JP7736766B2 - Unlocking System - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an unlocking system for unlocking doors installed at entrances to apartment buildings.

In apartment buildings and other multi-unit dwellings, the common entrance is equipped with a so-called auto-lock door that is locked and unlocked electronically. Visitors to the apartment building can call their destination using an intercom or other device installed near the common entrance, have the door unlocked, and then enter the building.

In recent years, the number of companies offering drop-off delivery services as part of their delivery services has been increasing. Drop-off delivery is a service in which packages and other items are delivered to a pre-designated location without face-to-face contact. The location that can be designated is not limited to a delivery locker, and in some cases, it can be inside a shared entrance, such as in front of the entrance to a residential unit in an apartment building. This type of service is also used not only by delivery companies, but also by stores and shops such as online supermarkets and consumer cooperatives when making deliveries directly.

However, if the delivery address specified is in front of the residential entrance, the delivery person must first have the auto-lock door at the common entrance opened. As a result, if the recipient (visitor) is not at home, the package cannot be delivered to the specified location and must be taken home. To address this issue, a server device and door control device have been proposed, for example, as described in Patent Document 1.

Patent Document 1 describes a server device that includes a storage means for storing a service number set by a delivery company for each user, a request receiving means for receiving an unlocking request from a door control device that includes the device ID and service number of the door control device, an authentication means for performing authentication based on information included in the unlocking request received by the request receiving means and information stored in the storage means, and an unlocking instruction means for sending an unlocking instruction to the door control device if authentication is successful.

According to the configuration described in Patent Document 1, when a delivery person arrives at the entrance of an apartment building, the door control device acquires the service number, and authentication is performed by the server device, after which the door control device unlocks the door. As a result, the delivery person can unlock the door without the user's permission.

Patent No. 6765147

However, the invention described in Patent Document 1 requires the apartment building's door control device to communicate with the server device, which incurs costs for modifying existing door control devices such as auto-locks. Furthermore, for example, if a problem occurs with the apartment building's communications equipment, communication with the server device may become impossible, preventing the system from operating normally.

The present invention aims to solve the problems described above and provide an unlocking system that simplifies the configuration on the apartment complex side and makes it easy to install.

The invention described in claim 1, which was made to solve the above problem, is an unlocking system comprising: an unlocking device that is installed near an entrance to an apartment building and includes a first key generation unit that generates first key information for unlocking the door of the entrance, and an input key for inputting second key information generated outside; and a terminal device that is carried by a visitor to the apartment building and includes an output unit that outputs the second key information, wherein the unlocking device compares the second key information input from the input key with the first key information generated by the first key generation unit, and unlocks the door if they match ; the first key information and the second key information have set validity periods; the unlocking device includes a display unit that displays property identification information that identifies the apartment building; the first key generation unit generates the first key information based on the property identification information; the terminal device includes an acquisition unit that acquires the property identification information from the display unit; and the output unit outputs the second key information generated based on the property identification information .

As explained above, according to the present invention, the unlocking device installed near the entrance of an apartment building is equipped with a first key generation unit and generates first key information itself, eliminating the need to communicate with a server device or the like. Therefore, it is sufficient to install the unlocking device near the entrance, and modifications to the apartment building can be kept to a minimum. This makes system implementation easy.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an unlocking system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an installation state of the unlocking device shown in FIG. 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the unlocking device shown in FIG. 2 . FIG. 2 is a functional configuration diagram of the unlocking device shown in FIG. 1 . FIG. 2 is a functional configuration diagram of the provider terminal shown in FIG. 1 . FIG. 2 is a functional configuration diagram of the server device shown in FIG. 1 . FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the unlocking system shown in FIG. 1 . FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram according to a modified example of FIG. 7 .

An unlocking system according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 8. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an unlocking system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

The unlocking system 1 includes an unlocking device 10, a dealer terminal 30, and a server device 40.

The unlocking device 10 is installed near the common entrance of a housing complex 100, such as an apartment building. An automatic door 20 is also installed at the common entrance, and residents enter the building by entering a key, card key, or PIN into an intercom device 21 (see Figure 2) installed near the automatic door 20 to unlock the automatic door 20. Visitors without a key, on the other hand, can operate the intercom device 21 to call the party they are visiting. Furthermore, businesses that can use the unlocking system 1 according to this embodiment can enter the building without calling the party they are visiting, using the method described below.

The installation state of the unlocking device 10 will be explained with reference to Figures 2 and 3. Figure 2 is a diagram showing the area near the common entrance of an apartment building 100. In Figure 2, an automatic door 20 is shown on the left side. The unlocking device 10 is installed on the wall near the automatic door 20.

Figure 3 shows an enlarged view of the unlocking device 10. The unlocking device 10 comprises a main body 10a and a door 10b. Note that the shape of the unlocking device 10 is not limited to the shape shown in Figure 3. For example, the shape of the main body 10 and the opening and closing direction and shape of the door 10b may be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

The main body 10a is fixed to the wall surface described above. The main body 10a is provided with input keys 12, which will be described later. The input keys 12 are configured as a numeric keypad, allowing the numbers 0 to 9, as well as the "*" and "#" characters, to be entered.

The door portion 10b is rotatably attached to the main body portion 10a by hinges or the like. Figure 2 shows the door portion 10b in a closed state, with the input keys 12 covered and hidden by the door portion 10b. Figure 3 shows the door portion 10b in an open state. A display portion 13 is provided on the back side 10b1 of the door portion 10b. The back side 10b1 is the surface that is not exposed to the outside when the door portion 10b is closed. In Figure 3, a two-dimensional code is displayed as the display portion 13. This two-dimensional code is affixed to the back side 10b1, for example, as a sticker. The display in this embodiment is not limited to a screen display but also includes printed matter such as a sticker.

Figure 4 shows the functional configuration of the unlocking device 10. The unlocking device 10 comprises a first key generation unit 11, input keys 12, and a display unit 13. The first key generation unit 11 generates first key information, which is a personal identification number for unlocking the automatic door 20, using a method described below. The first key generation unit 11 can be operated by a predetermined program that runs on a microprocessor or the like, which is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), memory, etc. In other words, the unlocking device 10 has a built-in control device such as a microprocessor.

As described above, the input keys 12 are composed of a numeric keypad. However, they are not limited to numeric keys and may include alphabetical keys, etc. Furthermore, they are not limited to physical keys and may be input devices such as a touch panel.

As described above, the display unit 13 is configured with a two-dimensional code. This two-dimensional code includes property identification information such as a unique ID for identifying the apartment complex 100, and a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) for accessing the server device 40 (described below). It is not limited to a two-dimensional code; it may be a one-dimensional code, or a string of characters encrypted according to a predetermined rule to contain the property identification information. Furthermore, instead of being attached as a sticker to the back side 10b1 of the door unit 10b, the display may be displayed on a screen such as an LCD display attached to the main body 10a.

The vendor terminal 30 is a terminal device carried by a parcel delivery company or other parcel delivery service. Note that this embodiment is not limited to parcel delivery services, but can also be applied to businesses that provide door-to-door delivery services, such as the online supermarkets and newspaper delivery services mentioned above. The vendor terminal 30 may be, for example, a smartphone. Figure 5 shows the functional configuration of the vendor terminal 30. The vendor terminal 30 includes an output unit 31, an acquisition unit 32, an input unit 33, and a communication unit 34.

The output unit 31 functions as a display device such as a smartphone's LCD display, and displays (outputs) the second key information described below. Note that the output unit 31 is not limited to displaying information, and may also output audio.

The acquisition unit 32 acquires the two-dimensional code affixed to the back side 10b1 of the door section 10b. Specifically, the two-dimensional code is read using an imaging device such as a smartphone camera. From the information (image) of the two-dimensional code acquired by the acquisition unit 32, property identification information and a URL for accessing the server device 40, etc., are extracted using a predetermined program running on the smartphone's microprocessor, etc.

The input unit 33 receives the business authentication code described below. The input unit 33 functions as, for example, an input device (touch panel, etc.) on a smartphone.

The communication unit 34 communicates with the server device 40 via a network N such as a mobile communication network or the Internet. The communication unit 34 is composed of a communication circuit compatible with mobile communication systems such as 4G (4th Generation Mobile Communication System) and 5G (5th Generation Mobile Communication System), and a communication circuit compatible with wireless communication systems such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark).

The server device 40 generates second key information based on the property identification information, etc. received from the agent terminal 30, and transmits it to the agent terminal 30. The server device 40 is configured as a well-known server computer. Figure 6 shows the functional configuration of the server device 40. The server device 40 includes a second key generation unit 41 and a communication unit 42.

The second key generation unit 41 generates second key information, which is a personal identification number for unlocking the automatic door 20. The second key generation unit 41 can function, for example, using a computer program running on a microprocessor consisting of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), memory, etc.

The communication unit 42 communicates with the vendor terminal 30 via the network N. The communication unit 42 can function as a network interface of a server computer, etc.

Next, we will explain how the first key generation unit 11 and the second key generation unit 41 generate the first key information and the second key information. The first key generation unit 11 and the second key generation unit 41 generate the first key information and the second key information using the same algorithm. In this embodiment, the first key information and the second key information are generated as time-limited PINs. A time-limited PIN is a PIN that is only valid for a specific period of time.

The time-limited PIN mentioned above is generated based on the local key, key type, and date information. The local key is the property identification information mentioned above. In this embodiment, three types of keys can be set: daily key, monthly key, and time key. A daily key is a key that can be used all day (1 day). A monthly key is a key that can be used for a longer period than a daily key, such as 1 month. A time key is a key that can be used for a more limited period of time than a daily key, such as 1 hour after issuance. The date information is information consisting of the year, month, date, and time (current date and time information), but depending on the type of key, only the required range of digits can be used. For example, the year, month, and day can be used for a daily key, the year, month, and date can be used for a monthly key, and the year, month, and date can be used for a time key.

For example, with a time key, a day could be divided into multiple time slots, such as 1.5-hour or 2.5-hour intervals, and the PIN code could change depending on the time slot based on the "hour" in the current date and time information. Also, instead of dividing the day (24 hours), it's possible to divide it into time slots where use is planned, such as 3:00-22:00. Furthermore, the divided time slots don't have to overlap, such as 11:00-13:30 or 13:30-16:00, but they could also overlap partially, such as 11:00-13:30 or 13:00-15:30. If the time slots overlap, either time key can be used to unlock the door during the overlapping time slots.

Alternatively, for example, in the case of a time key, the time-limited PIN generated between 8:00 and 9:00 may be different. In this case, the time key will be a time-limited PIN with an expiration date of up to one hour. In other words, in this case, by using date information for the time-limited PIN, there is no need to set separate information indicating the expiration date.

In the first key generation unit 11, the local key can be set when the unlocking device 10 is installed. If the first key generation unit 11 is equipped with a timekeeping circuit or the like, it can calculate three types of keys: daily key, monthly key, and time key.

The second key generation unit 41 extracts the local key (property identification information) by having the agent terminal 30 read the display unit 13 (two-dimensional code) and obtains it via the communication unit 34, network N, and communication unit 42. Then, second key information is generated based on the local key, key type, and date information.

In more detail, the contractor terminal 30 accesses the server device 40 using the URL included in the two-dimensional code. At this time, property identification information (local key) is also transmitted. The server device 40 requests the contractor terminal 30 to input a business authentication code. The business authentication code is a code assigned to each business (such as a delivery company or newspaper delivery company) and corresponds to visitor identification information. When the business authentication code is input from the contractor terminal 30, the server device 40 checks whether the input business authentication code is registered with the server device 40, and if it is registered, it determines that authentication has been successful. The transmitted local key is then treated as valid.

In addition, the server device 40 sets a key type for each business, such as a time key for delivery companies and a monthly key for newspaper delivery companies. Therefore, the key type is identified according to the authenticated business. The second key generation unit 41 then generates a time-limited PIN (second key information) using the same algorithm as the first key generation unit 11 based on the acquired local key, date information acquired from the timekeeping function of the server device 40, and the identified key type, and transmits it to the business terminal 30. In other words, the range of date information (current date and time information) that can be used varies depending on the business (visitor) among the year, month, date and time that make up the date information.

Next, the operation of the unlocking system configured as described above will be explained with reference to the sequence diagram in Figure 7. First, a visitor such as a delivery person opens the door 10b of the unlocking device 10 to expose the display unit 13, and reads the two-dimensional code using the delivery person's terminal 30 (S1).

The vendor terminal 30 extracts the access URL to the server device 40 from the scanned two-dimensional code and accesses that URL. The server device 40 then requests the entry of a business authentication code. The visitor enters the business authentication code using a touch panel or the like on the vendor terminal 30. The server device 40 performs authentication using the entered business authentication code (S2), and if authentication is successful (OK), it obtains a local key and generates second key information in the second key generation unit 41 (S3), which is then sent to the vendor terminal 30. On the other hand, if authentication fails (NG), an error message or the like is sent to the vendor terminal 30.

Next, the agent terminal 30 displays the received second key information on a display device such as an LCD display (S4). The visitor enters the displayed second key information using the input keys 12 of the unlocking device 10.

Next, in the unlocking device 10, the first key generation unit 11 generates first key information. At this time, the first key generation unit 11 generates three types of first key information: a daily key, a monthly key, and a time key (S5). Note that the generation of the first key information is not limited to this timing. For example, an optical sensor or the like may be provided in the main body of the unlocking device 10 to detect when the door unit 10b has been opened, and the first key information may be generated at that timing.

Next, the unlocking device 10 compares the generated first key information with the second key information entered using the input keys 12 (S6). Here, three types of first key information have been generated, so it is sufficient if the first key information matches one of them. By doing this, the unlocking device 10 does not need to store business information such as a business authentication code, and external communication is not required.

If the result of the verification is a match (OK), the unlocking device 10 unlocks the automatic door 20 (S7). On the other hand, if the result of the verification is a mismatch (NG), the automatic door 20 is not unlocked. At this time, the unlocking device 10 may display an error message or output a warning sound.

The timing for generating the first key information and second key information does not have to be each time the lock is unlocked, as shown in the sequence diagram of Figure 7. For example, the first key information and second key information may be generated periodically, such as once a day or once a month, and stored as a library or the like within the unlocking device 10 or the server device 40.

In the above-described embodiment, the contractor terminal 30 obtains the second key information by reading a two-dimensional code, but the visitor may also obtain the second key information by voice when making a phone call. A method for obtaining the second key information by phone will be explained with reference to the sequence diagram in Figure 8.

First, the visitor opens the door 10b of the unlocking device 10 to expose the display 13. At this time, the display 13 displays a serial number consisting of multiple digits. The visitor then calls the telephone number (system number) that the server device 40 responds to. The system number may be preset in the dealer terminal 30.

The server device 40 outputs a request to enter a serial number via voice guidance, etc. The visitor enters the serial number via a touch panel, etc. This serial number becomes the local key. Next, the server device 40 outputs a request to enter a business authentication code via voice guidance, etc. The visitor enters the business authentication code via a touch panel, etc. Authentication (S2) and second key information generation (S3) are the same as in Figure 7. However, the generated second key information is output as voice (S4'). The process thereafter is the same as in Figure 7.

In the present embodiment described above, the unlocking system 1 is installed near the common entrance of the apartment complex 100 and includes an unlocking device 10 equipped with a first key generation unit 11 that generates first key information for unlocking the automatic door 20 at the common entrance, an input key 12 that inputs second key information generated externally, and a contractor terminal 30 carried by a visitor to the apartment complex 100 and equipped with an output unit 31 that outputs the second key information. The unlocking device 10 compares the second key information input from the input key 12 with the first key information generated by the first key generation unit 11, and unlocks the automatic door 20 if they match. The first key information and second key information have set validity periods.

By configuring the unlocking system 1 as described above, the unlocking device 10 installed near the common entrance of the apartment building 100 is equipped with a first key generation unit 11 and generates the first key information itself, eliminating the need to communicate with the server device 40, etc. Therefore, it is sufficient to install the unlocking device 10 near the common entrance, and modifications to the apartment building 100 can be kept to a minimum. Therefore, since the unlocking device 10 does not require communication functions, the configuration can be simplified and the system can be easily introduced.

In addition, since the first key information and second key information have a set validity period, misuse of the key information can be prevented, and the auto-lock function of the automatic door 20 in the apartment building 100, for example, can be prevented from being impaired.

The unlocking device 10 also includes a display unit 13 that displays a two-dimensional code including a local key that identifies the apartment building 100, a first key generation unit 11 that generates first key information based on the local key, the contractor terminal 30 includes an acquisition unit 32 that acquires the local key, and an output unit 31 that outputs second key information generated based on the local key. In this way, unique key information can be generated for each property. This prevents the reuse of key information and improves security.

The system also includes a second key generation unit 41 that generates second key information. The second key generation unit 41 generates the second key information based on the local key and date information, and the first key generation unit 11 generates the first key information based on the local key and date information. This makes it easy to limit the validity period because date information is used.

In addition, the range of current date and time information (year, month, day, hour, minute) used varies depending on the provider, making it easy to set an expiration date for each provider according to the type of key.

The vendor terminal 30 also has an input unit 33 for inputting a vendor authentication code that identifies the vendor, and the second key generation unit 41 generates second key information after authenticating the vendor based on the vendor authentication code. This makes it possible to authenticate that the vendor is a registered, legitimate vendor, and prevents fraudulent use of the system.

In addition, the second key generation unit 41 functions as a server device 40 that can communicate with the provider terminal 30, so it can be adapted to provider terminals 30 with low processing power. Furthermore, since second key information is generated in a single operation, business registration, etc., is also easy.

In the above-described embodiment, the server device 40 generates the second key information, but it may also be generated by the provider terminal 30. In other words, the provider terminal 30 may have the functionality of the second key generation unit.

In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the unlocking device 10 was installed near the common entrance (main entrance), but this is not limited to this. For example, it may be installed near any entrance that has a door that can be locked and unlocked by an electric lock, such as a sub-entrance, elevator hall, emergency exit, or contractor-only entrance.

In addition, while the above-described embodiment has been described with reference to a company that delivers packages, etc., it can also be applied to, for example, maintenance companies for shared equipment such as elevators, cleaning companies, etc. As a result, there is no need for a management company representative to be present, or for the lending of keys for entry. This makes it possible to respond quickly to emergencies such as breakdowns, and prevents the loss of keys, etc.

Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. In other words, those skilled in the art can implement various modifications in accordance with conventional knowledge without departing from the gist of the present invention. As long as such modifications still comprise the configuration of the unlocking system of the present invention, they are of course included within the scope of the present invention.

1 Unlocking system 10 Unlocking device 11 First key generation unit 12 Input key 13 Display unit 20 Automatic door (door)
30. Trader terminal (terminal device)
31 Output unit 32 Acquisition unit 33 Input unit 40 Server device 41 Second key generation unit 100 Apartment building

Claims (5)

an unlocking device installed near an entrance of an apartment building, the unlocking device including a first key generating unit that generates first key information for unlocking the door of the entrance, and an input key that inputs second key information generated externally;
a terminal device carried by a visitor to the apartment complex and including an output unit that outputs the second key information;
and
the unlocking device compares the second key information input from the input key with the first key information generated by the first key generating unit, and unlocks the door if they match;
The first key information and the second key information have validity periods defined therefor;
The unlocking device includes a display unit that displays property identification information that identifies the apartment building,
the first key generation unit generates the first key information based on the property identification information;
the terminal device includes an acquisition unit that acquires the property identification information from the display unit ,
The output unit outputs the second key information generated based on the property identification information.
The unlocking system is characterized by the following. a second key generation unit that generates the second key information;
the second key generation unit generates the second key information based on the property identification information and current date and time information;
the first key generation unit generates the first key information based on the property identification information and the current date and time information;
2. The unlocking system according to claim 1 . The unlocking system according to claim 2 , wherein the current date and time information has a range of year, month, and date that is used depending on the visitor. the terminal device includes an input unit for inputting visitor identification information that identifies the visitor,
the second key generation unit generates the second key information after authenticating the visitor based on the visitor identification information.
3. The unlocking system according to claim 2 . 5. The unlocking system according to claim 2 , wherein the second key generating unit is a server device that can communicate with the terminal device.