JP7680655B2 - Goods management device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an item management device that manages items.

Conventionally, there is known an item management device that uses a management member to manage items. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an item management device that connects an item to a management member via a ring.

JP 2018-145793 A

Item management devices such as those described above are required to perform efficient management.

The present invention aims to provide an item management device that can perform efficient management.

The item management device of the present invention is an item management device comprising a plurality of storage members containing items, a storage section for storing each of the storage members, a front door for opening and closing the front side of the main body of the item management device, a setting section for setting a usage limit time during which the storage members can be removed and used, and an alarm section for sounding an alarm if the storage members are not returned within the usage limit time, and the usage limit time for a specific storage member among the storage members for which the usage limit time is set does not include the time during which the front door is closed.

In addition, the specified storage member is equipped with a specified key.

1 is a perspective view of an article management device of an article management system showing an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the above-mentioned item management device. 4 is a flowchart showing a setting change process of the above item management device. 4 is a flowchart of a replacement process of the item management device.

One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

Figure 1 shows an item management device 11 of an item management system 10. The item management device 11 manages multiple items 12 using multiple storage members 13 that contain these items 12. Figure 1 shows a key 12a as an example of an item 12. In this case, the storage member 13 is a key holder to which the key 12a is attached.

The keys 12a may include at least two or more related keys 12a, such as multiple keys 12a of the same configuration that are related to each other, such as a "main key and spare key," or keys 12a of different configurations that are related to each other, such as a "child key and master key," or keys that are related in such a way that they need to be managed together. The item management device 11 is also capable of managing at least two or more related keys 12a by individually connecting them to the storage member 13.

The key 12a is indirectly connected to the storage member 13 via a connecting part 14 such as a ring. The key 12a may also be directly connected to the storage member 13. The storage member 13 is equipped with an IC tag such as an RFID tag that readably stores information including unique information corresponding to the storage member 13 and information about the connected key 12a. The storage member 13 is locked so that the key 12a connected via the connecting part 14 cannot be removed, but the lock is released by a specified exchange process, making the key 12a exchangeable, and it is possible to exchange, add, or remove the key 12a.

The item management device 11 includes a main body 17, a front door 18 that opens and closes the front side of the main body 17, a display operation unit 19 that serves as a status information notification unit provided on the top of the main body 17, and a printer unit 20 disposed on the side of the main body 17.

The main body 17 is provided with an item management section 22 on the front side of the main body 17, which stores and manages the keys 12a. The item management section 22 is provided with a plurality of storage sections 23 for removably storing the storage members 13. The storage sections 23 are provided in a plurality of tiers in the vertical direction on the front side of the item management section 22, and are arranged in a plurality of rows in the left-right direction of each tier. The storage sections 23 are provided in the form of holes that open on the front side of the item management section 22, allowing the storage members 13 to be inserted or removed from the front.

The storage section 23 is provided with a locking mechanism 24 (see FIG. 2) for locking and unlocking the stored storage member 13, a detection section 25 (see FIG. 2) for detecting the insertion (storage) and removal of the storage member 13 from the storage section 23, an information reading section 26 (see FIG. 2) which is an IC tag reader/writer for reading and writing information to the IC tag of the storage member 13, and a storage member display section 27 for displaying the storage members 13 that can be removed from the storage section 23 according to the user's usage authority. The information reading section 26 may be an information reading section which is an IC tag reader for reading information from the IC tag of the storage member 13. The storage member display section 27 also has a light guide provided around the hole of the storage section 23, and a light source such as an LED that directs light to the light guide. The storage member display unit 27 displays the location of the storage member 13 stored in the storage unit 23 by illuminating a light guide using light emitted by a light source, and is visible from the front of the item management unit 22 even when the storage member 13 is stored in the storage unit 23. The storage member display unit 27 can be lit or blinking, and the light color can be changed to, for example, blue or yellow.

The item management unit 22 is further provided with an exchange unit 28 for exchanging, adding, or reducing the keys 12a for the storage member 13. The exchange unit 28 is covered with an openable cover, and has an exchange hole for inserting the storage member 13 inside. The exchange unit 28 is equipped with an IC tag reader/writer that reads and writes information to the IC tag of the storage member 13 inserted into the exchange unit 28, or an IC tag reader that reads information. Based on an exchange process performed by an authorized administrator (authorized person), the exchange unit 28 unlocks the storage member 13 inserted into the exchange unit 28 to make it exchangeable, and enables the keys 12a to be exchanged, added, or reduced.

The front door 18 can open and close the item management section 22 on the front side of the main body 17, and can be locked to the main body 17 when the item management section 22 is closed. When the item management section 22 is open, it can be folded and placed on the side of the main body 17 opposite the printer section 20.

A touch panel display is used for the display operation unit 19. The display operation unit 19 is a display unit that displays information such as operation guides to the user (including a status information notification unit that notifies the user of status information by displaying it), and an input unit that accepts various operation inputs from the user.

The printer unit 20 also prints the removal history and return history of the storage member 13, various histories, etc., on paper such as roll paper. The printed paper is either wound up on a winding section within the printer unit 20 or drawn out from the front side of the printer unit 20. Note that the printer 20 is not a required component of the item management device 11.

Next, Figure 2 shows a block diagram of the item management device 11.

In the item management device 11, a user is associated with a storage member 13 for a key 12a that is permitted to be used according to the user's usage authority and registered in advance, and the user is authenticated and logged into the item management device 11, allowing the user to retrieve or return the key 12a that is permitted to be used according to the user's usage authority.

The item management device 11 has a control unit 31 that controls the item management device 11. The control unit 31 is connected to the display operation unit 19, the lock mechanism 24 of each storage unit 23, the detection unit 25, the information reading unit 26, the storage member display unit 27, the exchange unit 28, a memory unit 32 that stores various information, and a notification unit 33 for issuing notifications. The notification unit 33 includes notifications by display on the display operation unit 19 or the storage member display unit 27, and notifications by sound or voice using a speaker or the like.

The control unit 31 has the function of an authentication unit 34 that authenticates a user when the user logs in. The authentication unit 34 may perform authentication using the user's biometric information, or may perform authentication using the user's ID card using a card reader, or may perform authentication by inputting an ID number and password on the display operation unit 19.

The control unit 31 further includes a function of an association unit 35 that associates at least two or more storage members 13. The association unit 35 allows an authorized administrator to perform the association process, displays association setting guidance on the display operation unit 19, sets associations between at least two or more storage members 13 input by the administrator according to this association setting guidance, and stores the set association information in the memory unit 32. The setting of associations between at least two or more storage members 13 is not limited to one set, and multiple sets can be set.

In addition, when a predetermined process is performed on a storage member 13 associated by the association unit 35, the control unit 31 controls the predetermined process to be performed on all storage members 13 that belong to the associated group to which the association is performed.

The predetermined processing includes a setting change process for changing the settings of the storage member 13, such as the usage authority and usage time limit, and an exchange process for exchanging the key 12a provided in the storage member 13. Note that the predetermined processing is the same for all storage members 13 belonging to the association group, but it also includes cases where different processing is performed in relation to each other.

When a setting change process is performed for the usage authority, usage time limit, etc. for a storage member 13 associated by the association unit 35, the control unit 31 controls so that the setting change process is performed for all storage members 13 belonging to the associated group with which the association is made. In this case, either a linked method in which the settings of the remaining storage members 13 belonging to the associated group are automatically changed by changing the settings of any one storage member 13 belonging to the associated group, or a notification method in which the notification unit 33 notifies the user to change the settings of the remaining storage members 13 belonging to the associated group, or a batch method in which the settings of the associated group are changed, and the settings of all storage members 13 belonging to the associated group are automatically changed in a batch.

When replacement processing is performed on a storage member 13 associated by the association unit 35, the control unit 31 controls so that replacement processing is performed on all storage members 13 belonging to the associated group to which this association has been made. In this case, either a linked method in which replacement processing is performed on any one storage member 13 belonging to the associated group, and the notification unit 33 notifies the remaining storage members 13 belonging to the associated group to perform replacement processing on that group, or a batch method in which replacement processing is set for the associated group, and the notification unit 33 notifies the replacement processing on all storage members 13 belonging to the associated group, may be used.

The control unit 31 can control at least some of the storage members 13 belonging to the associated group associated by the association unit 35 to be valid and removable from the storage unit 23, and the remaining storage members 13 to be invalid and not removable from the storage unit 23. In this case, the storage members 13 that are invalid and cannot be removed from the storage unit 23 can be changed to be valid and removable from the storage unit 23. A specific example of this case is, for example, a case in which the storage member 13 to which the spare key is linked is invalid, and when the main key becomes unusable for some reason, the administrator changes the storage member 13 to which the spare key is linked from invalid to valid, making the spare key usable. In addition, the control unit 31 can control all storage members 13 belonging to the associated group associated by the association unit 35 to be removable from the storage unit 23.

When a storage member 13 is removed from the storage section 23, the control section 31 controls the display operation section 19, which is the status information notification section, to display and notify the status information of other storage members 13 associated with this storage member 13. The status information includes other storage members 13 being stored (scheduled to be loaned out at x o'clock), other storage members 13 being removed (scheduled to be returned at x o'clock), other storage members 13 having an error (disrupted), etc. In addition to notifying by display, the status information notification section may also notify by sound or voice using a speaker or the like.

When there are multiple associations for at least two or more storage members 13, the control unit 31 controls the storage member display unit 27 to distinguishably display the storage members 13 that are associated with the multiple associations. Note that the display operation unit 19 can also distinguishably display the storage members 13 that are associated with the multiple associations, and the display operation unit 19 may have the function of the storage member display unit 27.

Next, we will explain the overall processing of the item management device 11.

When a user removes a storage member 13 to use a key 12a managed by the item management device 11, the user selects removal on the display operation unit 19, and the item management device 11 executes authentication processing for the user. When the user is authenticated, the lock mechanism 24 of the storage unit 23 that stores the storage member 13 that the user has permission to use is unlocked, and the storage member display unit 27 flashes.

The user selects the storage member 13 to be used from the storage members 13 whose storage member display section 27 is flashing and removes it from the storage section 23.

At this time, the storage member display unit 27 flashes, making it easier to check which storage members 13 the user has permission to use from among the multiple storage members 13 and to select the storage member 13 to be used. However, if there are a large number of storage members 13 the user has permission to use, the user may be confused about which storage member 13 to use and the selection process may take a long time.

Therefore, the item management device 11 stores the usage status of the storage member 13 for each user in the storage unit 32. After authenticating the user, the frequency of use of each storage member 13 by the user, for example, for one week, is compared with a preset threshold value, and the blinking speed and brightness of the storage member display unit 27 are increased for storage members 13 used more frequently than the threshold value, and the blinking speed and brightness are decreased for storage members 13 used less frequently than the threshold value. The blinking speed and brightness of the storage member display unit 27 may be relatively different so that the difference between storage members 13 used more frequently than the threshold value and storage members 13 used less frequently than the threshold value can be confirmed. In this way, by making the blinking speed and brightness of the storage member display unit 27 different depending on the frequency of use of the storage member 13, when a frequently used storage member 13 is used, the storage member 13 can be easily selected, and the time required for selection can be shortened.

When the user removes the storage member 13 from the storage section 23, the detection section 25 detects the removal of the storage member 13, and the removal history including information about the user, the removed storage member 13, and the key 12a is stored in the memory section 32. The user then uses the key 12a provided with the removed storage member 13.

On the other hand, when returning the storage member 13, authentication may or may not be required.

If authentication is confirmed, the user selects return on the display operation unit 19, and the item management device 11 executes authentication processing for the user. After the user is authenticated, the storage member 13 is inserted into the corresponding storage section 23, and the return of the storage member 13 is detected by the detection unit 25, the return of the storage member 13 is accepted, and the storage member 13 is locked by the locking mechanism 24 of the storage section 23.

If authentication is not performed, the storage member 13 is inserted into the corresponding storage section 23, and the detection section 25 detects the return of the storage member 13, accepts the return of the storage member 13, and locks the storage member 13 with the locking mechanism 24 of the storage section 23. Note that even if authentication is not performed, the storage member 13 may be returned to the corresponding storage section 23 after the user selects return on the display operation section 19.

When the return of the storage item 13 is accepted, a return history including information about the user (if authentication has been performed), information about the returned storage item 13 and key 12a, etc. is stored in the memory unit 32.

The item management device 11 also sets a usage limit (e.g., three hours) for the storage item 13 to be removed and used, and if the storage item 13 is not returned within this usage limit, the notification unit 33 can issue an alarm, for example, to warn the user.

In addition, in the item management device 11 used in financial institutions, etc., the front door 18 is closed and locked at the end of business hours, but if there are unreturned storage items 13, the front door 18 is not locked, making it possible to prevent unreturned storage items 13 from being overlooked.

Furthermore, in an item management device 11 used in a financial institution or the like, for example, a storage member 13 equipped with a specific key 12a to be used by a security guard or the like after business hours may be set as a removal key. Such a removal key is stored and managed in the item management device 11 during business hours, and is removed from the item management device 11 when business hours are ended. Then, when closing the front door 18 after business hours, the removal key has been removed, making it possible to lock the front door 18.

In this case, if a usage limit is also set for the removal key, the notification unit 33 may sound an alarm if the usage limit for the removal key is exceeded after the end of business hours if the item management device 11 is powered on, or if the usage limit is exceeded when the item management device 11 is powered off and the power is turned on.

Therefore, only when the removal key is removed at the end of business hours and the closed front door 18 is in a normally locked state, the time while the front door 18 is closed is not subject to the usage time limit, i.e., the usage time limit is not counted up. This usually makes it possible to return the removal key before the usage time limit is exceeded, and prevents the notification unit 33 from sounding an alarm.

Next, we will explain the case where at least two or more storage members 13 are associated and managed by the association unit 35.

When an authorized administrator selects an association on the display operation unit 19, association setting guidance is displayed on the display operation unit 19, and associations are set for at least two or more storage members 13 input by the administrator according to this association setting guidance, and the set association information is stored in the memory unit 32. The setting of associations for at least two or more storage members 13 is not limited to one set, and may be multiple sets.

For example, if there are multiple keys 12a of the same configuration and there is an association such as "main key and spare key," the storage member 13 containing the main key and the storage member 13 containing the spare key are set in association with each other.

In this case, the storage member 13 with the main key can be removed from the storage section 23 by a user with the authority to use it, but the storage member 13 with the spare key cannot be removed from the storage section 23, and the spare key can be set to be stored in case of an emergency.

If a user loses the storage member 13 with the main key, the storage member 13 with the spare key can be made removable after the user reports the loss, allowing work to be carried out quickly. In this case, the storage member 13 with the spare key may be made removable when the user reports the loss to the item management device 11 or a server to which the item management device 11 is connected, or an authorized administrator may change the settings to allow the storage member 13 with the spare key to be removable from the storage unit 23.

Alternatively, for example, if multiple keys 12a of the same configuration for using a tennis court are managed by an item management device 11 installed in a management office or the like, the multiple keys 12a for use with the tennis court are associated and set.

In this case, if the tennis court and the management office are located in different locations and the end time of the previous user's usage time is the same or close to the start time of the next user's usage time, one key 12a for the tennis court may be lent to the previous user, and another key 12a for the tennis court may be lent to the next user. In this case, all storage members 13 equipped with keys 12a belonging to the associated group are set to be removable from the storage section 23.

When a storage member 13 is removed from the storage section 23, the status information of the other storage members 13 belonging to the associated group is displayed on the display operation section 19, which is a status information notification section. For example, in the case of a key 12a for a tennis court, the status information of the other storage members 13 may display "scheduled for loan at x o'clock" if the other storage member 13 is stored, "scheduled for return at x o'clock" if the other storage member 13 is being removed, or "out of order" if the other storage member 13 is experiencing an error that prevents it from being removed. This allows the status of the other associated storage members 13 to be confirmed. Also, in the case of the association between the main key and the spare key described above, the display operation section 19 may display that the spare key is being stored when the main key is removed.

When setting the association, the storage member display section 27 of the storage section 23 that stores the associated storage member 13 may be lit to make the association easier to understand. Furthermore, when there are multiple sets of associated storage members 13, the display of the storage member display section 27 may be different so that the storage members 13 can be distinguished for each set. For example, the storage member display section 27 for one set may be displayed in blue and the storage member display section 27 for the other sets may be displayed in yellow, or the storage member display section 27 for the set for which the association has already been set may be lit, and the storage member display section 27 for the set for which the association is being set may be flashing.

Next, we will explain the case where a specific process is performed on the associated storage member 13.

First, a case where a setting change process is performed as a predetermined process to change the settings of the storage member 13, such as the user's usage authority and usage time limit, will be described with reference to FIG. 3.

When a setting change process is performed for a storage member 13 associated by the association unit 35, the control unit 31 controls the setting change process to be performed for all storage members 13 that belong to the associated group with which the association is performed.

In this case, either a linkage method in which the settings of the remaining storage members 13 in the associated group are automatically linked and changed by changing the settings of any one storage member 13 in the associated group, or a notification unit 33 is used to notify the user to change the settings of the remaining storage members 13 in the associated group, or a batch method in which the settings of all storage members 13 in the associated group are automatically changed collectively by changing the settings for the associated group, is possible.

Then, an authorized administrator selects and operates the setting change process for the storage member 13 on the display operation unit 19, and then selects and operates the setting change for one storage member 13 (step S1), or selects and operates the setting change for the associated group (step S2).

If a setting change is selected for one storage member 13 (YES in step S1), the settings such as the user's usage authority for this storage member 13 are changed (step S3).

Furthermore, it is confirmed whether there is any storage member 13 associated with this storage member 13 (step S4). If there is no association (NO in step S4), the setting change process is terminated. On the other hand, if there is an association (YES in step S4), the settings of the remaining associated storage members 13 are automatically changed in conjunction (step S5), and the setting change process is terminated. Note that the notification unit 33 may be configured to notify the user to change the settings of the remaining associated storage members 13 without automatically changing the settings of the remaining associated storage members 13 in conjunction.

If a setting change is selected for the associated group (YES in step S2), the settings of all storage members 13 belonging to the associated group are automatically changed in unison (step S6), and the setting change process is terminated.

Next, a case where the predetermined process is to replace the key 12a provided in the storage member 13 will be described with reference to FIG. 4.

When a replacement process is performed for a storage member 13 associated by the association unit 35, the control unit 31 controls the replacement process so that it is performed for all storage members 13 that belong to the associated group to which the replacement process is performed.

In this case, either a linked method is possible in which replacement processing is performed on one of the storage members 13 belonging to the associated group, and the notification unit 33 notifies the user to perform replacement processing on the remaining storage members 13 belonging to the associated group, or a batch method is possible in which replacement processing is set for the associated group, and the notification unit 33 notifies the user to perform replacement processing on all storage members 13 belonging to the associated group.

Then, after an authorized administrator selects and operates the exchange process on the display operation unit 19, the exchange process for one storage component 13 is selected (step S11), or the exchange process for the associated group is selected (step S12).

When replacement processing for one storage member 13 is selected on the display operation unit 19 (YES in step S11), replacement processing is performed for this storage member 13 (step S13). In the replacement processing, the administrator removes the corresponding storage member 13 from the storage unit 23 and inserts it into the replacement unit 28, which unlocks the storage member 13 and makes it replaceable. Replacement processing, including replacement, addition, or deletion of the key 12a, is performed on the storage member 13 that is now replaceable. The administrator then returns the storage member 13 to an unreplaceable state, and the storage member 13 is removed from the replacement unit 28 and returned to the storage unit 23.

The system then checks whether there is another storage member 13 associated with that storage member 13 (step S14). If there is no association (NO in step S14), the exchange process ends.

On the other hand, if an association has been made (YES in step S14), the notification unit 33 notifies the user to carry out the replacement process for the remaining storage members 13 belonging to the associated group (step S15). The notification unit 33 notifies the user by displaying information on the display operation unit 19 or the storage member display unit 27, or by providing audio guidance, to prompt the user to replace the remaining storage members 13.

When replacement processing for the remaining storage members 13 is selected on the display operation unit 19 (YES in step S16), replacement processing for the selected storage members 13 is performed as described above (step S17).

If the replacement process has not been completed for all storage members 13 belonging to the associated group and there are remaining storage members 13 (NO in step S18), the notification unit 33 notifies the user of the remaining storage members 13 and prompts the user to perform the replacement process.

When the replacement process has been completed for all storage components 13 belonging to the associated group (YES in step S18), the replacement process ends.

In addition, if an exchange process is selected for the associated group (YES in step S12), the notification unit 33 notifies the user to perform an exchange process for the storage members 13 that belong to the associated group (step S19).

When an exchange process for one storage member 13 belonging to an associated group is selected on the display operation unit 19 (YES in step S20), the exchange process for the selected storage member 13 is performed as described above (step S21).

Then, proceed to step S15 and perform the replacement process for the remaining storage members 13 that belong to the associated group as described above.

The item management device 11 configured as described above sets up an association between at least two or more storage members 13 that contain related items 12, and when a specific process is performed on an associated storage member 13, the specific process is controlled to be performed on all associated storage members 13, so that related items 12 can be associated and efficiently managed.

The specified process may be a setting change process for the storage member 13 or a replacement process for the items 12 contained in the storage member 13, and the specified process is controlled to be performed for all associated storage members 13, so related items 12 can be associated and efficiently managed.

In the case of replacement processing, when the replacement processing is performed for an associated storage member 13, a notification is sent so that the remaining storage members 13 associated with this storage member 13 are also replaced. This prevents the operator performing the replacement from forgetting to perform a replacement operation, and ensures that the necessary storage members 13 are replaced.

Furthermore, at least some of the associated storage members 13 can be removed from the storage section 23, while the remaining storage members 13 cannot be removed from the storage section 23, so that items 12 that are not normally used can be stored.

In addition, when a storage member 13 is removed from the storage section 23, status information about other storage members 13 associated with this storage member 13 is notified, so that the status of the other associated storage members 13 can be confirmed, and items 12 can be managed efficiently.

In addition, the storage member display unit 27 displays storage members 13 that are associated with multiple groups in a distinguishable manner, making it possible to check the associations of the storage members 13 and to easily set the associations.

The item 12 is not limited to the key 12a, but may be a stamp, a memory medium (USB memory, memory card, etc.), a card (authentication card, etc.), etc. In the case of items 12 such as stamps, memory media (USB memory, memory card, etc.), and cards (authentication cards, etc.), the connecting part 14 cannot be used because there is no hole for connecting to the connecting part 14. Instead of the connecting part 14, a storage part that can store these items 12 and is configured so that the item 12 cannot be removed from the storage part when the storage member 13 is stored in the storage part 23 may be connected to the storage member 13.

The item management system 10 includes the components described above, but each of these components may be included in the item management device 11, or at least some of the components may be provided separately from the item management device 11. For example, the association unit 35 may be provided in a computer or the like separate from the item management device 11, and the association of the storage members 13 may be set on the computer or the like, and the association information may be sent to the item management device 11.

The above describes the embodiment of the present invention and its modified examples, but various combinations of configurations, partial omissions, substitutions, and modifications are also possible.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 11 Item management device 12 Item 12a Key 13 Storage member 17 Main body 18 Front door 23 Storage section 33 Notification section

Claims (2)

An article management device,
A plurality of storage members each having an item therein;
a storage section for storing each of the storage members;
a front door for opening and closing the front side of the main body of the article management device;
a setting unit that sets a usage limit time during which the storage member can be taken out and used;
a notification unit that issues an alarm if the storage member is not returned within the usage time limit;
Equipped with
The usage time limit for a specific storage member for which the usage time limit is set does not include the time during which the front door is closed.
An article management device comprising: 2. The article management device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined storage member is provided with a predetermined key.

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