Remote control locking key storage box interlocked with simultaneous alarm, remote control unlocking key storage system, and disaster countermeasure support system using remote control unlocking key storage system interlocked with simultaneous alarm

The remote-controlled locking key storage system addresses inefficiencies in unlocking key storage boxes by linking them to mass alarms for automatic unlocking, ensuring rapid and secure facility access during disasters.

JP2026025780APending Publication Date: 2026-02-16BIT PARK CO LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2024137939
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-08-01
Publication Date
2026-02-16

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing systems for unlocking key storage boxes in disaster scenarios are prone to malfunction, require manual confirmation, and lack centralized control, especially during non-earthquake disasters, causing delays and inefficiencies in opening evacuation shelters and facilities.

Method used

A remote-controlled locking key storage system linked to mass alarms, enabling automatic unlocking based on simultaneous warnings from higher-level organizations, with centralized management and communication via a management server, allowing bulk unlocking and real-time status monitoring.

Benefits of technology

Facilitates quick and secure opening of evacuation shelters and facilities without manual intervention, reducing operational burdens and communication errors, ensuring rapid response and security, even in false alarm scenarios.

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Abstract

To provide a remote control locking / unlocking key storage box, a remote control locking / unlocking key storage system and a disaster countermeasure support system linked with a simultaneous alarm for realizing the opening of a shelter or the like without delay when a disaster occurs.SOLUTION: In this alarm cooperation remote control locking / unlocking key storage system, a remote control locking / unlocking box 7 incorporates a GPS, and transmits a position coordinate to an alarm cooperation remote control locking / unlocking key storage system management server 3 by an Internet communication service 5. The alarm-associated remote control locking / unlocking key storage system management server has a function of automatically transmitting an unlocking signal to the remote control locking / unlocking key storage box with a simultaneous alarm alert as a trigger through the simultaneous alarm system 2, communicates with the remote control locking / unlocking key storage system terminal 4 accessible from a personal computer of a local government, a rescue support person related to a shelter, or a mobile terminal of a person concerned, and can browse a locking / unlocking state of the remote control locking / unlocking key storage box and remotely control locking / unlocking.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2
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Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a remote-controlled locking key storage box linked to a mass alarm, a remote-controlled unlocking key storage system, and a disaster countermeasure support system that uses the remote-controlled unlocking key storage system linked to a mass alarm. [Background technology]

[0002] As the use and spread of communication networks and mobile devices continues to increase, these technologies have also been introduced into efforts to develop emergency notification systems for disaster prevention and response agencies. The inventor then provided a simple notification device and a simple notification system that, in an emergency, allows an abnormality detection signal detected by an abnormality detection sensor to be immediately transmitted to a management system server via a communication network (see Patent Document 1). Additionally, a method of remotely controlling and unlocking the keys to warehouses that store equipment and materials necessary for rescue operations has been used for some time (see Patent Document 2). Furthermore, a key storage box that automatically unlocks upon detecting earthquake tremors has also been put to practical use (see Patent Documents 3 and 4). There is also an emergency evacuation guidance system that sends push notifications of emergency information from J-Alert receiving equipment to terminals (see Patent Document 5). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2020-021434 [Patent Document 2] Patent Publication No. 2007-247346 [Patent Document 3] Patent Publication No. 2018-044407 [Patent Document 4] Patent Publication No. 2017-006841 [Patent Document 5] Patent Publication No. 2021-015542 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When a disaster occurs, those involved in relief efforts (municipal government officials, facility managers, etc.) must gather the necessary rescue equipment and rush to the scene to carry out rescue efforts under conditions where danger is anticipated due to the disaster. Alternatively, they must open evacuation shelters to accept evacuees. As a system to facilitate this, existing products are on the market that use earthquake detection to unlock the keys to evacuation shelters and warehouses that store equipment and materials necessary for relief efforts. There are existing products on the market that unlock doors upon detection. However, in the event of an emergency, there is a risk that the earthquake detection devices may not function properly due to variations in building sway or equipment malfunction. In such cases, city halls and other organizations cannot confirm whether the locks have been unlocked, so manual confirmation is required. If the locks do not unlock, in the worst case scenario, the storage box may need to be broken open to retrieve the keys, which creates concerns of further confusion during an emergency. Furthermore, earthquake-sensing unlocking methods are ineffective in disasters other than earthquakes. Responses to wind and flood damage, which has been increasing significantly in recent years, are also required. Furthermore, in the initial response to such disasters, city halls and other organizations must centrally manage whether evacuation shelters have been opened and implement appropriate measures without delay. However, this information is mainly communicated by staff via telephone, which places a heavy burden on disaster prevention departments during the chaos that occurs when a disaster occurs. Furthermore, even in normal times, city hall employees who manage the keys to evacuation shelters are burdened with the responsibility of responding to unpredictable disasters such as earthquakes. The responsibility of being in charge of the keys means restrictions on travel, eating and drinking, and the mental pressure is 24 hours a day, day and night. On the other hand, even among evacuees living near evacuation shelters, when a disaster occurs, they request that the shelter be opened as soon as possible, but at the same time, only a few residents are willing to keep the keys to the shelter, as they are reluctant to take on the heavy "burden" mentioned above. Evacuated residents have long been in a situation where they want the government to handle key management but also want shelters to be set up quickly. However, no concrete measures have been put in place, and shelter opening manuals and other documents only call for human response. In addition, since the decision on whether to open evacuation shelters is made by the government, it is difficult to open evacuation shelters quickly in the event of a disaster. Furthermore, it was sometimes difficult for subordinate organizations to make the decision on their own whether or not to unlock important facilities. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve such problems, the present invention provides a disaster response support system that utilizes a remote-controlled locking key storage box, a remote-controlled unlocking key storage system, and a remote-controlled unlocking key storage system that are linked to simultaneous alerts issued by higher-level organizations such as the national or local governments, such as J-Alert and L-Alert, to unlock important facilities and evacuation shelters.

[0006] The present invention, which has been made to solve such problems, includes a key storage box for an electric lock installed in a disaster prevention facility and a communication control device that stores information about the disaster prevention facility and communicates with a management server that exchanges various information with a user terminal operated by an administrator of the disaster prevention facility, and controls the flow of power to the electric lock, thereby locking and unlocking the electric lock.The management server has an interface that detects notifications from a mass alarm system and can automatically unlock all the key storage boxes at once in response to this mass notification.In response to an access request from the user terminal, the management server provides information about the disaster prevention facility to the user terminal that has made the access request, and is configured to be able to accept a request to unlock the key box of the electric lock installed in the disaster prevention facility from the user terminal that is providing the information about the disaster prevention facility.When a request to unlock the electric lock is received from the user terminal, the management server sends a key unlock command to the communication control device, and the communication control device housed in the locking device of the electric lock unlocks the electric lock of the locking device when it receives the key unlock command sent from the management server. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, in the event of a major disaster that requires the issuance of a simultaneous warning, if various evacuation shelters can be quickly opened in conjunction with the simultaneous warning, local governments will not be burdened with the responsibility of deciding whether or not to open evacuation shelters when a disaster occurs, and local governments will be able to quickly open evacuation shelters.In addition, various operational efforts will be significantly reduced and human communication errors via telephone, etc. will be eliminated.

[0008] Since the decision to unlock is linked to a simultaneous alarm issued by a higher-level organization such as the national or local government, it is possible to clarify the responsibility for opening evacuation facilities and to make it more efficient and quick.In addition, even if the simultaneous alarm is a false alarm, the facilities can be locked quickly, so security measures can be controlled remotely immediately.Even if the alarm is lifted, it is possible to respond quickly and remotely. Information about the opening of evacuation shelters can be efficiently disseminated to the general public via the network. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing an example of a remote-controlled locking key storage box 7 according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a remote-controlled locking key storage system 1A according to a first embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. [Example]

[0011] In the first embodiment, an example of a remote-controlled locking / unlocking key storage box 7 linked to a simultaneous alarm will be described. FIG. 1 shows an example of the appearance of the remote-controlled locking / unlocking key storage box 7 linked to a simultaneous alarm. The remote-controlled locking / unlocking key storage box 7 is a key storage box that automatically unlocks in response to a simultaneous alarm, and is a key storage box that locks and unlocks by remote control. For example, it stores keys to important evacuation facilities such as public facilities designated as evacuation shelters in the event of a disaster, disaster prevention warehouses, and school gymnasiums. In the event of a disaster where a simultaneous warning is issued, the locks can be unlocked in conjunction with the warning, making it possible to open evacuation shelters safely and immediately without the need for the government to decide on the keys to each shelter.In addition, the remote-controlled lock / unlock key storage box, which is linked to the simultaneous warning and receives release instructions, will notify those around it of the unlocking by sounding a buzzer and lighting up a playing card, informing them of an emergency and encouraging them to open evacuation shelters. In Figure 1, 7 is a remote-controlled locking / unlocking key storage box. Inside is stored 7A, a key for the door of an evacuation shelter, etc. 7B is the lid with a hinge on the right, and 7E is a key that is electrically unlocked by a remote release signal linked to a mass alarm. After unlocking, opening this lever opens lid 7B. When the door is unlocked by remote control, lamp 7C lights up, indicating that the door is unlocked. It can also indicate whether the door is powered, running on battery, or in an emergency. The 7D is a physical manual lock, so in the unlikely event that it becomes impossible to unlock it electrically, you can insert a physical key and open it manually.

[0012] FIG. 2 shows an example of an alarm-linked remote-controlled locking / unlocking key storage system 1. The remote control locking / unlocking box 7 has a built-in GPS, and transmits its location coordinates to the alarm-linked remote control locking / unlocking key storage system management server 3 via an Internet communication service 5, such as an LTE network or 5G network data communication service. The alarm-linked remote-controlled locking / unlocking key storage system management server 3 is triggered by a mass alarm alert via an API or interface with the mass alarm system 2, for example, J-ALERT or L-ALERT, and automatically sends an unlocking signal to the remote-controlled locking / unlocking key storage box 7. The alarm-linked remote control locking / unlocking key storage system management server 3 has a remote control locking / unlocking key storage system terminal 4 that can be accessed from the personal computers of local governments and the mobile devices (smartphones, tablets, etc.) of rescue supporters and related parties at evacuation centers, making it possible to view the locking / unlocking status of the remote control locking / unlocking key storage box 7 and to remotely control locking / unlocking.

[0013] The alarm-linked remote-controlled locking and key storage system 1 has the following features. (a) Automatic unlocking by simultaneous alarm coordination: The remote-controlled locking and unlocking key storage box 7 is automatically unlocked by simultaneous alarms such as J-ALERT or L-ALERT. Therefore, in the event of a disaster, subordinate organizations such as local governments can quickly and automatically open evacuation shelters without having to think twice about opening them. (b) No dedicated line required: Since the communication network 5 can be used, there is no need to lay a dedicated line, and the remote control locking / unlocking key storage box 7 can be used immediately after installation. (c) Easy to install: The remote control locking / unlocking key storage box 7 is portable and can be easily installed anywhere. (d) Periodic management possible: The operating status of the remote control locking / unlocking key storage box 7 is always communicated with the alarm-linked remote control locking / unlocking key storage system management server 3, making it easy to check the operating status and the locked / unlocked status. (e) Bulk unlocking function: From the terminal 4 for the remote evacuation locking / unlocking key storage box system, it is possible to simultaneously unlock and lock all remote control locking / unlocking key storage boxes 7 in all evacuation-related areas. (f) Unlock confirmation function: The trigger (the person requesting unlocking) who sent the unlock request signal can be confirmed. The unlock request signal can be sent by a mass alarm, or by a person selected by a local government in the case of a large-scale disaster, or by a person selected by a management center in the case of an individual disaster. (g) Linkage of rain cloud radar and earthquake information: Rain cloud radar and earthquake information from the Japan Meteorological Agency can be acquired and displayed overlaid on the location information of the remote control locking / unlocking box 7. (h) Automatic unlocking at a specified seismic intensity: A depth sensor is installed in the remote-controlled locking / unlocking key storage box 7 to automatically unlock it at a specified seismic intensity. The specified seismic intensity can be freely set from the remote-controlled locking / unlocking key storage box system terminal 4, and it can be set so that it opens at a seismic intensity of 6, for example. (i) Locking is possible even if the simultaneous alarm is a false alarm: Even if the simultaneous alarm system is a false alarm, all specified remote control locking / unlocking key storage boxes 7 can be locked from the remote control locking / unlocking key storage box system terminal 4.

[0014] [Industrial Applicability]

[0015] In order to quickly open a shelter, the present invention makes it possible to automatically unlock the shelter without waiting for the judgment of an administrative official by linking it to a simultaneous alarm, whereas the work of confirming the opening of the shelter previously relied on risky actions by administrative officials, rushing to the scene with the key, or making a phone call.

[0016] This invention eliminates the hassle of entrusting key storage to local residents' association members around evacuation shelters, relieves local government officials of the burden of key storage, and contributes to improving disaster prevention awareness among the government and local residents by instantly communicating the unlocking operation to evacuation shelter officials.

[0017] When a large number of evacuation shelters are set up within a city, it takes a great deal of time and effort to check the opening status of all the shelters and to compile information on whether there are power outages. With this invention, by monitoring the status of the remote control unlocking box, it is possible to check the opening status of all the evacuation shelters in the city from a bird's-eye view.

[0018] This is expected to have the potential to significantly reduce labor not only in evacuation centers, but also in facilities in remote locations where handing over keys requires a great deal of effort and inconvenience, such as mountain radio relay stations, warehouses, and facility management on remote islands.

[0019] In the chaotic state of disasters, it is extremely difficult to review the response status at a later date. This invention makes it possible to accumulate system records from the initial response to the disaster to the opening of evacuation shelters, and this information can be used to improve disaster response and implement new ideas.

[0020] This system allows for the simultaneous unlocking of remote locking and unlocking key storage boxes installed in multiple evacuation centers, enabling rapid system deployment in emergencies. However, individual unlocking commands are also possible.

[0021] This invention allows facility managers of evacuation shelters to arbitrarily categorize the shelters they manage, making it possible to manage the remote-controlled locking and unlocking key storage boxes for the shelters under their control. Operators can only handle facility information under their control, preventing operational errors and unauthorized mistakes.

[0022] The present invention allows for the prior authorization and management of operators of the remote-controlled locking / unlocking key storage box, making it possible to keep records of who operated the box and when. This contributes to the management of who has the authority and to preventing unauthorized persons from operating the box, as well as to strengthening security during operation. [Explanation of symbols]

[0023] 1. Simultaneous alarm coordination remote control locking / unlocking key storage system 2. Mass Warning System 3. Alarm coordination, remote control, locking and unlocking, key storage system management server 4. Remote control locking / unlocking key storage system terminal 5. Communication Network 6 GPS satellites 7 Remote control locking and unlocking key storage box 7A Shelter key 7B Key storage box lid 7C Lamp 7D physical manual key

Claims

1. This remote-controlled locking / unlocking key storage box is a box for storing keys to evacuation shelters or warehouses, and is configured so that locking and unlocking of the box can be performed by remote control from a PC or a mobile terminal, and is linked to a simultaneous alarm so that the unlocking can be performed in conjunction with a simultaneous alarm.

2. This remote control locking / unlocking key storage system is a box for storing keys to evacuation shelters or warehouses, and is configured so that the locking and unlocking of the key storage box can be performed remotely from a PC or a mobile terminal, and is linked to a simultaneous alarm so that the unlocking can be performed in conjunction with the simultaneous alarm.

3. A disaster response support system that utilizes a remote-controlled locking / unlocking key storage system that is linked to a mass alarm and that is configured to enable locking and unlocking of the key storage box by remote control from a PC or mobile terminal, and that can unlock the key storage box in conjunction with a mass alarm.

Citation Information

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