Key management device and key management system

Abstract

To provide a key management device capable of switching the processing for each folder to be processed when processing the holder that holds the keys.SOLUTION: The key management device includes: multiple individual storage sections capable of storing each holder holding keys; an acquisition unit that acquires information indicating at least the folder to be processed; a control unit that controls to execute a series of processing according to the information acquired by the acquisition unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a key management device and a key management system. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent document 1 describes a key management box in which a display image is displayed on a touch panel in standby mode, and when a user stays overnight, the user can select "check-in" from the options displayed on the display image, and when returning the electronic key, the user can select "check-out" from the options displayed on the display image. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6765724 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When processing a holder that holds a key, if the configuration does not accept at least a request indicating the holder to be processed, it is not possible to switch processing for each holder to be processed, and the same processing will be performed for any holder.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to make it possible to switch processing for each holder to be processed when processing holders that hold keys. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] With this objective in mind, the present invention provides a key management device comprising a plurality of individual storage units each capable of storing a holder for holding a key, an acquisition unit that acquires at least a requirement indicating the holder to be processed, and a control unit that controls the device to execute processing in accordance with the requirement acquired by the acquisition unit. The key management device may further include a first opening / closing unit that closes all of the multiple individual storage units, and the control unit may unlock the first opening / closing unit when the requirements acquired by the acquisition unit satisfy predetermined conditions. The control unit may perform control so as to execute only the process related to the folder to be processed, which is indicated by the matter acquired by the acquisition unit. The acquisition unit may acquire a message indicating borrowing or returning a holder. In this case, the key management device may further include a reception unit that receives a holder to be processed from a user, and the acquisition unit may acquire a message indicating borrowing or returning a holder based on the holder to be processed received by the reception unit and the storage status of the holder to be processed. The control unit may perform control to execute only the holder borrowing process when the message acquired by the acquisition unit indicates borrowing a holder, and may perform control to execute only the holder return process when the message acquired by the acquisition unit indicates returning the holder. The key management device may further include a first opening / closing unit that closes all of the multiple individual storage units, and the control unit may control the first opening / closing unit to unlock when the matters acquired by the acquisition unit indicate borrowing of a holder within the borrowing period, and not to unlock the first opening / closing unit when the matters acquired by the acquisition unit indicate borrowing of a holder outside the borrowing period. The key management device may further include a bulk storage unit capable of collectively storing multiple holders inserted through the return opening. In this case, the control unit may determine, from the plurality of individual storage units and the bulk storage unit, a storage unit associated with the holder to be processed indicated by the message acquired by the acquisition unit as the return destination for the holder to be processed. In this case, the key management device may further include a first opening / closing unit that closes all of the plurality of individual storage units, and a second opening / closing unit provided at the return port, and the control unit may unlock the first opening / closing unit when the plurality of individual storage units are associated with the holder to be processed indicated by the message acquired by the acquisition unit, and unlock the second opening / closing unit when the bulk storage unit is associated with the holder to be processed indicated by the message acquired by the acquisition unit. In this case, the key management device may further include a first opening / closing unit that closes all of the multiple individual storage units, and a second opening / closing unit provided at the return port, and the control unit may unlock the first opening / closing unit when the matter acquired by the acquisition unit indicates borrowing of the holder, and unlock the second opening / closing unit when the matter acquired by the acquisition unit indicates returning of the holder. In this case, the key management device may further include a first opening / closing unit that closes all of the multiple individual storage units, and the control unit may unlock the first opening / closing unit when the message acquired by the acquisition unit indicates borrowing a holder within the borrowing period, and may control the first opening / closing unit not to unlock when the message acquired by the acquisition unit indicates borrowing a holder outside the borrowing period. In this case, the key management device may further include a second opening / closing unit provided at the return port, and the control unit may unlock the first opening / closing unit or the second opening / closing unit when the message acquired by the acquisition unit indicates returning a holder within the return period, and may notify the user that the return period is outside the return period when the message acquired by the acquisition unit indicates returning a holder outside the return period. Furthermore, in this case, the borrowing period and the return period may be set separately. The key management device may further include a plurality of third opening / closing units, each of which closes one of the plurality of individual storage units, and the control unit may unlock the third opening / closing unit that closes the individual storage unit in which the holder to be processed, as indicated by the requirements acquired by the acquisition unit, is stored.

[0007] The present invention also provides a key management system comprising a key management device that manages keys, a key recovery device that recovers keys, and a control unit, wherein the key management device comprises a plurality of individual storage units, each capable of storing a holder that holds a key, and an acquisition unit that acquires at least a message indicating the holder to be processed, and the key recovery device comprises a bulk storage unit that can store a plurality of holders inserted through a return port in bulk, and the control unit determines, as the return destination for the holder to be processed, a storage unit, out of the plurality of individual storage units and the bulk storage unit, that is associated with the holder to be processed, which is indicated by the message acquired by the acquisition unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, when processing holders that hold keys, it is possible to switch processing for each holder to be processed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a key lending system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the external configuration of a key management device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing examples of the external configuration of a holder and a key used in a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 2 of the key collection box of the key management device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 5] 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a key management device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 10(a) and 10(b) are diagrams showing first and second examples of utilization destination information in the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 5 is a flowchart showing a first operation example of the key management device in the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing a second operation example of the key management device in the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a key management device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0011] [Overall configuration of the key lending system] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a key lending system 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in the figure, the key lending system 1 includes a key management device 10, a server device 40, and a terminal device 50. The key management device 10, the server device 40, and the terminal device 50 are connected via a network 80.

[0012] The key management device 10 is a device that includes a key storage that detachably stores holders for holding keys and a key collection box that collectively stores multiple returned holders. The key management device 10 is operated by an administrator or a user. The administrator is a user who manages keys, and performs operations such as loading keys reserved for the next day into the key management device 10 and retrieving keys not reserved for the next day from the key management device 10. The user is a user who borrows keys and uses them, and performs operations such as borrowing keys reserved for the day from the key management device 10 and returning keys to the key management device 10 after use.

[0013] The server device 40 is a device that manages information about keys and holders. The server device 40 also accepts reservations for keys and manages the reservation status. The server device 40 also transmits the reservation status to the key management device 10 and the terminal device 50.

[0014] The terminal device 50 is a terminal device used by a user, and examples thereof include a PC (Personal Computer), a tablet terminal, a smartphone, etc. The terminal device 50 receives the reservation status of the key from the server device 40, and displays the reservation status on a display screen using, for example, a QR code (registered trademark).

[0015] The network 80 is a communication means used for information communication between the key management device 10, the server device 40, and the terminal device 50, and is, for example, the Internet, a public line, a LAN (Local Area Network), or the like.

[0016] [Background and Overview of the Implementation Form] In the past, the key management device 10 was mainly used by people who could be trusted to a certain extent, but recently, it has been increasingly used by unspecified third parties. Therefore, security is being demanded of the key management device 10 rather than convenience. In addition, there is also an emerging trend of managing more holders than the individual storage units provided in the key management device 10. In this type of operation, there may be requests to return a specific holder to an individual storage unit, or to reserve an empty individual storage unit in order to return a specific holder to an individual storage unit. Therefore, there is also a situation in which it would be inconvenient if a holder were returned to an individual storage unit selected by the user.

[0017] Therefore, in this embodiment, the key management device 10 accepts input of a matter and switches processing operations such as which storage unit to store the holder in depending on the matter. In particular, in this embodiment, the holder number of the holder to be processed, the process type of borrowing or returning the holder, etc. are used as the matter to be input. In the following, this aspect will be described in detail as the first embodiment, and an aspect in which the key storage and key collection chambers of the key management device 10 in the first embodiment are separate entities will be described in detail as the second embodiment.

[0018] [First embodiment] (External configuration of the key management device) Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the external configuration of key management device 10 in the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 2, key management device 10 has a front door 21 that can be opened and closed, and a key storage cabinet 23 that can be opened and closed by front door 21. Key management device 10 also has a display operation unit 25, a card reader 26, and a reading unit 27, on its front side. Key management device 10 also has a key collection cabinet 29.

[0019] The key storage cabinet 23 has a plurality of small doors 22 on its front surface that can be opened and closed, and a plurality of individual storage sections 24 that are each opened and closed by a corresponding small door 22. The individual storage sections 24 detachably store holders 31 that hold keys. Each individual storage unit 24 is provided with a locking mechanism 241 that allows or prohibits removal of the holder 31. The key management device 10 controls the locking mechanism 241 for each individual storage unit 24, thereby controlling whether or not removal of each holder 31 is permitted. In this embodiment, a front door 21 is provided as an example of a first opening / closing section that closes all of the multiple individual storage sections, and multiple small doors 22 are provided as an example of multiple third opening / closing sections that each close one of the multiple individual storage sections.

[0020] The display operation unit 25 is, for example, a touch panel display, which accepts operations by the user and displays various information. Card reader 26 is a reading device that reads information from a card carried by a user. Examples of cards include magnetic cards and IC (Integrated Circuit) cards. When a user swipes a card through card reader 26, card reader 26 reads the user ID from the card and performs user authentication based on the read user ID. The reading unit 27 is a reading device that reads information from various media. For example, the reading unit 27 may be a QR code reader that reads a QR code (registered trademark) from the display screen of the terminal device 50 on which the QR code is displayed or from paper on which the QR code is printed. Alternatively, the reading unit 27 may be an RFID reader that reads an RFID from a wireless tag 34 (described later) in the holder 31.

[0021] The key collection box 29 stores returned keys. The key collection box 29 has a return opening 291, and a flapper 292 is provided at the return opening 291 so as to be able to open and close. In this embodiment, the flapper 292 is provided as an example of a second opening / closing section provided at the return opening. Additionally, a light emitting unit 293 is provided on the front surface of the key collection box 29. The light emitting unit 293 is, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode).

[0022] 2 are merely examples, and the key management device 10 may include other components. For example, the key management device 10 may include a speaker. In that case, instead of displaying a warning on the display operation unit 25, an alarm may be output from the speaker.

[0023] (Holder and key configuration) 3 is a diagram showing an example of the external configuration of the holder 31 and the key 33 used in the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. A wireless tag 34 is provided on the holder 31. The wireless tag 34 is, for example, an RFID tag. The wireless tag 34 has identification information for identifying the holder 31. To provide the wireless tag 34 on the holder 31, for example, a sticker-type wireless tag 34 may be attached to the holder 31, or the wireless tag 34 may be embedded in the holder 31. Although not shown, the holder 31 may have a sticker with a holder number, for example.

[0024] (Key collection repository configuration) Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the key collection cabinet 29 of the key management device 10 according to the first embodiment, taken along line AA in Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 4, the key collection cabinet 29 of the key management device 10 according to the first embodiment includes a flapper 292, a light-emitting unit 293, and a lump-sum storage unit 294.

[0025] The flapper 292 is a door that can be opened and closed at the return slot 291. In the drawing, the flapper 292 opens counterclockwise, with its upper end as a fulcrum. The flapper 292 can be locked and unlocked. When unlocked, the holder 31 can be inserted through the return slot 291, and when locked, the holder 31 cannot be inserted through the return slot 291. This prevents dust and other foreign matter from being dropped in when the key management device 10 is installed in a location accessible to unspecified third parties, typically outdoors. The flapper 292 may be made of a transparent material so that the user can visually check the inserted holder 31 and other foreign matter. The light emitting unit 293 is, for example, an LED for notifying the unlocking and locking of the flapper 292. The lump-sum storage section 294 is a collection box that can store a plurality of returned holders 31 in a lump.

[0026] (Functional configuration of the key management device) 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of key management device 10 in the first embodiment. As shown in the figure, key management device 10 includes control unit 11, storage unit 12, communication unit 13, front door locking mechanism 141, small door locking mechanism 142, flapper locking mechanism 143, locking mechanism 241, display operation unit 25, card reader 26, reading unit 27, and light emitting unit 293.

[0027] The control unit 11 is equipped with an arithmetic circuit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and controls each part of the key management device 10 (communication unit 13, front door locking mechanism 141, small door locking mechanism 142, flapper locking mechanism 143, lock mechanism 241, display operation unit 25, card reader 26, reading unit 27, light emitting unit 293, etc.) in accordance with an operating program stored in the memory unit 12. The storage unit 12 includes a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc., and stores the operation program of the control unit 11 and is also used as a work area during the control processing of the control unit 11. The operation program includes a program for the control unit 11 to execute the processing described below. The communication unit 13 communicates information with the server device 40 via a communication line. The front door locking mechanism 141 is a mechanism for locking the front door 21. The small door locking mechanism 142 is a mechanism for locking the small door 22. The flapper locking mechanism 143 is a mechanism for locking the flapper 292 . The lock mechanism 241, the display operation unit 25, the card reader 26, the reading unit 27, and the light emitting unit 293 have already been described using FIG. 2, and therefore, description thereof will be omitted here.

[0028] Here, we will specifically explain the configuration of the control unit 11. The control unit 11 includes an input information receiving unit 111, a matter information acquiring unit 112, a destination determining unit 113, a locking / unlocking control unit 115, a light emission control unit 116, a period determining unit 114, a display control unit 117, and a memory control unit 118.

[0029] The input information receiving unit 111 receives input information from a user. The input information from the user may be a QR code read by the reading unit 27 from the display screen of the terminal device 50 or from a piece of paper. The QR code may store the holder number of the holder 31 to be processed. The QR code may further store the process type, borrowing or returning. The QR code may further store the borrowing period or return period of the holder 31. The QR code may further store biometric information, such as the user's face.

[0030] Furthermore, the input information from the user may be operation input information input by the user operating the display operation unit 25. The operation input information may include the folder number of the folder 31 to be processed. In this case, the user may include the folder number in the operation input information by, for example, using the numeric keypad of the display operation unit 25 to input the folder number of the folder 31 to be processed. Alternatively, the user may include the folder number in the operation input information by, for example, selecting the folder number of the folder 31 to be processed from multiple folder numbers displayed on the display operation unit 25. The operation input information may further include a processing type, either borrow or return. In this case, the user may include the processing type, either borrow or return, in the operation input information by, for example, selecting either the processing type from borrow and return displayed on the display operation unit 25.

[0031] Furthermore, the input information from the user may be an RFID tag read from the folder 31 to be processed by the reading unit 27. The RFID tag indicates the identification information of the folder 31 to be processed. Furthermore, the input information from the user may be the user ID of the user read from the card by the card reader 26. In this embodiment, an input information receiving unit 111 is provided as an example of a receiving unit that receives a folder to be processed from a user.

[0032] The task information acquiring unit 112 acquires task information indicating the task of the user from the input information accepted by the input information accepting unit 111 . The task information may be information indicating the folder 31 to be processed. Such information includes, for example, the folder number of the folder 31 to be processed. When the input information received by the input information receiving unit 111 includes the folder number of the folder 31 to be processed, the task information acquiring unit 112 may acquire this folder number as the task information. When the input information received by the input information receiving unit 111 includes a user ID, the reservation information (not shown) received from the server device 40 may be searched for by the user ID, and the folder number of the folder 31 to be processed may be acquired as the task information. In this embodiment, the matter information acquiring section 112 is provided as an example of an acquiring section that acquires matters indicating at least the folder to be processed.

[0033] Furthermore, the business information may be information indicating the process type of borrowing or returning the folder 31. When the input information received by the input information receiving unit 111 includes the process type of borrowing or returning, the business information acquiring unit 112 may acquire this process type as the business information. When the input information received by the input information receiving unit 111 does not include the process type of borrowing or returning but includes the folder number of the folder 31 to be processed, the business information acquiring unit 112 may acquire, as the business information, the process type determined from the folder number and the storage status of the folder 31. For example, when the folder 31 with the folder number included in the input information is stored in the individual storage unit 24, the business information acquiring unit 112 may acquire the borrowing of the folder 31 as the business information. When the folder 31 with the folder number included in the input information is not stored in the individual storage unit 24, the business information acquiring unit 112 may acquire the return of the folder 31 as the business information. When the input information received by the input information receiving unit 111 includes a user ID, the reservation information (not shown) received from the server device 40 can be searched for by the user ID to obtain the process type as the task information. In this embodiment, matter information acquisition unit 112 is provided as an example of an acquisition unit that acquires a matter indicating borrowing or returning a holder. Also, in this embodiment, matter information acquisition unit 112 is provided as an example of an acquisition unit that acquires a matter indicating borrowing or returning a holder based on the holder to be processed accepted by the acceptance unit and the storage status of the holder to be processed.

[0034] Furthermore, when the business information is information indicating the process type of borrowing or returning the holder 31, it may also be information indicating the borrowing period or the return period. When the input information accepted by the input information accepting unit 111 includes the borrowing period or the return period, the business information acquiring unit 112 may acquire this borrowing period or the return period as the business information. When the input information accepted by the input information accepting unit 111 includes a user ID, the business information acquiring unit 112 may acquire the borrowing period or the return period as the business information by searching the reservation information (not shown) received from the server device 40 by the user ID.

[0035] The destination of use determination unit 113 determines whether the destination of use of the user in the key management device 10 is the key storage 23 or the key collection repository 29 . Specifically, when the task information acquired by the task information acquisition unit 112 indicates the folder 31 to be processed, the destination of use determination unit 113 determines, based on the destination of use information that associates the folder number with the destination of use, whether the return destination of the key to be used is the key storage 23 or the key collection storehouse 29. In this embodiment, the destination of use determination unit 113 is provided as an example of a control unit that determines, from among the multiple individual storage units and lump-sum storage units, a storage unit associated with the folder to be processed that is indicated by the task acquired by the acquisition unit, as the return destination of the folder to be processed.

[0036] Furthermore, when the task information acquired by the task information acquisition unit 112 indicates a process type of borrowing or returning the holder 31, the destination of use determination unit 113 determines, based on this process type, whether the destination of use is the key storage 23 or the key collection box 29. In other words, when the task information indicates borrowing the holder 31, the destination of use determination unit 113 determines that the destination of use is the key storage 23, and when the task information indicates returning the holder 31, the destination of use determination unit 113 determines that the destination of use is the key storage 23.

[0037] When the task information acquired by the task information acquisition unit 112 indicates borrowing within the borrowing period, the period determination unit 114 determines whether the borrowing is within the borrowing period by determining whether the current date and time is within the borrowing period. Furthermore, when the task information acquired by the task information acquisition unit 112 indicates returning within the return period, the period determination unit 114 determines whether the return is within the return period by determining whether the current date and time is within the return period. Note that the borrowing period and the return period can be set separately. That is, the borrowing period and the return period may be set to the same period, or may be set to different periods.

[0038] The locking / unlocking control unit 115 controls the locking / unlocking of the front door 21 , the small door 22 , and the flapper 292 based on the determination result of the destination determination unit 113 based on the business information acquired by the business information acquisition unit 112 . Specifically, when the destination of use determination unit 113 determines that the destination of use is the key storage 23 because the holder number included in the message information is associated with the key storage 23, the locking / unlocking control unit 115 controls the front door locking mechanism 141 to lock or unlock the front door 21. Then, the locking / unlocking control unit 115 controls the small door locking mechanism 142 to lock or unlock the small door 22 corresponding to the individual storage unit 24 of the destination of use. Furthermore, when the destination of use determination unit 113 determines that the destination of use is the key collection cabinet 29 because the holder number included in the message information is associated with the key collection cabinet 29, the locking / unlocking control unit 115 controls the flapper locking mechanism 143 to lock or unlock the flapper 292. In this embodiment, locking / unlocking control unit 115 is provided as an example of a control unit that unlocks a first opening / closing unit when multiple individual storage units are associated with a holder to be processed, which is indicated by the message acquired by the acquisition unit, and that unlocks a second opening / closing unit when a bulk storage unit is associated with a holder to be processed, which is indicated by the message acquired by the acquisition unit. Also, in this embodiment, locking / unlocking control unit 115 is provided as an example of a control unit that unlocks a third opening / closing unit that closes an individual storage unit in which a holder to be processed, which is indicated by the message acquired by the acquisition unit, is stored.

[0039] Furthermore, when the destination of use determination unit 113 determines that the destination of use is the key storage cabinet 23 because the process type included in the business information indicates borrowing of the holder 31, the locking / unlocking control unit 115 controls the front door locking mechanism 141 to lock or unlock the front door 21. The locking / unlocking control unit 115 then controls the small door locking mechanism 142 to lock or unlock the small door 22 corresponding to the individual storage unit 24 of the destination of use. Furthermore, when the destination of use determination unit 113 determines that the destination of use is the key collection cabinet 29 because the process type included in the business information indicates returning of the holder 31, the locking / unlocking control unit 115 controls the flapper locking mechanism 143 to lock or unlock the flapper 292. In this embodiment, locking / unlocking control unit 115 is provided as an example of a control unit that unlocks the first opening / closing unit when the matter acquired by the acquisition unit indicates borrowing of a holder, and unlocks the second opening / closing unit when the matter acquired by the acquisition unit indicates returning of the holder. Also, in this embodiment, locking / unlocking control unit 115 is provided as an example of a control unit that unlocks the third opening / closing unit that closes the individual storage unit in which the holder to be processed, which is indicated by the matter acquired by the acquisition unit, is stored.

[0040] The locking / unlocking control unit 115 controls the locking / unlocking of the front door 21 , the small door 22 , and the flapper 292 based on the determination result of the period determination unit 114 which is based on the business information acquired by the business information acquisition unit 112 . Specifically, when the period determination unit 114 determines that the borrowing is within the borrowing period, the locking / unlocking control unit 115 controls the front door locking mechanism 141 to unlock the front door 21, and controls the small door locking mechanism 142 to unlock the small door 22 corresponding to the individual storage unit 24 of the destination. Also, when the period determination unit 114 determines that the borrowing is outside the borrowing period, the locking / unlocking control unit 115 controls the front door locking mechanism 141 not to unlock the front door 21. In this embodiment, a locking / unlocking control unit 115 is provided as an example of a control unit that controls the first opening / closing unit to be unlocked when the matter acquired by the acquisition unit indicates the borrowing of a holder within the borrowing period, and not to be unlocked when the matter acquired by the acquisition unit indicates the borrowing of a holder outside the borrowing period.

[0041] Furthermore, if the period determination unit 114 determines that the return is within the return period, the locking / unlocking control unit 115 controls the front door locking mechanism 141 to unlock the front door 21 and the small door locking mechanism 142 to unlock the small door 22 corresponding to the individual storage unit 24 of the destination. Alternatively, the locking / unlocking control unit 115 controls the flapper locking mechanism 143 to unlock the flapper 292. Furthermore, if the period determination unit 114 determines that the return is outside the return period, the locking / unlocking control unit 115 instructs the display control unit 117 to notify the display operation unit 25 that the return is outside the return period. Here, the information that the return is outside the return period may include a message such as "An additional fee of XX yen will be charged" and an "Accept" button for acknowledging that the additional fee of XX yen will be charged. Thereafter, the locking / unlocking control unit 115 controls the front door locking mechanism 141 to unlock the front door 21 and the small door locking mechanism 142 to unlock the small door 22 corresponding to the individual storage unit 24 of the destination. Alternatively, the locking / unlocking control unit 115 controls the flapper locking mechanism 143 to unlock the flapper 292 . In this embodiment, a locking / unlocking control unit 115 is provided as an example of a control unit that unlocks the first opening / closing unit or the second opening / closing unit when the matter acquired by the acquisition unit indicates the return of a holder within the return period, and notifies the user that the return period is outside the return period when the matter acquired by the acquisition unit indicates the return of a holder outside the return period.

[0042] In addition, a camera (not shown) may be provided in the key management device 10, and the locking / unlocking control unit 115 may control the locking / unlocking of the front door 21, the small door 22, and the flapper 292 when the facial information stored in the QR code matches the facial information photographed by this camera.

[0043] The light emission control unit 116 controls an unillustrated light emitting unit provided on the small door 22 to light up when the small door 22 is unlocked, and controls an unillustrated light emitting unit provided on the small door 22 to light up when the small door 22 is locked. Furthermore, the light emission control unit 116 controls the light emitting unit 293 to light up when the flapper 292 is unlocked, and controls the light emitting unit 293 to light off when the flapper 292 is locked.

[0044] The display control unit 117 controls the display of information on the display operation unit 25. For example, the display control unit 117 controls the display operation unit 25 to display a message that prompts an operation to input information from the reading unit 27, the display operation unit 25, the card reader 26, etc. Furthermore, when the display control unit 117 detects an action that is different from the action taken when carrying out the task indicated by the task information acquired by the task information acquisition unit 112, the display control unit 117 controls the display operation unit 25 to display a warning. For example, when an operation to return the holder 31 is physically performed even though the task information acquired by the task information acquisition unit 112 indicates borrowing, the display control unit 117 controls the display operation unit 25 to display a warning. Furthermore, when an operation to borrow the holder 31 is physically performed even though the task information acquired by the task information acquisition unit 112 indicates returning, the display control unit 117 controls the display operation unit 25 to display a warning. Furthermore, when the period determination unit 114 determines that the return is outside the return period, the display control unit 117 controls the locking / unlocking control unit 115 to display information indicating that the return is outside the return period on the display operation unit 25.

[0045] The storage control unit 118 controls writing of data to the storage unit 12 and reading of data from the storage unit 12. For example, the storage control unit 118 controls writing of information for determining whether the destination of use is the key storage 23 or the key collection 29 to the storage unit 12 and reading of this information from the storage unit 12.

[0046] Next, a specific description will be given of the information stored in the storage unit 12. The storage unit 12 stores use destination information 121. The use destination information 121 is information for managing whether the key storage 23 or the key collection 29 should be the use destination. The specific contents of the use destination information 121 will be described later.

[0047] (Specific content of user information) 6(a) is a diagram showing usage information 121a, which is a first example of usage information 121. Usage information 121a is an example of usage information 121 stored in storage unit 12 when key management device 10 executes the first operation example. The usage destination information 121a associates a holder number, a usage destination, and a storage unit number. The holder number is a number that uniquely identifies the holder 31. The usage destination is information that indicates whether the key storage 23 or the key collection box 29 should be used for the holder 31 with the corresponding holder number. The storage unit number is information that indicates which individual storage unit 24 of the key storage 23 should be used when using the key storage 23 for the holder 31 with the corresponding holder number. In the figure, it is assumed that the holder 31 with holder number "H01" will be returned soon, and its destination is shown to be the key collection cabinet 29. It is also assumed that the holders 31 with holder numbers "H02" and "H03" will be borrowed or returned soon, and their destination is shown to be the key storage cabinet 23, and it is shown that the individual storage units 24 with storage unit numbers "S02" and "S03" will be used for them, respectively. The use destination determination unit 113 determines the use destination and storage unit number by searching the use destination information 121a using the folder number as a key.

[0048] 6(b) is a diagram showing usage information 121b, which is a second example of usage information 121. Usage information 121b is an example of usage information 121 stored in storage unit 12 when key management device 10 executes the second operation example. The usage information 121b associates a holder number with a storage unit number. The holder number is a number that uniquely identifies the holder 31. The storage unit number is information that indicates which individual storage unit 24 of the key storage 23 should be used when using the key storage 23 for the holder 31 with the corresponding holder number. The figure shows that when holders 31 with holder numbers "H04" to "H06" are used in the key storage cabinet 23, individual storage units 24 with storage unit numbers "S04" to "S06" are used for each holder. The destination-of-use determining unit 113 determines the storage unit number by searching the destination-of-use information 121b using the folder number as a key.

[0049] The destination-of-use information 121a and 121b in FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b) may be set in the server device 40 and received by the communication unit 13 via the network 80.

[0050] (Key management device operation) FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a first operation example of the key management device 10 in the first embodiment. First, in the key management device 10, the input information receiving unit 111 determines whether or not input information from a user has been received (step 131). If it is not determined in step 131 that input information from the user has been accepted, the input information accepting unit 111 repeats the process of step 131 . If it is determined in step 131 that input information from the user has been accepted, the task information acquisition unit 112 acquires, as task information, the holder number of the folder 31 to be processed from the input information accepted in step 131 (step 132). Then, the use destination determination unit 113 determines whether the user's use destination is the key storage 23 or the key collection box 29 based on the holder number acquired in step 132 (step 133). For example, the use destination determination unit 113 may refer to the use destination information 121a shown in FIG. 6(a) to determine whether the use destination is the key storage 23 or the key collection box 29. The use destination determination unit 113 may also refer to the use destination information 121a shown in FIG. 6(a) to determine which individual storage unit 24 of the key storage 23 the use destination is.

[0051] If it is determined in step 133 that the user's destination is the key storage cabinet 23, the locking / unlocking control unit 115 controls the front door locking mechanism 141 to unlock the front door 21 (step 134). Thereafter, the locking / unlocking control unit 115 controls the small door locking mechanism 142 to unlock the small door 22 corresponding to the individual storage unit 24 of the intended use, and the light emission control unit 116 turns on the light emitting unit (not shown) of the small door 22 (step 135). This allows the user to open the small door 22 and remove or insert a key from or into the individual storage section 24. For example, when the user closes the small door 22 after removing or inserting a key from or into the individual storage section 24, the small door 22 is locked. After that, for example, when the user closes the front door 21, the front door 21 is also locked.

[0052] If it is determined in step 133 that the user's destination is the key collection cabinet 29, the locking / unlocking control unit 115 controls the flapper locking mechanism 143 to unlock the flapper 292, and the light emission control unit 116 turns on the light emitting unit 293 (step 136). This allows the user to push open the flapper 292 and insert the key into the general storage unit 294 from the return slot 291. For example, when the user inserts the key into the general storage unit 294, the flapper 292 is locked.

[0053] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a second operation example of the key management device 10 in the first embodiment. First, in the key management device 10, the input information receiving unit 111 determines whether or not input information from a user has been received (step 151). If it is not determined in step 151 that input information from the user has been accepted, the input information accepting unit 111 repeats the process of step 151 . If it is determined in step 151 that input information from the user has been accepted, the task information acquisition unit 112 acquires, from the input information accepted in step 151, the holder number of the holder 31 to be processed and the process type (borrowing or returning the holder 31) as task information (step 152). Then, the use destination determination unit 113 determines whether the user's use destination is the key storage 23 or the key collection repository 29 based on the process type acquired in step 152 (step 153). For example, if the use destination determination unit 113 determines that the process type acquired in step 152 is borrowing, it determines that the use destination is the key storage 23, and if the process type acquired in step 152 is returning, it determines that the use destination is the key collection repository 29. The use destination determination unit 113 may also refer to the use destination information 121b shown in FIG. 6(b) to determine which individual storage unit 24 of the key storage 23 the use destination is.

[0054] If it is determined in step 153 that the user's destination is the key repository 23, the period determination unit 114 determines whether a borrowing period is set for the folder 31 to be processed (step 154). If it is determined that a borrowing period is set for the folder 31 to be processed, the period determination unit 114 determines whether the current date and time is within the borrowing period (step 155).

[0055] If it is determined in step 154 ​​that no borrowing period has been set for the holder 31 being processed, or if it is determined in step 155 that the current date and time is within the borrowing period, the locking / unlocking control unit 115 controls the front door locking mechanism 141 to unlock the front door 21 (step 156). Thereafter, the locking / unlocking control unit 115 controls the small door locking mechanism 142 to unlock the small door 22 corresponding to the individual storage unit 24 of the intended use, and the light emission control unit 116 turns on the light emitting unit (not shown) of the small door 22 (step 157). This allows the user to open the small door 22 and remove the key from the individual storage section 24. For example, if the user closes the small door 22 after removing the key from the individual storage section 24, the small door 22 is locked. After that, for example, if the user closes the front door 21, the front door 21 is also locked.

[0056] If it is not determined in step 155 that the current date and time is within the borrowing period, the control unit 11 ends the process without unlocking the front door 21 and the small door 22.

[0057] If it is determined in step 153 that the user's destination is the key collection repository 29, the period determination unit 114 determines whether a return period has been set for the folder 31 to be processed (step 158). If it is determined that a return period has been set for the folder 31 to be processed, the period determination unit 114 determines whether the current date and time is within the return period (step 159).

[0058] If it is not determined in step 159 that the current date and time is within the return period, the control unit 11 notifies the user that the date and time is outside the return period (step 160). For example, the display control unit 117 may display a message indicating that the date and time is outside the return period on the display operation unit 25. Then, the locking / unlocking control unit 115 controls the flapper locking mechanism 143 to unlock the flapper 292, and the light emission control unit 116 turns on the light emitting unit 293 (step 161). If it is determined in step 158 that the return period has not been set for the holder 31 to be processed, or if it is determined in step 159 that the current date and time is within the borrowing period, the control unit 11 does not notify that the return period is exceeded. Then, the locking / unlocking control unit 115 controls the flapper locking mechanism 143 to unlock the flapper 292, and the light emission control unit 116 turns on the light emitting unit 293 (step 161). This allows the user to push open the flapper 292 and insert the key into the general storage unit 294 from the return slot 291. For example, when the user inserts the key into the general storage unit 294, the flapper 292 is locked.

[0059] In the above operation example, the borrowing period and the return period are determined only in the operation example of FIG. 8, but the borrowing period and the return period may be determined in the operation example of FIG.

[0060] (effect) In the first embodiment, when processing holders 31 that hold keys, at least a requirement indicating the holder 31 to be processed is acquired. This makes it possible to switch the processing, such as which storage section to store the key in, for each holder 31 to be processed.

[0061] [Second embodiment] 9 is a diagram showing the configuration of a key management device 10 according to the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, the key management device 10 according to the first embodiment is divided into a part other than the key collection repository 29 and a part containing the key collection repository 29, which are communicatively connected and installed as separate entities. Hereinafter, the part of the key management device 10 other than the key collection repository 29 will be referred to as a key management device 20, and the part of the key management device 10 containing the key collection repository 29 will be referred to as a key collection device 28. The communication line connecting these will be referred to as a communication line 85, and a system consisting of the key management device 20, the key collection device 28, and the communication line 85 will be referred to as a key management system 100.

[0062] In the second embodiment, the key management device 20 includes the control unit 11, the storage unit 12, the communication unit 13, the front door locking mechanism 141, the small door locking mechanism 142, the locking mechanism 241, the display / operation unit 25, the card reader 26, and the reading unit 27, and the key collection device 28 includes the flapper locking mechanism 143 and the light-emitting unit 293. Then, the flapper locking mechanism 143 of the key collection device 28 locks and unlocks the flapper 292 based on a locking / unlocking instruction from the locking / unlocking control unit 115 of the key management device 20. In this sense, the flapper locking mechanism 143 can be said to be an example of a control unit that controls the opening / closing unit based on information received from the key management device. Alternatively, in such a functional configuration, only the part of the locking / unlocking control unit 115 of the control unit 11 that controls the locking / unlocking of the flapper 292 may be moved from the key management device 20 to the key collection device 28. Then, the part of the locking / unlocking control unit 115 of the key collection device 28 that controls the locking / unlocking of the flapper 292 controls the flapper locking mechanism 143 to lock or unlock the flapper 292 based on information from the use destination determination unit 113 of the key management device 20 or the like that indicates that the key is to be returned to the key collection device 28. In this sense, the part of the locking / unlocking control unit 115 that controls the locking / unlocking of the flapper 292 can be said to be an example of a control unit that controls the opening / closing unit based on information received from the key management device.

[0063] In the second embodiment, when processing holders 31 that hold keys, at least a requirement indicating the holder 31 to be processed is acquired. This makes it possible to switch the processing, such as which storage section to store the key in, for each holder 31 to be processed.

[0064] [Variations] In the above description, the key management device 10 is described as including the key storage 23 and the key collection repository 29, but the key management device 10 does not necessarily have to include the key collection repository 29. In this case, the control unit 11 of the key management device 10 may execute, in the key storage 23, a process according to the task indicated by the task information acquired by the task information acquisition unit 112. The control unit 11 of the key management device 10 may then display a warning on the display operation unit 25 when it detects an operation to execute a task other than the task indicated by the task information. In this embodiment, the control unit 11 is provided as an example of a control unit that controls the execution of a process according to the task acquired by the acquisition unit.

[0065] For example, the locking / unlocking control unit 115 of the key management device 10 may be configured to unlock the front door 21 when the task indicated by the task information acquired by the task information acquisition unit 112 satisfies a predetermined condition. Alternatively, the locking / unlocking control unit 115 of the key management device 10 may be configured to unlock the front door 21 after the input information acceptance unit 111 accepts input information. In this embodiment, the locking / unlocking control unit 115 is provided as an example of a control unit that unlocks the first opening / closing unit when the task acquired by the acquisition unit satisfies a predetermined condition.

[0066] Furthermore, the control unit 11 of the key management device 10 may be configured to permit only processing of the folder 31 to be processed that is indicated by the task information acquired by the task information acquisition unit 112. Here, the processing of the folder 31 to be processed may include, for example, processing to open the small door 22 that corresponds to the folder number of the folder 31 to be processed. The control unit 11 of the key management device 10 may not accept the processing even when it detects processing for a folder 31 other than the folder 31 to be processed that is indicated by the task information acquired by the task information acquisition unit 112. In this embodiment, the control unit 11 is provided as an example of a control unit that controls to execute only processing related to the folder to be processed that is indicated by the task acquired by the acquisition unit.

[0067] Furthermore, the control unit 11 of the key management device 10 may be configured to permit only borrowing when the task information acquired by the task information acquisition unit 112 indicates borrowing, and to permit only returning when the task information acquired by the task information acquisition unit 112 indicates returning. In this embodiment, the control unit 11 is provided as an example of a control unit that controls to execute only the borrowing process of the holder when the task acquired by the acquisition unit indicates borrowing of the holder, and controls to execute only the return process of the holder when the task acquired by the acquisition unit indicates returning of the holder.

[0068] Although the individual storage unit 24 has been described above as a type in which the holder 31 is inserted to store the holder, this is not limiting. The individual storage unit 24 may be a type in which the holder 31 is stored by being housed in a housing, as shown in, for example, JP 2021-75852 A. In the above description, the key 33 is assumed to be a physical key, but it is not limited to a physical key and may be a card key or a digital key.

[0069] Although the above description has been given of the key management device 10 that manages the keys 33, the present invention can also be applied to an item management device that manages items such as seals, USB memory sticks, etc. In that case, the invention can be understood by replacing "keys" in all documents with "items." In other words, the present invention can be understood as "an item management device having a plurality of individual storage sections, each capable of storing a holder for holding an item, an acquisition section that acquires at least a requirement indicating the holder to be processed, and a control section that controls the device to execute processing in accordance with the requirement acquired by the acquisition section." Furthermore, the present invention may be understood as "an item management system comprising an item management device for managing items, an item recovery device for recovering items, and a control unit, wherein the item management device comprises a plurality of individual storage units each capable of storing a holder for holding items, and an acquisition unit for acquiring at least a requirement indicating the holder to be processed, and the item recovery device comprises a bulk storage unit capable of collectively storing a plurality of holders inserted through a return port, and the control unit determines, as the return destination for the holder to be processed, a storage unit among the plurality of individual storage units and the bulk storage unit that is associated with the holder to be processed indicated by the requirement acquired by the acquisition unit." [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 1...key lending system, 10...key management device, 11...control unit, 111...input information receiving unit, 112...business information acquisition unit, 113...use destination determination unit, 114...period determination unit, 115...locking / unlocking control unit, 116...light-emitting control unit, 117...display control unit, 118...storage control unit, 12...storage unit, 121...use destination information, 13...communication unit, 141...front door locking mechanism, 142...small door locking mechanism, 143...flapper locking mechanism, 20...key management device, 21...front door, 22...small door, 23...key storage cabinet, 24...individual storage unit, 241...lock mechanism, 25...display operation unit, 26...card reader, 27...reading unit, 28...key collection device, 29...key collection cabinet, 292...flapper, 293...light-emitting unit, 294...bulk storage unit, 40...server device, 50...terminal device

Claims

1. a plurality of individual storage sections each capable of storing a holder for holding a key; an acquisition unit that acquires at least a requirement indicating a folder to be processed; a control unit that controls execution of a process according to the matter acquired by the acquisition unit; Equipped with The acquisition unit acquires the matter indicating borrowing or returning of a holder.

2. a first opening / closing section that closes all of the individual storage sections; The key management device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit unlocks the first opening / closing unit when the matter acquired by the acquisition unit satisfies a predetermined condition.

3. The apparatus further includes a receiving unit that receives a folder to be processed from a user, The key management device according to claim 1 , wherein the acquisition unit acquires the request indicating borrowing or returning of a holder based on the holder to be processed accepted by the acceptance unit and the storage status of the holder to be processed.

4. The key management device of claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the acquisition unit to execute only the holder borrowing process when the matter acquired by the acquisition unit indicates borrowing a holder, and controls the acquisition unit to execute only the holder return process when the matter acquired by the acquisition unit indicates returning a holder.

5. a first opening / closing section that closes all of the individual storage sections; The key management device of claim 1, wherein the control unit unlocks the first opening / closing unit when the matter acquired by the acquisition unit indicates borrowing of a holder within the borrowing period, and controls the first opening / closing unit not to unlock when the matter acquired by the acquisition unit indicates borrowing of a holder outside the borrowing period.

6. The key management device according to claim 1 , further comprising a bulk storage unit capable of collectively storing a plurality of holders inserted through the return opening.

7. The key management device of claim 6, wherein the control unit determines a storage unit among the plurality of individual storage units and the bulk storage unit that is associated with the holder to be processed indicated by the matter acquired by the acquisition unit as the return destination for the holder to be processed.

8. a first opening / closing section that closes all of the individual storage sections; A second opening / closing section provided at the return port; Further provided with The key management device of claim 7, wherein the control unit unlocks the first opening / closing unit when the multiple individual storage units are associated with the holder to be processed indicated by the matter acquired by the acquisition unit, and unlocks the second opening / closing unit when the lump-sum storage unit is associated with the holder to be processed indicated by the matter acquired by the acquisition unit.

9. a first opening / closing section that closes all of the individual storage sections; A second opening / closing section provided at the return port; Further provided with The key management device of claim 6, wherein the control unit unlocks the first opening / closing unit when the matter acquired by the acquisition unit indicates borrowing a holder, and unlocks the second opening / closing unit when the matter acquired by the acquisition unit indicates returning a holder.

10. a first opening / closing section that closes all of the individual storage sections; The key management device of claim 6, wherein the control unit controls the first opening / closing unit to be unlocked when the matter acquired by the acquisition unit indicates the borrowing of a holder within the borrowing period, and controls the first opening / closing unit not to be unlocked when the matter acquired by the acquisition unit indicates the borrowing of a holder outside the borrowing period.

11. Further provided with a second opening and closing part provided at the return port, The control unit unlocks the first opening / closing unit or the second opening / closing unit when the matter acquired by the acquisition unit indicates the return of a holder within the return period, and notifies that the return period is outside the return period when the matter acquired by the acquisition unit indicates the return of a holder outside the return period.

12. The key management device according to claim 11 , wherein the borrowing period and the return period can be set separately.

13. a plurality of third opening / closing sections each closing one of the plurality of individual storage sections; The key management device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit unlocks a third opening / closing unit that closes an individual storage unit in which the holder to be processed indicated by the matter acquired by the acquisition unit is stored.

14. a key management device that manages keys; a key collection device for collecting keys; A control unit; Equipped with The key management device a plurality of individual storage sections each capable of storing a holder for holding a key; an acquisition unit that acquires at least a requirement indicating a folder to be processed; Equipped with the acquisition unit acquires the matter indicating borrowing or returning of a holder, The key recovery device A bulk storage section that can store multiple holders inserted from the return slot at once, Equipped with the control unit determines a storage unit corresponding to the purpose acquired by the acquisition unit as a destination of use of the folder to be processed, from among the plurality of individual storage units and the collective storage unit. Key management system.

Images