Program, information processing method, locking system, and locking device.

Abstract

Prevent users from being locked out. [Solution] The program causes the computer to perform the following processes: initiating a communication connection between a fixed terminal and a user terminal located within a predetermined range from the fixed terminal; determining whether predetermined conditions, at least including the commencement of a communication connection between the fixed terminal and the user terminal, are met; and, if it is determined that the predetermined conditions are met, controlling the actuator to move the lock from an unlocked state to a locked state.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a program, an information processing method, a locking system, and a locking device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, for example, as shown in Patent Document 1, there is known a system in which a lock provided on an opening / closing door is automatically unlocked and locked.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a system in which locking is automatically performed, when a user goes out without carrying the means necessary for unlocking, a so-called lockout occurs, and there is a problem that unlocking becomes impossible.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a program, an information processing method, a locking system, and a locking device that can prevent lockout of a user.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, the program causes a computer to perform: a process of starting a communication connection between a fixed terminal and a user terminal located within a predetermined range from the fixed terminal; a process of determining whether a predetermined condition including at least the start of the communication connection between the fixed terminal and the user terminal is satisfied; a process of controlling an actuator to operate the lock from an unlocked state to a locked state when it is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied; and a process of causing a computer to execute these operations.

[0007] The program is After the communication connection is initiated, a process is performed to measure the distance between the fixed terminal and the user terminal. Let the computer perform the next step The aforementioned predetermined conditions may include the distance between the fixed terminal and the user terminal being greater than or equal to a threshold.

[0008] The process for initiating the aforementioned communication connection is: A process for transmitting first information from the fixed terminal to the user terminal, Includes, The process of measuring the distance between the fixed terminal and the user terminal is as follows: Based on the reception of the first information by the user terminal, the fixed terminal and the user terminal may be used to send and receive signals for measuring distance.

[0009] The program is The unlocking of the lock triggers a process that puts the actuator into a standby state where control of the actuator is permitted, When a predetermined time has elapsed since the lock was unlocked, the process terminates the standby state. Have the computer perform this task. The process for controlling the actuator is as follows: The actuator may be controllable if it is determined that the predetermined conditions are met during the standby state.

[0010] To solve the above problems, the information processing method is: A method of information processing performed by a computer, A process for initiating a communication connection between a fixed terminal and a user terminal located within a predetermined range from the fixed terminal, A process for determining whether predetermined conditions are met, which at least include the commencement of the communication connection between the fixed terminal and the user terminal, When it is determined that the predetermined conditions are met, the process involves controlling the actuator to move the lock from the unlocked state to the locked state, includes

[0011] To solve the above problems, the locking system causes a computer to start a communication connection process between a fixed terminal and a user terminal located within a predetermined range from the fixed terminal, to determine whether a predetermined condition including at least the start of the communication connection between the fixed terminal and the user terminal is satisfied, and to control an actuator to operate the lock from an unlocked state to a locked state when it is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied. performs.

[0012] To solve the above problems, the locking device includes a fixed terminal capable of communicating with a user terminal, where the fixed terminal starts a communication connection process with the user terminal located within a predetermined range from the fixed terminal, determines whether a predetermined condition including at least the start of the communication connection between the fixed terminal and the user terminal is satisfied, and controls an actuator to operate the lock from an unlocked state to a locked state when it is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied. performs.

[0013] The fixed terminal includes a first fixed terminal provided outside the door and capable of communicating with the user terminal, and a second fixed terminal provided inside the door and capable of communicating with the first fixed terminal, and when it is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied, the first fixed terminal transmits second information to the second fixed terminal, and the second fixed terminal may control the actuator to operate the lock from the unlocked state to the locked state based on the reception of the second information.

Advantages of the Invention

[0014] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the user from being locked out in advance.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1A is a diagram showing an example of an indoor door in an unlocked state. FIG. 1B is a diagram showing an example of an indoor door in a locked state. [Figure 2] FIG. 2A is a diagram showing an example of an outdoor door in an unlocked state. FIG. 2B is a diagram showing an example of an outdoor door in a locked state. [Figure 3] FIG. 3A is a diagram for explaining an example of an auto-lock device. FIG. 3B is a diagram showing an example of a door-side terminal. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example of the operating conditions of the automatic unlocking function and the automatic locking function. [Figure 5] FIG. 5A is a first diagram for explaining the operating conditions of the automatic locking function when going out. FIG. 5B is a second diagram for explaining the operating conditions of the automatic locking function when going out. [Figure 6] FIG. 6A is a first diagram for explaining the operating conditions of the automatic unlocking function when returning home. FIG. 6B is a second diagram for explaining the operating conditions of the automatic locking function when returning home. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of the locking system. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram of the locking system. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the auto-lock device processing in the auto-lock device. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the auto-lock permission waiting processing in the auto-lock device. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the door-side terminal processing in the door-side terminal. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the user-terminal processing in the user terminal. [Figure 13] Figure 13 is a functional block diagram of the first modified lock system. [Figure 14] Figure 14 is a sequence diagram of the first modified example of the tablet system. [Figure 15] Figure 15 is a functional block diagram of the second modified lock system. [Figure 16] Figure 16 is a sequence diagram of a second modified example of the tablet system. [Figure 17] Figure 17 is a functional block diagram of the third modified lock system. [Figure 18] Figure 18 is a sequence diagram of a third modified example of the tablet system. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0016] An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. The numerical values ​​and other figures shown in this embodiment are merely illustrative for ease of understanding and do not limit the present invention unless otherwise specified. In this specification and drawings, elements having substantially the same function and configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals to avoid redundant explanations, and elements not directly related to the present invention are omitted from the illustration.

[0017] This embodiment describes a lock system 1 capable of automatically unlocking and locking an opening and closing door. Here, as an example, we describe the case in which the lock system 1 is applied to a door that is installed at the entrance of a building and separates the inside and outside. However, the lock system 1 described below may also be applied to an opening and closing door installed inside a building and separating rooms in an indoor space, and the location to which the lock system 1 is applied is not limited. Furthermore, there are no particular limitations on the shape of the opening and closing door to which the lock system 1 is applied, nor on the opening and closing direction of the opening and closing door.

[0018] Figure 1A shows an example of an indoor door 10 in the unlocked state. Figure 1B shows an example of an indoor door 10 in the locked state. Figure 2A shows an example of an outdoor door 10 in the unlocked state. Figure 2B shows an example of an outdoor door 10 in the locked state. Here, we will first describe the configuration of the door 10, which is an opening and closing door to which the lock system 1 is applied. The door 10 is provided with a lock unit 12. The lock unit 12 has a conventionally known configuration, so a detailed explanation will be omitted here.

[0019] The lock unit 12 includes a lock case embedded in the door 10. The lock case is provided with a thumbturn 14 that protrudes to the indoor side of the door 10, as shown in Figures 1A and 1B, and a cylinder 16 that protrudes to the outdoor side of the door 10, as shown in Figures 2A and 2B. In the unlocked state shown in Figures 1A and 2A, a deadbolt (not shown) provided in the lock case is retracted into the lock case.

[0020] From the unlocked state shown in Figure 1A, if the user rotates the thumbturn 14 90 degrees clockwise, it will enter the locked state shown in Figure 1B. Also, from the unlocked state shown in Figure 2A, if the user inserts the key into the keyhole of the cylinder 16 and rotates it 90 degrees counterclockwise, it will enter the locked state shown in Figure 2B. At this time, the deadbolt protrudes from the lock case and enters the receiving bracket provided on the wall adjacent to the door 10. As a result, the door 10 is locked, and its opening and closing is restricted.

[0021] Conversely, if the user rotates the thumbturn 14 90 degrees counterclockwise from the locked state shown in Figure 1B, it will be unlocked as shown in Figure 1A. Also, if the user inserts a key into the keyhole of the cylinder 16 and rotates it 90 degrees clockwise from the locked state shown in Figure 2B, it will be unlocked as shown in Figure 2A. At this time, the deadbolt retracts from the strike plate and retracts into the lock case. As a result, the door 10 is unlocked and can be opened and closed.

[0022] Furthermore, door knobs 18 are provided on both the indoor and outdoor sides of the door 10. Here, the door knobs 18 rotate within a predetermined angle range from their initial position as shown in the diagram. In the initial position of the door knobs 18, a latch bolt (not shown) provided in the lock case is engaged with a receiving bracket provided on the wall adjacent to the door 10. When the latch bolt is engaged with the receiving bracket, the opening and closing of the door 10 is restricted. When the door knobs 18 rotate by the predetermined angle, the latch bolt retracts from the receiving bracket and becomes embedded in the lock case, allowing the door 10 to be opened and closed.

[0023] Next, the locking system 1 applied to the above-mentioned door 10 will be described. The locking system 1 includes an auto-locking device 100, a door-side terminal 200, and a user terminal 300.

[0024] Figure 3A is a diagram illustrating an example of the automatic locking device 100. Figure 3B is a diagram illustrating an example of the door-side terminal 200. As shown in Figure 3A, the automatic locking device 100 is installed on the indoor side of the door 10. The automatic locking device 100 includes a manual operating part 102 connected to the thumbturn 14 of the lock unit 12. The manual operating part 102 rotates together with the thumbturn 14, for example, by being fitted onto the thumbturn 14. Therefore, when a user grasps and rotates the manual operating part 102, the thumbturn 14 rotates together with the manual operating part 102. In other words, a user can switch between the unlocked and locked states of the door 10 by manually operating the manual operating part 102 on the indoor side.

[0025] Furthermore, as described above, when the user inserts a key into the keyhole of the cylinder 16 and rotates it, the unlocked and locked states of the door 10 are switched. At this time, the thumbturn 14 rotates in conjunction with the switching between the unlocked and locked states of the door 10, and the manual operation unit 102 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the thumbturn 14.

[0026] Furthermore, the auto-locking device 100 includes an actuator 150 (not shown in Figure 3A), which will be described later. The actuator 150 is connected to the manual operation unit 102 and the thumbturn 14, and the operation of the actuator 150 causes the manual operation unit 102 and the thumbturn 14 to rotate. In other words, the actuator 150 switches between the unlocked and locked states of the door 10 by rotating the manual operation unit 102 and the thumbturn 14. Here, an electric motor is provided as the actuator 150, but the specific configuration of the actuator 150 is not limited as long as it can switch between the unlocked and locked states by rotating the manual operation unit 102 and the thumbturn 14.

[0027] Furthermore, the automatic locking device 100 is provided with a state detection sensor 152 (not shown in Figure 3A), which will be described later, for detecting the state of the door 10. The state detection sensor 152 includes multiple sensors and detects the open / closed state of the door 10, and whether the door 10 is unlocked or locked. Here, the state detection sensor 152 is assumed to consist of a magnetic sensor or an optical sensor. However, the state detection sensor 152 only needs to be able to detect the state of the door 10, and its specific configuration is not particularly limited.

[0028] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3B, the door-side terminal 200 is attached to the outdoor side of the door 10. As will be described in more detail later, the door-side terminal 200 communicates with both the auto-lock device 100 and the user terminal 300. Based on the results of communication with the user terminal 300, the door-side terminal 200 transmits information to the auto-lock device 100 to activate the actuator 150.

[0029] The user terminal 300 consists of a small terminal device provided specifically for the lock system 1, or a smartphone. The user terminal 300 only needs to be small enough for the user to carry, that is, portable, and to be able to communicate with at least one of the auto-lock device 100 and the door-side terminal 200, and its specific configuration is not particularly limited. In this embodiment, as an example, the user terminal 300 will be described as a small terminal device provided specifically for the lock system 1.

[0030] Furthermore, although this embodiment describes a case where the auto-locking device 100 and the door-side terminal 200 are externally attached to the door 10, either or both of the auto-locking device 100 and the door-side terminal 200 may be built into the door 10. Also, although the auto-locking device 100 and the door-side terminal 200 are attached to the door 10 in this example, either or both of the auto-locking device 100 and the door-side terminal 200 may be installed near the door 10.

[0031] In any case, while the user terminal 300 is movable with the user, the auto-lock device 100 and the door-side terminal 200 only need to be fixed as fixed terminals to the door 10 or its vicinity. Furthermore, although the auto-lock device 100 and the door-side terminal 200 are configured separately here, a single fixed terminal having the functions of both the auto-lock device 100 and the door-side terminal 200 may be provided. In this case, the single fixed terminal may be installed on the indoor or outdoor side of the door 10, or it may be built into the door 10.

[0032] As described above, the lock system 1, which includes an auto-lock device 100, a door-side terminal 200, and a user terminal 300, provides an automatic unlocking function that automatically unlocks the door 10, and an automatic locking function that automatically locks the door 10. The automatic unlocking function is a function in which, when a user approaches the door 10, the actuator 150 of the auto-lock device 100 is activated, and the door 10 automatically switches from a locked state to an unlocked state. Conversely, the automatic locking function is a function in which the actuator 150 of the auto-lock device 100 is activated, and the door 10 automatically switches from an unlocked state to a locked state.

[0033] Thus, by providing automatic unlocking and automatic locking functions, the user can avoid the hassle of manually unlocking and locking the door, thereby improving user convenience. However, on the other hand, if the door 10 automatically switches to the locked state by the automatic locking function, there is a risk of the user being locked out. Specifically, if the door 10 is automatically locked when the user goes out without the user terminal 300 and the key, the user will have no means to unlock the door 10 and will be unable to open or close the door 10. Therefore, the lock system 1 of this embodiment is equipped with an anti-lockout function to prevent the above-mentioned lockout.

[0034] Figure 4 illustrates an example of the operating conditions for the automatic unlocking and automatic locking functions. In this embodiment, the lockout prevention function can be enabled and disabled by the user. For example, the auto-lock device 100 is provided with an operation button 154, which will be described later, and the user can switch the lockout prevention function on and off by inputting an operation to the operation button 154. Alternatively, the door-side terminal 200 may receive the setting operation for enabling and disabling the lockout prevention function.

[0035] Once the door-side terminal 200 establishes a communication connection with the user terminal 300, it begins measuring the distance to the user terminal 300 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "distance measurement"). Here, UWB (Ultra Wide Band) wireless communication is performed between the door-side terminal 200 and the user terminal 300, and the distance from the door-side terminal 200 to the user terminal 300 is measured by UWB wireless communication. Note that while UWB wireless communication is used here as an example of a distance measurement method, the means of distance measurement are not limited to this, including wireless communication standards.

[0036] When the lockout prevention function is disabled, if the distance between the user terminal 300 and the door terminal 200 falls below the first threshold, the actuator 150 activates, and the door 10 switches from the locked state to the unlocked state. Hereinafter, the activation of the automatic unlocking function refers to the door 10 automatically switching from the locked state to the unlocked state when the activation conditions are met. Here, as an example, the first threshold is assumed to be 1m, but the first threshold can be any value. Furthermore, the first threshold may be a preset value or it may be set arbitrarily by the user.

[0037] Here, various types of wireless communication, including the UWB wireless communication described above, are conducted between the door-side terminal 200 and the user terminal 300. Since the door-side terminal 200 is installed on the outdoor side of the door 10, when the user terminal 300 is indoors, wireless communication between the door-side terminal 200 and the user terminal 300 is conducted via the door 10. Therefore, when the user terminal 300 is indoors, the radio wave strength between the door-side terminal 200 and the user terminal 300 is lower than when it is outdoors. The door-side terminal 200 determines whether the user terminal 300 is on the indoor or outdoor side of the door 10 based on this radio wave strength (hereinafter simply referred to as indoor / outdoor determination).

[0038] In this case, when the lockout prevention function is disabled, the automatic unlocking function is activated regardless of the indoor / outdoor determination result, as long as the operating conditions are met. That is, the automatic unlocking function is activated when the user approaches door 10, both when the user goes out from indoors to outdoors and when the user returns home from outdoors to indoors.

[0039] Furthermore, when the anti-lockout function is disabled and the door 10 is automatically unlocked, the state detection sensor 152 detects that the door 10 is closed, and the door 10 switches from the unlocked state to the locked state. Hereinafter, the activation of the automatic locking function refers to the door 10 automatically switching from the unlocked state to the locked state when the operating conditions are met. Note that, here, the automatic locking function is activated when the door 10 is closed, but the operating condition for the automatic locking function may also be the elapsed time after the door 10 is closed.

[0040] In contrast, when the lockout prevention function is enabled, the operating conditions for the automatic unlocking function differ depending on the indoor / outdoor determination result. Specifically, when the lockout prevention function is enabled, if the user terminal 300 is determined to be indoors, the automatic unlocking function will not operate. Therefore, when a user leaves the house from indoors to outdoors, the user must manually operate the manual operation unit 102 to switch the door 10 from the locked state to the unlocked state.

[0041] Then, when door 10 switches to the unlocked state, that is, when the lock is unlocked, communication is initiated between the door-side terminal 200 and the user terminal 300. Once the communication connection between the door-side terminal 200 and the user terminal 300 is established, UWB wireless communication is performed between the door-side terminal 200 and the user terminal 300, as described above, and distance measurement is performed using UWB wireless communication.

[0042] Figure 5A is the first diagram illustrating the operating conditions for the automatic locking function when leaving the house. Figure 5B is the second diagram illustrating the operating conditions for the automatic locking function when leaving the house. In this embodiment, the operating condition for the automatic locking function when the lockout prevention function is enabled is set to be that the distance of the user terminal 300 to the door-side terminal 200 is greater than or equal to a second threshold. Here, as an example, the second threshold is set to 2m, which is different from the first threshold, but the second threshold may be the same as the first threshold, or it may be any value. Furthermore, the second threshold may be a preset value, or it may be set arbitrarily by the user.

[0043] When the lockout prevention function is enabled, the user manually unlocks the door 10 before going outside. Therefore, when the user goes outside, the door 10 is unlocked, as shown in Figure 5A. Even if the door 10 is closed after the user goes outside, the automatic locking function does not activate immediately. Then, as shown in Figure 5B, when the distance of the user terminal 300 to the door-side terminal 200 exceeds the second threshold, information (a permission command described later) to activate the actuator 150 is sent from the door-side terminal 200 to the auto-lock device 100. Upon receiving this information, the auto-lock device 100 activates the actuator 150. This activates the automatic locking function.

[0044] Furthermore, when the lockout prevention function is enabled, the operating conditions for the automatic unlocking function when the user terminal 300 is determined to be outdoors are the same as when the lockout prevention function is disabled. That is, as shown in Figure 4, the operating condition for the automatic unlocking function when the user terminal 300 is determined to be outdoors is set to be that the distance to the user terminal 300 is less than or equal to the first threshold. Also, when the door 10 is unlocked automatically, the automatic locking function is activated when the state detection sensor 152 detects that the door 10 is closed.

[0045] Figure 6A is the first diagram illustrating the operating conditions for the automatic unlocking function when returning home. Figure 6B is the second diagram illustrating the operating conditions for the automatic locking function when returning home. When the user terminal 300 approaches the door-side terminal 200 upon returning home, a communication connection is established between the user terminal 300 and the door-side terminal 200, and distance measurement begins at the door-side terminal 200. Then, as shown in Figure 6A, when the distance to the user terminal 300 falls below the first threshold, information to activate the actuator 150 is transmitted from the door-side terminal 200 to the auto-lock device 100. Upon receiving this information, the auto-lock device 100 activates the actuator 150. This activates the automatic unlocking function.

[0046] Subsequently, as shown in Figure 6B, after the user opens the door 10 and enters the building, when the door 10 is closed, the state detection sensor 152 detects that the door 10 is closed. At this time, the auto-lock device 100 activates the actuator 150 and switches the door 10 to the locked state.

[0047] As described above, the lock system 1 of this embodiment is provided with an anti-lockout function. When the anti-lockout function is activated, when the user leaves the house, the door-side terminal 200 measures the distance to the user terminal 300, and the automatic locking function is activated when the user terminal 300 moves a predetermined distance away. In other words, the automatic locking function is activated only when the user is carrying the user terminal 300, which is the means for unlocking the door 10, when the user leaves the house. To put it another way, if the user is not carrying the user terminal 300 when the user leaves the house, the automatic locking function will not be activated. This makes it possible to prevent the user from being locked out while maintaining the convenience of the automatic unlocking and automatic locking functions.

[0048] Here, the user can switch the lockout prevention function on and off, but the lockout prevention function may be set to be always on. Also, here, the automatic unlocking function does not activate when the user terminal 300 is determined to be indoors in the indoor / outdoor detection, but the automatic unlocking function may be activated even when the user terminal 300 is indoors if the activation conditions are met. In this case, the activation conditions for the automatic unlocking function may be different or the same depending on whether the user terminal is determined to be indoors or outdoors. Furthermore, for example, the automatic locking function may be activated when the distance to the user terminal 300 exceeds the second threshold, regardless of whether the user terminal 300 is indoors or outdoors.

[0049] The following describes the functional configuration of the auto-locking device 100, door-side terminal 200, and user terminal 300 in the locking system 1 described above, followed by a description of the control processing in the auto-locking device 100, door-side terminal 200, and user terminal 300. In the following, the processing related to the lockout prevention function of the automatic locking function will be described, and details of processing unrelated to the lockout prevention function and processing related to the automatic unlocking function will be omitted.

[0050] Figure 7 is a functional block diagram of the lock system 1. Note that Figure 7 shows only some of the functional parts of the auto-lock device 100, door-side terminal 200, and user terminal 300; in reality, many other functional parts are also provided. The auto-lock device 100 includes a device-side communication unit 110, an MPU (Micro Processing Unit) 112, and a secure chip 114.

[0051] The device-side communication unit 110 establishes a communication connection with the door-side communication unit 210 of the door-side terminal 200, which will be described later, and sends and receives commands with the door-side terminal 200. In other words, the auto-lock device 100 and the door-side terminal 200 send and receive commands via the device-side communication unit 110 and the door-side communication unit 210. Here, the device-side communication unit 110 and the door-side communication unit 210 are assumed to use BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) communication, but the wireless communication standard between the device-side communication unit 110 and the door-side communication unit 210 is not particularly limited.

[0052] The MPU 112 is a central processing unit integrated on a semiconductor chip that reads programs stored in a memory device and performs data calculations and various control processes. Based on commands received by the device-side communication unit 110 from the door-side communication unit 210, or detection signals from the state detection sensor 152, the MPU 112 energizes the actuator 150 of the auto-lock device 100 and switches between the unlocked and locked states of the door 10. It also switches the setting of enabling or disabling the lockout prevention function based on operation signals input from the operation button 154 provided on the auto-lock device 100.

[0053] The secure chip 114 performs data encryption and decryption during wireless communication between the device-side communication unit 110 and the door-side communication unit 210.

[0054] The door-side terminal 200 includes a door-side communication unit 210, an authentication communication unit 212, a distance measurement communication unit 214, a startup communication unit 216, an MPU 218, and a secure chip 220. The user terminal 300 includes an authentication communication unit 312, a distance measurement communication unit 314, and an MPU 316.

[0055] As described above, the door-side communication unit 210 of the door-side terminal 200 establishes a communication connection with the device-side communication unit 110 of the auto-lock device 100 and performs BLE communication with the auto-lock device 100. Here, the door-side communication unit 210 functions as the master unit and the device-side communication unit 110 functions as the slave unit, but the door-side communication unit 210 may function as the slave unit and the device-side communication unit 110 may function as the master unit.

[0056] The authentication communication unit 212 of the door-side terminal 200 and the authentication communication unit 312 of the user terminal 300 establish a communication connection with each other and send and receive authentication commands. Here, the authentication communication units 212 and 312 send and receive authentication commands via BLE communication, similar to the device-side communication unit 110 and the door-side communication unit 210, but the wireless communication standard between the authentication communication units 212 and 312 is not particularly limited. Also, here, the authentication communication unit 212 functions as a slave unit and the authentication communication unit 312 functions as a master unit, but the authentication communication unit 212 may function as a master unit and the authentication communication unit 312 may function as a slave unit.

[0057] The distance measuring communication unit 214 of the door-side terminal 200 and the distance measuring communication unit 314 of the user terminal 300 transmit and receive distance measuring signals to each other. Here, the distance measuring communication units 214 and 314 transmit and receive distance measuring signals using UWB wireless communication as described above. In other words, the distance measuring communication unit 214 and the distance measuring communication unit 314 measure the distance from the door-side terminal 200 to the user terminal 300.

[0058] The activation communication unit 216 of the door-side terminal 200 transmits an activation signal to the user terminal 300. In this case, the activation communication unit 216 transmits an LF (Low Frequency) signal as the activation signal. Although an LF signal is assumed to be transmitted as the activation signal here, the specifications of the activation signal are not limited to this.

[0059] The MPU218 in the door-side terminal 200, like the MPU112, is a central processing unit integrated on a semiconductor chip that performs data calculations and various control processes. The MPU218 controls the transmission and reception of various signals and commands between the auto-lock device 100 and the user terminal 300.

[0060] The secure chip 220 of the door-side terminal 200, like the secure chip 114, performs data encryption and decryption in wireless communication between the device-side communication unit 110 and the door-side communication unit 210, and in wireless communication between the authentication communication unit 212 and the authentication communication unit 312.

[0061] The MPU 316 of the user terminal 300, like the MPU 112, is a central processing unit integrated on a semiconductor chip that performs data calculations and various control processes. When the MPU 316 receives a startup signal from the door-side terminal 200, it starts transmitting signals to the authentication communication unit 312 and the distance measurement communication unit 314.

[0062] Figure 8 is a sequence diagram of the lock system 1. Figure 8 shows the processing of the auto-lock device 100, the door-side terminal 200, and the user terminal 300 when the anti-lockout function is enabled. In the following, the processing in the auto-lock device 100 will be denoted as SaN (where N is any integer), the processing in the door-side terminal 200 will be denoted as SdN (where N is any integer), and the processing in the user terminal 300 will be denoted as SuN (where N is any integer).

[0063] When the user manually operates the manual operation unit 102 and the door 10 switches from the locked state to the unlocked state, the MPU 112 turns on the auto-lock permission waiting flag (Sa1). A communication connection is established between the auto-lock device 100 and the door-side terminal 200 by the device-side communication unit 110 and the door-side communication unit 210, and the MPU 218 of the door-side terminal 200 detects that the auto-lock permission waiting flag has been turned on in the auto-lock device 100 (Sd1). The device-side communication unit 110 and the door-side communication unit 210 may be constantly connected, or the communication connection may be established when the door 10 switches to the unlocked state.

[0064] When the door-side terminal 200 detects that the auto-lock permission waiting flag is ON, the MPU 218 outputs a command to send an authentication command to the authentication communication unit 212 (Sd2). As a result, the authentication communication unit 212 starts transmitting the authentication command via BLE communication. The MPU 218 also outputs a command to send a distance measurement signal to the distance measurement communication unit 214 (Sd3). As a result, the distance measurement communication unit 214 starts transmitting a distance measurement signal via UWB wireless communication. The MPU 218 also outputs a command to send a start signal to the start communication unit 216 (Sd4). As a result, the start communication unit 216 starts transmitting an LF signal.

[0065] When the user terminal 300 receives a startup signal transmitted from the door-side terminal 200, the MPU 316 outputs a command to the authentication communication unit 312 to transmit an authentication command (Su1). As a result, the authentication communication unit 312 starts transmitting the authentication command via BLE communication. The MPU 316 also outputs a command to the distance measurement communication unit 314 to transmit a distance measurement signal (Su2). As a result, the distance measurement communication unit 314 starts transmitting a distance measurement signal via UWB wireless communication.

[0066] When the authentication communication unit 212 of the door-side terminal 200 receives an authentication command from the authentication communication unit 312 of the user terminal 300, the MPU 218 analyzes the authentication command and authenticates the user terminal 300 (Sd5). If the authentication of the user terminal 300 is successful, the MPU 218 starts the distance measurement process (Sd6). In the distance measurement process, the MPU 218 continues to send and receive distance measurement signals between the distance measurement communication units 214 and 314. Also, in the distance measurement process, the MPU 218 derives the distance to the user terminal 300 based on the distance measurement signals sent and received between the distance measurement communication units 214 and 314.

[0067] Then, when it is detected that the distance to the user terminal 300 is greater than or equal to the second threshold, the MPU 218 outputs a command to send a permission command to the door-side communication unit 210 (Sd7). As a result, the door-side communication unit 210 starts sending the permission command via BLE communication.

[0068] In the auto-lock device 100, when the device-side communication unit 110 receives a permission command, the MPU 112 turns off the auto-lock permission waiting flag (Sa2). Also, when the auto-lock permission waiting flag is turned off, the MPU 112 executes the locking process (Sa3). In the locking process, the MPU 112 energizes the actuator 150 so that the door 10 switches from the unlocked state to the locked state.

[0069] Next, the control processes for the auto-lock device 100, the door-side terminal 200, and the user terminal 300, which are used to activate the automatic locking function, will be described.

[0070] Figure 9 is a flowchart showing the auto-lock device processing in the auto-lock device 100. The auto-lock device processing shown in Figure 9 is initiated when the state detection sensor 152 detects that the door 10 is unlocked. The MPU 112 determines whether the lockout prevention function is enabled (Sa10-1). If the lockout prevention function is not enabled (NO in Sa10-1), that is, if the lockout prevention function is disabled, the MPU 112 waits for the state detection sensor 152 to detect a change in the door 10 from an open state to a closed state (Sa10-2).

[0071] If a change in the door 10 from an open state to a closed state is detected (YES in Sa10-2), the MPU 112 energizes the actuator 150 to switch the door 10 from an unlocked state to a locked state (Sa10-3). As a result, if the anti-lockout function is disabled, the door 10 will be automatically locked when it is closed, regardless of whether the unlocking was done automatically or manually. For example, if the door 10 is unlocked but does not open after a predetermined time has elapsed, the actuator 150 may be energized to switch the door 10 from an unlocked state to a locked state based on the elapsed time.

[0072] Furthermore, if the lockout prevention function is enabled (YES in Sa10-1), the MPU112 executes the auto-lock permission waiting process (Sa11). As mentioned above, when the lockout prevention function is enabled, the automatic unlocking function does not operate if it is determined that the user terminal 300 is indoors. Therefore, in practice, the auto-lock permission waiting process (Sa11) is executed when the door 10 is manually unlocked.

[0073] Figure 10 is a flowchart showing the auto-lock permission waiting process in the auto-lock device 100. The MPU 112 turns on the auto-lock permission waiting flag (Sa11-1). As a result, the auto-lock device 100 enters an auto-lock permission waiting state and waits until the device-side communication unit 110 receives a termination command or permission command from the door-side communication unit 210 of the door-side terminal 200.

[0074] When the auto-lock permission waiting flag is switched between on and off, the MPU 112 outputs a command to the device-side communication unit 110 indicating the current on or off state of the auto-lock permission waiting flag. This allows the door-side terminal 200 to identify whether the auto-lock permission waiting flag in the auto-lock device 100 is on or off.

[0075] As will be explained in more detail later, the termination command is a command that terminates the auto-lock permission waiting state of the auto-lock device 100, and is sent from the door-side communication unit 210 of the door-side terminal 200 when predetermined termination conditions are met. When the device-side communication unit 110 receives the termination command (YES in Sa11-2), the MPU 112 turns off the auto-lock permission waiting flag (Sa11-3). As a result, the auto-lock permission waiting state ends in the auto-lock device 100. In this case, the door 10 will not be automatically locked until it is manually locked and unlocked.

[0076] Furthermore, when the device-side communication unit 110 receives a permission command (Sa11-4 YES), the MPU 112 turns off the auto-lock permission waiting flag (Sa11-5) and determines whether the closed state of the door 10 has been detected (Sa11-6). If the closed state of the door 10 has been detected (Sa11-6 YES), the MPU 112 energizes the actuator 150 to switch the door 10 from the unlocked state to the locked state (Sa11-7). As a result, after the door 10 is manually unlocked, the automatic locking function is activated upon receiving a permission command from the door-side terminal 200.

[0077] Then, if the auto-lock permission waiting flag is turned off (YES in Sa11-8), MPU112 terminates the auto-lock permission waiting process. On the other hand, if the auto-lock permission waiting flag is not turned off (NO in Sa11-8), MPU112 repeats the process from Sa11-2.

[0078] In this case, if the door 10 is open when the device-side communication unit 110 receives a permission command (NO in Sa11-6), the automatic locking function will not be activated. However, for example, if the door 10 is open when the permission command is received, the MPU 112 may wait until the state detection sensor 152 detects that the door 10 is closed. If the door 10 is detected to be closed within a predetermined time after receiving the permission command, the actuator 150 may be energized to switch the door 10 from the unlocked state to the locked state.

[0079] Figure 11 is a flowchart showing the door-side terminal processing at the door-side terminal 200. The door-side terminal processing shown in Figure 11 is initiated when the door-side communication unit 210 receives a command indicating that the auto-lock permission waiting flag is in the ON state. The MPU 218 checks the battery level of the door-side terminal 200 (Sd10-1). In this embodiment, the auto-lock device 100 and the door-side terminal 200 are described as being battery-powered. However, either or both of the auto-lock device 100 and the door-side terminal 200 may be connected to a power source and continuously powered.

[0080] If the battery level is below a predetermined value (NO in Sd10-2), the MPU218 sends a termination command to the door-side communication unit 210 (Sd10-16) and performs termination processing such as ending the transmission and reception of various signals and commands (Sd10-17).

[0081] Furthermore, if the battery level is above a predetermined value (YES in Sd10-2), the MPU218 starts sending an authentication command to the authentication communication unit 212 (Sd10-3). The MPU218 also starts sending a distance measurement signal to the distance measurement communication unit 214 (Sd10-4). The MPU218 also starts sending a start signal to the start communication unit 216 (Sd10-5). The MPU218 also sets a timer value in the timer that corresponds to the time until the distance measurement is completed, in other words, the upper limit time during which the automatic locking function can be operated (Sd10-6).

[0082] If the user terminal 300 has not been authenticated (Sd10-7 NO), the MPU218 waits to receive an authentication command from the user terminal 300 (Sd10-8 NO). When the MPU218 receives an authentication command from the user terminal 300 (Sd10-8 YES), it performs the authentication process (Sd10-9). Here, the received authentication command is analyzed, and authentication is performed to determine whether the user terminal 300 is authorized to communicate with the door-side terminal 200. If the authentication process determines that the user terminal 300 is authorized to communicate with the door-side terminal 200, that is, if authentication is successful (Sd10-10 YES), or if it is already authenticated (Sd10-7 YES), the MPU218 performs the distance measurement process (Sd10-11).

[0083] In the distance measurement process, the distance between the door-side terminal 200 and the user terminal 300 is derived based on the results of UWB wireless communication between the distance measurement communication units 214 and 314. The MPU 218 then determines whether the distance derived in the distance measurement process is greater than or equal to the second threshold (Sd10-12). If it is determined that the distance derived in the distance measurement process is greater than or equal to the second threshold (YES in Sd10-12), the MPU 218 outputs a command to send an authorization command to the door-side communication unit 210 (Sd10-13). As a result, the authorization command is sent from the door-side communication unit 210 to the device-side communication unit 110.

[0084] Furthermore, if it is determined that the distance derived from the distance measurement process is not greater than or equal to the second threshold (NO in Sd10-12), the MPU218 updates (decrements in this case) the timer value set in Sd10-6 (Sd10-14). If the updated timer value in Sd10-14 is not 0 (NO in Sd10-15), the MPU218 repeats the process from Sd10-7. On the other hand, if the timer value is updated to 0 (YES in Sd10-15), the MPU218 sends a termination command (Sd10-16) and executes the termination process (Sd10-17), as described above.

[0085] In this case, the elapsed time from the unlocking of door 10, in other words, the time until the auto-lock permission waiting state ends, is measured by the door-side terminal 200. However, the time until the auto-lock permission waiting state ends may also be measured by the auto-lock device 100.

[0086] Figure 12 is a flowchart of the user terminal processing in the user terminal 300. The user terminal processing shown in Figure 12 is initiated when the MPU 316 receives a startup signal. The MPU 316 checks the battery level of the user terminal 300 (Su10-1). If the battery level is below a predetermined value (NO in Su10-2), the MPU 316 performs termination processing (Su10-8). In the termination processing, for example, processing is performed to terminate communication with the door-side terminal 200.

[0087] Furthermore, if the battery level is above a predetermined value (Su10-2 YES), the MPU316 starts sending an authentication command to the authentication communication unit 312 (Su10-3). The MPU316 also starts sending a distance measurement signal to the distance measurement communication unit 314 (Su10-4). The MPU316 also sets a timer value in the timer corresponding to the time until the distance measurement is completed (Su10-5). The MPU316 updates (decrements in this case) the timer value set in Su10-5 (Su10-6). If the updated timer value in Su10-6 is not 0 (Su10-7 NO), the MPU316 repeats the process from Su10-6. On the other hand, if the timer value in Su10-6 is updated to 0 (Su10-7 YES), the MPU316 performs the termination process as described above (Su10-8).

[0088] As described above, according to the auto-lock device processing in the auto-lock device 100, the door-side terminal processing in the door-side terminal 200, and the user terminal processing in the user terminal 300, the conditions for ending the auto-lock permission waiting state are set as follows: the battery level being below a predetermined value, or a predetermined time elapsed since the door 10 was unlocked.

[0089] When the termination condition is met, a termination command is sent to the auto-locking device 100. As described above, when the auto-locking device 100 receives the termination command, the actuator 150 is not energized, and therefore the automatic locking function is not activated. In this way, by preventing the automatic locking function from activating when the termination condition is met, the situation in which the auto-locking device 100 operates unexpectedly is avoided.

[0090] Then, if the distance between the door terminal 200 and the user terminal 300 exceeds a second threshold within a predetermined time after the door 10 is unlocked, the automatic locking function is activated. This means that the automatic locking function is activated only when the user is carrying the user terminal 300, which is the unlocking device. In other words, if the user goes out without carrying the user terminal 300, the operation of the automatic locking function is restricted. This prevents the user from being locked out.

[0091] In the above embodiment, the distance between the door-side terminal 200 and the user terminal 300 is measured, and in the door-side terminal processing, if it is determined that the distance is greater than or equal to a second threshold, an authorization command is sent. However, the above distance measurement is not mandatory. For example, the door-side terminal 200 may send an authorization command to the auto-lock device 100 if authentication of the user terminal 300 is successful within a predetermined time. In this case, the automatic locking function will be activated on the condition that a communication connection is established between the door-side terminal 200 and the user terminal 300.

[0092] In any case, the lock system 1 only needs to perform the following: a process to initiate a communication connection between a fixed terminal and a user terminal located within a predetermined range from the fixed terminal; a process to determine whether predetermined conditions, at least including the commencement of a communication connection between the fixed terminal and the user terminal, are met; and, if it is determined that the predetermined conditions are met, a process to control the actuator to move the lock from the unlocked state to the locked state.

[0093] In the above embodiment, an auto-lock device 100 and a door-side terminal 200 are provided as fixed terminals, and the door-side terminal 200 communicates with the user terminal 300. However, as described above, a single fixed terminal comprising the functional parts of the auto-lock device 100 and the door-side terminal 200 may be provided.

[0094] Furthermore, the division of roles among the MPUs 112, 218, and 316 in the above embodiment is merely an example. For example, in the above embodiment, the user terminal 300, rather than the door-side terminal 200, may send the permission command to the auto-lock device 100. Also, in the above embodiment, the upper limit time for which the automatic locking function can be operated is managed by the door-side terminal 200, but the upper limit time may be managed by the user terminal 300.

[0095] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, communication between the door-side terminal 200 and the user terminal 300 is initiated when the door 10 is unlocked. Specifically, when the door 10 is unlocked while the anti-lockout function is enabled, the auto-lock permission waiting flag is turned on in the auto-lock device 100. When the door-side terminal 200 detects that the auto-lock permission waiting flag has been turned on, communication between the door-side terminal 200 and the user terminal 300 is initiated. However, the trigger for initiating communication between the door-side terminal 200 and the user terminal 300 is not limited to this, and the configurations of the first to third modified examples described below can also be used.

[0096] Modifications of the above embodiment will be described below. In the various modifications described below, the same reference numerals will be used for components that are the same as in the above embodiment, and their detailed descriptions will be omitted. Therefore, unless otherwise specified, the following modifications will have the same configuration as the above embodiment and will perform the same control processing as in the above embodiment.

[0097] Figure 13 is a functional block diagram of the lock system 1 of the first modified example. In the first modified example, as in the embodiment described above, the lock system 1 includes an auto-locking device 100, a door-side terminal 200, and a user terminal 300. The lock system 1 of the first modified example differs from the embodiment described above in that the door-side terminal 200 is equipped with a motion sensor 230, while the other mechanical configurations and functional parts are the same as in the embodiment described above.

[0098] The motion sensor 230 is installed on the outdoor side of the door 10 and detects people present on the outdoor side of the door 10, inputting a detection signal to the MPU 218. The motion sensor 230 only needs to be able to detect people present on the outdoor side of the door 10; the detection method is not particularly limited. For example, the motion sensor 230 can detect people using infrared, ultrasonic, or microwave waves. Furthermore, the motion sensor 230 may include a device that captures images of the outdoor side of the door 10 and detects people through image analysis, such as a security camera.

[0099] Furthermore, in the first modified example, the motion sensor 230 is built into the door-side terminal 200, but the motion sensor 230 may be configured separately from the door-side terminal 200. In this case, the motion sensor 230 may be installed near the door 10.

[0100] Figure 14 is a sequence diagram of the lock system 1 of the first modified example. In the first modified example, when the motion sensor 230 of the door-side terminal 200 detects a person (Sd1), an authentication command is sent (Sd2), a distance measurement signal is sent (Sd3), and an activation signal is sent (Sd4). In other words, in the first modified example, when the motion sensor 230 detects a person, processing related to communication connection and distance measurement between the door-side terminal 200 and the user terminal 300 is executed.

[0101] In the first modified example, the trigger for initiating the door-side terminal processing differs from that of the above embodiment, but the door-side terminal processing itself is the same as in the above embodiment. Also, in the first modified example, the door-side terminal processing is initiated when someone other than the user passes through the outside of the door 10. However, in this case, authentication of the user terminal 300 is not successful within a predetermined time. As a result, the door-side terminal processing times out and terminates, and a termination command is sent to the auto-lock device 100. As described above, in the first modified example, as in the above embodiment, it is possible to prevent the user from being locked out while activating the automatic locking function.

[0102] Figure 15 is a functional block diagram of the second modified lock system 1. In the second modified version, as in the above embodiment, the lock system 1 includes an auto-lock device 100, a door-side terminal 200, and a user terminal 300. However, in the second modified version, the configuration of the user terminal 300 differs from that of the above embodiment. That is, in the above embodiment, the user terminal 300 was a small terminal device provided exclusively for the lock system 1, but in the second modified version, the user terminal 300 is configured as a smartphone. Therefore, in the second modified version, the user terminal 300 includes a network communication unit 320.

[0103] In the second modified example, the door-side terminal 200 is equipped with an activation communication unit 240. The activation communication unit 240 in the second modified example is provided in place of the activation communication unit 216 in the above embodiment. The activation communication unit 240 transmits an advertisement signal containing unique identification information using a BLE beacon (Bluetooth Low Energy beacon). In the lock system 1 of the second modified example, the mechanical configuration and functional parts of the auto-lock device 100, door-side terminal 200, and user terminal 300, other than those described above, are the same as in the above embodiment.

[0104] Figure 16 is a sequence diagram of the lock system 1 in the second modified example. In the second modified example, an advertisement signal is transmitted as an activation signal at Sd4. Upon receiving the advertisement signal, the user terminal 300 starts transmitting an authentication command and a distance measurement signal. In the second modified example, as in the above embodiment, the automatic locking function is activated while preventing the user from being locked out.

[0105] In the second modified example, the case in which the user terminal 300 is a smartphone was described. However, the user terminal 300 only needs to be configured to receive the advertisement signal transmitted from the door-side terminal 200, and may be a small terminal dedicated to the lock system 1, similar to the embodiment described above.

[0106] Figure 17 is a functional block diagram of the lock system 1 of the third modified example. In the third modified example, as in the above embodiment, the lock system 1 includes an auto-lock device 100, a door-side terminal 200, and a user terminal 300. However, in the third modified example, the configuration of the user terminal 300 differs from that of the above embodiment. That is, in the third modified example, as in the second modified example, the user terminal 300 is configured as a smartphone. Therefore, in the third modified example, the user terminal 300 includes a network communication unit 320.

[0107] Furthermore, in the third modified example, unlike the above embodiment and the second modified example, the door-side terminal 200 is not provided with an activation communication unit 216 or an activation communication unit 240. On the other hand, the lock system 1 of the third modified example includes a communication device 400 that acts as a so-called hub. Here, the communication device 400 is assumed to be externally attached to the auto-lock device 100, but the communication device 400 may be built into the auto-lock device 100 or the door-side terminal 200. In other words, the auto-lock device 100 or the door-side terminal 200 may have the functions of the communication device 400 described later.

[0108] The communication device 400 includes a hub-side communication unit 410, a startup communication unit 412, an MPU 414, and a secure chip 416.

[0109] The hub-side communication unit 410 establishes a communication connection with the device-side communication unit 110 of the auto-lock device 100 and sends and receives commands with the auto-lock device 100. That is, the communication device 400 and the auto-lock device 100 send and receive commands via the hub-side communication unit 410 and the device-side communication unit 110. Here, the hub-side communication unit 410 and the device-side communication unit 110 are assumed to use BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) communication, but the wireless communication standard between the hub-side communication unit 410 and the device-side communication unit 110 is not particularly limited. In the third modification, the door-side communication unit 210 and the hub-side communication unit 410 function as master units and the device-side communication unit 110 functions as slave units, but their relationship may be reversed.

[0110] The startup communication unit 412 sends a startup command to the user terminal 300 via the network communication network N. The network communication network N includes, for example, either or both of a LAN (Local Area Network) and / or a mobile communication network.

[0111] The MPU414 is a central processing unit integrated on a semiconductor chip that reads programs stored in a memory device and performs data calculations and various control processes. Based on commands received by the hub-side communication unit 410 from the device-side communication unit 110, the MPU414 outputs a startup command transmission command to the startup communication unit 412.

[0112] The secure chip 416 performs wireless communication between the hub-side communication unit 410 and the device-side communication unit 110, or encrypts and decrypts data in the startup command. In the third modified example of the lock system 1, the mechanical configuration and functional parts of the auto-lock device 100, door-side terminal 200, and user terminal 300, other than those described above, are the same as in the above embodiment.

[0113] Figure 18 is a sequence diagram of the lock system 1 of the third modified example. Hereafter, the processing in the communication device 400 will be denoted as ShN (where N is any integer). In the third modified example, as in the above embodiment, when the door 10 is unlocked while the anti-lockout function is enabled, the auto-lock permission waiting flag is turned on in the auto-lock device 100 (Sa1). At this time, the MPU 218 of the door-side terminal 200 detects that the auto-lock permission waiting flag has been turned on in the auto-lock device 100 (Sd1). When the door-side terminal 200 detects that the auto-lock permission waiting flag is on, the MPU 218 outputs a command to send an authentication command to the authentication communication unit 212 (Sd2). The MPU 218 also outputs a command to send a distance measurement signal to the distance measurement communication unit 214 (Sd3).

[0114] Furthermore, in the communication device 400, the MPU 414 detects that the auto-lock permission waiting flag has been turned on in the auto-lock device 100 (Sh1). When the communication device 400 detects that the auto-lock permission waiting flag is on, the MPU 414 outputs a command to send a startup command to the startup communication unit 412 (Sh2). As a result, the startup command is sent from the communication device 400 to the user terminal 300 via the network communication network N.

[0115] Upon receiving a startup command, the user terminal 300 begins transmitting authentication commands and distance measurement signals (Su1, Su2). Thus, in this fourth modification, the communication device 400 plays the role of activating the user terminal 300, that is, initiating communication between the door-side terminal 200 and the user terminal 300. As described above, in this fourth modification, as in the above embodiment, it is possible to prevent the user from being locked out while the automatic locking function is activated.

[0116] In the fourth modification, the motion sensor 230 of the first modification is provided, and when the motion sensor 230 detects a person, the door-side terminal processing may be started in the same way as in the first modification. Also, in the fourth modification, an authorization command is sent from the door-side terminal 200 to the auto-lock device 100, but for example, the authorization command may be sent from the communication device 400 to the auto-lock device 100. As an example, when distance measurement processing is performed at the user terminal 300 and the distance becomes greater than or equal to the second threshold, a predetermined command is sent from the user terminal 300 to the communication device 400 via the network communication network N. When the communication device 400 receives the predetermined command, the MPU 414 sends an authorization command to the auto-lock device 100. The same effects as described above can be achieved in this way as well.

[0117] Although one embodiment has been described above with reference to the attached drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. It is clear to those skilled in the art that various modifications or variations can be conceived within the scope of the claims, and these are also understood to fall within the technical scope.

[0118] The control processing and division of roles of the auto-lock device 100, door-side terminal 200, and user terminal 300 in the above embodiments and various modifications are merely examples. Furthermore, the automatic unlocking function is not essential in the above embodiments and various modifications, and the lock system 1 may have only the automatic locking function described above. In other words, the lock system 1 may be provided as a locking system or locking device that has at least the automatic locking function described above.

[0119] Furthermore, a program is provided that causes a computer to perform the control processing described in the above embodiments and various modifications. Alternatively, this program may be stored in a computer-readable non-temporary storage medium and provided as such. Furthermore, an information processing method is provided that implements the steps shown in the flowchart described in the above embodiments and various modifications. In any case, the present invention can be provided as a program, information processing method, locking system, or locking device that performs the following processing.

[0120] (program) A process (Sd10-3 in the embodiment) to initiate a communication connection between a fixed terminal (for example, an auto-lock device 100 and a door-side terminal 200 in the embodiment) and a user terminal located within a predetermined range from the fixed terminal, A process (Sd10-12 in the embodiment) that determines whether a predetermined condition is met, which at least includes the commencement of a communication connection between the fixed terminal and the user terminal (for example, in the embodiment, after the establishment of the communication connection, the distance between the door-side terminal 200 and the user terminal 300 becomes greater than or equal to a second threshold), When it is determined that a predetermined condition is met, the actuator is controlled to move the lock from the unlocked state to the locked state (Sd10-13 as an example in this embodiment), A program that causes a computer to perform a task.

[0121] As mentioned above, the fixed terminal may consist of a single device that includes the functions of an auto-locking device 100 and a door-side terminal 200. Furthermore, the configuration of the actuator is not particularly limited, and the command to control the actuator may be output from any of the following: the auto-lock device 100, the door-side terminal 200, the user terminal 300, or the communication device 400.

[0122] Also, the program is After the communication connection is established, a process is performed to measure the distance between the fixed terminal and the user terminal (Sd10-11 as an example in this embodiment). The computer may then perform this task further. Furthermore, the predetermined conditions may include the distance between the fixed terminal and the user terminal being equal to or greater than a threshold (for example, a second threshold in the embodiment).

[0123] However, the predetermined conditions only need to include at least the commencement of a communication connection between the fixed terminal and the user terminal, and as described above, the establishment of a communication connection between the two terminals itself may be set as the predetermined conditions. For example, the predetermined conditions may be determined to be met when the fixed terminal receives location information of the user terminal via a location information service and detects that the user terminal is outside the predetermined range. In addition, the distance between the fixed terminal and the user terminal may be measured based on the location information of the user terminal. In this case, the user terminal may detect that the user terminal is outside the predetermined range, or that the distance between the fixed terminal and the user terminal exceeds a threshold, and a permission command may be sent from the user terminal to the fixed terminal.

[0124] Furthermore, the process of initiating a communication connection is: A process to send first information (an authentication command as an example in this embodiment) from a fixed terminal to a user terminal (Sd10-3 as an example in this embodiment), It may include. Furthermore, the process of measuring the distance between the fixed terminal and the user terminal is as follows: Based on the reception of first information by the user terminal, a signal for measuring distance (a distance measurement signal, for example, in this embodiment) may be transmitted and received between the fixed terminal and the user terminal.

[0125] Also, the program is The process of setting the actuator to a standby state (for example, an auto-lock permission waiting state in the embodiment) triggered by the unlocking of the lock (for example, Sa11-1 in the embodiment), After a predetermined time has elapsed since the lock was unlocked, a process is performed to terminate the standby state (Sa11-3 is an example in this embodiment), You may have a computer perform this task. Furthermore, the process for controlling the actuator is: The actuator may be controllable if it is determined that a predetermined condition is met while the system is in standby mode.

[0126] However, the specified time mentioned above, i.e., the maximum time during which the automatic locking function operates, is not mandatory.

[0127] (Information processing methods) A method of information processing performed by a computer, A process to initiate a communication connection between a fixed terminal and a user terminal located within a predetermined range from the fixed terminal, A process to determine whether predetermined conditions are met, which at least include the commencement of a communication connection between a fixed terminal and a user terminal, A process to control the actuator to move the lock from the unlocked state to the locked state when it is determined that a predetermined condition is met, Information processing methods including

[0128] (Locking system) Computers A process to initiate a communication connection between a fixed terminal and a user terminal located within a predetermined range from the fixed terminal, A process to determine whether predetermined conditions are met, which at least include the commencement of a communication connection between a fixed terminal and a user terminal, A process to control the actuator to move the lock from the unlocked state to the locked state when it is determined that a predetermined condition is met, A locking system that performs this task.

[0129] (Locking device) Equipped with a fixed terminal capable of communicating with user terminals, Fixed terminals are, A process to initiate a communication connection from a fixed terminal to a user terminal located within a predetermined range, A process to determine whether predetermined conditions are met, which at least include the commencement of a communication connection between a fixed terminal and a user terminal, A process to control the actuator to move the lock from the unlocked state to the locked state when it is determined that a predetermined condition is met, A locking device that performs the following action.

[0130] Also, fixed terminals are, A first fixed terminal (a door-side terminal 200 in this embodiment) is provided on the outside of the door (for example, a door 10 in this embodiment) and is capable of communicating with a user terminal, A second fixed terminal (an auto-locking device 100 as an example in this embodiment) is provided on the inside of the door and is capable of communicating with the first fixed terminal, It may include. Furthermore, the first fixed terminal is, If it is determined that the predetermined conditions are met, second information (an permission command as an example in this embodiment) is sent to the second fixed terminal. The second fixed terminal is, Based on the reception of the second piece of information, the actuator may be controlled to move the lock from the unlocked state to the locked state (Sa11-7 as an example in this embodiment). [Explanation of symbols]

[0131] 1-tablet system 10 doors 100 Automatic locking device 112 MPU 150 Actuators 200 Door-side terminal 218 MPU 300 user terminals 316 MPU

Claims

1. A process for initiating a communication connection between a fixed terminal and a user terminal located within a predetermined range from the fixed terminal, A process for determining whether predetermined conditions are met, which at least include the commencement of the communication connection between the fixed terminal and the user terminal, When it is determined that the predetermined conditions are met, the process involves controlling the actuator to move the lock from the unlocked state to the locked state, A program that causes a computer to perform a task.

2. After the communication connection is initiated, a process is performed to measure the distance between the fixed terminal and the user terminal. Let the computer perform the next step The aforementioned predetermined conditions include the distance between the fixed terminal and the user terminal being greater than or equal to a threshold. The program according to claim 1.

3. The process for initiating the aforementioned communication connection is: A process for transmitting first information from the fixed terminal to the user terminal, Includes, The process of measuring the distance between the fixed terminal and the user terminal is as follows: Based on the reception of the first information by the user terminal, the fixed terminal and the user terminal are made to send and receive signals for measuring distance. The program according to claim 2.

4. The unlocking of the lock triggers a process that puts the actuator into a standby state where control of the actuator is permitted, When a predetermined time has elapsed since the lock was unlocked, the process terminates the standby state. Have the computer perform this task. The process for controlling the actuator is as follows: If it is determined that the predetermined conditions are met during the standby state, the actuator can be controlled. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. A method of information processing performed by a computer, A process for initiating a communication connection between a fixed terminal and a user terminal located within a predetermined range from the fixed terminal, A process for determining whether predetermined conditions are met, which at least include the commencement of the communication connection between the fixed terminal and the user terminal, When it is determined that the predetermined conditions are met, the process involves controlling the actuator to move the lock from the unlocked state to the locked state, Information processing methods including

6. Computers A process for initiating a communication connection between a fixed terminal and a user terminal located within a predetermined range from the fixed terminal, A process for determining whether predetermined conditions are met, which at least include the commencement of the communication connection between the fixed terminal and the user terminal, When it is determined that the predetermined conditions are met, the process involves controlling the actuator to move the lock from the unlocked state to the locked state, A locking system that performs this task.

7. Equipped with a fixed terminal capable of communicating with user terminals, The aforementioned fixed terminal is A process to initiate a communication connection between the fixed terminal and the user terminal located within a predetermined range, A process for determining whether predetermined conditions are met, which at least include the commencement of the communication connection between the fixed terminal and the user terminal, When it is determined that the predetermined conditions are met, the process involves controlling the actuator to move the lock from the unlocked state to the locked state, A locking device that performs the following action.

8. The aforementioned fixed terminal is A first fixed terminal is provided on the outside of the door and is capable of communicating with the user terminal, A second fixed terminal is provided on the inside of the door and is capable of communicating with the first fixed terminal, Includes, The first fixed terminal is, If it is determined that the aforementioned predetermined conditions are met, the second information is transmitted to the second fixed terminal. The second fixed terminal is, Based on the reception of the second information, the actuator is controlled to move the lock from the unlocked state to the locked state. The locking device according to claim 7.

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