locker

Abstract

To provide a locker that can improve convenience for users. [Solution] The locker 12 includes a storage box 14 and a box management device 21 that controls the unlocking of an electric lock 20 of the storage box 14. The box management device 21 can execute a lending mode in which items stored in the storage box 14 are lent out, and a return mode in which the items are returned. In the lending mode, the electric lock 20 can be unlocked by inputting into the box management device 21 an unlocking code generated and displayed by the box management device 21. In the return mode, the electric lock 20 can be unlocked by inputting into the box management device 21 the unlocking code used in the lending mode.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a locker with a storage box. [Background technology]

[0002] Lockers equipped with multiple locker boxes (storage boxes) have been known for some time (Patent Document 1). In the locker described in Patent Document 1, when a delivery company places a package in the locker, the delivery company inputs necessary information such as a slip number and ID into an input panel, and then places the package in the locker box. This causes the control unit to issue a password, and the recipient is notified of information necessary for receiving the package, including the password. When receiving the package, the recipient inputs information such as the password into the input panel. This causes the control unit to unlock the locker that contains the package that the recipient is scheduled to receive, allowing the recipient to receive the package. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-107402 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Lockers can be used for lending and returning items. However, conventional lockers used for lending and returning items require users to register in advance and authenticate users via a server. This makes the process cumbersome for companies that use shared offices with high staff turnover, and so they are not used frequently.

[0005] Furthermore, to unlock the storage box, a user ticket with a complex PIN number or unlocking code printed on it is required, and the user must carry the ticket with the PIN number or unlocking code printed on it, so there is room for improvement in terms of user convenience. Also, there is the inconvenience that if the user ticket is lost, the storage box cannot be unlocked.

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to improve the convenience of users of lockers used for lending and returning items. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The locker of the present disclosure comprises a storage box including a storage space capable of storing items, a door for opening and closing the storage space, and an electric lock for locking the door, and a box management device for controlling the unlocking of the electric lock. The box management device is capable of executing a lending mode in which items stored in the storage box are lent out, and a return mode in which the items are returned. In the lending mode, the electric lock can be unlocked by inputting an unlocking code generated and displayed by the box management device into the box management device, and in the return mode, the electric lock can be unlocked by inputting the unlocking code used in the lending mode into the box management device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the locker disclosed herein, in both the rental mode and the return mode, the electric lock can be unlocked by inputting the unlock code acquired from the display on the box management device into the box management device. This eliminates the need for cumbersome pre-registration and user authentication. Furthermore, since users do not need to carry a usage slip with the code printed on it, user convenience is improved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a locker according to an embodiment. [Figure 2]2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the locker shown in FIG. 1 and the mobile terminal of a user who uses the locker. FIG. [Figure 3] 10 is a sequence chart showing processing or operations of a locker and a user in a lending mode in an embodiment. [Figure 4] 2 is a diagram showing a top screen of an operation display unit of an electronic terminal that is a box management device of the locker shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display screen in a management mode on an operation display unit of the electronic terminal. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an item return box selection screen on the operation display unit of the electronic terminal. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a phone number input screen as an input screen for inputting product user information on the operation display unit of the electronic terminal. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a box selection screen on an operation display unit of the electronic terminal. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a two-dimensional code display screen for photographing on the operation display unit of the electronic terminal. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display screen for two-dimensional code authentication in a lending mode on the operation display unit of the electronic terminal. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display screen for removing an item on the operation display unit of the electronic terminal. [Figure 12] 10 is a sequence chart showing processing or operations of a locker and a user in a return mode in an embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display screen for two-dimensional code authentication in return mode on the operation display unit of the electronic terminal. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display screen for returning an item on the operation display unit of the electronic terminal. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a closing screen displayed on the operation display unit of the electronic terminal when the return of the item is completed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. The shapes, materials, and quantities described below are examples for the purpose of explanation and can be changed as appropriate depending on the specifications of the locker. In the following, the same reference numerals will be used to designate equivalent elements in all drawings. Furthermore, in the description below, the reference numerals previously described will be used as necessary.

[0011] In the following explanations and drawings, R is the right side when looking at the locker, L is the left side, F is the front side of the locker, and B is the back side of the locker. The direction connecting R and L and the direction connecting F and B are perpendicular to each other.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a locker 12 according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the locker 12 and a mobile terminal 50 of a user 1 who uses the locker 12. The locker 12 is placed, for example, in an office or store in a building, and is used by a user 1 (FIG. 2) to borrow and return an item. That is, the locker 12 is used so that, after an item has been deposited, the user 1 unlocks the door to borrow the item, and then unlocks the door to receive and return the item. The locker 12 is a so-called standalone type that is not connected to an external server.

[0013] Locker 12 includes locker body 13, which is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped exterior body, multiple storage boxes 14a, 14b, 14c, and 14d provided inside locker body 13, and electronic terminal 21, which is a box management device. Each of the multiple storage boxes 14a, 14b, 14c, and 14d includes storage spaces 15a, 15b, 15c, and 15d, which are substantially rectangular parallelepiped and capable of storing items, doors 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d provided in front of storage spaces 15a, 15b, 15c, and 15d for opening and closing storage spaces 15a, 15b, 15c, and 15d, and electric locks 20 (FIG. 2) provided on doors 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d for locking and unlocking the doors. The multiple storage boxes 14a, 14b, 14c, and 14d are roughly rectangular box-shaped luggage compartments that accommodate items in a removable manner, and include multiple storage boxes 14a, 14b, 14c, and 14d of different sizes. Correspondingly, the multiple doors 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d also include multiple doors 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d of different sizes. Hereinafter, the doors 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d and the storage boxes 14a, 14b, 14c, and 14d will be collectively referred to as doors 16 and storage boxes 14, respectively.

[0014] The door 16 closes the opening on the front side F of the storage box 14. The door 16 is a single-wing door attached to the locker 12, and can open and close the opening of the storage box 14 by swinging around a vertical axis (not shown) on the right R end. The door 16 can be opened by grabbing and pulling the handle provided on the door 16 when the electric lock 20 is in the unlocked state.

[0015] An electric lock 20 is provided on each door 16 of the plurality of storage boxes 14, and locks and unlocks the door 16. Each of the plurality of storage boxes 14 has a box-side communication unit 17 provided therein.

[0016] 2, the electronic terminal 21 is removably fixed to the front end of the locker body 13. In this way, the electronic terminal 21 is installed on the front surface of the locker 10.

[0017] The electronic terminal 21 is, for example, a portable terminal having a communication function, a photographing function, and a touch panel display unit. This allows communication between the electronic terminal 21 and each storage box 14 via wireless communication. This eliminates the need for a wired connection between the electronic terminal 21 and the storage box 14.

[0018] The electronic terminal 21 is capable of wireless communication with the box side communication unit 17 of each storage box 14 via the management side communication unit 40, and is configured to include a control device 30 that manages and controls the locking and unlocking of each electric lock 20, and a power supply unit (not shown) that supplies power to the electronic terminal 21.

[0019] The electronic terminal 21 has an operation display unit 22, which is a liquid crystal display unit that displays various information, and a code reading unit 23. The operation display unit 22 has a touch panel and accepts input by touch operation from a user such as user 1. The information represented by the input accepted by the operation display unit 22 is received by the control device 30. User 1 is a user who uses the locker 12.

[0020] The electric lock 20 is powered by an electric lock power supply unit that includes dry batteries (not shown) installed in a battery box (not shown) attached to each door 16. The remaining battery charge of this electric lock power supply unit is detected by a charge detection unit and transmitted to the control device 30. The control device 30 monitors the remaining battery charge of each electric lock power supply unit, and may cause the operation and display unit 22 to display the remaining battery charge of each electric lock power supply unit when a predetermined condition is met, such as the administrator of the locker 12 entering a password using the operation and display unit 22 to log in to the management mode.

[0021] Each door 16 is also provided with a lock unit 18 including an electric lock 20 and an electric lock power supply unit. In this case, the lock unit 18 may be provided with a numeric keypad operation unit that can be operated by a user from outside the door 16. The numeric keypad operation unit may be used to enable the electric lock 20 to be unlocked by entering a password.

[0022] The code reader 23 is provided in the electronic terminal 21 with its lens facing forward or diagonally downward toward the front, so as to be able to read a two-dimensional code serving as an unlock code displayed on a display screen of a mobile terminal placed close to the front of the electronic terminal 21, as will be described later. The two-dimensional code is, for example, a QR code (registered trademark) or a barcode. The code reader 23 may be configured with a camera. Information read by the code reader 23 is stored in a memory unit 31 (described later) of the control device 30.

[0023] The control device 30 includes an arithmetic processing unit 32, which is formed by, for example, an MCU (Micro Controller Unit), and a storage unit 31. The storage unit 31 may be a RAM, a ROM, or the like. The arithmetic processing unit 32 has a function of reading and executing programs and the like stored in advance in the storage unit 31. The storage unit 31 has a function of temporarily storing read programs and processing data, and a function of storing control programs and the like in advance.

[0024] The control device 30 executes a program to realize the main functions of the device, system, or method of the present disclosure. The type of the arithmetic processing unit 32 is not important as long as it can realize the functions by executing a program. For example, the arithmetic processing unit 32 may be a CPU. The arithmetic processing unit 32 may be composed of one or more electronic circuits, including a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) or an LSI (large scale integration). Multiple electronic circuits may be integrated into a single chip, or may be provided on multiple chips. Multiple chips may be integrated into a single device, or may be provided on multiple devices. The memory unit 31 may be a non-transitory recording medium such as an optical disk or a hard disk drive. An external storage device may be connected to the control device 30 as the memory unit.

[0025] The memory unit 31 stores an image read by the code reader 23. The memory unit 31 also stores the two-dimensional code generated by the processor 32, and information about the user 1, such as the mobile phone number of the user 1, input on the operation / display unit 22. The memory unit 31 may also store the mobile phone number of the administrator, as information about the administrator input on the operation / display unit 22. The memory unit 31 may also store names, email addresses, and the like, as information about one or both of the user 1 and the administrator. The memory unit 31 also stores an identification number for each storage box 14, a two-dimensional code generated as an unlocking code, and the like. The two-dimensional code is not limited to one generated by the control device 30, and one or more two-dimensional codes may be set in advance and stored in the memory unit 31.

[0026] The control device 30 can execute a lending mode in which an item stored in the storage box 14 is lent out, and a return mode in which the item is returned. In the lending mode, the control device 30 is configured to cause the electronic terminal 21 to generate and display a two-dimensional code, and to enable the electric lock 20 to be unlocked by inputting the two-dimensional code generated and displayed by the electronic terminal 21 into the electronic terminal 21.

[0027] More specifically, the electronic terminal 21 is configured to be capable of generating, displaying, and reading two-dimensional codes. The electronic terminal 21 is configured so that the two-dimensional code generated by the electronic terminal 21 and displayed on the operation / display unit 22 is photographed by a mobile terminal 50 having a camera 51 as a photographing means separate from the electronic terminal 21, and the photographed two-dimensional code is read by the code reading unit 23 of the electronic terminal 21, thereby enabling the electric lock 20 to be unlocked. For this purpose, the electronic terminal 21 has a function to display the generated two-dimensional code and a function to read the two-dimensional code externally. The electronic terminal 21 determines whether the two-dimensional code generated and displayed on the operation / display unit 22 matches the two-dimensional code read externally, and if it determines that they match, enables the electric lock 20 to be unlocked.

[0028] The mobile terminal 50 is, for example, a mobile information terminal such as a smartphone or a PDA. The mobile terminal 50 has a camera 51, a code reader 53 capable of reading two-dimensional codes, and a display unit 52 such as an operation display unit such as a touch panel. The display unit 52 may be a liquid crystal display without a touch panel.

[0029] The control device 30 is configured so that in return mode, the electric lock 20 can be unlocked by inputting the two-dimensional code used in rental mode into the electronic terminal 21. As a result, in both rental mode and return mode, the locker 12 allows the electric lock 20 to be unlocked by inputting the two-dimensional code acquired from the display on the electronic terminal 21 into the electronic terminal 21 via the mobile terminal 50. This eliminates the need for cumbersome pre-registration and authentication of users. Furthermore, since users do not need to carry a usage slip with the code printed on it, convenience for users can be improved.

[0030] The electronic terminal 21 is also configured to be able to generate, display, and read two-dimensional codes. The electronic terminal 21 is configured so that the two-dimensional code generated by the electronic terminal 21 and displayed on the operation display unit 22 is photographed by the mobile terminal 50, the photographed two-dimensional code is displayed on the display unit 52, and the two-dimensional code displayed on the display unit 52 is read by the code reading unit 23 of the electronic terminal 21, thereby enabling the electric lock 20 to be unlocked. This allows items to be rented and returned without having to set information about the user and the terminal in advance.

[0031] In this example, the locker 12 and the mobile terminal 50 constitute a locker system 100.

[0032] 3 is a sequence chart showing the processing or operation in the loan mode of the locker 12 shown in FIG. 1 and the user 1. S10-S11 in FIG. 3 are preparatory processing or preparatory operations for executing the loan mode. S12-S25 in FIG. 3 show the processing or operation in the loan mode.

[0033] In S10 of Fig. 3, as shown in Fig. 4, a top screen, which is an initial screen, is displayed in advance on the operation display unit 22 of the electronic terminal 21. The manager stands in front of the locker 12 and taps the "management mode" display on this top screen, that is, selects it by lightly tapping with a finger. This causes the control device 30 to display a login screen for the management mode, and when it determines that the manager has entered one or both of a preset identification number and password, it causes the control device 30 to display the management mode screen shown in Fig. 5.

[0034] 4, the language of the operation display unit 22 can be switched between Japanese and English using the display language switching units 22a and 22b. The display language switching units may also be configured to switch to languages ​​other than Japanese and English, such as Thai.

[0035] When the display section for "Check box status and return item" is tapped on the management mode display screen of FIG. 5, the control device 30 switches the display screen of the operation display section 22 to an item return box selection screen shown in FIG.

[0036] The display screen of FIG. 6 displays empty storage boxes 14 that can hold items for loan, i.e., storage boxes 14 that do not contain any items. In the example of FIG. 5, the display indicates that there is a storage box 14 with a size of small, a status of available for loan, sufficient battery power, and in operation, as No. 1. Here, when the administrator taps the row of No. 1, a circle appears in the selection column. In this state, when the administrator taps the "Open" display, the control device 30 unlocks the electric lock 20 of the storage box 14 corresponding to No. 1. At this time, the door of the storage box 14 may be configured to open slightly using spring force, a so-called pop-up type. This configuration also applies to the unlocking operation described below. The administrator then opens the unlocked door, stores the items for loan in the corresponding storage box 14, and closes the door. Then, when the administrator taps the lock display on the display screen of the operation display unit 22, the control device 30 locks the door. This completes the loan preparation in S11 of FIG. 3.

[0037] Although only one storage box 14 can be selected on the display screen of Figure 6, it may be possible to select one storage box 14 from two or more storage boxes 14 in which items can be deposited.

[0038] When the lending preparation is completed, the display screen of the operation display unit 22 returns to the top screen shown in FIG. 4 (S12 in FIG. 3).

[0039] When user 1 wishes to borrow an item, user 1 stands in front of operation display unit 22 of locker 12 and taps the "Borrow" display on the top screen shown in Fig. 4 (S13 in Fig. 3). As a result, control device 30 displays a phone number input screen as a user information input screen on the display screen of operation display unit 22 as shown in Fig. 7 (S14 in Fig. 3).

[0040] 7, the display screen of operation display unit 22 requests input of a mobile phone number as user information, so user 1 inputs his / her mobile phone number using the numeric keypad of operation display unit 22c and taps OK (S15 in FIG. 3). As a result, control device 30 stores the input user information in storage unit 31.

[0041] Furthermore, the control device 30 switches the display screen of the operation and display unit 22 to a box selection screen shown in FIG. 8 (S16 in FIG. 3). This screen requests the selection of a storage box from which to remove the item. The user 1 then taps the "Select" display of the desired storage box (S17 in FIG. 3). This causes the control device 30 to switch the screen of the operation and display unit 22 to a two-dimensional code display screen shown in FIG. 9 (S18 in FIG. 3). Note that although only one storage box can be selected on the screen in FIG. 8, two or more storage boxes may be selected.

[0042] The screen in Fig. 9 displays a two-dimensional code 60 generated by the control device 30. This screen requests the user 1 to take a photo of the two-dimensional code for lending and returning using a mobile terminal (smartphone) carried by the user 1. After the user 1 takes a photo of the two-dimensional code 60 displayed on the operation and display unit 22 using the camera 51 of the mobile terminal 50, the user taps the OK display unit (S19 in Fig. 3). This causes the control device 30 to switch the screen of the operation and display unit 22 to a display screen for two-dimensional code authentication shown in Fig. 10 (S20 in Fig. 3).

[0043] This screen requests user 1 to display a two-dimensional code photographed by mobile terminal 50 on display unit 52 and to have code reader 23 of electronic terminal 21 read the two-dimensional code displayed on display unit 52. User 1 then operates mobile terminal 50 to display on display unit 52 a photo of the two-dimensional code photographed by camera 51 and stored in mobile terminal 50 (S21 in FIG. 3). User 1 then holds display unit 52 in front of electronic terminal 21, causing code reader 23 to read the two-dimensional code on display unit 52. At this time, control device 30 displays a scanned image 61 of the two-dimensional code scanned by code reader 23 on display unit 22d, enclosed by a central rectangle. Therefore, the user adjusts the position of mobile terminal 50 so that scanned image 61 fits within frame 22e, which is formed by the white L-shaped portion of display unit 22d. If this position is appropriate and the scanned image 61 allows control device 30 to identify the two-dimensional code, the scanning is successful.

[0044] If the control device 30 has successfully read the two-dimensional code, it determines whether the read two-dimensional code matches the two-dimensional code 60 displayed on the operation and display unit 22 on the screen shown in Fig. 9 (S22 in Fig. 3). If it is determined that the two two-dimensional codes 60 match, the control device 30 unlocks the door of the storage box selected by the user 1. At the same time, the control device 30 switches the screen of the operation and display unit 22 to a display screen for removing an item shown in Fig. 11 (S23 in Fig. 3).

[0045] On the other hand, if it is determined in the success / failure determination of S22 in Fig. 3 that the read two-dimensional code does not match the two-dimensional code 60 (Fig. 9) displayed on the operation display unit 22 on the screen in Fig. 9, the door of the storage box will not be unlocked. For this reason, the user can tap the "Re-photograph two-dimensional code" display unit on the two-dimensional code authentication display screen shown in Fig. 10, and hold the two-dimensional code displayed on the display unit 52 of the mobile terminal 50 in front of the electronic terminal 21 again to have the code reading unit 23 read the two-dimensional code on the display unit 52 again.

[0046] When the display section for "Back" or "Back to top" is tapped on the screens shown in FIGS. 6 to 10, the control device 30 switches the operation display section 22 to the previous screen or the first top screen.

[0047] On the screen of FIG. 11, user 1 is requested to remove an item from the unlocked storage box and close the door. User 1 then opens the unlocked storage box, removes the item from the storage box, and closes the door (S24 in FIG. 3). This causes the control device 30 to receive a signal from the door sensor (not shown) indicating that the door has been closed, and locks the door. Thereafter, user 1 taps the "Removed" display section on the screen of FIG. 11 (S25 in FIG. 3). This causes the control device 30 to switch the screen of the operation display unit 22 to the top screen shown in FIG. 4 (S26 in FIG. 3). This ends the lending mode.

[0048] If user 1 wishes to change the item to be borrowed to another item, by tapping the "Not Taken Out" display section on the screen of Fig. 11, control device 30 will switch the screen of operation display unit 22 back to the box selection screen of Fig. 8. In this case, if an item in a storage box containing another item is available for loan, a field indicating the other box will be displayed in Fig. 8, and the processing or operations of S16 to S24 of Fig. 3 will be repeated.

[0049] Next, the return mode will be described. Fig. 12 is a sequence chart showing the processing or operation of the locker 12 and user 1 in the return mode. When user 1 wishes to return an item, user 1 stands in front of the operation display unit 22 of the locker 12 and taps the "Return" display unit on the top screen shown in Fig. 4 (S30, S31 in Fig. 12). This causes the control device 30 to switch the display screen of the operation display unit 22 to a display screen for two-dimensional code authentication, as shown in Fig. 13 (S32 in Fig. 12).

[0050] 10 , this screen requests user 1 to display on display unit 52 a two-dimensional code photographed by portable terminal 50 in the lending mode and to have code reader 23 of electronic terminal 21 read the two-dimensional code displayed on display unit 52. User 1 then operates portable terminal 50 to display on display unit 52 a photograph of the two-dimensional code stored in portable terminal 50 (S33 in FIG. 12 ). User 1 then holds display unit 52 in front of electronic terminal 21, causing code reader 23 to read the two-dimensional code on display unit 52.

[0051] If the control device 30 has successfully read the two-dimensional code, it determines whether the read two-dimensional code matches the two-dimensional code 60 displayed on the operation and display unit 22 on the screen shown in Fig. 9 (S34 in Fig. 12). If it is determined that the two two-dimensional codes 60 match, the control device 30 unlocks the door of the storage box from which the item was lent. At the same time, the control device 30 switches the screen on the operation and display unit 22 to a display screen for returning the item shown in Fig. 14 (S35 in Fig. 12).

[0052] On the other hand, if it is determined in the success / failure determination of S35 in Fig. 12 that the read two-dimensional code does not match the two-dimensional code 60 displayed on the operation and display unit 22 on the screen in Fig. 9, the door of the storage box will not be unlocked. In this case, the screen in Fig. 13 may be configured to display a "Take another shot of the two-dimensional code" display, similar to the screen in Fig. 10, prompting the user 1 to read the two-dimensional code again and for the control device 30 to perform a read process again.

[0053] The screen in FIG. 14 requests user 1 to return the item to the unlocked storage box and close the door. User 1 then opens the unlocked storage box, returns the item to the storage box, and closes the door (S36 in FIG. 12). This causes the control device 30 to receive a signal from the door sensor (not shown) indicating that the door has been closed, and locks the door. Thereafter, user 1 taps the "OK" display section on the screen in FIG. 14 (S37 in FIG. 12). This causes the control device 30 to switch the screen on the operation display unit 22 to the top screen shown in FIG. 4 (S38 in FIG. 12). This ends the return mode.

[0054] In addition, on the screen of FIG. 14, after user 1 closes the door, if user 1 taps the display section of "open box again," control device 30 will unlock the door again, allowing user 1 to open the door.

[0055] According to the locker 12 described above, the convenience of the user can be improved in the locker 12 used for lending and returning items.

[0056] In the above embodiment, the box management device is configured with an electronic terminal 21 that is removably fixed to the locker body 13 and is portable when removed. On the other hand, a box management device that has the functions of the control device 30, operation display unit 22, and code reading unit 23, controls the locking and unlocking of the electric lock 20, and is capable of generating, displaying, and reading two-dimensional codes, may be integrally provided in the locker by being built in or otherwise configured so as not to be removable from the locker. In this case, the box management device and each storage box may be configured to be able to communicate via wired communication.

[0057] In the above embodiment, the unlocking code used in the rental mode and return mode is a two-dimensional code. However, the unlocking mode may be a personal identification number (PIN) or password. For example, in the rental mode, the box management device may generate a PIN or password and display it on the operation and display unit 22. The PIN or password may then be entered into a box management device, such as the electronic terminal 21, using an operation and display unit or operation unit, such as a numeric keypad, to unlock the electric lock of the storage box. In this case, the PIN or password displayed on the operation and display unit may be captured by a camera on the user's mobile device, and the captured image may be read by a code reader, such as a camera, on the box management device, thereby entering the PIN or password into the box management device. The box management device for the locker 12 may also be connected to an external server via a communication network. In this case, for example, the unlocking code may be generated on the external server and transmitted to the box management device.

[0058] In the above-described embodiment, the unlocking code may be a two-dimensional code or a calculation result based on the two-dimensional code. The two-dimensional code displayed on a box management device such as the electronic terminal 21 may be read by an external device, such as a mobile terminal 50, which is separate from the box management device and has a two-dimensional code reading function. The calculation result based on the read code may then be input to the box management device, thereby unlocking the electric lock. For example, when the external device reads the two-dimensional code displayed on the box management device, the external device may click on a URL obtained by the reading, and the unlocking code, such as a PIN or symbol, calculated by the connected server may be displayed as the calculation result on the server's homepage. The user may input the unlocking code by operating the operation / display unit 22 of the electronic terminal 21 or by reading it with the code reading unit 23. The box management device may be configured to unlock the electric lock if the input unlocking code matches a calculation result stored in advance for the displayed two-dimensional code. This makes it possible to perform the unlocking operation even if the two-dimensional code displayed on the box management device is read by a code reading unit of a device such as a mobile terminal before being photographed by the device such as a mobile terminal.

[0059] Furthermore, the configuration may be such that when the two-dimensional code displayed on the box management device is read by an external device such as the mobile terminal 50, the two-dimensional code displayed on the box management device can be displayed on the external device. With this configuration, even if the two-dimensional code displayed on the box management device is read by the code reading unit 53 before being photographed by the mobile terminal, the box management device can be made to read the two-dimensional code displayed on the mobile terminal, and the same unlocking operation can be performed as when the two-dimensional code is photographed.

[0060] As described above, the box management device can be configured by incorporating a mobile information terminal having the control device 30, operation display unit 22, code reading unit 23, and management side communication unit 40 into the locker 12. At this time, a dedicated application program is executed on the mobile information terminal, and the mobile information terminal can be configured to communicate wirelessly with each storage box 14.

[0061] Furthermore, the touch operation required for the operation display unit 22 is not limited to tapping, but may be any predetermined touch operation. Furthermore, the box management device may be configured to have an operation unit such as a numeric keypad operation unit instead of using a touch screen. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 1 user, 12 locker, 13 locker body, 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d storage boxes, 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d storage spaces, 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d doors, 17 box side communication unit, 18 lock unit, 20 electric lock, 21 electronic terminal, 22 operation display unit, 23 code reading unit, 30 control device, 31 memory unit, 32 calculation processing unit, 40 management side communication unit, 50 mobile terminal, 51 camera, 52 display unit, 53 code reading unit, 60 two-dimensional code, 100 locker system.

Claims

1. A storage space where items can be stored; a door for opening and closing the storage space; a storage box including an electric lock for locking the door; a box management device that controls the unlocking of the electric lock, the box management device is capable of executing a lending mode for lending out the item stored in the storage box and a return mode for returning the item, In the rental mode, the electric lock can be unlocked by inputting an unlock code generated and displayed by the box management device into the box management device, In the return mode, the electric lock of the locker can be unlocked by inputting the unlock code used in the rental mode into the box management device.

2. The unlocking code is a two-dimensional code, the box management device is configured to be able to generate, display, and read the two-dimensional code; The box management device has a function of displaying the generated two-dimensional code and a function of reading the two-dimensional code from an external device, and when the generated and displayed two-dimensional code matches the two-dimensional code read from an external device, the box management device is capable of unlocking the electric lock. The locker of claim 1.

3. The displayed two-dimensional code is photographed by a terminal having a photographing means separate from the box management device, and the photographed two-dimensional code is read by the box management device, thereby enabling the electric lock to be unlocked. The locker of claim 2.

4. The unlocking code is a two-dimensional code or a calculation result based on the two-dimensional code, The electric lock can be unlocked by inputting the calculation results based on the contents of the two-dimensional code displayed on the box management device read by an external device that is separate from the box management device and has a function to read the two-dimensional code into the box management device. The locker of claim 1.

5. When the two-dimensional code displayed on the box management device is read by the external device, the two-dimensional code displayed on the box management device can be displayed on the external device. The locker of claim 4.

6. The box management device and the storage box communicate with each other via wireless communication. A locker according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The box management device is an electronic terminal installed in front of the locker. The locker of claim 6.

Images