Key management device, key management system, and key management method

Abstract

To provide a key management device which can more flexibly set the conditions for performing replacement.SOLUTION: A key management device includes: a plurality of holders 21 for holding a key 20; a plurality of key holding parts 31 for holding the holders 21 respectively; a release part 36 which makes the key 20 held in the holder 21 replaceable; a control part for executing key replacement processing utilizing the release part 36; and a communication part for receiving the information transmitted from an external terminal. The control part sets the holder 21 which can execute key replacement processing based on the information received by the communication part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a key management device, a key management system, and a key management method for managing keys. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a key management device that manages keys by holding them in a holder, as described in, for example, Patent Document 1. In this key management device, an exchange process is performed in which the key is removed from the holder and replaced.

[0003] The exchange process in the key exchange device requires strict security in order to prevent fraud, and it is desirable to allow the exchange process to be executed only under appropriate conditions for the exchange.

[0004] In Patent Document 1, the exchange mode is permitted only to personnel who have been granted specific authority, and only keys in a key holder of a key holding unit that has a key identification number registered in the key management device for the input personnel identification number can be exchanged. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-163692 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, the appropriate conditions for performing the above-mentioned exchange change from moment to moment, and it may not be sufficient to simply respond based on the conditions registered in the key management device, as in Patent Document 1.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a key management device, a key management system, and a key management method that enable more flexible setting of conditions for key exchange. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A key management device of the present invention includes a plurality of holders for holding keys, a plurality of key holding units for holding the holders, a release unit for enabling the keys held in the holders to be exchanged, a control unit for executing a key exchange process using the release unit, and a communication unit for inquiring of information regarding key exchange to an external terminal during the key exchange process and receiving the information from the external terminal, and the control unit executes the key exchange process based on the information received by the communication unit. Set the possible folders do.

[0009] In addition, the information received by the communication unit includes information specifying whether or not the key exchange process can be executed, and the control unit sets the holder for which the information indicates that the key exchange process can be executed to a state in which the key exchange process can be executed.

[0010] In addition, the information received by the communication unit includes information specifying whether or not the key exchange process can be executed, and the control unit sets the key exchange process to a state in which it is not possible to execute the key exchange process for the holder for which the information indicates that the key exchange process cannot be executed.

[0011] Furthermore, the control unit sets the holder for which the key exchange process has been executed to a state in which the key exchange process cannot be executed.

[0012] In addition, the control unit sets the holder for which the key exchange process has been executed to a state in which the key exchange process cannot be executed until the control unit sets the holder capable of executing the key exchange process again based on information received by the communication unit.

[0013] Ma The information received by the communication unit includes: Information on the key for exchange or the purpose of exchanging the key The key exchange information includes exchange information, and the notification unit notifies the holder of the exchange information when the key exchange process is performed.

[0014] MaIn addition, when the key exchange process is completed, the control unit transmits completion information of the key exchange process to the external terminal while linking the completion information to the information received by the communication unit.

[0015] The key management device of the present invention includes a plurality of holders for holding keys, a plurality of key holding units for holding the holders, a control unit for executing a holder exchange process for exchanging the holders, and a communication unit for inquiring of information regarding key exchange from an external terminal during the holder exchange process and receiving the information from the external terminal, and the control unit executes the holder exchange process based on the information received by the communication unit. Set the possible folders do.

[0016] In addition, the information received by the communication unit includes information specifying whether or not the holder exchange process can be executed, and the control unit sets the holder for which the information indicates that the holder exchange process can be executed to a state in which the holder exchange process can be executed.

[0017] In addition, the information received by the communication unit includes information specifying whether or not the holder exchange process can be executed, and the control unit sets the holder exchange process to a state in which it is not possible to execute the holder exchange process for the holder for which the information indicates that the holder exchange process cannot be executed.

[0018] The key management system of the present invention is a key management system for managing keys, and includes a plurality of holders for holding the keys, a plurality of key holding units for holding the holders, a release unit for enabling the keys held in the holders to be exchanged, a control unit for executing a key exchange process using the release unit, and a communication unit for inquiring of information regarding key exchange to an external terminal during the key exchange process and receiving the information from the external terminal, and the control unit executes the key exchange process based on the information received by the communication unit. Set the possible folders do.

[0019] A key management method of the present invention is a method for managing keys by storing multiple holders that hold keys in a key storage unit, and for executing a key exchange process using a release unit that enables the keys stored in the holders to be exchanged, the method comprising the steps of: inquiring an external terminal about information regarding key exchange during the key exchange process, receiving the information from the external terminal; and executing the key exchange process based on the received information. Set the possible folders and a step of: Effect of the Invention

[0020] According to the present invention, the conditions for performing the exchange can be set more flexibly. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of use of a key management device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the key management device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the key management device. [Figure 4] 4 is a flowchart of a key exchange process of the key management device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0023] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of how a key management device 10 is used, including a floor plan of a storage room 11 provided in a building. The storage room 11 is divided into a lobby area 12 and a storage room area 13, and an entrance 14 that can be opened and closed by a door is provided between the lobby area 12 and the storage room area 13. A plurality of rooms 15 are provided within the storage room area 13, and each room 15 has a door that can be opened and closed. The door of each room 15 is provided with a lock such as a cylinder lock that can be locked and unlocked with a key.

[0024] The key management device 10 is installed in the storage room area 13 and manages the keys for each room 15 while the keys are held in a holder. The key management device 10 is capable of communicating with an external terminal 16 such as a server installed in a management center that manages the storage room 11.

[0025] 1 shows two storage rooms 11, for example on different floors or in different locations in the same building, with a key management device 10 installed in each storage room 11 and each key management device 10 being managed by an external terminal 16. These key management devices 10 and external terminal 16 make up a key management system 17.

[0026] When using the storage room 11, a user who is a contractor who has signed a contract to use room 15 of the storage room 11 enters storage room area 13 from entrance 14, operates key management device 10 to take out the key for the contracted room 15, uses the key to open the door to room 15, and uses the room 15. After using room 15, the user locks the door to room 15 with the key, returns the key to key management device 10, and exits through entrance 14.

[0027] Furthermore, in the operation of the storage room 11, the door locks and keys of rooms 15 whose usage contracts have expired or been cancelled are changed to improve security. In conjunction with the change of locks and keys, a designated person performs key change processing for the keys managed by the key management device 10. Such people include the manager of the storage room 11 and the client who has been entrusted with the key change.

[0028] In the external terminal 16, the authentication information of the user and the holder holding the key of the room 15 that the user has contracted to use are associated and registered, and the key management device 10 can communicate with and acquire the registered information. In addition, in the external terminal 16, for the room 15 whose contract for use has ended or been cancelled, predetermined information for key exchange is registered, and the key management device 10 can communicate with and acquire the information. The predetermined information for key exchange includes at least specific information for identifying the holder for which the key is to be exchanged, and may also include exchange information including the purpose of the key exchange, such as that the key exchange is due to the end or cancellation of the contract for use, and remarks such as the number of the new exchange key to be linked, information on the person in charge of the key exchange, and date and time information for executing the key exchange process, such as early morning, nighttime, or outside business hours.

[0029] Incidentally, the door of entrance 14 may be an automatic door that opens and closes automatically using facial recognition, and a holder that holds the key to room 15 may be linked to and registered in advance with the face information of the user, so that the automatic door of entrance 14 will not open unless the holder that holds the key is returned to key management device 10. In this case, it is possible to prevent the user from forgetting to return the key to key management device 10 and taking it home, losing the key, or having it duplicated, and it is also possible to prevent people other than the user from entering storage room area 13.

[0030] 2 shows the key management device 10. The key management device 10 manages a plurality of keys 20 using a plurality of holders 21 that hold the keys 20, respectively.

[0031] The holder 21 indirectly holds the key 20 via a connecting part 22 such as a ring. The holder 21 may also directly hold the key 20. The holder 21 is locked so that the key 20 connected via the connecting part 22 cannot be removed, but the lock is released by a predetermined key exchange process, making the key 20 exchangeable, and the key 20 can be exchanged. The holder 21 also includes an IC tag such as an RFID tag that stores information including unique information corresponding to the holder 21 and information about the connected key 20 in a readable and writable manner.

[0032] The key management device 10 comprises a main body 25, a front door 26 for opening and closing the front side of the main body 25, a display operation unit 27 provided on the top of the main body 25, and a printer unit 28 arranged on the side of the main body 25.

[0033] The main body 25 is provided with a key management section 30 on the front side of the main body 25, which stores and manages the keys 20. The key management section 30 is provided with a plurality of key holding sections 31 that detachably hold the holders 21. The key holding sections 31 are provided in a plurality of stages in the vertical direction on the front side of the key management section 30, and are arranged in a plurality of rows in the left-right direction of each stage. The key holding sections 31 are provided in the form of holes that open on the front side of the key management section 30, and allow the holders 21 to be inserted and removed from the front.

[0034] The key holding section 31 is provided with a lock mechanism 32 (see FIG. 3) for locking and unlocking the stored holder 21, a detection section 33 (see FIG. 3) for detecting the insertion (storage) and removal of the holder 21 from the key holding section 31, a reader / writer 34 (see FIG. 3) for reading and writing information from the IC tag of the holder 21, and a holder display section 35 for displaying the holder 21 that can be removed from the key holding section 31. The reader / writer 34 may be a reader for reading information from the IC tag of the holder 21. The holder display section 35 has a light guide provided around the hole of the key holding section 31 and a light source such as an LED that directs light into the light guide. The holder display section 35 displays the location of the holder 21 stored in the key holding section 31 by emitting light from the light guide, and is visible from the front of the key management section 30 even when the holder 21 is stored in the key holding section 31. The holder display unit 35 can light up or blink, and the light color can be changed to, for example, blue or yellow.

[0035] Furthermore, the key management unit 30 is provided with a release unit 36 ​​for replacing or removing the key 20 from the holder 21. The release unit 36 ​​is covered with an openable cover, and has a release hole for inserting the holder 21 therein. The release unit 36 ​​is equipped with an IC tag reader / writer for reading and writing information from and to the IC tag of the holder 21 inserted into the release unit 36, or an IC tag reader for reading information. Based on a key exchange process performed by an operator authorized to exchange the key, the release unit 36 ​​unlocks the holder 21 inserted into the release unit 36 ​​to make it available for exchange, thereby enabling the exchange or removal of the key 20.

[0036] The front door 26 can open and close the key management section 30 on the front side of the main body 25, and when the key management section 30 is closed, it can be locked to the main body 25, and when the key management section 30 is open, it can be folded and placed on the side of the main body 25 opposite the printer section 28.

[0037] A touch panel display is used for the display operation unit 27. Therefore, the display operation unit 27 has a display unit 27a that displays operation menus such as a key take-out menu and a key return menu to the user and a key exchange menu and a holder exchange menu to the person in charge, and an operation unit 27b that accepts operations by the user and the person in charge.

[0038] Furthermore, the printer unit 28 prints the removal history and return history of the holder 21, various histories, and the like on paper such as roll paper. The printed paper is either wound up on a winding section within the printer unit 28 or led out from the front side of the printer unit 28. Note that the printer unit 28 is not essential and can be selectively added to the key management device 10.

[0039] Next, a block diagram of the key management device 10 is shown in FIG.

[0040] The key management device 10 can acquire registration information that links the authentication information of a user registered in the external terminal 16 with the information of an IC tag of a holder 21 that holds a key 20 for a room 15 that the user has made a contract to use, by communicating with the external terminal 16. The registration information can also be registered by a person in charge directly inputting it to the key management device 10. The key management device 10 enables a user to retrieve or return a holder 21 that holds a key 20 for a room 15 that the user has made a contract to use, by authenticating and logging in to the key management device 10.

[0041] The key management device 10 has a control unit 40 that controls the key management device 10. The control unit 40 is connected to the display operation unit 27, the lock mechanism 32 of each key holding unit 31, the detection unit 33, the reader / writer 34, and the holder display unit 35, the release unit 36, a storage unit 41 that stores various information, and a communication unit 42 that communicates with the external terminal 16.

[0042] The control unit 40 includes an authentication unit 43 that authenticates a user or a person in charge when the user or a person in charge logs in, and an alarm unit 44 that alarms the user or a person in charge by displaying information on the display unit 27a of the display operation unit 27 or the holder display unit 35, or by sound or voice through a speaker, etc. The authentication unit 43 may perform authentication by inputting an ID number or password on the display operation unit 27, reading an ID card lent to the user using a card reader, or may perform authentication using biometric information of the user.

[0043] The communication unit 42 communicates with the external terminal 16 through a predetermined network, receives information transmitted from the external terminal 16, and transmits information to the external terminal 16. The information received by the communication unit 42 includes registration information linking the authentication information of the user with the information of the IC tag of the holder 21 holding the key 20 for the room 15 that the user has made a usage contract with, information on the key exchange, etc. The information on the key exchange includes at least information specifying whether or not the key exchange process can be executed, and specific information for specifying the holder 21 for which the key 20 is to be exchanged, and may additionally include exchange information including remarks such as the purpose of the key 20 exchange, such as the exchange due to the end or termination of the usage contract, and the number of the new exchange key 20 to be linked, information on the person in charge of exchanging the key 20, and date and time information on the execution of the key exchange process for the key 20.

[0044] Then, based on the information regarding the key exchange received by the communication unit 42, the control unit 40 sets a holder 21 that can perform the key exchange process, and controls the person in charge to perform the key exchange process using the release unit 36 ​​for the set holder 21.

[0045] The control unit 40 sets the holder 21 for which the information received by the communication unit 42 indicates that the key exchange process can be executed to a state in which the key exchange process can be executed, and sets the holder 21 for which the information received by the communication unit 42 indicates that the key exchange process cannot be executed to a state in which the key exchange process cannot be executed.

[0046] The control unit 40 controls the holder 21 for which the key exchange process has been executed to be set to a state in which the key exchange process cannot be executed. For example, based on the information on the key exchange received by the communication unit 42, the control unit 40 controls the holder 21 to be set to a state in which the key exchange process cannot be executed again until a holder 21 that can execute the key exchange process again is set.

[0047] During the key exchange process, the control unit 40 controls the display unit 27a of the display operation unit 27 to display a key exchange menu, and enables the key exchange process to be executed after the key exchange menu is selected by the operation unit 27b. When the key exchange menu is selected by the operation unit 27b, the control unit 40 controls the communication unit 42 to inquire about information regarding the key exchange from the external terminal 16 and to receive information regarding the key exchange from the external terminal 16. Note that the control unit 40 may also control the communication unit 42 to inquire about information from the external terminal 16 periodically, for example, once a day, once a month, or after or before business hours if the storage room 11 has business hours.

[0048] Furthermore, during the key exchange process of the holder 21, the control unit 40 controls the notification unit 44 to notify the exchange information received by the communication unit 42, i.e., the purpose of the key 20 exchange, such as the exchange being due to the expiration or cancellation of a usage contract, and remarks such as the number of the newly linked replacement key 20. The notification unit 44 notifies the user by, for example, displaying the exchange information and remarks on the display unit 27a of the display operation unit 27.

[0049] The control unit 40 also controls so that the key exchange process can be executed only by the person in the person information received by the communication unit 42. Furthermore, the control unit 40 controls so that the key exchange process can be executed only on the date and time of the date and time information received by the communication unit 42.

[0050] In addition, when the key exchange process is completed, the control unit 40 controls the communication unit 42 to transmit completion information of the key exchange process to the external terminal 16, after linking the information regarding the key exchange received by the communication unit 42.

[0051] Next, the use of the trunk room 11 will be described.

[0052] The user goes to the location of key management device 10 and selects the key 20 removal menu on display / operation unit 27 of key management device 10 .

[0053] When the removal menu is selected, the key management device 10 may inquire of the external terminal 16 about the registration information via the communication unit 42, and receive the registration information transmitted from the external terminal 16. Alternatively, the key management device 10 may periodically inquire of the external terminal 16 about the registration information via the communication unit 42, for example, once a day, once a month, or, if the storage room 11 has business hours, after business hours or before business hours, and receive the registration information transmitted from the external terminal 16. The registration information associates the authentication information of the user with the information of the IC tag of the holder 21 that holds the key 20 for the room 15 that the user has made a usage contract with.

[0054] When the removal menu is selected, the key management device 10 executes user authentication processing based on the registration information received by the communication unit 42, and when the user is authenticated, it unlocks the locking mechanism 32 of the key holding unit 31, which houses the holder 21 that holds the key 20 for the room 15 that the user has signed a contract to use, and causes the holder display unit 35 to flash.

[0055] The user removes the holder 21 from the key holding unit 31 whose holder display unit 35 is flashing. When the holder 21 is removed from the key holding unit 31, the removal of the holder 21 is detected by the detection unit 33, and a removal history including information about the user and the removed holder 21 is stored in the storage unit 41.

[0056] Then, the user uses the key 20 held by the removed holder 21 to unlock the door to the room 15 and put items in or take items out of the room 15.

[0057] Furthermore, when the user has finished using the room 15, he / she locks the door of the room 15 with the key 20 and returns the holder 21 to the key management device 10. When returning the holder 21, there are cases where authentication is performed and cases where authentication is not performed.

[0058] If authentication is present, the user selects a return menu on display operation unit 27, which causes user authentication processing to be executed based on the registration information received by communication unit 42, and after the user is authenticated, the holder display unit 35 of the key holding unit 31 to which holder 21 should be returned flashes. When the user inserts holder 21 into the corresponding key holding unit 31, the detection unit 33 detects the return of holder 21, and reader / writer 34 reads the information on the IC tag of holder 21, the return of holder 21 is accepted, and holder 21 is locked by locking mechanism 32 of key holding unit 31.

[0059] If authentication is not performed, the user can select a return menu on display operation unit 27, and the holder display unit 35 of the key holding unit 31 to which holder 21 should be returned will flash based on the registration information received by communication unit 42. When the user inserts holder 21 into the corresponding key holding unit 31, detection unit 33 detects the return of holder 21 and reader / writer 34 reads the information on the IC tag of holder 21, accepts the return of holder 21, and locks holder 21 with lock mechanism 32 of key holding unit 31. Note that the return of holder 21 may also be accepted by inserting holder 21 into the corresponding key holding unit 31 without selecting the return menu.

[0060] Then, when the return of the holder 21 is accepted, a return history including the user's information (if authentication has been performed) and the information of the returned holder 21 is stored in the storage unit 41.

[0061] Next, the key exchange process of the key management device 10 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0062] When the contract for use of a room 15 in the storage room 11 ends or is cancelled, the lock and key 20 for that room 15 are replaced with a new lock and key 20. Accordingly, a key exchange process is performed for the holder 21 associated with that room 15 to exchange it for a new key 20.

[0063] Information regarding the key exchange is registered by an administrator in the external terminal 16. This information regarding the key exchange includes at least information specifying whether or not the key exchange process can be performed, and specific information for specifying the holder 21 who will exchange the key 20, and may also include exchange information including the purpose of the key 20 exchange, such as the exchange being due to the end or termination of a usage contract, and remarks such as the number of the new exchange key 20 to be linked, information on the person in charge of exchanging the key 20, and date and time information for executing the key exchange process for the key 20, and will be described here as including these.

[0064] A person who performs the key exchange process goes to the location of key management device 10, and operates display operation unit 27 to select the key exchange menu (YES in step S1).

[0065] When the key exchange menu is selected, the control unit 40 inquires of the external terminal 16 about information related to the key exchange through the communication unit 42, and receives the information related to the key exchange transmitted from the external terminal 16 (step S2). The information related to the key exchange received by the communication unit 42 includes the above-mentioned information on whether the key exchange process can be executed, the specific information, the exchange information including the purpose of the exchange and remarks, the person in charge information, and the date and time information. Then, based on the information related to the key exchange received by the communication unit 42, the control unit 40 sets the holder 21 for which it is possible to execute the key exchange process to a state in which the key exchange process can be executed, and sets the holder 21 for which it is not possible to execute the key exchange process to a state in which the key exchange process cannot be executed.

[0066] The control unit 40 performs an authentication process for the person in charge, compares the authenticated person's information with the person's information received by the communication unit 42, and further determines whether the key exchange conditions are met, such as whether the current date and time is within the period of the date and time information received by the communication unit 42 (step S3).

[0067] If the key exchange conditions are not met (NO in step S3), for example, because the person in charge is different or the date and time of performing the key exchange process is different, the control unit 40 cancels the key exchange process. At this time, the display operation unit 27 may display the reason why the key exchange conditions are not met.

[0068] If the key exchange conditions are met (YES in step S3), the control unit 40 causes the person in charge to execute the key exchange process (step S4). In the key exchange process, the display operation unit 27 notifies the exchange information received by the communication unit 42, such as the purpose of the key 20 exchange, such as the exchange due to the end or cancellation of the use contract, and remarks such as the number of the new key 20 to be connected for exchange. Furthermore, based on the identification information for identifying the holder 21 for which the key 20 is to be exchanged received by the communication unit 42, the lock mechanism 32 is unlocked and the holder display unit 35 is flashed for the key holding unit 31 that houses the holder 21 that is set to be able to execute the key exchange process. At this time, for the key holding unit 31 that houses the holder 21 that is set to be unable to execute the key exchange process, the lock mechanism 32 is locked and the holder display unit 35 is turned off.

[0069] Then, the person in charge removes the holder 21 with the holder display section 35 flashing from the key holding section 31.

[0070] Here, the person in charge may go to the location of the room 15 for which the key is to be replaced, unlock the door of the relevant room 15 with the key 20 in the removed holder 21, remove the previous lock attached to the door, replace it with a new replacement lock, lock it with the new replacement key 20, and then return to the location of the key management device 10.

[0071] Thereafter, the person in charge opens the cover of the release unit 36 ​​and inserts the holder 21 .

[0072] When holder 21 is inserted into release unit 36, the reader / writer of release unit 36 ​​reads the information in the IC tag of holder 21. Control unit 40 checks from the read information in the IC tag of holder 21 whether it is the holder 21 of the specific information received by communication unit 42.

[0073] If the holder 21 received is not the holder of the specific information received by the communication unit 42, that is, if the holder 21 is not set to a state in which the key exchange process can be executed but is set to a state in which the key exchange process cannot be executed, the control unit 40 will, for example, prompt the user via the display operation unit 27 to insert the holder 21 of the specific information received by the communication unit 42 into the release unit 36.

[0074] When the control unit 40 receives specific information about the holder 21 via the communication unit 42, that is, when the holder 21 is set to a state in which the key exchange process can be executed, the control unit 40 unlocks the holder 21 via the release unit 36 ​​to make the key 20 available for exchange.

[0075] The person in charge then removes holder 21, which is now in a state where it can be replaced, from release unit 36, removes the previous key 20 from holder 21, replaces it with a new replacement key 20, returns holder 21 to a locked state, and places holder 21 in a state where it holds the new replacement key 20. When replacing this key 20, the person in charge can check whether the number of the newly linked replacement key 20 matches the number of the key 20 to be replaced by looking at the replacement information displayed on display operation unit 27, and can prevent replacing the key 20 by mistake.

[0076] The lock of the room 15 may be replaced not when the holder 21 for which the key is to be replaced is removed from the key holding unit 31, but after the holder 21, which has become ready for replacement, is removed from the release unit 36. In this case, the user goes to the location of the room 15 for which the key is to be replaced with the previous key 20 and the new replacement key 20, unlocks the door of the room 15 with the previous key 20, removes the previous lock attached to the door, replaces it with the new replacement lock, locks it with the new replacement key 20, and then returns to the location of the key management device 10.

[0077] Thereafter, the person in charge inserts the holder 21 for which the key has been replaced back into the original key holding unit 31, whose holder display unit 35 is flashing.

[0078] When holder 21 is inserted into key holding unit 31, detection unit 33 of key holding unit 31 detects the insertion of holder 21, and reader / writer 34 reads the information in the IC tag of holder 21. When control unit 40 confirms that holder 21 for which key exchange processing has been performed has been inserted, it locks holder 21 with locking mechanism 32 and completes the key exchange processing (YES in step S5).

[0079] Thereafter, the communication unit 42 transmits completion information of the key exchange process to the external terminal 16 by linking the completion information with the information related to the key exchange received by the communication unit 42 (step S6). The external terminal 16 receives the completion information of the key exchange process transmitted from the key management device 10 and updates the registration information.

[0080] During this key exchange process, when the holder 21 for which the key is to be exchanged is removed from the key holding unit 31, when the holder 21 for which the key is to be exchanged is inserted into the release unit 36, when the holder 21 after the key exchange is removed, and when the holder 21 after the key exchange is inserted into the key holding unit 31, these are detected and a history including information about the person in charge, date and time information, etc. is stored in the memory unit 41.

[0081] In the key management device 10 configured as described above, the holder 21 capable of executing the key exchange process is set based on information received from the external terminal 16 by the communication unit 42, so that the device can respond to changes in the appropriate conditions for key exchange and can set the conditions for key exchange more flexibly. This makes it possible to prevent another user from accidentally exchanging the key 20 under a usage contract.

[0082] In addition, for the holder 21 that is determined to be capable of executing the key exchange process by the information received by the communication unit 42, the key exchange process is set to an executable state, so that the key exchange process can be performed for the holder 21 that is to perform the key exchange.

[0083] In addition, for holders 21 for which key exchange processing cannot be performed based on the information received by the communication unit 42, the key exchange processing is set to a state in which it cannot be performed, thereby preventing mistaken key exchange processing from being performed for holders 21 that do not require key exchange.

[0084] Furthermore, the holder 21 for which the key exchange process has been executed is set to a state in which the key exchange process cannot be executed. For example, the holder 21 is set to a state in which the key exchange process cannot be executed until a holder 21 which can execute the key exchange process again is set based on information received by the communication unit 42. This makes it possible to prevent unnecessary holders 21 from being subjected to the key exchange process.

[0085] In addition, when the key exchange menu is selected by operation unit 27b, communication unit 42 queries external terminal 16 for information and receives information from external terminal 16, so that the latest information can be obtained before the key exchange process and conditions for performing key exchange can be set more flexibly.

[0086] This communication unit 42 may query the external terminal 16 for information periodically, for example, once a day, once a month, or, if the storage room 11 has business hours, after or before business hours. This allows the information to be regularly updated to the latest information and makes it possible to set the conditions for key exchange more flexibly.

[0087] In addition, during the key exchange process for the holder 21, the exchange information received by the communication unit 42, i.e., the purpose of the key 20 exchange, such as the exchange being due to the expiration or cancellation of a usage contract, and remarks such as the number of the newly linked replacement key 20, are notified by the notification unit 44, so that the person performing the key exchange process can understand the purpose of the exchange and prevent mistakes when exchanging the key 20.

[0088] In addition, since the key exchange process can only be performed by the person in charge whose information is received by the communication unit 42, it is possible to prevent, for example, the person in charge from mistakenly going to another trunk room 11 to perform the key exchange process.

[0089] Furthermore, since the key exchange process can be executed only during the period of the date and time information received by the communication unit 42, for example, by setting the period to early morning, late night, or outside business hours, the key exchange process can be executed during times when there are few or no users.

[0090] In addition, when the key exchange process is completed, the communication unit 42 links the completion information of the key exchange process to the external terminal 16 and transmits the completion information of the key exchange process to the external terminal 16, so that the completion information of the key exchange process of the holder 21 can be obtained and managed in the external terminal 16.

[0091] In addition, for example, if a user takes the key 20 home and loses the holder 21, a loss report is received from the user at a management center or the like that manages the trunk room 11, and a holder replacement process is carried out to replace the lost holder 21 with a new replacement holder 21.

[0092] In this case, information regarding the holder exchange is registered by an administrator in the external terminal 16. The information regarding the holder exchange includes information specifying whether or not the holder exchange process can be executed, and information linking information of the IC tag of the new replacement holder 21 with information of the key holding unit 31.

[0093] The control unit 40 sets a holder 21 for which the holder exchange process can be executed based on the information received by the communication unit 42 to a state in which the holder exchange process can be executed, and sets a holder 21 for which the holder exchange process cannot be executed based on the information received by the communication unit 42 to a state in which the holder exchange process cannot be executed.

[0094] Then, the person in charge goes to the location of key management device 10 and operates display operation unit 27 to select the folder exchange menu.

[0095] When the holder exchange menu is selected, the control unit 40 inquires of the external terminal 16 about information regarding the holder exchange through the communication unit 42, and receives the information regarding the holder exchange transmitted from the external terminal 16. Based on the received information, the control unit 40 sets the holder 21 to be exchanged, and causes the holder display unit 35 of the key holding unit 31 that holds this holder 21 to flash.

[0096] The person in charge inserts the holder 21 into the key holder 31 whose holder display 35 is flashing.

[0097] The information on the IC tag of the new holder 21 inserted into the key holding unit 31 is read by the reader / writer 34 and compared with the received information regarding holder replacement. If there is a match, that is, if the holder 21 is set in a state in which the holder replacement process can be executed, the holder 21 is locked to the key holding unit 31.

[0098] If the information on the IC tag of a new holder 21 inserted into the key holding unit 31 is read by the reader / writer 34 and compared with the received information regarding the holder exchange, and if they do not match, that is, if the holder 21 is set to a state in which the holder exchange process cannot be executed other than the holder 21 set to a state in which the holder exchange process can be executed, the holder 21 is locked to the key holding unit 31.

[0099] Therefore, for holder 21 for which holder exchange processing is permitted in the information received by communication unit 42, the holder exchange processing is set to an executable state, so that holder exchange processing can be performed for holder 21 for which holder exchange is to be performed.

[0100] Furthermore, for holder 21 for which holder replacement processing cannot be performed based on information received by communication unit 42, the holder replacement processing is set to an inexecutable state, thereby preventing erroneous holder replacement processing from being performed on holder 21 that does not require holder replacement.

[0101] In the case of exchanging this holder 21, the key management device 10 may be configured as follows: "A key management device comprising: a plurality of holders for holding keys; a plurality of key holding units each holding the holder; a control unit which executes a holder exchange process to exchange the holders; and a communication unit which receives information transmitted from an external terminal, wherein the control unit sets a holder capable of executing the holder exchange process based on the information received by the communication unit."

[0102] With this configuration, the holder 21 capable of executing the holder exchange process is set based on the information received by the communication unit 42 from the external terminal 16, so that it is possible to cope with changes in the appropriate conditions for holder exchange and to set the conditions for holder exchange more flexibly. This makes it possible to prevent another holder 21 from being erroneously exchanged.

[0103] Furthermore, in the key management device 10, the history relating to the holder 21 can be searched and confirmed. In this case, when a search is performed using the number of the holder 21 as a search condition, the history of the operator such as the user or person in charge, the operation date and time, and the operation content such as removal, return or exchange can be extracted for the holder 21 with the corresponding number. However, when attempting to search for multiple related holders 21, the numbers of all the holders 21 must be entered, which makes the confirmation of the history cumbersome.

[0104] Therefore, a name is set in addition to a number for the folder 21. When searching the history, by using at least some characters in the name of the folder 21 as a search condition in addition to the folder 21 number, it is possible to extract the history of the folder 21 with a name that includes the search characters. In other words, it is possible to collectively extract the history of multiple folders 21 with related names, making it easy to check the history.

[0105] Furthermore, in the key management device 10, it is possible to unlock and remove any of the folders 21 by remote operation from the external terminal 16. For example, a user or a person in charge can go to the location of the key management device 10 and tell the administrator by phone which folder 21 they wish to remove, and the administrator can operate the external terminal 16 to remotely unlock the folder 21. However, if the administrator is not present, the folder 21 cannot be remotely unlocked.

[0106] Therefore, the administrator registers the specific information of the holder 21, the information of the user or person in charge, and reservation information such as date and time information in the external terminal 16. The external terminal 16 notifies the user or person in charge of the contents including the release ID (which may be a two-dimensional code) by email. The email may also include a map information link and a floor map of the installation location of the key management device 10. The map information link makes it easy for the user or person in charge to understand the location even if they are visiting for the first time, and the floor map makes it easy to identify the location of the key management device 10 even in a large area.

[0107] The user or person in charge goes to the location of the key management device 10 and inputs the release ID notified by email.

[0108] The key management device 10 inquires of the external terminal 16 about the input release ID, and if it is a registered release ID, unlocks the holder 21 registered in association with the release ID, allowing the user or person in charge to remove the holder 21.

[0109] In this case, the holder 21 can be used even if the administrator is absent and remote release is not possible, and it is also possible to accommodate an operation in which the holder 21 can be used for a limited period of time, for example.

[0110] The key 20 is not limited to a physical key, but may be a card key or a digital key.

[0111] Further, the release unit 36 ​​may be configured separately from the key management device 10, and it is sufficient that the key management system 17 includes the release unit 36.

[0112] Furthermore, the key management device 10 of the present invention may be applied to improve security not only in the operation of the storage room 11 but also in other operations that use keys. For example, the key management device 10 of the present invention may be applied to similar operations such as private lounges at airports, unmanned karaoke stores, unmanned internet cafes, or construction equipment rental companies (where equipment can be freely rented only during the construction period).

[0113] Furthermore, the device is not limited to the key management device 10 that handles the key 20, and may be an item management device that handles items such as stamps and memory media such as USB memory and memory cards. In this case, the item management device may have the following configuration: "an item management device comprising: a plurality of holders for holding items; a plurality of item holding units for holding the holders, respectively; a release unit for making the items held in the holders exchangeable; a control unit for executing an item exchange process using the release unit; and a communication unit for receiving information transmitted from an external terminal, wherein the control unit sets the holders capable of executing the item exchange process based on the information received by the communication unit."

[0114] Although the embodiment of the present invention and its modified examples have been described above, various combinations of configurations, partial omissions, substitutions and modifications are also possible. [Explanation of symbols]

[0115] 10 Key management device 16 External Terminal 17 Key Management System 20 keys 21 Hol D 31 Key holding part 36 Release section 40 Control section 42 Communications Department 44 Notification Department

Claims

1. A plurality of holders for holding keys; A plurality of key holders each holding the holder; A release unit that enables the key held in the holder to be replaced; a control unit that executes a key exchange process using the release unit; a communication unit that inquires of an external terminal about information regarding the key exchange during the key exchange process and receives the information from the external terminal; Equipped with The control unit sets the holder capable of executing the key exchange process based on the information received by the communication unit.

1. A key management device comprising:

2. The information received by the communication unit includes information specifying whether or not the key exchange process can be executed, The control unit sets the holder, for which the information indicates that the key exchange process can be executed, to a state in which the key exchange process can be executed.

2. The key management device according to claim 1.

3. The information received by the communication unit includes information specifying whether or not the key exchange process can be executed, The control unit sets the holder for which execution of the key exchange process is disabled in the information to a state in which the key exchange process is disabled.

3. The key management device according to claim 1, wherein the key management device is a key management device.

4. The control unit sets the holder for which the key exchange process has been executed to a state in which the key exchange process cannot be executed.

4. The key management device according to claim 1, wherein the key management device further comprises:

5. The control unit sets the holder for which the key exchange process has been executed to a state in which the key exchange process cannot be executed until the holder is set to be able to execute the key exchange process again based on information received by the communication unit.

4. The key management device according to claim 1, wherein the key management device further comprises:

6. Further comprising a notification unit, The information received by the communication unit includes information on the key to be exchanged or exchange information which is a purpose of exchanging the key, The notification unit notifies the holder of the exchange information when the key exchange process is performed.

6. The key management device according to claim 1, wherein the key management device further comprises:

7. When the key exchange process is completed, the control unit transmits completion information of the key exchange process to the external terminal while linking the completion information to the information received by the communication unit.

7. The key management device according to claim 1, wherein the key management device further comprises:

8. A plurality of holders for holding keys; A plurality of key holders each holding the holder; A control unit that executes a holder replacement process for replacing the holder; a communication unit that queries an external terminal for information regarding key exchange during the holder exchange process and receives the information from the external terminal; Equipped with The control unit sets the holder capable of executing the holder exchange process based on the information received by the communication unit.

1. A key management device comprising:

9. The information received by the communication unit includes information specifying whether the holder exchange process can be executed, The control unit sets the holder for which the holder exchange process is enabled in the information to a state in which the holder exchange process is enabled.

9. The key management device according to claim 8.

10. The information received by the communication unit includes information specifying whether the holder exchange process can be executed, The control unit sets the holder for which the holder replacement process is not executable in the information to a state in which the holder replacement process is not executable.

10. The key management device according to claim 8 or 9.

11. A key management system for managing keys, A plurality of holders for holding the keys; A plurality of key holders each holding the holder; A release unit that enables the key held in the holder to be replaced; a control unit that executes a key exchange process using the release unit; a communication unit that inquires of an external terminal about information regarding the key exchange during the key exchange process and receives the information from the external terminal; Equipped with The control unit sets the holder capable of executing the key exchange process based on the information received by the communication unit.

1. A key management system comprising:

12. A key management method for managing keys by holding a plurality of holders each holding a key in a key holding unit, and for executing a key exchange process using a release unit that enables the keys held in the holders to be exchanged, comprising: Inquiring of information regarding the key exchange to an external terminal during the key exchange process and receiving the information from the external terminal; setting the holder capable of executing the key exchange process based on the received information; A key management method comprising:

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