Locking / unlocking control device, locking / unlocking control method, program and locker device

Abstract

To provide a locking / unlocking control device, a locking / unlocking control method, a program, and a locker device that can avoid duplication of rentals.SOLUTION: The locking / unlocking control device comprises: an usage status confirmation unit that, based on user information obtained by user authentication for a user who is to receive the rental of an object, confirms the rental status indicating the rental status of the object to the user; and a locking / unlocking control unit that, when the rental status indicates that the object is not yet rented, unlocks the door of a storage unit, in which the object to be rented to the user is stored, in a locker device having multiple storage units.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a locking / unlocking control device, a locking / unlocking control method, a program, and a locker device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, various techniques have been proposed for controlling the locking and unlocking of doors in lockers used for delivering and receiving items.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 below discloses a technology for controlling the locking and unlocking of locker doors in lockers for receiving mail in order to automate the delivery of mail. In this technology, the locker door is unlocked when the identity of the person attempting to receive mail is confirmed through identity verification. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7264791 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the technology of Patent Document 1 does not take into consideration the use of lockers for lending items with the expectation of return. Therefore, simply verifying the identity of a user who is about to receive an item could result in duplicate lending to the same user.

[0006] In view of the above-mentioned problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a locking / unlocking control device, a locking / unlocking control method, a program, and a locker device that can avoid overlapping loans. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, one embodiment of the locking / unlocking control device of the present invention is a locking / unlocking control device that includes: a usage status confirmation unit that confirms the loan status indicating the loan status of the object to a user who wishes to receive a loan of the object, based on user information obtained by user authentication; and a locking / unlocking control unit that, if the loan status indicates that the object has not been loaned, unlocks the door of the storage unit in which the object to be loaned to the user is stored, in a locker device that has multiple storage units.

[0008] A locking / unlocking control method according to one embodiment of the present invention is a computer-executed locking / unlocking control method that includes a usage status confirmation process for confirming, for a user who wishes to receive an object, a loan status indicating the loan status of the object to the user based on user information obtained by user authentication, and a locking / unlocking control process for unlocking, in a locker device having multiple storage units, the door of the storage unit in which the object to be loaned to the user is stored if the loan status indicates that the object has not been loaned.

[0009] A program according to one aspect of the present invention is a program that causes a computer to function as a usage status confirmation means that confirms the loan status indicating the loan status of an object to a user who wishes to receive the loan of the object, based on user information obtained by user authentication, and a locking / unlocking control means that, if the loan status indicates that the object has not been loaned, unlocks the door of the storage unit in which the object to be loaned to the user is stored in a locker device having multiple storage units.

[0010] A locker device according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a plurality of storage units capable of storing objects to be loaned, a user authentication device for performing user authentication, and a locking / unlocking control device for controlling the locking and unlocking of the doors of the storage units.The locking / unlocking control device comprises a usage status confirmation unit that confirms the loan status indicating the loan status of the object to a user who wishes to receive the loan of the object based on user information obtained by the user authentication, and a locking / unlocking control unit that, if the loan status indicates that the object has not yet been loaned, unlocks the door of one of the plurality of storage units in which the object to be loaned to the user is stored. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, overlapping loans can be avoided. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a locker management system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of a locker device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the user authentication device according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a locking / unlocking control device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 5] 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing flow in the locker management system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing flow in a locker management system according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0014] <<1. First Embodiment>> The first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0015] <1-1. Locker management system configuration> The configuration of a locker management system according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a locker management system according to the first embodiment.

[0016] The locker management system 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a system for managing the lending of objects to users and their return by users using a locker device. The locker management system 1 is used in a location where objects need to be lent to users. The location is, for example, a manufacturing site such as a factory. At the manufacturing site, for example, equipment (an example of an object) required for work is lent to a worker (an example of a user). After completing the work, the worker needs to return the lent equipment. The lent equipment is, for example, an electronic device that requires charging, such as a tag for positioning, a reading device such as a barcode reader or an RFID reader, a handheld terminal, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a wearable terminal. The tag for positioning is used to determine the positions of workers and various devices. The communication method of the tag is not particularly limited. In the following, the first embodiment will be described by taking as an example an object that is a tag that emits radio waves for positioning according to the UWB (Ultra Wide Band) communication standard (hereinafter also referred to as a "UWB tag").

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, the locker management system 1 includes a locker device 10 and a data management server 20. The network NW may be configured to transmit and receive information using, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), a telephone network (such as a mobile phone network or a fixed telephone network), a regional IP (Internet Protocol) network, or the Internet.

[0018] (1) Locker device 10 The locker device 10 is a device used for lending objects to users and for returning objects from users. The locker device 10 is communicably connected to a data management server 20 via a network NW. As shown in FIG. 1, the locker device 10 includes a storage unit 11, an input device 12, an output device 13, a user authentication device 14, and a locking / unlocking control device 15.

[0019] (1-1) Storage section 11 Storage unit 11 is a space capable of storing an object. As shown in FIG. 1, locker device 10 is provided with a plurality of storage units 11-1 to 11-N (N is a natural number). Storage unit 11 is provided with a door that can be opened and closed, and a lock that can control the locking and unlocking of the door. The lock may be either an electronic lock or an electric lock, as long as the locking and unlocking can be electrically controlled.

[0020] A detection device for detecting an object is provided inside the storage unit 11. The detection device can detect the storage of an object in the storage unit 11 and the removal of an object from the storage unit 11. The detection device is, for example, a reading device conforming to the tag communication standard. Note that in the first embodiment, the object is a UWB tag, but RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) may be used for detection in consideration of radio wave strength and reading accuracy. Furthermore, the detection device is not limited to a reading device, and detection may be performed by image recognition using a camera, for example.

[0021] Furthermore, a device according to the object may be provided inside the storage unit 11. For example, if the object is an electronic device that needs to be charged as in the first embodiment, the storage unit 11 is provided with a charging device.

[0022] (1-2) Input device 12 The input device 12 is a device that accepts various inputs. A user operates the input device 12 to input operations for receiving and returning an object. The input device 12 is, for example, a button, a touch panel, a microphone, or the like.

[0023] (1-3) Output device 13 The output device 13 is a device that performs various outputs. A user can check the response results to the input, etc., through the output from the output device 13. The output device 13 is, for example, a display device such as a display device or a touch screen (touch panel), or an audio output device such as a speaker.

[0024] (1-4) User authentication device 14 The user authentication device 14 is a device that performs user authentication. The user authentication device 14 is, for example, a PC (Personal Computer) or a tablet terminal. The user authentication device 14 is communicably connected to the data management server 20 via the network NW. The user authentication device 14 performs user authentication using data managed by the data management server 20. The user authentication device 14 is also communicably connected to the locking / unlocking control device 15 inside the locker device 10, and transmits the result of the user authentication.

[0025] (1-5) Locking / unlocking control device 15 The locking / unlocking control device 15 is a device that controls the locking and unlocking of the door of the storage unit 11. The locking / unlocking control device 15 is, for example, a PC. The locking / unlocking control device 15 is connected to the storage unit 11 inside the locker device 10 so as to be able to control the locking and unlocking of the lock. The locking / unlocking control device 15 is also connected to the user authentication device 14 inside the locker device 10 so as to be able to communicate with it, and receives the result of user authentication. The locking / unlocking control device 15 is also connected to the data management server 20 via the network NW so as to be able to communicate with it. The locking / unlocking control device 15 controls the locking and unlocking of the door of the storage unit 11 using data managed by the data management server 20.

[0026] (2) Data management server 20 The data management server 20 is a device that manages data used in the locker management system 1. The data management server 20 is configured by one or more server devices (e.g., cloud servers). The data management server 20 is communicably connected to the user authentication device 14 and the locking / unlocking control device 15 via the network NW. The data management server 20 manages data such as user information, storage status information, and usage status information.

[0027] User information is information about a user that is registered in advance, and includes, for example, identification information that can uniquely identify a user, such as a user ID, personal information, and biometric information required for user authentication.

[0028] The storage status information is information that indicates the storage status of an object in the storage unit 11 of the locker device 10. The storage status information is information that indicates, for each storage unit 11, whether or not the object is being stored (stored), information that indicates the stored object (for example, object ID), storage time (storage start time), storage status, etc. If the object is an electronic device that needs to be charged, the storage time is also the charging time (charging start time) of the stored electronic device. Therefore, the locker management system 1 can determine in which storage unit 11 the object stored can be loaned or not, based on the storage time indicated by the storage status information. If the object is an electronic device that needs to be charged, the locker management system 1 can determine, based on the charging time indicated by the storage status information, that an electronic device that has reached the estimated amount of charge can be loaned, and that an electronic device that has not reached the estimated amount of charge cannot be loaned. The estimated amount is, for example, the amount of charge required for the work, and does not necessarily have to be fully charged. The storage status is the status of the object stored in the storage unit 11 of the locker device 10. The storage status may be, for example, available for loan or unavailable for loan.

[0029] The usage status information is information that indicates the usage status of the user of the locker device 10. The usage status information includes, for each user, information indicating whether or not there is an object being loaned, information indicating the object being loaned (e.g., object ID), information indicating the storage unit 11 in which the object being loaned was stored (e.g., storage unit ID), loan time, return time, loan status, etc. The loan status is the status of the user who uses the locker device 10. The loan status is, for example, not loaned or loaned.

[0030] <1-2. Appearance of the locker device> The configuration of the locker management system 1 according to the first embodiment has been described above. Next, the external appearance of the locker device 10 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the external appearance of the locker device 10 according to the first embodiment.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 2, the locker device 10 is divided into, for example, a locker section 10-1 and a processing device section 10-2. The locker unit 10-1 has nine storage units 11-1 to 11-9 as the multiple storage units 11. Each of the storage units 11-1 to 11-9 has a door that can be opened and closed, and a lock that can control the locking and unlocking of the door. Also, a reading device and a charging device are provided inside the storage units 11-1 to 11-9. The processing device unit 10-2 includes an input device 12, an output device 13, a user authentication device 14, and a locking / unlocking control device 15. The input device 12 and the output device 13 are, for example, a touch screen that integrates a touch panel and a display. The user authentication device 14 is provided so that it can be operated by a user and so that it can acquire the user's biometric information. The locking / unlocking control device 15 is built into the processing device unit 10-2. The locking / unlocking control device 15 may also be provided so that it can be operated by an administrator or the like.

[0032] <1-3. Functional configuration of the user authentication device> The appearance of the locker device 10 according to the first embodiment has been described above. Next, the functional configuration of the user authentication device 14 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the user authentication device 14 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the user authentication device 14 includes an input unit 141, a communication unit 142, a biometric information acquisition unit 143, a storage unit 144, a control unit 145, and an output unit 146.

[0033] (1) Input unit 141 The input unit 141 has a function of accepting input from a user. The function of the input unit 141 is realized by, for example, a button, a touch panel, a microphone, etc. that the user authentication device 14 includes.

[0034] (2) Communications Department 142 The communication unit 142 has the function of transmitting and receiving various information. The communication unit 142 is communicably connected to the data management server 20 via the network NW, and receives, for example, user information of a user identified by user authentication. The communication unit 142 is also communicably connected to the locking / unlocking control device 15 inside the locker device 10, and transmits the result of the user authentication (user information).

[0035] (3) Biometric information acquisition unit 143 The biometric information acquisition unit 143 has a function of acquiring biometric information of a user. The function of the biometric information acquisition unit 143 is realized, for example, by an imaging device (camera) built into the user authentication device 14. The biometric information acquisition unit 143 captures a facial image of the user with the imaging device in response to a user's operation via the input unit 141. Then, the biometric information acquisition unit 143 acquires the facial image of the user captured by the imaging device as biometric information. In this way, the biometric information acquisition unit 143 acquires biometric information of a user who is about to receive or return an object.

[0036] (4) Storage section 144 The storage unit 144 has a function of storing various types of information. The storage unit 144 is configured by a storage medium provided as hardware in the user authentication device 14, such as a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), a flash memory, an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a random access read / write memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), or any combination of these storage media. The storage unit 144 stores the user information received by the communication unit 142, the result of user authentication by the user authentication unit 1451 (described later), and the like.

[0037] (5) Control unit 145 The control unit 145 has a function of controlling the overall operation of the user authentication device 14. The control unit 145 is realized, for example, by causing a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) provided as hardware in the user authentication device 14 to execute a program. As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 145 includes a user authentication unit 1451 .

[0038] (5-1) User authentication unit 1451 The user authentication unit 1451 has a function of performing user authentication. The user authentication unit 1451 compares the biometric information acquired by the biometric information acquisition unit 143 with the biometric information included in the user information managed by the data management server 20. In this way, the user authentication unit 1451 identifies the user who is about to receive the object or the user who is about to return the object. The user authentication unit 1451 acquires the user information of the identified user from the data management server 20 and transmits it to the locking / unlocking control device 15 via the communication unit 142.

[0039] (6) Output unit 146 The output unit 146 has a function of outputting various information. The output unit 146 is configured by an output device provided as hardware in the user authentication device 14, for example, a display device such as a display device or a touch screen (touch panel), or an audio output device such as a speaker.

[0040] <1-4. Functional configuration of the locking / unlocking control device> The functional configuration of the user authentication device 14 according to the first embodiment has been described above. Next, the functional configuration of the locking / unlocking control device 15 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the locking / unlocking control device 15 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the locking / unlocking control device 15 includes a communication unit 151, a storage unit 152, and a control unit 153.

[0041] (1) Communications Department 151 The communication unit 151 has the function of transmitting and receiving various information. The communication unit 151 is communicably connected to the user authentication device 14 inside the locker device 10, and receives the result of user authentication (user information). The communication unit 151 is also communicably connected to the data management server 20 via the network NW, and receives storage status information, usage status information, etc.

[0042] (2) Storage section 152 The storage unit 152 has a function of storing various information. The storage unit 152 is configured by a storage medium provided in the locking / unlocking control device 15 as hardware, such as an HDD, SSD, flash memory, EEPROM, RAM, ROM, or any combination of these storage media. The storage unit 152 stores the user information, storage status information, usage status information, and the like received by the communication unit 151 .

[0043] (3) Control Unit 153 The control unit 153 has a function of controlling the overall operation of the locking / unlocking control device 15. The control unit 153 is realized, for example, by causing a CPU or a GPU provided as hardware in the locking / unlocking control device 15 to execute a program. As shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 153 includes an acquisition unit 1531, a storage status confirmation unit 1532, a usage status confirmation unit 1533, a locking / unlocking control unit 1534, an output control unit 1535, and a return notification unit 1536.

[0044] (3-1) Acquisition part 1531 The acquisition unit 1531 has a function of acquiring various types of information. The acquisition unit 1531 acquires user information that the communication unit 151 receives from the user authentication device 14. The acquisition unit 1531 also acquires storage status information, usage status information, and the like from the data management server 20 via the communication unit 151. When acquiring data from the data management server 20, the acquisition unit 1531 may also acquire various types of information corresponding to the user information transmitted and acquired from the user authentication device 14.

[0045] (3-2) Storage Status Verification Unit 1532 The storage status confirmation unit 1532 has a function of confirming the storage status. The storage status confirmation unit 1532 confirms the storage status of the object in the storage unit 11 based on the storage status information acquired by the acquisition unit 1531. The storage status confirmation unit 1532 determines whether or not there is an object that can be lent based on the confirmation result of the storage status. In the first embodiment, the storage status confirmed by the storage status confirmation unit 1532 is the charging time of the object. If the charging time has exceeded a predetermined time, the storage status confirmation unit 1532 determines that the object can be lent. On the other hand, if the charging time has not exceeded the predetermined time, the storage status confirmation unit 1532 determines that the object cannot be lent. The predetermined time is, for example, the charging time required for the charging to reach an expected amount.

[0046] In addition, if a storage status is registered in the storage status information acquired by the acquisition unit 1531, the storage status confirmation unit 1532 may determine whether or not there is an item available for loan depending on whether the storage status indicates that it is available for loan or not.

[0047] (3-3) Usage status confirmation unit 1533 The usage status confirmation unit 1533 has a function of confirming the usage status. The usage status confirmation unit 1533 confirms the usage status of a user who is about to receive a loan of an object or a user who is about to return an object. In this confirmation, the usage status confirmation unit 1533 confirms the loan status indicating the loan status of the object to the user, based on user information obtained by user authentication. Based on the results of the confirmation of the loan status, the usage status confirmation unit 1533 determines whether to execute processing for loan or processing for return.

[0048] First, the usage status confirmation unit 1533 refers to the user information acquired by the acquisition unit 1531 after user authentication by the user authentication device 14. Next, the usage status confirmation unit 1533 causes the acquisition unit 1531 to acquire the usage status information of the user indicated by the user information from the data management server 20. Then, the usage status confirmation unit 1533 confirms the loan status included in the usage status information acquired by the acquisition unit 1531. If the loan status is "not loaned," the usage status confirmation unit 1533 determines to execute processing for loaning. On the other hand, if the loan status is "loaned," the usage status confirmation unit 1533 determines to execute processing for returning.

[0049] (3-4) Locking / Unlocking Control Unit 1534 The locking / unlocking control unit 1534 has a function of controlling the locking / unlocking of the door of the storage unit 11 provided in the locker device 10. The locking / unlocking control unit 1534 determines whether to lock or unlock the door based on the result of the usage status confirmation by the usage status confirmation unit 1533.

[0050] It is assumed that the usage status confirmation unit 1533 determines to execute processing for lending by showing that the lending status is not yet lent when checking the usage status. In this case, the locking / unlocking control unit 1534 unlocks the door of the storage unit 11 in which the object to be lent to the user is stored in the locker device 10 having multiple storage units 11. After unlocking, if the object is removed from the storage unit 11, the locking / unlocking control unit 1534 updates the loan status from not loaned to loaned.

[0051] On the other hand, if the loan status indicates that the item is being loaned and it is determined that the process for returning the item should be executed, the locking / unlocking control unit 1534 locks the door of the storage unit 11 to which the user has returned the item in the locker device 10 that has multiple storage units 11. After locking, the locking / unlocking control unit 1534 updates the loan status from loaned to not loaned.

[0052] When the locking / unlocking control unit 1534 confirms that the storage time of the object in the storage unit 11 has passed a predetermined time as the storage status, it unlocks the door of the storage unit 11 in which the object is stored. That is, the storage units 11 that the locking / unlocking control unit 1534 targets for unlocking are only storage units 11 in which objects that are determined by the storage status confirmation unit 1532 to be available for loan are stored.

[0053] (3-5) Output control unit 1535 The output control unit 1535 has a function of controlling the output of various information. The output control unit 1535 displays information related to the storage status, locking / unlocking, etc. on the output device 13 of the locker device 10. For example, if the storage status confirmation unit 1532 determines that there is no object available for loan in checking the storage status, the output control unit 1535 displays information indicating that the object cannot be loaned (hereinafter also referred to as "unavailable loan information") on the output device 13. Note that if the user attempts to obtain a loan despite the unavailability of loan information being displayed, the output control unit 1535 may emphasize the displayed unavailability of loan information by, for example, blinking it. The output control unit 1535 may also display the remaining time until the object can be loaned on the output device 13.

[0054] Furthermore, when a user receives a loan of an object, the output control unit 1535 displays information (hereinafter also referred to as "loan information") indicating the location of the storage unit 11 in which the object to be loaned is stored (i.e., the storage unit 11 to be unlocked) on the output device 13. For example, the output control unit 1535 displays a message such as "Please take the UWB tag out of the unlocked locker" on the output device 13. On the other hand, when the user returns the object, the output control unit 1535 causes the output device 13 to display information (hereinafter also referred to as "return information") indicating the location of the storage unit 11 that stores the object to be returned (i.e., the storage unit 11 to be locked). For example, the output control unit 1535 causes the output device 13 to display a message such as "Please return the UWB tag to an empty locker, plug in the charging cord, and close the door." Note that the output control unit 1535 may specify a locker to return the object to from among the group of empty lockers in the message.

[0055] In addition, if each storage unit 11 is provided with an illuminant such as an LED (Light-Emitting Diode), the output control unit 1535 may indicate the storage unit 11 to be unlocked or locked by lighting or blinking the illuminant.

[0056] (3-6) Return notification section 1536 The return notification unit 1536 has a function of performing processing related to return notifications. If an object loaned to a user is not returned within a predetermined time (i.e., the return deadline has passed), the return notification unit 1536 issues a notification urging the user to return the object. For example, the return notification unit 1536 notifies the administrator that there is an object that has not been returned. The administrator who receives the notification urges the user to return the object by phone, email, or the like. The return notification unit 1536 may also directly notify the user that there is an object that has not been returned. In this case, the return notification unit 1536 urges the user to return the object by, for example, sending an email to the user or vibrating the object held by the user.

[0057] <1-5. Processing flow> The functional configuration of the locking / unlocking control device 15 according to the first embodiment has been described above. Next, the processing flow in the locker management system 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow in the locker management system 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0058] 5, first, the locker management system 1 checks the storage status of the object in the locker device 10 (step S101). The acquisition unit 1531 of the locking / unlocking control device 15 acquires storage status information from the data management server 20 via the communication unit 151. The storage status confirmation unit 1532 checks the storage status of the object in each of the multiple storage units 11 based on the storage status information acquired by the acquisition unit 1531.

[0059] Next, the locker management system 1 checks whether there are any objects that can be lent (step S102). If the storage status confirmation unit 1532 determines that there are no objects that can be lent (objects that cannot be lent) (step S102 / NO), the process proceeds to step S103. On the other hand, if the storage status confirmation unit 1532 determines that there are any objects that can be lent (objects that can be lent) (step S102 / YES), the process proceeds to step S104.

[0060] If the process proceeds to step S103, the locker management system 1 displays the loan denial information (step S103). The output control unit 1535 of the locking / unlocking control device 15 causes the loan denial information to be displayed on the output device 13. After displaying, the process proceeds to step S104. When the process proceeds to step S104, the locker management system 1 goes into a standby state (step S104).

[0061] When the user's operation is accepted (step S105), the standby state of the locker management system 1 is released, and the process proceeds to step S106. If the process proceeds to step S106, the locker management system 1 checks whether or not the non-lendable information is being displayed (step S106). If the non-lendable information is not being displayed (step S106 / NO), the process proceeds to step S107. On the other hand, if the non-lendable information is being displayed (step S106 / YES), the process proceeds to step S112 (connector A).

[0062] If the process proceeds to step S107, the locker management system 1 performs user authentication processing (step S107). In the user authentication processing, first, the biometric information acquisition unit 143 of the user authentication device 14 acquires the user's biometric information. Next, the user authentication unit 1451 compares the biometric information acquired by the biometric information acquisition unit 143 with the biometric information included in the user information managed by the data management server 20 to identify the user. After identification, the user authentication unit 1451 acquires the user information of the identified user from the data management server 20 and transmits it to the locking / unlocking control device 15 via the communication unit 142.

[0063] Next, the locker management system 1 checks the usage status (step S108). In checking the usage status, the usage status checking unit 1533 of the locking / unlocking control device 15 first refers to the user information acquired based on user authentication by the user authentication device 14. Next, the usage status checking unit 1533 causes the acquisition unit 1531 to acquire the usage status information of the user indicated by the user information from the data management server 20. Then, the usage status checking unit 1533 checks the loan status included in the usage status information acquired by the acquisition unit 1531.

[0064] If the loan status is not yet loaned (step S109 / not loaned), the usage status confirmation unit 1533 determines that processing for loaning should be executed. Therefore, the processing proceeds to step S110. On the other hand, if the loan status is currently loaned (step S109 / currently loaned), the usage status confirmation unit 1533 determines that processing for return should be executed. Therefore, the processing proceeds to step S113.

[0065] If the process proceeds to step S110, the locker management system 1 checks whether or not there is an object that can be lent (step S110). If the storage status confirmation unit 1532 determines that there is an object that can be lent (that can be lent) (step S110 / YES), the process proceeds to step S111. On the other hand, if the storage status confirmation unit 1532 determines that there is no object that can be lent (that cannot be lent) (step S110 / NO), the process proceeds to step S112.

[0066] If the process proceeds to step S111, the locker management system 1 performs an unlocking process (step S111). The locking / unlocking control unit 1534 of the locking / unlocking control device 15 unlocks the door of the storage unit 11 in which the object to be loaned to the user is stored among the objects that can be loaned. At this time, the output control unit 1535 displays the loan information on the output device 13. After unlocking, if it is confirmed that the object in the storage unit 11 has been removed, the locking / unlocking control unit 1534 updates the loan status from not loaned to loaned. Whether the object has been removed can be confirmed, for example, based on the detection result of a detection device provided inside the storage unit 11. After updating the loan status, the process returns to step S101.

[0067] If the process proceeds to step S112, the locker management system 1 emphasizes the non-lendable information (step S112). The output control unit 1535 of the locking / unlocking control device 15 emphasizes the non-lendable information displayed on the output device 13 by flashing or the like. After highlighting the non-rental information, the process returns to step S101.

[0068] If the process proceeds to step S113, the locker management system 1 performs a locking process (step S113). The output control unit 1535 displays the return information on the output device 13. After the display, if it is confirmed that the object has been stored in the storage unit 11, the locking / unlocking control unit 1534 locks the door of the storage unit 11 to which the user has returned the object, and updates the loan status from loaned to not loaned. Whether the object has been stored can be confirmed, for example, based on the detection result of a detection device provided inside the storage unit 11. After updating the loan status, the process returns to step S101.

[0069] The processing flow according to the first embodiment has been described above. As described above, the locking / unlocking control device 15 of the first embodiment includes a usage status confirmation unit 1533 that confirms the loan status indicating the loan status of the object to the user who wishes to receive the loan of the object based on user information obtained by user authentication, and a locking / unlocking control unit 1534 that, if the loan status indicates that the object has not been loaned, unlocks the door of the storage unit 11 in which the object to be loaned to the user is stored in a locker device 10 that has multiple storage units 11.

[0070] With this configuration, when a locker is used to lend an item with the intention of returning it, the locking / unlocking control device 15 can confirm the lending status by performing user authentication on the user who is attempting to receive the item, and can control the locking / unlocking of the locker device according to the lending status. Therefore, the locker management system 1 according to the first embodiment makes it possible to avoid overlapping loans. Furthermore, the locker management system 1 according to the first embodiment can automate the loan and return of equipment, etc., and can realize various digitalization and efficiency improvements, as well as operations that are not affected by the coronavirus infection.

[0071] <<2. Second Embodiment>> The first embodiment has been described above. Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 6. In the first embodiment described above, an example in which the locker device 10 is used to manage the lending of objects to users and the return of the loaned objects from users is described, but the present invention is not limited to this example. In the second embodiment, an example in which a user can deposit their belongings in a storage unit 11 that becomes vacant due to the lending of objects will be described. Note that descriptions that overlap with those in the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate.

[0072] The second embodiment will be described below with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing in the locker management system 1 according to the second embodiment.

[0073] 6, first, the locker management system 1 checks the storage status of the object in the locker device 10 (step S201). The locker management system 1 checks the storage status of the object in each of the multiple storage units 11 in the same manner as step S101 in the first embodiment.

[0074] Next, the locker management system 1 checks whether there is an empty storage unit 11 (step S202). An empty storage unit 11 is a storage unit 11 that is empty because an object has been loaned to a user. The storage status confirmation unit 1532 checks whether an object is being stored (contained) in each storage unit 11 based on the storage status information. Through this check, the storage status confirmation unit 1532 determines that a storage unit 11 in which no object is being stored is an empty storage unit 11. If there is no empty storage section 11 (step S202 / NO), the process proceeds to step S203. On the other hand, if there is an empty storage section 11 (step S202 / YES), the process proceeds to step S204.

[0075] If the process proceeds to step S203, the locker management system 1 displays the deposit-prohibited information (step S203). The deposit-prohibited information is information indicating that the possession cannot be deposited. The output control unit 1535 of the locking / unlocking control device 15 causes the output device 13 to display the deposit-prohibited information. After displaying, the process proceeds to step S204. When the process proceeds to step S204, the locker management system 1 goes into a standby state (step S204).

[0076] When the user's operation is accepted (step S205), the standby state of the locker management system 1 is released, and the process proceeds to step S206. If the process proceeds to step S206, the locker management system 1 checks whether the non-deposit information is being displayed (step S206). If the non-deposit information is not being displayed (step S206 / NO), the process proceeds to step S207. On the other hand, if the non-deposit information is being displayed (step S206 / YES), the process proceeds to step S212 (connector B). The processing from step S207 to step S208 is the same as step S107 to step S108 in the first embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted. However, in the usage status confirmation in step S208, the status confirmed by the usage status confirmation unit 1533 is the deposit status, not the loan status. The deposit status is one of the statuses of the user using the locker device 10, and, like the loan status, is included in the usage status information. The deposit status is, for example, not deposited or being deposited. For a user who is attempting to deposit belongings in an available storage unit 11 or a user who is attempting to remove belongings from an available storage unit 11, the usage status confirmation unit 1533 confirms the deposit status, which indicates the user's deposit status in the available storage unit 11, based on the user information obtained by user authentication.

[0077] If the deposit status is not yet deposited (step S209 / not yet deposited), the usage status confirmation unit 1533 determines to execute processing for depositing. Therefore, the process proceeds to step S210. On the other hand, if the deposit status is being deposited (step S209 / being deposited), the usage status confirmation unit 1533 determines to execute processing for withdrawal. Therefore, the process proceeds to step S213.

[0078] If the process proceeds to step S210, the locker management system 1 checks whether or not there is an empty storage unit 11 (step S210). If there is an empty storage unit 11 (step S210 / YES), the process proceeds to step S211. On the other hand, if there is no empty storage unit 11 (step S210 / NO), the process proceeds to step S212.

[0079] If the process proceeds to step S211, the locker management system 1 performs a locking process (step S211). The output control unit 1535 displays the deposit information on the output device 13. The deposit information is information indicating the location of the storage unit 11 that stores the property to be deposited (i.e., the storage unit 11 to be locked). After the display, if it is confirmed that the property of the user who was loaned the object has been stored in an empty storage unit 11, the locking / unlocking control unit 1534 locks the door of the storage unit 11 where the user has deposited the property, and updates the deposit status from not deposited to being deposited. After updating the deposit status, the process returns to step S201.

[0080] If the process proceeds to step S212, the locker management system 1 emphasizes the deposit-prohibited information (step S212). The output control unit 1535 of the locking / unlocking control device 15 emphasizes the display of the deposit-prohibited information displayed on the output device 13 by flashing or the like. After highlighting the non-deposit information, the process returns to step S201.

[0081] If the process proceeds to step S213, the locker management system 1 performs an unlocking process (step S213). The locking / unlocking control unit 1534 of the locking / unlocking control device 15 unlocks the door of the storage unit 11 in which the user's belongings are stored. That is, if the deposit status indicates that the locking / unlocking control unit 1534 is being deposited, the locking / unlocking control unit 1534 unlocks the door of the storage unit 11 in which the belongings are deposited. At this time, the output control unit 1535 displays removal information on the output device 13. The removal information is information that indicates the location of the storage unit 11 in which the belongings to be removed are stored. After unlocking, if it is confirmed that the belongings in the storage unit 11 have been removed, the locking / unlocking control unit 1534 updates the deposit status from being deposited to not deposited. After updating the deposit status, the process returns to step S201.

[0082] The processing flow according to the second embodiment has been described above.

[0083] <<3. Modifications>> Each embodiment has been described above. Next, modified examples of each of the above-described embodiments will be described. Note that the modified examples described below may be applied to each embodiment alone or in combination with each other. Furthermore, the modified examples may be applied in place of the configurations described in the embodiments, or may be applied in addition to the configurations described in the embodiments.

[0084] In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the object is an electronic device that requires charging and the storage time is the charging time, but the present invention is not limited to such an example. For example, the object may be an object that requires sterilization. In this case, the storage time is the sterilization time for the object. Objects that require sterilization include, for example, tools at a barber shop or tools that can be rented at a rental store (such as rental shoes at a ski resort or bowling alley). As a result, if an object that is used repeatedly requires UV (ultraviolet) sterilization or the like, hygienic safety can be ensured by not unlocking it until a predetermined time has passed since the last use. The object may also be an object that requires curing. In this case, the storage time is the curing time of the object. The object that requires curing is, for example, glue or UV-curable resin. In the case of glue, the curing time is also called aging time. In the case of UV-curable resin, the curing time is also called UV-curing time. The object may also be an object that needs to be dried. In this case, the storage time is the drying time of the object. The object that needs to be dried is, for example, an object that is subject to a drying service, such as a wet object. A drying service may include, for example, storing ski boots and drying umbrellas at a ski resort.

[0085] In the above-described embodiment, the biometric information is a facial image, but the present invention is not limited to this example. The biometric information may be, for example, information on the iris, fingerprint, palm print, veins, or voice. In this case, the user authentication device 14 includes a biometric sensor corresponding to the biometric information to be used as the biometric information acquisition unit 143.

[0086] In the above-described embodiment, an example in which authentication based on biometric information is performed in user authentication has been described, but the present invention is not limited to such an example. For example, user authentication may be performed based on information read from the user's employee ID card.

[0087] In the above-described embodiment, the loan time and return time included in the usage status information may be applied to user attendance management. For example, at a manufacturing site such as a factory, necessary electronic devices are loaned after the worker arrives at work and before starting work, and are returned after the work is completed and before leaving work. Therefore, worker attendance management can be performed based on the loan time and return time.

[0088] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the locking / unlocking control device 15 and the data management server 20 are independent, but this is not limiting. For example, the locking / unlocking control device 15 may have the functions of the data management server 20. In this case, the locker management system 1 does not require the network NW and the data management server 20, and the locker device 10 performs processing using its own functions without communicating with a server. On the other hand, the functions of the locking / unlocking control device 15 and the functions of the data management server 20 may be realized by a single server device that has both functions. In this case, in the locker management system 1, the locker device 10 that does not have the locking / unlocking control device 15 and the server device that has the functions of the locking / unlocking control device 15 and the data management server 20 perform processing by communicating with each other via the network NW.

[0089] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, lending an object to a user is expressed as "lending," but "lending" may be replaced with "lending out."

[0090] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the locking / unlocking control device 15 controls the locking / unlocking of the locker device according to the user's loan status, thereby avoiding overlapping loans, but the present invention is not limited to such an example. The locking / unlocking control device 15 may exceptionally permit overlapping loans. In this case, when controlling locking / unlocking, the locking / unlocking control device 15 checks not only the user's loan status but also, for example, a setting indicating whether the user is permitted to overlapping loans (hereinafter also referred to as "loan overlap permission setting"). Even if the user's loan status is "on loan," if overlapping loans are permitted by the loan overlap permission setting, the locking / unlocking control device 15 unlocks the door of the storage unit 11 provided in the locker device 10. In addition, the overlapping loan permission setting may allow overlapping loans of the same type of device (for example, loaning two handheld terminals together), or overlapping loans of different types of device (for example, loaning a handheld terminal and a smartphone).

[0091] The above describes the modified examples. Note that some or all of the locker management system 1, locker device 10, data management server 20, user authentication device 14, and locking / unlocking control device 15 in the above-described embodiment may be implemented by a computer. In this case, a program for implementing this function may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on this recording medium may be read into and executed by a computer system. Note that the term "computer system" here includes hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices. Additionally, "computer-readable recording media" refers to portable media such as flexible disks, optical magnetic disks, ROMs, CD-ROMs, etc., and storage devices such as hard disks built into computer systems. Furthermore, "computer-readable recording media" may also include devices that dynamically store programs for a short period of time, such as communication lines when transmitting programs via networks such as the Internet or communication lines such as telephone lines, and devices that store programs for a certain period of time, such as volatile memory within computer systems that serve as servers or clients in such cases. Furthermore, the above program may be one that realizes part of the above-mentioned functions, or may be one that can realize the above-mentioned functions in combination with a program already recorded in a computer system, or may be one that is realized using a programmable logic device such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

[0092] The embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, but the specific configuration is not limited to that described above, and various design changes can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0093] 1...Locker management system, 10...Locker device, 10-1...Locker section, 10-2...Processing device section, 11 (11-1 to 11-N)...Storage section, 12...Input device, 13...Output device, 14...User authentication device, 15...Locking / unlocking control device, 20...Data management server, 141...Input section, 142...Communication section, 143...Biometric information acquisition section, 144...Memory section, 145...Control section, 146...Output section, 151...Communication section, 152...Memory section, 153...Control section, 1451...User authentication section, 1531...Acquisition section, 1532...Storage status confirmation section, 1533...Usage status confirmation section, 1534...Locking / unlocking control section, 1535...Output control section, 1536...Return notification section, NW...Network

Claims

1. a usage status confirmation unit that confirms a loan status indicating a loan status of the object to a user who wishes to receive the object based on user information obtained by user authentication; a locking / unlocking control unit that unlocks a door of the storage unit in which the object to be loaned to the user is stored when the loan status indicates that the object is not yet loaned, in a locker device having a plurality of storage units; A locking / unlocking control device equipped with:

2. a storage status confirmation unit that confirms the storage status of the object in the storage unit; Furthermore, When it is confirmed that the storage time of the object in the storage unit has exceeded a predetermined time as the storage status, the locking / unlocking control unit unlocks the door of the storage unit in which the object is stored. The locking / unlocking control device according to claim 1.

3. The storage time is a charging time of the object. The locking / unlocking control device according to claim 2.

4. The storage time is the sterilization time of the object; The locking / unlocking control device according to claim 2.

5. The storage time is the hardening time of the object. The locking / unlocking control device according to claim 2.

6. The storage time is the drying time of the object. The locking / unlocking control device according to claim 2.

7. the locking / unlocking control unit locks the door of the storage unit when the user who received the loaned object deposits a possession of the user in the storage unit that has become vacant due to the loan of the object; The locking / unlocking control device according to claim 1.

8. the usage status confirmation unit confirms a deposit status indicating a deposit status of the user in the storage unit, based on the user information obtained by the user authentication, for the user attempting to remove the property from the storage unit; the locking / unlocking control unit unlocks the door of the storage unit in which the property is deposited when the deposit status indicates that the property is being deposited; The locking / unlocking control device according to claim 7.

9. a return notification unit that notifies the user to return the object when the object loaned to the user is not returned within a predetermined time; The locking / unlocking control device according to claim 1 , further comprising:

10. a usage status confirmation process for confirming a loan status indicating the loan status of the object to a user who wishes to receive the object based on user information obtained by user authentication; a locking / unlocking control process for unlocking a door of the storage unit in which the object to be loaned to the user is stored in a locker device having a plurality of storage units when the loan status indicates that the object is not yet loaned; A locking / unlocking control method executed by a computer, comprising:

11. Computer, a usage status confirmation means for confirming a loan status indicating a loan status of the object to a user who wishes to receive the object based on user information obtained by user authentication; When the loan status indicates that the item is not yet loaned, a locking / unlocking control means is provided for unlocking a door of the storage unit in which the item to be loaned to the user is stored in a locker device having a plurality of storage units. A program to function as a

12. a plurality of storage units capable of storing objects to be loaned; a user authentication device for performing user authentication; a locking / unlocking control device that controls locking / unlocking of the door of the storage unit; Equipped with The locking / unlocking control device is a usage status confirmation unit that confirms a loan status indicating a loan status of the object to a user who wishes to receive the object based on user information obtained by the user authentication; a locking / unlocking control unit that unlocks a door of the storage unit in which the object to be loaned to the user is stored among the plurality of storage units when the loan status indicates that the object is not yet loaned; A rocker device comprising:

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