초록 ▼

An automatic renting apparatus performs on-line trade utilizing a credit card, which includes a processing mechanism for processing a rented article not returned after expiration of a returning period. The automatic article renting apparatus effects sale process for the rented article not returned e

An automatic renting apparatus performs on-line trade utilizing a credit card, which includes a processing mechanism for processing a rented article not returned after expiration of a returning period. The automatic article renting apparatus effects sale process for the rented article not returned even after expiration of the renting period and the sale charge is automatically deducted from an account of the credit card. Thus, non-returned article can be automatically processed without requiring manual operation.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An automatic article renting apparatus comprising:an article storage portion;an article renting opening;article transporting means for transporting the article between said article storage portion and said article renting opening;a card reader for reading a credit card in

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An automatic article renting apparatus comprising:an article storage portion;an article renting opening;article transporting means for transporting the article between said article storage portion and said article renting opening;a card reader for reading a credit card information;input means for entering identification of the article to be rented;communication means for communicating with a remote host computer;control means for perfonming an automatic renting process with a member owning a credit card inserted into said card reader, the automatic renting process performed on the basis of input from said card reader, said input means, and a command from said remote host computer;storage means for storing rental information including rented article information, rental date, scheduled return date, and member information;judgement means for detecting when an article rented by a member is not returned by the scheduled return date; andsale processing means responsive to the detection by said judgement means of a rented article not returned by the return date to process a sale of the non-return rented article to the member who rented the non-return rented article and to transmit sale charge information to said remote host computer via said communication means.