Important item management apparatus

Abstract

To provide an important object management device capable of suppressing occurrence of damage.SOLUTION: This device is provided with a device body 21, a moving member 75 movable to the device body 21, a lock mechanism 88 for locking the moving member 75 to the device body 21 so as not to move, an external force detecting means 123 for detecting the external force applied to the moving member 75 in the locked state to the device body 21, and a control part for locking and unlocking the lock mechanism 88, and the control part detects and informs the occurrence of the abnormal state of the moving member 75 by the detection signal of the external force detecting means 123.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a valuable item management device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there have been valuable item management devices for managing valuable items. One example of such a valuable item management device is one that manages various keys used in financial institutions, distribution institutions, etc. This type of valuable item management device is configured to manage a key holder connected to a key body by detachably holding the key holder on the device body (for example, see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-227010 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above-described important item management device, if excessive external force is applied to the key holder by forcibly pulling the key holder out of the device body or by connecting multiple keys to the key holder, the key holder or the device body may be damaged. Also, in the important item management device, if an attempt is made to forcibly open the opening / closing part relative to the device body, the opening / closing part or the device body may be damaged.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a valuable item management device that can suppress the occurrence of damage. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention comprises a device main body, a movable member that is movable relative to the device main body, a locking mechanism that locks the movable member so that it cannot move relative to the device main body, an external force detection means that detects an external force applied to the movable member that is locked relative to the device main body, and a control unit that locks and unlocks the locking mechanism, wherein the control unit detects and notifies of the occurrence of an abnormal state of the movable member based on a detection signal from the external force detection means. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a valuable item management device that can suppress the occurrence of damage. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of an important item management device according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is a front view showing a state in which a front cover of an important item management device according to a first embodiment of the present invention is open. [Figure 3] 1 is a perspective view showing a key and storage unit of a valuable item management device of a first embodiment according to the present invention; [Figure 4] 1 is a block diagram of a main part of an important item management device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a storage unit of a valuable item management device of a first embodiment according to the present invention. [Figure 6] 3 is a flowchart showing the control content of the important item management device of the first embodiment according to the present invention. [Figure 7] 3 is a flowchart showing the control content of the important item management device of the first embodiment according to the present invention. [Figure 8] 1 is a front view showing a state in which an error message is displayed on the operation display unit of the important item management device of the first embodiment according to the present invention. FIG. [Figure 9] 3 is a flowchart showing the control content of the important item management device of the first embodiment according to the present invention. [Figure 10]3 is a flowchart showing the control content of the important item management device of the first embodiment according to the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a front view showing a state in which an error message is displayed on the operation display unit of a modified example of the important item management device of the first embodiment according to the present invention. [Figure 12] 10 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a storage unit of a valuable item management device of a second embodiment according to the present invention. FIG. [Figure 13] 10 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a storage unit of a valuable item management device of a third embodiment according to the present invention. FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a valuable item management device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] First Embodiment A first embodiment of the important item management device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 11. In the following description, "front" refers to the front side in the front-to-back direction, i.e., the front side as seen from the user, "rear" refers to the rear side in the front-to-back direction, i.e., the back side as seen from the user, "left" refers to the left side as seen from the user, and "right" refers to the right side as seen from the user.

[0010] The important item management device 11 is used in, for example, the branches of financial institutions such as banks, and as shown in Fig. 1, has a main unit 12 and a sub-unit 13. The sub-unit 13 is disposed on the right side of the main unit 12 and is fixed to the main unit 12. The main unit 12 has a unit body 21 (device body) and a front cover 22 (movable member, opening / closing member) that opens and closes the front side of the unit body 21.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 2, the lower front portion of the unit main body 21 constitutes an opening / closing section 31 that is opened and closed by the front cover 22. The portion of the unit main body 21 above the opening / closing section 31 constitutes an upper front surface component 32 that is not opened or closed by the front cover 22 and is always exposed, and the portion to the right of the opening / closing section 31 constitutes a right front surface component 33 that is not opened or closed by the front cover 22 and is always exposed. One end of the front cover 22 is rotatably connected to the unit main body 21 via a hinge 34 provided on the left edge of the unit main body 21, and opens and closes the front of the opening / closing section 31. A handle 35 for carrying is provided on the top surface of the unit main body 21, making the important item management device 11 portable.

[0012] The unit body 21 is provided with an IC card reader 41 on the left side of the upper front face component 32, which reads data (authentication information) from the IC chip of an IC card. The unit body 21 is provided with an operation display unit 42 on the right side of the upper front face component 32, which accepts operation inputs from the user and displays information to the user. The operation display unit 42 is a touch-panel liquid crystal display, and displays the date and time, operation status, alarm information, guidance, etc. The unit body 21 is provided with an audio output unit 43 on the right side of the operation display unit 42 on the upper front face component 32, which outputs audio to the outside. The unit body 21 is provided with a magnetic card reader 45 on the right front face component 33, which reads data (authentication information) from a magnetic card.

[0013] The subunit 13 is provided with a biometric reader 51 at its top that reads the user's biometric information. In this embodiment, finger vein information (authentication information) is read as the user's biometric information. The subunit 13 is provided with a printer unit 56 at its vertically middle that prints necessary information on paper and discharges it from a paper outlet 55. The IC card and magnetic card are individually prepared for each person authorized to use the valuable item management device 11, and store a user ID (user identification information) and other information that is individual user identification information for identification and authentication from others. In the following, an example will be described in which the important item management device 11 manages the key 61, but the important item management device 11 does not have to manage the key 61.

[0014] The opening / closing section 31, which is opened and closed by the front cover 22 of the unit main body 21, is provided at its front position with a plurality of storage sections 62 for storing keys 61 shown in Fig. 3, which are items to be managed, so that they can be taken out and returned. As shown in Fig. 2, the storage sections 62 are arranged in multiple positions in the left-right direction, specifically ten positions, and these ten storage sections 62 are arranged in multiple rows, specifically three rows, in the vertical direction.

[0015] The unit main body 21 is provided with a control unit 65 shown in Figure 4 that controls the IC card reader 41, operation display unit 42, audio output unit 43, magnetic card reader 45, biometric reader 51, printer unit 56 and multiple storage units 62, and a memory unit 66 that stores various information.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 3 , the key 61 includes a key body 71 that is inserted into a locking or unlocking target to lock or unlock the target, and a key holder 72 that holds at least one key body 71. The key holder 72 includes a detachable member 75 (moving member) and a connecting member 76 that connects the key body 71 to the detachable member 75. Each detachable member 75 has a different shape from the other detachable members 75. In other words, each of the multiple key holders 72 has a different shape from the other key holders 72. The storage unit 62 detachably supports the detachable members 75 of the key holders 72 that correspond to each other. The storage unit 62 holds the detachable members 75 of the corresponding key holders 72 in a locked state so that they cannot be removed. The detachable members 75 move forward relative to the unit body 21 when removed from the unit body 21, and move backward relative to the unit body 21 when attached to the unit body 21. The detachable member 75 is movable relative to the unit body 21.

[0017] Here, the uses of key body 71 are for opening and closing the door of a conference room, for opening and closing the door of a safe installed in a financial institution, for opening and closing the door of a cash processing machine, for opening and closing the door of a cash storage cabinet inside the door of a cash processing machine, for opening and closing the door of a collection cabinet inside the door of a cash processing machine, for switching on and off the main power supply of the cash processing machine, etc. Storage unit 62 holds key holders 72, i.e., keys 61, as storage target items (in other words, managed items).

[0018] The unit body 21 is provided with an electromagnetically driven cover lock mechanism 81 (see FIG. 2) on the right end side of the opening / closing unit 31. The cover lock mechanism 81 locks an engagement portion (not shown) of the front cover 22 when the front cover 22 is in the closed state (closing the opening / closing unit 31) as shown in FIG. 1. The cover lock mechanism 81 is controlled by the control unit 65 (see FIG. 4). The unit body 21 is provided with a full-closure detection sensor 82 (see FIG. 4) that detects whether the front cover 22 is in the fully closed state by detecting a detection portion (not shown) of the front cover 22 when the front cover 22 is in the closed state (see FIG. 1). The cover lock mechanism 81 locks (engages) the front cover 22 (locked state) (unopenable state) by, for example, locking (engaging) with an engagement portion (not shown) of the front cover 22. When the control unit 65 releases the locked state of the cover lock mechanism 81, the lock of the engagement portion of the front cover 22 by the cover lock mechanism 81 is released. As a result, the front cover 22 can be opened from the unit body 21 as shown in FIG. 2.

[0019] In this embodiment, the cover lock mechanism 81 uses a spring mechanism to always keep the front cover 22 in a locked state except when the control unit 65 releases the locked state of the cover lock mechanism 81. Therefore, except when the control unit 65 releases the locked state of the cover lock mechanism 81, the cover lock mechanism 81 locks the engaging portion of the front cover 22, and as a result, the front cover 22 is locked to the unit body 21 in a closed state as shown in FIG.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 3 , each of the storage units 62 has a key holder storage unit 84 that detachably stores the detachable member 75 of the key holder 72 connected to the key main body 71. The key holder storage unit 84 has an insertion hole 85 into which the detachable member 75 of the key holder 72 is inserted and removed. The detachable member 75 is detachably attached to the key holder storage unit 84 and is locked in the attached state. Each of the storage units 62 has an attachment sensor 87 (shown in FIG. 4 ) that detects when the detachable member 75 is inserted into the insertion hole 85 to a predetermined attachment position, and an electromagnetically driven key lock mechanism 86 (lock mechanism) (shown in FIG. 5 ) that locks the detachable member 75 inserted into the insertion hole 85 to the predetermined attachment position in the key holder storage unit 84 so that it cannot be removed, and can also unlock the lock. Each insertion hole 85 is shaped so that only the detachable member 75 that corresponds to it can be inserted to the predetermined attachment position. Therefore, even if a detachable member 75 other than the one-to-one corresponding detachable member 75 is inserted into the insertion hole 85, the insertion hole 85 restricts the insertion and stops the detachable member 75 before the predetermined mounting position. In other words, only the insertion holes 85 and detachable members 75 that have a one-to-one correspondence can be inserted up to the mechanically predetermined mounting position (a position that can be locked by the key lock mechanism 86).

[0021] As shown in FIG. 3 , each of the storage units 62 has an operation button with lamp 91 integrated with an indicator lamp. The operation button with lamp 91 is positioned vertically adjacent to the insertion hole 85 of the same storage unit 62 and aligned with the insertion hole 85 in the left-right direction. The operation button with lamp 91 is an operation button that is pressed to release the lock by the key lock mechanism 86 shown in FIG. 5 that also constitutes the same storage unit 62. The operation button with lamp 91 shown in FIG. 3 guides operations by, for example, the color and lighting state of the lamp. Here, the lighting state of the lamp includes the lamp being off, on, and flashing. For example, the operation button with lamp 91 can be lit and flashing in blue, yellow, light blue, or white. The color of the lamp of the operation button with lamp 91 is not limited to the above. As a result, multiple operations can be guided by the color and lighting state of the lamp of the operation button with lamp 91. In the storage unit 62, for example, when an operation button 91 with a lamp that is lit in a specific color is pressed, the control unit 65 unlocks the key lock mechanism 86 of the storage unit 62 in which the operation button 91 with a lamp is provided, allowing the key holder 72 to be removed from the storage unit 62.

[0022] Each of the storage units 62 has a display unit 95 that displays the storage unit identification information of the storage unit 62. The display unit 95 is provided above the lamp-equipped operation button 91 and the insertion hole 85, aligning with the insertion hole 85 of the same storage unit 62 in the left-right direction. The display unit 95 may be a recess for attaching a sticker displaying the identification information of the key 61, for example. Here, instead of displaying the identification information of the key 61 on the display unit 95, the identification information may be displayed on the surface of the lamp-equipped operation button 91. As a method for displaying the identification information on the surface of the lamp-equipped operation button 91, for example, a sticker displaying the identification information may be attached to the surface of the lamp-equipped operation button 91. The identification information may be, for example, a number as shown in the figure, or may be, for example, a name. In the lamp-equipped operation button 91 of this embodiment, identification information (an identification number in the illustrated example) is displayed on the surface, and the lit and flashing portion of the lamp-equipped operation button 91 is provided in a frame shape surrounding the lamp-equipped operation button 91.

[0023] Each of the multiple storage units 62 has an attachment sensor 87 shown in Figure 4 that detects whether the detachable member 75 is present in a predetermined attachment position and detects the removal of the key holder 72, i.e., the key 61, and the return of the key holder 72, i.e., the key 61. The important item management device 11 manages the removal and return of the keys 61 as managed items based on the detection of the attachment sensor 87. That is, in one storage unit 62, when the attachment sensor 87 changes from a state in which it detects the detachable member 75 that corresponds one-to-one with this storage unit 62 to a state in which it does not detect this detachable member 75, it detects that the key 61 to be stored, including the detachable member 75 that corresponds one-to-one with this storage unit 62, has been removed from the important item management device 11. Furthermore, in this storage unit 62, when the attachment sensor 87 moves from this state to a state where it detects the detachable member 75 that corresponds one-to-one to this storage unit 62, it detects that the key 61 to be stored, including the detachable member 75 that corresponds one-to-one to this storage unit 62, has been returned to the important item management device 11.

[0024] The control unit 65 controls the retrieval of the key 61 from the storage unit 62 and the return of the key 61 to the storage unit 62. The control unit 65 also performs a retrieval process in which related information is stored in the memory unit 66 when the key 61 is retrieved from the storage unit 62, and a return process in which related information is stored in the memory unit 66 when the key 61 is returned to the storage unit 62.

[0025] As shown in Figure 5, the detachable member 75 of the key holder 72 is provided with an engagement portion 100 that protrudes downward at a position that becomes the lower part when the detachable member 75 is properly inserted into the insertion hole 85 of the key holder storage portion 84 to the attached position. An engagement groove 103 that is recessed upward and opens downward is formed in the middle position in the front-to-rear direction of the engagement portion 100. The rear end of the engagement groove 103 forms a flat rear groove surface 104 that extends vertically in the front-to-rear direction, and the front end forms a flat front groove surface 105 that also extends vertically in the front-to-rear direction.

[0026] The key lock mechanism 86 is provided below the insertion hole 85. The key lock mechanism 86 is fixed to a rotary shaft 110 extending in the left-right direction and has an L-shaped lock member 111 that is rotatable around the rotary shaft 110, and a drive unit 112 such as a rotary solenoid that rotates the lock member 111 together with the rotary shaft 110.

[0027] The locking member 111 has an extension 115 extending forward from the rotation shaft 110 and a claw 116 extending upward from the front end of the extension 115. The locking member 111 is rotatable between a locked state in which the extension 115 extends horizontally forward from the rotation shaft 110 and the claw 116 extends vertically upward from the extension 115, and an unlocked state in which the extension 115 extends downward in front from the rotation shaft 110 and the claw 116 extends upward in front from the extension 115. The upper end surface of the claw 116 forms an inclined surface 117 that slopes downward in front when in the locked state. The rear surface of the claw 116 forms an engaging surface 118 that extends vertically in the front-to-rear direction when in the locked state.

[0028] When the locking member 111 is in the locked state, the claw portion 116 engages with the engagement groove 103 of the key holder 72 in the attached position, and the locking surface 118 abuts against the groove rear surface 104, thereby restricting the key holder 72 from being removed from the insertion hole 85. This state is the locked state in which the key lock mechanism 86 locks the key holder 72 in the attached state in the key holder storage section 84 so that it cannot be removed, i.e., moved. When the locking member 111 is driven by the drive unit 112 to the unlocked state, the claw portion 116 disengages downward from the engagement groove 103 of the key holder 72 in the attached position, allowing the key holder 72 to be removed from the insertion hole 85. This state is the unlocked state of the key lock mechanism 86. The drive of the drive unit 112 is controlled by the control unit 65 to rotate the locking member 111 between the locked state and the unlocked state.

[0029] A connecting member 121 extending rearward is connected to the rotating shaft 110 that supports the locking member 111, and this connecting member 121 is connected to a fixed part 124 that fixes the position of the unit body 21 via an external force detection sensor 123 (external force detection means, pull-out force detection sensor, weight detection sensor) such as a tension load cell. The external force detection sensor 123 outputs a detection signal to the control unit 65 in accordance with the external force in the pulling direction that is generated between the rotating shaft 110 and the fixed part 124. When the locking member 111 is in a locked state, engaging with the engagement groove 103 of the detachable member 75 of the key holder 72 in the attached position and restricting the detachable member 75 from being pulled out of the insertion hole 85 of the unit body 21, if an external force F1 is applied to the detachable member 75 of the key holder 72 in the direction of pulling it out of the insertion hole 85, an external force is applied to the rotating shaft 110 via the claw portion 116 in a pulling direction away from the fixed portion 124, and the external force detection sensor 123 provided between the connecting member 121 and the fixed portion 124 outputs a detection signal corresponding to this external force to the control unit 65. In other words, the external force detection sensor 123 detects the external force F1 applied in the pulling direction to the detachable member 75 of the key holder 72 that is attached to, i.e., locked in, the key holder storage portion 84 of the unit body 21.

[0030] Next, the main operation of the important item management device 11 will be described.

[0031] When the important item management device 11 is in a standby state, the control unit 65 displays a standby screen on the operation and display unit 42. In this embodiment, the standby screen is an authentication screen for performing authentication processing using a pre-set authentication method. The important item management device 11 can perform authentication using a combination of a password and at least one of an IC card user ID, a magnetic card user ID, finger vein information (biometric information), and an input number, as authentication information, by setting the authentication information based on an operation on the operation and display unit 42. It is also possible to set the password so that it is not necessary to input it. Authentication can also be performed using a combination of finger vein information (biometric information) and at least one of an IC card user ID, a magnetic card user ID, and an input number. The following description will be given taking as an example a case where authentication is performed using a combination of a number and a password as authentication information.

[0032] In this embodiment, the authentication screen displayed as the standby screen is a number input screen. When a number is input on the number input screen, the control unit 65 reads out an individual user ID corresponding to the input number for distinguishing the user from other users. The control unit 65 compares the read-out user ID with a user ID list of users who can use the important item management device 11, which is pre-stored in the storage unit 66. If the read-out user ID is not included in the user ID list, the authentication fails. The control unit 65 then causes the operation and display unit 42 to display a message indicating that the important item management device 11 is unavailable, and the audio output unit 43 to emit an alarm sound for a predetermined period of time, thereby terminating the authentication process and returning the important item management device 11 to the standby state. When authentication is performed using an IC card or a magnetic card as authentication information, a guide screen (authentication screen) prompting the user to bring the card (IC card or magnetic card) close to the IC card reader 41 or the magnetic card reader 45 may be displayed on the operation and display unit 42 as the standby screen. When performing authentication using finger vein information as authentication information, a vein input screen that guides the user to input finger vein information may be displayed on the operation display unit 42 as a standby screen.

[0033] If the user ID in the user ID list matches the read user ID, the control unit 65 causes the operation and display unit 42 to display a password entry screen for accepting entry of a password (authentication information). If authentication is performed using finger vein information instead of password entry, a vein entry screen for guiding the user to enter their finger vein information may be displayed. When a password is entered into the password entry screen, if the entered password corresponds one-to-one with a user ID stored in the storage unit 66, the control unit 65 authenticates the account of this user ID and password as valid, resulting in an authentication success state, and stores this user ID and authentication date and time information, which is date and time information at that time, in the storage unit 66. If the entered password does not correspond one-to-one with a user ID stored in the storage unit 66, the account authentication fails, and the control unit 65 causes the operation and display unit 42 to display a password re-entry screen to prompt the user to enter their password again. If an incorrect password is entered a predetermined number of times, the control unit 65 causes the operation display unit 42 to display a message indicating that the important item management device 11 is unusable, and causes the audio output unit 43 to emit an alarm sound for a predetermined period of time, thereby terminating the authentication process and returning the important item management device 11 to a standby state. In such an authentication failure state, the control unit 65 does not store authentication date and time information in the storage unit 66, and does not update the last operation date of the user ID. Note that there may be no limit to the number of times an incorrect password can be entered, and in this case, the important item management device 11 does not have to be unusable due to the entry of an incorrect password.

[0034] If the user ID authenticated as valid in the authentication process is a user ID capable of performing the storage unit use process, the control unit 65 may display, as a storage unit use process screen, a screen including a "Holder removal / return" button that is selected when performing either the removal process or the return process of the key 61 to the storage unit 62. When the "Holder removal / return" button is selected by touch operation on this storage unit use process screen, the control unit 65 starts the storage unit use process. If the only process that the authenticated user ID is capable of at the time of authentication is either the holder removal process or the return process, the screen including the Holder removal / return button does not need to be displayed. Note that the user IDs and the processes that each user ID is capable of are associated and stored in the memory unit.

[0035] In the storage unit use process, the control unit 65 unlocks the cover lock mechanism 81 to enable opening of the front cover 22, and reads from the memory unit 66 the storage unit identification information of the storage unit 62 that is permitted to be used in the storage unit use process for the user ID that was authenticated as valid in the authentication process at the start of the storage unit use process. At the same time, the control unit 65 displays on the operation display unit 42 a screen prompting the user to input whether to perform the process of retrieving the key 61 from the storage unit 62 or the process of returning the key 61 to the storage unit 62, and waits for the selection input. If the authenticated user ID is only capable of performing either the holder retrieval process or the return process, the screen including the holder retrieval / return button is not displayed, and the control unit 65 does not have to wait for the selection input.

[0036] In this embodiment, the screen displayed during the storage unit use process (storage unit use display screen) includes a "Take Out" button that is touched when selecting the take-out process, and a "Return" button that is touched when selecting the return process. Here, this storage unit use display screen also includes a "Back" button. When the "Back" button is selected by touch on the storage unit use display screen, the control unit 65 displays the previous screen, the standby screen described above, on the operation display unit 42, and enters a state of waiting for authentication. Furthermore, when the "Home" button is touched on the operation display unit 42 while this storage unit use display screen is displayed, the control unit 65 cancels the authentication success state at that point and returns the important item management device 11 to a standby state in which the standby screen is displayed on the operation display unit 42.

[0037] In addition, for all display screens displayed on the operation display unit 42, if there is a previous screen on that screen, when the ``Back'' button is selected by touch operation, the control unit 65 will display the previous screen, and if there is a next screen, when the ``Next'' button is selected by touch operation, if there is an input on that screen, the next screen will be displayed while remembering that input, and if the ``Home'' button is touched, the authentication success state will be canceled at that point and the important item management device 11 will return to the standby state.

[0038] [Removal process] The take-out operation is an operation that the user performs on the important item management device 11 when taking-out processing is performed. On the storage unit usage display screen, the "Remove" button is selected by touch operation. Then, the control unit 65 performs the removal process. If the only process available to the authenticated user ID is the holder removal process, the screen including the remove button does not need to be displayed, and the removal process may be performed without touching the "Remove" button. In the removal process, when the full-closure detection sensor 82 detects that the front cover 22 has been opened, the control unit 65 causes the lamp-equipped operation button 91 of the storage unit 62 having storage unit identification information that is permitted for use by the user ID authenticated as valid in the authentication process at the start of the removal process to flash. Then, when the lamp-equipped operation button 91 of the storage unit 62 with the key 61 is pressed among the lamp-equipped operation buttons 91 of the storage units 62 that are permitted for use and are flashing, the control unit 65 activates the key lock mechanism 86 of the storage unit 62 to unlock it. That is, the control unit 65 causes the drive unit 112 of the key lock mechanism 86 of this storage unit 62 to drive the lock member 111 to an unlocked state, disengaging the claw portion 116 from the engagement groove 103 of the detachable member 75 of the key holder 72 and establishing an unlocked state that allows the detachable member 75 to be pulled out of the insertion hole 85. Of course, even if the operation button with lamp 91 is pressed while it is turned off, the control unit 65 will not unlock the key lock mechanism 86 of the storage unit 62 in which this operation button with lamp 91 is provided.

[0039] In addition, in the removal process, if the only process that the authenticated user ID can perform is the holder removal process, the control unit 65 will drive the key lock mechanism 86 of this storage unit 62 to unlock it when the flashing operation button 91 with lamp of the storage unit 62 that has the key 61 is pressed among the operation buttons with lamps 91 of the storage units 62 that are permitted to be used, even if the ``Remove'' button on the storage unit usage display screen is not touched.

[0040] When the attachment sensor 87 detects that the key holder 72, i.e., the key 61, has been removed from the storage unit 62, the control unit 65 associates operation name information indicating that a removal operation has been input, the user ID and authentication date and time information authenticated as valid in the authentication process performed at the start of the removal process, authentication identification information indicating the authentication method, and the storage unit identification information of the storage unit 62, and stores these in the storage unit 66 as removal history information, which is information related to the current removal process. The control unit 65 stores the removal history information in the storage unit 66 as operation history, device information, and user information. The operation history is information on an operation basis that cumulatively records the details of each operation, and is a chronological record of the operation details. The device information is a history on an object basis that records the last operator and the last date and time of use for each object, such as a holder or cover. The user information is information that manages the operation authority and the last date and time of the last operation for each user. Here, when the keys 61 are retrieved from the multiple storage units 62 in one retrieval process, the control unit 65 stores the retrieval history information for each of the multiple storage units 62 in the storage unit 66 .

[0041] After storing the removal history information in the memory unit 66, when the full-closure detection sensor 82 detects that the front cover 22 has been closed, the control unit 65 cancels the authentication success state, turns off the blinking operation button 91 with lamp, and drives the cover lock mechanism 81 to lock the front cover 22 in the closed position, ending the removal process and returning the important item management device 11 to the standby state. Even during the removal process, if the "Home" button on the storage unit usage display screen is touched, the control unit 65 cancels the authentication success state at that point, turns off the blinking operation button 91 with lamp, and ends the removal process. Thereafter, when the full-closure detection sensor 82 detects that the front cover 22 has been closed, the control unit 65 drives the cover lock mechanism 81 to lock the front cover 22 in the closed position and returns the important item management device 11 to the standby state. The control unit 65 may cancel the authentication success state, for example, after a certain period of time has elapsed or by a cancel operation such as pressing the "back" button, turn off the flashing operation button 91 with lamp, and drive the cover lock mechanism 81 to lock the front cover 22 in the closed position, thereby ending the removal process and returning the important item management device 11 to the standby state.

[0042] [Return Processing] The return operation is an operation that the user performs on the important item management device 11 when the return process is performed. On the storage unit usage display screen, the "Return" button is selected by touch operation. Then, the control unit 65 performs the return process. If the return process is the only process available to the authenticated user ID, the screen including the return button does not need to be displayed, and the removal process may be performed without touching the "Remove" button. During the return process, when the full-closure detection sensor 82 detects that the front cover 22 has been opened, the control unit 65 causes the lamp-equipped operation button 91 of the storage unit 62 having the storage unit identification information of the storage unit 62 that is authorized for use by the user ID authenticated as valid in the authentication process at the start of the return process to flash. When the control unit 65 detects that the key holder 72 for the key 61 has been inserted into a storage unit 62 that does not contain a key 61 and that is permitted for use and has an operation button 91 with a lamp flashing, by the attachment sensor 87 detecting the detachable member 75 of the key holder 72, the control unit 65 drives the key lock mechanism 86 of this storage unit 62 to lock the key holder 72 into a locked state.

[0043] In addition, when the only process that the authenticated user ID can perform is the return process, even if the ``Return'' button on the storage unit usage display screen is not touched, when the attachment sensor 87 of a storage unit 62 that does not have a key 61 and is permitted for use and has an operation button with a lamp 91 flashing detects the detachable member 75 of the key holder 72, the control unit 65 drives the key lock mechanism 86 of this storage unit 62 to lock the key holder 72.

[0044] Then, the control unit 65 associates the operation name information indicating that a return operation has been input, the user ID and authentication time information authenticated as correct in the authentication process at the start of this return process, the authentication identification information indicating the authentication method, and the storage unit identification information of this storage unit 62, and stores this together with the removal history information of a series of removal processes performed on the same storage unit 62 (storage unit identification information) as this return process as return history information, which is information related to the current return process, in the memory unit 66. Here, when keys 61 are returned to multiple storage units 62 in a single return process, the control unit 65 stores the return history information for each of the multiple storage units 62 in the memory unit 66.

[0045] Furthermore, even if an attempt is made to insert the detachable member 75 of the key holder 72 into an incompatible insertion hole 85 of the storage section 62, the insertion is mechanically prevented, and the control section 65 will not lock the key holder 72 to this storage section 62.

[0046] After storing the return history information in the memory unit 66, when the full-closure detection sensor 82 detects that the front cover 22 has been closed, the control unit 65 cancels the authentication success state, turns off the flashing operation button 91 with lamp, and drives the cover lock mechanism 81 to lock the front cover 22 in the closed position, ending the return process and returning the important item management device 11 to the standby state. Even during the return process, if the "Home" button on the display screen is touched, the control unit 65 cancels the authentication success state at that point, turns off the flashing operation button 91 with lamp, and ends the return process. Thereafter, when the full-closure detection sensor 82 detects that the front cover 22 has been closed, the control unit 65 drives the cover lock mechanism 81 to lock the front cover 22 in the closed position and returns the important item management device 11 to the standby state. The control unit 65 may cancel the authentication success state, for example, after a certain period of time has elapsed or by a cancel operation such as pressing the "back" button, turn off the flashing operation button 91 with lamp, and drive the cover lock mechanism 81 to lock the front cover 22 in the closed position, thereby ending the removal process and returning the important item management device 11 to the standby state.

[0047] As described above, the important item management device 11 is configured so that the key holder 72 of the key 61, which has a key body 71 and a key holder 72 to which the key body 71 is attached, can be locked and unlocked, and manages the removal and return of the key 61.

[0048] [Status abnormality monitoring process] 6, when the important item management device 11 is started up, i.e., when the main power supply of the important item management device 11 is turned on and power is supplied from an external power source, the control unit 65 performs a status abnormality monitoring process and starts outputting detection signals from the external force detection sensors 123 of all storage units 62 (step Sa1).The control unit 65 then monitors, for all storage units 62, whether the external force F1 applied to the key holder 72 in the pull-out direction has exceeded a predetermined value based on the detection signals from the external force detection sensors 123 (step Sa2).If the control unit 65 detects, based on the detection signals from the external force detection sensors 123 of any storage unit 62, that the external force F1 applied to the key holder 72 in the pull-out direction has exceeded a predetermined value (step Sa2: YES), it determines that a status abnormality has occurred, indicating that the key holder 72 has been pulled out too forcefully, and performs holder tension error processing (step Sa3).

[0049] That is, as shown in Fig. 7, the control unit 65 causes the operation and display unit 42 to display an error message indicating an abnormal pulling condition (step Sb1), and causes the audio output unit 43 to generate an alarm sound (step Sb2). Here, the error message indicating an abnormal pulling condition displayed on the operation and display unit 42 includes, for example, as shown in Fig. 8, a message indicating that an abnormal pulling condition has occurred in the key holder 72 due to an excessive pulling operation, identification information for the key holder 72 that detected the abnormal pulling condition, i.e., the storage unit 62, and a method for resolving the error. In this way, the control unit 65 detects and notifies the occurrence of an abnormal condition in the key holder 72 based on a detection signal from the external force detection sensor 123.

[0050] After generating an alarm sound from the audio output unit 43, the control unit 65 records the details of the abnormal status as a log in the storage unit 66 (step Sb3). The details of the abnormal status recorded as a log in the storage unit 66 include the fact that the abnormal status was caused by an operation to forcibly remove the key holder 72, the time when the abnormal status occurred, the user ID of the user who was successfully authenticated by the important item management device 11 immediately before the abnormal status occurred, and the identification information of the storage unit 62 where the abnormal status occurred, i.e., the key holder 72. Therefore, when an abnormal status occurs in the key holder 72, the control unit 65 stores the abnormal status in the storage unit 66. The important item management device 11 may be configured to open the front cover 22 without authentication, for example, at the start of business hours, and then remain openable without authentication until business hours are over. During this time, authentication may be required for removal and return operations. In this configuration, the front cover 22 can be opened without authentication, potentially resulting in a user forcibly removing the key holder 72 without authentication. In this case, the user ID who forcibly removed the key holder 72 will not be authenticated. The user ID that was authenticated successfully for the important item management device 11 immediately before this abnormal status would be the user ID of the previous user or the user ID who first opened the front cover 22 at the start of business hours, which would be different. Therefore, in this configuration, the user ID is not included in the abnormal status information recorded as a log in the storage unit 66.

[0051] After the holder tension error processing, when the control unit 65 detects from the detection signal of the external force detection sensor 123 of the storage unit 62 that detected the occurrence of the abnormal condition that the external force F1 acting on the key holder 72 in the pulling direction continues to be greater than or equal to a predetermined value (step Sa4: YES), it continues to display an error message of a tension error on the operation display unit 42 and to generate an alarm sound by the audio output unit 43.

[0052] When the control unit 65 detects from the detection signal of the external force detection sensor 123 of the storage unit 62 that detected the occurrence of the abnormal condition that the external force F1 acting on the key holder 72 in the pulling direction is not greater than a predetermined value (step Sa4: NO), it determines that the abnormal condition of the key holder 72 has been resolved and performs a holder tension error release process (step Sa5).

[0053] 9, the control unit 65 hides the error message for the tension error that has been displayed on the operation display unit 42 (step Sc1), stops the generation of the alarm sound by the audio output unit 43 (step Sc2), and records the details of the abnormal status elimination as a log in the storage unit 66 in association with the abnormal status to be eliminated (step Sc3). The details of the abnormal status elimination include the time when the abnormal status elimination occurred.

[0054] If the control unit 65 determines in step Sa2 above that the external force acting on the key holder 72 in the pulling direction is not greater than a predetermined value (step Sa2: NO), it determines whether the main power of the important item management device 11 has been turned off (step Sa6), and if the main power of the important item management device 11 has not been turned off (step Sa6: NO), it returns to step Sa2 and continues to monitor the detection signal of the external force detection sensor 123 for all storage units 62.

[0055] If the control unit 65 determines in step Sa6 that the main power supply of the important item management device 11 is turned off (step Sa6: YES), it terminates the output of detection signals from the external force detection sensors 123 of all storage units 62 (step Sa7) and terminates the startup of the important item management device 11.

[0056] Here, the important item management device 11 is capable of performing the same abnormal status monitoring process as above even when the main power is turned off, as shown in Fig. 10. Note that in the flowchart of Fig. 10, explanations of the same processes as those in the flowchart of Fig. 6 will be omitted, and only differences will be explained.

[0057] When the main power supply is turned off (step Sd1), the control unit 65 switches the driving of the external force detection sensors 123 of all storage units 62 from the external power supply to the built-in battery (step Sd2), and then starts outputting the detection signals of the external force detection sensors 123 of all storage units 62 (step Sa1). In this case, instead of making the judgment in step Sa6, the control unit 65 determines whether the main power supply of the important item management device 11 has been turned on (step Sd3). If the main power supply of the important item management device 11 has not been turned on (step Sd3: NO), the control unit 65 returns to step Sa2 and continues monitoring the detection signals of the external force detection sensors 123 for all storage units 62. When the main power supply of the important item management device 11 is turned ON (step Sd3: YES), the output of detection signals from the external force detection sensors 123 of all storage units 62 is temporarily stopped (step Sd4), the drive of the external force detection sensors 123 of all storage units 62 is switched from the built-in battery to an external power source (step Sd5), the startup of the important item management device 11 is terminated, and the device enters a state where processing is performed according to the flowchart shown in Figure 6.

[0058] As described above, the important item management device 11 includes the key holder storage section 84 that detachably stores the detachable member 75 of the key holder 72 connected to the key main body 71, the key lock mechanism 86 that locks the detachable member 75 of the key holder 72 in an attached state in the key holder storage section 84, the external force detection sensor 123 that detects an external force F1 applied to the key holder 72 attached to the key holder storage section 84, and the control section 65 that locks and unlocks the key lock mechanism 86. The control section 65 detects and notifies the occurrence of an abnormal state of the key holder 72 based on a detection signal from the external force detection sensor 123. This makes it possible to prevent excessive external force from being applied to the key holder 72, which could damage the key holder 72 or the storage section 62 of the unit main body 21.

[0059] In addition, in the important item management device 11, the external force detection sensor 123 detects the external force F1 applied in the pulling direction to the detachable member 75 of the key holder 72 that is locked by the key lock mechanism 86 while attached to the key holder storage section 84, and when the control section 65 detects from the detection signal of the external force detection sensor 123 that the external force F1 applied in the pulling direction to the detachable member 75 of the key holder 72 has exceeded a predetermined value, it detects and alerts the occurrence of an abnormal tensile state of the key holder 72, thereby making it possible to prevent excessive external force F1 in the pulling direction from being applied to the key holder 72 when trying to forcibly pull the key holder 72 out of the unit main body 21, which could cause damage to the key holder 72 or the unit main body 21.

[0060] <Variation 1> When a large number of key bodies 71 are attached to the front end of the detachable member 75 of the key holder 72 attached to the key holder storage section 84, and the front end of the detachable member 75 of the key holder 72 is subjected to an external force F2 in the direction of gravity, this external force causes the detachable member 75 of the key holder 72 to tilt downward toward the front with respect to the insertion hole 85, thereby generating a component in the detachable member 75 of the key holder 72 that tends to slip forward and out of the key holder 72, the component having a magnitude corresponding to the external force F2. The external force detection sensor 123 also functions as a weight detection sensor that outputs a detection signal corresponding to the component corresponding to the external force F2 to the control section 65. In other words, the external force detection sensor 123 detects the external force F2 by detecting the component corresponding to the external force F2. When the control unit 65 detects from the detection signal of the external force detection sensor 123 that the external force F2 acting in the direction of gravity on the detachable member 75 of the key holder 72 has exceeded a predetermined value, the control unit 65 detects that an abnormal condition of excessive weight has occurred on the key holder 72, and causes the operation display unit 42 to display an error message indicating an excessive weight error, which is an abnormal condition of excessive weight, and causes the audio output unit 43 to emit an alarm sound. The excessive weight error message displayed on the operation display unit 42 includes, for example, as shown in FIG. 11 , a message indicating that an abnormal condition of excessive weight has occurred on the key holder 72, identification information of the storage unit 62 that detected the abnormal condition, and a method for resolving the error.

[0061] With this configuration, external force detection sensor 123 detects external force F2 acting in the direction of gravity on detachable member 75 of key holder 72 that is locked by key lock mechanism 86 while attached to key holder storage section 84. When control section 65 detects, through a detection signal from external force detection sensor 123, that external force F2 acting in the direction of gravity on detachable member 75 of key holder 72 has exceeded a predetermined value, control section 65 detects and reports the occurrence of an abnormal excessive load on key holder 72, thereby making it possible to prevent damage to key holder 72 or unit main body 21 due to excessive load on key holder 72. In other words, external force detection sensor 123 can detect and report both tension errors and excessive load errors.

[0062] In the first modification, when an abnormal state occurs in the key holder 72, the control unit 65 stores the details of the abnormal state in the storage unit 66. When the abnormal state is resolved, the control unit 65 stores the details of the resolution of the abnormal state in the storage unit 66.

[0063] Second Embodiment A valuable item management device according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. 12, focusing on differences from the first embodiment.

[0064] In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, the connecting member 121 and the external force detection sensor 123 of the first embodiment are not provided.

[0065] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the external force detection sensor 123A (external force detection means, pull-out force detection sensor, weight detection sensor) is, for example, a compression load cell or push switch that detects an external force in the compressive direction, provided on the engagement surface 118 of the claw portion 116 that engages with the engagement groove 103 of the locking member 111 in the locked state, and this external force detection sensor 123A detects the compressive force generated between the locking member 111 and the engagement groove 103 as an external force F1 applied in the pull-out direction to the detachable member 75 of the key holder 72. That is, when the external force F1 is applied to the detachable member 75 of the key holder 72 in the locked state from the insertion hole 85, an external force in the compressive direction is applied to the external force detection sensor 123A provided on the engagement surface 118 of the locking member 111 from the groove rear surface 104 of the engagement groove 103 of the detachable member 75.

[0066] In the second embodiment, the control unit 65 also performs control similar to that in the first embodiment. That is, the external force detection sensor 123A detects the external force F1 applied in the pulling direction to the detachable member 75 of the key holder 72 that is locked by the key lock mechanism 86 while attached to the key holder storage unit 84. When the control unit 65 detects, based on a detection signal from the external force detection sensor 123A, that the external force F1 applied in the pulling direction to the detachable member 75 of the key holder 72 has reached a predetermined value or greater, the control unit 65 detects that an abnormal state of the key holder 72 has occurred and issues an alert, as in the first embodiment. This makes it possible to prevent damage to the key holder 72 or the unit body 21 caused by excessive external force F1 being applied to the key holder 72 in the pulling direction when trying to forcefully pull the key holder 72 out of the unit body 21.

[0067] <Variation 2> When a large number of key bodies 71 are attached to the front end of the detachable member 75 of the key holder 72 attached to the key holder storage section 84, and the front end of the detachable member 75 of the key holder 72 is subjected to an external force F2 in the direction of gravity, this external force F2 causes the detachable member 75 of the key holder 72 to tilt downward toward the front with respect to the insertion hole 85, thereby generating a component in the detachable member 75 of the key holder 72 that tends to slip forward and out of the key holder 72. The external force detection sensor 123A also functions as a weight detection sensor that outputs a detection signal corresponding to the component corresponding to the external force F2 to the control section 65. In other words, the external force detection sensor 123A detects the external force F2 by detecting the component corresponding to the external force F2. Therefore, when the control unit 65 detects from the detection signal of the external force detection sensor 123A that the external force F2 acting on the key holder 72 in the direction of gravity has exceeded a predetermined value, it detects that an abnormal condition of excessive weight has occurred on the key holder 72, and causes the operation display unit 42 to display an error message indicating an excessive weight error and the audio output unit 43 to emit an alarm sound. The error message indicating an excessive weight error to be displayed on the operation display unit 42 includes, for example, as shown in Fig. 11, a message indicating that an abnormal condition of excessive weight has occurred on the key holder 72, identification information of the storage unit 62 that detected the abnormal condition, and a method for resolving the error.

[0068] With this configuration, external force detection sensor 123A detects external force F2 acting in the direction of gravity on key holder 72 that is attached to key holder storage section 84 and locked by key lock mechanism 86. When control section 65 detects, through a detection signal from external force detection sensor 123, that external force F2 acting in the direction of gravity on key holder 72 has exceeded a predetermined value, it detects and reports an abnormal condition of excessive weight on key holder 72, thereby making it possible to prevent damage to key holder 72 or unit main body 21 due to excessive weight on key holder 72. In other words, external force detection sensor 123A can detect and report both tension errors and excessive weight errors.

[0069] In the second modification, when an abnormal state occurs in the key holder 72, the control unit 65 stores the details of the abnormal state in the storage unit 66. When the abnormal state is resolved, the control unit 65 stores the details of the resolution of the abnormal state in the storage unit 66.

[0070] <Third embodiment> A valuable item management device according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. 13, focusing on differences from the first embodiment.

[0071] In the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, the connecting member 121 and the external force detection sensor 123 of the first embodiment are not provided.

[0072] In the third embodiment, an external force detection sensor 123B (external force detection means, weight detection sensor), such as a compression load cell or a push switch, is provided below the insertion hole 85 of the key holder storage section 84. The external force detection sensor 123B is a weight detection sensor that abuts the underside of the detachable member 75 of the attached key holder 72 and detects the compressive force generated in accordance with its weight as an external force F2 acting in the direction of gravity on the detachable member 75 of the key holder 72. The external force detection sensor 123B is compressed in accordance with the external force F2 in the direction of gravity by the detachable member 75 of the key holder 72 attached to the key holder storage section 84, and outputs a detection signal in accordance with the external force F2 in the direction of gravity to the control section 65. When the control unit 65 detects from the detection signal of the external force detection sensor 123B that the external force F2 acting on the key holder 72 in the direction of gravity has exceeded a predetermined value, it detects that an abnormal condition of the key holder 72 due to excessive weight has occurred, and causes the operation display unit 42 to display an error message indicating an excessive weight error as shown in Figure 11, and also causes the audio output unit 43 to emit an alarm sound.

[0073] In the third embodiment, the external force detection sensor 123B detects the external force F2 acting in the direction of gravity on the detachable member 75 of the key holder 72 that is locked by the key lock mechanism 86 while attached to the key holder storage section 84. When the control section 65 detects from the detection signal of the external force detection sensor 123B that the external force F2 acting on the key holder 72 in the direction of gravity has exceeded a predetermined value, it detects and notifies the occurrence of an abnormal condition of excessive weight on the key holder 72, thereby making it possible to prevent damage to the key holder 72 or the unit main body 21 due to excessive weight on the key holder 72.

[0074] In the third embodiment, when an abnormal state occurs in the key holder 72, the control unit 65 stores the details of the abnormal state in the storage unit 66. When the abnormal state is resolved, the control unit 65 stores the details of the resolution of the abnormal state in the storage unit 66.

[0075] In the third embodiment, as in the first embodiment, a connecting member 121 and an external force detection sensor 123 can be provided, and both an excessive load error can be detected by the external force detection sensor 123B and a tensile error can be detected by the external force detection sensor 123, and each can be notified.

[0076] Furthermore, in the third embodiment, as in the second embodiment, it is also possible to provide an external force detection sensor 123A, and to perform both detection of an excessive load error by the external force detection sensor 123B and detection of a tensile error by the external force detection sensor 123A, and to issue an alert for each.

[0077] <Fourth embodiment> A valuable item management device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. 14, focusing on differences from the first embodiment.

[0078] In the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, an insertion hole 199 is formed on the rear surface of the front cover 22 (movable member, opening / closing member) which can be opened and closed relative to the unit main body 21 when in the closed state, and a cylindrical engagement portion 200 is fixed in front of this insertion hole 199 so as to extend laterally.

[0079] In the fourth embodiment, the cover lock mechanism 81 provided in the unit main body 21 is fixed to a rotating shaft 210 extending in the left-right direction and has an L-shaped cover lock member 211 that is rotatable around this rotating shaft 210, a drive unit 212 such as a rotary solenoid that rotates the cover lock member 211 together with the rotating shaft 210, and a spring member (not shown).

[0080] The cover locking member 211 has an extension portion 215 that extends forward from the rotation shaft 210 and extends forward from the unit main body 21, and a claw portion 216 that extends downward from the front end of the extension portion 215. The cover locking member 211 is rotatable between a locked state in which the extension portion 215 extends horizontally forward from the rotation shaft 210 and the claw portion 216 extends vertically downward from the extension portion 215, and an unlocked state in which the extension portion 215 extends from the rotation shaft 210 with the front raised and the claw portion 216 extends from the extension portion 215 with the front lowered. The front end surface of the claw portion 216 forms an inclined surface 217 that slopes downward toward the rear when in the locked state. The rear surface of the claw portion 216 forms an engaging surface 218 that extends vertically in the front-to-rear direction when in the locked state.

[0081] A spring member (not shown) biases the cover lock member 211 from the unlocked state to the locked state. When the drive unit 212 is in the ON state, it rotates the cover lock member 211 from the locked state against the biasing force of the spring member (not shown) to bring it into the unlocked state. When the drive unit 212 is in the OFF state, the cover lock member 211 is brought into the locked state by the biasing force of the spring member (not shown). The cover lock member 211 is inserted into the insertion hole 199 when the front cover 22 is opened or closed.

[0082] When the cover locking member 211 is in the locked state, the claw portion 216 engages with the engaging portion 200 of the front cover 22 in the closed state, and the locking surface 218 abuts against the engaging portion 200, thereby restricting the opening operation of the front cover 22. This state is the locked state in which the cover locking mechanism 81 locks the front cover 22 in the closed state relative to the unit main body 21 to prevent it from opening, i.e., moving. When the cover locking member 211 is driven by the driving unit 212 to enter the unlocked state, the claw portion 216 moves upward away from the engaging portion 200 of the front cover 22 in the closed state, allowing the front cover 22 to open relative to the unit main body 21. This state is the unlocked state of the cover locking mechanism 81. When the cover locking mechanism 81 is in the unlocked state, the front cover 22 can be opened relative to the unit main body 21. The drive unit 212 and the spring member (not shown) rotate the cover lock member 211 between the locked state and the unlocked state when the drive unit 212 is controlled by the control unit 65 .

[0083] A connecting member 221 extending rearward is connected to the rotating shaft 210 that supports the cover locking member 211, and this connecting member 221 is fixed to a fixed portion 224 that fixes the position of the unit main body 21 via an external force detection sensor 223 (external force detection means, opening force detection sensor) such as a tension-type load cell. The external force detection sensor 223 outputs a detection signal corresponding to an external force in a pulling direction that occurs between the rotating shaft 210 and the fixed portion 224 to the control unit 65. When the cover locking member 211 is in a locked state and engages with the engaging portion 200 of the front cover 22 that is in the closed state, restricting the opening operation of the front cover 22 relative to the unit main body 21, if an external force in the opening direction is applied to the front cover 22, an external force in a pulling direction that moves the front cover 22 away from the fixed portion 224 is applied to the rotating shaft 210 via the claw portion 216, and the external force detection sensor 223 provided between the connecting member 221 and the fixed portion 224 outputs a detection signal corresponding to this external force to the control unit 65. In other words, the external force detection sensor 223 detects an external force acting in the opening direction on the front cover 22 that is in a closed state, ie, locked state, relative to the unit body 21.

[0084] [Status abnormality monitoring process] Here, when the main power supply of the important item management device 11 is turned on and power is supplied from an external power source, the control unit 65 performs abnormal status monitoring processing and starts outputting a detection signal from the external force detection sensor 223. Then, the control unit 65 monitors whether or not the external force applied to the front cover 22 in the opening direction has exceeded a predetermined value, even though the front cover 22 is in the closed state, from the detection signal from the external force detection sensor 223. If the control unit 65 detects from the detection signal from the external force detection sensor 223 that the external force applied to the front cover 22 in the opening direction has exceeded the predetermined value, it determines that an abnormal status has occurred, that is, the front cover 22 has been forced to open, and performs opening error processing.

[0085] That is, the control unit 65 causes the operation display unit 42 to display an error message indicating an abnormal state of the opening operation, and causes the audio output unit 43 to generate an alarm sound. Here, the error message indicating an abnormal state of the opening error displayed on the operation display unit 42 includes, for example, a message indicating that an abnormal state has occurred in the front cover 22 due to a forced opening operation, and a method for resolving the error. In this way, the control unit 65 detects and notifies the occurrence of an abnormal state of the front cover 22 based on a detection signal from the external force detection sensor 223.

[0086] After generating an alarm sound from the audio output unit 43, the control unit 65 records the details of the abnormal status as a log in the storage unit 66. The details of the abnormal status recorded as a log in the storage unit 66 include the fact that the front cover 22 was forcibly opened, the time when the abnormal status occurred, and the user ID of the user who was successfully authenticated by the important item management device 11 immediately before the abnormal status occurred. Therefore, when an abnormal status occurs in the key holder 72, the control unit 65 stores the abnormal status in the storage unit 66. In addition, the important item management device 11 can be configured to open the front cover 22 by performing authentication processing, for example, at the start of business, and then be able to open it without authentication processing until, for example, business is completed, and during that time, authentication processing is required for removal and return processing. In such an operation, since the front cover 22 can be opened without authentication processing, the user ID who forced the front cover 22 to be opened does not reach the authentication success state, and the user ID who reached the authentication success state for the important item management device 11 immediately before this abnormal state occurs will be the user ID of the previous user or the user ID who first opened the front cover 22 at the start of business, and will be different. Therefore, in such an operation, the user ID is not included in the content of the abnormal state recorded as a log in the memory unit 66.

[0087] After the front cover opening error processing, when the control unit 65 detects from the detection signal of the external force detection sensor 223 that detected the occurrence of the abnormal condition that the external force acting on the front cover 22 in the opening direction continues to be equal to or greater than a predetermined value, it continues to display an error message indicating an opening error on the operation display unit 42 and to generate an alarm sound by the audio output unit 43.

[0088] When the control unit 65 detects from the detection signal of the external force detection sensor 223 that has detected the occurrence of an abnormal state that the external force acting on the front cover 22 in the opening direction is not greater than a predetermined value, it determines that the abnormal state of the front cover 22 has been resolved and performs a front cover opening error cancellation process.

[0089] That is, the control unit 65 hides the error message for the open error that has been displayed on the operation display unit 42, stops the generation of the alarm sound by the audio output unit 43, and records the details of the abnormal status elimination as a log in the storage unit 66 in association with the abnormal status to be resolved. The details of the abnormal status elimination include the time when the abnormal status elimination occurred.

[0090] When the main power supply of the important item management device 11 is turned off, the control unit 65 switches the driving of the external force detection sensor 223 from the external power supply to the built-in battery, and performs the same abnormal state monitoring process as above.

[0091] As described above, the important item management device 11 includes the cover lock mechanism 81 that locks the front cover 22 to the unit main body 21 in a closed state, the external force detection sensor 223 that detects an external force applied to the front cover 22 in a closed state, and the control unit 65 that locks and unlocks the cover lock mechanism 81. The control unit 65 detects and reports the occurrence of an abnormal state of the front cover 22 based on a detection signal from the external force detection sensor 223. This makes it possible to prevent excessive external force from being applied to the front cover 22, which could damage the front cover 22 or the unit main body 21.

[0092] At least one of the first to third embodiments may be combined with the fourth embodiment.

[0093] Furthermore, in a drawer-type important item management device for storing important items such as seals, a configuration similar to that of the fourth embodiment can be applied to a locking mechanism that locks the drawer in a closed state. [Explanation of symbols]

[0094] 11...important item management device, 21...unit main body (device main body), 22...front cover (opening / closing part, movable member), 42...operation display part, 65...control part, 66...memory part, 71...key main body, 72...key holder, 75...detachable member (movable member), 84...key holder storage part, 86...key lock mechanism (lock mechanism), 123, 123A...external force detection sensor (external force detection means, pull-out force detection sensor, weight detection sensor), 123B...external force detection sensor (external force detection means, weight detection sensor), 223...external force detection sensor.

Claims

1. A device body, a moving member that is movable relative to the device body; a locking mechanism that locks the movable member so that it cannot move relative to the device body; an external force detecting means for detecting an external force applied to the movable member that is in a locked state relative to the device body; a control unit that locks and unlocks the locking mechanism; Equipped with The control unit detects and notifies the occurrence of an abnormal state of the moving member based on the detection signal of the external force detection means. An important item management device characterized by:

2. The moving member is a key holder that is detachable from the device body and to which a key body is connected.

2. The important item management device according to claim 1.

3. the external force detection means is a pull-out force detection sensor that detects an external force applied in a pull-out direction to the moving member that is locked to the device body by the locking mechanism, When the control unit detects that the external force applied to the moving member in the pulling direction has reached a predetermined value or more based on the detection signal from the pulling force detection sensor, the control unit detects and notifies the occurrence of an abnormal state of the moving member.

3. The important item management device according to claim 2.

4. the external force detection means is a weight detection sensor that detects an external force acting in a gravitational direction on the moving member that is locked to the device body by the locking mechanism, The control unit detects and notifies the occurrence of an abnormal state of the moving member when it detects, based on a detection signal from the weight detection sensor, that an external force acting on the moving member in the direction of gravity has reached a predetermined value or more.

3. The important item management device according to claim 2.

5. The external force detection means a pull-out force detection sensor that detects an external force applied in a pull-out direction to the moving member that is locked to the device body by the locking mechanism; a weight detection sensor that detects an external force applied in the direction of gravity to the moving member that is locked to the device body by the locking mechanism, The control unit detects and notifies the occurrence of an abnormal state of the moving member when it detects from the detection signal of the pull-out force detection sensor that the external force applied to the moving member in the pull-out direction has exceeded a predetermined value, and detects and notifies the occurrence of an abnormal state of the moving member when it detects from the detection signal of the weight detection sensor that the external force applied to the moving member in the gravity direction has exceeded a predetermined value.

3. The important item management device according to claim 2.

6. The moving member is an opening / closing member that can be opened and closed relative to the device main body.

2. The important item management device according to claim 1.

7. the external force detection means is an opening actuation force detection sensor that detects an external force applied in an opening direction to the moving member that is locked to the device body by the locking mechanism, When the control unit detects that the external force acting on the moving member in the opening direction has reached a predetermined value or more based on the detection signal from the opening actuation force detection sensor, the control unit detects and notifies the occurrence of an abnormal state of the moving member.

7. The important item management device according to claim 6.

8. A storage unit is provided for storing a history of use by a user, When an abnormal state occurs in the moving member, the control unit stores the abnormal state in the storage unit.

8. The important item management device according to claim 1.

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