Automatic unlocking system

Abstract

To unlock an automatic lock of an entrance or the like of a building.SOLUTION: A building is provided with an indoor interphone master unit 7, a first button pressing device 5 for pressing a call button, a second button pressing device 6 for pressing an unlocking button, and an indoor communication terminal 2 for transmitting an operation command to the first and second button pressing devices 5 and 6. The management server 1 can communicate with the indoor communication terminal 2. The management server 1 causes the user terminal 3 to display a first stage display for unlocking the automatic lock, causes the user terminal 3 to display a second stage display related to an operation of the intercom when an operation for the first stage display is performed on the user terminal 3, receives an unlocking instruction from the user terminal 3 after the user operates the intercom in accordance with the second stage display, and transmits an instruction to drive the first button pushing device 5 and the second button pushing device 6 to the indoor communication terminal 2 when receiving the unlocking instruction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for unlocking an automatic lock at the entrance of a building or the like. [Background technology]

[0002] In the real estate viewing system described in Patent Document 1, when the reserved time arrives, the user can unlock the electronic lock installed on the property they wish to view by pressing the unlock button displayed on their terminal. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7048135 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] If you wanted to tour a room in an apartment building when no one was there, you had to unlock the entrance's automatic lock in some way (for example, by asking the manager to open it for you). The real estate preview system described in Patent Document 1 does not mention unlocking the auto-lock at the entrance to a building such as an apartment building.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a system that can unlock an auto-lock at a building entrance or the like. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention has the following features: The present invention is a system for unlocking an automatic lock at an entrance of a building. The building is equipped with an indoor intercom master unit for unlocking the entrance auto-lock, a first button pressing device for pressing the call button on the indoor intercom master unit, a second button pressing device for pressing the unlock button on the indoor intercom master unit, and an indoor communication terminal for sending operation commands to the first and second button pressing devices. The indoor communication terminal is capable of communicating with the management server via the network. The management server is capable of communicating with user terminals via a network. The management server causes the user terminal to display a first-stage display for unlocking the auto-lock, and when an operation is performed on the user terminal in response to the first-stage display, causes the user terminal to display a second-stage display regarding operation of the entrance intercom, and after the user operates the intercom in accordance with the second-stage display, receives an unlocking instruction from the user terminal, and upon receiving the unlocking instruction, sends an instruction to the indoor communication terminal to activate the first button pressing device and the second button pressing device. The indoor communication terminal operates the indoor intercom master unit by driving the first button pressing device and the second button pressing device in response to an instruction from the management server.

[0007] Preferably, upon receiving the unlocking instruction, the management server transmits an instruction to the indoor communication terminal to drive the first button pressing device and then the second button pressing device in that order.

[0008] Preferably, the management server causes the user terminal to display the first stage display when the time arrives at which the user can enter the building.

[0009] Preferably, the management server disables the first stage display when the time during which the user can enter the building has elapsed.

[0010] Preferably, the first and second button pressing devices have arms capable of pressing the call button and unlock button of the indoor intercom master unit.

[0011] Preferably, there are multiple buildings, and the management server can operate each indoor communication terminal, first button pressing device, and second button pressing device installed in the multiple buildings, and can send instructions to activate the first button pressing device and the second button pressing device to the indoor communication terminal installed in the building that the user wishes to enter.

[0012] The present invention also provides a system for unlocking an automatic lock at a building entrance. The building is equipped with an indoor intercom master unit for unlocking the entrance auto-lock, a button pressing device for pressing the unlock button on the indoor intercom master unit, and an indoor communication terminal for sending operation commands to the button pressing device. The button pressing device has an arm portion that retracts from a housing attached to the indoor intercom master unit. The indoor communication terminal is capable of communicating with the management server via the network. The management server is capable of communicating with user terminals via a network. The management server causes the user terminal to display a display for unlocking the auto-lock, and after the user operates the intercom in accordance with the display, receives an unlocking instruction from the user terminal, and upon receiving the unlocking instruction, sends an instruction to the indoor communication terminal to activate the button pressing device. The indoor communication terminal drives the button pressing device in response to an instruction from the management server. 。 The button pressing device retracts the arm in response to an instruction from the indoor communication terminal. This will operate the indoor intercom main unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to release the auto-lock of the entrance of a building, etc.

[0014] By driving the first button pressing device and the second button pressing device in that order, the release button is pressed after the talk button is pressed, so that the autolock can be released reliably.

[0015] When the time for entry arrives, the first stage will be displayed, and security will be enhanced as the auto-lock cannot be released at any time other than the reserved time.

[0016] Once the permitted entry time has passed, the first stage display can be disabled, which increases security by preventing the auto-lock from being released outside of the reserved time.

[0017] If the first and second button pressing devices are configured so that the buttons are operated by an arm, an auto-lock release system can be provided that is compatible with a variety of indoor intercom master units.

[0018] If the indoor communication terminal and the management server communicate with each other for each of multiple buildings, allowing the first and second button pressing devices to be operated, multiple buildings can be managed from one management server, improving the convenience of management for building managers.

[0019] Furthermore, the present invention can also be used with auto-locks that can be unlocked with just the unlock button. By configuring the button pressing device so that the arm portion retracts from the housing, it becomes easy to attach it to the indoor intercom master unit.

[0020] These and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of an auto-lock release system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the auto lock release system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the user terminal 3. As shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the first button pressing device 5 and the second button pressing device 6 attached to the indoor intercom master unit 7. As shown in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the first button pressing device 5 (the same applies to the second button pressing device 6). [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the management server 1. As shown in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the auto lock release system according to another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] In Figure 1, the auto-lock release system includes a management server 1, an indoor communication terminal 2, a user terminal 3, a network 4, a first button pressing device 5, a second button pressing device 6, an indoor intercom master unit 7, and an entrance intercom 8.

[0023] 6, the management server 1 is a computer device including a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, a communication unit 13, a display unit 14, and an input unit 15. The management server 11 may be installed inside a building or outside a building. The management server 11 may be used to unlock the auto-lock at the entrance of only one building (for example, only property A), or may be used to unlock the auto-lock at the entrances of multiple buildings (for example, properties A and B).

[0024] When the management server 11 unlocks the auto-locks of multiple buildings, the identification information of the indoor communication terminal 2, first button pressing device 5, and second button pressing device 6 installed in each property is stored in the memory unit 12. The management server 11 can transmit the identification information from the communication unit 13 to the indoor communication terminal 2 installed in each property, and operate the first button pressing device 5 and second button pressing device 6 installed in each property.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 5, the first button pressing device 5 includes: Inside the housing attached to the indoor intercom master unit 7, The device includes a control unit 51, a drive unit 52, a communication unit 53, and an arm unit 54. The communication unit 53 is connected to the management server 1 via the network 4 and receives instructions from the management server 11. The control unit 51 drives the drive unit 52 (such as a motor or solenoid) based on instructions from the management server 1. The drive unit 52 is equipped with an arm unit 54 for pressing a button. When the drive unit 52 is driven, the arm unit 54 moves, allowing an external button to be pressed. The second button pressing device 6 has a similar configuration, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0026] As shown in Figure 4, the indoor intercom master unit 7 is provided with a call button, an unlock button, and an end button. Normally, when a visitor arrives, the room number is pressed using the entrance intercom 8, and an image of the visitor is displayed on the monitor of the indoor intercom master unit 7. The person inside the room can press the call button to talk, and the unlock button to open the entrance door.

[0027] The first button pressing device 5 is attached at a position where the arm portion 54 can press the call button. The second button pressing device 6 is attached at a position where the arm portion 64 can press the unlock button. It is preferable that the arm portions 54, 64 are retractable.

[0028] In this way, by installing the first button pressing device 5 and the second button pressing device 6 in the indoor intercom master unit 7, advance preparation is completed.

[0029] The operation of the entire system will be explained using FIG. The user terminal 3 is capable of logging in to the management server 1 (S301).

[0030] It is assumed that the reserved time for entry into property A of a building that the user wishes to enter has arrived (S101). The management server 1 changes the screen displayed when the user terminal 3 logs in, so that a button for unlocking the entrance is displayed (S102).

[0031] An entrance unlock button is displayed on the user terminal 3 (S302). This entrance unlock button will be referred to as the first stage of display. For example, as shown in FIG. 3(a), for a certain room in a certain building (here, room 504), when the reserved date and time arrives, the entrance unlock button will be displayed. The front door unlock button in FIG. 3(a) is a button for unlocking the front door of the room using a system such as that described in Patent Document 1.

[0032] Next, when the entrance unlock button is pressed on the user terminal 3 (YES in S303), the management server 1 changes the screen to instruct the user to operate the intercom at the entrance (S103). As a result, a display instructing the user to operate the intercom at the entrance appears on the user terminal 3 (S304). The display that instructs how to operate this intercom will be called the second-stage display.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 3(b), the second stage display may be, for example, a pop-up message instructing the user to operate the intercom at the entrance. After the operation is complete, a message will appear asking you to press the OK button.

[0034] This OK button is an instruction to unlock. That is, after the second stage display, the management server 1 causes the user terminal 3 to display a button for issuing an instruction to unlock.

[0035] When the OK button is pressed on the user terminal 3 (S305), that is, when an unlocking instruction is sent from the user terminal 3 to the management server, the management server 1 instructs the indoor communication terminal 2 to activate the first button pressing device 5 (S104). In response to this, the indoor communication terminal 2 instructs the first button pressing device 5 to drive the arm portion 54 (S201), thereby pressing the talk button.

[0036] Next, after a predetermined time has elapsed (S105), the management server 1 instructs the indoor communication terminal 2 to activate the second button pressing device 6 (S106). The reason why a predetermined time must elapse here is that after the first button pressing device 5 is pressed (i.e., talking), the second button pressing device 6 must be pressed (i.e., unlocking). That is, the second button pressing device 6 is pressed in order after the first button pressing device 5. For this purpose, the time is not limited to the passage of a predetermined time.

[0037] In response to this, the indoor communication terminal 2 instructs the second button pressing device 6 to drive the arm portion 64 (S202), thereby pressing the unlock button.

[0038] According to the above-described process, by operating the indoor intercom master unit 7 with the first button pressing device 5 and the second button pressing device 6, it is possible to unlock the auto-lock.

[0039] Finally, when the reserved time for entry into property A has passed (S107), the management server 1 changes the user screen so as to disable the unlock button at the entrance (S108), making it impossible to release the auto-lock any more.

[0040] (Variation) Some indoor intercom master units 7 are designed so that the auto-lock can be released simply by pressing the unlock button, without having to press the talk button. The operation flow in this case is shown in Figure 7.

[0041] In this modified example, the first button pressing device 5 can be omitted from the system configuration. Then, in S102 of the flowchart in Fig. 7, when the entrance unlock button is displayed, the management server 1 displays a message on the screen of the user terminal 1 instructing the user to press the room number on the intercom and then press the unlock button.

[0042] In response to this, a message appears on the user terminal 3 instructing the user to press the room number on the intercom and then press the unlock button (S302). Here, when the user presses the room number on the intercom and presses the unlock button (S305) (this is an instruction to unlock), the user terminal 3 transmits to the management server 1 a message that the unlock button has been pressed.

[0043] In response to this, the management server 1 transmits an instruction to drive the second button pressing device 6 to the indoor communication terminal 2 (S106). In response to this, the indoor communication terminal 2 drives the second button pressing device 6 (S202). This causes the unlock button of the indoor intercom master unit 7 to be pressed by the arm part 64, and the auto-lock is released.

[0044] In FIG. 7, other operations are the same as those in FIG. 2, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0045] Although the present invention has been described in detail above, the above description is merely illustrative of the present invention in all respects and is not intended to limit its scope. It goes without saying that various improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Each of the constituent elements of the invention disclosed in this specification is considered to be an independent, stand-alone invention. Inventions that combine the constituent elements in any manner are also included in the present invention. The specific expressions in this specification are merely examples, and the present invention also includes those that conceptualize these exemplary expressions. [Industrial Applicability]

[0046] The present invention is an auto-lock release system and is industrially applicable. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 1 Management Server 11 Control section 12 Storage section 13 Communications Department 14 Display section 15 Input section 2 Indoor communication terminal 3. User terminal 4 Network 5. First button pressing device 51 Control section 52 Drive unit 53 Communications Department 54 Arm section 6 Second button pressing device 64 Arm section 7 Indoor intercom base unit 8 Entrance intercom

Claims

[Claim 1] A system for unlocking an auto-lock at a building entrance, The building is provided with an indoor intercom master unit for unlocking the entrance auto-lock, a button pressing device for pressing an unlock button provided on the indoor intercom master unit, and an indoor communication terminal for transmitting an operation command to the button pressing device, The button pressing device has an arm portion that retracts from a housing attached to the indoor intercom master unit, The indoor communication terminal is capable of communicating with a management server via a network, the management server is capable of communicating with user terminals via the network, The management server displaying a display for unlocking the auto-lock on the user terminal; After the user operates the intercom in accordance with the display, an unlock instruction is received from the user terminal; When the unlocking instruction is received, an instruction to activate the button pressing device is transmitted to the indoor communication terminal; the indoor communication terminal drives the button pressing device in response to an instruction from the management server; The auto-lock release system is characterized in that the button pressing device operates the indoor intercom master unit by retracting the arm portion in response to an instruction from the indoor communication terminal.

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