Information processing system, information processing method, and information processing program

Abstract

To improve convenience of management using an electronic lock.SOLUTION: An information processing system according to the present application including an electronic lock having a function of communicating directly with a server via a network, comprises a determination unit that determines whether or not a disaster has occurred in an area in which the electronic lock is located. When the determination unit determines that the disaster has occurred in the area, the electronic lock executes unlocking processing for the electronic lock.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing system, an information processing method, and an information processing program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, electronic locks that can be locked and unlocked by communication functions such as short-distance wireless communication have been known. For example, a technology related to an electronic lock that is locked and unlocked by short-distance wireless communication with a user terminal located near the electronic lock has been provided (for example, see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6971002 [Patent Document 2] JP 2019-053526 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the above-mentioned conventional technology, although the electronic lock can be locked and unlocked by a communication function such as short-range wireless communication, there is room for improvement in unlocking the electronic lock by the communication function. For example, in the above-mentioned conventional technology, a user capable of locking and unlocking the electronic lock, such as a user who owns a user terminal, needs to be located near the electronic lock, and there is room for improvement in locking and unlocking the electronic lock when the user capable of locking and unlocking the electronic lock is not near the electronic lock. For example, in the event of a disaster, a situation may arise in which the user capable of locking and unlocking the electronic lock is not near the electronic lock and it is difficult to move to the vicinity of the electronic lock. Therefore, it is desired to make it possible to unlock the electronic lock even when the user capable of locking and unlocking the electronic lock is not near the electronic lock in the event of a disaster, thereby improving the convenience of management using the electronic lock.

[0005] The present application has been made in consideration of the above, and aims to provide an information processing system, an information processing method, and an information processing program that improve the convenience of management using electronic locks. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The information processing system of the present application is an information processing system including an electronic lock having the function of communicating directly with a server via a network, and has a judgment unit that judges whether or not a disaster has occurred in the area in which the electronic lock is located, and is characterized in that when the judgment unit judges that a disaster has occurred in the area, the electronic lock executes an unlocking process for the electronic lock. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to one aspect of the embodiment, it is possible to improve the convenience of management using an electronic lock. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of processing of the information processing system according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a server according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an electronic lock according to an embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the first process according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the second process according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of information processing according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, the information processing system, information processing method, and information processing program according to the present application will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the information processing system, information processing method, and information processing program according to the present application are not limited to the embodiments. In addition, in the drawings, identical or similar elements are given identical or similar reference symbols and names, and duplicated descriptions of identical or similar elements may be omitted in the description of each embodiment. In addition, the features shown in each embodiment can be applied to other embodiments as long as they are not mutually inconsistent.

[0010] <1. Embodiment> First, the configuration of the information processing system 1 according to the embodiment will be described, and then an example of the processing executed by the information processing system 1 will be described. Note that, hereinafter, an example will be described in which the server 100 executes the processing for determining the occurrence of a disaster (also referred to as the "determination processing"). However, the determination processing is not limited to the server 100, and may be executed by any device included in the information processing system 1, such as the electronic lock 300. Note that the disasters referred to here are not limited to natural disasters such as earthquakes, typhoons, and tsunamis, but also include various disasters such as man-made disasters (man-made disasters) such as factory fires, traffic accidents, and airplane crashes. In addition, the disasters referred to here also include special disasters such as chemical substance leakage and radioactive contamination, and disasters caused by missiles flying or collisions. In this way, the disasters include any disaster that affects the area in which the electronic lock 300 is placed.

[0011] <1-1. Information processing system configuration> The configuration of an information processing system 1 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment. Specifically, Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing an information processing system 1 in which an electronic lock 300, which is an example of an electronic lock, has a function that enables direct communication with a server 100 located remotely via a network NW. The information processing system 1 is composed of the server 100, a user terminal 200, and electronic locks 300A and 300B. Hereinafter, when the electronic locks 300A, 300B, etc. are described without distinction, they will be referred to as "electronic lock 300".

[0012] The device configuration of the information processing system 1 shown in Fig. 1 is merely an example, and the information processing system 1 may include three or more electronic locks 300. The information processing system 1 may include only one electronic lock 300. The information processing system 1 shown in Fig. 1 may include multiple servers 100 and multiple user terminals 200.

[0013] The server 100 is connected to the user terminal 200 and the electronic lock 300 via a network NW. The network NW is composed of the Internet, an intranet, etc. For example, the server 100 is an information processing device (computer) that communicates with external devices such as the user terminal 200 and the electronic lock 300, and executes processing related to locking and unlocking the electronic lock 300 based on the acquired information. The server 100 remotely instructs the electronic lock 300 to lock and unlock the electronic lock 300 via the network NW, and causes the electronic lock 300 to execute processing related to locking and unlocking.

[0014] The server 100 may be, for example, a general-purpose computer such as a workstation or a personal computer, or may be logically realized by cloud computing. In this embodiment, for convenience of explanation, one server terminal is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this and may be multiple servers.

[0015] The user terminal 200 may be, for example, an information processing device such as a personal computer, a tablet terminal, a smartphone, a mobile phone, or a wearable terminal. The user terminal 200 has a function of short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy), or infrared, and has a function of communicating with the electronic lock 300 without going through a network NW. For example, the user terminal 200 is owned by a user (also called a "lock manager") who manages the locking and unlocking of the electronic lock 300, and transmits information instructing locking or unlocking according to the operation of the lock manager to the electronic lock 300 located in a close range.

[0016] The user terminal 200 may also have a sensor (position sensor) for detecting a position, such as a Global Positioning System (GPS), and may be able to acquire position information of the user terminal 200. The user terminal 200 may also acquire position information of the user terminal 200 using information such as WiFi (registered trademark) (Wireless Fidelity) or a beacon.

[0017] The electronic lock 300 shown below as an example of an electronic lock is a portable electronic lock, for example, an electronic padlock. The electronic lock 300 can be easily moved to any location by a lock manager or other person before it can be used for locking, and can be used for locking at any location. For example, the electronic lock 300 switches between a locked state and an unlocked state in response to an electrical signal. Note that the electronic lock 300 is not limited to an electronic padlock, and may be any electronic lock as long as it is portable. For example, the electronic lock 300 may be a wire-type, chain-type, or other electronic lock.

[0018] For example, the electronic lock 300 is an electronic lock that can be carried (carried) by a user and is used to prevent illegal intrusion into a managed space (also called a "managed space"), removal, theft, unauthorized use, etc. of managed objects (also called "managed objects"). That is, the electronic lock 300 is an electronic lock used to protect managed objects (also called "managed objects") such as the managed space and managed objects. For example, when the electronic lock 300 is used to protect a managed space, the electronic lock 300 is inserted into a latch (insertion hole) or a chain, etc., of a door provided at an entrance or the like of the managed space, and thus prevents illegal intrusion into the managed space. Note that the use of the electronic lock 300 is similar to that of a normal padlock using a physical key or the like, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted. Also, a portable electronic lock such as an electronic padlock is merely one example of an electronic lock, and any electronic lock can be adopted as the electronic lock 300. For example, the electronic lock 300 may be integrated with a part ("blocking part") having a function of blocking the inside from the outside, and may be an electronic lock used to lock and unlock the blocking part. For example, the blocking part is a door, shutter, etc. provided at the entrance of a space such as a managed space (for example, a building, a room, etc.). For example, if the blocking part is a door, the electronic lock 300 may be integrated with a handle (doorknob) for opening and closing the door. Note that the electronic lock 300 may be used in a manner fixed to any part, not limited to the blocking part. For example, the electronic lock 300 may have a housing and may be configured to store any object such as a physical key in the housing (also called a "key box type"). For example, if the electronic lock 300 is a key box type, the electronic lock 300 may be attached and fixed to a structure such as a wall. Also, for example, the electronic lock 300 may be a portable key box type electronic lock. In this case, the electronic lock 300 may be placed near a lock that is locked and unlocked with a physical key stored inside it, or may be carried by a user who uses the physical key stored inside it.

[0019] The electronic lock 300 is equipped with a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) or WAN (Wide Area Network) and has the function of directly communicating with the server 100 via the network NW. For example, the electronic lock 300 has a built-in SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card or eSIM (embedded SIM) (sometimes collectively referred to as "SIM") and communicates directly with the server 100 via the network NW by wireless communication compatible with communication standards such as LTE (Long Term Evolution).

[0020] Any form (communication standard, device configuration, etc.) can be adopted for the electronic lock 300 as long as it has the function of communicating directly with the server 100 via the network NW. For example, the electronic lock 300 may communicate directly with the server 100 via wireless communication not limited to LTE, such as 4G (4th Generation) or 5G (5th Generation: 5th generation mobile communication system). Furthermore, the electronic lock 300 does not need to have a SIM card as long as it can communicate directly with the server 100 via the network NW.

[0021] The electronic lock 300 accepts instructions to lock or unlock using a function for direct communication with the server 100 via the network NW. For example, the electronic lock 300 receives information (unlock information) instructing the locking from the server 100 located remotely using the function for direct communication with the server 100. The electronic lock 300 may also receive information (lock information) instructing the locking from the server 100 located remotely. In response to receiving information from the server 100, the electronic lock 300 executes processing according to the received information. When the electronic lock 300 receives unlock information from the server 100, the electronic lock 300 executes processing (unlock processing) to change its own state to an unlocked state. For example, when the server 100 determines that a disaster has occurred in the area in which the electronic lock 300 is located, the electronic lock 300 executes the unlock processing of the electronic lock 300.

[0022] The electronic lock 300 also accepts locking and unlocking instructions using a short-distance wireless communication function. For example, the locking and unlocking operation of the electronic lock 300 may be performed by the user terminal 200 located at a position where short-distance wireless communication is possible, i.e., at a short distance. More specifically, when an unlocking request operation is performed in an application executed on the user terminal 200, the unlocking request may be transmitted to the electronic lock 300 via the short-distance wireless communication interface of the user terminal 200. Note that, in the case where the application only has an unlocking request operation function, the electronic lock 300 may perform the locking operation manually and non-electrically using a physical locking configuration similar to a conventional lock (for example, the lock is activated when the shackle 32 in FIG. 2 is inserted into the main body 31). At this time, if necessary, a sensor may be provided for the physical locking configuration to generate a locking detection signal and transmit it to the user terminal 200 or the server 100 to recognize the locking operation. In addition to the unlock request operation function, a lock request operation function may also be provided, for example, a request operation may be executed from an application each time the lock is locked or unlocked, and a lock request may be sent to the electronic lock 300 in the same manner as in the case of an unlock request operation.

[0023] Furthermore, the locking / unlocking operation of the electronic lock 300 may be performed, for example, by a combination of an arbitrary button (such as button 33 in FIG. 2) provided on the electronic lock 300 and biometric authentication. In this case, the electronic lock 300 may be able to identify user information of the user who performed the locking / unlocking operation by biometric authentication, and transmit the identified user information and the operation result to the server 100. Note that the electronic lock 300 may be provided with multiple buttons, and may include buttons corresponding to the operation content, such as a button for issuing an instruction to release (unlock button) and a button for issuing an instruction to lock (lock button).

[0024] <1-2. Examples of processing by information processing systems> From here, an overview of the processing by the information processing system 1 will be described. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the processing of the information processing system according to the embodiment. Specifically, Fig. 2 is an example of a diagram that diagrammatically shows an example of the processing in the information processing system 1. Fig. 2 shows a case where the electronic lock 300 is in a locked state.

[0025] 2, the server 100 communicates with the data providing device 400 and acquires information used to determine the occurrence of a disaster from the data providing device 400. The server 100 is connected to the data providing device 400 via a communication network such as a network NW. The server 100 receives disaster information from the data providing device 400 via the communication network such as the network NW.

[0026] The data providing device 400 is an information providing device that provides information on the occurrence or non-occurrence of a disaster. For example, the data providing device 400 may be an information providing device operated by an administrative agency such as the Japan Meteorological Agency or a local government. The data providing device 400 provides disaster information to the server 100 in response to a request from the server 100. For example, the data providing device 400 transmits to the server 100 disaster information including identification information (disaster ID, etc.) that identifies the disaster that has occurred, type information that indicates the type of the disaster (earthquake, typhoon, etc.), area information that indicates an area affected by the disaster, date and time information that indicates the occurrence and end of the disaster, etc. The data providing device 400 may or may not be included in the information processing system 1.

[0027] First, a brief description will be given of locking and unlocking using a user terminal 200 located close to the electronic lock 300 without remote instructions from the server 100. The user shown in Fig. 2 owns a user terminal 200 in which an application for locking and unlocking the electronic lock 300 is installed, and is, for example, a lock manager who manages the locking and unlocking of the electronic lock 300. For example, when the user terminal 200 is within a distance where short-distance wireless communication is possible with the electronic lock 300, the user can lock and unlock the electronic lock 300 using the user terminal 200. In this case, for example, the user presses a button on the electronic lock 300 (such as button 33 in Fig. 2) to connect the user terminal 200 to the electronic lock 300, and performs an unlock operation on the user terminal 200 to unlock the electronic lock 300.

[0028] As shown in Fig. 2, in the information processing system 1, the electronic lock 300 can be locked and unlocked by remote control from the server 100, without relying on a user terminal 200 located close to the electronic lock 300. Fig. 2 shows a case where the occurrence of a disaster in the area where the electronic lock 300 is located is set as a condition for remotely unlocking the electronic lock 300 (also called a disaster occurrence condition or "remote unlocking condition").

[0029] The server 100 stores information indicating the remote unlocking conditions in a storage unit, and determines whether the status of the electronic lock 300 satisfies the remote unlocking conditions. If the server 100 determines that the remote unlocking conditions are met, it transmits unlocking instruction information to the electronic lock 300 to instruct the electronic lock 300 to unlock it. For example, if the server 100 determines that a disaster has occurred in the area where the electronic lock 300 is located, it determines that the remote unlocking conditions are met.

[0030] In this case, the occurrence of a disaster is set as a remote unlocking condition, and when the server 100 acquires information indicating the occurrence of a disaster, it determines that the remote unlocking condition is satisfied. In Fig. 2, the server 100 receives disaster information indicating the occurrence of a disaster from the data providing device 400 managed by, for example, the Japan Meteorological Agency.

[0031] When a disaster occurs, the server 100 transmits unlocking instruction information to the electronic lock 300, which instructs the electronic lock 300 to unlock the electronic lock 300, as it satisfies the remote unlocking condition for remotely unlocking the electronic lock 300. When the electronic lock 300 receives the unlocking instruction information, it executes the unlocking process of the electronic lock 300. For example, when the electronic lock 300 receives the unlocking instruction information in the locked state, it changes the state to the unlocked state. For example, the locked state corresponds to a state in which the position of the shackle 32 is close to the main body 31 (locked position) (corresponding to the state of the electronic lock 300-1 in FIG. 5). For example, the unlocked state corresponds to a state in which the position of the shackle 32 is away from the main body 31 (unlocked position) (corresponding to the state of the electronic lock 300-2 in FIG. 5). Any combination of the state of the electronic lock 300 and the position of the shackle 32 can be adopted. For example, when the electronic lock 300 receives unlock instruction information, the position of the shackle 32 remains in the locked position and can be unlocked, and when a user located nearby presses a button 33 (described later), the position of the shackle 32 may be changed to the unlocked position. Note that the user who presses the button 33 does not have to own the user terminal 200. In other words, the button 33 of the electronic lock 300 can be operated by either a user who owns the user terminal 200 or a user who does not own the user terminal 200, that is, by any user (person).

[0032] In addition, the server 100 may determine that the remote unlocking condition is met, not only when a disaster occurs, but also when the user terminal 200 is not within a predetermined range from the electronic lock 300 when it becomes necessary to unlock the electronic lock 300. In this case, the server 100 may compare position information indicating the location of the electronic lock 300 with position information of the user terminal 200, and determine that the remote unlocking condition is met when the distance between the electronic lock 300 and the user terminal 200 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. For example, the position information is information indicating a position expressed in a latitude-longitude coordinate system or any orthogonal coordinate system.

[0033] In this case, the server 100 may acquire location information indicating the location of the user terminal 200 from the user terminal 200. The server 100 may store location information indicating the placement location of the electronic lock 300 in a storage unit and acquire the location information from the storage unit. Also, if the electronic lock 300 has a function for detecting the location of its own device, the server 100 may acquire location information indicating the location of the electronic lock 300 from the electronic lock 300.

[0034] The server 100 may then determine whether the electronic lock 300 can be immediately unlocked by the user terminal 200 based on the acquired location information. For example, when the server 100 determines that a disaster has occurred in the area where the electronic lock 300 is located and that the situation is such that it is difficult for the user terminal 200 to immediately unlock the electronic lock 300, the server 100 may determine that the remote unlocking condition is met. In other words, when a disaster has occurred in the area where the electronic lock 300 is located and the situation is such that it is difficult for the user terminal 200 to immediately unlock the electronic lock 300, the server 100 transmits unlocking instruction information to the electronic lock 300.

[0035] For example, the electronic lock 300 receives the unlocking instruction information when it is in a mode (also referred to as the "second mode") that is different from a mode (also referred to as the "first mode") in which communication with the outside is not possible, and is capable of communicating with the outside. In this way, the electronic lock 300 is switchable between the first mode and the second mode. For example, the first mode may be a mode corresponding to a sleep state, and the second mode may be a mode corresponding to a state in which the electronic lock 300 is activated in response to the operation of a button 33 described later, or the detection of a change in acceleration by an acceleration sensor of the sensor unit 350 described later, etc. Details of the processing flow until the electronic lock 300 receives the unlocking instruction information will be described later.

[0036] <1-3. Server configuration> From here, the configuration of the server 100 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the server according to the embodiment. As shown in Fig. 3, the server 100 has a communication unit 110, a storage unit 120, and a control unit 130. Note that the server 100 may also have an input unit (e.g., a keyboard, a mouse, etc.) that accepts various operations from an administrator of the server 100, and a display unit (e.g., a liquid crystal display, etc.) that displays various information.

[0037] The communication unit 110 is realized by, for example, a NIC (Network Interface Card) etc. The communication unit 110 is connected to the network NW by wire or wirelessly, and transmits and receives information between the user terminal 200, the electronic lock 300, and the data providing device 400.

[0038] The storage unit 120 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory element such as a random access memory (RAM) or a flash memory, or a storage device such as a hard disk or an optical disk. As shown in Fig. 3, the storage unit 120 according to the embodiment has an electronic lock information storage unit 121 and a disaster information storage unit 122. Note that the storage unit 120 stores various information, including but not limited to the above.

[0039] The electronic lock information storage unit 121 according to the embodiment stores various information related to the electronic lock. For example, the electronic lock information storage unit 121 stores various information related to the electronic lock 300, such as the location (area) of each electronic lock 300, the locking and unlocking history of the electronic lock 300, etc.

[0040] For example, the electronic lock information storage unit 121 stores identification information (lock ID, etc.) for identifying the electronic lock 300 in association with information such as the location (area) of the electronic lock 300 and the locking / unlocking history of the electronic lock 300. The electronic lock information storage unit 121 may store various information according to the purpose, without being limited to the above.

[0041] The disaster information storage unit 122 according to the embodiment stores various information related to a disaster. For example, the disaster information storage unit 122 stores information related to an occurred disaster. For example, the disaster information storage unit 122 stores information related to a disaster acquired from the data providing device 400.

[0042] For example, the disaster information storage unit 122 stores identification information (disaster ID, etc.) that identifies an occurred disaster in association with type information indicating the type of the disaster (earthquake, typhoon, etc.), area information indicating the area affected by the disaster, and information such as the date and time of occurrence and the date and time of end of the disaster. Note that the disaster information storage unit 122 may store various types of information according to the purpose, without being limited to the above.

[0043] The control unit 130 is realized by a CPU (Central Processing Unit), MPU (Micro Processing Unit), etc., executing various programs (corresponding to an example of an information processing program) stored in a storage device inside the server 100 using a RAM as a working area. The control unit 130 is also realized by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

[0044] As shown in Fig. 3, the control unit 130 has an acquisition unit 131, a processing unit 132, and a transmission unit 133, and realizes or executes the functions and actions of information processing described below. Note that the internal configuration of the control unit 130 is not limited to the configuration shown in Fig. 3, and may be other configurations as long as they perform information processing described below. Also, the connection relationship between the processing units of the control unit 130 is not limited to the connection relationship shown in Fig. 3, and may be other connection relationships.

[0045] The acquisition unit 131 receives various information from an external information processing device via the communication unit 110. The acquisition unit 131 receives various information from the user terminal 200, the electronic lock 300, and the data providing device 400. For example, the acquisition unit 131 receives request information from the electronic lock 300 requesting confirmation of the need to unlock the lock. For example, the acquisition unit 131 receives disaster information from the data providing device 400.

[0046] The processing unit 132 executes various processes. The processing unit 132 functions as a determination unit that determines various pieces of information. The processing unit 132 determines various pieces of information. For example, the processing unit 132 determines various pieces of information based on various pieces of information acquired from an external device by the acquisition unit 131. For example, the processing unit 132 determines various pieces of information based on information stored in the storage unit 120.

[0047] The processing unit 132 determines whether a disaster has occurred. The processing unit 132 determines whether a disaster has occurred in the area in which the electronic lock 300 is located. The processing unit 132 determines whether a disaster has occurred in the area based on disaster occurrence information provided by the data providing device 400 that provides information regarding the occurrence of a disaster.

[0048] The processing unit 132 compares the area where the disaster indicated by the disaster information occurred (also called the "disaster area") with the location (area) where the electronic lock 300 is placed, and if the location where the electronic lock 300 is placed is included in the disaster area, it determines that a disaster has occurred in the area where the electronic lock 300 is placed. The processing unit 132 compares the disaster area indicated by the disaster information received from the data providing device 400 with the location (area) where the electronic lock 300 is placed stored in the electronic lock information storage unit 121, thereby determining whether or not the location where the electronic lock 300 is placed is included in the disaster area.

[0049] When the processing unit 132 determines that a disaster has occurred in the area in which the electronic lock 300 is located, it instructs the transmission unit 133 to transmit unlocking instruction information instructing the electronic lock 300 to unlock. When the processing unit 132 receives a request from the electronic lock 300 in a state in which it has determined that a disaster has occurred in the area, it instructs the transmission unit 133 to transmit unlocking instruction information to the electronic lock 300 in response to the request.

[0050] The processing unit 132 determines whether the change in acceleration indicated by the sensor information is a change due to a disaster or an artificial change. For example, when the amount of change in acceleration indicated by the sensor information is equal to or greater than a first threshold and less than a second threshold, the processing unit 132 determines that the change is due to a disaster. Note that the first threshold and the second threshold can be set to any value as long as the second threshold is greater than the first threshold.

[0051] For example, when the amount of change in acceleration indicated by the sensor information is equal to or greater than the second threshold, the processing unit 132 determines that the change is an artificial change. When the processing unit 132 determines that the change is due to a disaster, it determines that a disaster has occurred in the area. When the processing unit 132 determines that the change is an artificial change, it may determine that the electronic lock 300 has been vandalized. In this case, the processing unit 132 may notify the user who owns the user terminal 200 that the electronic lock 300 may be vandalized and an illegal act may be performed by transmitting information indicating that the electronic lock 300 may be vandalized to the user terminal 200.

[0052] The processing unit 132 may use the sensor information detected by the sensor unit 350 of the electronic lock 300 to determine whether a disaster has occurred in the area in which the electronic lock 300 is located. In this case, the server 100 may obtain the sensor information from the electronic lock 300 without obtaining information from the data providing device 400, and may execute the determination process using the obtained sensor information.

[0053] For example, when the amount of change in acceleration indicated by the sensor information acquired from the electronic lock 300 is equal to or greater than the first threshold and less than the second threshold, the processing unit 132 determines that a disaster has occurred in the area in which the electronic lock 300 is located. Also, when the amount of change in acceleration indicated by the sensor information acquired from the electronic lock 300 is equal to or greater than the second threshold, the processing unit 132 determines that there is a possibility that vandalism of the electronic lock 300 is being carried out. Note that as long as the second threshold is greater than the first threshold, any value can be set for the first threshold and the second threshold.

[0054] The processing unit 132 generates various information to be provided to external devices. For example, the processing unit 132 generates information to be provided to the user terminal 200 and the electronic lock 300. For example, the processing unit 132 generates lock / unlock instruction information that instructs the electronic lock 300 to lock or unlock. For example, the processing unit 132 generates unlock instruction information that instructs the electronic lock 300 to unlock. For example, the processing unit 132 generates lock instruction information that instructs the electronic lock 300 to lock.

[0055] The transmission unit 133 transmits information to the user terminal 200, the electronic lock 300, and the data providing device 400 via the communication unit 110. For example, the transmission unit 133 transmits information to the data providing device 400 requesting disaster information from the data providing device 400.

[0056] The transmission unit 133 transmits lock / unlock information instructing the electronic lock 300 to lock or unlock, to the electronic lock 300. The transmission unit 133 transmits unlock instruction information instructing the electronic lock 300 to unlock, in response to an instruction from the processing unit 132. The transmission unit 133 transmits lock instruction information instructing the electronic lock 300 to lock, in response to an instruction from the processing unit 132.

[0057] When the processing unit 132 determines that a disaster has occurred in the area where the electronic lock 300 is located, the transmission unit 133 transmits unlocking instruction information instructing the electronic lock 300 to unlock the electronic lock 300. When the acquisition unit 131 receives a request from the electronic lock 300 in a state where the processing unit 132 determines that a disaster has occurred in the area where the electronic lock 300 is located, the transmission unit 133 transmits unlocking instruction information in response to the request.

[0058] <1-4. Electronic lock configuration> Next, the configuration of the electronic lock 300 according to the embodiment will be described. First, the structural configuration of the electronic lock 300 will be described based on the external appearance of the electronic lock 300 shown in Fig. 2. The electronic lock 300, which is an example of an electronic lock, has a hardware configuration as shown in Fig. 2. Note that the following configuration is an example, and the electronic lock 300 may have other configurations.

[0059] 2 is an electronic padlock that has a main body 31, a shackle 32, and a button 33, and is equipped with various elements such as a storage battery, electrical equipment, and an electrical control mechanism within the main body 31. Note that the internal structure of the electronic lock 300 (the structure within the main body 31) can be any configuration as long as it can realize desired processing such as locking and unlocking, and detailed explanations will be omitted.

[0060] A shackle 32 is mechanically attached to one end of the main body 31 so as to be freely opened and closed. For example, the size of the electronic lock 300 is approximately the same as that of a conventional padlock. Also, as described above, if the electronic lock 300 is of a wire type or chain type, the electronic lock 300 may have a wire or chain instead of the shackle 32.

[0061] Moreover, a button 33 that accepts user operation is provided on one surface of the main body 31. The button 33 accepts a contact operation, such as a pressing operation, by the user as an operation to switch the mode of the electronic lock 300. For example, the button 33 accepts an operation by the user to switch the mode from a first mode to a second mode. In this way, the button 33 is a button that accepts a physical contact operation by the user.

[0062] Next, the configuration related to information processing of the electronic lock 300 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the electronic lock according to the embodiment. Specifically, Fig. 4 is an example of a functional block configuration diagram related to information processing of the electronic lock 300. The electronic lock 300 has a first communication unit 311, a second communication unit 312, a memory unit 320, a control unit 330, an input unit 340, and a sensor unit 350.

[0063] The first communication unit 311 is a communication interface for performing short-range wireless communication with an external device such as the user terminal 200. For example, the first communication unit 311 is a communication interface for performing at least one short-range wireless communication among Bluetooth, BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy), infrared, etc. For example, the first communication unit 311 is realized by a predetermined communication circuit or the like.

[0064] The second communication unit 312 is a communication interface for communicating with an external device such as the server 100 via the network NW. For example, the second communication unit 312 is a communication interface for communicating with the server 100 via the network NW based on a communication protocol such as TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol). For example, the second communication unit 312 is realized by a predetermined communication circuit or the like.

[0065] The storage unit 320 is realized by a storage device such as a semiconductor memory element such as a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a flash memory, etc. The storage unit 320 stores programs for executing various control processes and each function in the control unit 330, input data, etc.

[0066] The storage unit 320 stores various information used in processing. For example, the storage unit 320 stores information related to the mode of the device itself. For example, the storage unit 320 stores information indicating the current mode of the device itself, information related to the timing of switching between the first mode and the second mode, and the like. The storage unit 320 stores information on conditions (also called "request conditions") used to determine whether or not to make a request to the server 100. For example, the storage unit 320 stores information on request conditions including a condition for switching from the first mode to the second mode.

[0067] The control unit 330 is realized by a CPU, an MPU, or the like, executing various programs (corresponding to an example of an information processing program) stored in a storage device inside the electronic lock 300 using the RAM as a working area. The control unit 330 is also realized by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC or an FPGA.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 330 has an acquisition unit 331, an execution unit 332, and an output unit 333, and realizes or executes the functions and actions of information processing described below.

[0069] The acquisition unit 331 acquires various information. The acquisition unit 331 acquires various information from the storage unit 320. The acquisition unit 331 acquires information indicating a user's operation accepted by the input unit 340. The acquisition unit 331 acquires sensor information detected by the sensor unit 350. The acquisition unit 331 receives various information from an external information processing device such as the server 100 or the user terminal 200. The acquisition unit 331 receives an instruction regarding locking / unlocking the electronic lock 300 from the user terminal 200 via the first communication unit 311. The acquisition unit 331 receives an instruction regarding locking / unlocking the electronic lock 300 from the server 100 via the second communication unit 312. The acquisition unit 331 receives unlocking instruction information instructing unlocking transmitted by the server 100 when a disaster occurs.

[0070] The execution unit 332 executes various processes related to locking and unlocking the electronic lock 300. The execution unit 332 executes various processes using information stored in the memory unit 320. The execution unit 332 executes a process of switching between a first mode and a second mode. The execution unit 332 switches the mode in response to an operation accepted by the input unit 340. For example, when the user presses the button 33, the execution unit 332 sets the mode of the electronic lock 300 to the second mode.

[0071] The execution unit 332 sets the mode of the electronic lock 300 to the second mode when the sensor information detected by the sensor unit 350 satisfies a predetermined condition. For example, the execution unit 332 sets the mode of the electronic lock 300 to the second mode when a change in acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor of the sensor unit 350 satisfies a predetermined condition. For example, the execution unit 332 sets the mode of the electronic lock 300 to the second mode when the amount of change in acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor of the sensor unit 350 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

[0072] The execution unit 332 executes locking / unlocking processing in response to an instruction from the server 100. When the execution unit 332 receives unlocking instruction information, the execution unit 332 executes unlocking processing based on the unlocking instruction information. When the server 100 determines that a disaster has occurred in the area, the execution unit 332 executes unlocking processing of the electronic lock 300. The execution unit 332 executes locking / unlocking processing in response to an instruction from the user terminal 200.

[0073] When the execution unit 332 determines that the sensor information detected by the sensor unit 350 satisfies the request conditions, it instructs the output unit 333 to make a request to the server 100. The execution unit 332 compares the sensor information detected by the sensor unit 350 with the request conditions stored in the storage unit 320, and instructs the output unit 333 to make a request to the server 100 according to the comparison result. When the sensor information detected by the sensor unit 350 satisfies the request conditions stored in the storage unit 320, the execution unit 332 instructs the output unit 333 to make a request to the server 100.

[0074] The output unit 333 outputs various information. The output unit 333 transmits various information to an external device. The output unit 333 transmits sensor information detected by the sensor unit 350. For example, the output unit 333 transmits acceleration information detected by an acceleration sensor to the server 100. The output unit 333 transmits request information requesting the server 100 to confirm whether or not unlocking is necessary. The output unit 333 makes a request to the server 100 at a predetermined timing. The output unit 333 makes a request to the server 100 at a timing of transition to the second mode.

[0075] The output unit 333 makes a request to the server 100 when the request conditions are satisfied. The output unit 333 makes a request to the server 100 in response to an instruction from the execution unit 332. The output unit 333 makes a request to the server 100 when sensor information detected by the sensor unit 350 satisfies the request conditions. The output unit 333 has an acceleration sensor, and makes a request to the server 100 when sensor information indicating a change in acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor satisfies the request conditions. The output unit 333 makes a request to the server 100 by transmitting the sensor information to the server 100.

[0076] The input unit 340 accepts various operations by the user. The input unit 340 accepts user operations via the button 33. The input unit 340 accepts an operation by the user to press (touch) the button 33. The input unit 340 accepts the operation of the user to press the button 33 as an operation to switch the mode of the electronic lock 300.

[0077] The sensor unit 350 detects various sensor information. The sensor unit 350 has an arbitrary sensor and detects sensor information indicating the situation (context) in which the electronic lock 300 (its own device) is placed. The sensor unit 350 has an acceleration sensor that detects acceleration.

[0078] The sensor unit 350 is not limited to an acceleration sensor and may have various sensors. For example, the sensor unit 350 may have various sensors such as a sound sensor, a position sensor, an image sensor, a gyro sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, an air pressure sensor, an illuminance sensor, a pressure sensor, a proximity sensor, etc. The sensors that detect the above-mentioned various pieces of information in the sensor unit 350 may be a common sensor, or may be realized by different sensors.

[0079] The electronic lock 300 may have various elements other than those described above. For example, the electronic lock 300 may have an audio output unit such as a speaker that outputs audio. Also, for example, when the electronic lock 300 determines whether or not a disaster has occurred in the installation area of ​​the electronic lock 300, the electronic lock 300 may have a determination unit. In this case, the processing unit 132 of the server 100 does not need to have the function of determining whether or not a disaster has occurred in the installation area, i.e., the function of the determination unit.

[0080] When the electronic lock 300 has the function of a determination unit, for example, the server 100 provides information to the electronic lock 300 in response to a request from the electronic lock 300, executes processing such as remote unlocking of the electronic lock 300, etc. Also, the execution unit 332 of the electronic lock 300 may function as a determination unit that determines whether or not a disaster has occurred, and may determine whether or not a disaster has occurred based on sensor information detected by the sensor unit 350, disaster occurrence information received from the server 100, etc. When the electronic lock 300 determines that a disaster has occurred based on the result of the determination of the occurrence of a disaster in its own device, it may execute an unlocking process for its own device.

[0081] <1-5. Processing example> From here, various processing examples related to the embodiment will be described based on the above-mentioned premise. First and second processing will be described as examples of processing executed by the information processing system 1.

[0082] <1-5-1. First process> First, the first process will be described with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the first process according to the embodiment. In FIG. 5, the electronic lock 300 will be described as electronic lock 300-1 or 300-2 depending on the state of the electronic lock 300. Note that the electronic locks 300-1 and 300-2 are the same electronic lock 300. In the following, when the electronic locks 300-1 and 300-2 are described without any particular distinction, they will be described as electronic lock 300. In the first process, when the server 100 receives a request from the electronic lock 300 in a state in which it has been determined that a disaster has occurred in the area in which the electronic lock 300 is located, the server 100 transmits unlocking instruction information in response to the request.

[0083] In Fig. 5, electronic lock 300-1, which shows a state in which the shackle 32 is down, corresponds to electronic lock 300 in a locked state, and electronic lock 300-2, which shows a state in which the shackle 32 is up, corresponds to electronic lock 300 in an unlocked state. In Fig. 5, a case in which electronic lock 300 is used in a managed TG is described as an example. For example, the managed TG is a managed space in which entry of people is restricted by locking a gate (gateway) using electronic lock 300.

[0084] In the first process shown in Fig. 5, the electronic lock 300 makes a request to the server 100 at a predetermined timing, and executes the unlocking process when it receives unlocking instruction information. For example, the electronic lock 300 makes a request to the server 100 at a predetermined timing. When the server 100 receives a request from the electronic lock 300 while satisfying the remote unlocking conditions, it transmits the unlocking instruction information in response to the request. The flow of the first process will be specifically explained below.

[0085] The information processing system 1 determines whether the electronic lock 300 satisfies the remote unlocking conditions (step S1). In Fig. 5, the server 100 determines that the electronic lock 300 satisfies the remote unlocking conditions by determining that a disaster has occurred in the area where the electronic lock 300 is located.

[0086] The information processing system 1 switches the mode of the electronic lock 300 to the second mode (step S2). In FIG. 5, the electronic lock 300 accepts the user's operation of pressing the button 33 as a start-up operation, and switches the mode from the first mode to the second mode. This causes the electronic lock 300 to transition from the first mode, in which communication with the outside is not possible, to the second mode, in which communication with the outside is possible. For example, when the button 33 is pressed and the electronic lock 300 enters the second mode, the electronic lock 300 may output a signal that can be scanned by short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth. Note that the electronic lock 300 may switch the mode from the first mode to the second mode when a change in acceleration is detected by the sensor unit 350.

[0087] Then, the information processing system 1 requests the server 100 to transmit unlock instruction information (step S3). In Fig. 5, the electronic lock 300 transmits request information to the server 100 requesting the server 100 to transmit unlock instruction information at the timing of transition to the second mode. When the electronic lock 300 transitions to the second mode due to detection of a change in acceleration by the sensor unit 350, it transmits sensor information to the server 100 as request information.

[0088] Thus, in Fig. 5, the electronic lock 300 has a button that accepts user operation, and when the electronic lock 300 accepts user operation on the button while in the first mode, it transitions to the second mode and makes a request to the server 100. The electronic lock 300 may transition to the first mode when a predetermined time (e.g., 10 minutes, 30 minutes, etc.) has elapsed while in the second mode without receiving any information or performing any user operation. The electronic lock 300 may also transition from the first mode to the second mode at any time.

[0089] For example, the electronic lock 300 may transition to the second mode when a predetermined time (e.g., any time such as 15 minutes, 1 hour, etc.) has elapsed in the first mode. In this case, the electronic lock 300 may transition to the second mode and make a request to the server 100 when a predetermined time has elapsed in the first mode. For example, the electronic lock 300 may transition from the first mode to the second mode when a sensor detects a change in context. In this case, as described above, the electronic lock 300 may transition from the first mode to the second mode when, for example, an acceleration sensor detects a change in acceleration equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold.

[0090] Then, the information processing system 1 transmits unlocking instruction information to the electronic lock 300 in response to a request from the electronic lock 300 (step S4). In Fig. 5, the server 100 receives a request from the electronic lock 300 in a state where the remote unlocking conditions are satisfied, and therefore transmits the unlocking instruction information to the electronic lock 300 in response to the request. Note that if the server 100 receives a request from the electronic lock 300 in a state where the remote unlocking conditions are not satisfied, the server 100 does not transmit the unlocking instruction information to the electronic lock 300.

[0091] Then, the information processing system 1 executes the unlocking process of the electronic lock 300 based on the unlocking instruction information (step S5). In Fig. 5, the electronic lock 300 executes the unlocking process of the electronic lock 300 because it has received the unlocking instruction information from the server 100. For example, the electronic lock 300 changes its state from the locked electronic lock 300-1 to the unlocked electronic lock 300-2 at the timing of receiving the unlocking instruction information.

[0092] Thus, in the first process, the electronic lock 300 queries the server 100 at the timing when the electronic lock 300 becomes capable of communicating with the outside, and the information processing system 1 executes the unlocking operation based on the information received as a result. That is, in the first process, the information processing system 1 executes the automatic remote unlocking process using a request from the electronic lock 300 as a trigger. This allows the information processing system 1 to efficiently transmit the unlocking instruction information by the server 100.

[0093] <1-5-2. Second Processing> Next, the second process will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the second process according to the embodiment. Note that explanations of points similar to the process described in Fig. 5 etc. will be omitted as appropriate. In the second process, when the server 100 determines that a disaster has occurred in the area in which the electronic lock 300 is located, it continues to send unlocking instruction information to the electronic lock 300 to instruct the electronic lock 300 to unlock.

[0094] In the second process shown in Fig. 6, the server 100 continues to transmit the unlocking instruction information while a disaster occurs in the area where the electronic lock 300 is located and the remote unlocking condition is satisfied. When the electronic lock 300 receives the unlocking instruction information in the second mode, it executes the unlocking process. The flow of the second process will be specifically described below.

[0095] The information processing system 1 determines whether the electronic lock 300 satisfies the remote unlocking condition (step S21). In Fig. 6, the server 100 determines that the remote unlocking condition is satisfied by determining that a disaster has occurred in the area where the electronic lock 300 is located, for example.

[0096] Then, the information processing system 1 continues to transmit the unlocking instruction information while the remote unlocking condition is satisfied (step S22). In Fig. 6, the server 100 continues to transmit the unlocking instruction information while the remote unlocking condition is satisfied. For example, the server 100 continues to transmit the unlocking instruction information to the electronic lock 300 corresponding to the satisfied remote unlocking condition while the remote unlocking condition is satisfied.

[0097] The information processing system 1 switches the mode of the electronic lock 300 to the second mode (step S23). In FIG. 6, the electronic lock 300 accepts the user's operation of pressing the button 33 as a startup operation, and switches the mode from the first mode to the second mode. This causes the electronic lock 300 to transition from the first mode, in which communication with the outside is not possible, to the second mode, in which communication with the outside is possible. As described above, the electronic lock 300 may switch the mode from the first mode to the second mode when the sensor unit 350 detects a change in acceleration.

[0098] Then, the information processing system 1 continues to transmit the unlocking instruction information while the remote unlocking condition is satisfied, thereby transmitting the unlocking instruction information to the electronic lock 300 (step S24). In FIG. 6, the electronic lock 300 is in the second mode in which it can communicate with the outside, and therefore can receive the unlocking instruction information from the server 100.

[0099] Then, the information processing system 1 executes the unlocking process of the electronic lock 300 based on the unlocking instruction information (step S25). In Fig. 6, the electronic lock 300 executes the unlocking process of the electronic lock 300 because it has received the unlocking instruction information from the server 100. For example, the electronic lock 300 changes its state from the locked electronic lock 300-1 to the unlocked electronic lock 300-2 at the timing of receiving the unlocking instruction information.

[0100] Thus, in the second process, the information processing system 1 continues to transmit the unlocking instruction information while the remote unlocking conditions are satisfied, and when the electronic lock 300 becomes capable of communicating with the outside, the electronic lock 300 receives the unlocking instruction information from the server 100 and executes the unlocking operation. That is, in the second process, the information processing system 1 uses the transmission (request) from the server 100 as a starting point (trigger) and, when each electronic lock 300 becomes capable of receiving the information, automatically executes the remote unlocking process for each electronic lock 300. Therefore, even if there are multiple electronic locks 300 to be remotely unlocked, the information processing system 1 can transmit the information to the multiple electronic locks 300 collectively and sequentially unlock the electronic locks 300 starting from the electronic locks 300 that become capable of receiving the unlocking instruction information.

[0101] For example, in the case where there are multiple electronic locks 300 corresponding to the remote unlocking condition that is satisfied in Fig. 2, the server 100 continues to transmit unlocking instruction information to the multiple electronic locks 300 corresponding to the remote unlocking condition while the remote unlocking condition is being satisfied. In this case, the server 100 may associate each remote unlocking condition with information (lock ID, etc.) that identifies the electronic lock 300 that is the target of the remote unlocking condition and store it in the memory unit 320, and may refer to the memory unit 320 to identify the electronic lock 300 to which the information is to be transmitted.

[0102] The above-mentioned first process and second process are merely examples, and the information processing system 1 may execute any process other than the first process and the second process. The information processing system 1 may execute a process by combining the first process and the second process. For example, the information processing system 1 may switch between the first process and the second process according to the urgency when a disaster occurs. For example, when the disaster is a disaster itself, the information processing system 1 may estimate that the urgency is higher as the seismic intensity is higher, and may execute the second process when the urgency is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold, such as the seismic intensity being 4 or higher. Also, for example, the information processing system 1 may execute the first process when the urgency is less than a predetermined threshold, such as the seismic intensity being less than 4. The above is merely an example, and the information processing system 1 may execute a process by combining the first process and the second process in any manner.

[0103] Also, for example, when the electronic lock 300 operates on power supply from a storage battery (battery) in the main body 31, it is desirable for the information processing system 1 to execute processing that suppresses power consumption in the electronic lock 300 as much as possible. In other words, due to the characteristics of the electronic lock 300 having a battery in its own device, it is desirable for the information processing system 1 to execute processing among the above-mentioned processing that suppresses power consumption in the electronic lock 300 as much as possible. An example of this point is described below. Note that explanations of points similar to those described above will be omitted as appropriate.

[0104] For example, the process flow executed by the information processing system 1 may be a process flow in which a user (person) who is in a position where the button 33 of the electronic lock 300 can be operated, such as in the vicinity of the electronic lock 300, for example, in front of the electronic lock 300, presses the button 33 of the electronic lock 300 to complete unlocking of the electronic lock 300. In other words, the process flow executed by the information processing system 1 may be a process flow in which a person is in front of the electronic lock 300 and presses the button 22 of the electronic lock 300 to unlock the electronic lock 300. In the case of this process flow, the electronic lock side (for example, the server 100 or the electronic lock 300) in the information processing system 1 detects a disaster and allows any user (anyone) to operate the button 22 to put the electronic lock 300 into an unlocked state, regardless of whether or not the user owns a user terminal 200 capable of locking and unlocking the electronic lock 300.

[0105] In this case, in the information processing system 1, the server 100 or the electronic lock 300 determines the occurrence of a disaster, and based on the determination result, the electronic lock 300 becomes unlockable while keeping the shackle 32 in the locked position. Then, when the electronic lock 300 receives an operation of the button 33 by the user while in the unlockable state, it changes the position of the shackle 32 to the unlocked position.

[0106] Through such processing, the information processing system 1 can reduce power consumption by the electronic lock 300. For example, when the electronic lock 300 operates using power supplied from a battery in the main body 31, the information processing system 1 can reduce power consumption by the electronic lock 300, reducing the possibility that the electronic lock 300 will stop operating due to the electronic lock 300 running out of battery, etc., and can reduce the cost of replacing the battery of the electronic lock 300. This allows the information processing system 1 to further improve the convenience of management using the electronic lock.

[0107] The process flow described here may be applied to any process as long as it is applicable. For example, in the first process of FIG. 5, when the electronic lock 300 receives unlock instruction information, the shackle 32 may be in a state where it can be unlocked while still in the locked position. In this case, the information processing system 1 performs the process of step S5 in response to the operation of the button 33 by the user. For example, when the electronic lock 300 receives unlock instruction information, the shackle 32 changes the position of the shackle 32 to the unlocked position when the user presses the button 33. Also, in the second process of FIG. 6, when the electronic lock 300 receives unlock instruction information, the shackle 32 may be in a state where it can be unlocked while still in the locked position. In this case, the information processing system 1 performs the process of step S25 in response to the operation of the button 33 by the user. For example, when the electronic lock 300 receives unlock instruction information, the shackle 32 changes the position of the shackle 32 to the unlocked position when the user presses the button 33.

[0108] <1-6. Information processing flow> Next, a procedure of information processing by the information processing system 1 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of information processing according to the embodiment.

[0109] 7, the information processing system 1 determines whether or not a disaster has occurred in an area in which an electronic lock is installed (step S101). For example, the server 100 determines whether or not a disaster has occurred in an area in which an electronic lock 300 is installed.

[0110] If a disaster has not occurred in the area where the electronic lock is located (step S101: No), the information processing system 1 repeats the process of step S101. For example, if the server 100 determines that a disaster has not occurred in the area where the electronic lock 300 is located, the information processing system 1 repeats the process of step S101.

[0111] In the information processing system 1, when a disaster occurs in an area where the electronic lock is installed (step S101: Yes), the server 100 transmits unlocking instruction information instructing the electronic lock 300 to unlock (step S102). For example, when the server 100 determines that a disaster has occurred in the area where the electronic lock 300 is installed, it transmits unlocking instruction information instructing the electronic lock 300 to unlock.

[0112] Then, in the information processing system 1, the electronic lock receives the unlocking instruction information (step S103). For example, the electronic lock 300 receives the unlocking instruction information from the server 100. Then, in the information processing system 1, the electronic lock executes the unlocking process of the electronic lock based on the unlocking instruction information (step S104). For example, the electronic lock 300 executes the unlocking process of the electronic lock 300 based on the unlocking instruction information received from the server 100.

[0113] <2. Application Examples> The following describes specific application examples of the above-mentioned information processing system 1. Note that the services to which the information processing system 1 is applied are merely examples, and the information processing system 1 may be applied to any service to which its processing is applicable.

[0114] For example, the information processing system 1 may be applied to solve a problem of key management in an administrative agency. In this case, the information processing system 1 is applied to an electronic lock 300 for an object managed by the administrative agency, and an administrative or autonomous district official uses the user terminal 200 to lock and unlock the electronic lock 300 by short-range wireless communication.

[0115] In the case of conventional padlocks or electronic locks that can only be locked and unlocked via short-range wireless communication, it may take time to open the lock because the administrative or autonomous district officials have the physical key and user terminal 200, or the official who has the physical key or user terminal 200 may be affected by a disaster and be unable to open the lock.

[0116] On the other hand, when the information processing system 1 is applied, it is possible to unlock the door remotely, which prevents the occurrence of cases where it takes a long time to open the lock when a disaster occurs, or where the person in charge of the user terminal 200 is affected by the disaster and is unable to open the lock.

[0117] The information processing system 1 may be used not only for administrative agencies but also for unmanned suburban facilities. In this case, the information processing system 1 may execute a process for remotely unlocking the electronic lock 300 installed in the unmanned suburban facility. For example, when the unlocking conditions are met, the information processing system 1 executes a process for remotely unlocking the electronic lock 300 that locks the managed object of the suburban facility where the administrator is not always present.

[0118] <3. Summary (structure, etc.)> The contents of the above-described embodiments are listed below. For example, each of the above-described embodiments has the following configuration. (Item 1) An information processing system including an electronic lock having a function of directly communicating with a server via a network, A determination unit that determines whether or not a disaster has occurred in the area where the electronic lock is located; having The electronic lock is When the determination unit determines that a disaster has occurred in the area, the electronic lock is unlocked. An information processing system comprising: (Item 2) The server, The electronic locking device includes a determination unit, and when the determination unit determines that the disaster has occurred in the area, the electronic locking device transmits unlocking instruction information to the electronic lock, the unlocking instruction information instructing the electronic lock to unlock the electronic lock; The electronic lock is When the unlock instruction information is received, the unlocking process of the electronic lock is executed based on the unlock instruction information. 2. The information processing system according to item 1, (Item 3) The server, When a request is received from the electronic lock in a state where it is determined that the disaster has occurred in the area, the unlock instruction information is transmitted in response to the request; The electronic lock is The request is made to the server at a predetermined timing, and when the unlocking instruction information is received, the unlocking process is executed. 3. The information processing system according to item 2, (Item 4) The electronic lock is The device has a sensor, and when sensor information detected by the sensor satisfies a predetermined condition, the device makes the request to the server. 4. The information processing system according to item 3, (Item 5) The electronic lock is The device has an acceleration sensor, and when the sensor information indicating a change in acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor satisfies the predetermined condition, the device makes the request to the server. 5. The information processing system according to item 4, (Item 6) The electronic lock is making the request to the server by transmitting the sensor information to the server; The server, It is determined whether the change in acceleration indicated by the sensor information is a change due to the disaster or a man-made change, and if it is determined that the change is due to the disaster, it is determined that a disaster has occurred in the area. 6. The information processing system according to item 5, (Item 7) The determination unit is The occurrence of a disaster in the area is determined based on disaster occurrence information provided from an information providing device that provides information regarding the occurrence of a disaster. 7. The information processing system according to any one of items 1 to 6. (Item 8) The electronic lock is The door can be locked and unlocked by short-distance wireless communication with a mobile terminal carried by the user, and locking and unlocking processing is performed in response to instructions from the mobile terminal. 8. The information processing system according to any one of items 1 to 7. (Item 9) a determination step of determining whether or not a disaster has occurred in an area where an electronic lock having a function of directly communicating with a server via a network is installed; an unlocking step of executing an unlocking process of the electronic lock when it is determined that a disaster has occurred in the area by the determination step; 13. An information processing method comprising: (Item 10) A determination procedure for determining whether or not a disaster has occurred in an area where an electronic lock having a function of directly communicating with a server via a network is installed; an unlocking procedure for executing an unlocking process of the electronic lock when it is determined that a disaster has occurred in the area by the determination procedure; An information processing program characterized by causing a computer to execute the above.

[0119] <4.Other (effects, etc.)> As described above, according to the information processing system of the present application, even if a user who can lock and unlock the electronic lock, such as a user who owns a user terminal, is not in the vicinity of the electronic lock, if it is necessary to unlock the electronic lock urgently due to the occurrence of a disaster, for example, the electronic lock can be instructed to be unlocked remotely. As a result, according to the information processing system of the present application, the electronic lock can be unlocked even when the user is not in the vicinity of the electronic lock, and the convenience of management using the electronic lock can be improved even in the event of a disaster.

[0120] Although some of the embodiments of the present application have been described in detail with reference to the drawings, these are merely examples for facilitating understanding of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. The present invention can be modified or improved based on the knowledge of a person skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and it goes without saying that the present invention includes equivalents thereof.

[0121] Moreover, the above-mentioned "unit" can be read as "means" or "circuit", etc. For example, a control unit can be read as control means or a control circuit. [Explanation of symbols]

[0122] 1. Information Processing Systems 100 Servers 110 Communications Department 120 Storage section 130 Control section 131 Acquisition Department 132 Processing section (judgment section) 133 Transmitter 200 User terminals 300 Electronic Lock

Claims

1. An information processing system including an electronic lock having a function of directly communicating with a server via a network, A determination unit that determines whether or not a disaster has occurred in the area where the electronic lock is located; having The electronic lock is When the determination unit determines that a disaster has occurred in the area, the electronic lock is unlocked. An information processing system comprising:

2. The server, The electronic locking device includes a determination unit, and when the determination unit determines that the disaster has occurred in the area, the electronic locking device transmits unlocking instruction information to the electronic lock, the unlocking instruction information instructing the electronic lock to unlock the electronic lock; The electronic lock is When the unlock instruction information is received, the unlocking process of the electronic lock is executed based on the unlock instruction information.

2. The information processing system according to claim 1 .

3. The server, When a request is received from the electronic lock in a state where it is determined that the disaster has occurred in the area, the unlock instruction information is transmitted in response to the request; The electronic lock is The request is made to the server at a predetermined timing, and when the unlocking instruction information is received, the unlocking process is executed.

3. The information processing system according to claim 2.

4. The electronic lock is The device has a sensor, and when sensor information detected by the sensor satisfies a predetermined condition, the device makes the request to the server.

4. The information processing system according to claim 3.

5. The electronic lock is The device has an acceleration sensor, and when the sensor information indicating a change in acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor satisfies the predetermined condition, the device makes the request to the server.

5. The information processing system according to claim 4.

6. The electronic lock is making the request to the server by transmitting the sensor information to the server; The server, It is determined whether the change in acceleration indicated by the sensor information is a change due to the disaster or a man-made change, and if it is determined that the change is due to the disaster, it is determined that a disaster has occurred in the area.

6. The information processing system according to claim 5.

7. The determination unit is The occurrence of a disaster in the area is determined based on disaster occurrence information provided from an information providing device that provides information regarding the occurrence of a disaster.

2. The information processing system according to claim 1 .

8. The electronic lock is The door can be locked and unlocked by short-distance wireless communication with a mobile terminal carried by the user, and locking and unlocking processing is performed in response to instructions from the mobile terminal.

8. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the information processing system is a data processing system for processing a data.

9. a determination step of determining whether or not a disaster has occurred in an area where an electronic lock having a function of directly communicating with a server via a network is installed; an unlocking step of executing an unlocking process of the electronic lock when it is determined that a disaster has occurred in the area by the determination step; 13. An information processing method comprising:

10. A determination procedure for determining whether or not a disaster has occurred in an area where an electronic lock having a function of directly communicating with a server via a network is installed; an unlocking procedure for executing an unlocking process of the electronic lock when it is determined that a disaster has occurred in the area by the determination procedure; An information processing program characterized by causing a computer to execute the above.

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