 111 causes the notification sound generation unit 113 to generate an alarm sound, and this alarm sound can be stopped by an alarm sound stop operation on the operation unit 32. That is, when the person who should return the item is absent and the alarm sound continues to sound, another person (such as an administrator) can input the alarm sound stop operation to stop the alarm sound. The alarm sound stop operation on the operation unit 32 is, for example, the operation of pressing the CE key 128. In this case, even after the alarm sound stop operation, the indicator lamp 81 of the holding unit 41 or 42 where the return is delayed remains lit, and based on the lighting of this indicator lamp 81, the key 53 is returned to the holding unit 41 and the stored item 95 is returned to the holding unit 42.

[0159] At that time, when the key holder 52 of the key 53 is inserted into the holding unit 41 where the return delay has occurred, the control unit 111 causes the notification sound generating unit 113 to generate an alarm sound again. In this state, when the reason for the delayed return is confirmed by selecting or entering text, the control unit 111 causes the notification sound generating unit 113 to stop generating the alarm sound. Similarly, when the operation button 82 of the holding unit 42 where the return delay has occurred is pressed, the control unit 111 causes the notification sound generating unit 113 to generate an alarm sound again. Thereafter, the control unit 111 confirms the return of the stored item 95 to the holding unit 42, and when the reason for the delayed return is confirmed by selecting or entering text, the control unit 111 stops generating the alarm sound from the notification sound generating unit 113.

[0160] In this case, too, after the alarm sound is stopped by an alarm sound stopping operation on the operation unit 32, for example, when the ID card 34 is scanned by the card reader 33, it may be possible to input the reason for the delayed return without waiting for the return of the delayed key 53 or the stored item 95. In this case, when the ID card 34 is scanned by the card reader 33, the alarm sound is generated again, and when the input of the reason for the delayed return is completed, the alarm sound is stopped, and then when the delayed key 53 or the stored item 95 is returned, the indicator lamp 81 is turned off.

[0161] Here, if the front cover 13 is already open during the delayed return process in the return user confirmation setting mode, the key holder 52 may be inserted into the holding unit 41 in which the return is delayed without scanning the ID card 34 into the card reader 33. In this case, even if the key holder 52 inserted into the delayed return holding unit 41 is a proper one corresponding to this holding unit 41, the control unit 111 does not lock the key holder 52 to this holding unit 41, and does not turn off the indicator lamp 81 of this holding unit 41, but causes the display unit 31 to display a warning screen for identifying this holding unit 41 and for a return abnormality. After that, when the ID card 34 storing the user identification information that is permitted to return the held item to this holding unit 41 is scanned by the card reader 33, the control unit 111 locks the key holder 52 to this holding unit 41 and turns off the indicator lamp 81 of this holding unit 41.

[0162] [Output processing] In the standby state, when a proper ID card 34 is scanned by the card reader 33 and the MENU key 121 of the operation unit 32 is pressed, the control unit 111 reads out operable items that are permitted to be operated for the user identification information read out from the ID card 34, displays a first display screen on the display unit 31 for selecting one of the operable items, and waits for selection input. If the operable items on the first display screen include a processing history output process for outputting the processing history of the holding units 41, 42 including the return history, when this processing history output process is selected and input, the control unit 111 displays a designation input screen for the output destination of the processing history data on the display unit 31 and waits for designation input of the output destination. The output destinations include the printer unit 36 ​​of the goods management device 11, an external management device connected by a wired or wireless network, a portable recording medium such as a USB memory, and the like.

[0163] When the printer unit 36 ​​is selected as the output destination, the control unit 111 outputs the processing history data to the printer unit 36 ​​and causes the printer unit 36 ​​to print on paper through a processing history output process. The printed contents include, for example, the identification information of the holding units 41, 42, the time of removal and return, a specific name indicating the item to be held if it has been registered, the name of the error for the delayed return (time over or time exceeded) if a delayed return has occurred, the reason for the delayed return if one has been entered, the purpose of use, and user identification information.

[0164] Here, the specific names are set by the customer for easy identification of the objects to be held, i.e., holding sections 41, 42, and are set in advance for each of holding sections 41, 42 by a predetermined input operation via operation section 32 and stored in memory section 112. Also, a plurality of intended uses are set in advance by a predetermined input operation via operation section 32 and stored in memory section 112, and an appropriate intended use is selected and set from the registered ones as necessary when key 53 or stored item 95 is taken out.

[0165] For example, when printing using the printer unit 36 ​​when operating in the mode where user authentication at return is not set, as shown in Figure 15, the following are printed on the paper 235: the string 235a "<May 03, 20XX>" indicating the target date, the string 235b "Review" indicating that this is a review printout of the processing history, the string 235c "Holder 001" indicating that this is a key holder 52 held in the first holding unit 41, the string 235d "W16:24" indicating the time that this key holder 52 of Holder 001 was removed from the first holding unit 41 and was removed with double authentication, and the string 235e "16:29" indicating the time that this key holder 52 of Holder 001 was returned to the first holding unit 41. Also printed on paper 235 are the character string 235f "Name: Honkinko" which is the specific name of key holder 52 of holder 001, the character string 235g "Mokuteki: Business Kaisi" which is entered as the intended use of key holder 52 of holder 001, and the character string 235h "Card: Suzuki Hanako" and the character string 235i "Card: Yamada Taro" which are the authentication method and the authenticated user identification information.

[0166] Also printed on the paper 235 are the string 235j of "Holder 002", indicating that the key holder 52 is held in the second holding unit 41, the string 235k of "S16:27", indicating the time that the key holder 52 of Holder 002 was removed from the second holding unit 41 and that it was removed with single authentication, and the string 235m of "16:39", indicating the time that the key holder 52 of Holder 002 was returned to the second holding unit 41. Also printed on paper 235 are the character string 235n "Name: Uketsuke", which is the specific name of key holder 52 of holder 002, the character string 235o "Time Over", which is the error name for the delayed return of key holder 52 of holder 002, the character string 235p "Return: Work Required", which was entered as the reason for the delayed return of key holder 52 of holder 002, and the character string 235q "Card: Yamada Taro", which is the authentication method and the identification information of the authenticated user.

[0167] Also printed on the paper 235 are a character string 235r of "Holder 003" indicating that the key holder 52 is held in the third holding unit 41, a character string 235s of "S16:00" indicating the time when the key holder 52 of this Holder 003 was removed from the third holding unit 41 and that it was removed by single authentication, and a character string 235t of "16:15" indicating the time when the key holder 52 of this Holder 003 was returned to the third holding unit 41. Also printed on the paper 235 are a character string 235u of "TIME" which is the error name of the delayed return of the key holder 52 of this Holder 003, a character string 235v of "RETURN:RETURN ERROR" which was input as the reason for the delayed return of the key holder 52 of this Holder 003, and a character string 235w of "Card:Yamada Taro" which is the authentication method and the authenticated user identification information.

[0168] In the output process, in addition to the error name and the reason for the delayed return, the time information of the delayed return may be output. For example, instead of the character string "Time Over" 235o shown in FIG. 15, the character string "Time Over 16:28" may be printed.

[0169] It is also possible to print out the history for each key holder 52 and each stored item 95, in other words, the history for each holding section 41, 42, print out the history for each reason for late return, and print out the history for each user identification information that took out the item, and it is possible to see the number and trends of reasons for late return for each. Note that the display screen displayed on the display section 31 and the contents printed by the printer section 36 shown above are merely examples, and it goes without saying that the wording and form are not limited to these.

[0170] Some key management devices as goods management devices have a monitoring function that warns of a return delay such as a time-out or time-over by sounding a buzzer when the time the holder is removed exceeds a preset timer time or set time, and some store the details of the time-out or time-over error when such a return delay occurs. Therefore, the details of the error can be understood by checking the history of return delays. However, the reason why the holder could not be returned by the timer time or set time is unknown. For this reason, it becomes necessary for the administrator to ask the person in question about the reason for the delay.

[0171] In contrast, in the item management device 11 of this embodiment, when the control unit 111 determines that there is a delay in the return of the key 53 and the stored item 95, the control unit 111 can input the reason for the delayed return to the operation unit 32. By storing the input reason for the delayed return in the storage unit 112, the reason for the delayed return can be included in the information regarding the return of the item, and the information regarding the return of the item can be managed in detail. In other words, it is possible to strictly manage the return of the item. As a result, by reading out the reason for the delayed return stored in the storage unit 112, the reason for the delayed return can be confirmed without having to ask the person in question, and the burden on the manager can be reduced. In addition, by having the user input the reason for the delayed return when returning the item, it is possible to psychologically suppress the delay in returning the item. In addition, by having the user input the reason for the delayed return when returning the item, it is possible to suppress the case where the user forgets the reason for the delayed return after some time has passed since the return, or reports an ambiguous reason for the delayed return, and the reason for the delayed return can be accurately grasped.

[0172] In addition, since the control unit 111 sets whether or not to input the reason for delayed return through a setting operation on the operation unit 32, it is possible to set it so that the reason for delayed return is required only for important items, for example, thereby improving convenience.

[0173] In addition, multiple reasons for delayed return are registered in advance in the memory unit 112 as candidate reasons for delayed return, and the operation unit 32 can be used to select and input one of the multiple candidate reasons for delayed return. This means that when inputting a reason for delayed return, it is sufficient to select and input one of the multiple registered candidate reasons for delayed return, making it easier to input the reason for delayed return and reducing the effort required for inputting the reason for delayed return.

[0174] In addition, since the control unit 111 can output the reason for delayed return that is input and stored in the memory unit 112, it is possible to store it in the memory unit 112 and read it out later for checking, output it to the printer unit 36 ​​and print it on paper, output it to a portable medium and store it, or output it to another device and store, display, or print it on this device.

[0175] The above embodiment can be modified as follows.

[0176] <Variation 1> The item management device 11 has a holding section 41 that holds a key holder 52 attached to a key body 51, and a drawer-type holding section 42 that holds stored items 95 that are inappropriate to be held in the holding section 41 when attached to the key body 51, such as ID cards, seals, and documents, but it may be provided with only the holding section 41 that holds the key holder 52 attached to the key body 51, or with only the drawer-type holding section 42. Also, the item management device may be provided with other holding sections as long as the holding section holds items so that the items cannot be removed and the held items can be removed and returned. For example, it may be configured as a storage unit with a hinged or sliding door.

[0177] <Variation 2> In the timer monitoring setting process, in addition to the timer setting time, a notice timer time shorter than the timer setting time may be set, and the notification sound generating unit 113 may generate a notice alarm sound when the notice timer time is exceeded before the timer setting time is exceeded after the timer monitoring process starts. When the timer setting time is set, the control unit 111 may automatically set the notice timer time by subtracting a preset time from the timer setting time. The alarm sound is made different when the notice timer time is exceeded after the timer monitoring process starts and when the timer setting time is exceeded thereafter. For example, the notice alarm sound when the notice timer time is exceeded after the timer monitoring process starts may be an intermittent sound, and the main alarm sound when the timer setting time is exceeded may be a continuous sound. The notice alarm sound may be generated for a short period of time and stopped a predetermined time before the main alarm sound is generated. In this case, even if the notice timer time is exceeded after the timer monitoring process starts, if the timer setting time is not exceeded, it will not be a time-over return delay, so there is no need to input the reason for the return delay.

[0178] For example, when 30 minutes is input to the operation unit 32 as the timer setting time for the holding unit 41, the control unit 111 sets the timer setting time to 30 minutes, and when 27 minutes is input to the operation unit 32 as the advance timer time, the control unit 111 sets the advance timer time to 27 minutes. Then, after the timer monitoring process is started by removing the key holder 52 from the holding unit 41, if the key holder 52 has not been returned even after 27 minutes have passed, a advance alarm sound is generated, and if the key holder 52 has not been returned even after 3 minutes have passed, a main alarm sound is generated. In this case, the advance timer time may be set by inputting a retroactive time from the timer setting time. That is, when 30 minutes is input to the operation unit 32 as the timer setting time, the control unit 111 sets the timer setting time to 30 minutes, and when 3 minutes is input to the operation unit 32 as the retroactive time for the advance timer time, the control unit 111 sets the advance timer time to 27 minutes, which is 3 minutes before the timer setting time.

[0179] In this case, the main alarm sound that is generated when the timer set time is exceeded can be stopped by an alarm sound stop operation such as pressing the CE key 128 on the operation unit 32, as described above, and the advance alarm sound that is generated when the advance timer time is exceeded can also be stopped by an alarm sound stop operation such as pressing the CE key 128 on the operation unit 32. Even if the main alarm sound is not sounding, if the timer set time is exceeded, the main alarm sound will sound when the key holder 52 is inserted, and the return process will not be completed unless the reason for the delayed return is selected or text is entered.

[0180] The same is true for the time monitoring setting process. That is, in addition to the set time, a notice time shorter than this may be set, and a notice alarm sound may be generated when the notice time is reached before the set time. When the set time is set, the notice time may be automatically set by the control unit 111 subtracting a pre-set retroactive time from the set time. In this case, too, it is preferable to make the alarm sound different when the notice time is reached and when the set time is reached. Note that even if the notice time is reached, if the set time is not reached, it will not be considered a late return due to overtime, and there is no need to input the reason for the late return.

[0181] In the second modification, when the return of the key 53 and the stored item 95, which are the items, approaches a state of delayed return, a preliminary alarm sound is generated as a first notification, and when the return of the key 53 and the stored item 95 reaches a state of delayed return, a main alarm sound different from the first notification is generated as a second notification. This makes it possible to prevent the return from being delayed. In addition, the key holder 52 of the key 53 and the device main body 12 can be configured to be able to communicate with each other, and the key holder 52 may be provided with a notification sound generating unit and a display unit such as an LED lamp or a liquid crystal panel, and the notification sound generating unit provided in the key holder 52 may generate a preliminary alarm sound or a main alarm sound, or the display unit may notify that the preliminary time or the set time has arrived, under the control of the control unit 111 of the device main body 12.

[0182] <Variation 3> It is also possible to provide the memory unit 112 and the like in an external management device connected via a network, and to construct an item management system including the item management device 11 and the external management device. In this case, the output destinations in the output process are set to the printer unit 36 ​​of the item management device 11 and an external management device connected to the item management device 11 via a network. Then, when the printer unit 36 ​​is selected as the output destination in the output process, the control unit 111 performs close printing using the printer unit 36, and when the external management device is selected as the output destination, the control unit 111 outputs to and stores in the external management device. This external management device is capable of printing on a history form.

[0183] In addition, in the case of the above-mentioned article management system, the article management device 11 can output the timer setting time exceeded, the advance timer time exceeded, the set time exceeded, the advance time exceeded, etc. to the external management device at the time of occurrence. In this case, the external management device can notify the terminal device of the retriever of the timer setting time exceeded, the advance timer time exceeded, the set time exceeded, the advance time exceeded, etc. by e-mail or the like at the time of occurrence. In addition, when the timer setting time exceeded and the set time exceeded are notified, the external management device may accept input of the reason for the delayed return from a browser or the like of the terminal device of the notified person, and input the reason for the delayed return from the external management device to the article management device 11. In this case, the article management device 11 stops the alarm sound when the reason for the delayed return is input from outside. In this way, when the key holder 52 or the stored item 95 is returned, the alarm sound is stopped, and the return process is completed by simply performing the normal return operation without selecting and inputting the reason for the delayed return or inputting text.

[0184] <Variation 4> The stored item 95 may be provided with an IC tag having an individual identification number stored therein for distinguishing it from other stored items 95, and each of the multiple holding units 42 may be provided with an IC tag reader as an item detection means capable of communicating with the IC tag of the stored item 95 stored in the drawer member 91, detecting the removal of the stored item 95 by switching from a communication state to a non-communication state, and detecting the return of the stored item 95 by switching from the non-communication state to a communication state. By configuring in this way, the holding unit 42 can also accurately manage the removal and return of the stored items 95 that correspond one-to-one in the same way as the holding unit 41, allowing more appropriate management. [Explanation of symbols]

[0185] 11 Article management device 32 Operation section (input section, setting section) 41 Holding section (storage section) 42 Storage section (storage section) 53 Key (article) 95 Storage items (items) 111 Control section (judgment section, setting section, output section) 112 Storage section 113 Notification sound generating unit (notification unit)

Claims

1. A plurality of storage units for storing items so that the items can be removed and returned; a determination unit for determining whether or not there is a delay in the return of an item taken out from the storage unit; A setting unit capable of setting whether or not a reason for delayed return needs to be input for the storage unit; an input unit that allows input of a reason for the delayed return when the determination unit determines that there has been a delay in the return of the item and the setting unit is set to require input of a reason for the delayed return; a storage unit for storing the reason for the delayed return inputted by the input unit; An article management device comprising:

2. A plurality of storage units for storing items so that the items can be removed and returned; a determination unit that determines whether or not an item taken out of a storage unit for which timer monitoring is set is late in being returned; a setting unit capable of setting whether or not to input a reason for delayed return for the storage unit for which the timer monitoring is set; an input unit that allows input of a reason for the delayed return when the determination unit determines that there has been a delay in the return of the item and the setting unit is set to require input of a reason for the delayed return; a storage unit for storing the reason for the delayed return inputted by the input unit; An article management device comprising:

3. A plurality of storage units for storing items so that the items can be removed and returned; a determination unit that determines whether or not an item taken out from a storage unit in which time monitoring is set is returned late; a setting unit capable of setting whether or not a reason for delayed return needs to be input for the storage unit for which the time monitoring is set; an input unit that allows input of a reason for the delayed return when the determination unit determines that there has been a delay in the return of the item and the setting unit is set to require input of a reason for the delayed return; a storage unit for storing the reason for the delayed return inputted by the input unit; An article management device comprising:

4. The article management device according to claim 2 , wherein the setting unit makes it possible to set whether or not a reason for delayed return needs to be input all at once for all the storage units for which the timer monitoring is set.

5. The article management device according to claim 3 , wherein the setting unit makes it possible to set whether or not a reason for delayed return needs to be input all at once for all the storage units for which the time monitoring is set.

6. A plurality of possible reasons for delaying return are registered in advance in the storage unit, The article management device according to claim 1 , wherein the input unit is capable of selectively inputting a reason for a delayed return from the plurality of candidate reasons for a delayed return.

7. The article management device according to claim 1 , further comprising an output unit capable of outputting the reason for the delayed return stored in the memory unit.

8. The item management device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising an alarm unit that issues a first alarm when the item is approaching a state of delayed return, and issues a second alarm when the item is in a state of delayed return.

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