Support request system

Abstract

To enable supporters to efficiently support the evacuation or the like of residents in houses.SOLUTION: In an electronic key system 10, when a communication section 28 of a lock unit 20 acquires a digital key from a terminal device 24, a lock operation section 32 of a controller 22 operates a lock section 26 to unlock an entrance door 14 if the digital key is registered. In the controller 22, a requesting section 38 generates support request information including a one-time key generated as a digital key by a generating section 36, and sends it to a support network. This allows a supporter of the support network to unlock the entrance door 14 using the one-time key, and so efficiently provide support for those in need.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a support request system for requesting support from a supporter for residents or the like in a building. [Background technology]

[0002] The remote emergency alert system described in Patent Document 1 notifies the transmitting / receiving terminal of the information in the emergency alert email when it receives the email. Furthermore, when the transmitting / receiving terminal detects the user's electronic tag and determines that the user has not yet evacuated, it transmits the identification information of the electronic tag and the location information of the transmitting / receiving terminal to an information aggregation server. This allows the remote emergency alert system to grasp the user's evacuation status and provide information when evacuation assistance is requested. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-068215 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, some systems for locking and unlocking the front door of a house use a preset electronic code (for example, a digital key). In this locking system, the front door is unlocked by receiving a digital key transmitted from a terminal device carried by the resident, but if the digital key is not available (or cannot be transmitted), the door cannot be unlocked.

[0005] For this reason, in the event of a disaster, if a resident of a house receives assistance for evacuation, if the supporter is not given a digital key, they will not be able to unlock the front door, which will result in a time-consuming process for evacuating the resident, which is problematic in terms of efficiency. While it is possible to unlock the front door in advance, this raises concerns that people other than the supporter may enter the house.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above facts, and aims to provide a support request system that enables supporters to provide efficient support when residents of a home request assistance with evacuation, etc. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A first aspect of the support request system for achieving the above-mentioned object includes a lock unit for locking and unlocking the entrance and exit doors of a building, a lock operation means for receiving preset key information from a portable terminal device when operating the lock unit to lock and unlock the door, thereby releasing the locking by the lock unit and allowing the door to be opened and closed, and a support request means for sending support request information including the key information to the support request destination so that the key information can be used on a supporter terminal device which is a terminal device carried by a supporter at the support destination that has been preset.

[0008] In the support request system of the first aspect, a lock unit is placed on the entrance door of the building, and a lock operation unit operates the lock unit to lock and unlock the door. The lock operation unit also receives preset key information from a portable terminal device, causing the lock unit to unlock (unlock) the door. This allows, for example, a resident of the building to unlock the door and enter the building by sending the key information from the terminal device they carry, but the door cannot be unlocked without the key information.

[0009] Furthermore, the building resident can request assistance from a preset assistance request destination. When requesting assistance, the assistance request means sends assistance request information to the assistance request destination. The assistance request information includes key information that can be used on the assistance terminal device carried by the assistance person.

[0010] This allows a supporter who receives a request for support to unlock the door using the supporter terminal device, even if the door of the building is locked, and thus the support can be provided efficiently.

[0011] The support request system of the second aspect is the system of the first aspect, and further includes a generating means for generating the key information when the support requesting means sends the support request information.

[0012] In the support request system of the second aspect, when the support request means sends support request information, key information is generated and the generated key information is included in the support request information. For example, if the key information is generated as key information with a limited number of uses, it is possible to prevent the key information from being used again.

[0013] A third aspect of the support request system is the first or second aspect, wherein the support request information sent by the support request means includes location information of the building.

[0014] In the support request system of the third aspect, the support request information sent by the support request means includes location information of the building for which support is requested. The location information may be an address, but is preferably information that allows the location of the building to be identified on a map. This allows the supporter to easily identify the location of the building for which support is requested, allowing for more efficient support.

[0015] A fourth aspect of the support request system is any one of the first to third aspects, in which the support request means is provided in at least one of a terminal device carried by a resident of the building and a terminal device carried by a person designated by the resident.

[0016] In the fourth aspect of the support request system, the support request means is provided in a terminal device. The terminal device in which the support request means is provided may be a terminal device carried (used) by a resident who needs support, or may be provided in at least one of a terminal device carried by a resident (family member) living with the resident who needs support, and a terminal device carried by a person (third party) designated by the resident who needs support.

[0017] This allows a resident who lives with the resident in need of support or a person designated by the resident in need of support to request support, not just the resident in need of support themselves. Therefore, even if the resident is not the resident in need of support, they can request support for the resident in need of support, and support can be effectively requested from the resident in need of support. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] According to the support request system of the first aspect of the present invention, even if the door of the building is locked, the supporter can unlock the door, and thus can provide support efficiently.

[0019] According to the second aspect of the support request system, it is possible to generate key information that has a limited number of uses, which has the effect of enabling supporters to provide efficient support while preventing the key information from being used unnecessarily.

[0020] According to the support request system of the third aspect, the supporter can easily grasp the location of the building where the resident he or she is supporting is located, which has the effect of enabling the supporter to provide more efficient support.

[0021] According to the support request system of the fourth aspect, even people other than the resident who needs support can request support, which has the effect of enabling effective support to be requested from a supporter. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an electronic key system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the installation of an electronic key system. [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart showing an outline of processing in the support management server. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart showing an outline of processing in a controller. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart showing an outline of processing in the supporter terminal device. [Figure 6]FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram of an electronic key system according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the general configuration of an electronic key system 10 as a locking system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the electronic key system 10 functions as a support request system according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the general configuration of the electronic key system 10 in a house 12 as a building.

[0024] 2, the building in which the electronic key system 10 is installed may be, for example, a detached house 12. The building is not limited to the house 12, but may be a single unit (one room) in a housing complex such as an apartment building.

[0025] The house 12 is provided with a front door (front door) 14 as an entrance for the resident, and the resident can go out and come home by unlocking the front door 14. And You will no longer be able to enter (break into) House 12 (indoors).

[0026] A broadband router or the like (hereinafter referred to as router 16) for configuring a communication means is installed in residence 12, and router 16 is connected to the Internet (an information and communication network, hereinafter referred to as network 16A) via an optical fiber line or the like (broadband line). Router 16 is a wireless system (also referred to as Wi-Fi connection) that uses the Wi-Fi standard, and router 16 forms a LAN (Local Area Network) (home LAN) in which multiple devices are connected to each other via Wi-Fi connection within residence 12. Router 16 enables devices connected to the LAN to be connected to network 16A.

[0027] 1, the electronic key system 10 includes a lock unit 20 as a locking means and a controller (lock controller) 22 as the device body. The electronic key system 10 can also be connected to multiple terminal devices 24 used to lock and unlock the front door 14. The terminal devices 24 can be smartphones carried by each resident.

[0028] The lock unit 20 includes a lock section 26 and a communication section 28 that constitutes a lock operation means. The lock unit 20 is attached to the front door 14 of the residence 12, and the lock section 26 locks and unlocks the front door 14 using an actuator (not shown). The lock section 26 also has a thumb turn or the like (not shown) located on the inside of the front door 14 (inside the residence 12), so that a resident or the like can lock and unlock the front door 14 from the inside by operating the thumb turn.

[0029] In the electronic key system 10, the controller 22 operates the lock 26 of the lock unit 20 to lock and unlock the front door 14. Note that in the electronic key system 10, the lock unit 20 and controller 22 may be electric, powered by commercial power, or electronic (battery-powered), powered by a storage battery. In one example, the lock unit 20 and controller 22 are equipped with a storage battery (not shown) and are also powered by the commercial power supplied to the house 12. This makes the electronic key system 10 a hybrid system that operates on commercial power and, in the event of a commercial power outage, on the storage battery.

[0030] The communication unit 28 communicates with a preset terminal device 24 using a wireless method. The wireless method of the communication unit 28 can be the Wi-Fi standard used for LANs within the house 12 or the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard, and in this embodiment, the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard is applied to the communication unit 28 as an example.

[0031] The controller 22 is formed with a communication unit 30 as a communication means, a lock operation unit 32 as a lock operation means, a registration unit 34 as a storage means, a generation unit 36 ​​as a generation means, and a request unit 38 as a support request means. The controller 22 is equipped with a microcomputer (not shown) in which a CPU, ROM, RAM, non-volatile storage, and an input / output interface are connected by a bus. In the controller 22, the CPU reads out the lock management program and the support request program stored in the ROM and storage, and executes them while expanding them into the RAM, thereby realizing the functions of the communication unit 30, the lock operation unit 32, the generation unit 36, and the request unit 38. In addition, in the controller 22, the function of the registration unit 34 is realized by the storage.

[0032] The communication unit 30 is connected to the router 16, and is connected to a LAN (home LAN) and the network 16A via the router 16. The communication unit 30 is also connectable via the network 16A to various devices including a terminal device 24 connected to the network 16A. The connection between the communication unit 30 and the router 16 may be wired or may be a Wi-Fi connection.

[0033] The lock unit 20 is connected to the lock operation section 32. The lock operation section 32 controls the lock section 26 to lock and unlock the front door 14. At this time, the lock operation section 32 checks (verifies) whether or not the key information that the communication section 28 of the lock unit 20 obtains from the terminal device 24 is registered in the registration section 34. The controller 22 and the terminal device 24 are each capable of sending and receiving notifications such as e-mails.

[0034] In the electronic key system 10, key information is used to unlock (or lock and unlock) the front door 14 using the terminal device 24. The key information is assigned to each terminal device 24 used to lock and unlock the front door 14 of the house 12 and is stored in the registration unit 34. A preset identification code (hereinafter referred to as a digital key) is used as the key information. The digital key is set for the electronic key system 10 or for each terminal device 24 in the electronic key system 10.

[0035] The terminal device 24 used in the electronic key system 10 is formed with an operation unit 40, a memory 42, a generation unit 44, and a request unit 46. The operation unit 40, memory 42, generation unit 44, and request unit 46 are formed in the terminal device 24 by installing predetermined application software compatible with the electronic key system 10.

[0036] The memory 42 of the terminal device 24 stores the digital key assigned to the terminal device 24. When the operation unit 40 is operated within the communication range with the communication unit 28 of the lock unit 20 of the house 12 (near the front door 14), the terminal device 24 sends the digital key (a signal corresponding to the digital key) to the communication unit 28.

[0037] When the front door 14 is unlocked, the communication unit 28 of the lock unit 20 acquires a digital key from the terminal device 24. When a digital key is acquired by the lock unit 20 (communication unit 28), the lock operation unit 32 of the controller 22 compares the acquired digital key with the digital key registered in the registration unit 34, and if they match, operates the lock unit 26 to unlock the front door 14. In this way, the electronic key system 10 prevents the front door 14 from being unlocked by someone not carrying the terminal device 24 (such as a person other than the resident).

[0038] Next, a configuration corresponding to the support request system will be described.

[0039] As shown in Figure 2, the electronic key system 10 has a controller 22 connected via a network 16A to a support management server 52 of a support network 50, which is the destination of a support request. The support network 50 may be operated by, for example, a local government or a for-profit or non-profit (public interest) business entity.

[0040] In addition, the support network 50 has a predetermined area as its jurisdiction area (support area), and can be applied as a disaster support network that, for example, notifies people of the occurrence of a disaster and notifies them of evacuation when a disaster occurs, and when support is requested, dispatches a supporter (or a supporter group) to provide support for checking the safety of people, rescue support, evacuation support, etc.

[0041] In addition, the support network 50 can be an emergency support network that supports emergency transportation required due to residents' injuries or illnesses, a rescue support network for carrying out rescues required due to accidents, etc., or a network that combines these.

[0042] A support request system installed in each home within the jurisdiction of the support network 50 can be connected to the support management server 52 of the support network 50 via the network 16A. It is preferable that the home to be supported is registered in advance with the support network, but advance registration may not be necessary if the home resides within the jurisdiction.

[0043] When a resident requests support, the support request system of each home sends the support request to the support management server 52. Upon receiving the support request, the support management server 52 sends the support request to a supporter terminal device 54 carried by the supporter, and the supporter provides support in accordance with the support request received by the supporter terminal device 54.

[0044] In the home 12, the electronic key system 10 functions as a support request system and is connectable to a support management server 52. In the electronic key system 10, a request unit 38 is formed in the controller 22. The request unit 38 generates support request information in response to operation by the resident and sends the generated support request information to the support management server 52.

[0045] The controller 22 is also provided with a generation unit 36, which generates a digital key for unlocking the front door 14. The digital key generated by the generation unit 36 ​​is a key with a limited number of uses, and here, as an example, the generation unit 36 ​​generates a one-time key as a digital key with a single use.

[0046] The one-time key generated by the generation unit 36 ​​is registered in the registration unit 34, and is also included in support request information generated by the request unit 38. The request unit 38 also includes, in the support request information, location information that can identify the location of the house 12, along with the support content and the one-time key. This location information may be the house number (address) of the house 12, but is preferably information that can identify the location on a map.

[0047] The generating unit 44 and the requesting unit 46 of the terminal device 24 have functions corresponding to the generating unit 36 ​​and the requesting unit 38 of the controller 22, respectively. As a result, in the electronic key system 10, the controller 22 or each terminal device 24 generates assistance request information including the location information of the house 12 and a digital key (one-time key) for unlocking the front door 14 of the house 12. of Can be sent.

[0048] The supporter terminal device 54 of the support network is formed with an operation unit 56 and a memory 58. The operation unit 56 and the memory 58 have functions corresponding to the operation unit 40 and the memory 42 of the terminal device 24, respectively, and the operation unit 56 and the memory 58 are formed in the supporter terminal device 54 by installing predetermined application software.

[0049] The supporter terminal device 54 receives from the support management server 52 information corresponding to the support request information sent from the electronic key system 10, and stores the digital key in memory 58. Furthermore, when the operation unit 56 of the supporter terminal device 54 storing the digital key is operated within the communication range of the communication unit 28 of the lock unit 20 of the house 12, the supporter terminal device 54 sends a one-time key as a digital key to the communication unit 28.

[0050] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. In the electronic key system 10, a digital key is stored in the memory 42 of the terminal device 24 carried by each resident. cell phone When a resident operates the operation unit 40 in front of (or near) the front door 14, a digital key is acquired by the communication unit 28 of the lock unit 20 installed on the front door 14. When the digital key is acquired by the lock unit 20, the lock operation unit 32 of the controller 22 compares the acquired digital key with the registered digital key, and if they match, operates the lock unit 26 to unlock the front door 14.

[0051] Therefore, if a digital key is not acquired, or if the acquired digital key is not a registered digital key (does not match), the front door 14 will not be unlocked. This allows the electronic key system 10 to restrict the use of a terminal device or the like that is not assigned a proper digital key to enter (break into) the house 12, thereby achieving high security.

[0052] Meanwhile, in the residence 12, the electronic key system 10 is connected to a support management server 52 of a support network 50, allowing the resident of the residence 12 to request the support network 50 for any necessary support.

[0053] The support process in the electronic key system 10 and the support network 50 will now be described. Fig. 3 shows a flow chart outlining the process in the support management server 52, and Fig. 4 shows a flow chart outlining the process in the electronic key system 10. Fig. 5 also shows a flow chart outlining the process using the supporter terminal device 54 carried by the supporter.

[0054] 3, the support management server 52 checks whether a disaster requiring support has occurred in the first step 100. In the support network 50, when a disaster or the like occurs that requires residents and the like within the jurisdiction area to evacuate (a disaster requiring support), the support management server 52 makes a positive determination in step 100 and proceeds to step 102. In step 102, the support management server 52 notifies each home (each support request system) and each supporter within the jurisdiction area of ​​the occurrence of the disaster (for example, evacuation advisory or evacuation order).

[0055] 4, in the electronic key system 10, the controller 22 checks in step 110 whether it has received a notification of a disaster requiring evacuation. If a notification of a disaster has been received, the controller 22 makes a positive determination in step 110 and proceeds to step 112. In step 112, the controller 22 notifies the residents of the disaster by forwarding the notification to each resident's terminal device 24. This notifies each terminal device 24 of the electronic key system 10 of the occurrence of a disaster requiring evacuation, allowing each resident carrying a terminal device 24 to recognize the need to evacuate.

[0056] Incidentally, there may be a person (hereinafter referred to as a person requiring support) in residence 12 who has difficulty moving freely due to factors such as old age, illness, or injury and who needs support for movement such as evacuation. When the person requiring support requests support for movement such as evacuation, support network 50 dispatches a supporter to the residence that requested support and provides support to the person requiring support (for example, support for evacuation from the residence to a designated evacuation site).

[0057] When a person requiring assistance is present (at home) in the house 12 in which the electronic key system 10 is installed, the person requiring assistance can operate the controller 22 of the electronic key system 10 to request assistance from the support network 50.

[0058] In step 114, the controller 22 checks whether the person requiring support (or resident) has given an instruction (operation) to send a support request, and when the person requiring support has performed an operation to send a support request (instruction to request support), the controller 22 makes a positive determination in step 114 and proceeds to step 116. Note that if support is not required, the controller 22 makes a negative determination in step 114 and ends the processing.

[0059] In step 116, the controller 22 generates a digital key (one-time key) that enables the supporter to unlock the front door 14. In step 118, the controller 22 generates support request information that includes the one-time key and location information of the house 12, and in step 120, sends the generated support request information to the support management server 52.

[0060] Furthermore, in the electronic key system 10, a generation unit 44 and a request unit 46 are formed in the terminal device 24, and the generation unit 44 and the request unit 46 function in the same manner as the generation unit 36 ​​and the request unit 38 of the controller 22, respectively. Therefore, for example, a person requiring support who is present in the residence 12 can send support request information using the terminal device 24 that they carry. Furthermore, if the person requiring support who is present in the residence 12 is unable to operate the controller 22 or their own terminal device 24, another resident who is not the person requiring support (a resident who is not present in the residence 12) can also use the terminal device 24 that they carry to send support request information to the person requiring support who is present in the residence 12.

[0061] This allows the electronic key system 10 to reliably send support requests to the support network 50 (support management server 52) for the person in need of support. When a resident who is not at home 12 issues a support request, the terminal device 24 carried by the resident attaches the location information of the home 12 as location information.

[0062] 3, after sending the disaster occurrence notification, the support management server 52 proceeds to step 104 and checks whether a support request has been received. At this time, if support request information is sent from a support request system such as the electronic key system 10 (see step 120 in FIG. 4), the support management server 52 makes a positive determination in step 104 and proceeds to step 106.

[0063] In step 106 、 The support management server 52 sends the received support request information to the supporter terminal device 54. For example, in the support network 50, if the jurisdiction area is divided into multiple areas and a supporter is assigned to each divided area, the support management server 52 acquires location information from the support request information and sends (transfers) the support request information to the supporter terminal device 54 of the supporter in charge of the divided area corresponding to the acquired location information. Thereafter, in step 108, the support management server 52 checks whether or not to end the acceptance of the support request, and when an instruction to end the acceptance of the support request is received, the support management server 52 makes an affirmative determination in step 108 and ends the processing.

[0064] On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 5, the supporter terminal device 54 carried by each supporter checks in step 130 whether or not it has received a notification of a disaster that requires evacuation, and when it receives a notification of a disaster occurrence (see step 102 in Fig. 3), it makes a positive determination in step 130 and proceeds to step 132. At this time, the supporter makes preparations to provide the necessary support to the person requiring support.

[0065] In step 132, the supporter terminal device 54 checks whether support request information sent from the support management server 52 has been received, and if support request information has been received, an affirmative determination is made in step 132 and the process proceeds to step 134. Note that in the case where the supporter terminal device 54 receives multiple pieces of support request information, 、 The system performs predetermined required processing, such as performing the same processing for each piece of support request information.

[0066] The supporter terminal device 54 extracts a one-time key from the received support request information in step 134 and stores the extracted one-time key in memory 58. This allows the authority to unlock the front door 14 of the house 12 to be delegated to the supporter. Furthermore, in step 136, the supporter terminal device 54 extracts location information of the house 12 where the support-requiring person is present from the support request information to identify the support destination. Note that, when the supporter terminal device 54 finishes receiving the support request information, it makes a positive determination in step 138 and finishes receiving the support request information.

[0067] Thereafter, the supporter moves to the house 12 where the support is being provided, and operates the operation unit 56 in front of the front door 14 of the house 12. At this time, the supporter terminal device 54 checks in step 140 whether the operation unit 56 has been operated, and if the operation unit 56 has been operated, transmits the one-time key stored in the memory 58.

[0068] 4, after sending the support request information, the controller 22 of the electronic key system 10 checks whether or not a one-time key has been received (acquired) in step 122. If the supporter terminal device 54 has sent the one-time key (see step 142 in FIG. 5), the controller 22 receives (acquires) the one-time key, makes a positive determination in step 122, and proceeds to step 124.

[0069] The controller 22 compares the acquired one-time key with the one-time key stored in the registration unit 34, and if the one-time keys match, makes a positive judgment in step 124, proceeds to step 126, and unlocks the front door 14.

[0070] This allows the support person to open the front door 14, enter the house 12, and provide support to the person in need of support. After unlocking the front door 14, the controller 22 proceeds to step 128, invalidates the one-time key, and ends the process.

[0071] In this way, in the electronic key system 10, the front door 14 can be unlocked by using the terminal device 24 to which a digital key is assigned, and the front door 14 cannot be unlocked without the digital key, thereby improving the security of the house 12.

[0072] Furthermore, in the electronic key system 10, when a person requiring support is present in the residence 12, support request information can be sent to the support network 50 (support management server 52) to request a supporter to perform a desired process. In this case, in the electronic key system 10, the generation unit 36 ​​generates a new digital key for unlocking the front door 14, and the request unit 38 sends the support request information including the generated digital key to the support management server 52 so that it can be passed to the supporter (supporter terminal device 54). This allows the supporter to unlock the front door 14 using the supporter terminal device 54, enabling the supporter to efficiently support the person requiring support.

[0073] In addition, the electronic key system 10 has a generation unit 36 ​​that generates a digital key with a limited number of uses (for example, a one-time key), which prevents the front door 14 from being accidentally unlocked by anyone other than the resident or a supporter, preventing a decrease in the security of the house 12 (maintaining high security).

[0074] Furthermore, the electronic key system 10 sends support request information including location information of the house 12 to the support management server 52. This allows the supporter to accurately grasp the location (location on a map) of the house 12 of the person requiring support, allowing the supporter to travel to the house 12 without getting lost, thereby enabling more efficient support for the person requiring support. Furthermore, when a supporter (or a supporter group) responds to multiple support requests, being able to obtain location information for each person requiring support makes it easier to set a travel route for support (order of support), enabling more efficient support.

[0075] Furthermore, with electronic key system 10, residents can use terminal device 24 carried by each resident to request assistance for the person requiring assistance who is present in residence 12. Therefore, even if only the person requiring assistance is present in residence 12 and that person is unable to request assistance, a resident outside residence 12 can request assistance from the person requiring assistance without returning to residence 12. This allows electronic key system 10 to effectively request assistance from the person requiring assistance.

[0076] On the other hand, if the person requiring support is not present (absent) at the residence 12, it is conceivable that the supporter's trip to the residence 12 will be a wasted trip, or that the supporter will have to search the area around the residence 12. Therefore, the modified example described below makes it easier to confirm whether the person requiring support is present or absent.

[0077] [Modification] 6 is a schematic diagram of an electronic key system 60 serving as a support request system according to a modified example. A controller 62 of the electronic key system 60 includes a history acquisition unit 64 serving as management means. A terminal device 66 used with the electronic key system 60 includes a history request unit 68, and a supporter terminal device 70 carried by the supporter includes a history request unit 72 with the same functions as the history request unit 68.

[0078] The electronic key system 60 of the modified example differs from the controller 22 of the electronic key system 10 in that the controller 62 is provided with a history acquisition unit 64. Also, in the electronic key system 60 of the modified example, the terminal device 66 is provided with a history request unit 68, and the supporter terminal device 70 is provided with a history request unit 72. in , which are different from the terminal device 24 and the supporter terminal device 54 of the electronic key system 10.

[0079] The locking section 26 can unlock and lock the front door 14 from the outside of the front door 14 by using the terminal device 24, and the resident or the like can unlock and lock the front door 14 from the inside of the front door 14 by operating the thumb turn.

[0080] From this, when the lock unit 26 is operated to unlock or lock, the history acquisition unit 64 acquires whether the operation was performed from the outside or inside of the front door 14, as well as the time of the operation, and generates a locking / unlocking history. The history acquisition unit 64 also registers the locking / unlocking history in the registration unit 34. This makes it possible to confirm from the locking / unlocking history stored in the registration unit 34 whether the last unlocking was performed from the inside or outside of the front door 14, and to confirm (estimate) whether the resident of the house 12 has gone out or is at home (returned home).

[0081] The history request unit 68 of the terminal device 66 (the history request unit 72 of the supporter terminal device 70 is similar) requests the locking / unlocking history stored in the registration unit 34 from the controller 62, and displays the locking / unlocking history notified from the controller 62 in response to the history request. Indication Not shown on the display.

[0082] From here, at a predetermined timing or Evacuation Prior to making a request for assistance for the person requiring assistance, a resident who is out requests the locking / unlocking history using the terminal device 66. If the last displayed locking / unlocking history shows the front door 14 being unlocked from the outside, it can be assumed that the person requiring assistance is at home, and a request for assistance for the evacuation of the person requiring assistance can be made to the support network 50.

[0083] Furthermore, if the last record in the locking / unlocking history shows that the front door 14 was unlocked from the inside, it is possible that the person requiring assistance is not at home. From this, for example, instead of requesting assistance for the evacuation of the person requiring assistance, it is possible to request confirmation of the safety of the person requiring assistance (request for assistance for safety confirmation) or a request for a search for the person requiring assistance (request for assistance for a search). This makes it possible to prevent support requests with unclear content from being issued.

[0084] Furthermore, a supporter who has received a request for assistance with evacuation or the like can use the supporter terminal device 70 to request the locking / unlocking history from the electronic key system 60 (controller 62) before moving to the house 12. This allows the supporter to go to the house 12 to provide assistance if it can be confirmed (estimated) that the person requiring assistance is at home from the acquired locking / unlocking history, thereby preventing a wasted trip.

[0085] Furthermore, if the acquired locking and unlocking history indicates that the person requiring assistance may be out, it can be assumed that there is a possibility that the person's safety will be checked or searched for, and the method of assistance can be easily changed, enabling more effective assistance.

[0086] In the above-described embodiment and modified example, the electronic key systems 10 and 60 are described as requesting assistance with evacuation, etc. from the support network 50. However, the support request system can also be applied to requests to facilities that do not have a support network (organization), such as police stations, fire stations, and nursing homes.

[0087] In addition, the present embodiment and the modified examples have been described using the electronic key systems 10, 60 installed in the residence 12 as an example. However, the present invention may also be applied to a support system in which the electronic key systems 10, 60 of multiple residences are each connected to the support management server 52 of the support request destination. [Explanation of symbols]

[0088] 10, 60 Electronic key system (assistance request system) 12 Housing (Building) 14 Entrance door 20 tablet unit 22, 62 Controller 24, 66 terminal equipment 26 Lock 28 Communication unit (acquisition means) 32 Lock operation unit (lock operation means) 36, 44 Generation unit (generation means) 38, 46 Request Section (Means for Requesting Support) 50 Support Network 52 Support Management Server 54, 70 Supporter terminal device

Claims

1. a locking unit for locking and unlocking the entrance door of the building; a lock operation means for receiving preset key information from a portable terminal device when operating the locking unit to lock or unlock the door, thereby releasing the locking by the locking unit and enabling the door to be opened or closed; a support request means for sending support request information including the key information to the support request destination so that the key information can be used in a supporter terminal device as the terminal device carried by a supporter of a preset support request destination; a history acquisition unit that generates a locking / unlocking history including first information indicating whether the unlocking or locking operation performed on the lock unit was performed from outside the door or from inside the door, and second information indicating the time of the operation, and sends the generated locking / unlocking history to at least the terminal device carried by the supporter of the support request destination; A support request system including:

2. 2. The support request system according to claim 1, further comprising: a generating unit that generates the key information when the support requesting unit sends the support request information.

3. 3. The support request system according to claim 1, wherein the support request information sent by the support request means includes location information of the building.

4. 2. The support request system according to claim 1, wherein the support request means is provided in at least one of a terminal device carried by a resident of the building and a terminal device carried by a person designated by the resident.

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