Door Control System

Abstract

To optimize the action of a response request signal and a disturbance signal which are used for door control.SOLUTION: A door control system 1 includes: an outdoor reader 4 that transmits a response request signal toward a first communication range on the outdoor side of a door and receives a response signal from an authentication medium 3a; an authentication section 12 that authenticates whether or not identification information of the response signal is legitimate; an electric lock control unit 13 that controls the door by controlling an electric lock device 2 or a door opening / closing device 31 when the response signal is authenticated; an indoor reader 5 that receives the response signal from an authentication medium 3b on the indoor side of the door; and a jamming device 5a that transmits a jamming signal that interferes with the response request signal toward a second communication range that is smaller than the first communication range at or near the door. If the difference between a first reception strength of the response signal received by the outdoor reader 4 and a second reception strength of the response signal received by the indoor reader 5 is less than a predetermined threshold value, the door control system 1 determines that the authentication medium 3b is on the indoor side of the door and does not cause a door control unit to control the door.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a door control system that controls the locking / unlocking or opening / closing of a door when unique identification information of an authentication medium is authenticated. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, at the entrances of commercial or public facilities such as hotels or office buildings, and at the entrances or hallways of apartment buildings or private homes, door control systems have been used to restrict entry to or exit from a room or area, such as an electric lock system that controls the electric lock on a door when identification information stored in an authentication medium (portable device) such as a remote control or IC card held by a user is authenticated, or an automatic door system that controls the opening and closing of a door when identification information is authenticated.

[0003] The door control system includes a reader located on or near the door that reads identification information from an authentication medium, and the reader constantly transmits a response request signal to the authentication medium located near the door. In response to the response request signal, the authentication medium transmits a response signal including unique identification information to the reader. For example, an electric lock system serving as a door control system can unlock an electric lock when the reader authenticates the identification information read from the authentication medium as valid. In addition, in the electric lock system, an unlocked electric lock is locked automatically after a predetermined time has elapsed or by operating a locking operation means located near the door.

[0004] For example, the lock control system disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a portable device equipped with a motion detection sensor that outputs a response radio signal including information on the presence or absence of motion from the motion detection sensor when a specified response request radio signal is received, and a lock control device that outputs the response request radio signal to the portable device and controls the unlocking of the electric lock on the condition that authentication is established for the response radio signal from the portable device and a motion presence signal is present. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2009-133137 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, in the above-mentioned door control system, for example, when a user carrying an authentication medium is inside the entrance room and in the communication range of the reader, the authentication medium transmits a response signal every time it receives a response request signal from the reader, and the identification information of this response signal is authenticated without the user's intention, making it possible to unlock the electric lock or open the automatic door, thereby enabling unauthorized entry. For example, even if the reader is installed outside the room and the authentication medium is inside the room, the response request signal or response signal may not be completely blocked by the door or wall, and may be communicated inside and outside the room through the door edge or hanging point, gaps near the floor, windows near the door, etc.

[0007] Furthermore, in a door control system, narrowing the transmission range of the response request signal from the outdoor reader reduces responsiveness to the response request signal, and even if a user carrying a legitimate authentication medium approaches the door from outside, the door cannot be controlled properly, resulting in a problem of reduced hands-free detection rate (convenience) outdoors.On the other hand, widening the transmission range of the response request signal from the outdoor reader causes the response request signal to travel far into the room, resulting in a problem of so-called back detection occurring more easily, in which the authentication medium inside the room responds to the response request signal from the outdoor reader.

[0008] In response to this, some conventional door control systems transmit a jamming signal that jams the response request signal to prevent the above-mentioned rear detection, so as not to authenticate the authentication medium inside the room. However, in order to deal with the response request signal that circulates far into the room, the transmission range of the jamming signal is widened. In this case, since the jamming signal circulates far outside the room, the jamming signal acts inappropriately on the response request signal outside the room, making it impossible to authenticate the legitimate authentication medium outside the room, and making it impossible to control the door appropriately, resulting in a problem of a decrease in the hands-free detection rate (convenience) outside the room.

[0009] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to provide a door control system that optimizes the effects of response request signals and interference signals used in door control. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In order to solve the above problems, the door control system of the present invention is a door control system that controls a door when unique identification information is authenticated from an authentication medium, and includes: a first reading device that is arranged on one side of the door, transmits a response request signal toward a predetermined first communication range, and receives a response signal from the authentication medium in response to the response request signal; an authentication unit that authenticates whether the identification information of the response signal is valid or not; a door control unit that controls the door when the response signal is authenticated; a second reading device that is arranged on the other side of the door and receives the response signal from the authentication medium; and a jamming device that is arranged on the door or in the vicinity of the door, transmits a jamming signal that jams the response request signal toward a predetermined second communication range that is smaller than the first communication range. When a difference between a first reception strength of the response signal received by the first reading device and a second reception strength of the response signal received by the second reading device is less than a predetermined threshold, the door control system determines that the authentication medium is on the other side of the door, and does not control the door by the door control unit.

[0011] According to the door control system of the present invention described above, even if a leaked signal of a response request signal from a reading device on one side is transmitted to an authentication medium on the other side, a jamming signal interferes with the leaked signal in the second communication range, and the signal content of the leaked signal reaches the authentication medium in a state where it is destroyed or invalidated by the jamming signal. Therefore, the authentication medium on the other side does not transmit a response signal to the reading device on one side in response to the leaked signal, and the identification information of the authentication medium is not authenticated via the reading device on one side. Therefore, even immediately after a user having an authentication medium enters the other side or when the authentication medium on the other side is placed near the door, the device that controls the door is not controlled in response to the authentication medium on the other side, and unauthorized entry can be prevented.

[0012] Also, a leaked signal of a response request signal from the reader on one side may be transmitted beyond the second communication range of the jamming signal to the authentication medium on the other side. In this case, the response signal from the authentication medium is received by the reader on one side and the reader on the other side, and the reception strengths of the reader on one side and the reader on the other side are compared. Since the authentication medium outside the second communication range on the other side is relatively far from the reader on the other side, the decrease in the reception strength of the response signal at the reader on the other side becomes significant. Therefore, even if the authentication medium is outside the second communication range of the jamming signal, if the difference between the first reception strength of the reader on one side and the second reception strength of the reader on the other side is less than a predetermined threshold, it can be determined that the authentication medium is on the other side of the door. This makes it possible to prevent rear detection outside the second communication range on the other side.

[0013] In addition, since the second communication range of the jamming signal from the jamming device is sufficiently smaller than the first communication range of the response request signal from the reader on one side, even if the jamming signal leaks to the other side, it acts only in a very narrow range very close to the door. Therefore, since the jamming signal does not affect the movement range of the user who controls the door on one side, the authentication medium held by the user on one side can properly receive the response request signal from the reader on one side and respond with a response signal without being affected by the jamming signal.

[0014] In the door control system of the present invention, the door control unit is configured to control the locking and unlocking of an electric lock provided on the door.

[0015] In the door control system of the present invention, the door control unit is configured to control the opening and closing of the door. Effect of the Invention

[0016] According to the present invention, the effect of the response request signal and the jamming signal used for door control is optimized. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1]1 is a block diagram showing an outline of a door control system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a top view illustrating a door control system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an outline of a door control system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing an outline of a door control system according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a top view illustrating a door control system according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing an outline of a door control system according to another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] A door control system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of the configuration of a door control system 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 2 is a schematic top view of the door control system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] The door control system 1 of the first embodiment includes an electric lock device 2 (electric lock) that automatically locks and unlocks a door that restricts entry and exit to a room, authentication media 3a, 3b (portable devices) that store identification information that is a unique ID, and an outdoor reader 4 (first reading device) and an indoor reader 5 (second reading device) that read the identification information from the authentication media 3a, 3b. The door control system 1 also includes a control unit 6 that controls the electric lock device 2 according to the authentication result of the identification information received by the outdoor reader 4 or the indoor reader 5. In other words, the door control system 1 of the first embodiment is an electric lock system that locks and unlocks the electric lock device 2 of the door by authenticating the identification information.

[0020] The electric lock device 2 is configured with a locking / unlocking mechanism 7 consisting of, for example, a deadbolt (not shown) and an electric actuator (not shown) for moving the deadbolt, and a drive unit 8 such as a motor for driving the electric actuator. The deadbolt moves so as to protrude from the door edge and is fixed within the strike of the door frame to lock the door and make it impossible to open, and on the other hand, moves so as to remove from the strike and is pulled into the door to unlock the door and make it possible to open it. The electric lock device 2 is connected to a control unit 6, and receives a control signal from the control unit 6 instructing locking or unlocking, and the drive unit 8 drives the electric actuator in response to this control signal.

[0021] The authentication media 3a and 3b are provided with electronic components such as IC chips having a storage area for storing various information in a readable / writable manner, and in particular, unique identification information such as user information is stored in the storage area as information necessary for authenticating permission to lock and unlock the door. The authentication media 3a and 3b transmit and receive communication signals to the outdoor reader 4 and the indoor reader 5 by non-contact communication (short-distance wireless communication) within a predetermined communication radius (communication range). For example, the authentication media 3a and 3b transmit a response signal including identification information to the outdoor reader 4 or the indoor reader 5 in response to a response request signal transmitted from the outdoor reader 4 or the indoor reader 5. The response signal is a response radio wave in a predetermined frequency band (e.g., 315 MHz), and the electric field strength (or magnetic field strength) of the response signal attenuates inversely proportional to the square of the distance (reception distance).

[0022] The authentication media 3a and 3b may be, for example, a card-shaped storage medium such as an IC card equipped with a passive tag that generates power in response to electromagnetic waves, magnetic field coupling, or electric field coupling from the outdoor reader 4 or the indoor reader 5, or a contactless key such as a remote control key equipped with an active tag that receives power from a built-in power source such as a battery. Alternatively, the authentication media 3a and 3b may be a portable terminal device such as a smartphone or tablet capable of contactless communication with the outdoor reader 4 and the indoor reader 5. Note that the authentication media 3a and 3b3a and 3b are not limited to these, as long as they are devices capable of short-range wireless communication with the outdoor reader 4 and the indoor reader 5 and can be carried by the user.

[0023] The outdoor reader 4 and the indoor reader 5 are installed on the outside and inside of the room, respectively, on the surface of the door or on the wall surface surrounding the door. The outdoor reader 4 and the indoor reader 5 are readers or transmitting / receiving devices capable of short-distance wireless communication with the authentication media 3a and 3b, and can communicate within a predetermined communication radius (communication range). The outdoor reader 4 and the indoor reader 5 are capable of, for example, transmitting a response request signal to the authentication media 3a and 3b, and receiving a response signal from the authentication media 3a and 3b in response to the response request signal.

[0024] In particular, the indoor reader 5 is configured to receive a response signal when the indoor reader 5 transmits a response request signal in order to authenticate the response signal, and is further configured to receive a response signal when either the outdoor reader 4 or the indoor reader 5 transmits a response request signal in order to determine the receiving strength of the response signal. Note that the outdoor reader 4 may be configured to receive a response signal only when the outdoor reader 4 transmits a response request signal in order to authenticate the response signal, or may be configured to receive a response signal when either the outdoor reader 4 or the indoor reader 5 transmits a response request signal in order to determine the receiving strength of the response signal.

[0025] The outdoor reader 4 and the indoor reader 5 transmit, for example, a response request signal of a predetermined frequency band (for example, 134 MHz) toward a first communication range on the outdoor side and a first communication range on the indoor side, each having a communication radius of about 1.5 to 2 m, in order to correspond to the authentication media 3a and 3b on the outdoor side and indoor side, respectively, with respect to the door. The magnetic field strength (or electric field strength) of the response request signal attenuates more than the response signal, and attenuates inversely proportional to the cube of the distance (reception distance). The outdoor reader 4 and the indoor reader 5 generate, for example, a response request signal of a pulse with a predetermined period and transmit it at a predetermined time interval. The outdoor reader 4 and the indoor reader 5 may transmit the response request signal periodically or in response to a button operation. The outdoor reader 4 and the indoor reader 5 are connected to the control unit 6, and read the identification information from the response signal received from the authentication media 3a or 3b, and transmit it to the control unit 6.

[0026] The indoor reader 5 also includes a jamming device 5a that generates a jamming signal that jams the response request signal, and transmits the jamming signal or other jamming signal to respond to the response request signal at least on the indoor side of the door. The jamming device 5a generates a jamming signal in the same frequency band as the response request signal, and transmits the jamming signal toward a second communication range on the indoor side with a communication radius of about 1.0 m that is smaller than the first communication range of the response request signal by the outdoor reader 4 and the indoor reader 5. The jamming device 5a may have a function of transmitting the jamming signal, or may transmit the jamming signal by utilizing the transmission function of the indoor reader 5.

[0027] The jamming device 5a may transmit a jamming signal while the outdoor reader 4 is transmitting a response request signal, and more preferably may start transmitting the jamming signal immediately before transmitting the response request signal and stop transmitting the jamming signal after the response request signal is stopped. The jamming signal generated by the jamming device 5a is made to interfere with the response request signal, thereby invalidating the response request signal. The jamming signal may be a signal having the same frequency band as the response request signal and a different phase or peak from the response request signal. For example, the jamming signal is generated so as to jam a part of a predetermined period of the pulse of the response request signal.

[0028] For example, as shown in Fig. 2, the outdoor reader 4 transmits a response request signal to the door within a predetermined transmission range R1 in order to correspond to the authentication medium 3a on the outdoor side. At this time, there is a possibility that the response request signal from the outdoor reader 4 will not be blocked by the door or wall and will leak to the indoor side. If such a leaked signal S of the response request signal is received by the authentication medium 3b on the indoor side, the authentication medium 3b will transmit a response signal to the outdoor reader 4 in response to the leaked signal S.

[0029] However, since the jamming device 5a of the indoor reader 5 transmits a jamming signal within a predetermined transmission range R2, the jamming signal interferes with the leaking signal S, and the signal content of the leaking signal S is destroyed by the jamming signal. For example, the jamming signal is superimposed on the leaking signal S, making it impossible to determine whether the response request signal has a normal amplitude or not, and making it impossible to determine the pulse width. Therefore, even if the authentication medium 3b receives the leaking signal S, the authentication medium 3b will not transmit a response signal in response to the leaking signal S, since the leaking signal S does not have valid signal content as a response request signal. Therefore, even if the leaking signal S of the response request signal from the outdoor reader 4 is transmitted to the indoor authentication medium 3b, the outdoor reader 4 will not receive a response signal from the authentication medium 3b, and will not read the identification information.

[0030] In addition, the indoor reader 5 may stop sending a response request signal while the jamming device 5a is sending a jamming signal, and the indoor side of the door may be equipped with a mechanism such as a thumb turn or key cylinder that can manually lock and unlock the locking / unlocking mechanism 7 of the electric locking device 2 from the indoor side.

[0031] Furthermore, since the transmission range R2 of the jamming signal from the jamming device 5a is sufficiently smaller than the transmission range R1 of the response request signal from the outdoor reader 4, even if the jamming signal leaks outside the room, it acts only in a very narrow range very close to the door. Therefore, since the jamming signal does not affect the movement range of the user who controls the door on the outside of the room, the authentication medium 3a on the outside of the room can properly receive the response request signal from the outdoor reader 4 and respond with a response signal regardless of the jamming signal.

[0032] Furthermore, the outdoor reader 4 and the indoor reader 5 measure the reception strength when receiving a response signal from the authentication medium 3a or 3b, and link (associate) the reception strength with the identification information of the response signal of the authentication medium 3a or 3b. Even when receiving response signals from two or more authentication media 3a or 3b, the outdoor reader 4 and the indoor reader 5 can identify the reception strength for each authentication medium 3a or 3b by identifying the identification information.

[0033] The indoor reader 5 transmits the identification information and reception strength of the response signal of the authentication medium 3a or 3b to the outdoor reader 4. The indoor reader 5 may be capable of direct communication with the outdoor reader 4 and transmit the identification information and reception strength, or may be capable of indirect communication with the outdoor reader 4 via the control unit 6 and transmit the identification information and reception strength.

[0034] The outdoor reader 4 compares the reception strength (first reception strength F1) of the response signal received by the outdoor reader 4 from a predetermined authentication medium 3a or 3b with the reception strength (second reception strength F2) of the response signal received by the indoor reader 5 from that authentication medium 3a or 3b. Even when the outdoor reader 4 receives response signals from two or more authentication media 3a or 3b, the outdoor reader 4 can compare the reception strength for each authentication medium 3a or 3b by identifying the identification information.

[0035] If the comparison result shows that the difference between the first receiving strength F1 and the second receiving strength F2, i.e., the difference obtained by subtracting the second receiving strength F2 from the first receiving strength F1, is less than a predetermined threshold, the outdoor reader 4 can determine that the authentication medium 3b is closer to the indoor reader 5 than the outdoor reader 4, and therefore determines that the authentication medium 3b is located inside the room. At this time, the outdoor reader 4 determines that the response signal received from the authentication medium 3b is invalid, and does not transmit the identification information of the response signal to the control unit 6, thereby preventing the control unit 6 from controlling the door.

[0036] On the other hand, when the difference between the first receiving strength F1 and the second receiving strength F2 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the outdoor reader 4 can determine that the authentication medium 3b is closer to the outdoor reader 4 than to the indoor reader 5, and therefore determines that the authentication medium 3b is located on the outdoor side. At this time, the outdoor reader 4 determines that the response signal received from the authentication medium 3b is valid, and transmits the identification information of the response signal to the control unit 6, causing the control unit 6 to control the door.

[0037] The control unit 6 includes a control unit 10 such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that controls the overall operation of the door control system 1, and a memory unit 11 consisting of a storage medium such as a ROM or RAM that stores information necessary for control by the control unit 10.

[0038] The control unit 10 is configured to include, for example, an authentication unit 12 and an electric lock control unit 13 (door control unit). Note that the authentication unit 12 and the electric lock control unit 13 may be configured as programs stored in the storage unit 11 and executed by the control unit 10. The storage unit 11 also stores, for example, one or more pieces of authentication information 14 used to authenticate the identification information of the authentication media 3a and 3b.

[0039] The authentication unit 12 compares the identification information of the authentication medium 3a or 3b received by the control unit 10 from the outdoor reader 4 or the indoor reader 5 with the authentication information 14 stored in the memory unit 11, and determines whether the identification information can be authenticated as valid.

[0040] The electric lock control unit 13 controls the electric lock device 2 according to the determination result by the authentication unit 12, and for example, when the identification information is authenticated as valid, transmits a control signal to the electric lock device 2 to unlock the electric lock device 2. In addition, when a predetermined time has elapsed since transmitting the control signal to unlock the electric lock device 2, the electric lock control unit 13 transmits a control signal to the electric lock device 2 to lock the electric lock device 2.

[0041] In the first embodiment, an example was described in which the door control system 1 of the present invention is applied to an electric lock system that locks and unlocks the electric lock device 2 of a door by authenticating identification information, but the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, in the second embodiment, the door control system 30 of the present invention can also be applied to an automatic door system that controls the opening and closing of a door (automatic door) installed at an entrance or the like. Below, the door control system 30 of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 3, but a description of the same configuration and functions as those of the door control system 1 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 will be omitted.

[0042] As shown in Fig. 3, the door control system 30 of the second embodiment includes, for example, a door opening / closing device 31 in addition to authentication media 3a, 3b, an outdoor reader 4, an indoor reader 5, and a control unit 6 (control device). In the second embodiment, the indoor reader 5 also includes a jamming device 5a that generates a jamming signal that jams a response request signal, as in the first embodiment. The control unit 6 of the second embodiment includes, in addition to a control unit 10, a storage unit 11, and an authentication unit 12, a door opening / closing control unit 32 (door control unit) that controls the door opening / closing device 31. The door opening / closing control unit 32 may be configured by a program stored in the storage unit 11 and executed by the control unit 10.

[0043] The identification information of the authentication media 3a and 3b is information required for authenticating permission to open and close the door, and the storage unit 11 pre-stores the identification information of the authentication media 3a and 3b that are permitted to open and close the door opening and closing device 31 as authentication information 33. For example, the storage unit 11 may store one or more pieces of authentication information 33 corresponding to the identification information of the one or more authentication media 3a and 3b, respectively. The authentication unit 12 compares the identification information of the authentication medium 3a or 3b received by the control unit 10 from the outdoor reader 4 or the indoor reader 5 with the authentication information 33 stored in the storage unit 11, and determines whether the identification information can be authenticated as valid.

[0044] The door opening / closing device 31 is a mechanism that is controlled by the control unit 6 (door opening / closing control section 32) and automatically opens and closes the automatic door electrically. The automatic door may be either a sliding door or a swing door. In the case of a swing door, an obstacle sensor (not shown) is provided that detects obstacles to the opening and closing of the automatic door, and the door opening / closing device 31 opens and closes the automatic door when there is no obstacle.

[0045] The door opening / closing control unit 32 of the second embodiment is configured in a substantially similar manner to the electric lock control unit 13 of the first embodiment which controls the locking and unlocking of the door (electric lock device 2), except that it controls the opening and closing of the door (door opening / closing device 31).

[0046] The door opening / closing control unit 32 controls the door opening / closing device 31 in accordance with the determination result by the authentication unit 12, and for example, when the identification information is authenticated as being valid, transmits a control signal to the door opening / closing device 31 to open the door opening / closing device 31. In addition, the door opening / closing control unit 32 transmits a control signal to the door opening / closing device 31 to close the door opening / closing device 31 when a predetermined time has elapsed since transmitting the control signal to open the door to the door opening / closing device 31 (opening the door).

[0047] As described above, the door control system 1, 30 according to the present embodiment is an electric lock system or an automatic door system that controls the door by controlling the electric lock device 2 (electric lock) or the door opening / closing device 31 provided on the door when unique identification information is authenticated from the authentication medium 3a, 3b. The door control system 1, 30 includes an outdoor reader 4 (first reading device) that is arranged on the outdoor side (one side) of the door and transmits a response request signal toward a predetermined first communication range and receives a response signal from the authentication medium 3a that responds to the response request signal, an authentication unit 12 that authenticates whether the identification information of the response signal is valid, a door control unit such as an electric lock control unit 13 or a door opening / closing control unit 32 that controls the door by controlling the electric lock device 2 or the door opening / closing device 31 when the response signal is authenticated, and an indoor reader 5 (second reading device) that is arranged on the indoor side (the other side) of the door and receives the response signal from the authentication medium 3b. The door control system 1, 30 also includes a jamming device 5a that is placed on or near the door and transmits a jamming signal to jam the response request signal toward a predetermined second communication range that is smaller than the first communication range. When the difference between the first reception strength F1 of the response signal received by the outdoor reader 4 and the second reception strength F2 of the response signal received by the indoor reader 5 is less than a predetermined threshold, the door control system 1, 30 determines that the authentication medium 3b is located on the indoor side of the door and prevents the door control unit from controlling the door.

[0048] For example, the door control unit is an electric lock control unit 13 configured to control the locking and unlocking of an electric lock device 2 provided on a door, or a door opening / closing control unit 32 configured to control the opening and closing of the door.

[0049] With this configuration, in the door control system 1, 30, even if the leaked signal S of the response request signal from the outdoor reader 4 is transmitted to the authentication medium 3b on the indoor side, the jamming signal interferes with the leaked signal S in the second communication range near the indoor door, and the signal content of the leaked signal S is destroyed by the jamming signal or reaches the authentication medium 3b in a state in which it is invalidated by the jamming signal. Therefore, the authentication medium 3b does not transmit a response signal to the outdoor reader 4 in response to the leaked signal S, and the identification information of the authentication medium 3b is not authenticated via the outdoor reader 4. Therefore, even immediately after a user having the authentication medium 3b enters the indoor side or when the authentication medium 3b is placed near the door, the device that controls the door, such as the electric lock device 2 or the door opening / closing device 31, is not controlled in response to the authentication medium 3b on the indoor side, and unauthorized entry can be prevented. This makes it possible to prevent rear detection in the second communication range near the indoor door.

[0050] Also, the leaked signal S of the response request signal from the outdoor reader 4 may be transmitted beyond the second communication range of the jamming signal to the authentication medium 3b on the indoor side. In this case, the response signal from the authentication medium 3b is received by the outdoor reader 4 and the indoor reader 5, and the reception strengths of the outdoor reader 4 and the indoor reader 5 are compared. Since the authentication medium 3b outside the second communication range on the indoor side is relatively far from the indoor reader 5, the reception strength of the response signal at the indoor reader 5 drops significantly. Therefore, even if the authentication medium 3b is outside the second communication range of the jamming signal, if the difference between the first reception strength F1 of the outdoor reader 4 and the second reception strength F2 of the indoor reader 5 is less than a predetermined threshold, it can be determined that the authentication medium 3b is on the indoor side of the door. This makes it possible to prevent rear detection outside the second communication range indoors.

[0051] In addition, since the second communication range of the jamming signal from the jamming device 5a is sufficiently smaller than the first communication range of the response request signal from the outdoor reader 4, even if the jamming signal leaks to the outside of the room, it acts only in a very narrow range very close to the door. Therefore, since the jamming signal does not affect the movement range of the user who controls the door on the outside of the room, the authentication medium 3a carried by the user on the outside of the room can properly receive the response request signal from the outdoor reader 4 and respond with a response signal without being affected by the jamming signal.

[0052] In this way, it is possible to provide a door control system 1, 30 that optimizes the effect of the response request signal and the jamming signal used in door control.

[0053] In the above-described embodiment, the door control system 1, 30 is described as an example in which the comparison between the first reception strength F1 of the response signal received by the outdoor reader 4 and the second reception strength F2 of the response signal received by the indoor reader 5 is performed by the outdoor reader 4, but the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, in another embodiment, the comparison between the first reception strength F1 of the response signal received by the outdoor reader 4 and the second reception strength F2 of the response signal received by the indoor reader 5 may be performed by the control unit 10 of the control unit 6. In this case, the outdoor reader 4 transmits the identification information and reception strength of the response signal of the authentication medium 3a or 3b to the control unit 6, and the indoor reader 5 transmits the identification information and reception strength of the response signal of the authentication medium 3a or 3b to the control unit 6.

[0054] In the above-described embodiment, the door control system 1, 30 has been described as an example in which the outdoor reader 4 and the indoor reader 5 are provided on the outside and inside of the room, respectively, on the surface of the door or on the wall surface surrounding the door, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in other embodiments, the door control system 1, 30 may have the outdoor reader 4 and the indoor reader 5 provided in a position close to the user who controls the door, such as a frame or sleeve panel near the door.

[0055] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the door control system 1, 30 is provided with a jamming device 5a in the indoor reader 5 to transmit a jamming signal on the indoor side, thereby suppressing unauthorized unlocking or unauthorized opening of the door caused by the leaking signal S of the response request signal from the outdoor reader 4 to the indoor side, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in another embodiment, the door control system 1, 30 may be provided with a jamming device 5a in the outdoor reader 4 to transmit a jamming signal on the outdoor side, thereby suppressing unauthorized unlocking or unauthorized opening of the door caused by the leaking signal S of the response request signal from the indoor reader 5 to the outdoor side. In this case, the jamming device 5a of the outdoor reader 4 transmits a jamming signal toward the second communication range on the outdoor side.

[0056] In the above embodiment, the door control system 1, 30 is provided with a jamming device 5a in the indoor reader 5 or the outdoor reader 4 to transmit a jamming signal on the indoor side or the outdoor side, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in another embodiment, the door control system 1, 30 is provided with jamming devices 4a and 5a in both the outdoor reader 4 and the indoor reader 5 (see Figs. 4 to 6). In this case, the jamming device 4a of the outdoor reader 4 transmits a jamming signal toward the second communication range on the outdoor side, and the jamming device 5a of the indoor reader 5 transmits a jamming signal toward the second communication range on the indoor side. For example, the leaked signal S, which is a response request signal transmitted from the outdoor reader 4 and leaked to the indoor side, reaches the authentication medium 3b in a state where it is invalidated by the jamming signal in the second communication range on the indoor side.

[0057] Each time a response request signal is transmitted, the control switches between simultaneously transmitting a response request signal by the outdoor reader 4 and a jamming signal by the indoor reader 5, and simultaneously transmitting a jamming signal by the outdoor reader 4 and a response request signal by the indoor reader 5. The authentication section 12 of the control unit 6 determines whether the authentication media 3a, 3b are located on the outdoor side or indoor side based on the switching timing of the jamming signal transmission by the outdoor reader 4 and the indoor reader 5 and the reception timing of the response signal from the authentication media 3a, 3b.

[0058] For example, if the outdoor reader 4 receives response signals from the authentication media 3a, 3b while the indoor reader 5 is transmitting a jamming signal, and if the indoor reader 5 does not receive response signals from the authentication media 3a, 3b while the outdoor reader 4 is transmitting a jamming signal, the authentication unit 12 determines that the authentication media 3a, 3b are located outside the room. Also, if the outdoor reader 4 does not receive response signals from the authentication media 3a, 3b while the indoor reader 5 is transmitting a jamming signal, and if the indoor reader 5 receives response signals from the authentication media 3a, 3b while the outdoor reader 4 is transmitting a jamming signal, the authentication unit 12 determines that the authentication media 3a, 3b are located inside the room.

[0059] However, if the outdoor reader 4 and the indoor reader 5 receive response signals from the authentication media 3a, 3b while the indoor reader 5 is transmitting a jamming signal, the outdoor reader 4 or the control unit 6 compares the first reception strength F1 of the response signal received by the outdoor reader 4 with the second reception strength F2 of the response signal received by the indoor reader 5, as in the above-mentioned embodiment, and determines whether the authentication media 3a, 3b are located on the outside or inside of the room based on the comparison result.

[0060] The outdoor reader 4 and the indoor reader 5 may each add different sender identification information to the response request signal in order to identify the sender of the response request signal. Then, the authentication media 3a and 3b add the recognition result of the sender identification information to the response signal and transmit it. In this way, when the response request signal is switched and transmitted as described above, it is possible to determine whether the response signal from the authentication media 3a and 3b is a response to a response request signal from the outdoor reader 4 or the indoor reader 5, and to accurately determine the reception timing of the response signal.

[0061] For example, the outdoor reader 4 and the indoor reader 5 add reader information for identifying themselves to the response request signal as sender identification information. When the authentication media 3a and 3b receive the response request signal with the reader information added, they recognize whether the sender of the response request signal is the outdoor reader 4 or the indoor reader 5 based on the reader information, and transmit the recognition result, for example, by adding the reader information to the response signal. When a response signal is received from the authentication media 3a and 3b within a predetermined response period to the response request signal transmitted by the outdoor reader 4 and the indoor reader 5, the authentication unit 12 of the outdoor reader 4 and the indoor reader 5 or the control unit 6 can accurately determine the reception timing of the response signal by determining whether the response request signal is a response to the outdoor reader 4 or the indoor reader 5 based on the reader information of the response signal.

[0062] Alternatively, the outdoor reader 4 and the indoor reader 5 each add a different encryption code to the response request signal as sender identification information. The code may be preset in the outdoor reader 4 and the indoor reader 5, or may be generated randomly. When the authentication media 3a and 3b receive the response request signal with the encryption code added, they encrypt the signal using the encryption code and their own identification information, and transmit the result as a response signal. When the outdoor reader 4 and the indoor reader 5 receive the response signal from the authentication media 3a and 3b, the authentication unit 12 of the outdoor reader 4 and the indoor reader 5 or the control unit 6 decrypts the response signal and determines, based on the code of the decryption result (recognition result), which response request signal of the outdoor reader 4 or the indoor reader 5 the response signal is a response to, thereby accurately determining the reception timing of the response signal.

[0063] With this configuration, it is possible to determine whether the authentication media 3a, 3b are appropriate as communication partners for the outdoor reader 4 and the indoor reader 5 depending on the positions of the authentication media, and appropriate control of the door (appropriate locking / unlocking of the electric lock device 2 and appropriate opening / closing of the door opening / closing device 31) can be performed based on the determination result. For example, when the authentication unit 12 authenticates a response signal received by the outdoor reader 4 from the authentication media 3a, 3b determined to be present on the outdoor side, it permits the unlocking of the electric lock device 2 or the opening of the door opening / closing device 31, whereas when the authentication unit 12 authenticates a response signal received by the outdoor reader 4 from the authentication media 3a, 3b determined to be present on the indoor side, it does not permit the unlocking of the electric lock device 2 or the opening of the door opening / closing device 31.

[0064] In a further embodiment, as shown in Figs. 4 to 6, the door control system 1, 30 is configured to have jamming devices 4a and 5a in both the outdoor reader 4 and the indoor reader 5, and the outdoor reader 4 and the indoor reader 5 are equipped with start buttons 4b and 5b, respectively. By operating either one of the start buttons 4b and 5b, both the outdoor reader 4 and the indoor reader 5 are started up by receiving power from a built-in battery (not shown). The outdoor reader 4 and the indoor reader 5 may stop starting or go into a sleep state after a predetermined time has elapsed since starting up, or may stop starting or go into a sleep state by operating the start buttons 4b and 5b again or by operating a stop button (not shown).

[0065] When the outdoor reader 4 and the indoor reader 5 are activated by operating the activation button 4b or 5b, the outdoor reader 4 or the indoor reader 5 on the side where the activation button 4b or 5b was operated (the operating side) starts transmitting a response request signal. That is, the activation buttons 4b and 5b are an initiation unit for starting the transmission of the response request signal, and when the initiation unit is instructed to start by operating the activation buttons 4b and 5b, the response request signal is transmitted only to the operating side with respect to the door. Note that the initiation unit may be provided with a start button that starts transmitting the response request signal instead of the activation buttons 4b and 5b, and the initiation unit is instructed to start by operating the start button. Alternatively, the initiation unit may be composed of a detection device such as an infrared sensor that detects a user, and the initiation unit is instructed to start by detection by the detection device.

[0066] In addition, when the outdoor reader 4 and the indoor reader 5 are activated by operating the activation button 4b or 5b, the outdoor reader 4 or the indoor reader 5 on the opposite side (non-operating side) to the operating side starts transmitting a jamming signal. That is, the jamming signal is transmitted only to the non-operating side of the door.

[0067] This configuration reliably enables door operation (unlocking or opening) using the authentication medium 3a or 3b, while if the authentication medium 3a or 3b is present on the non-operating side, even if the operating side operates the start button 4b or 5b without holding the authentication medium 3a or 3b, a jamming signal is transmitted to the non-operating side. Therefore, on the non-operating side, the authentication medium 3a or 3b will not receive a response request signal from the outdoor reader 4 or indoor reader 5, and the outdoor reader 4 or indoor reader 5 will not receive a response signal from the authentication medium 3a or 3b. This makes it possible to prevent unauthorized entry by those who do not possess the authentication medium 3a or 3b.

[0068] For example, as shown in Fig. 5, the authentication medium 3b may be in the vicinity of the indoor reader 5 on the indoor side immediately after a user carrying the authentication medium 3b enters the indoor side, or due to the authentication medium 3b being left behind on the indoor side. In this case, when the start button 4b of the outdoor reader 4 on the outdoor side is operated, the outdoor reader 4 transmits a response request signal to the outdoor transmission range R3, and the indoor reader 5 transmits a jamming signal to the indoor transmission range R4. Therefore, even if the response request signal leaks on the indoor side, the jamming signal prevents the normal response request signal from being received by the authentication medium 3b within the transmission range R4, and the door unlocking or opening by the authentication medium 3b can be suppressed.

[0069] Note that even if the authentication medium 3b outside the transmission range R4 transmits a response signal in response to the response request signal, the outdoor reader 4 or the control unit 6 compares the first reception strength F1 of the response signal received by the outdoor reader 4 with the second reception strength F2 of the response signal received by the indoor reader 5, and determines that the authentication medium 3b is located inside the room based on the comparison result. In this case, the control unit 10 of the control unit 6 prevents the door control unit such as the electric lock control unit 13 or the door opening / closing control unit 32 from controlling the door.

[0070] Furthermore, if the authentication medium 3a or 3b is held on the outdoor side, the authentication medium 3a or 3b transmits a response signal having identification information in response to a response request signal to the outdoor reader 4, making it possible to unlock or open the door. On the other hand, if the authentication medium 3a or 3b is not held on the outdoor side, the response signal having identification information cannot be transmitted to the outdoor reader 4, making it impossible to unlock or open the door, thereby preventing unauthorized entry.

[0071] Alternatively, the response request signal may be composed of pulses of a predetermined cycle transmitted at a predetermined time interval, and the jamming signal may be generated so as to jam a part of the predetermined cycle of the pulses of the response request signal. With this configuration, the effect of the jamming signal can be achieved with a minimum necessary configuration.

[0072] In addition, the configuration can be simplified since the start buttons 4b and 5b of the outdoor reader 4 and the indoor reader 5 are used to start transmitting a response request signal or a jamming signal. When the door control systems 1, 30 are not in use, the outdoor reader 4 and the indoor reader 5 are not started and no power is supplied, which can also save energy and reduce costs.

[0073] As in the above embodiment, the indoor reader 5 or the outdoor reader 4 may transmit a jamming signal while the outdoor reader 4 or the indoor reader 5 is transmitting a response request signal. For example, the indoor reader 5 or the outdoor reader 4 starts transmitting a jamming signal immediately before (a predetermined time before) the outdoor reader 4 or the indoor reader 5 transmits a response request signal, and the indoor reader 5 or the outdoor reader 4 stops transmitting the jamming signal after (a predetermined time after) the outdoor reader 4 or the indoor reader 5 stops transmitting the response request signal. This allows the effect of the jamming signal to be constantly exerted while the response request signal is being transmitted.

[0074] When the outdoor reader 4 or indoor reader 5 on the side that operates the start button 4b or 5b receives a response signal from the authentication medium 3a or 3b, and the identification information of the response signal is authenticated as valid by the authentication unit 12, the electric lock control unit 13 controls to unlock the electric lock device 2, or the door opening / closing control unit 32 controls to open the door opening / closing device 31. At this time, the outdoor reader 4 and the indoor reader 5 may stop transmitting the response request signal and the jamming signal after unlocking the electric lock device 2 or opening the door opening / closing device 31. This makes it possible to minimize the transmission of the response request signal and the jamming signal.

[0075] In the first embodiment, the door control system 1 as an electric lock system is described as being configured such that when the authentication unit 12 authenticates the identification information of the authentication medium 3a or 3b, the electric lock control unit 13 directly controls the electric lock device 2 to lock or unlock it, but the configuration of the door control system 1 as an electric lock system is not limited to this. For example, the door control system 1 as an electric lock system in another embodiment may be configured to include an unlock button or a lock button for operating the unlocking or locking of the electric lock device 2 near the door, and to enable the operation of the unlock button or the lock button when the authentication unit 12 authenticates the identification information of the authentication medium 3a or 3b, and to disable the operation of the unlock button or the lock button otherwise. Alternatively, the door control system 1 as an electric lock system may be configured to include an operating handle for opening the door, and to enable the operation of the operating handle only when the authentication unit 12 authenticates the identification information of the authentication medium 3a or 3b.

[0076] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the door control system 30 as an automatic door system in which the door opening / closing control unit 32 directly controls the door opening / closing device 31 to open or close the door when the authentication unit 12 authenticates the identification information of the authentication medium 3a or 3b has been described, but the configuration of the door control system 30 as an automatic door system is not limited to this. For example, the door control system 30 as an automatic door system in another embodiment may be configured to include a door open button and a door close button near the door for operating the door opening / closing device 31 to open or close the door, and to enable operation of the door open button and door close button when the authentication unit 12 authenticates the identification information of the authentication medium 3a or 3b, and to disable operation of the door open button and door close button in other cases.

[0077] In the above embodiment, the indoor reader 5 generates jamming radio waves that directly act on the response request signal on the indoor side and transmits them to the indoor side as a predetermined communication signal, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in another embodiment, the indoor reader 5 may generate canceling radio waves that cancel the signal patterns of the response request signal on the same time axis as a predetermined communication signal that directly acts on the response request signal on the indoor side and transmit them to the indoor side. When the indoor reader 5 transmits the canceling radio waves to the indoor side, the leakage signal S of the response request signal that leaks from the outdoor reader 4 to the indoor side is canceled by the canceling radio waves, so that, as in the case of jamming radio waves, the portable device 3b on the indoor side does not receive the leakage signal S as a legitimate response request signal, or even if the portable device 3b receives the leakage signal S, it determines that it is not a legitimate response request signal, and therefore the portable device 3b does not transmit a response signal in response to the leakage signal S.

[0078] The door control systems 1 and 30 of the present invention can be configured such that a control unit 6 having an authentication function is provided for each of a plurality of doors, and the authentication media 3a and 3b can be used in common for each door to lock, unlock, or open and close. The door control systems 1 and 30 of the present invention can be applied not only to entrances of commercial or public facilities such as hotels and office buildings, or entrances or hallways of apartment buildings or general residences, but also to various buildings such as hospitals, recreational facilities, stores, shopping centers, and schools.

[0079] Furthermore, the present invention can be modified as appropriate within the scope that does not contradict the gist or concept of the invention that can be read from the claims and the entire specification, and door control systems involving such modifications are also included in the technical concept of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0080] 1, 30 Door control system 2. Electric lock device 3a, 3b Authentication medium 4. Outdoor reader (first reading device) 5 Indoor reader (second reading device) 4a, 5a jammer 6. Control Unit 10 Control section 11 Storage section 12 Authentication Section 13 Electric lock control unit (door control unit) 14, 33 Authentication Information 31 Door opening and closing device 32 Door opening / closing control unit (door control unit)

Claims

1. A door control system that controls a door when unique identification information is authenticated from an authentication medium, a first reading device arranged on one side of the door, transmitting a response request signal toward a predetermined first communication range and receiving a response signal from the authentication medium in response to the response request signal; an authentication unit that authenticates whether the identification information of the response signal is valid; a door control unit that controls the door when the response signal is authenticated; a second reader disposed on the other side of the door and configured to receive a response signal from the authentication medium; a jamming device that is arranged at or near the door and transmits a jamming signal that jams the response request signal toward a second predetermined communication range that is smaller than the first communication range; Within the second communication range, the interference signal interferes with the response request signal, making it impossible for the authentication medium to respond to the response request signal; On the other hand, when within the first communication range and outside the second communication range, the authentication medium transmits the response signal in response to the response request signal, and at this time, when a difference between a first reception strength of the response signal received by the first reading device and a second reception strength of the response signal received by the second reading device is less than a predetermined threshold, the authentication unit determines that the authentication medium is on the other side of the door and does not control the door using the door control unit.

2. 2. The door control system according to claim 1, wherein the door control unit is configured to control locking and unlocking of an electric lock provided on the door.

3. The door control system according to claim 1 , wherein the door control unit is configured to control opening and closing of the door.

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