Server device and door unlocking system

Abstract

To restrain an unauthorized person from pretending to be a business operator to unlock a door.SOLUTION: A door control apparatus 10 controls locking and unlocking of a door 11 installed at an entrance of a housing complex M, and a server apparatus 12 can communicate with a courier service server 14. A door unlocking system includes reception means 60 that accepts, from the door control apparatus 10, an unlocking request including an apparatus ID of the door control apparatus 10 and a service number set by a courier service, authentication request means 64 that transmits an authentication request including information included in the unlocking request to the courier service server 14, and unlocking means 66 that transmits an unlocking instruction to the door control apparatus 10 indicated by the apparatus ID included in the unlocking request when a courier service terminal 16 linked to the service number is identified by the courier service server 14 that receives the authentication request and an authentication succeeds as a result of the authentication based on information acquired from the identified courier service terminal 16.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a server device and a door unlocking system. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a server device is known that can communicate with a door control device that controls locking and unlocking of a door installed at the entrance of an apartment building.

[0003] As an example of such a server device, the following Patent Document 1 discloses a server device that receives an unlocking request from a door control device, which request includes the device ID of the door control device and a service number set by a service provider, performs authentication based on the information included in the unlocking request and stored information, and transmits an unlocking instruction to the door control device if the authentication is successful. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-88919 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the service number can be known not only by a legitimate business operator who is responsible for the delivery service linked to the service number, but also by an unauthorized person who does not have the right. Therefore, in the server device disclosed in the above Patent Document 1, even if an unauthorized person who has obtained the service number impersonates a business operator and inputs the service number into the door control device, there is a risk that the door will be unlocked if authentication based on the service number is successful.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of such problems, and aims to provide a server device and a door unlocking system that can prevent unauthorized persons from unlocking doors by masquerading as contractors. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The server device according to a first aspect of the present invention is a server device capable of communicating with a door control device that controls the locking and unlocking of doors installed at the entrance of an apartment building and a contractor server, and is equipped with: a receiving means that receives an unlocking request from the door control device, the unlocking request including identification information of the door control device and a service number set by the contractor; a requesting means that sends a request including information included in the unlocking request to the contractor server; and an unlocking means that, upon receiving the request, the contractor server identifies the contractor's contractor terminal linked to the service number, and, if the authentication is successful as a result of authentication based on information obtained from the identified contractor terminal, sends an unlocking instruction to the door control device identified by the identification information included in the unlocking request.

[0008] In the server device relating to the second aspect of the present invention, the information obtained from the dealer terminal is information indicating whether or not a specified input operation has been performed on the dealer terminal, and the unlocking means sends the unlocking instruction when the input operation has been performed.

[0009] In the server device relating to the third aspect of the present invention, the information obtained from the contractor terminal is information indicating the location of the contractor terminal, and the unlocking means sends the unlocking instruction when the location of the contractor terminal is within a specified range of the location indicated by the delivery destination address linked to the service number.

[0010] In the server device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the information obtained from the contractor terminal is authentication information output to the contractor terminal, the reception means further receives the authentication information from the door control device, and the unlocking means sends the unlocking instruction if the authentication based on the authentication information received by the reception means and pre-stored information is successful.

[0011] In the server device according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the unlocking means further includes a registration means that, if the authentication is successful, receives an authentication result including a delivery address linked to the service number, identifies a room number linked to the service number based on the delivery address included in the authentication result, and registers the identified room number by linking it to the service number.

[0012] A sixth aspect of the present invention provides a door unlocking system that includes a first server capable of communicating with a door control device that controls the locking and unlocking of doors installed at the entrance of an apartment building, and a second server capable of communicating with the first server and a contractor's terminal, wherein the first server includes a receiving means for receiving an unlocking request from the door control device, the request including identification information of the door control device and a service number set by the contractor, a requesting means for sending a request including information included in the unlocking request to the second server, and an unlocking means for sending an unlocking instruction to the door control device indicated by the identification information included in the unlocking request if the authentication is successful as a result of authentication based on information obtained from the contractor terminal identified by the second server that received the request, and the second server includes a memory means for storing information regarding home delivery, including the service number, for each contractor terminal, and an identification means for identifying the contractor terminal linked to the service number based on the service number included in the request. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent an unauthorized person from unlocking a door by pretending to be a contractor. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a door unlocking system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the door control device of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 3] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the server device of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of functional means of a door unlocking system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 5] FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a user management table. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a home delivery management table. [Figure 7] 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a flow of processing executed in the door unlocking system according to one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Hereinafter, a door unlocking system according to one embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as "this embodiment") will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. To facilitate understanding of the description, the same components and steps in each drawing will be assigned the same reference numerals as much as possible, and duplicated descriptions will be omitted.

[0016] <Overall structure> FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a door unlocking system 1 according to this embodiment.

[0017] 1, the door unlocking system 1 includes one or more door control devices 10, one or more server devices 12 (first servers), one or more delivery company servers 14 (second servers), one or more delivery company terminals 16, and one or more user terminals 18. These devices are capable of communicating with each other via a communication network NT such as the Internet or a telephone line.

[0018] The door control device 10 is installed near the entrance of a housing complex M, such as an apartment building, condominium, or dormitory. The door control device 10 controls the locking and unlocking of an auto-locking door 11 installed at the entrance of the housing complex M. For example, the door control device 10 is configured with a pair of intercoms, one of which is installed near the entrance of the housing complex M, and the other intercom is installed in each room of the housing complex M. A delivery person can use one intercom to talk to the resident on the other intercom, and the resident can remotely unlock the door 11, allowing the delivery person to enter the housing complex M. The door control device 10 also has an authentication door control function in addition to the intercom function. This allows the delivery person to unlock the door 11 and enter the housing complex M even when the resident is not at home and cannot make a call.

[0019] The server device 12 is an information processing device that performs various processes. The server device 12 sends instructions to lock or unlock the door 11 to the door control device 10. The server device 12 also manages various information necessary for the door control device 10 to control the door 11, such as a device ID and a service number that are identification information of the door control device 10.

[0020] The service number is a number related to a service set by a service provider such as a delivery company. The service number is, for example, a tracking number, a parcel number, or a parcel code of a parcel received by the delivery company.

[0021] The delivery company server 14 is an information processing device that performs various processes. The delivery company server 14 manages information related to delivery. The information related to delivery includes, for example, a service number, destination (address) and sender information (name, telephone number, address, etc.), delivery status, and type of package (normal package, fresh product, valuable product, heavy item, frozen product, refrigerated product, delivery to door, cash on delivery, etc.).

[0022] In response to a confirmation request from server device 12, delivery company server 14 confirms the delivery status of the parcel linked to the service number and transmits the confirmation result to server device 12. In addition, in response to an authentication request from server device 12, delivery company server 14 performs authentication based on the device ID and service number of door control device 10 and transmits the authentication result to server device 12.

[0023] Delivery agent terminal 16 is a communication terminal device operated by a delivery agent. For example, the delivery agent sets a service number when or after receiving a package from the sender. The delivery agent then notifies the sender of the package of the set service number. The sender also notifies the destination user of the service number. The destination user transmits the notified service number together with the user ID of the user to server device 12, and server device 12 stores the received service number in association with the received user ID. Examples of delivery agent terminal 16 include a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet, a laptop computer, and a personal computer.

[0024] The user terminal 18 is a communication terminal device operated by a user. Examples of the user terminal 18 include a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet, a notebook computer, and a personal computer.

[0025] <Hardware configuration>

[0026] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the door control device 10 of FIG.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 2, the door control device 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 20, a memory 22, a communication device 24, a display device 26, a communication device 28, a camera 30, a light source 32, a locking mechanism 34, and a power source 36.

[0028] The CPU 20 controls various components of the door control device 10, such as the camera 30 and the light source 32.

[0029] The memory 22 stores, for example, the device ID of the door control device 10, programs, and the like.

[0030] The communication device 24 is configured with a communication interface for communicating with an external device, etc. The communication device 24 transmits and receives various information or various data to and from the server device 12, for example.

[0031] The display device 26 displays the other party on the other end of the call.

[0032] The communication device 28 is provided with an input device, and is configured so that the delivery person can communicate with the resident of the room number input using the input device.

[0033] The camera 30 captures an image in front of the door control device 10.

[0034] The light source 32 is controlled to emit light or not by the CPU 20. The light source 32 may be a diode, a lamp, or the like.

[0035] The locking mechanism 34 locks and unlocks the door 11.

[0036] The power supply 36 supplies power to the CPU 20, memory 22, etc. The power supply 36 is preferably a battery, for example.

[0037] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the server device 12 of FIG.

[0038] 3, the server device 12 includes a control device 40, a communication device 42, and a storage device 44. The control device 40 is mainly configured to include a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 46 and a memory 48.

[0039] The control device 40 functions as various functional means by the CPU 46 executing predetermined programs stored in the storage device 44 or memory 48. The details of these functional means will be described later.

[0040] The communication device 42 is configured with a communication interface for communicating with external devices, etc. The communication device 42 transmits and receives various information or data between the door control device 10, the delivery company server 14, and the user terminal 18, for example.

[0041] The storage device 44 is configured by a hard disk, etc. The storage device 44 stores various programs and various information required for executing the processes in the control device 40, as well as information on the results of the processes.

[0042] The server device 12 can be realized using an information processing device such as a dedicated or general-purpose server computer. The server device 12 may be composed of a single information processing device or multiple information processing devices distributed over the communication network NT. FIG. 3 shows only a portion of the main hardware configuration of the server device 12, and the server device 12 may also include other components that are generally included in a server. The hardware configuration of the delivery company server 14 may be similar to that of the server device 12. The hardware configuration of the delivery company terminal 16 and the user terminal 18 may also be similar to that of the server device 12, except for including a GPS receiver for receiving a GPS (Global Positioning System) signal to identify the delivery company's location via, for example, an operating means, a display device, an antenna, etc.

[0043] <Functional means> FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of functional means of the door unlocking system 1 according to this embodiment.

[0044] <Door control device 10> 4, the door control device 10 in the door unlocking system 1 includes, as functional means, an acquisition means 50, a request means 52, and a control means 54. Each of these functional means is realized by the CPU 20 executing a program stored in the memory 22.

[0045] The acquisition means 50 acquires the service number set by the delivery company. The acquisition means 50 acquires the service number by accepting an input operation of the service number by the delivery company.

[0046] The request means 52 transmits an unlock request including the device ID of the door control device 10 and the service number acquired by the acquisition means 50 to the server device 12.

[0047] When the control means 54 receives an unlocking instruction from the server device 12, it controls the locking mechanism 34 to automatically unlock the door 11. After unlocking, the control means 54 opens and closes the door 11, and then locks it.

[0048] <Server device 12> The server device 12 in the door unlocking system 1 includes, as functional means, a storage means 58, a receiving means 60, a confirmation requesting means 62, an authentication requesting means 64 (requesting means), an unlocking means 66, and a registration means 68. Each of these functional means is realized by the CPU 46 executing a program stored in the storage device 44.

[0049] The storage means 58 stores the service number set by the delivery company for each user. For example, the storage means 58 stores a user management table 58A.

[0050] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the user management table 58A. As shown in FIG. 5, the user management table 58A has registered therein, for each user ID, the device ID of the door control device 10, a service number, and a room number, which are linked to one another. The user ID is user identification information and, for example, is registered in advance for each user, or is registered in association with a service number when the service number is registered. The device ID of the door control device 10 is identification information of the door control device 10 and, for example, is received from the user terminal 18 or the like and registered in association with the user ID. The service number is received from the delivery company terminal 16 or the user terminal 18 and registered in association with the user ID. The room number is the room number of the room where the user lives and is identified, for example, by the registration means 68 described below and registered in association with the user ID and the service number. Note that the room number may be registered in advance and linked to at least the user ID by receiving it from the user terminal 18 or the like.

[0051] Returning to Fig. 4, the receiving means 60 receives an unlocking request from the door control device 10, the unlocking request including the device ID of the door control device 10 and the service number set by the delivery company. Specifically, the receiving means 60 receives the unlocking request transmitted by the requesting means 52 of the door control device 10, thereby receiving the unlocking request. The receiving means 60 outputs information included in the received unlocking request to the confirmation requesting means 62 and the authentication requesting means 64.

[0052] The confirmation request means 62 transmits a confirmation request including the service number included in the unlocking request received by the reception means 60 to the delivery company server 14. As a result, the confirmation request means 62 requests the delivery company server 14 to confirm the delivery status of the parcel linked to the service number.

[0053] The authentication requesting means 64 sends an authentication request including the service number and the device ID of the door control device 10 included in the unlocking request received by the receiving means 60 to the delivery company server 14. As a result, the authentication requesting means 64 requests authentication to unlock the door control device 10 indicated by the device ID from the delivery company server 14 based on the service number. In this embodiment, the authentication requesting means 64 sends an authentication request to the delivery company server 14 when, as a response to the confirmation request by the confirmation requesting means 62, it receives from the delivery company server 14 a confirmation result indicating that a delivery linked to the service number is currently being delivered. As will be described in detail later, upon receiving the authentication request, the delivery company server 14 identifies the delivery company terminal 16 linked to the service number included in the authentication request.

[0054] If the authentication based on the information obtained from the delivery company terminal 16 identified by the delivery company server 14 is successful, the unlocking means 66 sends an unlocking instruction to the door control device 10 indicated by the device ID included in the unlocking request.

[0055] The information acquired from the delivery agent terminal 16 is, for example, information indicating whether a predetermined input operation has been performed on the delivery agent terminal 16. The predetermined input operation is an input operation for instructing unlocking, such as a tap on an unlock button displayed on the display screen of the delivery agent terminal 16 or an operation for inputting predetermined authentication information (password, biometric information, voice information, etc.) required for authentication for unlocking. The unlocking means 66 transmits an unlock instruction to the door control device 10 when a predetermined input operation has been performed on the delivery agent terminal 16. The information acquired from the delivery agent terminal 16 may also be, for example, information indicating the location of the delivery agent terminal 16. In this case, the unlocking means 66 transmits an unlock instruction to the door control device 10 when the location of the delivery agent terminal 16 is within a predetermined range of the location indicated by the delivery destination address linked to the service number.

[0056] In this embodiment, an example will be described in detail in which authentication based on information acquired from the delivery agent terminal 16 is performed in the delivery agent server 14. When authentication is successful in the delivery agent server 14 and an authentication result indicating successful authentication is received from the delivery agent server 14 as a response to the authentication request, the unlocking means 66 transmits an unlocking instruction to the door control device 10. For example, when the delivery agent server 14 determines that an unlocking instruction has been received from the delivery agent terminal 16 based on information acquired from the identified delivery agent terminal 16, the delivery agent server 14 transmits an authentication result indicating successful authentication to the server device 12. This authentication result may include the device ID of the door control device 10 and the delivery destination address linked to the service number. When the unlocking means 66 receives the authentication result, it transmits an unlocking instruction to the door control device 10 identified by the device ID included in the authentication result (the device ID included in the unlocking request). In response to this, if the unlocking means 66 does not receive an authentication result indicating successful authentication from the delivery company server 14 within a specified time, or if it receives an authentication result indicating unsuccessful authentication, it will not send an unlocking instruction.

[0057] When the authentication result indicating successful authentication from the delivery company server 14 includes a destination address, the registration means 68 identifies the room number linked to the service number based on the destination address. A destination address usually includes a room number at the end. The registration means 68 identifies the room number at the end of the destination address as the room number linked to the service number (the room number of the user to whom the package is addressed). The registration means 68 then links the identified room number to the service number included in the authentication request and registers it in the user management table 58A. At this time, if the user management table 58A stores other service numbers for the user who has registered a room number linked to the service number and there is a column for an unregistered room number linked to the other service number, the registration means 68 may register the same room number as the identified room number in the unregistered column, as necessary.

[0058] <Delivery company server 14> The delivery company server 14 in the door unlocking system 1 includes a storage means 70, a confirmation means 72, an authentication means 74, an acquisition means 76 (identification means), and a reception instruction means 78. Similar to the respective functional means in the server device 12, each of these functional means is realized by the CPU of the delivery company server 14 executing a program stored in the memory of the delivery company server 14.

[0059] The storage means 70 stores information about home delivery, including the service number, for each delivery agent terminal 16. For example, the storage means 70 stores a home delivery management table 70A.

[0060] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the delivery management table 70A. As shown in FIG. 6, in the delivery management table 70A, for each terminal ID of the delivery agent terminal 16, a service number, a device ID of the door control device 10, a destination address, and a delivery status are registered in association with one another. This information is registered, for example, by the delivery agent using the delivery agent terminal 16 to scan information about a package to be delivered and sending the scanned information to the delivery agent server 14. The terminal ID is identification information of the delivery agent terminal 16 and is registered in advance, for example, for each terminal. The service number is registered in association with the terminal ID, for example, by receiving it from the delivery agent terminal 16 or the like. The device ID of the door control device 10 is registered in advance in association with the service number, for example, by receiving the device ID linked to the service number from the server device 12. The destination address is the destination address of the delivery linked to the service number and is registered in association with the service number, for example, by receiving it from the delivery agent terminal 16 or the like together with the service number. The delivery status is information that indicates the delivery status of the parcel linked to the service number, and is managed so that information corresponding to the delivery status is registered. For example, if the parcel is currently being delivered, "in delivery" is registered, and if the parcel is not currently being delivered, "not yet delivered" is registered.

[0061] Returning to FIG. 4, when the confirmation means 72 receives a confirmation request from the confirmation request means 62 of the server device 12, it confirms the delivery status of the home delivery linked to the service number included in the confirmation request. For example, the confirmation means 72 references the delivery management table 70A and extracts information indicating the delivery status of the home delivery linked to the service number. If the delivery status is "in delivery," the confirmation means 72 then transmits to the server device 12 a confirmation result indicating that the home delivery is in delivery. On the other hand, if the delivery status is "undelivered" or if there is no information indicating the delivery status, the confirmation means 72 transmits to the server device 12 a confirmation result indicating that the home delivery is undelivered.

[0062] When the authentication means 74 receives an authentication request from the authentication request means 64 of the server device 12, it executes authentication processing for unlocking the door 11 by the door control device 10 in response to the authentication request.

[0063] First, the authentication means 74 determines whether the unlocking request is made from the door control device 10 of the appropriate destination based on the service number and device ID included in the authentication request. Specifically, the authentication means 74 references the home delivery management table 70A and extracts the device ID linked to the service number included in the authentication request. Then, the authentication means 74 determines whether the door control device 10 sending the unlocking request is the door control device 10 of the appropriate destination address based on whether the device ID included in the authentication request matches the extracted device ID.

[0064] If the device ID included in the authentication request matches the extracted device ID, the authentication means 74 makes a positive determination that the door control device 10 sending the unlocking request is the door control device 10 for the appropriate destination address. Then, the authentication means 74 proceeds to authentication based on information acquired from the delivery company terminal 16 identified by the acquisition means 76 (information indicating whether an instruction to unlock has been received from the delivery company terminal 16). On the other hand, if the device ID included in the authentication request does not match the extracted device ID, the authentication means 74 makes a negative determination that the door control device 10 sending the unlocking request is not the door control device 10 for the appropriate destination address, and transmits an authentication result indicating authentication failure to the server device 12.

[0065] Furthermore, when the authentication means 74 receives an authentication request, it performs authentication based on the information acquired from the delivery agent terminal 16 identified by the acquisition means 76. More specifically, the authentication means 74 determines whether or not an instruction to unlock has been received from the delivery agent terminal 16, based on the information acquired from the delivery agent terminal 16. If the authentication means 74 determines that the instruction from the delivery agent terminal 16 has been received, it determines that the authentication has been successful and transmits an authentication result indicating the authentication success to the server device 12. The authentication result includes the device ID of the door control device 10 included in the unlock request and the destination address acquired by the acquisition means 76. On the other hand, if the authentication means 74 determines that the instruction from the delivery agent terminal 16 has not been received, it determines that the authentication has failed and transmits an authentication result indicating the authentication failure to the server device 12.

[0066] The instruction to unlock from delivery agent terminal 16 is determined to have been received, for example, when the delivery agent performs a predetermined input operation on delivery agent terminal 16. When authentication means 74 acquires information from delivery agent terminal 16 indicating that the predetermined input operation has been performed, it makes a positive determination that the instruction from delivery agent terminal 16 has been received. On the other hand, when authentication means 74 does not acquire information from delivery agent terminal 16 indicating that the predetermined input operation has been performed within a predetermined period of time, it makes a negative determination that the instruction from delivery agent terminal 16 has not been received.

[0067] Furthermore, the instruction from delivery agent terminal 16 may be determined to have been accepted if, when an authentication request is sent to delivery agent server 14, the location of delivery agent terminal 16 is within a predetermined range of the location indicated by the delivery destination address linked to the service number. For example, if the location of delivery agent terminal 16 acquired by transmission from delivery agent terminal 16 is within a predetermined range of the location indicated by the destination address acquired by acquisition means 76, authentication means 74 makes a positive determination that the instruction from delivery agent terminal 16 has been accepted. The predetermined range is, for example, a range within a radius of several meters from the location indicated by the destination address, and indicates a range close enough that the location of delivery agent terminal 16 can be considered to be approximately the same location as the location indicated by the destination address acquired by acquisition means 76. On the other hand, if the location of delivery agent terminal 16 is outside the predetermined range of the location indicated by the destination address acquired by acquisition means 76, authentication means 74 makes a negative determination that the instruction from delivery agent terminal 16 has not been accepted.

[0068] When the acquisition means 76 receives an authentication request from the authentication request means 64 of the server device 12, it acquires the terminal ID and destination address of the delivery agent terminal 16 linked to the service number included in the authentication request. The acquisition means 76 outputs the acquired terminal ID and destination address to the authentication means 74. By acquiring the terminal ID in this manner, the acquisition means 76 identifies the delivery agent terminal 16 indicated by the acquired terminal ID (the delivery agent terminal 16 linked to the service number included in the authentication request). The acquisition means 76 also outputs the acquired terminal ID to the reception instruction means 78. Note that the acquisition means 76 may acquire the terminal ID and destination address when the authentication means 74 determines that an unlocking request has been made from the door control device 10 of the appropriate destination.

[0069] The reception instruction means 78 transmits instruction information to the delivery agent terminal 16 indicated by the terminal ID acquired by the acquisition means 76, instructing the delivery agent to accept a predetermined input operation as an instruction for unlocking from the delivery agent. Examples of the instruction information include information for displaying an unlock button on the display screen of the delivery agent terminal 16 that accepts a tap operation from the delivery agent.

[0070] <Delivery company terminal 16> Delivery agent terminal 16 in door unlocking system 1 includes location acquisition means 80, notification means 82, and reception means 84. Similar to the functional means in door control device 10, each of these functional means is realized by the CPU of delivery agent terminal 16 executing a program stored in the memory of delivery agent terminal 16.

[0071] The location acquisition means 80 acquires location information (current location) of the delivery agent terminal 16. The location acquisition means 80 acquires the location information of the delivery agent terminal 16, for example, based on a GPS signal received by a GPS receiver included in the delivery agent terminal 16. The location acquisition means 80 acquires the location information of the delivery agent terminal 16 periodically, for example, at predetermined intervals. The location acquisition means 80 transmits the acquired location information to the delivery agent server 14 each time it is acquired or at predetermined timing. Note that the location information of the delivery agent terminal 16 is not limited to an acquisition method based on a GPS signal, and may be acquired by other methods such as a location measurement method using an IP address or a location measurement method using a Wi-Fi base station.

[0072] When the notification means 82 receives instruction information from the reception instruction means 78 of the delivery company server 14, it notifies the delivery company of an operation instruction for accepting a predetermined input operation. The manner in which the operation instruction is notified is not particularly limited, and the notification may be by voice or by a screen display. For example, the notification means 82 displays an unlock button on the screen and instructs the delivery company to tap the unlock button to unlock the door. Note that the predetermined input operation is not limited to a tap operation.

[0073] When a predetermined input operation is performed by the delivery company in response to the operation instruction notified by the notification means 82, the reception means 84 transmits information indicating that the operation has been accepted to the delivery company server 14. For example, when the delivery company taps the unlock button displayed by the notification means 82, the reception means 84 transmits information indicating that the tap operation has been accepted to the delivery company server 14.

[0074] <Processing flow> 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed in the door unlocking system 1. Note that the content and order of the following processing can be changed as appropriate.

[0075] (Step SP10) Acquisition means 50 of door control device 10 controls camera 30 to capture an image of the code (two-dimensional code or three-dimensional code) presented by the delivery company. Next, acquisition means 50 analyzes the captured code to acquire a service number. Then, the process proceeds to step SP12.

[0076] (Step SP12) The request means 52 of the door control device 10 transmits an unlock request including the device ID of the door control device 10 and the service number acquired in the processing of step SP10 to the server device 12. Then, the processing proceeds to the processing of step SP14.

[0077] (Step SP14) The receiving means 60 of the server device 12 receives the unlock request sent in the process of step SP12, and the process then proceeds to the process of step SP16.

[0078] (Step SP16) The confirmation request means 62 of the server device 12 transmits a confirmation request including the service number included in the unlocking request received in the process of step SP14 to the delivery company server 14. Then, the process proceeds to the process of step SP18.

[0079] (Step SP18) The confirmation means 72 of the delivery company server 14 confirms the delivery status of the parcel based on the service number included in the confirmation request sent in step SP16. The confirmation means 72 refers to the delivery management table 70A, extracts the delivery status linked to the service number, and sends the confirmation result including the extracted delivery status to the server device 12.

[0080] (Step SP20) The unlocking means 66 of the server device 12 determines whether the confirmation result transmitted in the processing of step SP18 indicates that the parcel is currently being delivered. If the unlocking means 66 makes a positive determination, the processing proceeds to the processing of step SP22. On the other hand, if the unlocking means 66 makes a negative determination, the unlocking means 66 transmits information indicating that unlocking is not possible to the door control device 10, and the series of processing shown in FIG. 7 ends.

[0081] (Step SP22) The authentication request means 64 of the server device 12 sends an authentication request including the device ID and service number included in the unlocking request received in the processing of step SP14 to the delivery company server 14. Then, the processing proceeds to the processing of step SP24.

[0082] (Step SP24) The authentication means 74 of the delivery company server 14 determines whether the door control device 10 that sent the unlock request in the processing of step SP12 is the door control device 10 for the appropriate destination address. First, the authentication means 74 references the delivery management table 70A and extracts the device ID linked to the service number included in the authentication request sent in the processing of step SP22. Next, the authentication means 74 determines whether the device ID included in the authentication request sent in the processing of step SP22 matches the extracted device ID. If the authentication means 74 makes a positive determination, the processing proceeds to the processing of step SP26. On the other hand, if the authentication means 74 makes a negative determination, the authentication means 74 sends an authentication result indicating authentication failure to the server device 12, and the series of processing shown in FIG. 7 ends.

[0083] (Step SP26) The acquisition means 76 of the delivery company server 14 acquires the destination address and the terminal ID of the delivery company terminal 16 based on the service number included in the authentication request sent in step SP22. The acquisition means 76 references the delivery management table 70A and extracts the destination address and terminal ID linked to the service number. Then, the process proceeds to step SP28.

[0084] (Step SP28) The reception instruction means 78 of the delivery agent server 14 transmits instruction information to the delivery agent terminal 16 indicated by the terminal ID acquired in the process of step SP26, instructing it to display an unlock button. Then, the process proceeds to the process of step SP30.

[0085] (Step SP30) The notification means 82 of the delivery agent terminal 16 displays an unlock button on the screen of the delivery agent terminal 16. Then, the process proceeds to step SP32.

[0086] (Step SP32) The reception means 84 of the delivery agent terminal 16 determines whether or not the unlock button displayed in the processing of step SP30 has been tapped. If the unlock button has been tapped within the predetermined period, the reception means 84 makes a positive determination, and the processing proceeds to the processing of step SP34. On the other hand, if the unlock button has not been tapped within the predetermined period, the reception means 84 makes a negative determination, and either does not send any information to the delivery agent server 14, or sends information to the delivery agent server 14 indicating that the tap operation on the unlock button has not been accepted. Then, the authentication means 74 of the delivery agent server 14 sends an authentication result indicating authentication failure to the server device 12, and the series of processing shown in FIG. 7 ends.

[0087] (Step SP34) The reception means 84 of the delivery agent terminal 16 receives the tap operation on the unlock button as an instruction to unlock, and transmits information indicating that the instruction has been received to the delivery agent server 14. Then, the process proceeds to step SP36.

[0088] (Step SP36) The authentication means 74 of the delivery company server 14 determines that the authentication has been successful by receiving information indicating that the instruction to unlock has been accepted in the processing of step SP34. Then, the authentication means 74 transmits an authentication result indicating successful authentication to the server device 12. The authentication result includes the device ID included in the unlocking request and the destination address acquired in the processing of step SP26. Then, the processing proceeds to the processing of step SP38.

[0089] (Step SP38) The registration means 68 of the server device 12 identifies the room number from the destination address included in the authentication result sent in the processing of step SP36. Next, the registration means 68 associates the identified room number with the service number included in the authentication request sent in the processing of step SP22, and registers it in the user management table 58A. Then, the processing proceeds to the processing of step SP40.

[0090] (Step SP40) The unlocking means 66 of the server device 12 sends an unlocking instruction to the door control device 10 identified by the device ID included in the authentication result sent in the processing of step SP36. Then, the processing proceeds to the processing of step SP42.

[0091] (Step SP42) The control means 54 of the door control device 10 unlocks the door 11 to which the unlock instruction was sent in the processing of step SP40, and the series of processing shown in FIG.

[0092] <Action and effect> As described above, the server device 12 according to this embodiment is a server device 12 capable of communicating with the door control device 10 that controls the locking and unlocking of the door 11 installed at the entrance of the apartment building M and the delivery company server 14 (service provider server), and is equipped with a reception means 60 that receives an unlocking request from the door control device 10, the request including a device ID as identification information for the door control device 10 and a service number set by the delivery company (service provider), an authentication request means 64 (request means) that sends an authentication request (request) including information included in the unlocking request to the delivery company server 14, and an unlocking means 66 that, upon receiving the authentication request, identifies the delivery company terminal 16 linked to the service number, and, as a result of authentication based on information obtained from the identified delivery company terminal 16, sends an unlocking instruction to the door control device 10 indicated by the device ID included in the unlocking request if the authentication is successful.

[0093] The door unlocking system 1 according to this embodiment includes a server device 12 as a first server that can communicate with a door control device 10 that controls the locking and unlocking of a door 11 installed at the entrance of an apartment building M, and a delivery company server 14 as a second server that can communicate with the server device 12 and a delivery company terminal 16. The server device 12 includes a receiving means 60 that receives an unlocking request from the door control device 10, the request including the device ID of the door control device 10 and the service number set by the delivery company, and an authentication request that includes information included in the unlocking request, to the delivery company server 14. and an unlocking means 66 that, if the authentication is successful as a result of authentication based on information acquired from the delivery company terminal 16 identified by the delivery company server 14 that received the authentication request, sends an unlocking instruction to the door control device 10 indicated by the device ID included in the unlocking request.The delivery company server 14 is equipped with a storage means 70 that stores information regarding delivery, including the service number, for each delivery company terminal 16, and an acquisition means 76 (identification means) that identifies the delivery company terminal 16 linked to the service number based on the service number included in the authentication request.

[0094] According to the server device 12 and the door unlocking system 1, when a delivery company inputs a service number into the door control device 10, an unlocking request including the device ID and service number of the door control device 10 is accepted, and an authentication request including the information included in the unlocking request is sent to the delivery company server 14. Next, the delivery company server 14 that receives the authentication request identifies the delivery company terminal 16 linked to the service number and performs authentication based on information acquired from the identified delivery company terminal 16. If the authentication is successful, an unlocking instruction is sent to the door control device 10 identified by the device ID included in the unlocking request. In this way, the authentication requires information acquired from the delivery company terminal 16 linked to the service number, i.e., the delivery company terminal 16 that has the legitimate right to perform the delivery work linked to the service number. Therefore, the door 11 will not be unlocked unless information from the delivery company terminal 16 that has the legitimate right is acquired during authentication. This prevents an unauthorized person without the legitimate right from knowing the service number and pretending to be a delivery company to unlock the door 11.

[0095] In addition, in this embodiment, the information obtained from the delivery company terminal 16 is information indicating whether or not a specified input operation has been performed on the delivery company terminal 16, and the unlocking means 66 sends an unlocking instruction when the input operation has been performed.

[0096] According to this configuration, when authentication is performed based on information acquired from the identified delivery company terminal 16, for example, if an unlock button displayed on the delivery company terminal 16 is tapped, the authentication is successful and an unlock instruction is sent. Therefore, the door 11 will not be unlocked unless a predetermined input operation is performed by the delivery company owning the delivery company terminal 16, which has the legitimate right to perform the delivery work linked to the service number. This appropriately achieves the above-mentioned effects.

[0097] In addition, in this embodiment, the information obtained from the delivery company terminal 16 is information indicating the location of the delivery company terminal 16, and the unlocking means 66 sends an unlocking instruction when the location of the delivery company terminal 16 is within a specified range of the location indicated by the delivery destination address linked to the service number.

[0098] According to this configuration, when authentication is performed based on information acquired from a specified delivery company terminal 16, if the location of the delivery company terminal 16 that has the legitimate right to perform the delivery service linked to the service number is within a predetermined range that can be considered to be approximately the same location as the delivery destination address, the authentication is successful and an unlocking instruction is sent. Therefore, the door 11 is not unlocked unless the delivery company terminal 16 that has the legitimate right to perform the delivery service linked to the service number is located within a range that can be considered to be approximately the same location as the delivery destination address. This effectively achieves the above-mentioned effects. Furthermore, since the information required for authentication is acquired from the delivery company terminal 16 without the delivery company having to perform a predetermined input operation on the delivery company terminal 16, the delivery company's operations can be reduced.

[0099] In addition, in this embodiment, the unlocking means 66 further includes a registration means 68 that, if authentication is successful, receives an authentication result including the delivery destination address linked to the service number from the delivery company server 14, identifies the room number linked to the service number based on the destination address included in the authentication result, and registers the identified room number by linking it to the service number.

[0100] With this configuration, even if the user does not register the room number in advance, when authentication for unlocking the door is successful, the room number identified based on the destination address included in the authentication result is registered and linked to the service number. Therefore, various processes can be performed using the room number linked to the service number to prevent erroneous delivery of packages. For example, the unlocking means 66 of the server device 12 may receive a room number input from a delivery company at the door control device 10, perform authentication for unlocking the door based on whether the received room number matches the registered room number, and send an unlock instruction to the door control device 10 only if the received room number matches. This prevents the door 11 from being unlocked if the delivery company enters an incorrect room number, thereby preventing erroneous delivery to a room with an incorrect room number. Alternatively, the identified room number may be sent to the door control device 10 and displayed on the door control device 10 to notify the delivery company of the room number to which the delivery should be made and to alert the delivery company to ensure that the room number they are attempting to deliver to is correct. In addition, the identified room number may be sent to an elevator control device that controls an elevator installed in the apartment building M, and if the door control device 10 successfully unlocks the door 11, the elevator may be controlled to automatically move to the residential floor of the identified room number.

[0101] In addition, this embodiment further includes a confirmation request means 62 that sends a confirmation request including the service number to the delivery company server 14, and the authentication request means 64 sends an authentication request to the delivery company server 14 when it receives a confirmation result from the delivery company server 14 in response to the confirmation request, indicating that a delivery linked to the service number is currently being delivered.

[0102] According to this configuration, prior to the authentication request, a confirmation request is made to the delivery company server 14 as to whether or not the delivery linked to the service number is currently being delivered, so that the authentication request can be made only for the delivery that is currently being delivered. This reduces the processing load.

[0103] <Modification> The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. In other words, variations on the above-described embodiments, which are appropriately modified by a person skilled in the art, are also included within the scope of the present invention as long as they incorporate the features of the present invention. Furthermore, the elements of the above-described embodiments and the modifications described below can be combined to the extent technically possible, and such combinations are also included within the scope of the present invention as long as they incorporate the features of the present invention.

[0104] For example, in the above embodiment, an example has been described in which authentication for unlocking door 11 is performed in delivery company server 14 in response to an authentication request from server device 12, but the authentication may be performed elsewhere than delivery company server 14. For example, authentication based on information acquired from delivery company terminal 16 may be performed in server device 12. Furthermore, the information acquired from delivery company terminal 16 is not limited to the examples described in the above embodiment, and may be, for example, authentication information output to delivery company terminal 16. An example of the authentication information is a password.

[0105] In this case, more specifically, upon receiving the authentication request, the delivery company server 14 instructs the delivery company terminal 16 identified by the acquisition means 76 to output a password by voice, display, or the like, and in response to this instruction, the delivery company terminal 16 outputs the password. This allows authentication based on the password to be performed using the password as information acquired from the identified delivery company terminal 16. For example, when a delivery company obtains (recognizes) the password by having it output from the delivery company terminal 16 and enters it into the door control device 10, the acquisition means 50 of the door control device 10 accepts the password, and the request means 52 of the door control device 10 transmits the accepted password to the server device 12. The acceptance means 60 of the server device 12 accepts not only the unlock request but also the password from the door control device 10. The storage means 58 of the server device 12 pre-stores the password used for authentication, and the server device 12 includes authentication means for performing authentication based on the password. This authentication means performs authentication based on the password accepted by the accepting means 60 and the password stored in the storage means 58, and if the authentication is successful, the unlocking means 66 sends an unlocking instruction to the door control device 10.

[0106] According to this configuration, door 11 cannot be unlocked unless the password output to specified delivery company terminal 16 is obtained. The person who can obtain the password is the delivery company who owns delivery company terminal 16, that is, the delivery company who has the legitimate right to perform the delivery work linked to the service number. Therefore, similar to the above embodiment, it is possible to preferably achieve the effect of preventing an unauthorized person who does not have the legitimate right from impersonating a delivery company and unlocking door 11.

[0107] Furthermore, the door unlocking system 1 is not limited to unlocking the door 11 to deliver a package to a resident's room in the apartment building M, but can also be applied to unlocking the door 11 to deposit a package in a delivery box or the like installed in the apartment building M, or unlocking the door 11 to allow a delivery company to collect a package that a user has placed in the delivery box or the like. Furthermore, the door unlocking system 1 is not limited to the above configuration, and may also include an elevator installed in the apartment building M, an elevator control device for controlling the elevator, a delivery box installed in the apartment building M, etc.

[0108] Furthermore, in user management table 58A stored in storage means 58 of server device 12, not only the above information but also information such as the box ID of the delivery box, telephone number, date of birth, etc. may be registered in association with each user. Furthermore, storage means 58 is not limited to storing user management table 58A described above, and may also store a box management table in which the device ID of the door control device 10 and the box ID of the delivery box are registered in association with each other. In this case, user management table 58A and box management table may be combined into a single table.

[0109] Furthermore, the information contained in the unlocking request received by the receiving means 60 of the server device 12 is not limited to the device ID and service number of the door control device 10. For example, the unlocking request does not have to include the device ID of the door control device 10, and may include various information such as a room number, a delivery company name, and a telephone number in addition to the device ID and service number. These various pieces of information contained in the unlocking request are linked to the service number, and at least any of these various pieces of information may be used to perform authentication for unlocking the door 11.

[0110] Furthermore, the authentication request means 64 of the server device 12 may transmit an authentication request to the delivery company server 14 not only when it receives a confirmation result indicating that a delivery linked to the service number is in progress from the delivery company server 14, but also without receiving the confirmation result. In this case, the server device 12 may not have the confirmation request means 62.

[0111] In addition, the unlocking means 66 of the server device 12 may determine whether a parcel can be delivered based on parcel information, in addition to performing authentication based on instructions from the delivery company terminal 16, and send an unlocking instruction to the door control device 10 if the determination is affirmative. In this case, for example, the storage means 58 of the server device 12 stores, for each user, not only the information described above, but also delivery information regarding delivery availability set by the user for each type of parcel, and room numbers pre-registered by the user. The storage means 58 also stores the device ID of the door control device 10, the box ID of the delivery locker, and delivery availability information indicating whether a parcel can be delivered to the delivery locker, in association with each other. The storage means 70 of the delivery company server 14 also stores, in addition to the information described above, parcel information indicating the type of parcel, room numbers, etc., in association with service numbers. If authentication is successful, the authentication means 74 of the delivery company server 14 acquires the parcel information and room number associated with the service number included in the authentication request and transmits an authentication result including the acquired parcel information and room number to the server device 12. When the unlocking means 66 of the server device 12 receives an authentication result indicating successful authentication from the delivery company server 14, it refers to the delivery information stored in the storage means 58 based on the package information and room number included in the authentication result and determines whether the package can be posted. If the determination is positive, the unlocking means 66 then sends an unlock instruction to the door control device 10 identified by the device ID included in the unlocking request.

[0112] Furthermore, the authentication result indicating successful authentication sent from delivery company server 14 does not need to include the destination address, and server device 12 does not need to identify and register the room number based on the destination address. In this case, server device 12 does not need to be equipped with registration means 68. Acquisition means 76 of delivery company server 14 does not need to acquire the destination address linked to the service number.

[0113] Furthermore, delivery company server 14 may perform authentication based on information acquired from delivery company terminal 16 without checking the delivery status of the parcel. In this case, delivery company server 14 may not be equipped with confirmation means 72. Furthermore, authentication means 74 of delivery company server 14 may perform authentication based on instructions from delivery company terminal 16 without determining whether the door control device 10 sending the unlocking request is the door control device 10 for the appropriate destination address.

[0114] Furthermore, instructions from delivery agent terminal 16 may be accepted only when a predetermined input operation is performed on delivery agent terminal 16, regardless of the location of delivery agent terminal 16. In this case, delivery agent terminal 16 may not be equipped with location acquisition means 80. Instructions from delivery agent terminal 16 may be accepted only when the location of delivery agent terminal 16 is within a predetermined range of the location of the destination address, regardless of whether a predetermined input operation is received from the delivery agent. In this case, delivery agent server 14 may not be equipped with reception instruction means 78, and delivery agent terminal 16 may not be equipped with notification means 82 and reception means 84. Furthermore, in addition to or instead of a predetermined input operation on delivery agent terminal 16, the orientation or tilt of delivery agent terminal 16 may be detected based on various information acquired by, for example, an acceleration / direction sensor equipped in delivery agent terminal 16, and an instruction to unlock may be accepted if the detected orientation or tilt is a predetermined orientation or tilt.

[0115] In addition, in the above embodiment, the company server and company terminal of the delivery company were described, but the company is not limited to delivery companies, and the type of company is not particularly limited as long as it is a company (service provider) that can provide delivery-related services, such as an online supermarket or a dry cleaning company. [Explanation of symbols]

[0116] 1: Door unlocking system, 10: Door control device, 12: Server device (first server), 14: Delivery company server (delivery company server, second server), 16: Delivery company terminal (delivery company terminal), 60: Receiving means, 64: Authentication request means (request means), 66: Unlocking means, 68: Registration means, 76: Acquisition means (identification means)

Claims

1. A door control device that controls locking and unlocking of doors installed in an apartment building and a server device that can communicate with a contractor server, A receiving means for receiving an unlocking request including the identification information of the door control device and a service number set by a company; a requesting means for transmitting a request including information included in the unlocking request to the agent server; The vendor server that receives the request identifies the vendor terminal of the vendor linked to the service number, and as a result of authentication based on information acquired from the identified vendor terminal, if the authentication is successful, sends an unlocking instruction to the door control device indicated by the identification information included in the unlocking request; A server device comprising:

2. The company is a delivery company, the unlocking means transmits an unlocking instruction to the door control device when the authentication based on the information acquired from the specified company terminal is successful and also when a determination based on the parcel information of the home delivery as to whether the parcel can be posted is affirmative; The server device according to claim 1 .

3. A door unlocking system including a first server capable of communicating with a door control device that controls locking and unlocking of doors installed in an apartment building, and a second server capable of communicating with the first server and a contractor terminal of a contractor, The first server A receiving means for receiving an unlocking request including the identification information of the door control device and a service number set by the company; a requesting means for transmitting a request including information included in the unlocking request to the second server; an unlocking means for transmitting an unlock instruction to the door control device indicated by the identification information included in the unlocking request when the authentication based on the information acquired from the contractor terminal identified by the second server that received the request is successful; Equipped with The second server a storage means for storing information about home delivery including the service number for each of the vendor terminals; a specifying means for specifying the provider terminal linked to the service number based on the service number included in the request; Equipped with Door unlocking system.

4. The company is a delivery company, the unlocking means transmits an unlocking instruction to the door control device when the authentication based on the information acquired from the specified company terminal is successful and also when a determination based on the parcel information of the home delivery as to whether the parcel can be posted is affirmative; The door unlocking system according to claim 3.

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