Building key management server system, building key management server, program

Abstract

To provide a key management server system, a server, and a program that improves the speed of delivery personnel's drop-off and delivery and the safety of packages. [Solution] In the key management server system X, the key management server 1 is equipped with a receiving means for receiving an unlocking request including at least a password for passing through the automatic door from the delivery person terminal 4 when a delivery person D passes through the door of the common area 5, a first authentication means for determining whether the password for passing through the automatic door is legitimate, a first unlocking instruction means for outputting an unlocking instruction to the door control device 2 if the first authentication is successful, and a password sending means for sending the unlocking password of the locking / unlocking device of the individual delivery box device 7 to the delivery person terminal, and when the delivery person unlocks the locking / unlocking device of the individual delivery box device, the unlocking password held by the delivery person terminal is given to the individual delivery box device by inputting it by the delivery person, and if the second authentication is successful, a second unlocking instruction means of the delivery box device outputs an unlocking instruction to the locking means of the delivery box device.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a building key management server system suitable for apartment buildings and other collective housing, a building key management server, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Paragraph 0003 of Patent Document 1 states that in recent years, the demand for package delivery has increased rapidly due to the rapid expansion of the e-commerce (electronic commerce) market. The document states that many e-commerce site users are individuals, and as their lifestyles become more diverse, they are more likely to be absent at the time of delivery, resulting in redelivery and reduced package delivery efficiency. Paragraph 0004 also states that, to improve the convenience of receiving packages, so-called "drop-off delivery" services have been put into practical use, in which packages are left at a designated location, such as in front of the door, without the recipient meeting face-to-face. However, in apartment buildings with auto-locks, for example, delivery users are unable to access the front door. The document also states that such apartment buildings may be equipped with delivery lockers, but if the lockers are full, delivery users are unable to use the lockers and the delivery must be redelivered.

[0003] Therefore, the solution to the problem in Patent Document 1 is, in order to put the "leave at door" service into practical use, "an unlocking management system comprising a deliverer terminal 1 and an unlocking management server 2, wherein the unlocking management server 2 has a request receiving unit 220 that receives unlocking request information from the deliverer terminal 1, which is information indicating a request to unlock an electronic lock and includes a waybill number; an address acquisition unit 221 that acquires the destination address of the package corresponding to the waybill number included in the unlocking request information; a digital key acquisition unit 222 that acquires the API information and digital key of the electronic lock at the destination address of the package by referring to a digital key database that associates and manages electronic locks present at the address, API information for operating the electronic lock, and digital keys for unlocking the electronic lock using the API specified by the API information; and a key operation unit 223 that unlocks the electronic lock using the API information and digital key of the electronic lock at the destination address of the package" (symbols are those of Patent Document 1).

[0004] Patent Document 1 uses WevAPI (Application Programming Interface) technology to operate an electronic lock, receives a slip number and its auxiliary information (for example, "in delivery") related to a package from an open source, and uses a digital key database that records the slip number and its auxiliary information in association with a digital key in order to unlock the electronic lock. However, (a) the authentication code does not use a password for passing through an automatic door, (b) it is unclear what procedures should be used to unlock the door control device that includes an unlocking function for the automatic door in the shared area of ​​the building and the individual delivery box devices installed near the doors of the private areas, and (c) there is no description of what configuration should be used when unlocking the lock on the delivery box device.

[0005] Therefore, in Patent Document 1, it is not possible to expect smooth passage through the common areas of the building or quick and reliable placement of the package in the delivery box installed near the private area (speed of the delivery person leaving the package).

[0006] Next, the problem of the invention in Patent Document 2 is to "prevent unauthorized persons from unlocking doors by impersonating contractors," and the solution to this problem is "a door control device 10 that controls the locking and unlocking of door 11 installed at the entrance of apartment building M, and a server device 12 that can communicate with a delivery company server 14, and is equipped with a reception means 60 that receives an unlocking request from the door control device 10, which includes the device ID of the door control device 10 and a service number set by the delivery company, an authentication request means 64 that sends an authentication request including information included in the unlocking request to the delivery company server 14, and an unlocking means 66 that, upon receiving the authentication request, identifies a delivery company terminal 16 linked to the service number, and, as a result of authentication based on information obtained from the identified delivery company terminal 16, sends an unlocking instruction to the door control device 10 identified by the device ID included in the unlocking request if the authentication is successful" (symbols are those of Patent Document 2).

[0007] In Patent Document 2, the authentication means of the server device 12 determines whether to make a positive judgment based on whether or not a predetermined input operation has been performed by the delivery person on the delivery company terminal 16 (the delivery person terminal of the present invention) carried by the delivery person delivering the package, and therefore it can be said that security can be improved. Note that Patent Document 2 also uses the location of the delivery company terminal 16 as auxiliary information when the authentication means performs authentication (paragraphs 0067, 0070, and 0070).

[0008] However, like Patent Document 1, Patent Document 2 does not include the above-mentioned descriptions (a) to (c), and therefore, delivery personnel cannot be expected to leave the parcel at the address promptly.

[0009] Patent Document 3 describes that a delivery box is installed in contact with the wall surface of an appropriate part of a building (paragraph 0020). Also, Figure 4 shows a block diagram of a delivery box device. Referring to Figure 4, Figure 1, and paragraph 0029, it can be understood that the authentication code stored in the memory unit of the mobile terminal 4 is wirelessly transmitted from the mobile terminal to the delivery box device, the transmission / reception means 7 of the delivery box device receives the authentication code, and the authentication unit 8 authenticates it.

[0010] However, as pointed out in Patent Documents 1 and 2, Patent Document 3 has the following problems: (a) it is unclear whether the authentication code for unlocking the door control device of the automatic door in the common area uses a password for passing through the automatic door; (b) it is unclear what procedures are used to unlock the door control device that includes an unlocking function for the automatic door in the common area of ​​the building and the individual delivery box devices installed near the doors in the private areas; and (c) when unlocking the lock on the delivery box device, it is not "configured so that at least the delivery person directly provides the unlocking password to the delivery box device manually or by voice input." [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0011] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-85833 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 740746 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-304450 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0012] In view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, the present invention aims to enable delivery personnel to quickly pass through the common areas of a building and safely store packages in a delivery box installed near the resident's private area, for example (improving the speed at which delivery personnel can leave and the safety of packages).

[0013] The above and other objects and novel features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0014] However, the drawings are for illustrative purposes only and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention. [Means for solving the problem]

[0015] The key management server system for a building of the present invention is a key management server system for a building that includes a delivery person terminal carried by a delivery person, a door control device that controls the unlocking of an automatic door in a common area, and a key management server that can communicate with each other, The key management server includes a receiving means for receiving an unlocking request including at least an automatic door passing password from the delivery person terminal when the delivery person passes through the door to the common area, a first authentication means for determining whether the automatic door passing password is legitimate, a first unlocking instruction means for outputting an unlocking instruction to the door control device if the first authentication is successful, and a password sending means for sending an unlocking password of the locking / unlocking device of the individual delivery box device to the delivery person terminal.Furthermore, when the delivery person unlocks the locking / unlocking device of the individual delivery box device, the unlocking password held by the delivery person terminal is given to the individual delivery box device by input by the delivery person, and a second authentication means of the individual delivery box device compares the input unlocking password with the unlocking password stored in its own memory means to determine whether the directly input unlocking password is legitimate, and if the second authentication is successful, a second unlocking instruction means of the delivery box device outputs an unlocking instruction to the locking means of the delivery box device (Claim 1).

[0016] Next, the system is provided with a receiving means for receiving an unlocking request including the automatic door passing password from the delivery person terminal, a first authentication means for determining whether the automatic door passing password is legitimate or not, and a first unlocking instruction means for outputting an unlocking instruction to the door control device if the first authentication is successful; and the key management server further has a password generating means for generating an unlocking password for unlocking the locking means of the delivery box device for each user's household, and a password storage means for storing the generated unlocking password, and is further characterized by having the password sending means for sending the unlocking password to the delivery person terminal (Claim 4).

[0017] Furthermore, the program of the present invention is characterized in that it causes a computer to realize the following functions: a function for storing in one or more memory units an automatic door passage password given to a service provider that manages delivery of packages, door identification information of a door control device that controls the unlocking of an automatic door when a delivery person passes through the automatic door of a common area, and identification information that identifies an individual delivery box device installed near the private area where the person receiving the package lives; a reception function for receiving an unlocking request including the automatic door passage password from the delivery person terminal; an authentication function for determining whether the automatic door passage password is legitimate; and an unlocking instruction function for outputting an unlocking instruction to the door control device if the authentication is successful (Claim 5). [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] According to the present invention, even if the recipient is not present at the time of delivery, the delivery person can quickly pass through the automatic door in the common area, carry the package to the vicinity of the recipient's (user's) private area, manually or by voice input of an unlocking password into the input unit of a home delivery box device with a locking / unlocking function installed near the private area, unlock the locking means of the home delivery box device, and safely leave the package inside the delivery box. Depending on the embodiment, the home delivery box device can be made "self-contained (a system that does not communicate with a server or mobile terminal)" to simplify the system. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] 1 to 9 are explanatory views showing a first embodiment of the present invention. 10 and 11 are explanatory views showing a second embodiment of the present invention. 12 to 14 are explanatory views showing a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a key management system X according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] Predetermined information to be displayed on the display screen of the delivery person terminal 4. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the key management server 1 in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a service provider server 3. [Figure 5] 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing an example of a delivery person terminal 1, an individual delivery box device 7, and an entrance door 6 of a private area. [Figure 6] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the individual delivery box device 7 of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the door control device 2 of FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the data structure stored in the storage means of the key management server 1. [Figure 9] 4 is a control flowchart of the delivery box device 7. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a key management system X1 according to a second embodiment (with a gate plate 50 added). [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example (gate plate 50) of acquiring location information of the deliveryman terminal 4 in the first embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a key management system X2 according to a third embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the individual delivery box device 7 of FIG. 12. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a data structure of a time-limited password stored in a storage unit of an individual delivery box device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings. Figures 1 to 9 show a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a key management system X according to a first embodiment. The key management system X is centered around one or more key management servers 1, and includes one or more door control devices 2, one or more service provider servers 3, one or more delivery person terminals 4, a main automatic door 5 installed at the entrance to a common area of ​​a building such as an apartment building, dormitory, or lodging house, and one or more individual delivery box devices 7 installed near private areas where people who will receive packages live.

[0021] Hereinafter, we will explain the case where the door control device 2 is installed near the entrance of an apartment building (multi-family housing), and the case where individual delivery box devices 7 are installed near private areas. Note that Figure 1 also shows steps (method inventions) for ease of understanding.

[0022] The information processing devices 1, 2, 3, 4, and 7 that make up the building key management server system X can communicate with each other via a communication network NT such as the Internet or telephone lines. That is, the key management server 1 can communicate with a deliveryman terminal 4 carried by a deliveryman D, a door control device 2 that controls the unlocking of an automatic door 5 in a common area when the deliveryman D passes through the automatic door 5 with the deliveryman terminal 4 and a package L, and an individual delivery box device 7 installed near the front door 6 of the private area where the person who will receive the package L lives.

[0023] On the other hand, as will be described later, the delivery box device 7 and the delivery person terminal 4 carried by the delivery person D who has arrived near the front door 6 of the private area do not unlock the delivery box device 7 wirelessly, for example. Note that the term "offline path" here does not necessarily mean that the key management server 1 and the delivery box device 7 are not connected by communication via a network. On the other hand, the term "offline path" in other embodiments means that the key management server 1 and the delivery box device 7 are not connected by communication via a network in order to simplify the system.

[0024] The key management server 1 is a first server installed either on a network that manages keys or on-site at the housing complex (including the premises in a local location such as the management office of the management association), while the service provider server 3 is a delivery company server on a network that manages packages from, for example, Yamato Transport Co., Ltd. The delivery company server 3 as a service provider server and the key management server 1 do not necessarily need to be linked, but if they are linked through a specific contract, joint development, etc., they are equivalent to a second server, so to speak.

[0025] Thus, the key management server 1 can receive public information relating to package identification (such as open source tracking number and delivery information) published on the network using the HTTP protocol by utilizing WebAPI technology. In such a case, from the viewpoint of security (improving the legitimacy of package delivery), it is desirable that the key manager of the key management server 1 and the package manager of the service provider server 3 store, as far as possible, the automatic door pass-through password, package identification information (such as tracking number or waybill number), and building identification information (the address of the apartment building and the room number ID of the user's private area) in each other's storage means 11, 33 based on a contract.

[0026] In addition, when a contract is made, for example, the key management server 1 authenticates at least the automatic door pass-through password P1 as the first identification information when accepting (receiving). Once the first identification information is established, the server authenticates the second identification information (building identification information and recipient = registered user password and room number ID). Once the second identification information is established, the server authenticates the third identification information (other passwords such as on-site location information from the delivery person's terminal).

[0027] On the other hand, if the key management server 1 does not use WebAPI technology but instead builds its own website (for example, registered trademark: MIWA-Link's), the service provider server 3, for example, applies for an "automatic door passage password" to the key management server 1 as shown in step 1 (S1). When the key management server 1 receives the application, it provides (transmits) at least the "automatic door passage password P1" to the service provider server 3 as shown in step 2 (S2). When the service provider server 3 receives the automatic door passage password, it stores it in its own storage means 33, and as shown in step 3 (S3), it notifies the delivery person terminal 4 of the automatic door passage password P1, the room number ID of the user's private area, etc., preferably via the Internet. Note that steps S1, S2, S3, etc. are also abbreviated as "S1, S2, S3, etc."

[0028] Therefore, as shown in Fig. 4, the service provider server 3 has the functions necessary for an information processing device, such as application means 31 for the automatic door passage password P1, acquisition means (reception means) 32, storage means 33 having RAM, ROM, etc., control means 34 having a processor, and communication means 35 having a transmission unit and a reception unit. Since information processing devices are well-known technology, a detailed description will be omitted here.

[0029] For convenience, FIG. 1 shows only display screens 4a and 4b of the delivery person terminal 4 carried by delivery person D. Display screen 4a shows the case where delivery person D accesses, for example, a page for visitors on a website (e.g., registered trademark: MIWA-Link's) as indicated by S4. Display screen 4b shows the case where delivery person D enters predetermined information as indicated by S5. As shown in FIG. 2, an example of the predetermined information is the "automatic door passage password P1" received directly from the key management server 1 or via the service provider server 3, and the "private area room number P1 (room number ID)" of the resident (user) receiving the package. Display screen 4b displays the automatic door passage password P1 and room number P2, as well as an operation section R for requesting release of common area access, which delivery person D must tap.

[0030] Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the key management server 1 in Fig. 1. Like a typical server device, the key management server 1 of the first embodiment has a control device (CPU, storage means 11, timing means 18), a communication device, etc. Note that detailed explanation of well-known technologies included in the information processing device 1 will be omitted, and the main functions will be explained as "means."

[0031] The main functions (means) of the key management server 1 are as follows: a password generation means 10 for generating the automatic door pass password P1 and the time-delay unlocking password P3 of the delivery box device 7; a storage means 11 for storing the generated automatic door pass password P1 and the time-delay unlocking password P3, the door control device ID of the common area, the room number ID of the user's private area, etc. in a database; a linking means 12 for linking the automatic door pass password P1 and the time-delay unlocking password P3 with building identification information or a door control device that can identify the location of the automatic door 5; and a delivery person terminal 4. The delivery box device includes a receiving means (registration means) 13 that receives an unlocking request R1 including an automatic door passing password P1 from the delivery person terminal 4, an authentication means (sometimes called a first authentication means) 14 that determines whether the automatic door passing password P1 is valid or not, a first unlocking instruction means 15 that outputs an unlocking instruction to the door control device 2 if the first authentication is successful, a password sending means 16 that sends a time-limited unlocking password P3 for the delivery box device to both the delivery person terminal 4 and the delivery box device 7 that has a locking / unlocking function, a control means 17 that includes a storage means 11 that stores RAM, ROM, etc., and a timing means 18. The storage means 11 has a key management table 11A with a data structure that will be described later.

[0032] Now, let's return to the explanation of Fig. 1. In Fig. 1, S6 is the first authentication of the key management server 1. When the key management server 1 receives a common area release request R1 including the automatic door passage password P1 and room number P1 (room number ID) from the delivery person terminal 4 at S5 using the reception means (registration means) 13, it determines whether the automatic door passage password P1 and room number P2 stored in the storage means 11 match the common area release request R1 (preferably the automatic door passage password P1 and room number P2) received by the reception means (registration means) 13.

[0033] If the determination is affirmative, the control means 17 outputs an unlock instruction to the door control device 2 by the first unlock instruction means 15, as shown in S7. The control means 17 preferably issues an unlock instruction directly to the door control device 2 via the Internet NT. When the door control device 2 receives the unlock instruction via the communication means 42, it issues an unlock signal to the locking means (electric motor constituting the drive mechanism) 47 of the common area. As a result, the driving force of the electric motor opens the automatic door 5 of the common area (S8).

[0034] As described above, the building key management server system X is equipped with individual delivery box devices 7 with automatic locking and unlocking functions, as schematically illustrated on the lower right side of the drawing, and the locking / unlocking device of each delivery box device 7 is unlocked using a time-delay unlocking password P3 for the delivery box device 7 (see display screen 4c of the deliverer terminal 4 in FIG. 5). Therefore, the key management server 1 transmits the time-delay unlocking password P3 to the delivery box device 7 in advance before the delivery person manually or vocally enters the time-delay unlocking password P3 into the input means 20 of the delivery box device 7 (S9). When the delivery box device 7 receives the time-delay unlocking password P3 via the receiving means 28, it stores the time-delay unlocking password P3 in the storage means 22.

[0035] In the first embodiment, after delivery person D passes through the automatic door 5 in the common area which is open, he arrives at the front door 6 in the private area of ​​the recipient, and when delivery person D unlocks the locking / unlocking device of the delivery box device 7, at least the delivery person D gives (inputs) the time-limited unlocking password P3 stored in the memory means 22 of the delivery person terminal D directly to the delivery box device 7 by manual or voice input, etc.

[0036] In the first embodiment, the time-delay unlocking password P3 includes a portion of the package's shipping slip number, such as a part of the information called the waybill number. Therefore, the deliveryman D visually checks whether the last few digits of the package's shipping slip number (e.g., the waybill number) displayed on the display screen of the deliveryman terminal 4 he is carrying matches, or memorizes them, and manually inputs the last few digits of the package's shipping slip number into the input means (e.g., a numeric keypad) 20 of the delivery locker device 7 (S10). In the case of voice input, the last few digits are spoken to the voice acquisition means 20. The time-delay unlocking password P3 displayed on the display screen of the mobile terminal 4 preferably includes the room number ID of the private section along with the last few digits of the package's shipping slip number.

[0037] In a preferred embodiment, the authentication means (sometimes referred to as second authentication means) 25 of the delivery box device 7 compares whether the directly input time-delay unlocking password P3 matches the time-delay unlocking password stored in its own storage means to determine whether it is authentic, and if the second authentication is successful, the control means 21 of the delivery box device 7 controls the second unlocking instruction means 26 to output an unlocking instruction. As a result, the locking means 27 of the delivery box device 7, such as an electric lock or solenoid device, becomes unlocked.

[0038] 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a delivery person terminal 4, an individual delivery box device 7, and a front door 6 of a private area. The individual delivery box device 7 is retrofitted, for example, in a shared space near the front door 6, so the back of the delivery box 7a is positioned so that it is joined to the vertical exterior wall that makes up the private area (main body). The size and internal structure (refrigerator compartment, freezer compartment, shelves, etc.) of the delivery box 7a are not particularly important.

[0039] 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the individual delivery box device 7. Briefly, 20 denotes input means such as a numeric keypad or voice input device, 21 denotes control means including storage means, timing means, and a CPU, 24 denotes a plurality of display means provided at the upper and lower ends of the mounting base plate for the handle 7c for displaying either the locked state or the unlocked state, 25 denotes authentication means (second authentication means) for determining whether the time-delay unlocking password P3 stored in the storage means 22 matches the input information P3 entered by the input means 20, 26 denotes second unlock instruction means for outputting an unlock signal to the lock means 27 when the second authentication means 25 makes a positive determination, 28 denotes receiving means for receiving the time-delay unlocking password P3, and 29 denotes a power source (e.g., a secondary battery).

[0040] In the embodiment, a threshold value for the luggage weight is also recorded in the memory means 22, and a weight detection means provided on the inner surface of the bottom wall of the delivery box detects the weight of the luggage. When the detected weight exceeds the threshold value of the memory means 22, the control means 21 turns on the lock lamp of the display means 24 and controls the lock means 27 to the locked state after a predetermined time (for example, 15 seconds) has elapsed.

[0041] Therefore, in the opposite case (below the threshold), the control means 21 turns on the unlock lamp of the display means 24 and sets the locking means 27 to the unlocked state, and then, after a predetermined time (for example, 3, 4, 5 minutes, etc.) has passed, the control means 21 controls the locking means 27 to the locked state. In addition, regardless of whether a weight detection means is present or not, when the delivery box has been left empty for a predetermined time, the control means 21 controls the locking means 27 to the locked state based on the automatic locking program stored in the storage means 22.

[0042] In the above configuration, for example, when a delivery person manually inputs the time-delay unlocking password P3 displayed on the display screen 4c of the delivery person terminal 4 into the input means 20, the authentication means 25 determines whether the time-delay unlocking password P3 registered in the storage means 22 matches the input time-delay unlocking password P3. If the determination is affirmative (valid), the control means 21 controls the second unlocking instruction means 26 to output an unlocking instruction. Upon receiving the unlocking instruction, the locking means 27 unlocks the door 7b of the delivery box 7a (for example, in the case of a solenoid device, it disengages the locking lever from a locking receiver fixed to an appropriate location on the delivery box). At this time, as described above, the control means 21 controls the display means to select and light the unlocking lamp 24. Then, for example, the delivery person D places his / her hand on the handle 7c of the door 7b of the delivery box 7a (shown in FIG. 5), opens the door 7b, places the package L inside the delivery box 7a, and then closes the door 7b of the delivery box 7a. Then, locking means 27 of delivery box device 7 automatically locks door 7b.

[0043] Although not specifically shown, in the above embodiment, when delivery is completed, if a predetermined time (including variables such as several hours or one day) has passed, the security zone access password is invalidated. The time-limited unlocking password P3 remains valid until the recipient removes the package L from the delivery locker 7a. The time-limited unlocking password P3 is invalidated as a time-limited password, for example, by disposing a "weight sensor" in the approximate center of the inner surface of the bottom wall of the delivery locker 7a and using the detection signal from the weight sensor, once the authentication means 25 confirms that the delivery locker 7a has become empty.

[0044] Fig. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the door control device of Fig. 1. In Fig. 7, 40 is a CPU, 41 is a storage means, 42 is a communication means (including a reception means), 43 is a display means, 44 is a communication means, 45 is a camera, 46 is a light source, 47 is a locking means, and 48 is a power source.

[0045] The hardware configuration of the door control device is disclosed in numerous publications, such as Figure 3 of Japanese Patent No. 6777955, Figure 2 of Japanese Patent No. 6765147, Figure 2 of Japanese Patent No. 7407467, and Figure 1 of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2023-116183, and therefore detailed description will be omitted here. However, the door control device 2 may constitute an intercom system including a single device (one housing) or multiple devices. In such an embodiment, there is no need to distinguish between the intercom control device ID, the collective entrance device ID that issues an unlock instruction to the locking means (driving means) 47 of the automatic door 5, and the unlocking device ID corresponding to the locking means (driving means) 47. Any configuration is acceptable as long as it is possible to identify the target of the intercom system for performing unlocking control on the automatic door 5. In addition, any device that can release the auto-lock of an apartment building is acceptable, regardless of the term used, such as door control device, unlocking device, intercom control device, etc.

[0046] In the embodiment, the door control device 2 shown in Fig. 1 is used, and the auto-lock of the apartment building is released by sending a signal from the control means 17 of the key management server 1 to the control means 40 of the door control device 2 instructing it to unlock the automatic door 5. In this way, the first unlock instruction means 15 outputs an unlock instruction to the door control device 2, which saves the effort and time required to have a reading device read package identification information, as in conventional patent documents. Therefore, the embodiment has the advantage of reducing the number of devices and speeding up delivery.

[0047] However, there is a problem in that if a delivery person taps the operation section R for requesting unlocking of the common area on the display screen 4b of the delivery person terminal 4 from a location considerably far away (for example, 20 meters) from the automatic door 5 or the door control device 2, the automatic door 5 will open. Therefore, it is preferable that the unlocking request including the automatic door passing password P1 includes location information of the delivery person terminal 5 within a predetermined range, and the authentication means 14 of the key management server 1 additionally determines whether the delivery person terminal 4 is located within the predetermined range based on the automatic door 5 or the door control device 2.

[0048] The location acquisition means for the location information (current location near the automatic door 5 or door control device 2) acquires the location information of the deliveryman terminal 4, for example, based on a GPS signal received by a GPS receiver in the deliveryman terminal 4. The location acquisition means (not shown) acquires the location information of the deliveryman terminal 4 periodically, for example, at predetermined intervals. The location acquisition means transmits the acquired location information to the key management server 1 each time it is acquired or at predetermined timing. The authentication means 14 of the key management server 1 determines whether the automatic door (door control device ID) is a legitimate common area automatic door and whether the deliveryman terminal (deliveryman terminal ID) is a legitimate deliveryman terminal, including the automatic door passage password P1 and room number P2 and the location information (current location).

[0049] Fig. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic diagram of the data structure of the database for the common area and private area stored in the storage means of the key management server 1 (including the unlocking request R1). As shown in Fig. 8, the data structure includes the automatic door pass-through password P1, the room number P2 (room number ID) of the user's private area, the door control device ID, and location information (prefecture to apartment building name), so the unlocking request R1 includes the automatic door pass-through password, the room number of the user's private area, the on-site door control device, and location information near the automatic door. This can enhance security.

[0050] The flowchart for explaining the flow of processing by key management server system 1 (including the steps by the delivery person) uses the explanation of steps S1 to S10 shown in FIG. 1, and the explanation will not be repeated here.

[0051] Figure 9 is a control flowchart for the delivery locker device. Steps S1, S2, etc. are abbreviated as "S1, S2, etc." First, in S1, the delivery person enters an unlocking password P3 (for example, the room number ID and the last four digits of the slip number) into the numeric keypad using a finger or pen. Next, in S2, the entered unlocking password is compared with the stored time-limited unlocking password. In S3, a determination is made as to whether the passwords match. If the determination is negative, i.e., if the passwords do not match, the process returns. On the other hand, if the determination is positive, i.e., if the passwords match, the process proceeds to the next step. In S4, if the passwords match, the unlock lamp 24 lights up (for example, blue) and the locking means 27 enters an unlocked state (S5). Then, delivery person D opens door 7b of delivery locker 7a and places package L inside delivery locker 7a. Delivery person D then closes the door. In S6, after closing the door, a detection means (not shown) checks whether the package is inside the delivery locker. If the confirmation is negative, that is, if there is no detection signal from the detection means, the process returns; on the other hand, if the confirmation is positive, that is, if the package is detected, the process proceeds to the next step. In S7, the lock lamp 24 turns on (for example, red) and the locking means 27 enters a locked state (S8). Preferably, the delivery person D notifies the user terminal (not shown) and the service provider server 3 that the delivery has been completed. The notification of delivery completion may also be made by posting a "delivery completion slip" in the user's mailbox.

[0052] As described above, in the embodiment, even if the recipient is not present at the time of delivery, the delivery person can quickly pass through the automatic door in the common area, carry the package to the vicinity of the door to the recipient's private area, manually or by voice input of the unlocking password into the input section of the individual delivery box device installed near the door, unlocking the locking means of the delivery box device, and "safely leave the package" inside the delivery box.

[0053] [Different modes for carrying out the invention] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 10 and 11. In describing the second embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment of the present invention will be designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted. The second embodiment shown in Figures 10 and 11 differs from the first embodiment mainly in that a gate plate 50 that stores location information is provided near the automatic door 5. The delivery person terminal 4 can receive information about the gate plate 50 from the gate plate 50 using a contactless method, which is a well-known technology. Note that contactless communication is a well-known technology, so a detailed description will be omitted.

[0054] As described above, even if the gate plate 50 is fixedly attached to the wall near the entrance to the common area, the second embodiment can achieve the same effects as the first embodiment. That is, in the second embodiment, in the key management server system for a building of claim 1, the gate plate 50 is installed near the entrance to the common area, and the delivery person terminal 4 has an information reading function, so it acquires position information from the gate plate 50 and transmits the position information together with the unlocking request R1, and the authentication means 14 of the key management server 1 auxiliary determines whether the delivery person terminal 4 is located within a predetermined range based on either the automatic door 5 or the door control device 2.

[0055] In the first and second embodiments, when unlocking the locking / unlocking device of the delivery box device, the unlocking password P1 held by the delivery person terminal 4 is directly provided to the delivery box device 7 by at least the delivery person manually or by voice input, and at least one of the authentication means 14 of the key management server 1 or the authentication means 25 of the delivery box device determines whether the directly input unlocking password is legitimate, and if the second authentication is successful, the second unlocking instruction means 26 of the key management server 1 or the delivery box device 7 outputs an unlocking instruction to the delivery box device 7.

[0056] In addition, in the invention of the product (key management server system, key management server, program), for example, the password transmission means 16 may transmit the unlocking password to both the delivery person terminal and the delivery box device simultaneously or at different times, and the order of each function is not limited to the embodiment. In addition, the embodiment of the present invention can also be applied to elevator doors in common areas.

[0057] Finally, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. Fig. 12 is a block diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a key management system X2 of the third embodiment, Fig. 13 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the individual delivery box device 7A of Fig. 12, and Fig. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic data structure of a time password stored in the storage means of the individual delivery box device 7A. In describing the third embodiment, components that are the same as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted. In addition, in the third embodiment, a gate plate 50 may be provided near the entrance to the common area, as in the second embodiment.

[0058] The main differences between the third embodiment and the first embodiment are: (a) the "offline path" in the third embodiment means that the key management server 1 and the delivery box device 7A are not connected via communication over a network; (b) therefore, step 9 (S9) in Figure 1 is not present; (c) as shown in Figure 13, it has a time-limited unlocking password generation means 30; (e) the time-limited unlocking password P3 generated by the generation means 30 is registered in its own storage means 22; and (d) authentication and unlocking instructions are executed directly by the delivery box device 7A.

[0059] Additionally, because the delivery box device 7A is not connected to the key management server 1 via a network, it has a time-delay unlocking password generation means 30 that utilizes the date and time information of the clock means 23, as shown in FIG. 13. The time-delay unlocking password P3 generated by the time-delay unlocking password generation means 30 changes over time, for example, for each delivery time or using a variable that changes daily. An example is shown in FIG. 14. In FIG. 14, the time-delay unlocking password P3 is linked to, for example, a room number ID, a box ID, and time information. Of course, the linking of these IDs and time information can be arbitrarily modified. For example, if only time information is used, the time information for the delivery date would be "2024 / 07 / 02," the time information for the next day's delivery date would be "2024 / 07 / 03," and the time information for the day after that would be "2024 / 07 / 04." The range of the variable is preferably based on the delivery date, and the time limit information may be defined within the range of the variable that has little impact on the delivery business. Therefore, in the third embodiment, the following additional claims are made.

[0060] <Additional Notes> A key management server system for a building, comprising a deliveryman terminal carried by a deliveryman and a key management server capable of communicating with a door control device that controls the unlocking of an automatic door of a common area when the deliveryman passes through the automatic door with a package, wherein the key management server comprises: a password sending means that sends at least an automatic door passing password to the deliveryman terminal directly or via a service provider server; a receiving means that receives an unlock request including the automatic door passing password from the deliveryman terminal; a first authentication means that determines whether the automatic door passing password is valid; and a first unlock instruction means that outputs an unlock instruction to the door control device when the first authentication is successful; A key management server system for buildings in which, when the delivery person unlocks the locking / unlocking device of an individual delivery box device installed near the user's private area, the delivery person directly provides the time-delay unlocking password held by the delivery person terminal to the individual delivery box device by manual or voice input, and the second authentication means of the individual delivery box device compares the directly input time-delay unlocking password with the time-delay unlocking password stored in its own memory means to determine whether the directly input unlocking password is legitimate, and if the second authentication is successful, the second unlocking instruction means of the delivery box device outputs an unlocking instruction to the locking means of the delivery box device.

[0061] The "password for passing through the automatic door" includes one or more of a business identifier, a package identification identifier (package delivery slip number), and a delivery status identifier related to the package identification identifier, and preferably includes an identifier for the delivery box device that identifies the user's household, a residence identifier, and a user ID.

[0062] Furthermore, if the "automatic door pass-through password" is notified to the service provider as a business identifier for identifying each individual service provider, it is desirable to set a validity period for the password (for example, 24 hours), or to notify the service provider of a new password at predetermined intervals (for example, every 24 hours) using the password generation function of the key management server, as a security measure in case the "automatic door pass-through password" is leaked to a third party.

[0063] The key management server may also output the generated time-unlocking password as a QR code and notify the delivery person. In this case, the delivery box device is equipped with a QR code reader, and the time-unlocking password can be provided to the delivery box device by displaying a QR code on the screen of the delivery person's terminal and having the QR code reader read the QR code. As described above, there are various ways for the delivery person to directly input the time-unlocking password into the delivery box, and there is no particular limitation.

[0064] <Omission of well-known technologies common to information processing devices> We will not go into detailed explanations of API (Application Programming Interface), GUI (Graphical User Interface), ROM (Read Only Memory) which stores the computer's BIOS (Basic Input Output System), RAM (Random Access Memory) which serves as a working area, OS (Operating System), etc. [Industrial Applicability]

[0065] The present invention is used in the construction of key management server systems for buildings including delivery box devices, construction of key management servers for buildings, and production of programs. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] X, X1, X2...Key management server system, 1...Key management server, 2...door control device, 3...service provider server, 4...Delivery staff terminal, 5...Automatic doors in common areas, 6...door to private area, 7, 7A...Delivery box device, 10...Password generation means, 11...memory means, 11A...Key management table, 12... tying means, 13...Reception means (registration means), 14...Authentication means, 15...first unlock instruction means, 16...Password transmission means, 17...control means, P1...Password for passing through automatic doors, P2...Room number, P3...Password for time-limited unlocking of the delivery box device. 20...input means of delivery box device, 21...control means, 25...Authentication means for delivery box device, 26...second unlock instruction means, 27...Locking means for delivery box device, 50...Gate plate.

Claims

1. A key management server system for a building that includes a delivery person terminal carried by a delivery person, a door control device that controls the unlocking of an automatic door in a common area, and a key management server that can communicate with each other, The key management server includes a receiving means for receiving an unlocking request including at least an automatic door passing password from the delivery person terminal when the delivery person passes through the automatic door of the common area, a first authentication means for determining whether the automatic door passing password is valid, a first unlocking instruction means for outputting an unlocking instruction to the door control device when the first authentication is successful, and a password sending means for sending an unlocking password of the locking / unlocking device of the individual delivery box device to the delivery person terminal, Furthermore, when the delivery person unlocks the locking / unlocking device of the individual delivery box device, the delivery person inputs the unlocking password held by the delivery person terminal and provides it to the individual delivery box device, and the second authentication means of the individual delivery box device compares the input unlocking password with the unlocking password stored in its own memory means to determine whether the directly input unlocking password is legitimate, and if the second authentication is successful, the second unlocking instruction means of the delivery box device outputs an unlocking instruction to the locking means of the delivery box device, in a key management server system for buildings.

2. 2. The key management server system for a building according to claim 1, wherein the password for passing through the automatic door is either a time-limited business identifier or a baggage identification identifier.

3. In the key management server system for buildings of claim 1, the unlocking request includes the password for passing through the automatic door, as well as the room number ID of the user's private area, and also includes location information of the delivery person's terminal, and the first authentication means of the key management server additionally determines whether the delivery person's terminal is located within a specified range based on either the automatic door or the door control device.

4. The key management server comprises a receiving means for receiving an unlocking request including the automatic door passing password from the delivery person terminal, a first authentication means for determining whether the automatic door passing password is legitimate or not, and a first unlocking instruction means for outputting an unlocking instruction to the door control device if the first authentication is successful; the key management server further comprises a password generating means for generating an unlocking password for unlocking the locking means of the delivery box device for each user's household, and a password storage means for storing the generated unlocking password, and further comprises a password sending means for sending the unlocking password to the delivery person terminal.

5. A program that enables a computer to have the following functions stored in one or more memory units: an automatic door passage password given to a service provider that manages package delivery; door identification information for a door control device that controls the unlocking of an automatic door in a common area when a delivery person passes through the automatic door; and identification information that identifies an individual delivery box device installed near the private area where the person receiving the package lives; a reception function that receives an unlocking request including the automatic door passage password from the delivery person terminal; an authentication function that determines whether the automatic door passage password is legitimate; and an unlocking instruction function that outputs an unlocking instruction to the door control device if the authentication is successful.

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