Key management system

Abstract

To provide a key management system that enables removal of a holder from a key management device even when a manager is absent.SOLUTION: A key management system 17 includes: a key management device 10; an external terminal; and a notification terminal to which takeout information for taking out a reserved holder from the key management device 10 is notified. The key management device 10 includes: a plurality of holders 21 holding respective keys 20 and including a reserved holder 21; a plurality of key holding units 31 holding the respective holders 21; a control unit capable of taking out the reserved holder 21; an input unit for inputting the takeout information notified to the notification terminal; and a communication unit for making an inquiry to the external terminal about the takeout information input by the input unit. The control unit enables takeout of the reserved holder 21 based on the takeout information input by the input unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a key management system for managing keys.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, for example, as described in Patent Document 1, a key management device that holds and manages keys in a holder is known. In such a key management device, it may not be possible to remove the holder when the administrator is absent.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a key management system that enables the removal of a holder from a key management device even when the administrator is absent.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The present invention is a key management system including a key management device, an external terminal, and a notification terminal to which extraction information for extracting a reserved holder from the key management device is notified. The key management device includes: a key holding unit that holds keys and a plurality of holders including the reserved holder; a plurality of key holding parts that respectively hold the holders; a control unit that enables the extraction of the reserved holder; an input unit for inputting the extraction information notified to the notification terminal; and a communication unit that inquires of the external terminal about the extraction information input by the input unit. The control unit enables the extraction of the reserved holder based on the extraction information input by the input unit.

[0006] When the retrieval information input by the input unit is registered in the external terminal, the control unit enables the retrieval of the reserved holder based on the retrieval information.

[0007] The control unit enables the retrieval of the reserved holder for a limited period based on the retrieval information.

[0008] The retrieval information includes information for identifying the reserved holder and reservation information for using the reserved holder.

[0009] The retrieval information is a two-dimensional code.

Advantages of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, even in the absence of the administrator, it is possible to take out the holder from the key management device.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0013] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of use of the key management device 10, and is an explanatory diagram including a floor plan of the trunk room 11 provided in a building. The trunk room 11 is partitioned into a lobby area 12 and a trunk room area 13, and an entrance / exit 14 that is opened and closed by a door is provided between the lobby area 12 and the trunk room area 13. A plurality of rooms 15 are provided in the trunk room area 13, and each room 15 is provided with a door that can be opened and closed. A lock such as a cylinder lock that can be locked and unlocked with a key is provided on the door of each room 15.

[0014] The key management device 10 is installed in the trunk room area 13 and manages the keys of each room 15 while holding them in a holder. The key management device 10 is capable of communicating with an external terminal 16 such as a server installed in a management center that manages the trunk room 11.

[0015] FIG. 1 shows, for example, two trunk rooms 11 on different floors or at different locations within the same building, and a key management device 10 is installed in each trunk room 11, and each key management device 10 is managed by an external terminal 16. A key management system 17 is configured by these key management devices 10 and the external terminal 16.

[0016] When using the trunk room 11, a user who is a contractor who has concluded a usage contract for the room 15 in the trunk room 11 enters the trunk room area 13 from the entrance / exit 14, operates the key management device 10 to take out the key of the contracted room 15, opens the door of the room 15 with the key, and uses the room 15. After using the room 15, lock the door of the room 15 with the key, return the key to the key management device 10, and exit from the entrance / exit 14.

[0017] In addition, in the operation of the trunk room 11, for the room 15 whose usage contract has ended or been canceled, the lock and key of the door are exchanged to improve security. Along with the exchange of the lock and key, a key exchange process for the keys managed by the key management device 10 is performed by a predetermined person in charge. The persons in charge include the administrator of the trunk room 11 and the person entrusted with the key exchange.

[0018] In the external terminal 16, the authentication information of the user is associated with and registered with a holder that holds the key to the room 15 with which this user has a usage contract, and the key management device 10 can communicate with and acquire the registration information. Further, in the external terminal 16, for a room 15 whose usage contract has ended or been canceled, predetermined information for key exchange is registered, and the key management device 10 can communicate with and acquire the information. The predetermined information for this key exchange at least includes specific information for identifying the holder for exchanging the key, and in addition, includes exchange information including remarks information such as the purpose of key exchange such as due to the end or cancellation of the usage contract and the number of the replacement key newly connected, the person-in-charge information for performing the key exchange, and the date and time information for executing the key exchange process of the key, for example, in the early morning, at night, or outside business hours.

[0019] Note that by making the door of the entrance / exit 14 an automatic opening / closing door by face authentication and registering in advance the association between the holder that holds the key to the room 15 and the face information of the user, it may be controlled so that the automatic opening / closing door of the entrance / exit 14 does not open unless the holder that holds the key is returned to the key management device 10. In this case, it is possible to prevent the user from forgetting to return the key to the key management device 10 and taking it home, losing it, or having it duplicated, and it is also possible to prevent a person other than the user from entering the trunk room area 13.

[0020] Next, FIG. 2 shows the key management device 10. The key management device 10 manages a plurality of keys 20 using a plurality of holders 21 that respectively hold these keys 20.

[0021] The key 20 is indirectly held by the holder 21 via a connecting portion 22 such as a ring. Note that the key 20 may be directly held by the holder 21. The holder 21 is locked so that the key 20 connected via the connecting portion 22 does not come off, but by a predetermined key exchange process, the lock is released and the key 20 can be exchanged, and the key 20 can be exchanged. Further, the holder 21 is provided with an IC tag such as an RFID tag that can read and write information including the unique information corresponding to this holder 21 and the information of the connected key 20.

[0022] The key management device 10 includes a main body 25, a front door 26 that opens and closes the front side of the main body 25, a display operation unit 27 provided on the upper part of the main body 25, a printer unit 28 disposed on the side of the main body 25, and the like.

[0023] The main body 25 includes a key management unit 30 that stores and manages the key 20 on the front side of the main body 25. The key management unit 30 is provided with a plurality of key holding units 31 that detachably hold the holder 21. The key holding units 31 are provided in a plurality of stages in the vertical direction and arranged in a plurality of rows in the left - right direction on the front side of the key management unit 30. The key holding units 31 are provided in a hole - like shape that opens on the front side of the key management unit 30, and the holder 21 can be inserted and removed from the front.

[0024] The key holding unit 31 is provided with a locking mechanism 32 (see FIG. 3) for locking and unlocking the stored holder 21, a detection unit 33 (see FIG. 3) for detecting the insertion (storage) and removal of the holder 21 with respect to the key holding unit 31, a reader - writer 34 (see FIG. 3) for reading and writing information to and from the IC tag of the holder 21, and a holder display unit 35 for displaying the holder 21 that can be taken out from the key holding unit 31. Note that the reader - writer 34 may be a reader that reads information from the IC tag of the holder 21. Also, the holder display unit 35 has a light guide provided around the hole of the key holding unit 31 and a light source such as an LED that emits light into the light guide. Then, the holder display unit 35 displays the location of the holder 21 stored in the key holding unit 31 by the light emitted by the light source causing the light guide to emit light, and it can be visually recognized from the front of the key management unit 30 even when the holder 21 is in a stored state in the key holding unit 31. The holder display unit 35 can be turned on and off, and can change the light color, for example, to blue or yellow.

[0025] Furthermore, the key management unit 30 is provided with a release unit 36 for exchanging or removing the key 20 with respect to the holder 21. The release unit 36 is covered with an openable and closable cover, and is provided with a release hole for inserting the holder 21 therein. The release unit 36 includes an IC tag reader / writer for reading and writing information to / from the IC tag of the holder 21 inserted into the release unit 36 or an IC tag reader for reading information. Then, based on the key exchange process by the operation of the person in charge having the authority to exchange keys, the release unit 36 releases the lock of the holder 21 inserted into the release unit 36 to make it exchangeable, enabling the exchange or removal of the key 20.

[0026] Also, the front cover 26 can open and close the key management unit 30 on the front side of the main body 25, can be locked with respect to the main body 25 when the key management unit 30 is closed, and can be folded and arranged on the side of the main body 25 opposite to the printer unit 28 when the key management unit 30 is open.

[0027] Also, a touch panel display is used for the display operation unit 27. Therefore, the display operation unit 27 has a display unit 27a for displaying operation menus such as a key extraction menu and a key return menu for the user, or a key exchange menu and a holder exchange menu for the person in charge, and an operation unit 27b for receiving operations by the user or the person in charge.

[0028] Also, the printer unit 28 prints the extraction history and return history of the holder 21, various histories, etc. on a paper such as a roll paper. The printed paper is wound up by a winding unit in the printer unit 28 or is led out from the front side of the printer unit 28. Note that the printer unit 28 is not essential and can be selectively added to the key management device 10.

[0029] Next, FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of the key management device 10.

[0030] In the key management device 10, through communication with the external terminal 16, it is possible to obtain registration information in which the authentication information of the user registered in the external terminal 16 is associated with the information of the IC tag of the holder 21 that holds the key 20 of the room 15 with which this user has a usage contract. Also, the registration information can be directly input and registered by the person in charge into the key management device 10. Then, when the user authenticates and logs in to the key management device 10, the key management device 10 enables the retrieval or return of the holder 21 that holds the key 20 of the room 15 with which the user has a usage contract.

[0031] The key management device 10 has a control unit 40 that controls the key management device 10. Connected to the control unit 40 are a display operation unit 27, the locking mechanisms 32, detection units 33, reader / writers 34, and holder display units 35 of each key holding unit 31, a release unit 36, a storage unit 41 that stores various types of information, and a communication unit 42 that communicates with the external terminal 16.

[0032] When the user or the person in charge logs in, the control unit 40 includes an authentication unit 43 that authenticates the user or the person in charge, and a notification unit 44 that causes notifications such as those by display on the display unit 27a of the display operation unit 27 or the holder display unit 35, or by sound or voice using a speaker or the like. The authentication unit 43 may authenticate by inputting an ID number or password on the display operation unit 27 which is an input unit, reading an ID card lent to the user using a card reader, or may authenticate using the biometric information of the user.

[0033] The communication unit 42 communicates with the external terminal 16 through a predetermined network, receives information transmitted from the external terminal 16, and transmits information to the external terminal 16. The information received by the communication unit 42 includes registered information in which the user's authentication information is associated with the information of the IC tag of the holder 21 that holds the key 20 of the room 15 with which the user has a usage contract, information related to key exchange, and the like. The information related to key exchange includes at least information for specifying whether the key exchange process can be executed and specific information for specifying the holder 21 that exchanges the key 20. In addition, it may include exchange information including remarks information such as the purpose of exchanging the key 20 such as exchange due to the end or cancellation of the usage contract and the number of the replacement key 20 newly connected, person-in-charge information for exchanging the key 20, date and time information for executing the key exchange process of the key 20, and the like.

[0034] Then, based on the information related to key exchange received by the communication unit 42, the control unit 40 sets the holder 21 for which the key exchange process can be executed, and controls the person in charge to execute the key exchange process using the release unit 36 for the set holder 21.

[0035] The control unit 40 sets the holder 21 for which the key exchange process can be executed in a state where the key exchange process can be executed, and sets the holder 21 for which the key exchange process cannot be executed in a state where the key exchange process cannot be executed based on the information received by the communication unit 42.

[0036] The control unit 40 controls to set the holder 21 for which the key exchange process has been executed in a state where the key exchange process cannot be executed. For example, based on the information related to key exchange received by the communication unit 42, it controls to set it in a state where the key exchange process cannot be executed until the holder 21 for which the key exchange process can be executed is set again.

[0037] During the key exchange process, the control unit 40 controls the display unit 27a of the display operation unit 27 to display a key exchange menu, and enables the execution of the key exchange process after the key exchange menu is selected by the operation unit 27b. When the key exchange menu is selected by the operation unit 27b, the control unit 40 controls the communication unit 42 to inquire about information related to key exchange from the external terminal 16 and receive information related to key exchange from the external terminal 16. Note that the control unit 40 may control the communication unit 42 to periodically inquire about information from the external terminal 16, for example, once a day, once a month, or after business hours or before business hours if there are business hours in the trunk room 11.

[0038] Also, during the key exchange process of the holder 21, the control unit 40 controls the notification unit 44 to notify the exchange information received by the communication unit 42, that is, the purpose of exchanging the key 20 such as the end or cancellation of the usage contract, and the remarks information such as the number of the replacement key 20 newly connected. The notification unit 44 notifies, for example, by displaying the exchange information and remarks information on the display unit 27a of the display operation unit 27.

[0039] In addition, the control unit 40 controls to enable the execution of the key exchange process only for the person in charge of the person-in-charge information received by the communication unit 42. Furthermore, the control unit 40 controls to enable the execution of the key exchange process only at the date and time of the date and time information received by the communication unit 42.

[0040] Also, when the key exchange process is completed, the control unit 40 controls the communication unit 42 to transmit the completion information of the key exchange process to the external terminal 16 after associating it with the information related to the key exchange received by the communication unit 42.

[0041] Next, the use of the trunk room 11 will be described.

[0042] The user goes to the location of the key management device 10 and selects the key retrieval menu on the display operation unit 27 of the key management device 10.

[0043] When the retrieval menu is selected, the key management device 10 may inquire of the external terminal 16 about the registration information via the communication unit 42 and receive the registration information transmitted from the external terminal 16. Alternatively, for example, once a day, once a month, or when there are business hours in the trunk room 11, the communication unit 42 may periodically inquire of the external terminal 16 about the registration information, such as after business hours or before business hours, and receive the registration information transmitted from the external terminal 16. The registration information is associated with the authentication information of the user and the information of the IC tag of the holder 21 that holds the key 20 of the room 15 with which this user has a usage contract.

[0044] When the retrieval menu is selected, the key management device 10 executes an authentication process for the user based on the registration information received by the communication unit 42. When the user is authenticated, for the key holding unit 31 that houses the holder 21 that holds the key 20 of the room 15 with which the user has a usage contract, the locking mechanism 32 is unlocked and the holder display unit 35 is blinked and displayed.

[0045] The user takes out the holder 21 from the key holding unit 31 where the holder display unit 35 is blinking. When the holder 21 is taken out from the key holding unit 31, the detection unit 33 detects the removal of the holder 21, and the storage unit 41 stores a removal history including the information of the user, the information of the taken-out holder 21, and the like.

[0046] Then, the user unlocks the door of the room 15 using the key 20 held by the taken-out holder 21, and puts items into the room 15 or takes out items from the room 15.

[0047] Also, the user who has finished using the room 15 locks the door of the room 15 with the key 20 and returns the holder 21 to the key management device 10. When returning the holder 21, there are cases with authentication and cases without authentication.

[0048] When there is authentication, if the user selects the return menu on the display operation unit 27, the authentication process of the user is executed based on the registration information received by the communication unit 42. After the user is authenticated, the holder display unit 35 of the key holding unit 31 to which the holder 21 should be returned blinks. When the holder 21 is inserted into the corresponding key holding unit 31 by the user, the detection unit 33 detects the return of the holder 21, and the reader / writer 34 reads the information of the IC tag of the holder 21, accepts the return of the holder 21, and locks the holder 21 with the locking mechanism 32 of the key holding unit 31.

[0049] When there is no authentication, if the user selects the return menu on the display operation unit 27, the holder display unit 35 of the key holding unit 31 to which the holder 21 should be returned blinks based on the registration information received by the communication unit 42. When the holder 21 is inserted into the corresponding key holding unit 31 by the user, the detection unit 33 detects the return of the holder 21, and the reader / writer 34 reads the information of the IC tag of the holder 21, accepts the return of the holder 21, and locks the holder 21 with the locking mechanism 32 of the key holding unit 31. In addition, even if the holder 21 is inserted into the corresponding key holding unit 31 without selecting the return menu, the return of the holder 21 may be accepted.

[0050] Then, when the return of the holder 21 is accepted, a return history including the user's information (when there is authentication) and the information of the returned holder 21 is stored in the storage unit 41.

[0051] Next, the key exchange process of the key management device 10 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 4.

[0052] Due to the expiration or cancellation of the usage contract of the room 15 in the trunk room 11, the lock and key 20 of that room 15 are exchanged for another replacement lock and key 20. Accordingly, a key exchange process for exchanging the holder 21 associated with that room 15 for the replacement key 20 is performed.

[0053] In the external terminal 16, information regarding key exchange is registered by the administrator. The information regarding key exchange at least includes information for specifying whether key exchange processing can be executed and specific information for specifying the holder 21 that exchanges the key 20. Additionally, it may include exchange information such as the purpose of exchanging the key 20, such as due to the end or cancellation of the usage contract, and remarks information such as the number of the newly connected exchange key 20, information on the person in charge of exchanging the key 20, date and time information for executing the key exchange process of the key 20, etc. Here, it will be described assuming that these are included.

[0054] The person in charge of performing the key exchange process goes to the location of the key management device 10 and operates the display operation unit 27 to select the key exchange menu (YES in step S1).

[0055] When the key exchange menu is selected, the control unit 40 inquires of the external terminal 16 about the information regarding key exchange by the communication unit 42 and receives the information regarding key exchange transmitted from the external terminal 16 (step S2). The information regarding key exchange received by the communication unit 42 includes the above-described information on whether key exchange processing can be executed, specific information, exchange information including the purpose of exchange and remarks information, information on the person in charge, date and time information, etc. Then, based on the information regarding key exchange received by the communication unit 42, the control unit 40 sets the holder 21 for which key exchange processing has been made possible to a state where key exchange processing can be executed, and sets the holder 21 for which key exchange processing has been made impossible to a state where key exchange processing cannot be executed.

[0056] The control unit 40 executes the authentication process for the person in charge, collates the information of the authenticated person in charge with the information on the person in charge received by the communication unit 42, and further determines whether key exchange conditions are met, such as whether the current date and time is within the period of the date and time information received by the communication unit 42 (step S3).

[0057] For example, when the key exchange conditions are not met because the person in charge is different or the date and time for performing the key exchange process is different (NO in step S3), the control unit 40 aborts the key exchange process. At this time, the reason why the key exchange conditions are not met may be displayed on the display operation unit 27.

[0058] When the key exchange condition is satisfied (YES in step S3), the control unit 40 causes the person in charge to execute the key exchange process (step S4). In the key exchange process, the display operation unit 27 notifies the exchange information received by the communication unit 42, such as the purpose of exchanging the key 20, such as due to the end of the usage contract or cancellation, and remarks information such as the number of the replacement key 20 newly connected. Further, based on the specific information for identifying the holder 21 that exchanges the key 20 received by the communication unit 42, for the key holding unit 31 that houses the holder 21 set to a state where the key exchange process can be executed, the locking mechanism 32 is unlocked and the holder display unit 35 is blinked. At this time, for the key holding unit 31 that houses the holder 21 set to a state where the key exchange process cannot be executed, the locking mechanism 32 is locked and the holder display unit 35 is turned off.

[0059] Then, the person in charge takes out the holder 21 whose holder display unit 35 is blinking from the key holding unit 31.

[0060] Here, the person in charge may go to the location of the room 15 where the key is to be exchanged, unlock the door of the corresponding room 15 with the key 20 of the taken-out holder 21, remove the previous lock attached to the door, replace it with a new replacement lock, lock it with the new replacement key 20, and then return to the location of the key management device 10.

[0061] After that, the person in charge opens the cover of the release unit 36 and inserts the holder 21.

[0062] When the holder 21 is inserted into the release unit 36, the information of the IC tag of the holder 21 is read by the reader / writer of the release unit 36. The control unit 40 checks whether the holder 21 is the holder 21 of the specific information received by the communication unit 42 from the read information of the IC tag of the holder 21.

[0063] If the control unit 40 determines that the holder 21 received by the communication unit 42 is not the holder 21 for which key exchange processing can be executed, that is, if the holder 21 is set to a state where key exchange processing cannot be executed, for example, the control unit 40 prompts the display operation unit 27 to insert the holder 21 with the specific information received by the communication unit 42 into the release unit 36.

[0064] If the control unit 40 determines that the holder 21 received by the communication unit 42 is the holder 21 for which key exchange processing can be executed, that is, if the holder 21 is set to a state where key exchange processing can be executed, the release unit 36 releases the lock of the holder 21 to enable the key 20 to be exchanged.

[0065] Then, the person in charge takes out the holder 21 in the exchangeable state from the release unit 36, removes the previous key 20 from the holder 21, replaces it with a new key 20 for exchange, returns the holder 21 to the locked state, and holds the new key 20 for exchange in the holder 21. When exchanging the key 20, the person in charge can check whether the numbers of the keys 20 to be exchanged match by looking at the number of the newly connected key 20 for exchange displayed on the display operation unit 27, thereby preventing incorrect key 20 exchange.

[0066] Note that the replacement of the lock of the room 15 may be performed after taking out the holder 21 for key exchange from the key holding unit 31 and then taking out the holder 21 in the exchangeable state from the release unit 36, instead of when taking out the holder 21 for key exchange from the key holding unit 31. In this case, the person in charge goes to the location of the room 15 for key exchange with the previous key 20 and the new key 20 for exchange, unlocks the door of the corresponding room 15 with the previous key 20, removes the previous lock attached to the door, replaces it with a new lock for exchange, locks it with the new key 20 for exchange, and then returns to the location of the key management device 10.

[0067] After that, the person in charge inserts the holder 21 with the key exchanged back into the original key holding unit 31 where the holder display unit 35 is blinking.

[0068] When the holder 21 is inserted into the key holding part 31, the detection part 33 of the key holding part 31 detects the insertion of the holder 21 and the reader / writer 34 reads the information of the IC tag of the holder 21. The control part 40 confirms that the holder 21 subjected to the key exchange process has been inserted, locks the holder 21 with the locking mechanism 32, and completes the key exchange process (YES in step S5).

[0069] After that, after associating with the information regarding the key exchange received by the communication part 42, the communication part 42 transmits the completion information of the key exchange process to the external terminal 16 (step S6). At the external terminal 16, the completion information of the key exchange process transmitted from the key management device 10 is received and the registration information is updated.

[0070] During this key exchange process, when the holder 21 for key exchange is taken out from the key holding part 31, when the holder 21 for key exchange is inserted into the release part 36, when the holder 21 after key exchange is taken out, and when the holder 21 after key exchange is inserted into the key holding part 31, these are detected, and a history including the information of the person in charge and the date and time information is stored in the storage part 41.

[0071] And in the key management device 10 configured as described above, based on the information received from the external terminal 16 by the communication part 42, since the holder 21 capable of executing the key exchange process is set, it is possible to cope with changes in appropriate conditions for performing the key exchange, and the conditions for performing the key exchange can be set more flexibly. Thereby, it is possible to prevent other users from accidentally exchanging the key 20 during the usage contract.

[0072] Also, for the holder 21 for which the key exchange process can be executed with the information received by the communication part 42, in order to set it to a state where the key exchange process can be executed, the key exchange process of the holder 21 for which the key exchange should be performed can be performed.

[0073] Also, for the holder 21 for which the key exchange process is made impossible with the information received by the communication part 42, in order to set it to a state where the key exchange process cannot be executed, it is possible to prevent the key exchange process of the holder 21 for which the key exchange is unnecessary from being accidentally performed.

[0074] Also, for the holder 21 for which the key exchange process has been executed, set it to a state where the key exchange process cannot be executed. For example, based on the information received by the communication unit 42, set it to a state where the key exchange process cannot be executed until the holder 21 that can execute the key exchange process again is set. This can prevent unnecessary holders 21 from undergoing the key exchange process.

[0075] Also, when the key exchange menu by the operation unit 27b is selected, the communication unit 42 inquires of the external terminal 16 for information and receives information from the external terminal 16, so that the latest information can be obtained before the key exchange process, and the conditions for performing the key exchange can be set more flexibly.

[0076] This inquiry of information to the external terminal 16 by the communication unit 42 may be, for example, once a day, once a month, and when there is a business hour of the trunk room 11, information may be regularly inquired of the external terminal 16 after business hours or before business hours, etc., and the information can be regularly updated to the latest information, and the conditions for performing the key exchange can be set more flexibly.

[0077] Also, at the time of the key exchange process of the holder 21, for notifying the notification unit 44 of the exchange information received by the communication unit 42, that is, the purpose of exchanging the key 20 such as being due to the end or cancellation of the usage contract, and the remarks information such as the number of the key 20 for exchange newly connected, etc., the person in charge of performing the key exchange process can understand the purpose of the exchange and prevent mistakes in exchanging the key 20.

[0078] Also, only for the person in charge of the person-in-charge information received by the communication unit 42, make the key exchange process executable. For example, it can prevent the person in charge from accidentally going to another trunk room 11 and performing the key exchange process.

[0079] Furthermore, make the key exchange process executable only during the period of the date and time information received by the communication unit 42. For example, if it is during a period such as early morning, night, or outside business hours, the key exchange process can be performed during a time period with few users or no users.

[0080] Also, when the key exchange process is completed, after associating with the information received by the communication unit 42, the communication unit 42 transmits the completion information of the key exchange process to the external terminal 16, so that the external terminal 16 can acquire and manage the completion information of the key exchange process of the holder 21.

[0081] Also, for example, when the user takes the key 20 home or the like and loses the entire holder 21, a holder replacement process is performed to replace the lost holder 21 with a new replacement holder 21 by receiving a loss application from the user at a management center that manages the trunk room 11 or the like.

[0082] In this case, information regarding holder replacement is registered by the administrator in the external terminal 16. The information regarding holder replacement includes information for specifying whether the holder replacement process can be executed, and information in which the information of the IC tag of the new replacement holder 21 and the information of the key holding unit 31 are associated.

[0083] The control unit 40 sets the holder 21 for which the holder replacement process can be executed to a state where the holder replacement process can be executed, and sets the holder 21 for which the holder replacement process is made impossible by the information received by the communication unit 42 to a state where the holder replacement process cannot be executed, based on the information received by the communication unit 42.

[0084] Then, the person in charge goes to the location of the key management device 10 and operates the display operation unit 27 to select the holder replacement menu.

[0085] When the holder replacement menu is selected, the control unit 40 inquires the external terminal 16 about the information regarding holder replacement by the communication unit 42 and receives the information regarding holder replacement transmitted from the external terminal 16. Based on the received information, the holder 21 to be replaced is set, and the holder display unit 35 of the key holding unit 31 that holds this holder 21 is blinked and displayed.

[0086] The person in charge inserts the holder 21 into the key holding unit 31 where the holder display unit 35 blinks.

[0087] The information of the IC tag of the new holder 21 inserted into the key holding part 31 is read by the reader / writer 34, collated with the received information regarding the holder replacement, and if they match, that is, if the holder 21 is set to a state where the holder replacement process can be executed, the holder 21 is locked to the key holding part 31.

[0088] If the information of the IC tag of the new holder 21 inserted into the key holding part 31 is read by the reader / writer 34 and collated with the received information regarding the holder replacement, and they do not match, that is, if the holder 21 is a holder set to a state where the holder replacement process cannot be executed other than the holder 21 set to a state where the holder replacement process can be executed, the holder 21 is locked to the key holding part 31.

[0089] Therefore, for the holder 21 for which the execution of the holder replacement process is enabled by the information received by the communication unit 42, in order to set it to a state where the holder replacement process can be executed, the holder replacement process of the holder 21 to be replaced can be performed.

[0090] Furthermore, for the holder 21 for which the execution of the holder replacement process is disabled by the information received by the communication unit 42, in order to set it to a state where the holder replacement process cannot be executed, it is possible to prevent the holder replacement process of the holder 21 that does not require holder replacement from being erroneously performed.

[0091] In the case of replacing this holder 21, the key management device 10 may have a configuration of "a key management device comprising a plurality of holders that hold keys, a plurality of key holding parts that respectively hold the holders, a control part that executes a holder replacement process for replacing the holders, and a communication part that receives information transmitted from an external terminal, wherein the control part sets a holder for which the holder replacement process can be executed based on the information received by the communication part."

[0092] With this configuration, based on the information received from the external terminal 16 by the communication unit 42, the holder 21 capable of executing the holder replacement process can be set, so that it is possible to respond to changes in appropriate conditions for which the holder replacement should be performed, and the conditions for which the holder replacement should be performed can be set more flexibly. Thereby, it is possible to prevent accidentally replacing other holders 21.

[0093] Also, in the key management device 10, the history regarding the holder 21 can be searched and confirmed. At this time, when searching using the number of the holder 21 as a search condition, for the holder 21 with the corresponding number, the history of the operator such as the user or the person in charge, the operation date and time, and the operation details such as taking out, returning, or replacing can be extracted. However, when trying to search for a plurality of related holders 21, since all the numbers of the holders 21 must be input, the confirmation of the history becomes complicated.

[0094] Therefore, a name is set for the holder 21 together with the number. And when searching for the history, by using at least a part of the characters of the name as a search condition in addition to the number of the holder 21, the history of the holder 21 with the name including the search characters set can be extracted, that is, the histories of a plurality of related holders 21 with the names set can be extracted collectively, and the confirmation of the history can be facilitated.

[0095] Also, in the key management device 10, it is possible to unlock and take out an arbitrary holder 21 by a remote operation from the external terminal 16. For example, when the user or the person in charge goes to the location of the key management device 10 and conveys the holder 21 to be taken out to the administrator by phone, the administrator can remotely unlock the holder 21 through the external terminal 16. However, when the administrator is absent, the holder 21 cannot be remotely unlocked.

[0096] Therefore, the administrator registers reservation information such as the specific information of the holder 21, the information of the user or the person in charge, and the date and time information in the external terminal 16. The external terminal 16 notifies the user or the person in charge by email of the content with the cancellation ID (which may be a two-dimensional code). The email may include map information links to the installation location of the key management device 10, floor maps, etc. The presence of the map information link makes it easy to understand even in a place where the user or the person in charge goes for the first time, and the presence of the floor map makes it easy to identify the location of the key management device 10 even in a large place.

[0097] The user or the person in charge moves to the location of the key management device 10 and enters the cancellation ID notified by email.

[0098] The key management device 10 inquires the external terminal 16 about the entered cancellation ID. If it is the registered cancellation ID, it unlocks the holder 21 registered in association with the cancellation ID, enabling the user or the person in charge to take out the holder 21.

[0099] In this case, even if the administrator is absent and remote cancellation is not possible, the holder 21 can be used, and for example, it is possible to cope with an operation that enables the use of the holder 21 for a limited period.

[0100] Note that the key 20 is not limited to a physical key and may be a card key or a digital key.

[0101] Also, the unlocking unit 36 may be configured separately from the key management device 10, and it is sufficient if the key management system 17 includes the unlocking unit 36.

[0102] In addition, the key management device 10 of the present invention is not limited to the operation of the trunk room 11, and may be applied to other key-using operations to improve security. For example, the key management device 10 of the present invention may be applied to similar operations such as private rooms in airports, unmanned karaoke shops, unmanned internet cafes, or rental companies for construction equipment (which can be freely rented only during the construction period).

[0103] Moreover, not limited to the key management device 10 that handles the key 20, an article management device that handles articles such as seals, memory media such as USB memories and memory cards may be used. In this case, the article management device has "a plurality of holders for holding articles, a plurality of article holding parts for holding the holders respectively, a release part for making the articles held by the holders replaceable, a control part for executing an article replacement process using the release part, and a communication part for receiving information transmitted from an external terminal, and the control part is characterized by setting the holder capable of executing the article replacement process based on the information received by the communication part." It suffices to have such a configuration.

[0104] As described above, the embodiments of the present invention and their modified examples have been explained, but various combinations of configurations, partial omissions, replacements, and changes are also possible.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0105] 10 Key management device 16 External terminal 17 Key management system 20 Key 21 Holder 31 Key holding part 40 Control part 42 Communication part

Claims

1. A key management device; An external terminal; a notification terminal to which removal information for removing the reserved folder from the key management device is notified; A key management system comprising: The key management device a plurality of holders, each of which holds a key, including the reserved holder; A plurality of key holders each holding the holder; a control unit that enables removal of the reserved holder; an input unit for inputting the removal information notified to the notification terminal; a communication unit that queries the external terminal about the extraction information input by the input unit; Equipped with The control unit enables removal of the reserved holder based on the removal information inputted through the input unit.

1. A key management system comprising:

2. The control unit enables removal of the reserved holder based on the removal information when the removal information inputted through the input unit is registered in the external terminal.

2. The key management system of claim 1.

3. The control unit enables removal of the reserved holder for a limited period of time based on the removal information.

3. The key management system according to claim 1, wherein the key management system comprises:

4. The removal information includes information for identifying the reserved folder and reservation information for using the reserved folder.

4. The key management system according to claim 1, wherein the key management system comprises:

5. The removal information is a two-dimensional code.

5. The key management system according to claim 1, wherein the key management system comprises:

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