CONTROL SYSTEM, CONTROL METHOD, AND PROGRAM

Abstract

To provide a control system capable of preventing unauthorized unlocking of an electric lock by a third party.SOLUTION: A control system 10 includes an acquisition unit 11, an authentication unit 12, and a control unit 13. The acquisition unit 11 acquires authentication information input on an input unit 31 by communicating with the input unit 31 that is installed at an entrance of a facility. The authentication unit 12 authenticates the authentication information acquired by the acquisition unit 11. The control unit 13 is configured so as to, when the authentication by the authentication unit 12 is successful, output an unlock command to instruct unlocking of an electric lock 20 installed on an opening / closing member of the entrance / exit of the facility. The control unit 13 operates in either mode of operation; i.e. a restricted mode to restrict communication with the input unit 31 or an enable mode to enable communication with the input unit 31.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a control system, a control method, and a program for an electric lock. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, electric lock systems for locking and unlocking doors of buildings are known. Patent Document 1 discloses an electric lock system that is difficult to unlock unintentionally from outside. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-056503 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present invention provides a control system and the like that can prevent an electric lock from being illegally unlocked by a third party. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A control system according to one aspect of the present invention includes an acquisition unit, an authentication unit, and a control unit. The acquisition unit acquires authentication information input to an input device provided at an entrance / exit of a facility by communicating with the input device. The authentication unit authenticates the authentication information acquired by the acquisition unit. If the authentication by the authentication unit is successful, the control unit outputs an unlock command to instruct the unlocking of an electric lock provided on an opening / closing member of the entrance / exit of the facility. The control unit operates in one of an operation mode, a restricted mode that restricts communication with the input device, and an enabled mode that enables communication with the input device.

[0006] A control method according to one aspect of the present invention includes an acquisition step, an authentication step, and a control step. In the acquisition step, authentication information input to an input device provided at an entrance / exit of a facility is acquired by communicating with the input device. In the authentication step, the authentication information acquired in the acquisition step is authenticated. In the control step, if the authentication in the authentication step is successful, an unlock command is output to instruct the unlocking of an electric lock provided on an opening / closing member of the entrance / exit of the facility. In the control step, the device operates in either a restricted mode that restricts communication with the input device or an enabled mode that enables communication with the input device.

[0007] A program according to one aspect of the present invention causes one or more processors to execute the control method. Effect of the Invention

[0008] A control system according to one aspect of the present invention has the advantage that it is possible to prevent an electric lock from being illegally unlocked by a third party. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an overall configuration of a control system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the control system according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a setting screen in an information terminal according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a notification screen on another information terminal according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a setting device according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the control system according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments described below are all comprehensive or specific examples. The numerical values, shapes, materials, components, component arrangement and connection forms, steps, and order of steps shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present invention. In addition, among the components in the following embodiments, components that are not described in the independent claims will be described as optional components.

[0011] In addition, each drawing is a schematic diagram and is not necessarily a precise illustration. In each drawing, the same reference numerals are used for substantially the same configurations, and duplicated explanations may be omitted or simplified.

[0012] (Embodiment) [composition] First, an overview of an electric lock control system (hereinafter, simply referred to as a "control system") according to an embodiment will be described. Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of the control system according to an embodiment. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the control system according to an embodiment.

[0013] As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a control system 10 according to an embodiment is a system for controlling the locking and unlocking of an electric lock 20. The control system 10 and the electric lock 20 are attached to an opening / closing member 60 to be locked and unlocked, for example. The opening / closing member 60 is a so-called hinged door, and is provided at the entrance of a facility (for example, the front door of a house). In the embodiment, the opening / closing member 60 is a door. Note that the opening / closing member 60 is not limited to a hinged door, and may be a sliding door. Furthermore, the entrance of a facility is not limited to a place for moving between the outside and inside of the facility, and may be a place within the facility. Furthermore, the facility is not limited to a house, and may be an office building, a hospital, a care facility, or the like.

[0014] In the following description, the entrance / exit of a facility will be described as a place for moving between the inside and outside of the facility. Therefore, in the following description, the inside of the facility will also be referred to as "indoors" and the outside of the facility will also be referred to as "outdoors." Note that the following description can also be applied to cases where the entrance / exit of a facility is a place within the facility. In this case, "indoors" can be read as "a place where only user A1 is permitted to enter" and "outdoors" can be read as "a place where people other than user A1 are permitted to enter."

[0015] In the embodiment, the user A1 may include a person who is permanently permitted to enter a specific location, as well as a person who is temporarily permitted to enter a specific location. The former user A1 is, for example, a resident if the facility is a house. The latter user A1 is, for example, a staff member of a housekeeping service business.

[0016] The electric lock 20 is a structure that locks and unlocks the opening / closing member 60 based on the control by the control system 10. Specifically, the electric lock 20 has a deadbolt, an electric motor, and a transmission mechanism that transmits the driving force of the electric motor to the deadbolt. The electric motor is driven according to a command output from the control system 10. In the embodiment, the electric lock 20 has a lock drive unit that outputs a drive signal based on the command output from the control system 10. Therefore, the electric motor is driven according to the drive signal output from the lock drive unit. Then, the deadbolt moves to the locked position or the unlocked position by transmitting the driving force of the electric motor to the deadbolt via the transmission mechanism. Also, in the embodiment, only one electric lock 20 is attached to the opening / closing member 60, but two or more electric locks may be attached.

[0017] 2, the control system 10 includes an acquisition unit 11, an authentication unit 12, a control unit 13, a first setting unit 14, a second setting unit 15, and a storage unit 16. These components are provided in a door handle portion of the opening / closing member 60, for example, while being housed in a housing. Note that the control system 10 is only required to include at least the acquisition unit 11, the authentication unit 12, and the control unit 13, and may not include the first setting unit 14, the second setting unit 15, and the storage unit 16.

[0018] The acquisition unit 11 acquires authentication information input to the input device 31 by communicating with the input device 31 provided at the entrance / exit of the facility. In the embodiment, the authentication information is a password represented by a number of multiple digits. Of course, the authentication information may include characters other than numbers (e.g., alphabets, etc.). Specifically, the acquisition unit 11 is realized by a wired communication circuit or a wireless communication circuit. For example, if the acquisition unit 11 is a wired communication circuit, the acquisition unit 11 performs wired communication with the input device 31 via a cable and acquires authentication information from the input device 31. Also, if the acquisition unit 11 is a wireless communication circuit, the acquisition unit 11 communicates with the input device 31 according to a wireless communication standard such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or Wi-Fi (registered trademark), and acquires authentication information from the input device 31.

[0019] The input device 31 is a device that is installed, for example, on a wall near the opening / closing member 60 and accepts input of authentication information. The input device 31 may be installed at a location away from the opening / closing member 60, such as a wall near a gate or a mailbox. In the embodiment, the input device 31 has a numeric keypad 311 for inputting authentication information (password). For example, the user A1 inputs a multi-digit password by pressing the numeric keypad 311. The input device 31 then communicates with the acquisition unit 11 and transmits the input password (authentication information) to the acquisition unit 11.

[0020] In the embodiment, the acquiring unit 11 can also acquire authentication information from the authentication medium 40. In this case, the authentication information includes ID (Identifier) ​​information for individually identifying the user A1, and authentication code information such as a password or a personal identification number. Note that the authentication code information may be common to all users including the user A1 and other users described later, or may be different for each user.

[0021] The authentication medium 40 is, for example, a portable information terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal, or a remote control key device dedicated to the control system 10. In the embodiment, the authentication medium 40 is an information terminal 41 possessed by the user A1. That is, the information terminal 41 functions as the authentication medium 40 by installing an application dedicated to the control system 10 in the information terminal 41.

[0022] In this case, the acquiring unit 11 communicates with the authentication medium 40 in accordance with a wireless communication standard such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or Wi-Fi (registered trademark), and acquires authentication information from the authentication medium 40. In the embodiment, when the authentication medium 40 is present within a predetermined communication range based on the position where the control system 10 is installed (here, the opening / closing member 60), the acquiring unit 11 acquires authentication information from the authentication medium 40 by communicating with the authentication medium 40.

[0023] The authentication unit 12 authenticates the authentication information acquired by the acquisition unit 11. Specifically, the authentication unit 12 performs authentication by determining whether or not the authentication information acquired by the acquisition unit 11 is included in the registration information stored in the storage unit 16. If the authentication information is included in the registration information, the authentication unit 12 determines that the authentication has been successful. On the other hand, if the authentication information is not included in the registration information, the authentication unit 12 determines that the authentication has been unsuccessful. In the embodiment, the authentication unit 12 is realized by a microcomputer together with the control unit 13, the first setting unit 14, and the second setting unit 15, for example, but may also be realized by a processor.

[0024] If the authentication by the authentication unit 12 is successful, the control unit 13 outputs an unlock command to instruct the unlocking of the electric lock 20 provided on the opening / closing member 60 at the entrance to the facility. In other words, if the authentication by the authentication unit 12 fails, the control unit 13 does not execute anything in particular. For this reason, for example, if the authentication by the authentication unit 12 fails while the electric lock 20 is locked, the electric lock 20 will not be unlocked and will remain locked.

[0025] In the embodiment, when authentication by the authentication unit 12 based on the authentication information acquired by the acquisition unit 11 from the input device 31 is successful, the control unit 13 outputs an unlock command. This causes the electric lock 20 to be unlocked.

[0026] In the embodiment, when the authentication unit 12 is successful in authenticating based on the authentication information acquired by the acquisition unit 11 from the authentication medium 40, the control unit 13 is in a state in which it can output an unlock command. In this state, when an unlock operation by the user A1 on the authentication medium 40 or an unlock operation by the user A1 on the operation reception device 30 is accepted, the control unit 13 outputs the unlock command.

[0027] Here, the operation reception device 30 is a device that receives operations performed by the user A1 to lock or unlock the electric lock 20. The operation reception device 30 is, for example, a switch provided on the door handle of the opening / closing member 60, or a part of the door handle. For example, to unlock the electric lock 20, the user A1 may perform an operation such as pressing a switch provided on the door handle or gripping the door handle.

[0028] The control unit 13 also has a function of automatically locking the electric lock 20 based on the detection result of the opening / closing sensor 50. The opening / closing sensor 50 is a so-called door sensor that detects the open / close state of the opening / closing member 60 and outputs the detection result to the control system 10. The opening / closing sensor 50 is a magnetic sensor realized by, for example, a magnet attached to one of the opening / closing member 60 and the door frame 61, and a magnet sensor attached to the other of the opening / closing member 60 and the door frame 61. When the detection result of the opening / closing sensor 50 transitions from the open state to the closed state of the opening / closing member 60, the control unit 13 automatically locks the electric lock 20 by outputting a lock command instructing to lock the electric lock 20.

[0029] In addition, the opening / closing sensor 50 may be a radio wave type sensor realized by an RFID (Radio Frequency Identifier) ​​tag attached to one of the opening / closing member 60 and the door frame 61, and an RFID reader attached to the other of the opening / closing member 60 and the door frame 61, and the specific form of the opening / closing sensor 50 is not particularly limited.

[0030] Here, the control unit 13 operates in one of two operation modes: a restricted mode in which communication with the input device 31 is restricted, and an enabled mode in which communication with the input device 31 is enabled. In other words, when the control unit 13 operates in the restricted mode, even if authentication information is input to the input device 31, the acquisition unit 11 does not acquire the authentication information because communication between the acquisition unit 11 and the input device 31 is restricted. Therefore, when the control unit 13 operates in the restricted mode, even if the authentication information input to the input device 31 is regular information that can be successfully authenticated by the authentication unit 12, the control unit 13 does not output an unlock command.

[0031] On the other hand, when the control unit 13 is operating in the valid mode, communication is possible between the acquisition unit 11 and the input device 31, so that the acquisition unit 11 acquires the authentication information when the authentication information is input to the input device 31. Therefore, when the control unit 13 is operating in the valid mode, if the authentication information input to the input device 31 is regular information, the control unit 13 outputs an unlock command.

[0032] In addition, in the embodiment, if authentication by the authentication unit 12 is successful based on the authentication information acquired by the acquisition unit 11 from the authentication medium 40, the control unit 13 becomes capable of outputting an unlock command regardless of the above operation mode.

[0033] In the embodiment, except when either one of the operation modes, the restricted mode or the valid mode, is set by the second setting unit 15 described later, the control unit 13 operates in the restricted mode in a first time period and operates in the valid mode in a second time period different from the first time period. That is, in the embodiment, the control unit 13 basically operates in either one of the operation modes, the restricted mode or the valid mode, depending on the time period. In the embodiment, the first time period and the second time period can be appropriately set by the first setting unit 14 described later.

[0034] For example, assume that the first time period is from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., and the second time period is the other time periods. In this case, the control unit 13 does not output an unlock command even if valid authentication information is input to the input device 31 during the time periods between 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. On the other hand, the control unit 13 outputs an unlock command when valid authentication information is input to the input device 31 during the time periods other than 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

[0035] Also, in the embodiment, when the control unit 13 is operating in the valid mode, if an unlock command based on the authentication information is output a predetermined number of times, the control unit 13 transitions to operating in the restricted mode. The predetermined number of times is the number of times that the authentication information is valid, and may be, for example, once or twice or more. That is, in the embodiment, even if the control unit 13 is operating in the valid mode, if the electric lock 20 is unlocked based on the authentication information a predetermined number of times, the control unit 13 will operate in the restricted mode thereafter. Note that the predetermined number of times is reset, for example, when a new setting is made in the first setting unit 14 described later.

[0036] When the first setting unit 14 receives a first setting input for setting the first time zone and the second time zone, the first setting unit 14 sets the first time zone and the second time zone based on the first setting input.

[0037] In the embodiment, the first setting unit 14 communicates with the information terminal 41 held by the user A1 to accept the first setting input in response to the operation of the user A1 on the information terminal 41. The user A1 here is, for example, a householder if the facility is a house, and has administrator authority. Specifically, the user A1 starts an application dedicated to the control system 10 on the information terminal 41, for example, and performs an operation to set the first time zone and the second time zone on the application. This operation is performed by the user A1 touching the touch panel display with his / her finger, for example, if the information terminal 41 has a touch panel display. Then, when the information terminal 41 accepts the operation to set each time zone, it transmits a signal including information about each time zone to the control system 10. As a result, the first setting unit 14 accepts the first setting input by receiving the signal.

[0038] A specific example of setting the first time slot and the second time slot using the information terminal 41 will be described below with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a setting screen in the information terminal 41 according to the embodiment. When the user A1 operates the information terminal 41 to start the above application, a setting screen as shown in FIG. 3 is displayed on the display 410 of the information terminal 41. On this setting screen, a first text box 411 for inputting the start time of the first time slot and a second text box 412 for inputting the end time of the first time slot are displayed. The user A1 can set the first time slot by inputting a desired time in each of the text boxes 411 and 412. Here, when the first time slot is set, the other time slots are set as the second time slot. Of course, the setting screen shown in FIG. 3 may further display a text box for setting the second time slot.

[0039] Information on the first time zone and the second time zone set by the first setting unit 14 can also be sent by email to a user who is temporarily permitted to use the authentication information, such as a staff member of a housekeeping service business. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a notification screen in another information terminal 400 according to the embodiment. The other information terminal 400 is an information terminal possessed by the user, and when the other information terminal 400 receives the email, it displays a notification screen including the contents of the received email on the display 401. The user can grasp information on the first time zone and the second time zone by looking at the notification screen. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the notification screen displays a password (authentication information), its validity period and time zone (i.e., the first time zone), and its type. Here, a "one-time key" is set as the type of password. That is, here, the predetermined number of times that the password is valid is set to one time.

[0040] In the embodiment, the first setting unit 14 communicates with the setting device 70 to receive a first setting input corresponding to an operation of the user A1 on the setting device 70. Here, the setting device 70 is a device that receives the first setting input of the user A1. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the setting device 70 according to the embodiment. The setting device 70 is installed indoors, for example, and can be used by performing a specific operation (e.g., unlocking a door with a dedicated key) that is known only to the user A1 who has administrator authority. In other words, the setting device 70 cannot basically be operated by anyone other than the user A1 who has administrator authority.

[0041] The setting device 70 includes a first switch 71, a second switch 72, a third switch 73, a seven-segment display 74, and a numeric keypad 75. If user A1 wishes to set a start time for the first time slot, he or she may press the second switch 72, then press the numeric keypad 75 to input a desired time, and then press the first switch 71. If user A1 wishes to set an end time for the first time slot, he or she may press the third switch 73, then press the numeric keypad 75 to input a desired time, and then press the first switch 71. The time input by user A1 is displayed on the seven-segment display 74.

[0042] When the second setting unit 15 receives a second setting input for setting either the restricted mode or the enabled mode, it sets the operation mode of the control unit 13 based on the second setting input. When the operation mode of the control unit 13 is set by the second setting unit 15, the settings of the first time zone and the second time zone by the first setting unit 14 are invalidated, but when the setting of the operation mode of the control unit 13 by the second setting unit 15 is released, the settings of the first time zone and the second time zone by the first setting unit 14 are valid.

[0043] In the embodiment, the second setting unit 15 accepts the second setting input via the information terminal 41 or the setting device 70, similarly to the first setting unit 14. For example, in the case of the information terminal 41, the user A1 can set the operation mode of the control unit 13 by selecting either a radio button (not shown) corresponding to the limit mode or a radio button (not shown) corresponding to the valid mode displayed on the setting screen. Also, in the case of the setting device 70, the user A1 can set the operation mode of the control unit 13 by pressing either a switch (not shown) corresponding to the limit mode or a switch (not shown) corresponding to the valid mode. Note that a state in which neither the radio button corresponding to the limit mode and the valid mode, respectively, on the information terminal 41 nor the push button switch corresponding to the limit mode and the valid mode, respectively, on the setting device 70 is selected (not pressed) corresponds to a state in which the setting of the operation mode of the control unit 13 is released.

[0044] The memory unit 16 is a storage device that mainly stores registration information used by the authentication unit 12 when performing authentication, a control program executed by the control unit 13 to control the electric lock 20, information set by the first setting unit 14, and information set by the second setting unit 15. The memory unit 16 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory. The registration information includes authentication information for each registered user A1. The registration information can be stored in the memory unit 16 by, for example, the user A1 making a specific input on the operation reception device 30 or the information terminal 41, etc.

[0045] [Operation] An example of the operation of the control system 10 according to the embodiment will be described below. Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the control system 10 according to the embodiment. In the example shown in Fig. 6, it is assumed that the number of times an unlock command based on authentication information is output has not reached a predetermined number during operation in the valid mode. In the following description, it is assumed that the authentication information acquired by the acquisition unit 11 is authentication information (i.e., a password) input by the input device 31.

[0046] First, the user A1 presses the numeric keypad 311 on the input device 31 to input a multi-digit password (authentication information) to the input device 31 (S11). If the control unit 13 is operating in the restricted mode (S12: No), the acquisition unit 11 cannot acquire the password entered into the input device 31, so the electric lock 20 is not unlocked and remains locked.

[0047] On the other hand, if the control unit 13 is operating in the valid mode (S12: Yes), the acquisition unit 11 acquires the input password as authentication information (S13). The process S13 corresponds to acquisition step ST1 in the control method. Next, the authentication unit 12 authenticates the authentication information acquired by the acquisition unit 11 (S14). The process S14 corresponds to authentication step ST2 in the control method.

[0048] If the acquired password is not valid and the authentication unit 12 fails to authenticate (S15: No), the electric lock 20 is not unlocked and remains locked. On the other hand, if the acquired password is valid and the authentication unit 12 succeeds in authenticating (S15: Yes), the control unit 13 outputs an unlock command (S16). This unlocks the electric lock 20. Processes S12 and S16 correspond to control step ST3 in the control method.

[0049] [advantage] The advantages of the control system 10 according to the embodiment will be described below with a comparison with a control system of a comparative example. The control system of the comparative example differs from the control system 10 according to the embodiment in that the control unit always operates in the valid mode and does not have the function of operating in the restricted mode. In the control system of the comparative example, for example, when the facility is a residence and authentication information (password) is given to a person who is temporarily permitted to enter the residence, such as a staff member of a housekeeping service business, the following problem occurs.

[0050] That is, there is a problem that the above-mentioned person can use the authentication information to unlock the electric lock 20 not only during the permitted time when entry is permitted, but also outside the permitted time. In this case, the above-mentioned person can be said to be a third party. There is also a problem that a third party who steals the authentication information from the above-mentioned person, for example, can use the authentication information to unlock the electric lock 20 outside the permitted time. In any case, the control system of the comparative example has a problem that the electric lock 20 can be illegally unlocked by a third party.

[0051] In contrast, in the control system 10 according to the embodiment, the control unit 13 operates in either one of the operation modes, a restricted mode that restricts communication with the input device 31, and an enabled mode that enables communication with the input device 31. For this reason, for example, if the control unit 13 operates in the enabled mode during the permitted time and in the restricted mode outside the permitted time, the electric lock 20 cannot be unlocked outside the permitted time. In other words, in the control system 10 according to the embodiment, it is possible to enable or disable the input of authentication information as necessary. Therefore, the control system 10 according to the embodiment has the advantage of being able to prevent the electric lock 20 from being illegally unlocked by a third party.

[0052] (Modification) Although the embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. Modifications of the embodiment will be listed below. The modifications described below may be combined as appropriate.

[0053] In the embodiment, when the unlock command based on the authentication information (password) is output a predetermined number of times during operation in the valid mode, the control unit 13 transitions to operation in the restricted mode, but is not limited to this. For example, the control unit 13 may maintain operation in the valid mode until the first time period set by the first setting unit 14 is reached or until the restricted mode is set by the second setting unit 15, regardless of the number of times the unlock command based on the authentication information is output.

[0054] In the embodiment, the electric lock 20 is automatically locked based on the detection result of the opening / closing sensor 50, but this is not limited to the above. For example, the opening / closing member 60 may have a mechanism that allows the user A1 to manually lock the electric lock 20. In this case, the opening / closing sensor 50 may or may not be present.

[0055] In the embodiment, both the setting device 70 and the information terminal 41 are provided as means for setting the first time period and the second time period, but only one of them may be provided. For example, if each time period is set only by the information terminal 41, the setting device 70 does not need to be installed.

[0056] In the embodiment, the acquisition unit 11 acquires a password represented by a multi-digit number as authentication information, but is not limited thereto. For example, the acquisition unit 11 may acquire a fingerprint or a face image of the user A1 as authentication information. In the former case, the input device 31 may be provided with a fingerprint reading device instead of the numeric keypad 311. Also, in the former case, the authentication unit 12 may perform fingerprint authentication based on the fingerprint acquired by the acquisition unit 11. In the latter case, the input device 31 may be provided with an imaging device instead of the numeric keypad 311. Also, in the latter case, the authentication unit 12 may perform face authentication based on the face image acquired by the acquisition unit 11.

[0057] In addition, in the embodiment, the electric lock 20 is provided on the opening and closing member 60, but it may be provided on the door frame 61.

[0058] In the embodiment, the control system 10 is realized by a single device, but may be realized by multiple devices. When the control system 10 is realized by multiple devices, the components of the control system 10 may be distributed to the multiple devices in any manner. In the embodiment, the control system 10 is realized by a device installed on the opening / closing member 60 together with the electric lock 20, but this is not limited to this. For example, the control system 10 may be realized by a control device installed in the facility, or a server device installed outside the facility. The control device installed in the facility is, for example, an EMS (Energy Management System) controller. The control system 10 may be built into the electric lock 20.

[0059] In the embodiments, each component may be realized by executing a software program suitable for each component. Each component may be realized by a program execution unit such as a CPU or a processor reading and executing a software program recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk or a semiconductor memory.

[0060] Furthermore, each component may be realized by hardware. For example, each component may be a circuit (or an integrated circuit). These circuits may form a single circuit as a whole, or each may be a separate circuit. Furthermore, each of these circuits may be a general-purpose circuit, or a dedicated circuit.

[0061] Furthermore, the general or specific aspects of the present invention may be realized as a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM. Furthermore, the general or specific aspects of the present invention may be realized as any combination of a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, and a recording medium.

[0062] For example, the present invention may be realized as an electric lock control device, or as an opening / closing member 60 equipped with an electric lock control device. The present invention may be realized as a control method for the electric lock 20 executed by a computer such as the control system 10 of the embodiment. The present invention may be realized as a program for causing a computer to execute the control method for the electric lock 20. The present invention may be realized as a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium on which such a program is recorded.

[0063] In addition, the present invention also includes forms obtained by applying various modifications to each embodiment that a person skilled in the art may think of, or forms realized by arbitrarily combining the components and functions of each embodiment within the scope that does not deviate from the spirit of the present invention.

[0064] (summary) As described above, the control system 10 includes the acquisition unit 11, the authentication unit 12, and the control unit 13. The acquisition unit 11 acquires authentication information input to the input device 31 by communicating with the input device 31 provided at the entrance / exit of the facility. The authentication unit 12 authenticates the authentication information acquired by the acquisition unit 11. If the authentication by the authentication unit 12 is successful, the control unit 13 outputs an unlock command that instructs the unlocking of the electric lock 20 provided on the opening / closing member 60 of the entrance / exit of the facility. The control unit 13 operates in either one of an operation mode, a restricted mode that restricts communication with the input device 31, and an enabled mode that enables communication with the input device 31.

[0065] Such a control system 10 has the advantage that it is possible to enable or disable the input of authentication information as needed, thereby preventing the electric lock 20 from being illegally unlocked by a third party.

[0066] Also, for example, in the control system 10, the control unit 13 operates in the restricted mode in a first time period and operates in the valid mode in a second time period different from the first time period.

[0067] Such a control system 10 has the advantage of preventing a third party from illegally unlocking the electric lock 20, for example, during times other than the permitted hours when the facility manager permits entry.

[0068] In addition, for example, the control system 10 further includes a first setting unit 14 that, when receiving a first setting input for setting the first time period and the second time period, sets the first time period and the second time period based on the first setting input.

[0069] According to such a control system 10, the first time zone and the second time zone can be changed to time zones desired by, for example, a facility manager, which has the advantage that convenience can be easily improved.

[0070] In addition, for example, the control system 10 further includes a second setting unit 15 that, when it receives a second setting input for setting the operation mode of the control unit 13 to either the restricted mode or the enabled mode, sets the operation mode of the control unit 13 based on the second setting input.

[0071] According to such a control system 10, the operation mode can be changed to an operation mode owned by, for example, a facility manager, which has the advantage that convenience can be easily improved.

[0072] Also, for example, in the control system 10, when an unlock command based on authentication information is output a predetermined number of times during operation in the valid mode, the control unit 13 transitions to operation in the restricted mode.

[0073] Such a control system 10 has the advantage that it is possible to prevent the electric lock 20 from being unlocked unnecessarily many times.

[0074] Also, for example, in the control system 10, the input device 31 has a numeric keypad 311 for inputting authentication information.

[0075] Such a control system 10 has the advantage that it is possible to realize a means for inputting authentication information with less expensive means than when a fingerprint reader or the like is provided.

[0076] Also, for example, the control method includes an acquisition step ST1, an authentication step ST2, and a control step ST3. In the acquisition step ST1, authentication information input to the input device 31 is acquired by communicating with the input device 31 provided at the entrance / exit of the facility. In the authentication step ST2, the authentication information acquired in the acquisition step ST1 is authenticated. In the control step ST3, if the authentication in the authentication step ST2 is successful, an unlock command is output to instruct the unlocking of the electric lock 20 provided on the opening / closing member 60 at the entrance / exit of the facility. In the control step ST3, the device operates in either one of an operation mode, a limit mode that limits communication with the input device 31, and an enable mode that enables communication with the input device 31.

[0077] Such a control method has the advantage that it is possible to enable or disable the input of authentication information as needed, thereby preventing a third party from illegally unlocking the electric lock 20.

[0078] Also, for example, the program causes one or more processors to execute the above-described control method.

[0079] Such a program has the advantage that it is possible to enable or disable the input of authentication information as needed, thereby preventing a third party from illegally unlocking the electric lock 20. [Explanation of symbols]

[0080] 10. Control System 11 Acquisition Department 12 Authentication Section 13 Control section 14 First Setting Section 15 Second Setting Section 20 Electronic Lock 30 Operation reception device 31 Input Devices 311 Numeric keypad 41 Information terminal 60 Opening and closing members 70 Setting device A1 User ST1 Acquisition step ST2 Authentication step ST3 Control step

Claims

1. an acquisition unit that acquires authentication information input to an input device provided at an entrance / exit of the facility by communicating with the input device; an authentication unit that authenticates the authentication information acquired by the acquisition unit; a control unit that outputs an unlock command to instruct unlocking of an electric lock provided on an opening / closing member of an entrance of the facility when the authentication by the authentication unit is successful, the control unit operates in one of an operation mode of a restricted mode in which communication with the input device is restricted and an enabled mode in which communication with the input device is enabled; The control unit transitions to the operation in the restricted mode when the unlock command based on the authentication information is output a predetermined number of times during the operation in the valid mode. Control system.

2. The control unit operates in the restricted mode during a first time period and operates in the valid mode during a second time period different from the first time period. The control system of claim 1 .

3. a first setting unit that, when receiving a first setting input for setting the first time period and the second time period, sets the first time period and the second time period based on the first setting input, The control system of claim 2.

4. a second setting unit that, when receiving a second setting input for setting the operation mode to one of the limited mode and the effective mode, sets the operation mode of the control unit based on the second setting input. The control system of claim 1 .

5. the input device has a numeric keypad for inputting the authentication information; A control system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. an acquiring step of acquiring authentication information inputted to an input device provided at an entrance / exit of the facility by communicating with the input device; an authentication step of authenticating the authentication information acquired in the acquisition step; a control step of outputting an unlock command for instructing unlocking of an electric lock provided on an opening / closing member of an entrance of the facility when the authentication by the authentication step is successful, In the control step, the input device operates in one of a restricted mode in which communication with the input device is restricted and an enabled mode in which communication with the input device is enabled, In the control step, when the unlock command based on the authentication information is output a predetermined number of times during operation in the valid mode, the operation transitions to the restricted mode. Control methods.

7. One or more processors, Executing the control method according to claim 6 . program.

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