Electronic lock device, electronic lock system, and unlocking method

Abstract

To easily carry out unlocking in response to elapse of a specified period, without connecting to a normally-connected power supply device and a server device.SOLUTION: An electronic lock device comprises: an antenna part that obtains authentication information from an electronic apparatus; a storage part that stores the authentication information of the device and an effective period; and an authentication part and a locking / unlocking part that operates using electric power generated by the antenna part. The authentication part does not carry out authentication when a date and time generated by a clock part has passed the effective period, and carries out authentication based on the authentication information stored in the storage part and the authentication information obtained by the antenna part when the date and time generated by the clock part has not passed the effective period. The locking / unlocking part is operated based on an authentication result.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic lock device, an electronic lock system, and an unlocking method.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, an electronic lock system in which an electronic key and an electronic lock communicate to control locking and unlocking is known. For example, in the electronic locking and unlocking device of Patent Document 1, when it is determined that the code extracted by the communication unit matches the authentication code, an unlocking operation signal is output to the locking and unlocking unit, and after the elapse of the locking operation setting time from the output of the unlocking operation signal, a locking operation signal is output to the locking and unlocking unit. The electronic locking and unlocking device outputs an unlocking operation signal to the locking and unlocking unit after the elapse of the unlocking operation setting time from the output of the locking operation signal when the opening of the door is not detected between the output of the unlocking operation signal and the output of the locking operation signal.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Since the electronic locking and unlocking device described in Patent Document 1 is premised on being connected to an external power source, the cost for facility introduction becomes high when connecting to an external power source.

[0005] For example, when lending out each of a number of electronic lockers, such as those installed in a school, etc., to a specific user during a specific period, for convenience, it is desirable to reset the passwords of each electronic locker all at once when the specific period arrives, or for a large number of new users to be able to use the electronic lockers with a simple operation. Also, in order to improve convenience, it is conceivable to connect a number of electronic lockers and a management server device via a network and have the management server device control a number of electronic lockers all at once, but there is concern that the cost will increase due to the introduction of the network and the management server, etc.

[0006] It is also possible to previously store the administrator password in the electronic locker and the administrator terminal, and for the administrator to reset the electronic locker after a specific period has elapsed. However, the larger the number of students in the school, the more working time and labor are required.

[0007] When it is necessary to unlock the electronic locker before the elapse of a specific period, it is conceivable to store the administrator password in the electronic locker and unlock the electronic locker without authenticating the individual password of the electronic locker in response to the electronic locker receiving the administrator password from the terminal of the new user. However, there is a risk that the terminal of the new user will be misused, and there are security problems.

[0008] The present disclosure has been made in view of such circumstances, and aims to provide an electronic lock device, an electronic lock system, and an unlocking method that can be easily unlocked in response to the elapse of a specific period without connecting to a power supply device and a server device with constant connection.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-described problems. One aspect of the present disclosure includes a clock unit that generates date and time information, a power supply unit that supplies power to the clock unit, an antenna unit that generates power by an electromagnetic wave output from an electronic device and acquires authentication information from the electronic device, a storage unit that stores authentication information of its own device and expiration date information indicating an expiration date of the information, an authentication unit that operates using the power generated by the antenna unit, and a locking / unlocking unit that operates using the power generated by the antenna unit. The authentication unit does not perform authentication when the date and time of the date and time information generated by the clock unit have passed the expiration date indicated by the expiration date information, and when the date and time of the date and time information generated by the clock unit have not passed the expiration date indicated by the expiration date information, performs authentication based on the authentication information stored in the storage unit and the authentication information acquired by the antenna unit, and operates the locking / unlocking unit based on the authentication result. This is an electronic lock device.

[0010] Another aspect of the present disclosure is an electronic lock system including a plurality of electronic lock devices and a management server device. The management server device transmits expiration date information indicating the same expiration date to each of the plurality of electronic lock devices. Each of the plurality of electronic lock devices includes a clock unit that generates date and time information, a power supply unit that supplies power to the clock unit, an antenna unit that generates power by an electromagnetic wave output from an electronic device and acquires authentication information from the electronic device, a storage unit that stores the expiration date information transmitted from the management server device and authentication information, an authentication unit that operates using the power generated by the antenna unit, and a locking / unlocking unit that operates using the power generated by the antenna unit. The authentication unit does not perform authentication when the date and time of the date and time information generated by the clock unit have passed the expiration date indicated by the expiration date information, and when the date and time of the date and time information generated by the clock unit have not passed the expiration date indicated by the expiration date information, performs authentication based on the authentication information stored in the storage unit and the authentication information acquired by the antenna unit, and operates the locking / unlocking unit based on the authentication result. This is an electronic lock system.

[0011] Another aspect of the present disclosure includes the steps of: a storage unit of an electronic lock device storing authentication information of the device itself and expiration date information indicating an expiration date of the authentication information; an antenna unit of the electronic lock device generating power by an electromagnetic wave output from an electronic device and acquiring authentication information from the electronic device; an authentication unit of the electronic lock device operating using the power generated by the antenna unit, and not performing authentication when the date and time of date and time information generated by a clock unit operating using power from a power supply unit has passed the expiration date indicated by the expiration date information, and performing authentication based on the authentication information stored in the storage unit and the authentication information acquired by the antenna unit when the date and time of the date and time information generated by the clock unit has not passed the expiration date indicated by the expiration date information, and performing unlocking based on the authentication result.

Advantages of the Invention

[0012] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to easily unlock in response to the elapse of a specific period without connecting to a constantly connected power supply device and a server device.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] Hereinafter, an electronic lock device, an electronic lock system, and an unlocking method to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the drawings. The electronic lock system according to the embodiment described below includes, for example, a large number of electronic lock lockers installed in a school. The usage period of a large number of electronic lock lockers is set, for example, to the same period from enrollment to graduation (hereinafter, also referred to as a specific period). One electronic lock locker is assigned to each of a large number of users who attend the school. Each user can set an individual password for the electronic lock locker assigned to him / her during the specific period to lock and unlock the electronic lock locker, and the electronic lock locker cannot be unlocked when the specific period ends. Note that the electronic lock system of the present embodiment will be described with respect to the lockers installed in the school, but is not limited thereto, and can be applied to other usage forms as long as it locks and unlocks the electronic lock during a specific period.

[0015] (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the electronic lock system 1 in the first embodiment. The electronic lock system 1 includes, for example, a large number of electronic lock devices 100, a large number of portable terminal devices 200, and a management server device 300. The electronic lock device 100 permits and prohibits the opening and closing of the locker 10 by the handle portion 12 by performing locking and unlocking. Each locker 10 is assigned to a user such as a student. The portable terminal device 200 is an electronic device such as a smartphone held by a user, for example. The management server device 300 is an information processing device connected to the portable terminal device 200 via the communication network NW. The communication network NW may include, for example, a general-purpose network such as the Internet and a private network such as local 5G or WiFi (registered trademark).

[0016] The mobile terminal device 200 includes, for example, a communication unit 202, an NFC (Near Field Communication) communication circuit 204, a processing unit 206, a user interface unit 208, and a storage unit 210. The communication unit 202 has a communication interface (not shown), such as a NIC (Network Interface Card) or a wireless communication module, for connecting to the communication network NW. The NFC communication circuit 204 transmits an electromagnetic wave corresponding to NFC and receives an electromagnetic wave corresponding to NFC. The processing unit 206 is realized, for example, by a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) executing a program stored in a program memory. The processing unit 206 controls the communication unit 202, the NFC communication circuit 204, the processing unit 206, the user interface unit 208, and the storage unit 210. The mobile terminal device 200 downloads and installs, for example, application software for using the locker 10. The mobile terminal device 200 accesses the management server device 300 by executing the application software by the processing unit 206 and performs various processes for using the locker 10. The user interface unit 208 includes, for example, a display device, an operation input device, and a voice input / output device.

[0017] The storage unit 210 is realized, for example, by a flash memory or an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory). The storage unit 210 stores, for example, an electronic lock ID, an individual password, password expiration information, and terminal information. The storage unit 210 may also store a user ID for identifying a user. In the embodiment, the electronic lock ID and the individual password are examples of authentication information, and other information may be used instead of the electronic lock ID and the individual password as long as it is information for performing authentication. The electronic lock ID is identification information of the electronic lock attached to the locker 10 used by the user. Note that the electronic lock ID may be read as the locker ID for identifying the locker 10. The locker ID is not limited to merely the number of the locker 10, and information such as a signature obtained by arithmetic processing or encryption processing may be added to improve security. In this case, it is necessary to mount a processing function (algorithm) that the electronic lock device 100 can understand and confirm the additional information. The additional information may be generated by, for example, the management server device 300 or by the application software of the portable terminal device 200. The individual password is a password unique to the locker 10 set by the user. The password expiration information is information indicating the expiration date of the individual password. The password expiration information has, for example, the same value set for a number of lockers 10. The password expiration information may be, for example, from April 1st to March 31st of the following year when moving the locker 10 every year, or from the enrollment date to a date a few days after the graduation ceremony when using the same locker 10 for three years. The terminal information is information for identifying the portable terminal device 200 and information for the portable terminal device 200 to communicate with the management server device 300 and the locker 10. The portable terminal device 200 transmits the terminal information to the management server device 300 by executing application software, and acquires the electronic lock ID and the password expiration information from the management server device 300.

[0018] The management server device 300 includes, for example, a communication unit 302, a processing unit 304, and a storage unit 306. The communication unit 302 has a communication interface such as a NIC or a wireless communication module that communicates with each of a number of portable terminal devices 200 via the communication network NW. The processing unit 304 is realized by a processor such as a CPU executing a program stored in the program memory. The processing unit 304 controls the communication unit 302 and the storage unit 306. For example, when receiving an access from the mobile terminal device 200, the processing unit 304 checks the terminal information of the mobile terminal device 200 and determines that it is the mobile terminal device 200 of a newly registered user that has been registered in advance. The processing unit 304 transmits the electronic lock ID of the locker 10 assigned in advance and the password expiration information to the mobile terminal device 200.

[0019] The storage unit 306 is realized by, for example, a flash memory, an EEPROM, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or an SSD (Solid State Drive). The storage unit 306 stores, for example, for each user, a user ID, a user name, the user's terminal information, an electronic lock ID, and password expiration information.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the electronic lock device 100 in the first embodiment. The electronic lock device 100 includes, for example, an antenna unit 110, an IC chip 120, a clock unit 130, a rectifier circuit 140, a control microcomputer 150, and a locking / unlocking mechanism 160. In this embodiment, the locking / unlocking mechanism 160 may perform both the locking operation and the unlocking operation, but is not limited thereto, and may perform only the unlocking operation.

[0021] The antenna unit 110 generates electric power by the electromagnetic wave output from the mobile terminal device 200, and acquires the electronic lock ID and password information from the mobile terminal device 200. The antenna unit 110 receives, for example, electromagnetic waves corresponding to NFC from the mobile terminal device 200. As a transmission method of electromagnetic waves corresponding to NFC, for example, it may be a radio wave method (microwave method), or it may be an electromagnetic induction method. When the electromagnetic waves for NFC communication are in the UHF band or 2.45 GHz band, the electromagnetic waves may be transmitted and received by the radio wave method (microwave method). When the electromagnetic waves for NFC communication are at a low frequency of 13.56 MHz or less, the electromagnetic waves may be transmitted and received by the electromagnetic induction method. The antenna unit 110 outputs an electrical signal corresponding to the electromagnetic waves received from the mobile terminal device 200 to the IC chip 120.

[0022] The IC chip 120 performs predetermined decoding processing on the electrical signal corresponding to the electromagnetic waves, acquires various types of information transmitted from the mobile terminal device 200, and performs a process of locking or unlocking the locker 10.

[0023] The clock unit 130 generates date and time information. The clock unit 130 is, for example, a radio-controlled clock. A radio-controlled clock is a clock that has a function of receiving radio waves of date and time information (time code) based on an atomic clock transmitted from a standard radio wave transmitting station and automatically adjusting the time. A battery 132 is built in the clock unit 130. The battery 132 is a power supply unit that supplies power to the clock unit 130. The clock unit 130 generates date and time information using the power of the battery 132 and outputs the current date and time information to the IC chip 120 in response to an inquiry.

[0024] The rectifier circuit 140 generates DC power by rectifying an electrical signal corresponding to an electromagnetic wave. The rectifier circuit 140 supplies the DC power to the control microcomputer 150 and the locking / unlocking mechanism 160. When a locking / unlocking signal is supplied from the IC chip 120, the control microcomputer 150 outputs a driving signal to the locking / unlocking mechanism 160. The locking / unlocking mechanism 160 moves the tip of the dead bolt 162 toward the strike 13 of the locker 10 according to the driving signal. The locking / unlocking mechanism 160 may include an actuator such as a solenoid and a motor, for example, and the locking / unlocking mechanism 160 may include a cylinder that generates a driving force such as a hydraulic cylinder, a pneumatic cylinder, or a water pressure cylinder, and may include an artificial muscle (soft actuator) using a polymer, etc.

[0025] Regarding locking, when the locker 10 is closed by a latch mechanism (such as a spring) of the locking / unlocking mechanism 160, it may be automatically locked (auto-lock). In this case, the locking / unlocking mechanism 160 compresses a spring provided on the bar (rod-shaped member) of the latch when unlocking. When the locking / unlocking mechanism 160 stops, the latch is automatically locked by the restoring force of the spring. However, the spring is only an example, and rubber or other elastic bodies may also be used. Also, the bar of the latch may be a cylindrical part (such as a cylinder) that contains a fluid such as gas or liquid inside. Also, in reality, it is not limited to these examples, and an auto-lock method that does not use power for locking may be used. At this time, it is possible to maintain the unlocked state by continuously receiving the electromagnetic wave corresponding to NFC by the electronic lock device 100 at all times. However, a mechanism (such as a lock and a stopper) that can maintain the unlocked state after unlocking and release the unlocked state when locking may be provided.

[0026] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the IC chip 120 in the first embodiment. The IC chip 120 includes, for example, an acquisition unit 122, an authentication unit 124, a determination unit 126, a storage unit 128, and a locking / unlocking signal output unit 129. The acquisition unit 122, the authentication unit 124, the determination unit 126, the storage unit 128, and the locking / unlocking signal output unit 129 operate using the power generated by the antenna unit 110. The acquisition unit 122 acquires a communication signal via the antenna unit 110. The determination unit 126 determines whether the electronic lock ID based on the communication signal by the antenna unit 110 matches the electronic lock ID stored in the storage unit 128. Further, the determination unit 126 determines whether the date and time of the date and time information generated by the clock unit 130 has passed the expiration date indicated by the password expiration information.

[0027] The authentication unit 124 performs authentication based on the individual password based on the communication signal by the antenna unit 110. When the electronic lock ID acquired by the antenna unit 110 matches the electronic lock ID stored in the storage unit 128, the authentication unit 124 does not perform authentication when the date and time of the date and time information generated by the clock unit 130 has passed the expiration date indicated by the password expiration information. When the date and time of the date and time information generated by the clock unit 130 has not passed the expiration date indicated by the password expiration information, the authentication unit 124 performs authentication based on the password information stored in the storage unit 128 and the password information acquired by the antenna unit 110, and operates the locking / unlocking unit based on the authentication result. The locking / unlocking unit may be any one of the components for locking and unlocking the locker 10, such as the locking / unlocking signal output unit 129, the control microcomputer 150, and the locking / unlocking mechanism 160.

[0028] The storage unit 128 stores the electronic lock ID of the own device, password information, and password expiration information indicating the expiration date of the password information. The electronic lock ID is information fixed to the locker 10. The locking / unlocking signal output unit 129 performs locking or unlocking in response to successful authentication by the authentication unit 124. A management password may be stored in the storage unit 128. The management password is a password used by an administrator who manages a number of lockers 10.

[0029] FIG. 4 is a time chart showing an example of the valid and invalid periods of the individual password in the first embodiment. First, a new individual password and a password expiration date are set at time T1. During a specific period in which the individual password is valid, the authentication unit 124 performs authentication based on the individual password and unlocks the locker 10 based on the authentication result. During the period in which the password expiration date ends at time T2 and the individual password is invalid, the authentication unit 124 does not perform authentication based on the individual password. Next, a new individual password and a password expiration date are set at time T3, and during a specific period (time T3 to T4) in which the individual password is valid, the authentication unit 124 performs authentication based on the newly set individual password. When time T4 elapses, the individual password becomes invalid again. In this way, the electronic lock system 1 can switch between a specific period in which authentication is performed using the individual password and a period in which authentication is not performed using the individual password by setting the password expiration date.

[0030] FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of the electronic lock system 1 in the first embodiment. First, the mobile terminal device 200 accesses the management server device 300 and transmits an information request S10 by executing application software (step ST10). In response to the request S10, the management server device 300 transmits user information S12 to the mobile terminal device 200 (step ST20). The user information S12 includes an electronic lock ID and password expiration information. The communication unit 202 receives the user information S12 from the management server device 300, and the storage unit 210 stores the user information S12 (step ST11).

[0031] The mobile terminal device 200 displays an input screen for an individual password for newly using the locker 10 by executing application software. The user interface unit 208 accepts the input of the individual password based on the user's operation (step ST12), and the storage unit 210 stores the individual password.

[0032] Regarding the method of setting the individual password, instead of constantly storing the individual password in the mobile terminal device 200 or the like, the individual password may be input at the timing of unlocking the locker 10. For example, an input screen may be displayed by an application installed in the mobile terminal device 200, the individual password may be temporarily stored in the storage unit 210 according to the user's input operation, and the electronic lock ID and the individual password may be transmitted to the electronic lock device 100. In addition, an individual password input device may be installed in the electronic lock device 100 of the locker 10, the input of the individual password may be permitted while the mobile terminal device 200 activates the electronic lock device 100, and the electronic lock device 100 may store the individual password in the storage unit 210 in response to receiving the user's operation. Furthermore, a biometric information reading mechanism may be installed in the locker 10, the biometric information may be input as the individual password while the mobile terminal device 200 activates the electronic lock device 100, and the electronic lock device 100 may store the biometric information in the storage unit 210 as the individual password.

[0033] Also, the mobile terminal device 200 may always store an individual password. For example, at the time of new use or user registration, an input screen may be displayed by an application installed in the mobile terminal device 200, and the individual password may be stored in the storage unit 210 according to the user's input operation. The management server device 300 may generate an individual password for each of the mobile terminal device 200 or the locker 10, and may leave the generated individual password stored in the mobile terminal device 200.

[0034] Next, the NFC communication circuit 204 transmits an electromagnetic wave S14 corresponding to NFC to the electronic lock device 100 in the vicinity of the locker 10 (step ST13). The electronic lock device 100 uses the electromagnetic wave S14 as an electromotive force to supply power to each part of the electronic lock device 100. As a result, the IC chip 120 is activated and transitions to a standby state for receiving an unlocking command from the mobile terminal device 200 (step ST30).

[0035] The NFC communication circuit 204 transmits an unlocking command S16 including user information and an individual password stored in the storage unit 210 to the electronic lock device 100 (step ST14). The electronic lock device 100 receives the unlocking command S16 (step ST32), and the IC chip 120 confirms the electronic lock ID included in the unlocking command S16 (step ST34). The IC chip 120 compares the electronic lock ID included in the unlocking command S16 with the electronic lock ID stored in the storage unit 128, and if they match, determines that the electronic lock ID included in the unlocking command S16 is correct (step ST36). If the received electronic lock ID is incorrect (step ST36: NO), the IC chip 120 proceeds to step ST48. If the received electronic lock ID is correct (step ST36: YES), the IC chip 120 acquires date and time information from the clock unit 130 (step ST38). The IC chip 120 confirms the password expiration information stored in the storage unit 128 (step ST40).

[0036] The IC chip 120 determines whether the current date and time exceeds the password expiration date (step ST42). When the current date and time have not exceeded the password expiration date (step ST42: NO), the IC chip 120 authenticates whether the received individual password matches the stored individual password (step ST44). If both individual passwords match and the authentication is successful (step ST46: YES), the IC chip 120 proceeds to step ST56. In response to the successful authentication, the IC chip 120 outputs an unlock signal from the locking / unlocking signal output unit 129 to the control microcomputer 150 (step ST56). The control microcomputer 150 performs an unlocking operation by operating the locking / unlocking mechanism 160 (step ST58). The IC chip 120 generates a successful response to the unlocking operation (step ST60) and transmits the generated successful response S18 to the mobile terminal device 200 (step ST62). The NFC communication circuit 204 receives the successful response S18 from the electronic lock device 100 (step ST15).

[0037] If both individual passwords do not match and the authentication fails (step ST46: NO), the IC chip 120 generates a failure response to the unlocking operation (step ST48) and transmits the generated failure response S18 to the mobile terminal device 200 (step ST62). The mobile terminal device 200 receives the failure response S18 from the electronic lock device 100 (step ST15).

[0038] When the current date and time have exceeded the password expiration date (step ST42: YES), the IC chip 120 determines whether the current user is a new user (step ST50). For example, the IC chip 120 determines that the user is a new user if the password expiration date obtained from the mobile terminal device 200 is in the future, and determines that the user is not a new user otherwise.

[0039] In addition, when the mobile terminal device 200 transmits the user ID as user information to the electronic lock device 100 and stores the user ID in the storage unit 128, the electronic lock device 100 may determine whether the user is a new user based on whether the user ID received from the mobile terminal device 200 matches the user ID stored in the storage unit 128. The electronic lock device 100 can improve security by using the electronic lock ID and the user ID.

[0040] Further, when the electronic lock device 100 confirms whether the user is a new user, in addition to the electronic lock ID, the authentication of the administrator's electronic key may be added. In this case, the electronic lock device 100 stores the administrator's electronic key in 120 in advance and sets the information to be encrypted using the administrator's electronic key. As a result, the mobile terminal device 200 encrypts and transmits the electronic lock ID with the administrator's electronic key in step ST14, for example, and the electronic lock device 100 determines whether the electronic lock ID decrypted with the administrator's electronic key is correct compared to the electronic lock ID stored in the storage unit 128. Thereby, the electronic lock system 1 can further improve security.

[0041] When the current user is not a new user (step ST50: NO), the IC chip 120 outputs an unlocking signal from the locking / unlocking signal output unit 129 to the control microcomputer 150 (step ST56). The control microcomputer 150 performs an unlocking operation by operating the locking / unlocking mechanism 160 (step ST58). The IC chip 120 generates a successful response to the unlocking operation (step ST60) and transmits the generated successful response S18 to the mobile terminal device 200 (step ST62). The NFC communication circuit 204 receives the successful response S18 from the electronic lock device 100 (step ST15).

[0042] If the current user is a new user (step ST50: YES), the IC chip 120 updates the individual password received from the mobile terminal device 200 (step ST52), and updates it to the password expiration date acquired from the management server device 300 (step ST54). In response to updating the password expiration date, the electronic lock device 100 starts a specific period during which the new individual password becomes valid. The IC chip 120 outputs an unlock signal from the locking / unlocking signal output unit 129 to the control microcomputer 150 (step ST56). The control microcomputer 150 performs an unlocking operation by operating the locking / unlocking mechanism 160 (step ST58). The IC chip 120 generates a success response for the unlocking operation (step ST60), and transmits the generated success response S18 to the mobile terminal device 200 (step ST62). The NFC communication circuit 204 receives the success response S18 from the electronic lock device 100 (step ST15).

[0043] As described above, according to the electronic lock device 100 of the first embodiment, when the electronic lock ID acquired by the antenna unit 110 matches the electronic lock ID stored in the storage unit 210, if the date and time of the date and time information generated by the clock unit 130 has passed the password expiration date, authentication is not performed. If the date and time of the date and time information generated by the clock unit 130 has not passed the password expiration date, authentication is performed based on the password information stored in the storage unit 210 and the password information acquired by the antenna unit 110, and unlocking is performed based on the authentication result. According to this electronic lock device 100, it is possible to easily unlock when a specific period has passed without connecting to a power supply device with a constant connection and the management server device 300.

[0044] Also, according to the electronic lock device 100, by updating the new individual password and the password expiration date when the password expiration date has passed, it is possible to avoid the use by the previous user. Furthermore, by confirming the electronic lock ID corresponding to the locker 10 when accessing the electronic lock device 100, it is possible to confirm the locker 10 assigned by the administrator, and avoid accidentally performing the initial setting for another locker 10. As a result, by having the administrator of a school or the like store the date and time such as the end of March in advance in all the electronic lock devices 100 as the individual password expiration date, after that date and time, it is possible to unlock without authenticating the individual password using the mobile terminal device 200 in which the electronic lock ID of the locker 10 is stored. Thus, according to the electronic lock system 1, by setting the same password expiration date for a plurality of electronic lock devices 100, it becomes possible to unlock them all at once, and an inexpensive electronic lock system can be provided without performing online centralized management of the electronic lock devices 100. In addition, according to the electronic lock system 1, since it is also possible to set the password expiration date individually for each electronic lock device 100, it is possible to set the lending settings for individual lockers 10 and respond flexibly. Furthermore, according to the electronic lock system 1, since the user can set an individual password individually, the security can also be improved.

[0045] In addition, when the date and time of the date and time information generated by the clock unit 130 has passed the expiration date indicated by the password expiration date information, the electronic lock device 100 outputs an unlock command without performing authentication (step ST42: YES, step ST56). Also, when the date and time of the date and time information generated by the clock unit 130 has not passed the expiration date indicated by the password expiration date information, the electronic lock device 100 performs authentication based on the password information stored in the storage unit 128 and the password information acquired by the antenna unit 110, and outputs an unlock command based on the successful authentication (step ST42: NO, step ST44, step ST46: YES, step ST56).

[0046] In addition, when it is determined that the user is a new user when the date and time of the date and time information generated by the clock unit 130 has passed the expiration date indicated by the password expiration date information, the electronic lock device 100 updates and stores the password information and the password expiration date information acquired by the antenna unit 110 in the storage unit 128 (step ST42: YES, step ST50: YES, step ST52, step ST54).

[0047] (Second Embodiment) FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 are sequence diagrams showing an example of the operation of the electronic lock system 1 in the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted. When the date and time of the date and time information generated by the clock unit 130 has passed the expiration date indicated by the password expiration information, and the electronic lock device 100 determines that the user is not a new user, it may maintain the locked state without performing authentication.

[0048] When the current date and time has exceeded the password expiration date (step ST42: YES), the IC chip 120 determines whether the current user is a new user (step ST50). If the current user is not a new user (step ST50: NO), the IC chip 120 generates a failure response for the unlocking operation (step ST48) and transmits the generated failure response S18 to the mobile terminal device 200 (step ST62). The mobile terminal device 200 receives the failure response S18 from the electronic lock device 100 (step ST15). Thereby, when the date and time has passed the password expiration date and the electronic lock device 100 determines that the user is not a new user, it can maintain the locked state without performing authentication.

[0049] In step ST48, the electronic lock device 100 includes information indicating an abnormal content in the failure response S18. The information indicating the abnormal content is, for example, information indicating the abnormality of the electronic lock ID, authentication failure, and distinction of expiration date. The mobile terminal device 200 checks the information indicating the abnormal content included in the failure response S18 and determines whether it is an expiration abnormality (FIG. 7, step ST100). If it is not an expiration abnormality, the mobile terminal device 200 notifies the user (step ST100: NO, step ST102).

[0050] When the mobile terminal device 200 is in an over - abnormality state (step ST100: YES), it determines whether to extend the password expiration date (step ST104). At this time, the mobile terminal device 200 causes the user interface unit 208 to display a screen for inquiring whether to extend the password expiration date and a screen for inputting the password expiration date, and determines to extend the password expiration date when a new password expiration date is input.

[0051] When the mobile terminal device 200 does not extend the password expiration date (step ST104: NO), it transmits a request S20 for requesting cancellation of the contract for using the locker 10 to the management server device 300 (step ST106). The management server device 300 performs processing for canceling the contract of the current user (step S22).

[0052] When the mobile terminal device 200 extends the password expiration date (step ST104: YES), it transmits a request S22 for requesting extension of the password expiration date to the management server device 300 (step ST108). The management server device 300 confirms the electronic lock ID of the locker 10 corresponding to the current user and transmits user information S24 as a new user to the mobile terminal device 200 (step S24). The mobile terminal device 200 updates the user information stored in the storage unit 210 according to the received user information S24 (step S110), and transmits an electromagnetic wave S14 to the electronic lock device 100 (step ST112). The electronic lock device 100 uses the electromagnetic wave S14 as an electromotive force to supply power to each part of the electronic lock device 100. As a result, the IC chip 120 is activated and transitions to a standby state for receiving an unlock command from the mobile terminal device 200 (step ST30).

[0053] In the first embodiment, when the password expiration date has passed, the lock is unlocked without performing authentication using the individual password. However, for example, when the usage period of the locker 10 is not clear for the user, or when there is an extension of the usage period, etc., there may be a case where the contents are not retrieved by the password expiration date. In this case, if the locker 10 is unlocked as in the first embodiment, there may be problems. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the locked state can be maintained even when the password expiration date has passed. For example, it is possible to prevent a new user from unlocking the locker 10 arbitrarily when the contract period of the locker 10 has expired. As a result, according to the second embodiment, the application can be extended to usage scenarios such as, for example, offices, rental warehouses, trunk rooms, rental safes, and columbariums (locker type or altar type) in buildings.

[0054] However, when newly lending the locker 10 to a new user, after a certain period has passed since the contract period with the current contract holder, if the administrator unlocks offices, rental warehouses, trunk rooms, etc. and there are items left inside, it is necessary to tidy them up and then grant permission for use to the new user. In addition, the current contract holder can suppress the occurrence of troubles by being able to access the management server device 300 and extend the contract within a certain period even after the contract period has passed.

[0055] Although each embodiment and modification example have been described, these are just examples and are not limited thereto. For example, any one of the embodiments or modification examples, or a part of each embodiment or a part of each modification example, may be combined with one or more other embodiments or one or more other modification examples to realize an aspect of the present invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0056] 1... Electronic lock system, 10... Locker, 100... Electronic lock device, 110... Antenna unit, 120... IC chip, 122... Acquisition unit, 124... Authentication unit, 126... Determination unit, 128... Storage unit, 129... Unlock signal output unit, 130... Clock unit, 132... Battery, 140... Rectifier circuit, 150... Control microcomputer, 160... Locking / unlocking mechanism, 200... Portable terminal device, 202... Communication unit, 204... NFC communication circuit, 206... Processing unit, 208... User interface unit, 210... Storage unit, 300... Management server device, 302... Communication unit, 304... Processing unit, 306... Storage unit

Claims

1. A clock unit that generates date and time information; A power supply unit that supplies power to the clock unit; An antenna unit that generates power by electromagnetic waves output from an electronic device and acquires authentication information from the electronic device; A storage unit that stores the authentication information of the own device and expiration date information indicating the expiration date of the authentication information; An authentication unit that operates using the power generated by the antenna unit; And a locking / unlocking unit that operates using the power generated by the antenna unit, The authentication unit: Does not perform authentication when the date and time of the date and time information generated by the clock unit has passed the expiration date indicated by the expiration date information, When the date and time of the date and time information generated by the clock unit has not passed the expiration date indicated by the expiration date information, performs authentication based on the authentication information stored in the storage unit and the authentication information acquired by the antenna unit, and operates the locking / unlocking unit based on the authentication result. An electronic lock device.

2. The authentication unit: When the date and time of the date and time information generated by the clock unit has passed the expiration date indicated by the expiration date information, outputs an unlocking signal to the locking / unlocking unit without performing authentication, When the date and time of the date and time information generated by the clock unit has not passed the expiration date indicated by the expiration date information, performs authentication based on the authentication information stored in the storage unit and the authentication information acquired by the antenna unit, and outputs an unlocking signal to the locking / unlocking unit based on successful authentication. The electronic lock device according to claim 1.

3. When the authentication unit determines that the user is a new user in the case where the date and time of the date and time information generated by the clock unit has passed the expiration date indicated by the expiration date information, updates and stores the authentication information and the expiration date information acquired by the antenna unit in the storage unit. The electronic lock device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. When the authentication unit determines that the user is not a new user in the case where the date and time of the date and time information generated by the clock unit has passed the expiration date indicated by the expiration date information, the authentication unit maintains the locking and unlocking unit in the locked state without performing authentication. The electronic lock device according to claim 3.

5. When the authentication unit maintains the locking and unlocking unit in the locked state, the authentication unit updates and stores the authentication information and the expiration date information in the storage unit in response to a request acquired by the antenna unit. The electronic lock device according to claim 4.

6. In an electronic lock system including a plurality of electronic lock devices and a management server device, The management server device transmits expiration date information indicating the same expiration date to each of the plurality of electronic lock devices. Each of the plurality of electronic lock devices A clock unit that generates date and time information, A power supply unit that supplies power to the clock unit, An antenna unit that generates power by an electromagnetic wave output from an electronic device and acquires authentication information from the electronic device, A storage unit that stores the expiration date information transmitted from the management server device and the authentication information, An authentication unit that operates using the power generated by the antenna unit, And a locking and unlocking unit that operates using the power generated by the antenna unit, The authentication unit Does not perform authentication when the date and time of the date and time information generated by the clock unit has passed the expiration date indicated by the expiration date information, When the date and time of the date and time information generated by the clock unit has not passed the expiration date indicated by the expiration date information, authentication is performed based on the authentication information stored in the storage unit and the authentication information acquired by the antenna unit, and the locking and unlocking unit is operated based on the authentication result. An electronic lock system.

7. The step in which the storage unit of the electronic lock device stores the authentication information of the device itself and the expiration date information indicating the expiration date of the authentication information; The step in which the antenna unit of the electronic lock device generates power by electromagnetic waves output from an electronic device and acquires authentication information from the electronic device; The authentication unit of the electronic lock device operates using the power generated by the antenna unit, and does not perform authentication when the date and time of the date and time information generated by the clock unit operating using the power from the power supply unit has passed the expiration date indicated by the expiration date information. When the date and time of the date and time information generated by the clock unit has not passed the expiration date indicated by the expiration date information, authentication is performed based on the authentication information stored in the storage unit and the authentication information acquired by the antenna unit, and unlocking is performed based on the authentication result; An unlocking method including the above.

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