Abstract: A store system has a card issue/money deposit machine (8) and a commercial-article handling machine (3) capable of vending and the like of commercial articles with utilization of the IC card (13). The card issue/money deposit machine (8) has a card issue means (8a) for issuing the IC card (13) based on input information of the customer, and a money processing means (8b) for recording input money in the IC card (13) as a deposit. The commercial-article handling machine (3) has an input means (3a) for inputting the kind and number and the like of commercial articles, IC card reader/writer (3b), a commercial-article handling means (3c) for conducting vending of commercial articles and the like based on the input information of commercial articles and the recorded information of the IC card, and a calculation means (3d) for subtracting the amount of deposit recorded in the IC card according to commercial articles to be handled.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A vending machine for selling encased recording media such as CDs comprises a control unit and a plurality of vending units connected in tandem. Each vending unit is comprised of holders for holding encased CDs. The encased CDs are held in a way that allows them to be pivoted to left and right about the edge on the opposite side to the edge containing information about the contents. A person wishing to purchase a CD can directly touch the case and swing the case to either side, making it possible to read information on both sides and confirm the contents. An advantage of the configuration of this vending machine is that the number of vending units that are linked together can be adjusted to fit the available installation space or the number of CDs involved.

Abstract: A method of renting portable telephones is disclosed. When a portable telephone 5 is rented from a first rental shop 4-1 and returned to a second rental shop 4-2 different from the first, the telephone identification code 5(ID) and the first rental shop identification code 4-1(ID) stored therein are read and transmitted to a control center 2. Simultaneously, the number of call units 52A recorded in the portable telephone 5 is also read and transmitted to the control center 2. Based on this return data 20, the control center 2 is able to track the movement of the portable telephones 5 among the rental shops 4 (4-1, 4-2, . . . ) and to enter the use charge in the accounts as sales of the first rental shop 4-1. In addition, it can also ascertain the number of portable telephones 5 available for rental and the number of portable telephones 5 on loan at each rental shop. As a result, the renting and returning of the portable telephones among the rental shops 4 can be conducted efficiently.

Abstract: Disclosed is an airtightness testing apparatus for watches which is constructed as follows. A support block and a guide member having a seat to carry a watch to be examined are attached to a post at a vertical space from each other, the post being set up inside an airtight container which is pressurized or decompressed. A light emitting element and a light receiving element are embedded in the support block so as to face each other with a vertical gap inbetween. Inside a cavity adjoining the gap in the block, there are a screening plate vertically projected in the gap and a contact member solidly fixed to the plate.