Machine management device, machine management system, machine management method, and program

Abstract

It is possible to more efficiently manage the equipment related to the managers, workers, and rental companies involved in the work site, including both inside and outside the work site. 【Solution means】 A storage unit that stores equipment information regarding a plurality of rental equipment, site information regarding a plurality of sites, and reservation information regarding a plurality of rental equipment; receiving an order for rental equipment used at the first site from the equipment manager of the first site, placing an order with the rental company, receiving, from the equipment manager, an acceptance instruction for the first site together with the identification information of the rental equipment, registering the rental equipment as inventory in the site information of the first site, receiving a reservation for the rental equipment registered as inventory in the site information of the first site from the equipment user participating in the first site, and a processing unit that registers reservation information.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an equipment management device, an equipment management system, an equipment management method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] At work sites such as large-scale construction projects, a large number of devices are operated over a long period of time and used by a large number of personnel. Currently, the management of these devices relies heavily on manual labor, increasing the burden on managers who oversee the site (such as the main contractor of a construction project).

[0003] In addition, equipment management operations cover a wide range of areas, such as operations for equipment rental companies (borrowing and returning equipment), operations for equipment operators (reservation management, lending, etc.), and operations for equipment (maintenance, repair, etc.). Manual work is time-consuming. At the same time, not only managers but also each person in charge at cooperating companies for on-site work who make reservations for equipment to be used and conduct pre-operation inspections of equipment, and each person in charge at rental companies who manage equipment inventory, etc. are also under a burden.

[0004] Note that Patent Document 1 describes a system for improving the delivery efficiency of construction equipment and materials.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] Since the types and quantities of equipment used at large-scale construction sites are enormous, there is a demand for more efficient management to reduce the labor of those involved with the equipment.

[0007] In the system of Patent Document 1, although a technique for improving the delivery efficiency of construction machinery and equipment is described, the reduction of human labor by efficiently managing the equipment is not considered. Therefore, it is considered difficult to solve the above problems such as the reduction of human labor by the efficient management of equipment with the technique of Patent Document 1.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to more efficiently manage equipment related to site managers, workers, and rental companies, including not only inside but also outside the work site.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] This application includes a plurality of means for solving at least a part of the above problems. For example, it is as follows. An equipment management device according to an aspect of the present invention for solving the above problems includes a storage unit that stores equipment information regarding a plurality of rental equipment, site information regarding a plurality of sites, and reservation information regarding a plurality of rental equipment, and receives an order for rental equipment used at the first site from an equipment manager at the first site, places an order with a rental company, receives an acceptance instruction for the first site together with the identification information of the rental equipment from the equipment manager, registers the rental equipment as inventory in the site information of the first site, and receives a reservation for the rental equipment registered as inventory in the site information of the first site from an equipment user participating in the first site, and a processing unit that registers reservation information.

[0010] Further, when the processing unit receives an allocation instruction for the rental equipment to the equipment user participating in the first site from the equipment manager, the processing unit may register the rental equipment as inventory in the site information of the first site and register reservation information regarding the rental equipment.

[0011] In addition, an energization control device for controlling energization is attached to the rental device. When the processing unit receives a use start instruction from the terminal device of the device user together with the identification information of the rental device, the processing unit may acquire key information used for wireless connection with the energization control device associated with the identification information of the rental device from the device information and transmit it to the terminal device.

[0012] In addition, when the processing unit receives a use end instruction from the terminal device of the device user together with the identification information of the rental device, the processing unit may acquire the key information associated with the identification information of the rental device from the device information and transmit it to the terminal device.

[0013] In addition, when the processing unit receives a shared reservation from the device administrator to allow use of the rental device registered in the site information of the first site by unspecified device users, the processing unit may receive a use start instruction from the terminal device of an unspecified device user together with the identification information of the rental device.

[0014] In addition, when the processing unit receives a request for adding a rental device from the device user, the processing unit may notify the device administrator.

[0015] In addition, when the processing unit receives a repair request from the device user together with the identification information of the rental device, the processing unit registers repair information and notifies the device administrator. When the processing unit receives a completion report on the response to the repair request from the device administrator, the processing unit records a completion status in the repair information. When the processing unit receives a repair request from the device administrator to request the rental company to respond to the repair request, the processing unit notifies the rental company. When the processing unit receives a completion report on the response to the repair request from the rental company, the processing unit may record a completion status in the repair information.

[0016] Further, before the equipment user uses the rental equipment, the processing unit may display inspection items corresponding to the rental equipment on the terminal device of the equipment user, and when acquiring an inspection result regarding the inspection items from the equipment user, register inspection information in which the rental equipment and the first site where the rental equipment is used are associated with the inspection result.

[0017] Further, when the processing unit receives a display request for the operation status of the rental equipment at the first site from the equipment user, it may specify the operation status of the rental equipment at the first site based on the reservation information and the repair information, and display it on the terminal device of the equipment user.

[0018] Also, an equipment management system according to another aspect of the present invention is an equipment management system including an equipment management device, a terminal device of an equipment manager, and a terminal device of an equipment user, wherein the equipment management device includes a storage unit that stores equipment information regarding a plurality of rental equipment, site information regarding a plurality of sites, and reservation information regarding a plurality of rental equipment; a processing unit that receives an order for a rental equipment used at the first site from the terminal device of the equipment manager at the first site, places an order with a rental company, receives an acceptance instruction to the first site together with the identification information of the rental equipment from the terminal device of the equipment manager, registers the rental equipment as inventory in the site information of the first site, receives a reservation for the rental equipment registered as inventory in the site information of the first site from the terminal device of the equipment user participating in the first site, and registers reservation information.

[0019] Also, a device management method according to another aspect of the present invention is a device management method performed by a device management apparatus. The device management apparatus stores device information regarding a plurality of rental devices, site information regarding a plurality of sites, and reservation information regarding a plurality of rental devices. The device management apparatus receives an order for rental devices to be used at a first site from a device manager at the first site and places an order with a rental company. The device management apparatus receives an acceptance instruction for the first site together with the identification information of the rental device from the device manager and registers the rental device as inventory in the site information of the first site. The device management apparatus receives a reservation for the rental device registered as inventory in the site information of the first site from a device user participating in the first site and registers reservation information.

[0020] Also, a program according to another aspect of the present invention is a program that causes a computer to function as a device management apparatus. The program causes the computer to function as a storage unit that stores device information regarding a plurality of rental devices, site information regarding a plurality of sites, and reservation information regarding a plurality of rental devices. The program causes the computer to function as a processing unit that receives an order for rental devices to be used at a first site from a device manager at the first site, places an order with a rental company, receives an acceptance instruction for the first site together with the identification information of the rental device from the device manager, registers the rental device as inventory in the site information of the first site, receives a reservation for the rental device registered as inventory in the site information of the first site from a device user participating in the first site, and registers reservation information.

Advantages of the Invention

[0021] According to the present invention, it is possible to more efficiently manage devices involving a site manager, workers, and a rental company, not only inside but also outside the work site.

[0022] Problems, configurations, and effects other than those described above will be clarified by the description of the following embodiments.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0023]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0024] Hereinafter, each embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0025] <Overall Configuration of Equipment Management System 1000> FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of the equipment management system 1000. The equipment management system 1000 is a system for assisting in efficiently managing rental equipment (hereinafter sometimes referred to as equipment) 200 used at construction sites and the like both inside and outside the work site. Specifically, the equipment management system 1000 executes processes for efficiently performing various types of management such as order management, inventory management, reservation management, key management, location information management, inspection management, and repair management among various companies such as the prime contractor for construction work, the cooperating company for on-site work, and the rental company.

[0026] Note that as an example of the equipment 200 assumed in this embodiment, there is a vehicle that can self-propel using an engine or a motor as a driving source, such as an aerial work platform. Therefore, vehicles such as transport vehicles and forklifts used at construction sites and other vehicles, or devices other than vehicles using an engine or a motor as a driving source are also included in the scope of the equipment 200.

[0027] The equipment management system 1000 acquires information from the terminal devices 400 used by users of each company via a network N (for example, a communication network such as the Internet, a LAN (Local Area Network), or a WAN (Wide Area Network)), and performs processes related to various management tasks. Specifically, the equipment management system 1000 receives various types of information regarding the equipment 200 from the terminal devices 400 used by the administrators and employees of the prime contractor company that undertakes construction, etc. (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the users of the prime contractor company), the foremen and workers of the cooperating company that performs on-site work (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the users of the cooperating company), the employees of the rental company of the equipment 200 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the users of the rental company), and the employees of the operating company of the system (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the users of the operating company), and performs processes related to the management of the equipment 200.

[0028] Also, multiple prime contractor companies, cooperating companies, and rental companies can participate (connect) to the equipment management system 1000. By the equipment management device 100 and each terminal device 400 used by the users of each prime contractor company, each cooperating company, and each rental company communicating with each other, services related to the management of the equipment 200 and the like are provided to each company. Note that the number of users and terminal devices 400 belonging to each prime contractor company, cooperating company, and rental company can be either single or multiple for each company.

[0029] <Functional Configuration of Equipment Management Device 100> The equipment management device 100 is a device that supports the efficient management of the rental equipment 200, and is, for example, a computer such as a cloud server.

[0030] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the equipment management device 100. As shown in the figure, the equipment management device 100 has a storage unit 110, a processing unit 120, and a communication unit 130.

[0031] The storage unit 110 is a functional unit that stores various types of information used in the processes executed by the device management apparatus 100. Specifically, the storage unit 110 has company information 111, user information 112, device information 113, site information 114, additional request information 115, reservation information 116, inspection information 117, repair information 118, and return information 119.

[0032] Figures 3 and 4 are diagrams showing an example of the detailed contents of each piece of information in the storage unit 110. As shown in the drawings, the company information 111 has a company ID, basic data, and a type. The company ID is identification information for the main contractor company, cooperating company, and rental company. Also, the basic data is information such as the name, address, and contact information (for example, telephone number or the telephone number of the person in charge at the front desk) of each company identified by the company ID. The type is information that specifies the type of each company, that is, whether it is a main contractor company, a cooperating company (or these can be grouped together under the type of site-related person), or a rental company.

[0033] The user information 112 is information regarding the persons (users) belonging to each company. Specifically, the user information 112 has a user ID, a company ID, basic data, and authentication data. The user ID is identification information for each user. The company ID is identification information for the company to which the user belongs, that is, the identification information for the main contractor company, cooperating company, and rental company, and corresponds to the company ID of the company information 111. The basic data is information regarding, for example, the name of the user, contact information (for example, the telephone number or email address of the smartphone or mobile phone owned by the user), and position (administrator, employee without a position, foreman, worker without a position, etc.) of the user. The authentication data is information required when the user logs in to the management screen for using the services provided by the device management system 1000, and is an account (for example, user ID) and password assigned in advance for each user.

[0034] Machine information 113 is information regarding equipment 200 rented at a construction site or the like. Specifically, the machine information 113 has a machine ID, a company ID, a machine number, a status, basic data, a MAC address, and a site ID. The machine ID is identification information for each piece of equipment 200 to be rented. The company ID is identification information for the rental company that owns the equipment and corresponds to the company ID of the company information 111. The machine number is identification information assigned to each piece of equipment 200, for example, the number on the license plate. The status is information indicating the status (status) of each piece of equipment 200, such as in stock, scheduled for shipment, or in operation at the site. The usage period is information indicating the scheduled usage period received at the time of order for the equipment 200 for which a rental order has been placed. The basic data is information regarding the type of each piece of equipment 200 (for example, an aerial work platform, a transport vehicle, or a forklift) and the specifications of the equipment 200. The MAC address is the MAC address of a communication module (for example, a communication module for short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark)) provided in the power control device 300 mounted on the equipment 200. The site ID is identification information for the work site where the equipment 200 is used and corresponds to the site ID in the site information 114 described later.

[0035] The on-site information 114 is information regarding the work site where the equipment 200 is used, such as a construction site. Specifically, the on-site information 114 has a site ID, a company ID, basic data, on-site equipment data, and on-site user data. The site ID is identification information for the work site, and is, for example, identification information assigned on a site-by-site basis, such as **the work site in front of the station,** the work site in a building, etc. The company ID is identification information for the prime contractor company that manages each work site, and corresponds to the company ID of the company information 111. The basic data is information such as the address, area, and number of floors of the work site. The on-site equipment data is information regarding the equipment 200 that has been received at the work site, and is, for example, the equipment ID, the usage period (rental period of the equipment 200), and the storage location (information indicating which section or floor within the work site). The on-site user data is information regarding the managers, employees, foremen, and workers of the prime contractor company, cooperating company, or rental company who can enter the work site, and is the user ID and type (type of company to which the user belongs).

[0036] The additional request information 115 is information regarding an additional request when a foreman of a cooperating company, etc. additionally requests the order of rental equipment 200 as needed. Specifically, the additional request information 115 has an equipment ID, a usage period, the company ID of the cooperating company, a site ID, and the user ID of the foreman. The equipment ID is identification information for the equipment 200 for which an additional order has been requested. The usage period is information indicating the scheduled usage period of the equipment 200 related to the additional request. The company ID of the cooperating company is identification information for the cooperating company, and corresponds to the company ID of the company information 111. The site ID is identification information for the work site, and corresponds to the site ID of the on-site information 114. The user ID of the foreman is identification information for the foreman who made the additional request, and corresponds to the user ID of the user information 112.

[0037] Reservation information 116 is information regarding the reservation of the rented equipment 200. Specifically, the reservation information 116 has a reservation ID, an equipment ID, a company ID, a user ID, reservation data, and a type. The reservation ID is identification information for each reservation. The equipment ID is the equipment ID of the equipment 200 that has been received at the work site and for which a reservation for use has been made (corresponding to the equipment ID in the equipment information 113). The company ID is the company ID of the company to which the person using the equipment 200 belongs (corresponding to the company ID in the company information 111). The user ID is the user ID of the person using the equipment 200 (e.g., the person who made the reservation) (corresponding to the user ID in the user information 112). The reservation data is information indicating the reservation details, such as the start date of use of the equipment 200, the time period of use (morning or afternoon), the end date of use of the equipment 200, the time period of ending use (morning or afternoon), etc. The type is information indicating whether the use is for the occupancy of the company to which the user belongs or for sharing that can be used by anyone from any company.

[0038] Inspection information 117 is information regarding the inspection of the equipment 200. Specifically, the inspection information 117 has an inspection ID, an equipment ID, a site ID, a user ID, an inspection date and time, and inspection result data. The inspection ID is information for identifying the inspection content of the equipment 200 performed by the user. The equipment ID is the identification information of the equipment 200 to be inspected and corresponds to the equipment ID in the equipment information 113. The site ID is the identification information of the work site where the equipment 200 for which the inspection is performed is placed and corresponds to the site ID in the site information 114. The user ID is the identification information of the user who performed the inspection of the equipment 200 and corresponds to the user ID in the user information 112. The inspection date and time is information indicating the date and time when the user performed the inspection. The inspection result data is information indicating the result of the inspection, such as, for example, the check results for a plurality of inspection items, or text data describing damage or malfunctions of the equipment 200 found during the inspection. Note that the inspection information 117 also includes pre-work inspection items and post-work inspection items that are displayed on the user's terminal device 400 as a checklist.

[0039] The repair information 118 is information related to the repair of the device 200. Specifically, the repair information 118 has a repair ID, a device ID, a site ID, a status, a user ID (requester), a user ID (repairer), a repair request date and time, repair request data, a repair report date and time, and repair report data. The repair ID is information for identifying the device 200 to be repaired and the repair contents, etc. The device ID is identification information of the device 200 to be repaired, and corresponds to the device ID in the device information 113. The site ID is identification information of the work site where the device 200 where the repair was performed is placed (was placed), and corresponds to the site ID in the site information 114. The status is information indicating the state (status) of the repair, such as under repair or completion of repair. The user ID (requester) is identification information of the person (user) requesting the repair, and corresponds to the user ID in the user information 112. The user ID (repair performer) is identification information of a user who repaired the device 200, and corresponds to the user ID in the user information 112. The repair request date and time is information indicating the date and time when a request was made for repair of the device 200. The repair request data is text data describing the details of the malfunction, etc. The repair report date and time is information indicating the date and time when repair report data describing the details of the repair was created. The repair report data is text data describing the details of the completed repair.

[0040] The return information 119 is information related to the return of the device 200. Specifically, the return information 119 has a device ID, an end date of use, a planned carry-out date, and a carry-out time zone. The device ID is identification information of the device 200 to be returned and corresponds to the device ID in the device information 113. The end date of use is information indicating the end date of use of the device 200 to be returned. The planned carry-out date is information indicating the date on which the device 200 to be returned can be carried out. The carry-out time zone is information indicating the time zone during which the device 200 to be returned can be carried out.

[0041] The contents of the company information 111, user information 112, and device information 113 are registered in advance, and the other information is updated appropriately based on the execution of each process described below.

[0042] Next, the processing unit 120 of the device management apparatus 100 will be described. The processing unit 120 is a functional unit that performs various processes executed by the device management apparatus 100. Specifically, the processing unit 120 includes an input information acquisition unit 121, an information management unit 122, and a display information generation unit 123 as individual functional units according to the processing content.

[0043] The input information acquisition unit 121 is a functional unit that acquires input information regarding the management of the device 200 from an external device (for example, a terminal device 400 used by users of each company).

[0044] The information management unit 122 is a functional unit that manages (such as updates) each piece of information in the storage unit 110 based on the input information acquired by the input information acquisition unit 121.

[0045] The display information generation unit 123 is a functional unit that generates a menu screen (management screen) of the device management system 1000 and an operation screen when using each function, and displays them on a terminal device 400 used by users of each company. Specifically, when the terminal device 400 is a computer such as a PC (Personal Computer), the display information generation unit 123 generates screen information of an operation screen (including a web page) displayed on a browser provided in the terminal device 400. Also, when the terminal device 400 is a mobile terminal such as a smartphone, the display information generation unit 123 generates screen information to be displayed on an operation screen of a dedicated application program (hereinafter referred to as an app). Note that the display information generation unit 123 generates display information according to the type of the destination terminal and causes it to be displayed on each terminal device 400 that has made a display request.

[0046] Next, the communication unit 130 of the device management apparatus 100 will be described. The communication unit 130 is a functional unit that performs information communication with an external device (for example, a terminal device 400 used by users of each company). Specifically, the communication unit 130 acquires information from the terminal devices 400 of the prime contractor company, the cooperating company, the rental company, and the operating company, and performs processing to pass this information to the processing unit 120. In addition, the communication unit 130 transmits the screen information of the device management system 1000 generated by the device management apparatus 100 to the terminal devices 400 of the prime contractor company, the cooperating company, the rental company, and the operating company.

[0047] Note that for each of the processes described later, these functional units cooperate with each other to execute their respective processes, and for the sake of explanation, the processing entity is assumed to be the device management apparatus 100.

[0048] The above has described an example of the functional configuration of the device management apparatus 100.

[0049] <Functional Configuration of Terminal Device 400> The terminal device 400 is a computer such as a PC, or a mobile terminal such as a tablet terminal or a smartphone.

[0050] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration when the terminal device 400 is a PC or a tablet terminal. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration when the terminal device 400 is a smartphone or a tablet terminal. Note that the tablet terminal may have the configuration shown in FIG. 4 or the configuration shown in FIG. 5.

[0051] The terminal device 400 will be described with reference to FIG. 5. The terminal device 400 displays, on a display, an operation screen for various functions (for example, ordering and reservation of the device 200) provided by the device management system 1000 via a browser, and receives input information from a user. In addition, the terminal device 400 transmits the information received from the user to the device management apparatus 100.

[0052] Specifically, the terminal device 400 includes a processing unit, a storage unit, a display unit, an input unit, and a communication unit.

[0053] The processing unit is a functional unit that performs various processes executed on the terminal device 400. For example, it is an arithmetic unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), and executes processes according to programs stored in the storage unit. The processing unit, for example, displays the screen information of the operation screen acquired from the device management device 100 on the display via a browser. The storage unit is a functional unit that stores various programs and predetermined information executed on the terminal device 400, and is a storage device such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), an SSD (Solid State Drive), or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive).

[0054] The display unit is a display (display device) that displays screen information, and outputs, for example, the display information of a browser. The input unit is an input device such as a keyboard, a mouse, or a touch panel that receives instructions and information input from a user. The communication unit is a communication device that performs information communication with an external device (for example, the device management device 100) via the network N.

[0055] Note that the terminal device (PC, etc.) 400 is installed, for example, at the general contractor company, the work site, the rental company, and the operating company, and can be used by all users belonging to each company. As an example of a typical user, there are the administrator and employees of the general contractor company, the foreman of the subcontracting company at the work site, and the employees of the rental company and the operating company.

[0056] Next, the terminal device (mobile terminal) 400 will be described with reference to FIG. 6. The terminal device 400 displays, on the display, an operation screen of various functions (for example, reservation of the device 200, power-on control during use of the device 200, pre-use inspection of the device 200, etc.) provided by the device management system 1000 via a dedicated application installed in advance, and receives input information from the user. Further, the terminal device 400 transmits the information received from the user to the device management device 100.

[0057] Specifically, the terminal device 400 includes a processing unit, a storage unit, a display unit, an input unit, an imaging unit, a first communication unit, and a second communication unit.

[0058] The processing unit is a functional unit that performs various processes executed by the terminal device 400, and is, for example, a CPU. The processing unit displays the operation screen of the device management system 1000 acquired from the device management device 100 on the display via an application. The storage unit is a functional unit that stores various programs and predetermined information executed by the terminal device 400, and is a storage device such as a RAM, a ROM, or a micro SD card.

[0059] The display unit is a display that displays screen information, and outputs, for example, the display information of an application. The input unit is, for example, a touch panel or a hardware key that receives instructions and information input from a user. The imaging unit is a camera (such as a CCD camera) mounted on the terminal device 400.

[0060] The first communication unit is a communication device that performs information communication with an external device (for example, the device management device 100) via the network N, and is, for example, a communication module that performs Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or mobile communication (for example, 5G: 5th Generation, etc.). Further, the second communication unit is a communication module that performs short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) with the device 200 carried into the work site.

[0061] The first communication unit is a functional unit that communicates with the device management apparatus 100. For example, when a user starts using the device 200, it performs communication such as obtaining key information (the MAC address of the power supply control device 300) from the device management apparatus 100. Also, the second communication unit performs short-range wireless communication with the power supply control device 300 of the rental device 200 reserved by the user, establishes a connection (for example, a connection by BLE: Bluetooth Low Energy), and performs power supply control using the key information (for example, control from the OFF state to the ON state or control from the ON state to the OFF state).

[0062] Note that the terminal device 400 (mobile terminal) can be used by all users belonging to, for example, the general contractor company, the work site, the rental company, and the operating company. As an example of typical users, there are employees of the general contractor company, foremen and workers of the subcontractor company at the work site, and employees of the rental company.

[0063] Note that for each of the processes described later, these functional units cooperate with each other to execute their respective processes, and for the sake of explanation, the processing entity is assumed to be the terminal device 400.

[0064] <Configuration of the rental device 200> FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of the rental device 200. As shown in the figure, the device 200 includes a main power supply (battery) 210, a drive unit 220, a device control unit 230, and a power supply control device 300. The main power supply 210 is a battery (generally, for example, 12V or 24V) that supplies power to the drive unit 220 and the device control unit 230. The drive unit 220 is, for example, a motor when the device (vehicle) 200 is an electric vehicle, and an engine in the case of a normal vehicle, and operates the wheels of the device (vehicle) 200, the deck on which the operator rides, and the like. The device control unit 230 includes various ECUs and ignitions that perform operation control of the vehicle. For example, when the device control unit 230 detects an operation of the ignition switch, it controls the drive unit 220 to start.

[0065] The energization control device 300 is a device that controls (energizes or cuts off) the power supply from the main power supply 210 to the drive unit 220 and the device control unit 230, and is arranged between the main power supply 210 and the drive unit 220 and the device control unit 230. As a specific example, the energization control device 300 is electrically inserted and connected to a power line connected from the plus terminal of the main power supply 210 to the drive unit 220 and the device control unit 230. As will be described later, when the key information (for example, the MAC address of the energization control device 300) acquired by the user's terminal device 400 from the device management device 100 matches the MAC address of the rental device 200, the energization control device 300 controls the energization state of the device 200 based on the ON command or OFF command transmitted from the terminal device 400.

[0066] <<Functional Configuration of Energization Control Device 300>> FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the energization control device 300. As shown in the figure, the energization control device 300 includes an energization control unit 310, a power supply unit 320, and an energization control circuit 330. The energization control unit 310 is a control board equipped with a processor (for example, a microcomputer) that controls the operation of the energization control circuit and the like. Specifically, the energization control unit 310 includes a processor, a memory, a first communication unit, and a second communication unit.

[0067] The processor is a functional unit that controls the operation of the energization control circuit 330 (such as switching operation and remote status monitoring). Specifically, for example, the processor controls the switching of the contacts in the latch relay circuit 331 to control the energization between the main power supply 210 and the drive unit 220, etc. In addition, the processor controls the lighting of an LED (Light Emitting Diode) mounted on the energization control device 300 and a power switch (both not shown). The memory is a functional unit that stores information such as the MAC address of the energization control device 300. Note that the storage location of the MAC address is not limited to the memory, and it may be stored, for example, in the memory of the second communication unit (communication module).

[0068] The first communication unit is a communication module that performs wireless communication such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) with an external device. The second communication unit is a communication module that performs short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) with, for example, the terminal device 400 used by users of a cooperating company.

[0069] The first communication unit acquires, for example, information regarding the update of the power supply control device 300 and remote instruction requests from an external device. Further, the second communication unit, for example, establishes a connection (BLE connection) with the user's terminal device 400 by short-range wireless communication, transmits the MAC address of the power supply control device 300, and acquires an ON command or an OFF command for power supply.

[0070] The power supply unit 320 is a transformer that supplies power to the power supply control circuit 330. The power supply unit 320 receives power supply from the main power supply 210 through a predetermined path different from, for example, the electrical path connecting the main power supply 210 and the drive unit 220, etc., and transforms the battery voltage of 12V or 24V into a voltage (for example, 5.0V or 3.3V) that can be used by the power supply control circuit 330 and supplies it to the power supply control unit 310, the power supply control circuit 330, etc.

[0071] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the details of the circuit configuration of the power supply control circuit 330 corresponding to inputs / outputs 1 to 4 in FIG. 8. The power supply control circuit 330 includes inputs / outputs 1 to 4 which are input / output terminals on the control board, switch elements 1 and 2 connected to input / output 1, switch elements 3 and 4 connected to input / output 2, switch elements 5 and 6 (not shown) connected to input / output 3, and a latch relay circuit 331. In FIG. 9, the configuration around the switch elements 5 and 6 connected to input / output 3 is the same as the configuration of the switch elements 3 and 4 connected to input / output 2, so the illustration is omitted. As an example, the switch elements 1, 3, and 5 are NPN-type transistors, and the switch elements 2, 4, and 6 are P-channel MOSFETs.

[0072] Based on the signal output by the energization control unit 310, the energization control circuit 330 controls the energization between the main power supply 210, which is the connection destination of the control input line, and the drive unit 220, which is the connection destination of the control output line, etc., by mechanically switching the contacts of the latching relay circuit 331.

[0073] In the latching relay circuit 331, as is well known, based on the voltage application to the set coil 332 and the reset coil 333, when one contact (for example, contact 1) is connected, the other contact (for example, contact 2) is cut off for switch control. By using such a latching relay, the contact state can be maintained without supplying power except when performing switch control, so that fail-safe can be realized and power consumption can be reduced.

[0074] In the illustrated energization control circuit 330, when the relay reset pulse signal is output to the input / output 2 by the energization control unit 310, the switch element 3 and the switch element 4 are turned on by voltage application, the contact 1 of the latching relay circuit 331 is turned on, and the contact 2 is turned off. Also, when the relay reset pulse signal is output to the input / output 3 by the energization control unit 310, the contact 1 of the latching relay circuit 331 is turned off, and the contact 2 is turned on. Thus, based on the output of the set pulse signal or the reset pulse signal by the energization control unit 310, the contact 1 connecting the control input line and the control output line is mechanically switched, whereby the energization state between the control input line on the main power supply 210 side and the control output line on the drive unit 220 side is controlled.

[0075] In addition, the energization control circuit 330 can monitor (check) the relay state. Specifically, when a constant voltage (current) for relay state confirmation is applied (output) to the input / output 1 by the energization control unit 310, the switch element 1 and the switch element 2 are turned on by the applied voltage. If the contact 2 is in the ON state, the applied (output) constant voltage (current) is input to the input / output 4 via the contact 2. In this way, by checking the input at the input / output 4 when a voltage is applied to the input / output 1, it is possible to check (monitor) whether the contact 2 is in the ON state or the OFF state. Note that such a check result is transmitted by the energization control unit 310 to the terminal device 400 via the first communication unit in response to a check request from a remote external device (for example, the terminal device 400 of a rental company that grasps the device state).

[0076] In this way, since the energization control device 300 can monitor (check) the relay state, for example, when a user who can use the reserved rental device 200 obtains the key information from the device management device 100 and the MAC address verification is performed normally but the power supply is not turned on, it is possible to remotely check the state of the latching relay from an external device.

[0077] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the details of the circuit configuration corresponding to the input / outputs 5 and 6 in FIG. 8. As shown in the figure, the input / output 5 and the input / output 6 are each connected to the control input line and the control output line via the switch element 7 and the switch element 8 and the transformer (transformer) 340. In FIG. 10, since the configuration around the switch element 8 connected to the input / output 6 is the same as that of the switch element 7 connected to the input / output 5, the illustration is omitted. As an example, the switch elements 7 and 8 are NPN-type transistors.

[0078] In addition, the transformer 340 transforms the voltage (12V or 24V) of the main power supply 210 connected via the control input line into a voltage (for example, 3.3V) that can be used by the energization control unit 310 and the energization control circuit 330, and applies the transformed voltage to the switch element 7 and the switch element 8.

[0079] When the main power supply (battery) 210 is normal, a base current flows and the switching element 7 turns on, and the voltage of the input / output 5 becomes 0 (Low). Thus, it can be seen that the state of the connection destination of the control input line (in this case, the main power supply 210) is normal. Also, when the drive unit or the like is normal, a base current flows and the switching element 8 turns on, and the voltage of the input / output 6 becomes 0 (Low). Thus, it can be seen that the state of the control output destination (in this case, the drive unit 220 or the like) is normal. On the other hand, when the voltages of the input / output 5 and the input / output 6 indicate a value of High (a value larger than approximately 0 V), it is considered that there is an abnormality in the state of the main power supply (battery) 210, the drive unit 220, or the like.

[0080] In this way, by checking the voltage states of the input / outputs 5 and 6, it is possible to check the normality / abnormality of the main power supply 210, the drive unit 220, etc., which are the connection destinations of the control input line and the control output line. Also, such a check result is transmitted by the energization control unit 310 to the terminal device 400 via the first communication unit in response to a check request from an external device remotely (for example, the terminal device 400 of a rental company that grasps the device state).

[0081] In this way, since the energization control device 300 can monitor (check) the control input line and the control output line connected to the main power supply 210, the drive unit 220, etc., for example, when a user who can use the reserved rental device 200 obtains key information from the device management device 100 and the MAC address verification is performed normally but the power-on does not occur, it is possible to remotely check whether there is an abnormality on the control input side or the control output side.

[0082] Hereinafter, the details of each process implemented in the device management system 1000 will be described. When executing the process, it is assumed that users of the prime contractor company, the cooperating company, the rental company, and the operating company have logged in to the device management device 100 in advance when operating each terminal device 400, and the device management device 100 has specified in advance the user information, company information, etc. of each user who performs the operation. The following description will be made based on this premise.

[0083] <On-site Creation Process> In the equipment management system 1000, first, information (on-site information 114) about the work site where work will be carried out within a predetermined construction period is created by the user of the general contractor company. Therefore, the equipment management system 1000 performs a process to support the efficient creation and management of the on-site information 114.

[0084] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the on-site creation process. As shown in the figure, the user of the general contractor company performs on-site creation via the terminal device (such as a PC) 400 (step S001). Specifically, the equipment management device 100 displays the operation screen of the equipment management system 1000 on the terminal device 400 of the general contractor company, and the terminal device 400 receives an instruction for on-site creation and input of information related to the work site from the user. More specifically, the terminal device 400 of the general contractor company receives the on-site ID, the company ID of the general contractor company, and basic data (such as the address, section, and number of floors of the work site) from the user and transmits this information to the equipment management device 100. Note that the on-site ID may be automatically assigned an arbitrary ID by the equipment management device 100.

[0085] When the equipment management device 100 acquires information from the terminal device 400 of the general contractor company, it notifies the terminal device 400 of the operating company by a predetermined means such as email that it has received an instruction related to on-site creation (step S002).

[0086] The user of the operating company who has received the notification checks the information (such as the on-site ID) input on the terminal device 400 of the general contractor company and gives approval (step S003). Specifically, the equipment management device 100 displays the information input on the terminal device 400 of the general contractor company on the terminal device (such as a PC) 400 of the operating company, and the terminal device 400 of the operating company receives an approval instruction such as pressing an approval button from the user and transmits this to the equipment management device 100.

[0087] When the device management apparatus 100 obtains an approval instruction from the terminal device 400 of the operating company, the device management apparatus 100 registers the input information obtained from the terminal device 400 of the prime contractor company in the site information 114 and updates the information (step S004). Specifically, the device management apparatus 100 registers the site ID, the company ID of the prime contractor company, and the basic data in the site information 114.

[0088] According to such site creation processing, even when there are a plurality of sites, it becomes possible to manage the devices and users belonging to the site in units of sites, and efficient management can be performed.

[0089] <Reception process for site use application> At a work site (especially a large-scale construction site), usually, only those who have received approval can enter. Therefore, the device management system 1000 performs a process of assisting in the efficient implementation of the site use application and its approval.

[0090] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the reception process for site use applications. Specifically, FIG. 12(a) shows an example of the process when the applicant for use is an employee of the prime contractor company or a foreman of a cooperating company. In this case, the administrator of the prime contractor company approves. FIG. 12(b) shows an example of the process when the applicant for use is a worker of a cooperating company. In this case, the foreman of the cooperating company approves. FIG. 12(c) shows an example of the process when the applicant for use is an employee of a rental company. In this case, an employee of the prime contractor company approves.

[0091] As shown in FIG. 12(a), the employees of the prime contractor company and the foremen of the cooperating companies submit on-site usage applications via the terminal device (mobile terminal) 400 (step S010). Specifically, these users use the camera of the terminal device 400 to read the two-dimensional code (e.g., QR (Quick Response) code (registered trademark), barcode, etc.) for usage application installed at the work site. The two-dimensional code is issued for each prime contractor company and cooperating company, and the user reads the two-dimensional code corresponding to the company to which the application is to be submitted with the camera of the terminal device 400. At this time, the terminal device 400 identifies the on-site ID and the company ID of the company to which the application is to be submitted from the two-dimensional code, and transmits a usage application request to the device management apparatus 100 together with the user ID of each user associated with the application, for example, in an app.

[0092] When the device management apparatus 100 receives a usage application request from the terminal device 400, it notifies the terminal device 400 of the prime contractor company that the usage application has been received by means such as email (step S011). Specifically, the device management apparatus 100 uses each piece of information (particularly, company information 111, user information 112, and on-site information 114) stored in the storage unit 110 to identify a user with a predetermined position (e.g., an administrator of the prime contractor company or a foreman of the cooperating company, etc.) from among the users associated with the requested company ID of the company to which the application is to be submitted and the on-site ID, and sends a notification to the terminal device 400 of the said user. The device management apparatus 100 identifies the email address, etc. of the identified user from the basic data of the user information, and sends a notification to the identified contact destination.

[0093] The general contractor company administrator who has obtained the notice approves the usage application via the terminal device (PC or the like) 400 (step S012). At this time, based on the user ID, company ID, and site ID of the user who has applied for usage, the device management apparatus 100 extracts predetermined information regarding the user, the company to which the user belongs, and the work site (for example, basic data of the site information 114, etc.) from the corresponding user information 112, company information 111, and site information 114, and displays it on the terminal device 400 of the general contractor company. Further, the terminal device 400 of the general contractor company receives an approval instruction such as pressing an approval button from the user, and transmits this to the device management apparatus 100.

[0094] When the device management apparatus 100 obtains an approval instruction from the terminal device 400 of the general contractor company, it registers the user ID of the user who has applied for usage and the type specified by the company ID (general contractor company, cooperating company, rental company, or site-related person) in the site information 114, and updates the information (step S013).

[0095] In addition, when the foreman of a cooperating company has already obtained approval for a usage application at the site, the acceptance process for a usage application by a worker of the same cooperating company (a worker under the foreman) is as shown in Fig. 12(b). Also, when an employee of a rental company comes to the work site, a usage application at the site is also required, and the acceptance process for the usage application in this case is as shown in Fig. 12(c).

[0096] The processes of Fig. 12(b) and Fig. 12(c), that is, the processes of the terminal device 400 (workers of the cooperating company and employees of the rental company) regarding the usage application (steps S020, S030), the processes of the terminal device 400 regarding approval (steps S022, S032), and the processes of the device management apparatus 100 regarding notification and update of the site information 114 (steps S021, S031 and steps S023, S033) are the same as the content described in Fig. 12(a), and thus detailed description is omitted.

[0097] Note that the approval of the on-site usage application is not limited to the approval by users such as the administrator of the general contractor company. For example, when the equipment management device 100 can confirm, by using each piece of information in the storage unit 110 (especially, company information 111, user information 112, and on-site information 114), that the application is from a cooperating company already participating in the applied-on site and a user belonging to the cooperating company, it may perform automatic approval immediately or at a fixed time every day. By doing so, the trouble of the approval procedure for the administrator of the general contractor company and the like can be reduced.

[0098] According to such reception processing of the on-site usage application, not only the administrator of the general contractor company but also the foreman of the cooperating company can perform the approval procedure. Therefore, the trouble of the approval procedure is dispersed and reduced. In addition, it is possible to restrict those other than the approved persons from performing procedures (such as reservation and use) related to the rental equipment 200 belonging to the site.

[0099] <Order / Receipt Processing of Rental Equipment 200> At a work site (especially a large-scale construction site), usually, the general contractor company that becomes the equipment administrator places an order for the rental equipment 200, and if there are additional requests from the cooperating company, additional orders may also be placed for them. In addition, the rental company needs to update the equipment information 113 of the received equipment 200. Therefore, the equipment management system 1000 performs processing to support the efficient implementation of the order placement, receipt, and additional requests for the rental equipment 200. Conventionally, since the operating status of the equipment has not been accurately managed, the appropriate number of required units of the equipment 200 is unknown, and the users of the general contractor company often rent a larger number of units with a margin and arrange them at the site. However, in this case, not only the rental cost is wasted (from the perspective of the general contractor company), but also resources are wasted and it becomes an opportunity loss (from the perspective of the rental company). Therefore, the equipment management system 1000 performs processing to support the efficient confirmation of the operating status of the rental equipment 200.

[0100] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the ordering / order receiving process of the rental device 200. The user of the general contractor company places an order for the rental device 200 via the terminal device (PC or the like) 400 (step S042). Specifically, the user orders the types and quantities of rental devices 200 expected to be used at the work site via the terminal device 400. At this time, using the device information 113, the device management apparatus 100 displays information (for example, device ID, type of the device 200, basic data including specifications, etc.) regarding each device 200 for the general contractor company's terminal device 400 according to the status such as in stock, scheduled to be shipped, and in operation at the site. The general contractor company's terminal device 400 receives information such as the device ID of the rental device 200, the usage period, and the site ID of the site where the device 200 is to be used from the user, and transmits it to the device management apparatus 100 as order information.

[0101] When acquiring the order information, the device management apparatus 100 notifies the rental company that owns the ordered device by means such as email that an order has been placed (step S043).

[0102] When receiving the notification from the device management apparatus 100, the user of the rental company checks the order details via the terminal device (PC or the like) 400 and performs an operation for order receiving (step S044). At this time, the device management apparatus 100 displays the content of the order information on the rental company's terminal device 400, and the rental company's terminal device 400 receives an order receiving instruction corresponding to each order from the user and transmits it to the device management apparatus 100.

[0103] When acquiring the order receiving instruction, the device management apparatus 100 updates the device information 113 (step S045). Specifically, the device management apparatus 100 changes the status of the device information 113 corresponding to the received device ID from in stock to scheduled to be shipped, registers the usage period and the site ID, and updates the information.

[0104] In addition, if the foreman of the cooperating company has equipment 200 that he / she wants to use in addition to the ordered equipment 200, an additional request is made via the terminal device 400 of the cooperating company (step S040). In this case, similar to the above, the equipment management device 100 uses the equipment information 113 to display information about each equipment 200 by status on the terminal device 400 of the cooperating company. The terminal device 400 of the cooperating company accepts information such as the equipment ID to be rented, the usage period, the company ID of the cooperating company, the site ID, and the user ID of the foreman, and transmits them as an additional request to the equipment management device 100.

[0105] Alternatively, instead of specifying the specific equipment ID or the like that the foreman of the cooperating company wants to add, the type, specifications, etc. of the equipment for which addition is desired are input, and the general contractor's administrator or the like who has obtained such a notice of addition desire from the equipment management device 100 selects the equipment based on the notice (desire for addition) and places an order via the terminal device 400.

[0106] Upon receiving the additional request, the equipment management device 100 notifies the terminal device 400 of the general contractor that manages the site by means such as email that an additional request has been made (step S041). In this case, for example, the equipment management device 100 identifies the company ID of the general contractor that manages the site based on the site ID included in the additional request from the site information 114, and sends a notice to the terminal device 400 of the general contractor corresponding to the company ID. Also, the equipment management device 100 stores information such as the equipment ID, usage period, and company ID of the cooperating company received from the terminal device 400 regarding the additional request as additional request information 115 in the storage unit 110.

[0107] When the prime contractor company's user obtains a notice regarding an additional request, the user checks the details of the additional request via the terminal device 400 and places an order (step S042). At this time, the device management apparatus 100 displays the details of the device 200 related to the additional request on the prime contractor company's terminal device 400. The prime contractor company's terminal device 400 receives information such as the device ID, usage period, and site ID of the site where the rental device 200 is to be used from the user, and transmits it to the device management apparatus 100 as order information. Note that the processing of the terminal device 400 regarding order reception (step S044), and the processing of the device management apparatus 100 regarding notification and update of device information 113 (steps S043 and S045) are the same as the above-described content, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0108] Note that the prime contractor company's user (e.g., an administrator) can check the operating status of the devices received at the site via the terminal device 400, for example, at the time of ordering the device 200 or at a desired timing. Specifically, the prime contractor company's user inputs the site ID of the site for which the user wishes to refer to the operating status of the device 200 via the terminal device 400, and transmits a request for display of the operating status to the device management apparatus 100.

[0109] When the device management apparatus 100 obtains a request for display of the operating status, the device management apparatus 100 identifies the operating status of the device using various types of information stored in the storage unit 110, and displays it on the requested terminal device 400. Specifically, the device management apparatus 100 extracts the site ID from the display request, and identifies the device ID of the device received at the site with the site ID from the site device data of the site information 114. Further, the device management apparatus 100 identifies the reservation status (reserved schedule, available schedule) and repair status (such as under repair) of the identified device ID from the reservation information 116 and repair information 118. Note that the device management apparatus 100 may calculate the operating rate based on the usage period (rental period) of the device and the reservation status. Further, the device management apparatus 100 displays screen information of the operating status including each piece of information such as the reservation status, repair status, or operating rate of the device 200 thus identified on the requested terminal device 400.

[0110] According to the ordering / receiving process and additional request process of such rental equipment, not only can the ordering and receiving of equipment be efficiently managed for each job site, but also the requests from equipment users such as subcontractors at the job site can be flexibly responded to. Also, according to the ordering / receiving process of such rental equipment, the administrator of the prime contractor can timely confirm the operating status of the equipment (such as free schedule and operating rate) as needed. Therefore, the user can appropriately consider the proper number of rental equipment required, and reduce the rental cost by reducing the rental of unnecessary equipment. Also, since the rental company can secure resources (equipment) by reducing unnecessary rentals, it can lend equipment to the job sites where it is effectively utilized and avoid opportunity losses.

[0111] <Receiving / Allocation Process of Rental Equipment 200> The prime contractor that ordered the rental equipment 200 needs to manage when and at which job site the rental equipment 200 was received (loaded). Also, when receiving the rental equipment 200 for which an additional request was made, the prime contractor needs to allocate it to the subcontractor that made the additional request or manage it as inventory at the job site without allocation. Therefore, the equipment management system 1000 performs a process to support the efficient implementation of the receiving / allocation of the rental equipment 200.

[0112] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of the receiving / allocation process. When the rental equipment 200 arrives at the job site, the user of the prime contractor performs receiving and manages the equipment 200. Specifically, the user of the prime contractor takes a picture of the equipment number of the rental equipment 200 with the camera of the terminal device (mobile terminal) 400. At this time, the terminal device 400, for example, acquires the photographed equipment number (step S050), converts the equipment number into text data based on image recognition, and transmits it to the equipment management device 100. Note that the terminal device 400 may transmit the image data of the photographed equipment number to the equipment management device 100, and the equipment management device 100 may convert the equipment number into text data by image recognition.

[0113] When the equipment number is acquired, the equipment management device 100 extracts information such as basic data and usage period from the equipment information 113 of the equipment 200 that matches the acquired equipment number. Also, the equipment management device 100 refers to the additional request information 115 and checks (determines) whether there is an additional request (step S051). And when there is an additional request, that is, when the additional request information 115 is stored in the storage unit 110, the equipment management device 100 extracts the information (for example, the name and specifications of the equipment, etc.) registered in the additional request information 115.

[0114] Also, the equipment management device 100 displays an allocation reception screen including the information of the received equipment 200 and the information of the equipment 200 related to the additional request (a list in the case of multiple) on the terminal device 400 of the prime contractor company (step S052). Also, when the additional request information 115 is not stored in the storage unit 110, the equipment management device 100 displays an allocation reception screen including the information of the received equipment 200 on the terminal device 400 of the prime contractor company. Note that on the terminal device 400 of the prime contractor company, for example, the information of the received equipment 200 is displayed at the top, and a list of the information of the equipment 200 related to the additional request is displayed below it.

[0115] Next, the user of the prime contractor company performs the allocation (or no allocation) of the received equipment 200 via the allocation reception screen displayed on the terminal device 400 (step S053). For example, the user of the prime contractor company examines whether the type and specifications of the received equipment satisfy the type and specifications related to the request, and if it is determined that they satisfy, designates the cooperating company that made the additional request as the allocation destination. Also, for example, when the received equipment 200 is displayed and the equipment related to the additional request is not displayed, the user of the prime contractor company selects the received equipment 200 and designates no allocation destination or the cooperating company that the user wants to designate as the allocation destination.

[0116] At this time, the terminal device 400 of the prime contractor company acquires the received equipment 200 (equipment 200 related to the additional request) and the information of the allocated cooperating company from the user and transmits them to the equipment management device 100.

[0117] Next, the prime contractor's user registers the location information of the received device 200 (step S054). Specifically, when the device management apparatus 100 acquires the received device 200 and information regarding allocation, the apparatus specifies information regarding the section and floor of the site from the basic data of the site information 114 corresponding to the site ID registered in the device information 113 of the device, and uses them as options to display on the terminal device 400 of the prime contractor screen information for accepting registration of the location information of the rental device 200. Further, the terminal device 400 of the prime contractor accepts from the user a selection input of the location information of the received device 200 from among the options, and transmits this to the device management apparatus 100.

[0118] Next, the device management apparatus 100 updates the device information 113 (step S055). Specifically, the device management apparatus 100 changes the status of the device information 113 corresponding to the received device 200 from the planned delivery to in-site operation, and updates the information.

[0119] Further, the device management apparatus 100 updates the site information 114 (step S056). Specifically, the device management apparatus 100 uses the device information 113 corresponding to the received device 200 and the input location information to update the device ID, usage period, and storage location of the on-site device data of the site information 114. That is, the device management apparatus 100 registers the received rental device 200 in the site information 114 as on-site inventory.

[0120] Next, the device management apparatus 100 registers reservation information 116 (step S057). Specifically, the device management apparatus 100 extracts the usage period from the device information 113 of the device 200 for which the allocation destination is specified, and registers a reservation for use during that period in the reservation information 116. More specifically, the device management apparatus 100 uses each piece of information in the storage unit 110 to register in the reservation information 116 an arbitrary reservation ID, the device ID of the device 200, the company ID of the cooperating company as the allocation destination, the user ID of the reserving user (in this case, the user ID of the foreman who made the additional request), reservation data regarding the start date and end date of use, and the type (in this case, occupancy).

[0121] According to such a rental equipment receiving / assignment process, equipment can be received for each site and registered as inventory (reservable equipment). Also, for those who make additional requests, the equipment can be assigned and reserved at the timing of receipt, allowing them to use it preferentially.

[0122] <Reservation Process of Rental Equipment 200> When the foreman of a cooperating company or an operator under him / her uses the rental equipment 200, it is necessary to reserve the equipment 200 in advance. Also, in some cases, the employees of the prime contractor company may reserve the rental equipment 200 used by the cooperating company. Therefore, the equipment management system 1000 performs a process to support efficient reservation of the rental equipment 200.

[0123] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of the reservation process of the rental equipment 200. As shown in the figure, the equipment management device 100 displays a reservation reception screen including a list of equipment 200 on the terminal device 400 of the user of the prime contractor company or the foreman of the cooperating company that has made a reservation request (step S060). Specifically, the equipment management device 100 extracts the information to be displayed on the reservation reception screen using each piece of information in the storage unit 110. More specifically, the equipment management device 100 identifies the site to which the user who has made a reservation request belongs from the site user data in the site information 114, and identifies the rental equipment 200 received at the site from the site equipment data in the site information 114. Also, the equipment management device 100 refers to the reservation information 116 and identifies the reservation status (for example, the reserved schedule and available schedule during the usage period of the site equipment data) regarding the identified rental equipment 200. Note that the equipment management device 100 may identify the repair status from the repair information.

[0124] Also, the equipment management device 100 lists the identified equipment and its reservation status, generates the screen information of the reservation reception screen, and displays it on the terminal device 400. Note that for the equipment 200 with a scheduled repair or under repair, the schedule after the current time may be displayed as non-reservable.

[0125] In addition, the terminal device 400 of the general contractor company or the cooperating company receives from the user the type or device ID of the device 200 to be reserved, the reservation period which is the scheduled use period of the device 200 (for example, the start date and morning or afternoon, the end date and morning or afternoon, etc.), the company name or company ID of the cooperating company to be used, and the name or user ID of the foreman of the cooperating company, and transmits them to the device management device 100 as reservation request information.

[0126] Upon acquiring the reservation request information, the device management device 100 registers it in the reservation information 116 (step S062). Specifically, the device management device 100 uses the reservation request information and each piece of information in the storage unit 110 to register in the reservation information 116 an arbitrary reservation ID, the device ID, the company ID of the cooperating company that reserves the device 200, that is, the company that uses the device 200, the user ID of the user who made the reservation, the reservation data (the start date and AM / PM of the reservation, the end date and AM / PM), and the type (in this case, occupancy).

[0127] Note that the user of the general contractor company can make a reservation with a shared designation that enables the rental device 200 to be used by any user of the cooperating company (unspecified users whose on-site usage applications have been approved). Specifically, when making a reservation via the terminal device 400, the user of the general contractor company designates sharing without designating the cooperating company that uses the rental device 200. When such an input is received, sharing is registered in the type of the reservation information 116 by the device management device 100. In this case, the company ID in the reservation information 116 is set to an ID indicating unspecified.

[0128] According to such a reservation process for rental devices, the user participating in the site can easily reserve the use of the devices registered as inventory at that site. Also, by designating a shared reservation, any user can use the device.

[0129] <Usage start process of rental device 200> When the rental device 200 is not in use, it is controlled by the power supply control device 300 so as not to be energized in order to prevent theft and to prevent unauthorized use by anyone other than specific users (for example, the supervisor of the cooperating company who made the reservation and the workers under the supervisor). When in use, it is necessary to turn on the power using key information. Therefore, when the user starts using the rental device 200, the device management system 1000 performs a process to assist in the efficient control of the power supply state. Conventionally, before work, as a pre-operation inspection, the user of the cooperating company has filled out and stored a paper inspection checklist, which is time-consuming. Therefore, the device management system 1000 performs a process to assist in the efficient implementation of the pre-operation inspection by the user of the device 200.

[0130] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of the use start process of the rental device 200. When starting the use of the rental device 200 in which the power supply is in the OFF state by the power supply control device 300, the user of the cooperating company, who is the user, acquires the device number of the rental device 200 using the camera of the terminal device (mobile terminal) 400 (step S070). Also, the user of the cooperating company transmits a use start request for the rental device 200 together with the acquired device number to the device management device 100 via the terminal device 400 (step S071). At this time, the terminal device 400 converts the device number into text data based on, for example, image recognition. Further, when the terminal device 400 receives a use start request from the user, it transmits a request to start using the rental device 200 including the text data of the device number and the user ID associated with the application of the terminal device 400 to the device management device 100.

[0131] When the equipment management device 100 acquires a request for starting the use of the rental equipment 200, it uses the acquired equipment number and user ID, the equipment information 113 and reservation information 116 in the storage unit 110 to check (judge) whether the user of the cooperating company can use the rental equipment 200 (step S072). Specifically, the equipment management device 100 checks whether the reservation information 116 regarding the rental equipment 200 with the acquired equipment number, in which the time when the request is acquired is included in the usage period specified from the reservation data, and the company ID of the company to which the user specified by the user ID belongs, and the user ID of the section chief to which the user specified by the user ID or the user belonging to the user based on the user ID belongs, are registered in the reservation information 116 registered in the storage unit 110. Note that the affiliation of the user (worker), that is, the relationship between the user and the section chief to which the user belongs, may be registered in advance in the basic data of the user information 112, for example. And when the reservation information 116 related to the request is registered, the equipment management device 100 transmits the MAC address of the power supply control device 300 installed in the rental equipment 200 to be used to the terminal device 400 as key information. Note that when sharing is registered in the type of the reservation information 116 regarding the rental equipment 200 with the acquired equipment number, the equipment management device 100 transmits the key information to the user when the time when the request is acquired is included in the usage period specified from the reservation data of the reservation information 116 and the user ID of the acquired request is registered in the on-site user data of the on-site information 114 specified from the equipment ID of the reservation information 116.

[0132] When the terminal device 400 acquires the key information from the equipment management device 100, the terminal device 400 establishes a connection between the terminal device 400 and the rental equipment 200 to be used (in this case, the power supply control device 300) (step S073). At this time, the terminal device 400 establishes a connection with the power supply control device 300 to be used by short-range wireless communication. Also, when the connection is established, the power supply control device 300 reads the MAC address from the memory and transmits it to the terminal device 400.

[0133] In addition, the terminal device 400 of the cooperating company performs a comparison between the MAC address acquired from the power supply control device 300 and the MAC address of the key information (step S074). Further, when the comparison of the MAC addresses matches, the terminal device 400 transmits a command (ON command) for turning on the power from the OFF state to the ON state to the power supply control device 300 (step S075).

[0134] Note that when the power supply control device 300 acquires the ON command from the terminal device 400, it outputs a control signal to the latch relay circuit 331 to change the power supply state from the OFF state to the ON state (step S076). Such a series of processes are automatically performed after the start-of-use request until the power supply state becomes ON. As a result, in the rental device 200, the power supply state from the main power supply 210 to the drive unit 220 becomes ON, and the user can operate the physical key to drive the engine or the motor.

[0135] Next, the user of the cooperating company performs a pre-operation inspection via the terminal device 400 (step S077). Specifically, the user of the cooperating company performs a pre-operation inspection by operating the checklist of inspection items displayed on the operation screen of the terminal device 400. At this time, the device management device 100 extracts the checklist of inspection items from the inspection information 117 in which the device ID to be used is registered, and displays it on the terminal device 400. Further, when the terminal device 400 receives an input from the user to the checklist, it transmits input information including the user ID associated with the application to the device management device 100.

[0136] When acquiring the input information to the checklist, the device management device 100 registers it in the inspection information 117 using the input information and each piece of information in the storage unit 110 (step S078). Specifically, the device management device 100 registers an arbitrary inspection ID, the device ID to be used, the site ID of the site where the rental device 200 to be used is located, the user ID of the inspector, the inspection date and time, and the inspection result data which is the input result to the checklist in the inspection information 117.

[0137] In addition, when the rental device 200 is not equipped with the power supply control device 300, after the confirmation by the device management device 100 (step S072) is completed, steps S073 to S076 are omitted, and the user operates the physical key to start the rental device 200 and perform a pre-operation inspection (step S077).

[0138] According to such a rental device use start process, since users other than specific users (for example, the supervisor of the cooperating company who is the reserving person and the workers under the supervisor) and outsiders cannot turn on the power supply of the device, unauthorized use and theft can be prevented. In addition, after turning on the power supply, a physical key is also required, so security can be enhanced by combining the rental of the physical key. In addition, the implementation of the pre-operation inspection is promoted and the inspection results are recorded, so the traceability of device operation can be enhanced. Also, according to such a rental device use start process, the user of the device can efficiently perform the pre-operation inspection via the terminal device, so the labor of filling in using a checklist such as paper can be saved.

[0139] <Rental Device 200 Use End Process> The rental device 200 needs to be controlled so as not to be powered on after use in order to prevent theft and prevent use by persons other than specific users (for example, the supervisor of the cooperating company who is the reserving person and the workers under the supervisor). Therefore, the device management system 1000 performs a process of assisting the efficient power supply control of the rental device 200 after use ends.

[0140] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of the rental device 200 use end process. When ending the use of the rental device 200 whose power supply is in the ON state during use, the user of the cooperating company, as the user, acquires the device number of the rental device 200 using the terminal device (mobile terminal) 400 (step S080). At this time, the terminal device 400 converts the device number into text data based on, for example, image recognition.

[0141] Also, the user of the partner company registers location information via the terminal device 400 (step S081). At this time, the device management device 100 identifies information regarding the sections and floors of the site from the basic data of the site information 114, and uses them as options to display, on the terminal device 400 of the partner company, screen information for accepting registration of location information at the end of use of the rental device 200. Also, the terminal device 400 of the partner company accepts a selection input of the location information at the end of use from the user from among the options.

[0142] Also, the user of the partner company transmits a request to end the use of the rental device 200 to the device management device 100 via the terminal device 400 (step S082). At this time, when the terminal device 400 accepts the request to end the use from the user, the terminal device 400 transmits a request to end the use of the rental device 200 including the text data of the device number, the location information at the end of use of the rental device 200, and the user ID associated with the application of the terminal device 400 to the device management device 100.

[0143] When the device management device 100 acquires the request to end the use of the rental device 200, the device management device 100 updates the site information 114 (step S083). Specifically, the device management device 100 updates the storage location in the site device data of the site information 114 based on the acquired location information.

[0144] In addition, the device management apparatus 100 uses the acquired device number, location information, and user ID, and the device information 113 and reservation information 116 in the storage unit 110 to confirm (determine) whether a request for the end of use of the rental device 200 is from a user (a worker or a supervisor of a cooperating company) who is the user of the device 200 (step S084). Specifically, when the reservation information 116 in which the device ID specified from the acquired device number and the user ID specified from the request or the user ID of the supervisor to which the user specified by the user ID belongs are registered is stored in the storage unit 110, the device management apparatus 100 confirms (determines) that it is a request for the end of use from the user who is the user of the device 200. Note that when such reservation information 116 is stored in the storage unit 110 and the time when the request is acquired is included in the use period specified from the reservation data of the reservation information 116, or within a predetermined time (for example, within 1 hour) from the end time of the use period, the device management apparatus 100 may confirm (determine) that it is a request for the end of use from the user who is the user of the device 200. When the device management apparatus 100 can confirm that the request is from the user himself / herself who has used the rental device 200, the device management apparatus 100 transmits the MAC address of the power supply control device 300 mounted on the rental device 200 to the terminal device 400 as key information.

[0145] When the terminal device 400 acquires the key information, the terminal device 400 establishes a connection (BLE connection) between the terminal device 400 and the power supply control device 300 of the target rental device 200 (step S085). In addition, when the connection is established, the power supply control device 300 reads the MAC address from the memory and transmits it to the terminal device 400.

[0146] In addition, the terminal device 400 of the cooperating company performs collation between the MAC address acquired from the power supply control device 300 and the MAC address of the key information (step S086). Further, when the collation of the MAC addresses matches, the terminal device 400 transmits a command (OFF command) to the power supply control device 300 of the target rental device 200 so as to change from the ON state to the OFF state (step S087).

[0147] Note that when the power supply control device 300 acquires an OFF command from the terminal device 400, it controls the power supply state from the main power supply 210 in the ON state to the drive unit 220 to become the OFF state (step S088). As a result, the power supply state from the main power supply 210 to the drive unit 220 of the rental device 200 becomes OFF, and the rental device 200 can be managed so that the engine and the motor do not drive even if the user operates the physical key. It is desirable that the user stops the engine and the motor by operating the physical key before requesting the end of use in step S082.

[0148] Note that when the power supply control device 300 is not mounted on the rental device 200, steps S085 to S088 are omitted after the confirmation by the device management device 100 (step S084), and the user operates the physical key to stop the rental device 200.

[0149] According to such an end-of-use process of the rental device, it is possible to prevent users other than specific users (for example, the foreman of the cooperating company who is the reserving person and the workers under the foreman) and outsiders from turning off the power supply of the device. In addition, since the registration of the position information at the end of use is promoted and recorded, the traceability of device operation can be enhanced.

[0150] <Repair-related processing of rental device 200> When a failure or malfunction is found in the rental device 200, management such as a repair request and a report of the repair content is required. Therefore, the device management system 1000 performs processing to support efficient management of repair response.

[0151] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of repair-related processing. When a user of a cooperating company who is a user of the rental device 200 discovers a failure or malfunction regarding the device 200, or when a user (a user of the general contractor company or the cooperating company) who is on a site tour discovers a failure, damage, etc. of the device 200, these users use the terminal device (mobile terminal) 400 to obtain the device number of the rental device 200 (step S090). At this time, the terminal device 400 converts the device number into text data based on, for example, image recognition.

[0152] Also, the user registers the failure (malfunction) details and the location information of the rental device 200 via the terminal device 400 (step S091). At this time, the device management device 100 displays on the terminal device 400 screen information for receiving the details of the failure or malfunction, and the terminal device 400 receives an input about the details of the failure, etc. from the user.

[0153] Also, the device management device 100 uses the device information 113 and the site information 114 to display on the terminal device 400 options for the location information (storage location) of the rental device 200, and the terminal device 400 receives from the user a selection input of the location information of the rental device 200 from among the options and transmits a repair request including the text data of the device number, the details of the failure, etc., and the location information to the device management device 100 (step S092).

[0154] Upon obtaining the repair request, the device management device 100 registers the repair information 118 using the obtained repair request and the information in the storage unit 110 (step S093). Specifically, the device management device 100 registers in the repair information 118 an arbitrary repair ID, the device ID of the device 200 to be repaired, the site ID, the status (in this case, before repair), the user ID of the user who made the repair request, the repair request date and time, and the repair request data (text data regarding the details of the failure, etc.).

[0155] Next, the equipment management device 100 notifies the terminal device (PC) 400 used by the prime contractor company's administrator that it has received a repair request by a predetermined means such as email (step S094). If it is a simple repair, the prime contractor company can handle the repair. If a complicated repair is required, the rental company will handle it.

[0156] Upon receiving the notification of the repair request, the user (especially the administrator) of the prime contractor company checks the content of the repair request via the terminal device 400. At this time, the equipment management device 100 displays information related to the repair request, such as the equipment ID of the target equipment 200 for the repair request and text data indicating the content of the failure, etc., on the terminal device 400. The user grasps the content of the failure or the like via the terminal device 400 and performs the repair of the rental equipment 200.

[0157] If the user of the prime contractor company is unable to handle the content of the failure or the like by themselves, they request the rental company to perform the repair. The processing in this case will be described later.

[0158] Next, after the user of the prime contractor company has performed the repair, they register the repair report content and the location information of the rental equipment 200 (step S095). At this time, the equipment management device 100 displays screen information for receiving the repair content on the terminal device 400 of the prime contractor company, and the terminal device 400 of the prime contractor company receives an input of text data (or image data may be included) indicating the repair content from the user.

[0159] Also, the terminal device 400 of the prime contractor company receives the registration of the location information. The location information in this case is the storage location within the site of the repaired rental equipment 200. Since it may be moved during the repair, the location information is registered to manage the location after the repair.

[0160] At this time, the device management apparatus 100 uses each piece of information in the storage unit 110 to display options regarding the partitioning and floors of the site on the terminal device 400, and the terminal device 400 receives a selection input from the user regarding the position information of the rental device 200 after repair from among the options. Further, the terminal device 400 transmits repair registration information including the repair report content, the position information, and predetermined information (for example, the device ID, user ID, etc. of the repaired device 200) to the device management apparatus 100.

[0161] When acquiring the repair registration information, the device management apparatus 100 updates the repair information 118 (step S096). Specifically, the device management apparatus 100 uses the acquired repair registration information and each piece of information in the storage unit 110 to register the status (in this case, repair completed), the user ID of the user who performed the repair, the repair report date and time, and the repair report data (text data regarding the repair content, etc.) in the repair information 118 and updates the information.

[0162] Next, the case where the user of the general contractor company is unable to handle a failure or the like by themselves will be described. In this case, the user of the general contractor company requests repair from the rental company via the terminal device 400 (step S100). At this time, the terminal device 400 of the general contractor company displays a predetermined operation screen and receives a repair request from the user for the rental company. Specifically, the terminal device 400 of the general contractor company receives necessary information for the repair request including the details of the failure or the like (for example, the information included in the repair request) from the user and transmits this to the device management apparatus 100.

[0163] When the device management apparatus 100 acquires a repair request from the terminal device 400 of the general contractor company, it notifies the terminal device 400 of the rental company that owns the device to be repaired of having received the repair request by a predetermined means such as email (step S101).

[0164] When a repair request is obtained, the user of the rental company repairs the rental device 200 based on the request content, and after the repair, registers the repair report content and the location information of the rental device 200 via the terminal device 400 of the rental company (step S102). Also, as described above, when the repair registration information is obtained, the device management apparatus 100 updates the repair information 118 (step S103). Note that since the processes related to the registration of the repair report content and the location information and the update of the repair information 118 are the same as those in steps S095 and S096, detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

[0165] According to such repair-related processing of the rental device, it is possible to easily make a repair request and confirm it. Also, when it is determined that the prime contractor company cannot handle it, it is possible to easily make a repair request to the rental company.

[0166] <Return processing of the rental device 200> When the usage period of the rental device 200 ends, the user of the prime contractor company needs to return the rental device 200 to the rental company. Therefore, the device management system 1000 performs processing to support efficient return management of the device 200.

[0167] FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of the return processing of the rental device 200. The user of the prime contractor company uses the terminal device (mobile terminal) 400 to photograph the device number of the rental device 200 to be returned. At this time, the terminal device 400 of the prime contractor company acquires the device number (step S110) and converts the device number into text data based on, for example, image recognition.

[0168] In addition, the user of the prime contractor company registers the return details via the terminal device 400 (step S111). At this time, the device management apparatus 100 displays the information of the rental device 200 corresponding to the acquired device number on the terminal device 400. The terminal device 400 receives from the user the device ID of the device 200 to be returned, the end date of use, the scheduled removal date, and the removal time zone (for example, within the day, morning or afternoon or specified time, etc.), and transmits a return instruction including these return details to the device management apparatus 100 (step S112).

[0169] Upon acquiring the return instruction, the device management apparatus 100 registers the return schedule in the return information 119 (step S113). In addition, the device management apparatus 100 notifies the terminal device (PC) 400 of the rental company that owns the device to be returned of having acquired the return instruction by a predetermined means such as email (step S114). Note that the user of the rental company refers to the return information 119 registered in the device management apparatus 100 and collects (removes) the rental device 200.

[0170] In addition, the device management apparatus 100 updates the site information 114 and the device information 113 (steps S115, S116). Specifically, the device management apparatus 100 deletes the information regarding the device 200 to be returned from the site device data of the site information 114. Further, in the device information 113 of the device 200 to be returned, the device management apparatus 100 changes the status from being in operation at the site to being in stock, and deletes the site ID of the device 200.

[0171] Note that the return process of the rental device 200 can also be performed by a person having the return authority (for example, the foreman of a cooperating company entrusted with management) other than the user of the prime contractor company.

[0172] According to such a return process of the rental device, the return instruction and its confirmation can be easily performed. In addition, the returned device can be included again in the order target for rental.

[0173] The various processes executed by the device management system 1000 have been described above. According to such a device management system 1000, it is possible to more efficiently manage the devices 200 involved by the site manager, workers, and rental companies, not only within the work site but also outside the work site.

[0174] In particular, the general contractor can enjoy the merit that it can efficiently implement the site management, application management, device management at the site, key management, inspection management, repair management, etc., which have been time-consuming.

[0175] In addition, the cooperating company can enjoy the merit that it can efficiently implement the additional requests for rental devices, reservation management, inspection management, repair management, etc.

[0176] In addition, the rental company can enjoy the merit that it can efficiently implement the inventory management, location information management, repair management, etc. of the rental devices.

[0177] In addition, the operating company can enjoy the merit that it can efficiently implement the approval of site creation.

[0178] <Hardware Configuration of Device Management Device 100> FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the device management device 100. As shown in the figure, the device management device 100 includes an input device 510, a display device 520, a processing device 530, a main storage device 540, an auxiliary storage device 550, a communication device 560, and a bus 570 that electrically interconnects these.

[0179] The input device 510 is an input device such as a touch panel, keyboard, or mouse. The display device 520 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic display.

[0180] The processing device 530 is a processor such as a CPU or a GPU, for example. The main memory device 540 is a memory device (memory resource) such as a RAM or a ROM. Note that the device management device 100 has at least one or more processors and memory resources.

[0181] The auxiliary storage device 550 is a non-volatile storage device such as a so-called HDD, SSD, or flash memory that can store digital information.

[0182] The communication device 560 is a wired communication device that performs wired communication via a network cable, or a wireless communication device that performs wireless communication via an antenna.

[0183] The above is an example of the hardware configuration of the device management device 100.

[0184] The processing unit 120 of such a device management device 100 is realized by a program that causes the processing device 530 to perform processing. This program is stored in the main memory device 540 or the auxiliary storage device 550, loaded onto the main memory device 540 when the program is executed, and executed by the processing device 530.

[0185] Also, the storage unit 110 is realized by the main memory device 540, the auxiliary storage device 550, or a combination thereof. Also, the communication unit 130 is realized by the communication device 560.

[0186] Also, each of the above configurations, functions, processing units, and processing means of the device management device 100 may be realized in hardware by designing a part or all of them, for example, by using an integrated circuit. Also, the above configurations and functions may be realized in software by a processor interpreting and executing a program that realizes each function. Information such as programs, tables, and files that realize each function can be placed in a storage device such as a memory, a hard disk, or an SSD, or a recording medium such as an IC card, an SD card, and a DVD.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0187] 1000 ··· Machine management system, 100 ··· Machine management device, 110 ··· Memory unit, 111 ··· Company information, 112 ··· User information, 113 ··· Equipment information, 114 ··· Site information, 115 ··· Additional request information, 116 ··· Reservation information, 117 ··· Inspection information, 118 ··· Repair information, 119 ··· Return information, 120 ··· Processing unit, 121 ··· Input information acquisition unit, 122 ··· Information management unit, 123 ··· Display information generation unit, 130 ··· Communication unit, 200 ··· Rental equipment, 300 ··· Power supply control device, 400 ··· Terminal device, 510 ··· Input device, 520 ··· Display device, 530 ··· Processing device, 540 ··· Main memory device, 550 ··· Auxiliary memory device, 560 ··· Communication device, 570 ··· Bus

Claims

1. A storage unit that stores device information regarding a plurality of rental devices, site information regarding a plurality of sites, and reservation information regarding a plurality of rental devices; Receiving an order for rental devices used at the first site from a device manager at the first site and placing an order with a rental company; Receiving, from the device manager, an acceptance instruction for the first site together with the identification information of the rental device, and registering the rental device as inventory in the site information of the first site; A processing unit that receives a reservation for the rental device registered as inventory in the site information of the first site from a device user participating in the first site and registers reservation information. A device management apparatus characterized by the above.

2. The device management apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the processing unit When receiving an allocation instruction for the rental device to the device user participating in the first site from the device manager, registers the rental device as inventory in the site information of the first site and registers reservation information regarding the rental device. A device management apparatus characterized by the above.

3. The device management apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the processing unit Receives an application for participation in the first site from the device user, and registers the device user as a participant in the site information of the first site. When registered as a participant in the first site, receives a reservation for the rental device registered as inventory in the site information of the first site from the device user. A device management apparatus characterized by the above.

4. The device management apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein an energization control device for controlling energization is attached to the rental device, and the processing unit When receiving a use start instruction from the terminal device of the device user together with the identification information of the rental device, acquires key information used for wireless connection with the energization control device associated with the identification information of the rental device from the device information and transmits it to the terminal device. A device management apparatus characterized by the above.

5. The device management apparatus according to Claim 4, wherein the processing unit, when receiving a use end instruction from the terminal device of the device user together with the identification information of the rental device, acquires the key information associated with the identification information of the rental device from the device information and transmits it to the terminal device. A device management apparatus characterized by the above. ​

6. The equipment management device according to claim 4, wherein the processing unit receives, from the equipment manager, a shared reservation that permits use of the rental equipment registered in the site information of the first site by unspecified equipment users, and the processing unit receives a use start instruction together with identification information of the rental equipment from a terminal device of an unspecified equipment user. An equipment management device characterized by the above.

7. The equipment management device according to claim 1, wherein when the processing unit receives a request for addition of rental equipment from the equipment user, the processing unit notifies the equipment manager. An equipment management device characterized by the above.

8. The equipment management device according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit receives a repair request together with identification information of the rental equipment from the equipment user, registers repair information, and notifies the equipment manager, records a completion status in the repair information when receiving a completion report on the response to the repair request from the equipment manager, notifies the rental company when receiving a repair request from the equipment manager to request the rental company to respond to the repair request, and records a completion status in the repair information when receiving a completion report on the response to the repair request from the rental company. An equipment management device characterized by the above.

9. The equipment management device according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit displays inspection items corresponding to the rental equipment on a terminal device of the equipment user before the equipment user uses the rental equipment, and when acquiring an inspection result regarding the inspection items from the equipment user, registers inspection information in which the rental equipment and the first site where the rental equipment is used are associated with the inspection result. An equipment management device characterized by the above.

10. The equipment management device according to claim 8, wherein the processing unit identifies an operating status of the rental equipment at the first site based on the reservation information and the repair information and displays the operating status on a terminal device of the equipment user when receiving a display request for the operating status of the rental equipment at the first site from the equipment user. An equipment management device characterized by the above.

11. An equipment management system including an equipment management device, a terminal device of an equipment manager, and a terminal device of an equipment user, wherein the equipment management device A storage unit that stores device information regarding a plurality of rental devices, site information regarding a plurality of sites, and reservation information regarding a plurality of rental devices; Receiving an order for a rental device used at the first site from the terminal device of the device manager at the first site, and placing an order with a rental company; Receiving, from the terminal device of the device manager, an acceptance instruction to the first site together with the identification information of the rental device, and registering the rental device as inventory in the site information of the first site; A processing unit that receives a reservation for the rental device registered as inventory in the site information of the first site from the terminal device of the device user participating in the first site, and registers reservation information. A device management system characterized by the above.

12. A device management method performed by a device management device, wherein the device management device stores device information regarding a plurality of rental devices, site information regarding a plurality of sites, and reservation information regarding a plurality of rental devices; Receiving an order for a rental device used at the first site from the device manager at the first site, and placing an order with a rental company; Receiving, from the device manager, an acceptance instruction to the first site together with the identification information of the rental device, and registering the rental device as inventory in the site information of the first site; Receiving a reservation for the rental device registered as inventory in the site information of the first site from the device user participating in the first site, and registering reservation information. A device management method characterized by the above.

13. A program that causes a computer to function as a device management device, wherein the computer is caused to function as a storage unit that stores device information regarding a plurality of rental devices, site information regarding a plurality of sites, and reservation information regarding a plurality of rental devices; Receiving an order for a rental device used at the first site from the device manager at the first site, and placing an order with a rental company; Receiving, from the device manager, an acceptance instruction to the first site together with the identification information of the rental device, and registering the rental device as inventory in the site information of the first site; Receiving a reservation for the rental device registered as inventory in the site information of the first site from the device user participating in the first site, and registering reservation information. A program characterized by the following.

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