Unlocking System
The unlocking system addresses costly modifications and communication issues by using a self-contained unlocking device for apartment buildings, ensuring secure and timed access control without server dependency.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2023200487
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-11-28
- Publication Date
- 2025-09-09
- Estimated Expiration
- 2043-11-28
AI Technical Summary
Existing door unlocking systems for apartment buildings require costly modifications to existing door control devices and may malfunction due to communication issues with server devices.
An unlocking system with a self-contained unlocking device near the entrance that generates first key information and compares it with second key information input from a visitor's terminal, eliminating the need for external communication and server interaction.
Minimizes installation costs and simplifies system integration by allowing standalone operation, while ensuring secure and timed access control without reliance on external servers.
Smart Images

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Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] The present invention relates to an unlocking system for unlocking a door provided at the entrance of an apartment building. [Background technology]
[0002] In apartment complexes and other multi-unit housing, the common entrance is equipped with an electronically locked, so-called auto-lock door. Visitors to the apartment complex can call the person they are visiting using an intercom or other device installed near the common entrance, have the door unlocked, and then enter the building.
[0003] In recent years, the number of companies offering drop-off delivery services as part of their delivery services has been increasing. Drop-off delivery is a service in which packages and other items are delivered to a pre-specified location without face-to-face contact. The location that can be specified is not limited to a delivery box, but can also be inside a common entrance, such as in front of the entrance to a residential unit in an apartment building. This type of service is not limited to delivery companies, but is also used by stores and shops such as online supermarkets and consumer cooperatives when making deliveries directly.
[0004] However, if delivery is specified in front of the residential entrance, the delivery person must have the auto-lock door of the common entrance opened. Therefore, if the delivery recipient (visitor) is not at home, the delivery person cannot deliver the package to the specified location and must take it back. To address this issue, for example, a server device and a door control device have been proposed, as described in Patent Document 1.
[0005] Patent document 1 describes that the server device comprises a storage means for storing the service number set by the delivery company for each user, a request receiving means for receiving an unlocking request from the door control device, the unlocking request including the device ID and service number of the door control device, an authentication means for performing authentication based on the information included in the unlocking request received by the request receiving means and the information stored in the storage means, and an unlocking instruction means for sending an unlocking instruction to the door control device if the authentication is successful.
[0006] According to the configuration described in Patent Document 1, when a delivery person arrives at the entrance of an apartment building, the door control device acquires the service number, and authentication is performed by the server device, and the door control device unlocks the door. As a result, the delivery person can unlock the door without the user's permission. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0007] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6765147 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0008] However, in the invention described in Patent Document 1, the door control device on the apartment building side needs to communicate with the server device, which means it is costly to modify the existing door control devices for auto-locks, etc. Also, for example, if a problem occurs in the communication equipment of the apartment building, it may not be possible to communicate with the server device, and the system may not operate normally.
[0009] The present invention is intended to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide an unlocking system that can be easily installed by simplifying the configuration on the apartment building side. [Means for solving the problem]
[0010] The invention described in claim 1 made to solve the above problem comprises an unlocking device that is installed near an entrance of an apartment building and includes a first key generation unit that generates first key information for unlocking the door of the entrance, and an input key that inputs second key information generated outside, and a terminal device that is carried by a visitor to the apartment building and includes an output unit that outputs the second key information, wherein the unlocking device generates the second key information input from the input key and the second key information generated by the first key generation unit. The aforementionedThe first key information is compared with the second key information, and if they match, the door is unlocked. The first key information and the second key information have a set validity period. the unlocking device includes a display unit that displays property identification information that identifies the apartment building, the first key generation unit generates the first key information based on the property identification information, the terminal device includes an acquisition unit that acquires the property identification information from the display unit, and the output unit outputs the second key information generated based on the property identification information. This is an unlocking system characterized by the above. [Effects of the Invention]
[0011] As described above, according to the present invention, the unlocking device installed near the entrance of an apartment building is equipped with a first key generating unit and generates first key information by itself, eliminating the need for communication with a server device or the like. Therefore, it is sufficient to simply install the unlocking device near the entrance, and modifications to the apartment building can be minimized. This makes it easy to introduce the system. [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an unlocking system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an installation state of the unlocking device shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the unlocking device shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a functional configuration diagram of the unlocking device shown in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a functional configuration diagram of the provider terminal shown in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a functional configuration diagram of the server device shown in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the unlocking system shown in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram according to a modified example of FIG. 7. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0013] An unlocking system according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 8. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an unlocking system according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0014] The unlocking system 1 includes an unlocking device 10, a dealer terminal 30, and a server device 40.
[0015] The unlocking device 10 is installed near the common entrance of a housing complex 100 such as an apartment building. An automatic door 20 is also installed at the common entrance, and residents enter the building by entering a key, card key, or PIN into an intercom device 21 (see FIG. 2) installed near the automatic door 20 to unlock the automatic door 20. Meanwhile, visitors who do not have a key or the like can operate the intercom device 21 to call the person they are visiting. Furthermore, a business person who can use the unlocking system 1 according to this embodiment can enter the building without calling the person they are visiting, using the method described below.
[0016] The installation state of the unlocking device 10 will be described with reference to Figures 2 and 3. Figure 2 is a diagram showing the vicinity of the common entrance of an apartment building 100. In Figure 2, an automatic door 20 is shown on the left side. The unlocking device 10 is installed on a wall surface near the automatic door 20.
[0017] Fig. 3 shows an enlarged view of the unlocking device 10. The unlocking device 10 comprises a main body 10a and a door 10b. The shape of the unlocking device 10 is not limited to the shape shown in Fig. 3. For example, the shape of the main body 10 and the opening and closing direction and shape of the door 10b may be modified in various ways without departing from the gist of the present invention.
[0018] The main body 10a is fixed to the wall surface. The main body 10a is provided with input keys 12, which will be described later. The input keys 12 are configured as a so-called numeric keypad, and allow numbers 0 to 9, as well as "*" and "#" to be input.
[0019] The door portion 10b is rotatably attached to the main body portion 10a by a hinge or the like. FIG. 2 shows the door portion 10b in a closed state, with the input keys 12 covered and hidden by the door portion 10b. FIG. 3 shows the door portion 10b in an open state. A display unit 13 is provided on the back side 10b1 of the door portion 10b. The back side 10b1 is the surface that is not exposed to the outside when the door portion 10b is closed. In FIG. 3, a two-dimensional code is displayed as the display unit 13. This two-dimensional code is attached to the back side 10b1 as, for example, a sticker or the like. The display in this embodiment is not limited to a screen display but also includes printed matter such as a sticker.
[0020] Fig. 4 shows the functional configuration of the unlocking device 10. The unlocking device 10 includes a first key generation unit 11, input keys 12, and a display unit 13. The first key generation unit 11 generates first key information, which is a personal identification number for unlocking the automatic door 20, by a method described below. The first key generation unit 11 can be made to function by a predetermined program that runs on a microprocessor or the like, which is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), memory, etc. In other words, the unlocking device 10 has a built-in control device such as a microprocessor.
[0021] The input keys 12 are configured as a numeric keypad as described above. However, the input keys 12 are not limited to a numeric keypad and may include alphabetical keys or the like. Furthermore, the input keys 12 are not limited to physical keys and may be an input device such as a touch panel.
[0022] The display unit 13 is configured with a two-dimensional code as described above. This two-dimensional code includes property identification information such as a unique ID for identifying the apartment building 100, and a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) for accessing the server device 40 (described later). The code is not limited to a two-dimensional code, but may be a one-dimensional code or a character string in which the property identification information, etc., is encrypted according to a predetermined rule. Furthermore, the code is not limited to being attached as a sticker to the back side 10b1 of the door unit 10b, but may be displayed on a screen such as an LCD display provided on the main body 10a.
[0023] The vendor terminal 30 is a terminal device carried by a parcel delivery company or other parcel delivery service provider. Note that this embodiment is not limited to parcel delivery service providers, but is also applicable to businesses that perform door-to-door delivery, such as the above-mentioned online supermarkets and newspaper delivery services. The vendor terminal 30 may be, for example, a smartphone. FIG. 5 shows the functional configuration of the vendor terminal 30. The vendor terminal 30 includes an output unit 31, an acquisition unit 32, an input unit 33, and a communication unit 34.
[0024] The output unit 31 functions as a display device such as a liquid crystal display of a smartphone, and displays (outputs) the second key information described later. Note that the output unit 31 is not limited to a display, and may also output audio.
[0025] The acquisition unit 32 acquires the two-dimensional code attached to the back side 10b1 of the door unit 10b. Specifically, the two-dimensional code is read by an imaging device such as a smartphone camera. Property identification information and a URL for accessing the server device 40, etc., are extracted from the information (image) of the two-dimensional code acquired by the acquisition unit 32 by a predetermined program running on the smartphone's microprocessor or the like.
[0026] A business authentication code, which will be described later, is input to the input unit 33. The input unit 33 functions as, for example, an input device (such as a touch panel) of a smartphone.
[0027] The communication unit 34 communicates with the server device 40 via a network N such as a mobile communication network or the Internet. The communication unit 34 is configured with a communication circuit compatible with a mobile communication system such as 4G (4th Generation Mobile Communication System) or 5G (5th Generation Mobile Communication System), or a communication circuit compatible with a wireless communication system such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark).
[0028] The server device 40 generates second key information based on the property identification information etc. received from the agent terminal 30 and transmits it to the agent terminal 30. The server device 40 is configured with a well-known server computer. FIG. 6 shows the functional configuration of the server device 40. The server device 40 includes a second key generation unit 41 and a communication unit 42.
[0029] The second key generation unit 41 generates second key information, which is a personal identification number for unlocking the automatic door 20. The second key generation unit 41 can be made to function by a computer program or the like that runs on a microprocessor that is composed of, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory, and the like.
[0030] The communication unit 42 communicates with the provider terminal 30 via the network N. The communication unit 42 can function as a network interface of a server computer or the like.
[0031] Next, a description will be given of how the first key generation unit 11 and the second key generation unit 41 generate the first key information and the second key information. The first key generation unit 11 and the second key generation unit 41 generate the first key information and the second key information using the same algorithm. In this embodiment, the first key information and the second key information are generated as time-limited PINs. A time-limited PIN is a PIN that is valid only for a specific period of time.
[0032] The time-limited PIN mentioned above is generated based on the local key, the key type, and date information. The local key is the property identification information mentioned above. In this embodiment, three types of keys can be set: daily key, monthly key, and time key. A daily key is a key that can be used all day (1 day). A monthly key is a key that can be used for a longer period than a daily key, such as 1 month. A time key is a key that can be used for a more limited period than a daily key, such as 1 hour after issuance. The date information is information consisting of the year, month, date, and time (current date and time information), but depending on the type of key, only the required range of digits can be used. For example, the year, month, and date can be used for a daily key, the year, month, and date can be used for a monthly key, and the year, month, and date can be used for a time key.
[0033] For example, in the case of a time key, a day can be divided into multiple time slots, such as 1.5-hour or 2.5-hour slots, and the PIN code can change depending on the time slot based on the "hour" of the current date and time information. Also, instead of dividing the day (24 hours), it is possible to divide the time slots into scheduled use periods, such as 3:00 to 22:00. Furthermore, the divided time slots do not have to be non-overlapping, such as 11:00 to 13:30 or 13:30 to 16:00, but they can also be partially overlapping, such as 11:00 to 13:30 or 13:00 to 15:30. If the time slots overlap, either time key can be used to unlock the door during the overlapping time slots.
[0034] Alternatively, for example, in the case of a time key, the time-limited PIN generated between 8:00 and 9:00 may be different. In this case, the time key will be a time-limited PIN with a maximum expiration date of one hour. In other words, in this case, by using date information for the time-limited PIN, there is no need to set separate information indicating the expiration date.
[0035] In the first key generation unit 11, the local key may be set when the unlocking device 10 is installed. If the first key generation unit 11 is equipped with a timekeeping circuit or the like, it can calculate three types of keys: a daily key, a monthly key, and a time key.
[0036] In the second key generation unit 41, the agent terminal 30 extracts the local key (property identification information) by reading the display unit 13 (two-dimensional code), and acquires it via the communication unit 34, the network N, and the communication unit 42. Then, the second key generation unit 41 generates second key information based on the local key, the type of key, and date information.
[0037] More specifically, the dealer terminal 30 accesses the server device 40 using the URL included in the two-dimensional code. At this time, property identification information (local key) is also transmitted. The server device 40 requests the dealer terminal 30 to input a business authentication code. The business authentication code is a code assigned to each business (such as a delivery company or newspaper delivery company) and corresponds to visitor identification information. When the business authentication code is input from the dealer terminal 30, the server device 40 checks whether the input business authentication code is registered in the server device 40, and if it is registered, it determines that authentication has been successful. The transmitted local key is then treated as valid.
[0038] Furthermore, in server device 40, a type of key is set for each business, such as a time key for a delivery company and a monthly key for a newspaper delivery company. Therefore, the type of key is identified according to the authenticated business. Then, second key generation unit 41 generates a time-limited PIN (second key information) using the same algorithm as first key generation unit 11 based on the acquired local key, date information acquired from the time counting function of server device 40, and the identified type of key, and transmits the generated time-limited PIN to business terminal 30. In other words, the range of use of the date information (current date and time information) varies depending on the business (visitor) among the year, month, date and time that make up the date information.
[0039] Next, the operation of the unlocking system configured as described above will be described with reference to the sequence diagram in Fig. 7. First, a visitor such as a delivery person opens the door 10b of the unlocking device 10 to expose the display unit 13, and reads the two-dimensional code using the delivery person's terminal 30 (S1).
[0040] The agent terminal 30 extracts the URL for accessing the server device 40 from the read two-dimensional code and accesses the URL. The server device 40 then requests the entry of a business authentication code. The visitor enters the business authentication code using a touch panel or the like of the agent terminal 30. The server device 40 performs authentication using the entered business authentication code (S2), and if the authentication is successful (OK), obtains a local key and generates second key information in the second key generation unit 41 (S3), which is sent to the agent terminal 30. On the other hand, if the authentication is unsuccessful (NG), an error message or the like is sent to the agent terminal 30.
[0041] Next, the agent terminal 30 displays the received second key information on a display device such as a liquid crystal display (S4). The visitor inputs the displayed second key information using the input keys 12 of the unlocking device 10.
[0042] Next, in the unlocking device 10, the first key generation unit 11 generates first key information. At this time, the first key generation unit 11 generates three types of first key information: a daily key, a monthly key, and a time key (S5). Note that the timing for generating the first key information is not limited to this. For example, an optical sensor or the like may be provided in the main body of the unlocking device 10 to detect that the door unit 10b has been opened, and the first key information may be generated at that timing.
[0043] Next, the unlocking device 10 compares the generated first key information with the second key information input from the input key 12 (S6). Here, three types of first key information have been generated, so it is sufficient if the first key information matches one of them. In this way, the unlocking device 10 does not need to have business information such as a business authentication code, and communication with the outside is not required.
[0044] If the result of the verification is a match (OK), the unlocking device 10 unlocks the automatic door 20 (S7). On the other hand, if the result of the verification is a mismatch (NG), the automatic door 20 is not unlocked. At this time, the unlocking device 10 may display an error message or output a warning sound.
[0045] The timing for generating the first key information and the second key information does not have to be every time the lock is unlocked as shown in the sequence diagram of Fig. 7. For example, the first key information and the second key information may be generated periodically, such as once a day or once a month, and stored in the unlocking device 10 or the server device 40 as a library or the like.
[0046] In the above-described embodiment, the agent terminal 30 acquires the second key information by reading the two-dimensional code, but the visitor may also acquire the second key information by voice by making a phone call. A method for acquiring the second key information by phone will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG.
[0047] First, the visitor opens the door 10b of the unlocking device 10 to expose the display 13. At this time, the display 13 displays a serial number consisting of multiple digits. The visitor calls a telephone number (system number) that the server device 40 responds to. The system number may be preset in the agent terminal 30.
[0048] The server device 40 outputs a request to input a serial number by voice guidance or the like. The visitor inputs the serial number using a touch panel or the like. This serial number becomes the local key. Next, the server device 40 outputs a request to input a business authentication code by voice guidance or the like. The visitor inputs the business authentication code using a touch panel or the like. Authentication (S2) and second key information generation (S3) are the same as in Figure 7. However, the generated second key information is output as voice (S4'). The process thereafter is the same as in Figure 7.
[0049] According to the present embodiment described above, the unlocking system 1 is installed near the common entrance of the apartment building 100 and includes an unlocking device 10 having a first key generation unit 11 that generates first key information for unlocking the automatic door 20 at the common entrance, an input key 12 that inputs second key information generated externally, and an agent terminal 30 that is carried by a visitor to the apartment building 100 and has an output unit 31 that outputs the second key information. The unlocking device 10 compares the second key information input from the input key 12 with the first key information generated by the first key generation unit 11, and unlocks the automatic door 20 if they match. The first key information and the second key information have set validity periods.
[0050] By configuring the unlocking system 1 as described above, the unlocking device 10 installed near the common entrance of the apartment building 100 is equipped with the first key generation unit 11 and generates the first key information by itself, eliminating the need to communicate with the server device 40, etc. Therefore, it is sufficient to install the unlocking device 10 near the common entrance, and modifications to the apartment building 100 can be kept to a minimum. Therefore, the unlocking device 10 does not need a communication function, which simplifies the configuration and makes it easier to introduce the system.
[0051] Furthermore, since the first key information and the second key information have validity periods, it is possible to prevent misuse of the key information, and to prevent the auto-lock function of the automatic door 20 of the apartment building 100 from being impaired, for example.
[0052] The unlocking device 10 also includes a display unit 13 that displays a two-dimensional code including a local key that identifies the apartment building 100, a first key generation unit 11 that generates first key information based on the local key, the agent terminal 30 includes an acquisition unit 32 that acquires the local key, and an output unit 31 that outputs second key information generated based on the local key. This allows unique key information to be generated for each property, preventing the reuse of key information and improving security.
[0053] The system also includes a second key generation unit 41 that generates second key information, and the second key generation unit 41 generates the second key information based on a local key and date information, while the first key generation unit 11 generates the first key information based on the local key and date information. This makes it easy to limit the validity period because date information is used.
[0054] Furthermore, since the range of current date and time information that can be used varies depending on the business operator, it is possible to easily set an expiration date that corresponds to the type of key for each business operator.
[0055] Furthermore, the vendor terminal 30 includes an input unit 33 for inputting a vendor authentication code that identifies the vendor, and the second key generation unit 41 generates second key information after authenticating the vendor based on the vendor authentication code. This makes it possible to authenticate that the vendor is a registered legitimate vendor, and prevents fraudulent use of the system.
[0056] Furthermore, the second key generation unit 41 functions as a server device 40 that can communicate with the provider terminal 30, so it can be adapted to a provider terminal 30 with low processing power. Furthermore, since second key information is generated in a lump, business registration, etc., is also easy.
[0057] In the above-described embodiment, the server device 40 generates the second key information, but the second key information may be generated by the provider terminal 30. In other words, the provider terminal 30 may have the function of the second key generation unit.
[0058] In the above-described embodiment, the unlocking device 10 is installed near the common entrance (main entrance), but this is not limiting. For example, it may be installed near any entrance that has a door that can be locked and unlocked by an electric lock, such as a sub-entrance, an elevator hall, an emergency exit, or a service entrance for contractors.
[0059] Furthermore, while the above-described embodiment has been described with reference to a company that delivers packages, the present invention can be similarly applied to, for example, a maintenance company for shared equipment such as elevators, a cleaning company, etc. Therefore, there is no need for a management company representative to be present, or for the lending of an entry key, etc. This makes it possible to respond quickly to emergencies such as breakdowns, and also prevents the loss of keys, etc.
[0060] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. That is, a person skilled in the art can implement various modifications in accordance with conventionally known knowledge without departing from the gist of the present invention. As long as such modifications still comprise the configuration of the unlocking system of the present invention, they are of course included in the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]
[0061] 1. Unlocking system 10 Unlocking device 11 First key generation section 12 input keys 13 Display section 20 Automatic door (door) 30 Vendor terminal (terminal device) 31 Output section 32 Acquisition Department 33 Input section 40 Server device 41 2nd key generation section 100 apartment complex
Claims
1. an unlocking device installed near an entrance of an apartment building, the unlocking device including a first key generating unit that generates first key information for unlocking the door of the entrance, and an input key that inputs second key information generated externally; a terminal device carried by a visitor to the apartment complex and including an output unit that outputs the second key information; and the unlocking device compares the second key information input from the input key with the first key information generated by the first key generating unit, and unlocks the door if they match; The first key information and the second key information have validity periods defined therefor; The unlocking device includes a display unit that displays property identification information that identifies the apartment building, the first key generation unit generates the first key information based on the property identification information; the terminal device includes an acquisition unit that acquires the property identification information from the display unit, The output unit outputs the second key information generated based on the property identification information. The unlocking system is characterized by the following.
2. a second key generation unit that generates the second key information; the second key generation unit generates the second key information based on the property identification information and current date and time information; the first key generation unit generates the first key information based on the property identification information and the current date and time information; 2. The unlocking system according to claim 1.
3. The unlocking system according to claim 2, wherein the current date and time information has a range of year, month, and date that is used depending on the visitor.
4. the terminal device includes an input unit for inputting visitor identification information that identifies the visitor, the second key generation unit generates the second key information after authenticating the visitor based on the visitor identification information.
3. The unlocking system according to claim 2.
5. 5. The unlocking system according to claim 2, wherein the second key generating unit is a server device that can communicate with the terminal device.
Citation Information
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