Electric lock system and lock control device

Abstract

The door control device installed in a building can lock or unlock two or more electric locks, even if you do not have a response entry key (contactless IC card) or the like, as long as you have a portable communication terminal. [Solution] An electric lock system consisting of an opening / closing body that opens and closes the entrance and exit of a building, a lock control device equipped with a first lock unit and a second lock unit that lock or unlock the opening / closing body, and an information processing unit of the lock control device and a portable communication terminal for initiating authentication operations.When a user carrying the communication terminal approaches the first lock unit and is within a detection range where wireless communication is possible, the communication terminal initiates authentication operations with the information processing unit, and is equipped with an authentication unit that obtains authentication information from the information processing unit via each other's communication units and determines that the first electric lock of the first lock unit is within an operable range.After authentication by the authentication unit is completed, when the first electric lock of the first lock unit is locked or unlocked, the control unit of the lock control device controls the second electric lock of the second lock unit to be locked or unlocked in response to the first electric lock.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electric lock system that communicates authentication information required to control a controlled object (such as a locking device for a specific opening / closing body of a building, a door control device provided on the opening / closing body, an elevator in a common area, etc.) between a portable communication terminal carried by a user, such as a smartphone or a wearable device, and a reader connected to the controlled object, and a lock control device used in the electric lock system. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1, Japanese Patent No. 6395079, describes an electric lock device (claim 1) that includes: "a plurality of electric locks that electrically lock or unlock the doors of a building; a plurality of thumbturns that manually lock or unlock the corresponding electric locks from the inside of the door; a detection unit that detects whether each of the plurality of thumbturns has been operated; a control unit that, when the detection unit detects operation of the thumbturn, controls the electric locks other than the electric lock operated by the thumbturn to lock or unlock them to the same state as the electric lock operated by the thumbturn; and an authentication unit that, when the detection unit detects operation of the thumbturn, authenticates the person opening or closing the door; and the control unit controls the electric locks other than the electric lock operated by the thumbturn to lock or unlock them to the same state as the electric lock operated by the thumbturn only when authentication by the authentication unit is successful."

[0003] This electric lock device 10 and a responder 300 (a so-called tag) constitute an electric lock system, and the electric lock device 10 has an authentication unit 111. Meanwhile, the responder 300 provides a person's biometric information to the electric lock device 10, and the authentication unit 111 determines whether the person's identifier stored in advance in a storage unit 113 of the processing unit 110 matches the person's biometric information acquired in front of the building door. Also, only if authentication by the authentication unit is successful, the control unit 112 controls electric locks other than the electric lock operated by the thumbturn to lock or unlock them to the same state as the electric lock operated by the thumbturn (the symbols are those of Patent Document 1). Therefore, the invention described in Patent Document 1 differs in configuration and technical concept from the present invention.

[0004] The above patented invention has the problem that the responder 300 (so-called tag) does not have an authentication function, and therefore must be carried in a bag or the like at all times along with the portable communication terminal that almost all users generally carry. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6395079 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In view of the above-mentioned conventional drawbacks, the present invention aims to enable a door control device installed in a building to lock or unlock two or more electric locks, even if the user does not have a remote control key, a response entry key (contactless IC card), etc., as long as they have a portable communication terminal.

[0007] 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.

[0008] However, the drawings are for illustrative purposes only and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The electric lock system of the present invention is an electric lock system consisting of an opening / closing body for opening and closing the entrance / exit of a building, a lock control device having a first lock unit and a second lock unit for locking or unlocking the opening / closing body, and an information processing unit of the lock control device and a portable communication terminal for starting an authentication operation.When a user approaches the first lock unit while carrying the communication terminal and is within a detection range where wireless communication is possible, the communication terminal starts an authentication operation with the information processing unit, obtains authentication information from the information processing unit via each other's communication units, and has an authentication unit that determines that the first electric lock of the first lock unit is within a range where it can be operated.After authentication by the authentication unit is completed, when the first electric lock of the first lock unit is locked or unlocked, the control unit of the lock control device controls the second electric lock of the second lock unit to be locked or unlocked in response to the first electric lock.

[0010] In the configuration of the above electric lock system, the control unit of the lock control device is characterized in that it either executes linked control of the second lock unit 4 after determining that authentication has been completed in the authentication unit of the portable communication terminal, or after determining that authentication has been completed in the authentication unit and also when it acquires a detection signal from the detection means.

[0011] The lock control device also has a thumb turn operation information transmitting unit that transmits first thumb turn operation information to the portable communication terminal when the first locking unit is placed in an unlocked state based on manual operation of the first thumb turn knob, and a drive capability information receiving unit that receives drive capability information from the communication terminal that allows the second locking unit 4 to be driven, and is characterized in that, on the condition that the drive capability information receiving unit has received the drive capability information, the control unit of the lock control device controls the second electric lock of the second locking unit to be placed in an unlocked state corresponding to the first electric lock.

[0012] On the other hand, a lock control device used in an electric lock system includes a first lock unit and a second lock unit that lock or unlock an opening / closing mechanism that opens and closes a building entrance, a portable communication terminal with an authentication unit that determines whether the first electric lock of the first lock unit is within an operable range, and a lock communication unit that initiates the authentication operation, and when the first electric lock of the first lock unit is locked or unlocked after authentication by the authentication unit of the communication terminal is completed, a control unit interlocks and controls the second electric lock of the second lock unit to be locked or unlocked corresponding to the first electric lock. In this configuration, the control unit includes a thumbturn operation information transmitter that transmits first thumbturn operation information to the communication terminal when the first lock unit is unlocked based on manual operation of a first thumbturn knob, and an actuation enable information receiver that receives actuation enable information from the communication terminal that allows actuation of the second lock unit, and when the actuation enable information receiver receives the actuation enable information, the control unit interlocks and controls the second electric lock of the second lock unit to be unlocked corresponding to the first electric lock.

[0013] Furthermore, in the electric lock system of claim 1, the portable communication terminal and the lock control device are paired with each other, and when starting authentication operation via the communication unit, the portable communication terminal is set as a master (central) side terminal, and the lock control device is set as a slave (peripheral) side terminal to perform bidirectional data communication. Additionally, in the electric lock system of claim 1, the portable communication terminal is set as either a smartphone or a wearable device carried by the user. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] As is clear from the above description, the present invention provides the following effects. (1) In the inventions described in the independent claims (claims 1 and 4), for example, a smartphone or wearable device can determine whether authentication and electric lock operation are possible, and then transmit the determination result of whether operation is possible to the lock control device, thereby enabling the second electric lock to be "linked to unlock." Therefore, for example, even if a user does not have a remote control key, entry key (responsive contactless IC card), etc., as long as they have a portable communication terminal, the door control device installed in a building can lock or unlock two or more electric locks with high security systems. (2) The invention described in claim 2 can also achieve the same effect as (1) above, and the control unit of the lock control device performs linked control of the second lock unit 4 when it receives a detection signal from the detection means in addition to determining that authentication has been completed by the authentication unit of the portable communication terminal, thereby further improving safety. (3) The invention described in claim 3 also provides the same effects as those described in (1) and (2) above, and is particularly convenient because the resident does not need to operate the second thumb turn knob of the second locking part when going out. (4) The invention described in claim 5 can also obtain the same effect as in (1) above, and can further improve safety. (5) The invention described in claim 6 can also achieve the same effect as in (1) above, and can enhance security by applying well-known technology. In addition, it is not necessary to create a complex key such as an encryption key to enhance security. (6) The invention described in claim 7 can also achieve the same effect as (1) above, and the portable communication terminal can be applied to wearable devices such as smartphones, watches, glasses, and accessories carried by users. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] 1 to 8 are explanatory views of a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram of an electric lock system X using the lock control device of the first embodiment. [Figure 2]FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a portable communication terminal 30. [Figure 3] 1 is a view of an opening / closing body 40 to which a lock control device is applied, as seen from indoors. [Figure 4] 1 is a view showing an opening / closing body 40 to which a lock control device is applied, as seen from outdoors. [Figure 5] 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing a two-stage authentication operation (connection authentication and authentication completion) between a portable communication terminal (for example, a smartphone) 30 and a lock control device 1. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 5 is a schematic explanatory diagram including a case where a user approaches the opening / closing body 40 and performs a manual unlocking operation on one of the thumb turns. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing main functions of the lock communication unit 5 and the communication unit 31 of the portable communication terminal 30 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the electric lock system of the first embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] An electric lock system using a lock control device according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 8. However, the configuration described below is merely one example of the present invention. The present invention is not limited to the following embodiment, and various modifications can be made depending on the design, etc., as long as they do not deviate from the technical concept of the present invention.

[0017] The applicant is developing an electric lock system in which, instead of a responsive ID key such as a remote control key or entry key (contactless IC card), a user uses a portable communication terminal (smartphone, feature phone, wearable device, etc.) 30 carried by the user to establish authentication communication equivalent to the first stage within a short-distance communication area of, for example, several meters to several tens of meters, such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), and then the authentication unit 34 of the portable communication terminal 30 completes the second stage, "determination of authentication information." After that, if the door control device 1 locks or unlocks the first electric lock 6 of the first locking unit 3, the control unit 2a of the door control device 1 interlocks and controls the second electric lock 7 of the second locking unit 4 to lock or unlock the state corresponding to the first electric lock 6. The first embodiment of the present invention is based on this technical idea.

[0018] 1 is a block diagram of an electric lock system X using a lock control device 1 according to a first embodiment. Note that the well-known and commonly used technologies of the information processing unit 2 of the lock control device 1 are similar to those of, for example, a portable communication terminal 30, so details of the information processing unit 2 of the lock control device 1 will be explained briefly here, and the explanation of the well-known technologies will be based on the explanation of the communication terminal.

[0019] In Figure 1, the electric lock system X comprises a lock control device 1 having an information processing unit 2, and a portable communication terminal 30 (hereinafter simply referred to as a "communication terminal") that can communicate between the lock control device 1 at a short distance, for example, 3 meters outdoors and 50 centimeters indoors, based on the "threshold value" of the lock's communication unit (e.g., a reader) 5 provided in the opening / closing body 40.

[0020] The lock control device 1 includes a first lock unit 3 and a second lock unit 4 that lock or unlock an opening / closing body 40 that opens and closes the entrance to a building such as a detached house or an apartment building, using a locking piece such as a latch bolt, deadbolt, or autolock. Although there is only one second lock unit 4 in Fig. 1, there may be two or more second lock units 4.

[0021] The first locking section 3 has a first electric lock 6 for moving the first locking piece 20 forward and backward, while the second locking section 4 has a second electric lock 7 for moving the second locking piece 20A forward and backward (see Figure 3). Furthermore, an opening / closing sensor (e.g., a magnetic sensor) 14 for detecting the open / closed state of the opening / closing body 40 is provided at an appropriate location on the lock box.

[0022] The electric lock system X comprises a lock control device 1 and a communication terminal 30 for initiating authentication operations with an information processing unit 2 via a communication unit 5 having a data controller (e.g., a reader). In a preferred embodiment, a pairing operation is performed between the communication unit 5 of the lock and the communication unit 31 of the communication terminal 30 to ensure security.

[0023] In addition, when authentication operation is initiated between the communication terminal 30 and the lock control device 1 via the communication units 5, 31 of both terminals, the communication terminal 30 acts as the master (central) terminal, while the lock control device 1 acts as the slave (peripheral) terminal, performing bidirectional data communication (checking each other's authentication information). For this purpose, the data controller of the lock's communication unit 5 preferably uses a reader that processes data efficiently.

[0024] Although this is a well-known technology, in the embodiment, various short-range wireless devices such as modules that enable wireless communication over a distance of about several meters to several tens of meters, such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), are also provided in order to communicate various data between the terminals 1 and 30 using short-range wireless communication. Note that the specifications of the short-range wireless communication may be any of passive type, active type, and semi-active type (activated active type) that combines both passive and active types.

[0025] In the above electric lock system X, in the form of a "control application" including a control program, the control unit 2a of the information processing unit 2 of the lock control device 1 executes the linked control based on either a detection signal from the detection means 10 or drive capability information that allows the second lock unit 4 to be driven, obtained from the operable instruction information transmitting unit of the communication terminal 30.

[0026] Further, to explain the configuration of the lock control device 1, the first locking unit 3 is provided on the outer wall of the opening / closing body 40 with a cylinder lock whose inner cylinder rotates relative to the outer cylinder when a mechanical key is operated, and a thumbturn lock which is provided on the inner wall of the opening / closing body 40 and rotates in the locking / unlocking direction using a thumbturn knob. Here, for convenience, the mechanical key having the knob portion and blade and the thumbturn knob having the thumbturn shaft are referred to as the "first operating means." Therefore, for convenience, the mechanical key and thumbturn knob used in the second locking unit 4 are referred to as the "second operating means."

[0027] In this embodiment, a first detection means 10 is provided on the first locking unit 3 side. This first detection means 10 detects the lock state, i.e., whether the first electric lock 6 is locked or unlocked, depending on the operating force of the first operating means 8. Corresponding to the first detection means 10, a second detection means 11 is provided on the second locking unit 4 side. The second detection means 11 detects whether the second electric lock 7 is locked or unlocked, depending on the operating force of the second operating means 9. Preferably, one or more first display means 12 that indicates the lock state of the first electric lock 6 to the outside and a second display means 13 that indicates the lock state of the second electric lock 7 to the outside are provided. The first display means 12 and second display means 13 are, for example, operation indicator lamps such as LEDs that can be distinguished by color.

[0028] Furthermore, an opening / closing sensor 14 for the opening / closing body and a power supply unit 15 are provided. The configuration of the lock case, thumb turn lock, cylinder lock, operating handle, etc. of the lock unit as the locking / unlocking device will be described later. The information processing unit 2 has a calculation unit, a control unit, a memory unit, a timing unit, etc. Briefly, the functions of the information processing device 2 include calculation, control, memory, timing, etc. The control unit 2a controls the lock communication unit 5, the first lock unit 3, and the second lock unit 4. It also acquires a door open or closed signal from the opening / closing sensor 14 and controls the lighting or flashing state of the first display means 12 and the second display means 13. The memory unit 2b stores authentication information that is substantially the same as the authentication information stored in the memory unit 33 of the portable communication terminal 30. The authentication information will be explained in the memory unit 33 of the communication terminal 30 and will not be described here.

[0029] 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a portable communication terminal 30. The communication terminal 30 has, as its main functions, a communication unit 31 (hereinafter simply referred to as the "communication unit") of the communication terminal that is capable of transmitting and receiving information within a short-distance communication area with the communication unit (e.g., reader) 5 of the lock of the lock control device 1 described above, a control unit 32 (hereinafter simply referred to as the "control unit") of the communication terminal, a memory unit 33 (hereinafter simply referred to as the "memory unit") of the communication terminal, and an authentication unit 34. The communication terminal also has a timer unit, a display unit, an operation unit, a power supply unit, various touch panel switches, etc., but these are well-known technologies and will not be described in detail here.

[0030] As described above, when the first stage authentication operation is initiated between the portable communication terminal 30 and the lock control device 1 via their respective communication units 5, 31, the communication unit 31 performs bidirectional data communication with the portable communication terminal 30 as the master (central) terminal and the lock control device 1 as the slave (peripheral) terminal.

[0031] The control unit 32 is configured with a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit) having these functions. The control unit 32 executes various control programs stored in the storage unit 33 and controls the operation of each unit in accordance with the processing sequence of the control application stored in the storage unit 32.

[0032] In this embodiment, the memory unit 32 stores a plurality of pieces of authentication information for identifying the lock control device 1. Specific examples of the "authentication information" as the identifying information include the serial number and location information of the reader, the serial number and location information of the electric lock, the user ID, and information for identifying the building or dwelling unit.

[0033] The processing performed by the control unit 32 upon activation of the control app involves periodically receiving an interrogation signal (advertisement signal) from the lock's communication unit 5 (e.g., a reader) 5 so that short-range wireless communication can be performed with the lock's communication unit 5, and performing "BLE connection authentication" to perform, for example, the first stage of authentication operation. Then, there is a process of establishing a communication state with the lock communication unit 5 by sending a response signal (BLE connection authentication) to the call signal from the lock communication unit 5 to the lock control device 1, a process of receiving lock authentication information stored in the lock memory unit 2b from the lock communication unit 5 after the communication state is established, and verifying (determining) the data in the authentication unit 34, and preferably a process of sending authentication establishment information to the lock control device 1 if the authentication in the authentication unit 34 is positive (authentication information matches), and further, in order to prevent unauthorized unlocking, a process of sending to the lock control device 1 drive enable information that allows the second lock unit 4 to be driven based on the operating force of an operating member such as a thumb turn when detection information from the first detection means 10 (for example, information that the first lock unit 3 has entered a locked or unlocked state) is received from the lock control device 1, or a process of sending operable instruction information that allows activation as a trigger for the first lock unit 3 or the second lock unit. The control application is configured to periodically receive an invitation signal (advertisement signal) from the communication unit 5 of the lock, but it may also be configured to run continuously in the background or to be started each time the user uses the lock.

[0034] As described above, the lock control device 1 performs the interlocking control based on either a detection signal from the first detection means 10 or driveability information that allows operation of an operating member such as a thumb turn obtained from the communication unit (driveability instruction information transmission unit) of the communication terminal 30.

[0035] Next, Fig. 3 is a view of an opening / closing body 40 to which a lock control device is applied, as seen from indoors. Fig. 4 is a view of an opening / closing body to which a lock control device is applied, as seen from outdoors. A push-pull lock, an example of a lock, will be described with reference to these figures. Push-pull locks are described in detail in paragraphs 0015 to 0021 of Patent Document 1, along with Figs. 2 to 4. However, as disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-311173, this is an old technology, and its specific configuration is a well-known technology that has been improved in various ways by various companies. Therefore, here, the main configuration will be briefly described with reference to Figs. 3 and 4.

[0036] First, in Figure 3, 20 is the deadbolt of the upper thumbturn lock (motor lock), while 20A is the deadbolt of the lower thumbturn lock. The lower thumbturn lock has an unlocking follow-up function, for example, when the upper thumbturn lock (motor lock) is rotated in the unlocking direction electrically or manually. Therefore, when the upper deadbolt 20 retracts into the upper lock case 21 to unlock, the lower deadbolt 20A also automatically retracts into the lower lock case 21A to unlock. 22 is the upper thumbturn knob, while 22A is the lower thumbturn knob. 23 is a push-type inner handle located vertically between the upper and lower thumbturn knobs. 28 is a latch member (e.g., a reverse latch).

[0037] In Figure 4, 25 is an upper cylinder lock, while 25A is a lower cylinder lock, and the ends of these cylinder locks are covered by case lock covers 26, 26A that protrude from the outer wall surface of the opening / closing body 40. The upper cover 26 is provided with one or more operation indicator lamps 12, 13. 27 is a pull-type outer handle located vertically between the upper and lower covers 26, 26A.

[0038] The door lock with the above configuration is an example and is not limited to this configuration. For example, although separate lock cases are provided at the top and bottom, there may be only one. In other words, regardless of the number of lock cases, as long as the door lock has two or more lock sections, when, for example, the thumb turn knob on the interior side of the door is moved from a horizontal position to a vertical position to retract the upper deadbolt 20 of the upper first lock section 3 and unlock it, the lower deadbolt 20A of the lower second lock section 4 retracts in conjunction (herein referred to as the "unlocking follow-up function"). The handle may also be a lever handle.

[0039] Next, Fig. 5 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing the two-stage authentication operation (connection authentication and authentication completion) between the communication terminal (e.g., smartphone) 30 and the lock control device 1. Fig. 6 is a schematic explanatory diagram including a case in which the user approaches the opening / closing body 40 and turns the upper first thumbturn knob 22 in the unlocking direction, manually unlocking the first electric lock 6 of the first lock unit 3 in Fig. 5. In this embodiment, when the first electric lock 6 is in the unlocked state, the second electric lock 7 of the second lock unit 4 of the lock control device 1 can be unlocked after a predetermined condition (authentication completion of the smartphone app on the communication terminal) is satisfied. In this sense, the completion of authentication of the communication terminal 30 triggers the activation of the second lock unit 4.

[0040] First, in Figure 5, the left side is the "lock control device 1" and the right side is the "communication terminal 30." (1) The communication unit 5 of the lock in the lock control device 1 periodically transmits an advertising signal. (2) The communication unit 31 of the communication terminal 30 waits to receive the advertising signal. The explanation of the horizontal track shape in (3) indicates that the communication unit 31 of the communication terminal 30 receives the advertising signal, and then a so-called BLE connection is established via wireless communication using the Bluetooth (registered trademark) method.

[0041] Additionally, this first stage of authentication operation is the start of BLE connection authentication for the authentication operation shown in the horizontal track shape at (4) below. (4) The authentication information transmitter (see FIG. 7) of the lock control device 1 transmits lock authentication information, and the communication terminal 30 receives the lock authentication information at its authentication information receiver and begins authentication operation at the authentication unit 34 to determine whether it matches the authentication information stored in the memory unit 33. This authentication operation completes authentication before the user manually operates the first thumbturn knob 22 (the upper operating member in this embodiment) of the first lock unit 3 of the lock control device 1 (it is assumed or determined that the user is within the operable range). (5) When the first lock unit 3 is unlocked based on manual operation of the first thumbturn knob 22, the thumbturn operation information transmitter transmits first thumbturn operation information to the communication terminal 30. (6) The thumbturn operation information receiver receives the first thumbturn operation information. (7) The drive capability information transmitter transmits drive capability information for the second lock unit 4 from the communication terminal 30 to the lock control device 1. This drive capability information transmission only conveys operation or drive capability information to the lock control device 1. Therefore, (8) the interlocking of the second electric lock 7, for example, unlocking, is determined by the lock control device 1 itself based on the drive capability information transmitted from the communication terminal.

[0042] Next, in FIG. 6, (a) shows a situation where a user is indoors and is about to leave, holding the smartphone 30 and pointing it toward the inner wall of the front door 40. At this stage, if the lock's communication unit (e.g., a reader) 5 is installed on the outer wall of the front door 40, the front door 40 acts as an obstacle based on the "threshold" for radio wave strength. Therefore, the short-distance communication between the reader 5 and the communication terminal 30 is narrower than the outside area, e.g., about 50 centimeters, and thus outside the BLE connection range. In other words, the communication terminal 30 cannot communicate with the reader 5. (b) shows a situation where the user approaches the inner wall of the front door 40 and enters the communication area. Since the communication area is within the communication area, the smartphone 30 is within the BLE connection range. (c) shows the user is within the range where the first thumb turn knob 22 of the first lock unit 3 can be manually operated. Therefore, (d) shows the user manually operating the first thumb turn knob 22 in the unlocking direction.

[0043] As is clear from the above explanation, in the embodiment, the "authentication completion" and "timing of unlocking the second electric lock 7" are determined speculatively by the communication terminal (e.g., smartphone) 30, not the lock control device 1. Of course, depending on the embodiment, the authentication completion may be notified to the lock control device 1 by the communication terminal 30. In such an embodiment, after operating the first thumb turn, the lock control device 1 does not send thumb turn operation information to the communication terminal 30, but instead unlocks the second electric lock 7 when it receives a notification of authentication completion from the communication terminal 30.

[0044] 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the main functions of the lock communication unit 5 of the lock control device 1 and the communication unit 31 of the communication terminal 30. In this embodiment, the lock control device 1 has a thumbturn operation information transmitter that transmits first thumbturn operation information to the communication terminal 30 when the first locking unit 3 is unlocked based on manual operation of the first thumbturn knob 22, and also has a drive capability information receiver that receives drive capability information from the communication terminal that allows the second locking unit 4 to be driven. Therefore, on the condition that the drive capability information receiver receives the drive capability information, the control unit 2a of the lock control device 1 controls the second electric lock 7 of the second locking unit 4 to be unlocked in correspondence with the first electric lock 6. Therefore, the communication unit 5 of the lock of the lock control device 1 and the communication unit 31 of the communication terminal 30 are compared as shown in FIG.

[0045] Next, Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the electric lock system of the first embodiment. In Fig. 8, it is assumed that pairing has been completed between the lock control device 1 and the communication terminal (between terminals). Hereinafter, Step 1, Step 2, Step 3, etc. will be abbreviated to "S1, S2, S3, etc." Also, the smartphone 30 may be abbreviated to "smartphone 30."

[0046] Now, S1 determines whether the smartphone 30 has received an advertising signal from the lock control device 1. If the answer is YES, proceed to S2. S2 determines whether a BLE connection has been established between the lock communication unit 5 of the lock control device 1 and the communication unit 31 of the communication terminal 30. If the connection has not been established, return to S1; if the connection has been established, proceed to S3. Since the BLE connection has been established, S3 starts BLE connection authentication to perform authentication operations. S4 receives authentication information from the lock communication unit 5, starts authentication operations on the smartphone 30, and determines whether the first lock unit (e.g., the first electric lock) is within an operable range. In this embodiment, by receiving the authentication information from the lock, it is determined that the user is within an operable range (communication area) of the first lock unit 3. If the answer is NO, return to S3; if the answer is YES, proceed to the next step.

[0047] In S5, the smartphone 30 determines whether it has received operation information from the lock communication unit 5 of the lock control device 1 that indicates that the first thumb turn knob 22 has been operated. If NO, the process returns to S4, while if YES, the process proceeds to the next step. In S6, the communication unit 31 of the smartphone 30 sends drive capability information to the lock control device 1. In S7, the lock control device 1 receives the drive capability information. In S8, on the condition that the drive capability information has been received, the control unit 2a of the lock control device 1 controls, for example, the unlocking follow-up function of the second electric lock.

[0048] In step S9, the control unit 2a controls the second electric lock 7 of the second locking unit 4 to be unlocked in association with the first electric lock 6, thereby unlocking the lock. The same steps are performed in the case of a locked state. In other words, when the first electric lock 6 is locked, the second electric lock 7 of the second locking unit 4 is also locked. Furthermore, after taking into account the transmission of a detection signal from the first detection means 10 and the notification that the detection signal has been received, the lock control device 1 may unlock the second electric lock 7 in response to the notification from the communication terminal 30. [Industrial Applicability]

[0049] The present invention is applicable to the industry of electric lock systems and lock control devices used in such electric lock systems. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] X...electric lock system, 1...lock control device, 2...information processing section, 3...First tablet part, 4...Second tablet part, 5...Lock communication unit, 6...First electric lock, 7...Second electric lock, 8(22)...first operating means, 9(22A)...Second operating means, 10...first detection means, 11...second detection means, 12...first display means, 13...second display means, 22...First thumb turn knob, 30...Portable communication terminal, 31…Communications Department, 32...control unit, 33...Storage section, 34...Authentication Department, 40...Opening and closing body.

Claims

1. An electric lock system comprising an opening / closing body for opening and closing an entrance / exit of a building, a lock control device having a first lock unit and a second lock unit for locking or unlocking the opening / closing body, and an information processing unit of the lock control device and a portable communication terminal for starting an authentication operation, When a user approaches the first lock unit while holding the communication terminal and is within a detection range where wireless communication is possible, the communication terminal initiates an authentication operation with the information processing unit, obtains authentication information from the information processing unit via each other's communication units, and is equipped with an authentication unit that determines that the first electric lock of the first lock unit is within an operable range; after authentication by the authentication unit is completed, when the first electric lock of the first lock unit is locked or unlocked, the control unit of the lock control device controls the second electric lock of the second lock unit to be locked or unlocked in response to the first electric lock.This is an electric lock system.

2. In the electric lock system of claim 1, the control unit of the lock control device either executes linked control of the second lock unit 4 after determining that authentication has been completed in the authentication unit of the portable communication terminal, or after determining that authentication has been completed in the authentication unit and also when a detection signal is obtained from the detection means.

3. In the electric lock system of claim 1, the lock control device has a thumb turn operation information transmitting unit that transmits first thumb turn operation information to the portable communication terminal when the first lock unit is placed in an unlocked state based on manual operation of the first thumb turn knob, and has a drive capability information receiving unit that receives drive capability information from the communication terminal that allows the second lock unit 4 to be driven, and the control unit of the lock control device controls the second electric lock of the second lock unit to be placed in an unlocked state corresponding to the first electric lock, on the condition that the drive capability information receiving unit has received the drive capability information.

4. In a lock control device used in an electric lock system, the lock control device is equipped with a first lock unit and a second lock unit that lock or unlock an opening and closing body that opens and closes the entrance and exit of a building, and has a portable communication terminal equipped with an authentication unit that determines whether the first electric lock of the first lock unit is within an operable range, and a lock communication unit for initiating authentication operation, and after authentication by the authentication unit of the communication terminal is completed, when the first electric lock of the first lock unit is locked or unlocked, the control unit controls the second electric lock of the second lock unit to be locked or unlocked in accordance with the first electric lock.

5. In the lock control device used in the electric lock system of claim 4, the control unit has a thumb turn operation information transmitting unit that transmits first thumb turn operation information to the communication terminal when the first lock unit is placed in an unlocked state based on manual operation of the first thumb turn knob, and a drive capability information receiving unit that receives drive capability information from the communication terminal that allows the second lock unit to be driven, and the control unit controls the second electric lock of the second lock unit to be placed in an unlocked state corresponding to the first electric lock, on the condition that the drive capability information receiving unit has received the drive capability information.

6. In the electric lock system of claim 1, the portable communication terminal and the lock control device are paired with each other, and when authentication operation is initiated via the communication unit, the portable communication terminal serves as the master (central) terminal, while the lock control device serves as the slave (peripheral) terminal, performing bidirectional data communication.

7. 2. The electric lock system according to claim 1, wherein the portable communication terminal is either a smartphone or a wearable device carried by the user.

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