Control system and crescent lock

Abstract

To improve a crime prevention function.SOLUTION: A control system 1 comprises an acquisition unit 251, an authentication unit 252, a restriction mechanism 21 and a control unit 253. The acquisition unit 251 acquires biological authentication information. The authentication unit 252 executes authentication processing using the biological authentication information acquired by the acquisition unit 251. The restriction mechanism 21 restricts the operation of a lever part of a crescent lock 2, and disables the lever part. The control unit 253 controls the restriction mechanism 21 to release the restriction when authentication is successful in the authentication processing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to a control system and crescent locks, and more particularly to a control system for crescent locks and crescent locks used in the control system.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a crescent lock. This crescent lock is provided with a sub-block mechanism for improving the security function.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in the crescent lock, further improvement of the security function is desired.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a control system and a crescent lock capable of improving the security function.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A control system according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes an acquisition unit, an authentication unit, a restriction mechanism, and a control unit. The acquisition unit acquires biometric authentication information. The authentication unit performs an authentication process using the biometric authentication information acquired by the acquisition unit. The restriction mechanism restricts the operation of the lever portion of the crescent lock to make the lever portion inoperable. The control unit controls the restriction mechanism to release the restriction when authentication is successful in the authentication process.

[0007] The crescent tablet according to one aspect of the present disclosure is at least a part of the control system. The crescent tablet includes the limiting mechanism and the control unit.

Advantages of the Invention

[0008] According to the present disclosure, the security function can be improved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the embodiments described below, common elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions of the common elements may be omitted. Note that the following embodiments and modification examples are only a part of various embodiments of the present disclosure. Also, the following embodiments and modification examples can be variously changed according to design and the like as long as the object of the present disclosure can be achieved. Further, it is possible to appropriately combine the configurations of the modification examples.

[0011] Each figure described in the present disclosure is a schematic diagram, and the respective ratios of the sizes and thicknesses of the respective components in each figure do not necessarily reflect the actual dimensional ratios.

[0012] Note that the "orthogonal (perpendicular)" in the present disclosure means not only a state where the angle between two entities is exactly 90 degrees, but also a state where the two entities intersect within a certain range of difference. That is, the angle between two orthogonal entities falls within a certain range of difference (for example, 10 degrees or less) with respect to 90 degrees. That is, the "orthogonal" in the present disclosure includes a case where the angle formed by two entities is 80 degrees or more and 100 degrees or less. Similarly, for the "parallel" in the present disclosure, it means not only a state where two entities do not strictly intersect, but also a state where the two entities are arranged within a certain range of difference. For example, the "parallel" in the present disclosure includes a case where the inclination of the other with respect to one is 10 degrees or less. That is, the "parallel" in the present disclosure includes a case where the angle formed by one and the other is -10 degrees or more and 10 degrees or less.

[0013] (Embodiment 1) (1) Overview First, the overview of the control system 1 according to Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 1.

[0014] The control system 1 of Embodiment 1 includes an acquisition unit 251, an authentication unit 252, a restriction mechanism 21, and a control unit 253.

[0015] The acquisition unit 251 acquires biometric authentication information.

[0016] The authentication unit 252 performs authentication processing using the biometric authentication information acquired by the acquisition unit 251.

[0017] The restriction mechanism 21 restricts the operation of the lever portion 3 (see FIG. 2) of the crescent-shaped tablet 2, making the lever portion 3 inoperable.

[0018] When authentication is successful in the authentication process, the control unit 253 controls the restriction mechanism 21 to release the restriction.

[0019] According to the control system 1 of Embodiment 1, the restriction on the operation of the lever portion 3 is released only when authentication using biometric authentication information is successful. That is, since a person other than the one whose biometric authentication information is registered in advance cannot operate the lever portion 3 arbitrarily, the security function can be improved. Further, for example, according to the control system 1 of Embodiment 1, by preventing the lever portion 3 from being operated by a child, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of troubles such as a child falling or a child pushing out a parent.

[0020] (2) Details Hereinafter, the detailed configuration of the control system 1 according to Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7.

[0021] In Embodiment 1, it is assumed that the control system 1 is provided in a facility such as a detached house. That is, in Embodiment 1, the user of the control system 1 is a resident of a detached house or the like. Note that the "facility" as used in the present disclosure includes residential facilities used for residential purposes, as well as non-residential facilities such as stores (tenants), offices, welfare facilities, educational facilities, hospitals, and factories. Non-residential facilities also include restaurants, amusement arcades, hotels, inns, kindergartens, nurseries, and community centers. That is, the facility may be a residential facility such as an apartment, or a non-residential facility such as an office building. Further, the facility also includes a facility in a form in which a residential facility and a non-residential facility are mixed, for example, a store on a lower floor and a dwelling unit on a higher floor.

[0022] In Embodiment 1, it is assumed that the crescent-shaped tablet 2 functioning as the control system 1 is installed on the indoor side of the sliding window 10 of a detached house.

[0023] In the following description, a direction orthogonal to both the left-right direction and the up-down direction is defined as the front-back direction. However, the "left-right direction" in the present disclosure merely means the direction in which the lever portion 3 and the base portion 4 are arranged. The "front-back direction" in the present disclosure merely means the direction in which the first window 11 and the second window 12 are arranged. The "up-down direction" in the present disclosure merely means the direction orthogonal to the left-right direction and the front-back direction. Note that the "up-down direction" in Embodiment 1 is a direction along the vertical direction. The descriptions of the "left-right direction", "front-back direction", and "up-down direction" in the present disclosure are not intended to limit the usage direction of the crescent-shaped tablet 2.

[0024] Also, the direction from the lever portion 3 toward the base portion 4 is defined as the "right direction", and the direction from the base portion 4 toward the lever portion 3 is defined as the "left direction". The direction from the first window 11 toward the second window 12 is defined as the "rear direction", and the direction from the second window 12 toward the first window 11 is defined as the "front direction". Vertically downward is defined as the "down direction", and vertically upward is defined as the "up direction".

[0025] Note that the arrows indicating the respective directions in the drawings are merely for explanation and do not have an actual entity.

[0026] (2.1) Configuration of the control system The control system 1 is a system capable of restricting the operation of the lever portion 3 of the crescent-shaped tablet 2 and releasing the restriction on the operation of the lever portion 3 based on the acquired biometric authentication information. The control system 1 of Embodiment 1 has an operation mode and a registration mode as operation modes. The operation mode is an operation mode that restricts the operation of the lever portion 3 of the crescent-shaped tablet 2 and releases the restriction on the operation of the lever portion 3 based on the acquired biometric authentication information. The registration mode is an operation mode for registering or deleting the acquired biometric authentication information. The operation mode can be switched, for example, by performing a predetermined operation on the biometric authentication sensor 22.

[0027] As described above, the crescent tablet 2 of Embodiment 1 functions as the control system 1. That is, the crescent tablet 2 of Embodiment 1 includes all the components of the control system 1.

[0028] (2.2) Configuration of the crescent tablet As shown in FIG. 2, the crescent tablet 2 is installed in the sliding window 10. The sliding window 10 has a first window 11 and a second window 12. The first window 11 is located closer to the indoor side than the second window 12. The first window 11 has a glass plate 111 and a left window frame 112. The second window 12 has a glass plate 121 and a right window frame 122. The left window frame 112 is a window frame corresponding to the left side of the glass plate 111. The right window frame 122 is a window frame corresponding to the right side of the glass plate 121. The left window frame 112 and the right window frame 122 overlap in the front-rear direction when the sliding window 10 is closed. Note that a resin plate may be used instead of the glass plate 111, or a resin plate may be used instead of the glass plate 121. In Embodiment 1, the case where the sliding window 10 is a sliding window on the right front side is illustrated, but the sliding window 10 may be a sliding window on the left front side. That is, the crescent tablet 2 of Embodiment 1 has a configuration corresponding to the sliding window on the right front side, but the crescent tablet 2 may have a configuration corresponding to the sliding window on the left front side.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 1, the crescent tablet 2 includes a restriction mechanism 21, a biometric sensor 22, a display unit 23, a storage unit 24, and a processing unit 25.

[0030] Also, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 7, the crescent tablet 2 includes a lever portion 3 and a base portion 4.

[0031] The crescent receiver 5 is installed on the right window frame 122 of the second window 12 of the sliding window 10. The shape of the crescent receiver 5 is such that a rectangular plate is bent into a J shape (or U shape). The crescent receiver 5 installed on the right window frame 122 protrudes leftward from the right window frame 122, bends toward the indoor side (front direction), and protrudes rightward. The crescent receiver 5 installed on the right window frame 122 is J-shaped (or U-shaped) in plan view. When the crescent part 33 of the lever part 3 is passed through the bent part of the crescent receiver 5, the crescent lock 2 is in the locked state. On the other hand, when the crescent part 33 of the lever part 3 is not passed through the bent part of the crescent receiver 5, the crescent lock 2 is in the unlocked state.

[0032] The lever part 3 is connected to the base part 4 so as to be rotatable about the rotation axis Ax1 (see FIG. 4). In the state where the crescent lock 2 is installed in the sliding window 10, the rotation axis Ax1 is parallel to the left-right direction. The lever part 3 is configured to be rotatable between a first position and a second position in response to an operation on the lever part 3 in a state where it is not restricted by the restriction mechanism 21. The first position of the lever part 3 is the position where the crescent lock 2 is in the locked state, and the second position of the lever part 3 is the position where the crescent lock 2 is in the unlocked state.

[0033] The lever part 3 has a lever base 31 and a lever 32. The lever base 31 and the lever 32 are formed in a box shape. The internal space of the lever base 31 and the internal space of the lever 32 are connected. The lever base 31 is connected to the base part 4 so as to be rotatable about the rotation axis Ax1 (see FIG. 4) in a state where it is not restricted by the restriction mechanism 21. The lever 32 protrudes in one direction from one end of the lever base 31. In the crescent lock 2 of Embodiment 1, when the lever part 3 is in the first position, the lever 32 protrudes upward from the lever base 31. Also, when the lever part 3 is in the second position, the lever 32 protrudes downward from the lever base 31.

[0034] Further, the lever portion 3 has a crescent portion 33. The crescent portion 33 is integrally formed with the lever base portion 31 and is configured to be rotatable about the rotation axis Ax1. The shape of the crescent portion 33 is such that a rectangular plate is bent in an arc shape. In a side view (or left side view) of the state where the crescent tablet 2 is installed in the sliding window 10, the shape of the crescent portion 33 is a semi-arc shape. When the lever portion 3 is in the first position, the crescent portion 33 passes through the bent portion of the crescent receiver 5. Also, when the lever portion 3 is in the second position, the crescent portion 33 does not pass through the bent portion of the crescent receiver 5.

[0035] The base portion 4 is formed in a rectangular plate shape. The base portion 4 is installed in the left window frame 112 of the first window 11 of the sliding window 10 so that the thickness direction of the base portion 4 is along the left-right direction. More specifically, the base portion 4 is installed on the left surface of the left window frame 112 so that the longitudinal direction of the base portion 4 is along the up-down direction. The base portion 4 is installed in the left window frame 112 by, for example, screws 42 (see FIG. 4).

[0036] The base portion 4 has a connecting portion 41 (see FIG. 7). The connecting portion 41 is formed at the central portion of the base portion 4. The lever portion 3 is connected to the connecting portion 41 in a rotatable state about the rotation axis Ax1.

[0037] The limiting mechanism 21 restricts the operation of the lever portion 3 of the crescent tablet 2 to render the lever portion 3 inoperable. FIGS. 5 and 6 are plan views of the crescent tablet 2 when the lever portion 3 is in the first position. In FIGS. 5 and 6, a part of the outer shape of the lever portion 3 is indicated by a two-dot chain line. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the limiting mechanism 21 of Embodiment 1 includes a pin 211, an actuator 214, a disk 215, a protruding portion 217, a first plate portion 218, a spring 219, and a second plate portion 220. In Embodiment 1, the pin 211, the actuator 214, the disk 215, the protruding portion 217, the first plate portion 218, the spring 219, and the second plate portion 220 are provided on the lever portion 3. More specifically, at least a part of the pin 211, the actuator 214, the disk 215, the protruding portion 217, the first plate portion 218, the spring 219, and the second plate portion 220 are accommodated in the internal space of the lever 32 of the lever portion 3. However, at least a part of the pin 211, the actuator 214, the disk 215, the protruding portion 217, the first plate portion 218, the spring 219, and the second plate portion 220 may be accommodated in the internal space of the lever base 31.

[0038] The actuator 214 is connected to the disk 215. The actuator 214 is disposed closer to the lever base 31 side than the disk 215. The actuator 214 has a motor. The motor is, for example, a DC motor. The motor converts the electric power supplied from the power source into the rotational force (torque) of the motor shaft. In Embodiment 1, the power source of the motor is a primary battery accommodated in the internal space of the lever portion 3. However, the power source of the motor is not limited to the primary battery, and may be a secondary battery or a solar cell, etc. Also, the power source of the motor may not be accommodated in the internal space of the lever portion 3.

[0039] The actuator 214 further has a transmission mechanism. The transmission mechanism rotates the disk 215 by transmitting the rotational force of the motor shaft to the disk 215.

[0040] The disk 215 is formed in a disk-shaped plate form. The disk 215 is disposed on the tip side of the lever 32 rather than the actuator 214. The thickness direction of the disk 215 is orthogonal to the axial direction of the pin 211.

[0041] The protruding portion 217 is formed in a columnar shape. The protruding portion 217 protrudes from the main surface of the disk 215 toward the tip side of the lever 32 along the thickness direction of the disk 215. The protruding portion 217 rotates about the center of the disk 215 as the rotation center in accordance with the rotation of the disk 215. More specifically, the protruding portion 217 rotates between a first position and a second position in accordance with the rotation of the disk 215. The first position is a position corresponding to the right end in the movement range of the protruding portion 217 (see FIG. 5), and the second position is a position corresponding to the left end in the movement range of the protruding portion 217 (see FIG. 6).

[0042] The first plate portion 218 is formed in a rectangular plate form. The first plate portion 218 is connected to the pin 211. The thickness direction of the first plate portion 218 is along the axial direction (left-right direction) of the pin 211. The first plate portion 218 operates integrally with the pin 211. Note that the first plate portion 218 and the pin 211 may be integrally formed. The first plate portion 218 is in contact with the left end of the protruding portion 217 by receiving an elastic force in the right direction from the spring 219.

[0043] The second plate portion 220 is formed in a rectangular plate form. The second plate portion 220 is disposed to the left of the first plate portion 218 so as to face the first plate portion 218 in the left-right direction. The second plate portion 220 is fixed to the lever 32. The second plate portion 220 has a through hole. The through hole has a shape that matches the outer shape of the left end of the pin 211, and the left end of the pin 211 is inserted into the through hole of the second plate portion 220.

[0044] The spring 219 is a coil spring. The spring 219 is disposed between the first plate portion 218 and the second plate portion 220. The pin 211 is passed through the spring 219.

[0045] Pin 211 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The axial direction of pin 211 is along the left - right direction. Also, the outer shape (or contour) of the cross - section of the left - end portion including the left end of pin 211 includes a straight - line portion. That is, in the left - end portion of pin 211, the distance from the center in the cross - section to one point on the outer contour and the distance from the center in the cross - section to another point on the outer contour may be different. Thereby, pin 211 is supported by the second plate portion 220 in a state where it does not rotate about the axial direction.

[0046] Pin 211 is configured to be displaceable between a first position and a second position in the left - right direction. The position of pin 211 in the left - right direction is positioned by the protrusion 217. When the protrusion 217 is in the first position, pin 211 is positioned at the first position (see FIG. 5). Also, when the protrusion 217 is in the second position, pin 211 is positioned at the second position (see FIG. 6). The first position of pin 211 is the position where the right end of pin 211 protrudes most toward the base portion 4 side. That is, when pin 211 is in the first position, the state of pin 211 is a protruding state. The second position of pin 211 is the position where the right end of pin 211 is farthest from the base portion 4. That is, when pin 211 is in the second position, the state of pin 211 is a non - protruding state.

[0047] Also, pin 211 of Embodiment 1 is configured to be able to be pushed back against the elastic force of the spring 219 in the direction opposite to the protruding direction (i.e., the left direction) in the protruding state. When pin 211 is pushed back in the direction opposite to the protruding direction, the first plate portion 218 and the protrusion 217 are in a non - contact state.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 7, the limiting mechanism 21 of Embodiment 1 further has two holes 212 and two grooves 213. The two holes 212 and the two grooves 213 are provided in the base portion 4.

[0049] One of the two holes 212 (or the first hole) is provided at a position corresponding to the first position of the lever portion 3. Specifically, the first hole is provided at a position corresponding to the pin 211 when the lever portion 3 is in the first position. More specifically, the first hole is provided at a position overlapping the pin 211 in a side view when the lever portion 3 is in the first position. When the lever portion 3 is in the first position (that is, when the crescent lock 2 is in the locked state), the pin 211 protrudes, so that the pin 211 is inserted into the first hole, and the rotation operation of the lever portion 3 becomes impossible.

[0050] The other of the two holes 212 (or the second hole) is provided at a position corresponding to the second position of the lever portion 3. Specifically, the other of the two holes 212 is provided at a position corresponding to the pin 211 when the lever portion 3 is in the second position. More specifically, the other of the two holes 212 is provided at a position overlapping the pin 211 in a side view when the lever portion 3 is in the second position. When the lever portion 3 is in the second position (that is, when the crescent lock 2 is in the unlocked state), the pin 211 protrudes, so that the pin 211 is inserted into the second hole, and the rotation operation of the lever portion 3 becomes impossible.

[0051] That is, the restriction mechanism 21 of the first embodiment is configured to be able to restrict the operation of the lever portion 3 in both the case where the crescent lock 2 is in the locked state and the case where it is in the unlocked state. Thereby, the operation of the lever portion 3 can be restricted more reliably, and it is possible to improve the security function and suppress the occurrence of troubles such as a child falling or a child squeezing out a parent.

[0052] The two grooves 213 correspond one-to-one with the two holes 212. The groove 213 in Embodiment 1 is formed in front of the corresponding hole 212. The groove 213 is formed from the corresponding hole 212 to the front end of the base portion 4. The shape of the groove 213 follows the movement path of the pin 211 when the lever portion 3 rotates around the rotation axis Ax1. Also, the groove 213 is formed to become shallower as it approaches the corresponding hole 212, that is, as it approaches the rear end of the groove 213. Further, the depth of the front end of the groove 213 is such that the tip of the pin 211 does not hit when the pin 211 is in the first position.

[0053] As will be described later, when a predetermined time (for example, about 10 seconds) has elapsed after the control unit 253 shifts the pin 211 from the protruding state to the non-protruding state, the control unit 253 shifts the pin 211 from the non-protruding state to the protruding state. Therefore, even when the position of the lever portion 3 is between the first position and the second position, the pin 211 may be in the protruding state. The groove 213 is configured to be able to push back the protruding pin 211 and guide it to the corresponding hole 212 even when the position of the lever portion 3 is between the first position and the second position. Thereby, even when the pin 211 is in the protruding state when the position of the lever portion 3 is between the first position and the second position, the operation of the lever portion 3 can be restricted by displacing the lever portion 3 to the first position or the second position, so that the operation of the lever portion 3 can be restricted more reliably. Therefore, according to the control system 1 of Embodiment 1, the security function can be further improved.

[0054] The biometric sensor 22 acquires biometric information from a person (or user). The biometric sensor 22 outputs the acquired biometric information to the acquisition unit 251. The biometric sensor 22 in Embodiment 1 is a fingerprint authentication sensor that acquires fingerprint information as biometric information from a person's fingertip. According to the control system 1 of Embodiment 1, since biometric information can be acquired in a simple method for the user of touching the biometric sensor 22 with a fingertip, the convenience for the user can be improved.

[0055] The biometric sensor 22 is housed in the internal space of the lever base 31 so as to be exposed from the through-hole 311 of the lever base 31 of the lever portion 3. The biometric sensor 22 of Embodiment 1 is exposed from the lever base 31 in a left side view with the crescent lock 2 installed in the sliding window 10. Further, the biometric sensor 22 is provided on the rotation axis Ax1 of the lever portion 3.

[0056] The display unit 23 notifies the operating state of the control system 1. The "operating state of the control system 1" includes the state of restriction of the operation of the lever portion 3, the result of the authentication process, the operation mode of the control system 1, or the remaining battery level of the power supply. That is, the display unit 23 notifies whether the operation of the lever portion 3 is restricted, whether the authentication process has been successful, whether the operation mode is the operation mode or the registration mode, and how much of the remaining battery level of the power supply remains. Thereby, the operating state of the control system 1 can be notified to the user.

[0057] The display unit 23 of Embodiment 1 is, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode). However, the display unit 23 may be an image display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display.

[0058] The display unit 23 is housed in the internal space of the lever base 31 so as to be exposed from the through-hole 312 of the lever base 31 of the lever portion 3. The display unit 23 of Embodiment 1 is exposed from the lever base 31 in a left side view with the crescent lock 2 installed in the sliding window 10. However, the display unit 23 may be installed so as to surround the biometric sensor 22 in a left side view, or may be installed at the tip of the lever 32 of the lever portion 3. Further, a plurality of display units 23 may be provided.

[0059] The storage unit 24 includes, for example, a semiconductor memory such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) or an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory). The storage unit 24 stores fingerprint information as biometric authentication information of a user registered in advance in the registration mode. For example, the storage unit 24 is provided in the internal space of the lever base 31 of the lever unit 3.

[0060] The processing unit 25 mainly includes, for example, a computer system having one or more processors and one or more memories. In the crescent lock 2, the functions of the processing unit 25 are realized by one or more processors executing a program recorded in the memory. The program may be recorded in the memory in advance, may be provided through an electric communication line such as the Internet, or may be recorded and provided on a non-temporary recording medium such as a memory card. For example, the processing unit 25 is provided in the internal space of the lever base 31 of the lever unit 3.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 1, the processing unit 25 includes an acquisition unit 251, an authentication unit 252, and a control unit 253.

[0062] The acquisition unit 251 acquires biometric authentication information. The acquisition unit 251 in Embodiment 1 acquires biometric authentication information from the biometric authentication sensor 22. The acquisition unit 251 stores the biometric authentication information acquired when the operation mode of the control system 1 is the registration mode in the storage unit 24. In addition, the acquisition unit 251 outputs the biometric authentication information acquired when the operation mode of the control system 1 is the operation mode to the authentication unit 252.

[0063] The authentication unit 252 performs an authentication process using the biometric authentication information acquired by the acquisition unit 251. The authentication unit 252 in Embodiment 1 compares the fingerprint information acquired by the acquisition unit 251 from the biometric authentication sensor 22 with the fingerprint information stored in advance in the storage unit 24 to perform the authentication process.

[0064] The control unit 253 controls the restriction mechanism 21 based on the result of the authentication process by the authentication unit 252. When the authentication process by the authentication unit 252 is successful, the control unit 253 controls the restriction mechanism 21 to release the restriction. More specifically, when the authentication process is successful, the control unit 253 controls the restriction mechanism 21 to put the pin 211 in a non-protruding state. On the other hand, when the authentication process by the authentication unit 252 is unsuccessful, the control unit 253 does not release the restriction imposed by the restriction mechanism 21.

[0065] The control unit 253 controls the limiting mechanism 21 to limit the movement of the lever unit 3 when a predetermined time has elapsed since the restriction by the limiting mechanism 21 was released. The predetermined time is, for example, 10 seconds. However, the predetermined time may be set appropriately.

[0066] (3) Operation of the control system Next, the operation of the control system 1 (or the crescent lock 2) will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Note that the operation shown in Fig. 8 is the operation when the operation mode of the control system 1 is the operation mode.

[0067] First, the control system 1 determines whether or not biometric authentication information has been acquired (step S1). If the control system 1 determines that biometric authentication information has not been acquired (step S1: No), the control system 1 repeats the process of step S1. On the other hand, if the control system 1 determines that biometric authentication information has been acquired (step S1: Yes), the control system 1 performs authentication processing using the acquired biometric authentication information (step S2).

[0068] Next, the control system 1 determines whether authentication was successful (step S3). If the control system 1 has not succeeded in authentication, that is, if the acquired biometric information does not match the biometric information stored in the storage unit 24 (step S3: No), the process of step S1 is performed again. On the other hand, if the control system 1 has succeeded in authentication, that is, if the acquired biometric information matches the biometric information stored in the storage unit 24 (step S3: Yes), the restriction by the restriction mechanism 21 is released. In other words, when the authentication is successful, the control system 1 sets the pin 211 of the restriction mechanism 21 to a non-protruding state.

[0069] Next, the control system 1 determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the restriction by the restriction mechanism 21 was released (step S5). If the control system 1 determines that the predetermined time has not elapsed since the restriction by the restriction mechanism 21 was released (step S5: No), the process of step 5 is repeated. On the other hand, if the control system 1 determines that the predetermined time has elapsed since the restriction by the restriction mechanism 21 was released (step S5: Yes), it controls the restriction mechanism 21 to restrict the operation of the lever part 3 (step S6). In other words, when the control system 1 determines that the predetermined time has elapsed since the restriction by the restriction mechanism 21 was released, it sets the pin 211 of the restriction mechanism 21 to a protruding state. Then, the control system 1 ends the series of processes shown in FIG. 8.

[0070] Note that the flowchart shown in FIG. 8 is merely an example, and the order of processes may be appropriately changed, or processes may be appropriately added or deleted.

[0071] (4) Modification Hereinafter, modifications of Embodiment 1 will be listed.

[0072] Functions equivalent to those of the control system 1 according to the above embodiment may be embodied as a control method, a (computer) program, or a non-transitory recording medium having a program recorded thereon. The control method according to one embodiment is a method used in the control system 1 equipped with a restriction mechanism 21 that restricts the operation of the lever portion 3 of the crescent lock 2 to render the lever portion 3 inoperable. The control method has an acquisition step, an authentication step, and a control step. In the acquisition step, biometric authentication information is acquired. In the authentication step, authentication processing is performed using the biometric authentication information acquired in the acquisition step. In the control step, when authentication is successful in the authentication processing, the restriction mechanism 21 is controlled to release the restriction. The program according to one embodiment is a program for causing one or more processors to execute the above control method.

[0073] The execution entity of the control system 1 or the control method in the present disclosure includes a computer system. The computer system mainly consists of a processor and a memory as hardware. By the processor executing the program recorded in the memory of the computer system, the function as the execution entity of the control system 1 or the control method in the present disclosure is realized. The program may be pre-recorded in the memory of the computer system, may be provided through a telecommunication line, or may be provided by being recorded on a non-transitory recording medium such as a memory card, an optical disk, or a hard disk drive that can be read by the computer system. The processor of the computer system is composed of one or more electronic circuits including a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) or a large-scale integrated circuit (LSI). Here, integrated circuits such as the IC or LSI mentioned here have different names depending on the degree of integration, and include integrated circuits called system LSI, VLSI (Very Large Scale Integration), or ULSI (Ultra Large Scale Integration). Furthermore, for an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) that is programmed after the manufacture of the LSI, or a logic device capable of reconfiguring the bonding relationship inside the LSI or reconfiguring the circuit section inside the LSI, it can also be adopted as a processor. The plurality of electronic circuits may be integrated on one chip, or may be provided distributed on a plurality of chips. The plurality of chips may be integrated in one device, or may be provided distributed in a plurality of devices. The computer system mentioned here includes a microcontroller having one or more processors and one or more memories. Therefore, the microcontroller is also composed of one or more electronic circuits including a semiconductor integrated circuit or a large-scale integrated circuit.

[0074] Moreover, it is not an essential configuration of the control system 1 that a plurality of functions in the control system 1 are aggregated in one housing (for example, the crescent tablet 2), and the components of the control system 1 may be provided dispersedly in a plurality of housings. Further, at least some functions of the control system 1, for example, some functions of the crescent tablet 2 may be realized by a cloud (cloud computing) or the like.

[0075] In Embodiment 1, the case where the pin 211 of the restricting mechanism 21 is provided on the lever portion 3 and the hole 212 and the groove 213 of the restricting mechanism 21 are provided on the base portion 4 is illustrated. However, the pin 211 of the restricting mechanism may be provided on the base portion 4, and the hole 212 and the groove 213 of the restricting mechanism 21 may be provided on the lever portion 3. That is, the restricting mechanism 21 only needs to have a pin 211 provided on one of the lever portion 3 and the base portion 4 and configured to be able to protrude from one to the other, and a hole 212 provided on the other of the lever portion 3 and the base portion 4 into which the protruding pin 211 is inserted. Further, when the pin 211 is provided on the base portion 4 and the hole 212 is provided on the lever portion 3, the groove 213 may be provided on the lever portion.

[0076] In Embodiment 1, the case where the biometric sensor 22 is a fingerprint sensor is illustrated. However, the biometric sensor 22 may be a vein authentication sensor that acquires vein information as biometric authentication information from a person. By using the vein authentication sensor as the biometric sensor 22, the certainty of the authentication process can be improved. Further, the biometric sensor 22 may be an iris authentication sensor or a voiceprint authentication sensor or the like. Further, the biometric sensor 22 may be used as a camera to perform an authentication process such as face authentication.

[0077] In Embodiment 1, the case where the acquisition unit 251 acquires biometric authentication information from the biometric sensor 22 is illustrated. However, the acquisition unit 251 may acquire biometric authentication information from another information device such as a smartphone having a biometric sensor, for example.

[0078] (Embodiment 2) The control system 1A of the second embodiment differs from the control system 1 of the first embodiment in that the control system 1A of the second embodiment includes a crescent lock 2A and an information device 6.

[0079] The crescent lock 2A includes a restriction mechanism 21, a biometric authentication sensor 22, a display unit 23, a communication unit 26, and a processing unit 25A.

[0080] The communication unit 26 includes an interface capable of communicating with the information device 6. In other words, the communication unit 26 is configured to be capable of communicating with an information device 6 other than the crescent lock 2A. In this disclosure, "capable of communication" means that signals can be transmitted and received directly or indirectly via a network or a repeater, etc., by an appropriate communication method such as wired communication or wireless communication.

[0081] The communication unit 26 transmits the biometric authentication information acquired by the biometric authentication sensor 22 to the information device 6. The communication unit 26 receives a result of the authentication process from the information device 6.

[0082] The processing unit 25A includes a control unit 253. The control unit 253 controls the restriction mechanism 21 based on the result of the authentication process received by the communication unit 26. When the authentication process by the authentication unit 632 is successful, the control unit 253 controls the restriction mechanism 21 to release the restriction. On the other hand, when the authentication process by the authentication unit 632 is unsuccessful, the control unit 253 does not release the restriction imposed by the restriction mechanism 21.

[0083] The information device 6 is, for example, a smartphone. However, the information device 6 may also be a personal computer, a tablet, a server, or the like.

[0084] The information device 6 includes a communication unit 61, a storage unit 62, and a processing unit 63.

[0085] The communication unit 61 includes an interface capable of communicating with the crescent lock 2. In other words, the communication unit 61 is configured to be capable of communicating with the crescent lock 2A.

[0086] The storage unit 62 includes, for example, a semiconductor memory such as a ROM or an EEPROM. The storage unit 62 stores fingerprint information as biometric authentication information of a user registered in advance in the registration mode.

[0087] The processing unit 63 is mainly configured by, for example, a computer system having one or more processors and one or more memories. In the crescent lock 2, the functions of the processing unit 63 are realized by one or more processors executing a program recorded in the memory. The program may be recorded in the memory in advance, may be provided through an electric communication line such as the Internet, or may be recorded and provided on a non-transitory recording medium such as a memory card.

[0088] As shown in FIG. 9, the processing unit 63 includes an acquisition unit 631 and an authentication unit 632.

[0089] The acquisition unit 631 acquires biometric authentication information. The acquisition unit 631 acquires biometric authentication information from the crescent lock 2A. The acquisition unit 631 causes the storage unit 62 to store the biometric authentication information acquired when the operation mode of the control system 1A is the registration mode. In addition, the acquisition unit 631 outputs the biometric authentication information acquired when the operation mode of the control system 1A is the operation mode to the authentication unit 632.

[0090] The authentication unit 632 performs an authentication process using the biometric authentication information acquired by the acquisition unit 631. The authentication unit 632 compares the biometric authentication information acquired by the acquisition unit 631 from the crescent lock 2A with the biometric authentication information stored in advance in the storage unit 62, and performs an authentication process. The authentication unit 632 transmits the result of the authentication process to the crescent lock 2A via the communication unit 61. Note that the authentication unit 632 does not necessarily need to transmit the result of the authentication process to the crescent lock 2A when the biometric authentication fails.

[0091] According to the control system 1A of the second embodiment, since the information device 6 includes the acquisition unit 631 and the authentication unit 632, it is not essential for the crescent lock 2A to include the acquisition unit and the authentication unit, so the configuration of the crescent lock can be made simpler.

[0092] In Embodiment 2, the case where the crescent tablet 2A includes the biometric sensor 22 has been illustrated. However, instead of the crescent tablet 2A, the information device 6 may include a biometric sensor. Further, the crescent tablet 2A may include the biometric sensor 22, and the information device 6 may further include a biometric sensor.

[0093] For example, when the information device 6 is a smartphone or the like including a biometric sensor, the acquisition unit 631 acquires biometric information from the biometric sensor of the information device 6. The information device 6 may have a dedicated application for controlling the restriction mechanism 21 of the crescent tablet 2A. For example, the information device 6 executes the application and gives a predetermined notification to prompt the user to operate the biometric sensor. Then, the information device 6 performs an authentication process using the biometric information acquired by the biometric sensor, and when the authentication is successful, transmits the result of the authentication process to the crescent tablet 2A.

[0094] Further, the control system 1A of Embodiment 2 may be configured to associate the information device 6 that communicates with the crescent tablet 2A when the user performs a predetermined operation on the crescent tablet 2A or the information device 6. For example, the crescent tablet 2A accepts only the result of the authentication process transmitted from the information device 6 associated with the crescent tablet 2A as the result of the authentication process.

[0095] (Summary) As is clear from the above-described embodiments and modified examples, the control system (1; 1A) according to the first aspect includes an acquisition unit (251; 631), an authentication unit (252; 632), a restriction mechanism (21), and a control unit (253). The acquisition unit (251; 631) acquires biometric information. The authentication unit (252; 632) performs an authentication process using the biometric information acquired by the acquisition unit (251; 631). The restriction mechanism (21) restricts the operation of the lever portion (3) of the crescent tablet (2; 2A) to make the lever portion (3) inoperable. The control unit (253) controls the restriction mechanism (21) to release the restriction when the authentication is successful in the authentication process.

[0096] According to this aspect, the security function can be improved.

[0097] In the control system (1; 1A) according to the second aspect, in the first aspect, the restricting mechanism (21) is configured to be able to perform restriction both when the crescent lock (2; 2A) is in the locked state and when it is in the unlocked state.

[0098] According to this aspect, the operation of the lever portion (3) can be restricted more reliably, and the security function can be further improved.

[0099] The control system (1; 1A) according to the third aspect has a registration mode as an operation mode of the control system (1; 1A) in the first or second aspect. The acquisition unit (251; 631) stores the biometric information acquired when the operation mode is the registration mode in the storage unit (24; 62).

[0100] In the control system (1; 1A) according to the fourth aspect, in any one of the first to third aspects, the acquisition unit (251; 631) acquires fingerprint information as biometric information.

[0101] According to this aspect, the convenience for the user can be improved.

[0102] In the control system (1; 1A) according to the fifth aspect, in any one of the first to third aspects, the acquisition unit (251; 631) acquires vein information as biometric information.

[0103] According to this aspect, the certainty of the authentication process can be improved.

[0104] The control system (1; 1A) according to the sixth aspect further includes a display unit (23) that notifies the operation state of the control system (1; 1A) in any one of the first to fifth aspects.

[0105] According to this aspect, it is possible to notify the user of the operating state of the control system (1).

[0106] In the control system (1A) according to the seventh aspect, in any one of the first to sixth aspects, the restriction mechanism (21) and the control unit (253) are provided on the crescent tablet (2A). At least one of the acquisition unit (631) and the authentication unit (632) is provided in the information device (6) configured to be communicable with the crescent tablet (2A).

[0107] According to this aspect, the configuration of the crescent tablet can be made simpler.

[0108] In the control system (1; 1A) according to the eighth aspect, in any one of the first to seventh aspects, the crescent tablet (2; 2A) further has a base portion (4) to which the lever portion (3) is connected. The restriction mechanism (21) has a pin (211) provided on one of the lever portion (3) and the base portion (4) and configured to be able to protrude from one to the other, and a hole (212) provided on the other of the lever portion (3) and the base portion (4) into which the protruding pin (211) is inserted. The restriction mechanism (21) makes the lever portion (3) inoperable when the protruding pin (211) is inserted into the hole (212). When the authentication is successful in the authentication process, the control unit (253) controls the restriction mechanism (21) to make the pin (211) non-protruding.

[0109] According to this aspect, with a relatively simple structure, the security function can be improved.

[0110] In the control system (1; 1A) according to the ninth aspect, in the eighth aspect, the restricting mechanism (21) has two holes (212). A pin (211) of the restricting mechanism (21) is provided on the lever portion (3). The lever portion (3) is configured to be rotatable between a first position and a second position in response to an operation on the lever portion (3) in a state where the restriction by the restricting mechanism (21) is not performed. The first position of the lever portion (3) is a position where the crescent lock (2; 2A) is in a locked state, and the second position of the lever portion (3) is a position where the crescent lock (2; 2A) is in an unlocked state. Two holes (212) of the restricting mechanism (21) are provided in the base portion (4). One of the two holes (212) is provided at a position corresponding to the first position of the lever portion (3), and the other of the two holes (212) is provided at a position corresponding to the second position of the lever portion (3).

[0111] According to this aspect, the operation of the lever portion (3) can be restricted more reliably, and the improvement of the security function can be further achieved.

[0112] In the control system (1; 1A) according to the tenth aspect, in the ninth aspect, the pin (211) is configured to be pushable back in a direction opposite to the protruding direction in the protruding state. Two grooves (213) corresponding one-to-one to the two holes (212) are provided in the base portion (4). Each of the two grooves (213) is formed to be shallower as it approaches the corresponding hole (212). Each of the two grooves (213) is configured to be able to push back the protruding pin (211) and guide it to the corresponding hole (212) even when the position of the lever portion (3) is between the first position and the second position.

[0113] According to this aspect, the improvement of the security function can be further achieved.

[0114] In the control system (1; 1A) according to the 11th aspect, in any of the 1st to 10th aspects, the acquisition unit (251; 631) acquires biometric authentication information from a biometric authentication sensor (22) that acquires biometric authentication information from a person. The lever part (3) is configured to be rotatable between a first position and a second position in response to an operation on the lever part (3) in a state where the restriction by the restriction mechanism (21) is not performed. The biometric authentication sensor (22) is provided on the rotation axis of the lever part (3).

[0115] Regarding the configuration other than the 1st aspect, it is not an essential configuration of the control system (1; 1A) and can be appropriately omitted.

[0116] The crescent tablet (2; 2A) according to the 12th aspect is a crescent tablet (2; 2A) that is at least a part of the control system (1; 1A) of any of the 1st to 11th aspects. The crescent tablet (2; 2A) includes a restriction mechanism (21) and a control unit (253).

[0117] According to this aspect, the crime prevention function can be improved.

Explanation of Signs

[0118] 1 Control system 1A Control system 2 Crescent tablet 2A Crescent tablet 3 Lever part 4 Base part 21 Restriction mechanism 211 Pin 212 Hole 213 Groove 22 Biometric authentication sensor 23 Display part 24 Memory part 25 Processing part 251 Acquisition unit 252 Authentication unit 253 Control unit 62 Memory part 631 Acquisition unit 632 Authentication unit

Claims

1. An acquisition unit that acquires biometric authentication information, An authentication unit that performs authentication processing using the biometric authentication information acquired by the acquisition unit, A restriction mechanism that restricts the operation of the lever portion of the crescent lock and makes the lever portion inoperable, A control unit that controls the restriction mechanism to release the restriction when authentication is successful in the authentication processing, Comprising, A control system.

2. The restriction mechanism is configured to be able to perform the restriction in both the case where the crescent lock is in the locked state and the case where it is in the unlocked state, The control system according to claim 1.

3. The control system has a registration mode as an operation mode of the control system, The acquisition unit stores the biometric authentication information acquired when the operation mode is the registration mode in a storage unit, The control system according to claim 1.

4. The acquisition unit acquires fingerprint information as the biometric authentication information, The control system according to claim 1.

5. The acquisition unit acquires vein information as the biometric authentication information, The control system according to claim 1.

6. Further comprising a display unit that notifies the operating state of the control system, The control system according to claim 1.

7. The restriction mechanism and the control unit are provided on the crescent lock, The acquisition unit and the authentication unit are provided in an information device configured to be communicable with the crescent lock, The control system according to claim 1.

8. The crescent lock further has a base portion to which the lever portion is connected, The restriction mechanism is, A pin provided on one of the lever portion and the base portion and configured to be able to protrude from the one to the other, and a hole provided on the other of the lever portion and the base portion into which the protruding pin is inserted, The lever portion is made inoperable by inserting the protruding pin into the hole, The control unit controls the restriction mechanism to make the pin non-protruding when authentication is successful in the authentication processing, The control system according to claim 1.

9. The restriction mechanism has two of the holes, The lever portion is provided with the pin of the restriction mechanism, The lever portion is configured to be rotatable between a first position and a second position in response to an operation on the lever portion in a state where the restriction by the restriction mechanism is not performed, The first position of the lever part is a position where the crescent-shaped tablet is in a locked state, and the second position of the lever part is a position where the crescent-shaped tablet is in an unlocked state. The two holes of the limiting mechanism are provided in the base part. One of the two holes is provided at a position corresponding to the first position of the lever part, and the other of the two holes is provided at a position corresponding to the second position of the lever part. The control system according to claim 8.

10. The pin is configured to be pushed back in a direction opposite to the protruding direction in the protruding state. Two grooves corresponding one-to-one to the two holes are provided in the base part. Each of the two grooves is formed to become shallower as it approaches the corresponding hole. Even when the position of the lever part is between the first position and the second position, the protruding pin can be pushed back and guided to the corresponding hole. The control system according to claim 9.

11. The acquisition unit acquires the biometric authentication information from a biometric authentication sensor that acquires the biometric authentication information from a person. The lever part is configured to be rotatable between a first position and a second position in response to an operation on the lever part in a state where the restriction by the restriction mechanism is not performed. The biometric authentication sensor is provided on the rotation axis of the lever part. The control system according to claim 1.

12. A crescent-shaped tablet that is at least a part of the control system according to any one of claims 1 to 11, comprising the restriction mechanism, the control unit, and a crescent-shaped tablet.

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