JP7774387B2 - Control system, control device, and control program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a control system, control device, and control program for controlling garage shutters and the like.

To receive deliveries when a person is not at home, delivery boxes are used to store deliveries. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a delivery box equipped with an opening/closing door that is taller than the front door and a storage area that is wider than the opening/closing door. This delivery box also includes an electric lock, an electrically conductive fitting, and a control device. The control device has a receiver that receives command signals from an intercom installed in the home and a mobile terminal via the intercom. Upon receiving the command signal, the control device outputs an unlock command to the electric lock, and upon receiving an open signal and then a close signal from the electrically conductive fitting, outputs a lock command to the electric lock.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-153177

The inventors recognized that, in order to further improve user convenience, a technology was needed that would enable users to receive deliveries even in cases where a delivery locker cannot be installed, when a delivery item that cannot be stored in a delivery locker is desired, or when the delivery person arrives and the delivery item is already stored in the delivery locker.

This disclosure was made in light of these issues, and its purpose is to provide technology that improves convenience for garage users.

To solve the above problem, one aspect of the control system disclosed herein comprises an opening/closing device that opens and closes a garage shutter, a control device that controls the opening/closing device to open and close the shutter, and a mobile terminal used by a user. The control device comprises an opening/closing instruction unit that instructs the opening/closing device to open and close the shutter so that a delivery person delivering a delivery to the user can store the delivery inside the garage.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is a control device. This device includes an opening/closing instruction unit that instructs an opening/closing device that opens and closes a garage shutter to open or close the shutter, so that a delivery person delivering a delivery to a user can store the delivery inside the user's garage.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is a control program. This program causes a computer to function as an opening/closing instruction unit that instructs an opening/closing device that opens and closes a garage shutter to open or close the shutter, so that a delivery person delivering a delivery to a user can store the delivery inside the user's garage.

In addition, any combination of the above components, and any transformation of the present invention into a method, device, system, recording medium, computer program, etc., are also valid aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a control system according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing the procedure of a control method according to an embodiment. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing the procedure of another example of a control method according to an embodiment. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing the procedure of another example of a control method according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a control device according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment.

Figure 1 shows the configuration of a control system 1 according to an embodiment. The control system 1 includes an opening/closing device 5 that opens and closes a shutter 4 of a garage 3 in which a user's car 2 is stored, an opening/closing button 13 that requests the opening/closing device 5 to open or close the shutter 4, an input device 14 that accepts input of a personal identification number to authenticate the person requesting the opening of the shutter 4 using the opening/closing button 13, an imaging device 11 that captures images of the area around the shutter 4, a human presence sensor 12 installed near the shutter 4, a door phone 10 installed at the entrance to notify visitors, a gateway 6 and a router 7 that connect these devices to a communication network such as the Internet 8, a control device 100 that controls these devices, a mobile terminal 200 used by the user, and the Internet 8, which is an example of a communication network.

When a delivery person visits a user's home or other location to deliver a delivery to the user, the control device 100 executes control to enable the delivery to be stored inside the user's garage 3. This allows the user to safely receive the delivery even when the user is not at home. Even if the user is at home, the delivery can be safely received without meeting the delivery person. It is also possible to receive deliveries that cannot be stored in a typical delivery box. It is also possible to receive multiple deliveries. Therefore, the control system 1 of this embodiment can improve user convenience. Furthermore, the deliverer can safely complete delivery of the delivery even in the above-mentioned cases. Therefore, the control system 1 of this embodiment can also improve convenience for the deliverer.

Figure 2 is a sequence diagram showing the steps of the control method according to the embodiment. The delivery person visits the user's home and presses a button on the door phone 10 installed at the entrance. The door phone 10 notifies the control device 100 that the button has been pressed (S100), and the control device 100 notifies the mobile terminal 200 that the button on the door phone 10 has been pressed (S102). If the user answers the door phone 10 and wishes to talk to the visitor, the user notifies the control device 100 that they will answer (S104). The control device 100 mediates the transmission and reception of voice data between the door phone 10 and the mobile terminal 200, and controls the call between the delivery person and the user (S106). At this time, the user requests the delivery person to store the delivery in the garage 3.

A message requesting that the delivery be stored inside the garage 3 when the recipient is not at home may be displayed on the door phone 10 or at the entrance, or may be output from the speaker of the door phone 10. In this case, steps S100 to S106 may be omitted.

When the delivery person moves into the garage 3, the human presence sensor 12 detects the delivery person and transmits a detection result indicating that a person has been detected nearby to the control device 100 (S108). The control device 100 notifies the mobile terminal 200 that the delivery person has arrived at the garage 3 (S110). The control device 100 requests the imaging device 11 to transmit a captured image (S111). The imaging device 11 transmits the captured image to the control device 100 (S112). The imaging device 11 may start capturing images in response to an instruction from the control device 100, or may start capturing images in conjunction with pressing a button on the door phone 10 or the detection result from the human presence sensor 12, or may continuously capture images.

When the user confirms that the person in the vicinity of garage 3 is a delivery person, the user instructs control device 100 to open shutter 4 (S116). The control device 100 instructs opening/closing device 5 to open shutter 4 (S118), and opening/closing device 5 opens shutter 4. If the user cannot confirm that the person in the vicinity of garage 3 is a delivery person, the user does not instruct control device 100 to open shutter 4. In this case, control device 100 does not instruct opening/closing device 5 to open shutter 4. The user may instruct control device 100 to issue a PIN number to authenticate the delivery person. In this case, control device 100 issues the PIN number and notifies the delivery person. When the issued PIN number is entered into input device 14, control device 100 notifies mobile terminal 200 that authentication was successful and instructs opening/closing device 5 to open shutter 4.

The imaging device 11 transmits the captured image to the control device 100 (S120), and the control device 100 transmits the image captured by the imaging device 11 to the mobile terminal 200 (S122). The user checks how the delivery person stores the delivery item inside the garage 3. If the imaging device 11 has an audio input function, the control device 100 may transmit the audio input to the imaging device 11 to the mobile terminal 200. If the imaging device 11 has an audio output function, the control device 100 may transmit the audio acquired from the mobile terminal 200 to the imaging device 11. The user can talk to the delivery person as needed.

Once the delivery person places the delivery inside the garage 3 and leaves, the human presence sensor 12 no longer detects the delivery person and sends a detection result to the control device 100 indicating that no people are detected in the vicinity (S124). The control device 100 instructs the opening and closing device 5 to close the shutter 4 (S126), and the opening and closing device 5 closes the shutter 4. The user may confirm that the delivery person has left using the captured image and instruct the control device 100 to close the shutter 4.

Figure 3 is a sequence diagram showing the steps of another example of a control method according to an embodiment. Steps S100 to S106 are the same as those in the example of Figure 2. If the user has previously requested the delivery person to deliver to Garage 3, steps S100 to S106 may be omitted, and the delivery person may access Garage 3 directly.

When the delivery person presses the open button of the open/close button 13, the open/close button 13 notifies the control device 100 that an open request has been made (S200). The control device 100 notifies the mobile terminal 200 that a visitor has operated the open/close button 13 (S202). When the human presence sensor 12 detects the delivery person, it transmits a detection result to the control device 100 indicating that a person has been detected nearby (S208). The control device 100 notifies the mobile terminal 200 that a visitor is nearby the garage 3 (S210). The imaging device 11 transmits the captured image to the control device 100 (S212).

When the user confirms that it is the delivery person near garage 3, the user instructs control device 100 to open shutter 4 (S216). Control device 100 instructs opening/closing device 5 to open shutter 4 (S218), and opening/closing device 5 opens shutter 4. Imaging device 11 transmits the captured image to control device 100 (S220), and control device 100 transmits the image captured by imaging device 11 to mobile terminal 200 (S222). The user watches as the delivery person places the delivery item inside garage 3.

When the delivery person places the delivery inside the garage 3 and presses the close button on the open/close button 13, the open/close button 13 notifies the control device 100 that a close request has been made (S223). The control device 100 acquires a detection result from the human presence sensor 12 (S224), and upon confirming that the delivery person has left, instructs the opening/closing device 5 to close the shutter 4 (S226). The opening/closing device 5 closes the shutter 4. The user may confirm that the delivery person has left using the captured image and instruct the control device 100 to close the shutter 4.

Figure 4 is a sequence diagram showing the steps of another example of a control method according to an embodiment. Steps S100 to S106 are the same as those in the example of Figure 2. If the user has previously requested the delivery person to deliver to Garage 3, steps S100 to S106 may be omitted, and the delivery person may directly access Garage 3.

When the deliverer enters a PIN into the input device 14 and presses the open button on the open/close button 13, the open/close button 13 notifies the control device 100 that an open request has been made (S300), and the input device 14 transmits the entered PIN to the control device 100 (S302). The control device 100 authenticates the deliverer by comparing the PIN entered into the input device 14 with a PIN that was issued in advance, notified to the deliverer, and stored in the control device 100. Once the deliverer is authenticated, the control device 100 instructs the opening/closing device 5 to open the shutter 4 (S304), and the opening/closing device 5 opens the shutter 4. The control device 100 requests the imaging device 11 to transmit a captured image (S306). The imaging device 11 transmits the captured image to the control device 100 (S308). The control device 100 notifies the mobile terminal 200 that the delivery person has arrived (S310) and transmits an image captured by the imaging device 11 to the mobile terminal 200 (S312). The user can then view the delivery person storing the delivery item inside the garage 3.

When the delivery person places the delivery inside the garage 3 and presses the close button on the open/close button 13, the open/close button 13 notifies the control device 100 that a close request has been made (S314). The control device 100 acquires a detection result from the human presence sensor 12 (S316), and upon confirming that the delivery person has left, instructs the opening/closing device 5 to close the shutter 4 (S318). The opening/closing device 5 closes the shutter 4. The user may confirm that the delivery person has left using the captured image and instruct the control device 100 to close the shutter 4.

If there are multiple garages 3, one of the above methods can be performed on the garage 3 where the delivery item is to be stored. The user can notify the control device 100 in advance which garage 3 will store the delivery item, or can notify the control device 100 when the delivery person arrives. The control device 100 will perform one of the above controls on the garage 3 notified by the user.

Figure 5 shows the functional configuration of a control device 100 according to an embodiment. The control device 100 mainly includes a communication device 101, a processing device 120, and a storage device 160. The control device 100 may be a server device, a device such as a personal computer, or a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone terminal, smartphone, or tablet terminal.

The communication device 101 communicates with other devices via the Internet 8. The communication device 101 may communicate using any wired or wireless communication method.

The storage device 160 stores programs, data, etc. used by the processing device 120. The storage device 160 may be a semiconductor memory, a hard disk, etc. The storage device 160 includes a user information storage unit 161 and a PIN storage unit 162.

The user information storage unit 161 stores information about the user. The user information storage unit 161 stores information necessary for the above-mentioned control, such as the user's identification information, the number, identification information, addresses, communication settings, etc. of garages 3, shutters 4, opening/closing devices 5, door phones 10, imaging devices 11, motion sensors 12, opening/closing buttons 13, input devices 14, etc. installed in the user's home, and the identification information, address, communication settings, etc. of the user's mobile terminal 200.

The PIN storage unit 162 stores the PIN used to authenticate the deliverer.

The processing device 120 comprises a visitor notification unit 121, a call control unit 122, a detection result notification unit 123, an imaging device control unit 124, an authentication unit 125, and an open/close instruction unit 126. These components are realized in hardware by the CPU, memory, and other LSIs of any computer, and in software by programs loaded into memory, but the functional blocks realized by these components working together are depicted here. Therefore, those skilled in the art will understand that these functional blocks can be realized in various ways, such as by hardware alone or a combination of hardware and software.

The visitor notification unit 121 notifies the user's mobile terminal 200 that a visitor, such as a delivery person, has arrived at the user's home. The visitor notification unit 121 may notify the mobile terminal 200 when it receives information indicating that a button on the door phone 10 or the open/close button 13 has been pressed. The visitor notification unit 121 may also notify the mobile terminal 200 when the human presence sensor 12 detects a person around the garage 3.

The call control unit 122 mediates the sending and receiving of voice data between the door phone 10 and the mobile terminal 200 and controls the call. The call control unit 122 may store an automatic response message in the storage device 160 and send the automatic response message to the door phone 10 if the user does not respond. The call control unit 122 may, for example, send an automatic response message to the door phone 10 requesting that the delivery be stored inside the garage 3.

The detection result notification unit 123 obtains the detection result of the human presence sensor 12 from the human presence sensor 12 and notifies the mobile terminal 200.

The imaging device control unit 124 acquires images captured by the imaging device 11 from the imaging device 11 and transmits them to the mobile terminal 200. If the imaging device 11 is equipped with an audio input device, it may acquire audio recorded by the imaging device 11 from the imaging device 11 and transmit it to the mobile terminal 200. If the imaging device 11 is equipped with an audio output device, it may transmit audio acquired from the mobile terminal 200 to the imaging device 11. The imaging device control unit 124 may control the start or end of imaging by the imaging device 11. The imaging device control unit 124 may also control the power on/off of the imaging device 11.

The authentication unit 125 authenticates the deliverer. The authentication unit 125 acquires the PIN entered into the input device 14 from the input device 14 and authenticates the deliverer by comparing it with the PIN stored in the PIN storage unit 162. The authentication unit 125 may store the deliverer's facial image and biometric information in the storage device 160 and authenticate the deliverer using facial authentication, biometric authentication, etc.

The opening/closing instruction unit 126 instructs the opening/closing device 5 to open or close the shutter 4. The opening/closing instruction unit 126 may instruct the opening/closing device 5 to open or close the shutter 4 when it receives an opening/closing instruction from the user via the mobile terminal 200. The opening/closing instruction unit 126 may instruct the opening/closing device 5 to open or close the shutter 4 when the delivery person is authenticated by the authentication unit 125. The opening/closing instruction unit 126 may instruct the opening/closing device 5 to open or close the shutter 4 after confirming using the human presence sensor 12 that a person is around the shutter 4.

Figure 6 shows the functional configuration of a mobile terminal 200 according to an embodiment. The mobile terminal 200 mainly includes a communication device 201, an input device 202, a display device 203, an audio input device 204, an audio output device 205, a processing device 220, and a storage device 260. The mobile terminal 200 may be a mobile phone terminal, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or the like. Figure 6 mainly shows the functional configuration of the mobile terminal 200 for receiving deliveries inside the garage 3. This function may be realized by an application executed on the mobile terminal 200.

The communication device 201 communicates with other devices via the Internet 8. The communication device 201 may communicate using any wired or wireless communication method.

The display device 203 displays a screen generated by the processing device 220. The display device 203 may be a liquid crystal display device, an organic EL display device, or the like. The input device 202 transmits instructions input by the user to the processing device 220. The input device 202 may be a mouse, keyboard, touchpad, or the like. The display device 203 and the input device 202 may be implemented as a touch panel.

The audio input device 204 inputs audio. The audio output device 205 outputs audio.

The storage device 260 stores programs, data, etc. used by the processing device 220. The storage device 260 may be semiconductor memory, a hard disk, etc.

The processing device 220 includes a visitor notification display unit 221, a call control unit 222, a detection result display unit 223, a captured image display unit 224, and an open/close instruction reception unit 225. These components can also be realized in various ways, such as hardware only or a combination of hardware and software.

When the control device 100 notifies the user that a visitor has arrived at their home, the visitor notification display unit 221 displays this information on the display device 203. The visitor notification display unit 221 asks the user whether or not to answer the door phone 10, and upon receiving an instruction to answer, notifies the control device 100 that the user will answer.

The call control unit 222 controls calls with visitors via the door phone 10. The call control unit 222 transmits audio input by the audio input device 204 to the control device 100. The call control unit 222 outputs audio acquired from the control device 100 to the audio output device 205.

The detection result display unit 223 obtains the detection results of the human presence sensor 12 from the control device 100 and displays them on the display device 203.

The captured image display unit 224 acquires images captured by the imaging device 11 from the control device 100 and displays them on the display device 203. If the imaging device 11 has an audio output function, the captured image display unit 224 transmits audio input by the audio input device 204 to the control device 100. If the imaging device 11 has an audio input function, the captured image display unit 224 outputs audio acquired from the control device 100 to the audio output device 205.

Before the control device 100 instructs the opening/closing device 5 to open or close the shutter 4, the opening/closing instruction receiving unit 225 confirms with the user whether to open or close the shutter 4, and transmits the confirmation result to the control device 100.

The present invention has been described above based on the embodiments, but these embodiments merely illustrate the principles and applications of the present invention. Furthermore, many modifications and changes to the arrangement of the embodiments are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention as defined in the claims.

1 Control System, 2 Car, 3 Garage, 4 Shutter, 5 Door Opener, 6 Gateway, 7 Router, 8 Internet, 10 Door Phone, 11 Imaging Device, 12 Human Presence Sensor, 13 Open/Close Button, 14 Input Device, 100 Control Device, 121 Visitor Notification Unit, 122 Call Control Unit, 123 Detection Result Notification Unit, 124 Imaging Device Control Unit, 125 Authentication Unit, 126 Open/Close Instruction Unit, 161 User Information Storage Unit, 162 PIN Storage Unit, 200 Mobile Terminal, 202 Input Device, 203 Display Device, 204 Audio Input Device, 205 Audio Output Device, 221 Visitor Notification Display Unit, 222 Call Control Unit, 223 Detection Result Display Unit, 224 Captured Image Display Unit, 225 Open/Close Instruction Reception Unit

Claims (5)

An opening and closing device for opening and closing the garage shutter;
a human presence sensor provided near the shutter;
a control device that controls the opening and closing device to open and close the shutter;
A mobile terminal used by a user;
an audio output device provided near the shutter;
a notification device for notifying the visitor;
Equipped with
The control device
an opening/closing instruction unit that instructs the opening/closing device to open and close the shutter so that a deliverer who delivers a delivery to the user can store the delivery inside the garage;
an authentication unit that authenticates the deliverer;
a call control unit that controls a call between the notification device and the mobile terminal;
Equipped with
the mobile terminal transmits the voice input from the voice input device to the voice output device;
the opening/closing instruction unit controls the opening/closing device to open the shutter when the delivery person is authenticated or when the presence of the delivery person is detected around the shutter by the human presence sensor;
The opening/closing instruction unit is a control system that controls the opening/closing device to close the shutter when the human presence sensor no longer detects the delivery person. The control system according to claim 1 , wherein the opening/closing instruction unit controls the opening/closing device to open the shutter when an instruction to open the shutter is received from the mobile terminal. further comprising an imaging device for imaging the periphery of the shutter;
3. The control system according to claim 1, wherein the mobile terminal acquires an image captured by the imaging device and displays the image on a display device. an opening/closing instruction unit that instructs an opening/closing device that opens and closes a shutter of the garage to open and close the shutter so that a deliverer who delivers a delivery to a user can store the delivery inside the garage of the user;
an authentication unit that authenticates the deliverer;
a call control unit that controls a call between a notification device that notifies the user of a visit and a mobile terminal used by the user;
Equipped with
sound is transmitted from the mobile terminal to a sound output device provided near the shutter;
the opening/closing instruction unit controls the opening/closing device to open the shutter when the delivery person is authenticated and a human presence sensor provided near the shutter detects that the delivery person is present around the shutter;
The opening/closing instruction unit is a control device that controls the opening/closing device to close the shutter when the human presence sensor no longer detects the delivery person. Computer,
an opening/closing instruction unit that instructs an opening/closing device that opens and closes a shutter of the garage to open and close the shutter so that a deliverer who delivers a delivery to a user can store the delivery inside the garage of the user;
an authentication unit that authenticates the deliverer;
a call control unit that controls a call between a notification device that notifies the user of a visit and a mobile terminal used by the user;
It functions as
sound is transmitted from the mobile terminal to a sound output device provided near the shutter;
the opening/closing instruction unit controls the opening/closing device to open the shutter when the delivery person is authenticated and a human presence sensor provided near the shutter detects that the delivery person is present around the shutter;
The opening/closing instruction unit is a control program that controls the opening/closing device to close the shutter when the human presence sensor no longer detects the delivery person.