JP2022127877A - Storage system and storage system controlling method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a storage system and a storage system controlling method capable of controlling unlocking of multiple storage boxes without making it essential to provide a control unit for each storage box.SOLUTION: A storage system A1 includes multiple storage boxes Bx and a control unit 5. Each storage box Bx has a door, an electronic lock 2, a detection unit 3, and a switch unit 4 for blocking a detection signal of the detection unit. Multiple first wiring lines are provided for individually connecting the control unit 5 and multiple electronic locks 2, and multiple second wiring lines are provided for individually connecting the control unit 5 and multiple switch units 4. The control unit 5 sequentially switches the multiple second wiring lines for receiving each detection signal, and transmits an unlock signal via the first wiring line to the electronic lock 2 of the storage box Bx. When an unlocking instruction signal is received from the outside, the control unit transmits the unlock signal via the first wiring line to the electronic lock 2 of the storage box Bx.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a storage system and a control method for a storage system.

A storage system is used that has a plurality of storage compartments and individually controls the locking and unlocking of these storage compartments. Patent Literature 1 discloses an example of a conventional storage system. In the storage system disclosed in the document, as an unlocking method for an electronic lock, it is possible to select a method using a push button or a method using card authentication by using a changeover switch.

Japanese Patent No. 6701068

In the storage system of the document, in order to control the unlocking of a plurality of storages, in addition to the control unit that performs overall control, it is configured to provide an individual control unit installed in each storage. .

The present invention has been conceived under the circumstances described above, and it is possible to perform unlocking control for a plurality of storages without making it essential to provide a control unit for each storage. An object of the present invention is to provide an efficient storage system and a control method for the storage system.

A storage system provided by the first aspect of the present invention is a storage system comprising a plurality of storages and a control unit, each of the storages having a door and locking and unlocking of the door. a detection unit for detecting an unlocking instruction by manual operation; and a switch unit for blocking the detection signal of the detection unit, and individually connect the control unit and the plurality of electronic locks. A plurality of first wirings and a plurality of second wirings individually connecting the control unit and the plurality of switch units, wherein the control unit sequentially connects the plurality of second wirings at a first time interval receiving the detection signal by switching, transmitting an unlocking signal through the first wiring to the electronic lock of the storage having the detection unit to which the detection signal is output, and unlocking from the outside When the instruction signal is received, based on the address information included in the unlocking instruction signal, the unlocking signal is transmitted through the first wiring to the electronic lock of the storage designated by the address information. Send.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of second wirings includes a plurality of second row wirings and a plurality of second column wirings, and the plurality of second row wirings and the plurality of second column wirings are connected to each of the plurality of storages via the switch section and the detection section, the control section sequentially switches the plurality of second column wirings at a second time interval, and the plurality of the The detection signal is received by sequentially switching the second row wirings at the first time intervals, the plurality of first wirings includes a plurality of first row wirings and a plurality of first column wirings, and the plurality of first row wirings includes a plurality of first column wirings. The row wiring and the plurality of first column wirings are connected via the electronic lock in each of the plurality of storages, and the control unit controls the plurality of first row wirings and the plurality of first column wirings. The unlocking signal is transmitted through the column wiring connected to the electronic lock of the storage having the detection unit outputting the detection signal.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a row connector to which m first row wirings and m second row wirings are connected is connected to n first column wirings and n second column wirings. and mXn storage units, and the row connectors and the column connectors of the adjacent storage units are connected to each other to form a plurality of the storage units. A storage unit is connected. (However, both m and n are natural numbers)

The storage system control method provided by the second aspect of the present invention is the storage system control method provided by the first aspect, wherein the control unit controls a plurality of reception targets at the first time interval. a first step of sequentially switching the second wiring of the storage to receive the detection signal; and a second step of transmitting the unlocking signal to an electronic lock via the first wiring to unlock the electronic lock.

According to the present invention, a plurality of storage unlocking controls can be performed without making it essential to provide a control unit for each storage.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description given below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a system configuration diagram showing a storage system according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a storage system according to a first embodiment of the invention; FIG. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a principal part perspective view which shows the storage system which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. 4 is a flow chart showing a control example of the storage system according to the first embodiment of the present invention; 4 is a timing chart showing an example of control of the storage system according to the first embodiment of the present invention; 4 is a flow chart showing a control example of the storage system according to the first embodiment of the present invention; 4 is a flow chart showing an example of information stored in a storage unit of the storage system according to the first embodiment of the present invention; It is a system block diagram which shows the 1st modification of the storage system which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view showing a second modified example of the storage system according to the first embodiment of the present invention; It is a system block diagram which shows the 3rd modification of the storage system which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 10 is a system configuration diagram showing a storage system according to a second embodiment of the present invention; 9 is a timing chart showing an example of storage system control according to the second embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 11 is a system configuration diagram showing a storage system according to a third embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 11 is a system configuration diagram showing storage units of a storage system according to a third embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 11 is a system configuration diagram of main parts showing a storage system according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings.

The terms "first", "second", "third", etc. in this disclosure are used for identification purposes only and are not intended to impose any order on the objects.

<First Embodiment>
1 to 3 show a storage system according to a first embodiment of the invention. The storage system A1 of this embodiment includes a plurality of storages Bx, a control section 5, an input section 61, a storage section 62, a power supply section 63, a plurality of first wirings W1 and a plurality of second wirings W2.

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing a storage system A1. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing the entire storage system A1. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the storage box Bx of the storage system A1.

[Storage Bx]
Each of the plurality of storage bins Bx is for storing storage objects such as belongings of the user. The number and arrangement of the plurality of storage boxes Bx are not limited at all. In the example shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, 16 storage bins Bx are arranged in a matrix (4 rows×4 columns). For convenience of understanding, these storage boxes Bx are appropriately assigned reference numerals Bx11, Bx12, Bx13, Bx14, Bx21, Bx22, . . . , Bx44. Numbers m and n (m and n are natural numbers) in parentheses in FIG. 2 are addresses assigned to each storage Bx. In the case of a description common to a plurality of storages Bx, it is simply written as storage Bx.

The storage box Bx has a storage section 11, a door 12, a hinge 13, a locking section 14, an electronic lock 2, a detection section 3, and a switch section 4, as shown in FIG.

The storage part 11 is a part for storing an object to be stored, and in the illustrated example, has a rectangular parallelepiped box shape with an open front. The door 12 closes the opening of the storage section 11 and is attached to the storage section 11 by a hinge 13 so as to be openable and closable. The material of the storage portion 11 and the door 12 is not limited at all, and metal, resin, or the like, for example, is appropriately used. Locking portion 14 is fixed to door 12 and used to lock door 12 in a closed state. The specific configuration of the locking portion 14 is not limited at all, and in the illustrated example, it has a shape protruding from the inner surface of the door 12 and has a bar-shaped portion at its tip.

The electronic lock 2 has a locked state in which the door 12 is kept closed by engaging with the locking portion 14, and an unlocked state in which the engagement with the locking portion 14 is released and the door 12 is allowed to open. It is a component that electronically switches between The electronic lock 2 takes the above-described locked state and unlocked state, for example, by appropriately reciprocating or rotating a hook-shaped portion (not shown) that engages with the rod-shaped portion of the locking portion 14 . In this embodiment, the electronic lock 2 is arranged in a position directly facing the inner surface (locking portion 14) of the door 12 in the storage portion 11, and is covered by the door 12 when the door 12 is closed. Unlocking and locking of the electronic lock 2 are controlled by an unlock signal from the control unit 5 . The door 12 may have a structure in which, when the door 12 is unlocked from the locked state by the electronic lock 2, it is automatically opened by the elastic force of a spring (not shown).

The detection unit 3 detects an unlocking instruction manually operated by a user. The specific configuration of the detection unit 3 is not limited at all, as long as it can detect an unlocking instruction by manual operation. A microswitch, a push button, or the like, for example, can be appropriately adopted as such a detection unit 3 . The detection unit 3 is arranged in the storage unit 11 at a position directly facing the vicinity of the upper end of the inner surface of the door 12 and is adjacent to the electronic lock 2 . When the door 12 is closed, the detector 3 is hidden by the door 12 and does not appear in the exterior of the storage box Bx. When the electronic lock 2 is in a locked state and the door 12 is in a closed state, the detection unit 3 is in a non-detection (OFF) state. When the closed door 12 is further pushed by the user, the detector 3 is turned on and outputs a detection signal. Thus, in this embodiment, the user's pushing of the door 12 in the closed state corresponds to the unlocking instruction.

The switch section 4 is a component that blocks the detection signal of the detection section 3 . As shown in FIG. 1 , the switch section 4 is electrically connected in series with the detection section 3 . When the switch portion 4 is ON (closed state), the detection signal of the detection portion 3 is transmitted, and when the switch portion 4 is OFF (open state), the detection signal of the detection portion 3 is cut off. In the present embodiment, the switch section 4 is disposed in the storage section 11 at a position directly facing the vicinity of the upper end of the inner surface of the door 12 and adjacent to the detection section 3 . When the door 12 is in the closed state, the switch section 4 is hidden by the door 12 and does not appear in the appearance of the storage box Bx. A specific configuration of the switch section 4 is not limited at all, and for example, a slide switch may be used. Alternatively, as the switch section 4, one having an electrical switch mechanism having a relay may be employed.

[Control unit 5]
The control unit 5 controls the storage system A1. The specific configuration of the control section 5 is not limited at all, and in the illustrated example, it has an arithmetic processing section 51 , a scanning section 52 and a switching section 53 . The installation location of the control unit 5 is not limited at all, and it may be installed adjacent to a plurality of storages Bx, or may be installed at a remote predetermined location.

The arithmetic processing unit 51 is a main component that controls the storage system A1, and is composed of, for example, a CPU. Further, the arithmetic processing unit 51 may include a predetermined interface (not shown).

The scanning unit 52 sequentially switches conduction of a plurality of connection points at predetermined time intervals according to a selection signal from the arithmetic processing unit 51, and is composed of, for example, a multiplexer circuit. Arithmetic processing unit 51 and scanning unit 52 are connected by a signal line that transmits a selection signal having a number of bits corresponding to the number of connection points, for example. In the present embodiment, the function of switching the order of a plurality of second wirings W2 (16 second wirings W211 to W244) connected to a plurality of connection points is achieved. Note that the control unit 5 is not limited to the configuration having the scanning unit 52. For example, a plurality of second wirings W2 are directly connected to the interface of the arithmetic processing unit 51, and the arithmetic processing unit 51 receives signals from the respective second wirings W2. It may be configured to receive a signal.

The switching unit 53 brings one selected from a plurality of connection points into a conducting state in response to a selection signal from the arithmetic processing unit 51 . A specific configuration of the switching unit 53 is not limited at all, and for example, the switching unit 53 is configured by a plurality of switching elements corresponding to the number of connection points. In the present embodiment, a function is performed to selectively bring one of a plurality of first wirings W1 (16 first wirings W111 to W144) connected to a plurality of connection points to a conducting state.

[Input unit 61]
The input section 61 outputs an unlock instruction signal including address information in response to an input operation. The address information is information specifying the storage box Bx to be unlocked. The input operation of the input unit 61 is not limited at all, and can be read of media such as cards and tags by contactless or contact type, biometric authentication such as fingerprints and iris, input of information such as encryption, or information transmission by smartphone. There may be. The installation location of the input unit 61 is not limited at all. The input unit 61 may be attached adjacent to a plurality of storages Bx, or may be installed at a remote predetermined location.

[Storage unit 62]
The storage unit 62 stores programs and data necessary for the control unit 5 to control the storage system A1. The storage unit 62 is a memory, a hard disk, or the like. The installation location of the storage unit 62 is not limited at all. Alternatively, it may be built in an external server. FIG. 7 is an example of identification information stored in the storage unit 62. As shown in FIG. In the illustrated example, address information (m, n), employee name, employee number, ID information 1, ID information 2, ID Information 3 (biological information) is linked. Note that the specific content of the identification information is not limited at all.

[Power supply unit 63]
The power supply unit 63 supplies power necessary for the operation of the storage system A1. The power supply unit 63 converts, for example, commercial AC power into DC power necessary for the operation of the electronic lock 2, the detection unit 3, the control unit 5, the input unit 61, etc., and supplies the DC power to each unit.

[First wiring W1]
The plurality of first wirings W1 individually connect the control unit 5 and the electronic locks 2 of the plurality of storages Bx. In the present embodiment, the multiple first wirings W1 are individually connected to multiple connection points of the switching unit 53 of the control unit 5 . In addition, in the present embodiment, the number of multiple first wirings W1 corresponds to the number of multiple storages Bx. The number attached to the first wiring W1 in the figure corresponds to the box number of the storage Bx connected to the control unit 5, and the number connected to the control unit 5 and the electronic lock 2 of the storage Bx11. One wiring W1 is described as "W111" in the drawing, and the same applies to the first wiring W1 connected to other storages Bx.

[Second wiring W2]
The plurality of second wirings W2 individually connect the control unit 5 and the switch units 4 of the plurality of storages Bx. In this embodiment, the multiple second wirings W2 are individually connected to multiple connection points of the scanning unit 52 of the control unit 5 . Further, in this embodiment, the number of the plurality of second wirings W2 corresponds to the number of the plurality of storages Bx. The number attached to the second wiring W2 in the figure corresponds to the box number of the storage Bx connected to the control unit 5, and the number connected to the control unit 5 and the switch unit 4 of the storage Bx11. The second wiring W2 is described as "W211" in the drawing, and the same applies to the second wiring W2 connected to other storages Bx.

Next, control of the storage system A1 will be described below.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing an example of control of the storage system A1, and FIG. 5 is a timing chart. The illustrated control example is a control example of unlocking an arbitrary storage box Bx based on detection of manual operation by the detection unit 3 .

First, in step S1-1, the control unit 5 sequentially switches the plurality of second wirings W2 at first time intervals Ti1. This corresponds to the first step of the present invention. In the present embodiment, switching of the plurality of second wirings W2 by the control unit 5 is performed by a multiplexer circuit that constitutes the scanning unit 52 . That is, a selection signal for selecting the second wirings W211, W212, . In the scanning unit 52, the second wirings W2 connected to the connection points selected by the selection signal among the plurality of second wirings W211, W212, . The chart at the top of FIG. 5 shows the box number of the storage Bx to which the second wiring W2 which is in a conductive state is connected. As described above, in the present embodiment, the switch units 4 of the plurality of storages Bx are in a conductive state with the control unit 5 at each first time interval Ti1.

Next, in step S1-2, it is determined whether the switch section 4 of the storage Bx selected in step S1-1 is ON (closed). In the present embodiment, when a mechanical slide switch is employed as the switch section 4, no special determination processing is performed by the control section 5 (arithmetic processing section 51). For example, when an electronic relay switch is used as the switch unit 4 and the switch unit 4 is switched on/off by control from the control unit 5 (arithmetic processing unit 51), the control unit 5 (arithmetic processing unit 51) is executed.

If the switch unit 4 is off (open state) (step S1-2: No), the detection signal from the detection unit 3 is blocked by the switch unit 4, so the unlocking process is not executed (step S1 -6). On the other hand, if the switch unit 4 is on (closed state) (step S1-2: Yes), the control unit 5 (arithmetic processing unit 51) detects the detection unit 3 of the storage bin Bx selected via the switch unit 4. It becomes possible to receive a detection signal from. If the control unit 5 (calculation processing unit 51) does not receive the detection signal from the detection unit 3 of the selected storage bin Bx (step S1-3: No), the unlocking process is not executed (step S1-6).

In the example shown in FIG. 5, during the time when the storage bins Bx13-24 and Bx32-Bx44 are selected, is the switch unit 4 of the storage bins Bx13-24 and Bx32-Bx44 turned off (open state) (step S1 -2: No), the detectors 3 of the storages Bx13-24 and Bx32-Bx44 are off (step S1-3: No), so the unlocking process is not executed (step S1-6). On the other hand, the detection unit 3 of the storage Bx31 is turned on (closed state) when the storage Bx13 is selected, and thereafter detects the storage Bx31 when the storage Bx24 is selected. Part 3 is on. The ON state of the detection unit 3 of the storage Bx31 continues until the time when the storage Bx detection unit 33 is selected. Therefore, when the storage Bx31 is selected, the switch unit 4 of the storage Bx31 is on (closed state) (step S1-2: Yes), and the detection signal is output from the detection unit 3 of the storage Bx31. It is When the control unit 5 (arithmetic processing unit 51) receives this detection signal via the second wiring W231 (step S1-3: Yes), the control unit 5 (arithmetic processing unit 51) An unlocking signal is transmitted through the first wiring W1 to the electronic lock 2 of the cabinet Bx31 (step S1-4).

Specifically, the transmission of the unlocking signal is performed by the arithmetic processing unit 51 turning on the first wiring W1 (the first wiring W131 in the illustrated example) connected to the storage Bx that has received the detection signal. A selection signal is transmitted to the switching unit 53 so as to be. The switching unit 53 makes the selected connection point conductive. In the illustrated example, the power line from the power supply unit 63 is connected to the switching unit 53 . The arithmetic processing unit 51 transmits a selection signal to the switching unit 53 and also instructs the power supply unit 63 to output the electric power required to unlock the electronic lock 2 to the switching unit 53 . to send. For example, the power supplied to the electronic lock 2 having a solenoid is 24V, 1.6A DC power. As a result, electric power from the power supply unit 63 is supplied to the electronic lock 2 of the cabinet Bx31 via the switching unit 53 and the first wiring W131. The power supply to the electronic lock 2 of the cabinet Bx31 at this time corresponds to the transmission of the unlocking signal in this embodiment. In addition, when power is supplied to enable the operation of the electronic lock 2 in each storage Bx, it is possible to cause the electronic lock 2 to take an unlocked state from the control unit 5 via the first wiring W1. The instructing control signal may be transmitted as the unlocking signal.

When the unlocking signal is transmitted from the control unit 5, the electronic lock 2 of the storage bin Bx31 that has received the unlocking signal is unlocked (step S1-5). As a result, the engagement state between the electronic lock 2 and the locking portion 14 is released. As described above, in the case where the door 12 is automatically opened by applying an elastic force or the like, once the electronic lock 2 is unlocked, the door 12 is opened. maintain. Thereafter, the door 12 is appropriately closed after the user puts or takes out the object to be stored such as property in the storage section 11 of the storage box Bx31. The processing of steps S1-4 and S1-5 corresponds to the second step of the present invention.

By sequentially executing the above steps for the storage bins Bx11 to Bx44, the door 12 of any storage bin Bx can be opened based on the operation of the switch section 4 and the detection section 3 by the user.

FIG. 6 shows an example of control of the storage system A1. The illustrated control example is a control example for unlocking an arbitrary storage box Bx based on an input from the input unit 61 .

First, the control unit 5 (arithmetic processing unit 51) determines whether an unlocking instruction signal has been received from the input unit 61 (step S2-1). The input operation to the input unit 61 is not limited at all. It may be information transmission. The input unit 61 transmits an unlocking instruction signal based on the input information to the control unit 5 (arithmetic processing unit 51), and the control unit 5 (arithmetic processing unit 51) receives the unlocking instruction signal (step S2). -1: Yes). The unlock instruction signal includes address information for specifying the box number of the storage Bx. When the control unit 5 (arithmetic processing unit 51) does not receive the unlocking instruction signal (step S2-1: No), the electronic lock 2 is not unlocked in any of the storages Bx (step S2-4).

The control unit 5 (arithmetic processing unit 51) transmits an unlocking signal via the first wiring W1 to the electronic lock 2 of the storage bin Bx designated by the address information of the received unlocking instruction signal (step S2-2). FIG. 7 is an example of correspondence data of identification information stored in the storage unit 62 . In this example, each box number is associated with address information, employee name, employee number, ID information 1, ID information 2, and ID information 3 (biometric information). For example, when an input operation is performed on the input unit 61 using a non-contact or contact card and the unlocking instruction signal includes the employee number and ID information 1 and 2, the control unit 5 (arithmetic processing unit 51) recognizes the corresponding address information from the information table shown in FIG. Alternatively, when biometric authentication is performed by the input unit 61, the input information to the input unit 61 is collated with the fingerprint 1 or the retina 1, which are the ID information 3, to specify the corresponding box number. This process corresponds to the process of extracting address information from the unlock instruction signal.

Next, the arithmetic processing unit 51 transmits a selection signal to the switching unit 53 so as to bring the first wiring W1 connected to the storage Bx corresponding to the address information included in the unlocking instruction signal into a conducting state. The switching unit 53 makes the selected connection point conductive. As described above, in the illustrated example, the power line from the power supply unit 63 is connected to the switching unit 53 . The arithmetic processing unit 51 transmits a selection signal to the switching unit 53 and also instructs the power supply unit 63 to output the electric power required to unlock the electronic lock 2 to the switching unit 53 . to send. As a result, power from the power supply unit 63 is supplied to the electronic lock 2 of the storage box Bx corresponding to the address information via the switching unit 53 and the first wiring W1.

When the unlocking signal is transmitted from the control unit 5, the electronic lock 2 of the storage bin Bx that has received the unlocking signal is unlocked (step S2-3). As a result, the engagement state between the electronic lock 2 and the locking portion 14 is released, and the door 12 is opened.

Note that the control shown in FIG. 6 may be executed in parallel with the control shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, or may be executed in sequential order in which all or part of each process is executed in series in terms of time. It may be executed as a process. Alternatively, one control may be set to be executed with priority over the other control, and one may be interrupt-controlled with respect to the other.

Next, the action of the storage system A1 will be described.

According to this embodiment, the detection signals from the detection units 3 of the multiple storages Bx can be individually received by the control unit 5 via the multiple second wirings W2. Further, for the storage Bx having the detection unit 3 that has transmitted the detection signal, by transmitting an unlocking signal from the control unit 5 via the plurality of first wirings W1, the electronic lock 2 of the storage Bx is individually unlocked. Unlockable. Further, even when an unlocking instruction signal is received from the outside, by transmitting the unlocking signal from the control unit 5 via the plurality of first wirings W1, the electronic locks 2 of the plurality of storages Bx are individually unlocked. Unlockable. Therefore, it is possible to perform unlocking control of a plurality of storages Bx without making it essential to provide a control unit for each storage Bx.

8-15 show another embodiment of the invention. In these figures, the same or similar elements as in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as in the above embodiment.

<First embodiment, first modification>
FIG. 8 shows a first modification of the storage system A1. The storage system A11 of this modified example further includes an external server 8 .

The external server 8 has a communication section 81 and a storage section 82 . The communication unit 81 communicates with the control unit 5 through wired or wireless communication. In this modified example, the control unit 5 has a communication unit 54 . The communication method between the communication unit 81 and the communication unit 54 is not limited at all, and wired communication using electric wires, optical fibers, etc., or wireless communication using wireless LAN, Bluetooth (registered trademark), etc., can be appropriately selected and further combined. should be adopted.

The storage unit 82 stores, for example, the data shown in FIG. 7, like the storage unit 62 in the storage system A1. In addition, in this modification, since the external server 8 has the storage unit 82 , it is not essential to include the storage unit 62 . The storage system A11 may be configured without the storage unit 62 or may be configured to redundantly include the storage unit 62 in addition to the storage unit 82 .

In the storage system A11, for example, in step S2-2 of the control example shown in FIG. It communicates with the communication unit 81 and receives information stored in the storage unit 82 . Then, the control unit 5 (arithmetic processing unit 51) performs processing based on the address information described above.

According to this modified example as well, it is possible to perform unlocking control of a plurality of storages Bx without making it essential to provide a control unit for each storage Bx. Moreover, as can be understood from this modified example, which one of the storage unit 62 and the storage unit 82 is provided can be selected as appropriate, and is not limited at all.

<First Embodiment, Second Modification>
FIG. 9 shows a second modification of the storage system A1. In the storage system A12 of this modified example, the detector 3 is arranged on the outer surface of the door 12 of each storage Bx, and appears in the appearance of the storage Bx in the closed state. The detection unit 3 is, for example, a photoelectric or capacitive sensor, or a push switch.

In the storage system A12, in step S1-3 shown in FIG. 4, the user performs an operation such as touching the detection unit 3 provided in the storage Bx to be unlocked, thereby opening the detection unit 3 A detection signal can be output from the

According to this modified example as well, it is possible to perform unlocking control of a plurality of storages Bx without making it essential to provide a control unit for each storage Bx. Further, since the detection unit 3 appears on the exterior of the storage box Bx, even a user who uses the storage system A11 for the first time can easily open the desired storage box Bx using the detection unit 3. Intuitive and easy to do.

<Third Modification of First Embodiment>
FIG. 10 shows a third modification of the storage system A1. The storage system A13 of this modified example differs from the example described above in the configuration of the switch section 4 .

The switch section 4 of this modified example is an electrical switch mechanism having a relay, and has a relay control section 41 and a relay section 42 . The relay control unit 41 controls switching of the relay unit 42 according to instructions from the control unit 5 (arithmetic processing unit 51). Relay control unit 41 is, for example, an IC or the like. The relay unit 42 is an electronic component that can be switched between ON (closed state) and OFF (closed state) according to an instruction signal from the relay control unit 41 .

Further, in the storage system A13, the relay control units 41 of the switch units 4 of the multiple storage bins Bx are connected to the control unit 5 (arithmetic processing unit 51) by multiple third wirings W3. The plurality of third wirings W3, like the plurality of first wirings W1 and the plurality of second wirings W2, are classified into third wirings W311 to W344 corresponding to the box numbers of the plurality of storages Bx.

According to this modified example as well, it is possible to perform unlocking control of a plurality of storages Bx without making it essential to provide a control unit for each storage Bx. Further, in the storage system A13, the switch units 4 of the multiple storage bins Bx are remotely controlled by signals from the control unit 5. FIG. Therefore, it is possible to arbitrarily and collectively control the switch section 4 for any desired one of the plurality of storages Bx, or for all of the plurality of storages Bx. This is suitable for centralized control of whether to enable or disable the detection by the detection units 3 of the storage bins Bx.

<Second embodiment>
Figure 11 shows a storage system according to a second embodiment of the invention. The storage system A2 of this embodiment differs from the above-described embodiment mainly in the configuration of the plurality of first wirings W1 and the plurality of second wirings W2 that connect the control unit 5 and the plurality of storages Bx. .

The plurality of second wirings W2 of the present embodiment includes a plurality of second row wirings WL2 and a plurality of second column wirings WC2. A plurality of storages Bx are arranged corresponding to a matrix formed by a plurality of second row wirings WL2 and a plurality of second column wirings WC2. The number of each of the plurality of second row wirings WL2 and the plurality of second column wirings WC2 is not limited at all, and the product of their numbers must be equal to or greater than the number of storage bins Bx controlled in the storage system A2. It is preferable to be In FIG. 11, a case where four second row wirings WL2 and four second column wirings WC2 are connected to 16 storages Bx will be described as an example. The plurality of second row wirings WL2 will be described separately from the second row wirings WL21 to WL24 as necessary, and the plurality of second column wirings WC2 will be described separately from the second column wirings WC21 to WC24 as necessary. are described separately.

In this embodiment, the scanning section 52 of the control section 5 has a row scanning section 52L and a column scanning section 52C. The row scanning section 52L and the column scanning section 52C each perform the same function as the scanning section 52 in the above-described embodiment, and each is configured by, for example, a multiplexer circuit. A plurality of second row wirings WL2 are connected to a plurality of connection points of the row scanning section 52L. A plurality of second column wirings WC2 are connected to a plurality of connection points of the column scanning section 52C.

The plurality of second row wirings WL2 and the plurality of second column wirings WC2 are connected via the detection unit 3 and the switch unit 4 in each of the plurality of storages Bx. Taking the storage Bx11 as an example, a second row wiring WL21 and a second column wiring WC21 are laid in the storage Bx11. The second row wiring WL21 and the second column wiring WC21 are connected via the detection unit 3 and the switch unit 4 of the storage Bx11. The other storage bins Bx have the same connection configuration, and the second row wiring WL2m of the m-th row and the second column wiring WC2n of the n-th column are connected to the detection unit 3 and the switch unit 4 of the storage bin Bxmn. connected through

In the illustrated example, VCC (positive power supply voltage) lines are connected via resistors R between the plurality of connection points of the row scanning unit 52L and the plurality of storages Bx in the plurality of second row wirings WL2. is connected. The row scanning unit 52L conducts an arbitrary connection point among the plurality of connection points to the arithmetic processing unit 51 . Diodes D are electrically interposed between the plurality of connection points of the column scanning unit 52C and the plurality of storages Bx in the plurality of second column wirings WC2. The column scanning unit 52C connects an arbitrary connection point among the plurality of connection points to the ground line. The configuration in which the VCC line is connected via the resistor R and the configuration in which the diode D is provided are specific examples of the electric circuit in the storage system A2, and are not limited to these.

Further, in the present embodiment, the switching section 53 of the control section 5 has a row switching section 53L and a column switching section 53C. Each of the row switching section 53L and the column switching section 53C performs the same function as the switching section 53 in the above-described embodiment, and is composed of, for example, a plurality of switching elements corresponding to the number of connection points. A plurality of first row wirings WL1 are connected to a plurality of connection points of the row switching portion 53L. A plurality of first column wirings WC1 are connected to a plurality of connection points of the column switching portion 53C.

The plurality of first row wirings WL1 and the plurality of first column wirings WC1 are connected via the electronic lock 2 in each of the plurality of storages Bx. Taking the storage Bx11 as an example, a first row wiring WL11 and a first column wiring WC11 are laid in the storage Bx11. The first row wiring WL11 and the first column wiring WC11 are connected via the electronic lock 2 of the cabinet Bx11. Other storages Bx have a similar connection configuration, and the first row wiring WL1m of the m-th row and the first column wiring WC1n of the n-th column are connected via the electronic lock 2 of the storage Bxmn. It is

Further, in the illustrated example, the row switching unit 53L electrically connects an arbitrary connection point among the plurality of connection points to the ground line. Also, the column switching unit 53</b>C electrically connects an arbitrary connection point among the plurality of connection points to the power supply unit 63 . Note that these configurations are one specific example of the electric circuit in the storage system A2, and are not limited to this.

Next, an example of control in the storage system A2 will be described. Also in the storage system A2, control similar to the control example described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 6 is executed. However, in step S1-1 of FIG. 4, as shown in FIG. 12, the row scanning section 52L and the column scanning section 52C are sequentially switched in combination.

In the illustrated example, in the row scanning unit 52L, the selection signal from the arithmetic processing unit 51 sequentially selects the second row wirings WL21 to WL24 every first time interval Ti1. In addition, in the column scanning unit 52C, the selection signal from the arithmetic processing unit 51 sequentially selects the second column wirings WC21 to WC24 every second time interval Ti2. In this example, the second time interval Ti2 is set longer than the first time interval Ti1, and the time during which the second row wirings WL21 to WL24 are selected once each (four times the first time interval Ti1). corresponding time). Therefore, while the second column wiring WC21 is being selected, the second row wirings WL21 to WL24 are sequentially selected once each. As a result, the storage bins Bx11 to Bx41 are sequentially selected in the order shown in FIG. Similarly, while the second column wirings WC22, WC23 and WC24 are selected, the second row wirings WL21 to WL24 are sequentially selected once each. As a result, the storage bins Bx12 to Bx44 are sequentially selected in the order shown in FIG. Therefore, by sequentially switching the four second row wirings WL21 to WL24 and the four second column wirings WC21 to WC24, the 16 storage containers Bx11 to Bx44 can be sequentially selected at the first time interval Ti1. ing.

After step S1-1 is performed as described above, steps S1-2 and S1-3 are performed in the manner described above. Then, in step S1-4, an unlock signal is transmitted to the storage box Bx to be unlocked.

In the storage system A2, when an unlocking signal is transmitted to the storage bin Bxmn, the row switching unit 53L switches to the first row wiring WL1m, and the column switching unit 53C switches to the first column wiring WC1n. As a result, power is supplied from the power supply unit 63 to the electronic lock 2 of the storage Bxmn (transmission of an unlocking signal) according to an instruction from the control unit 5 (arithmetic processing unit 51), and the electronic lock 2 of the storage Bxmn is unlocked. be. In the example shown in FIG. 12, the detection signal is received from the storage Bx13 in step S1-3. Therefore, in step S1-4, the row switching section 53L switches to the first row wiring WL11, and the column switching section 53C switches to the first column wiring WC13. As a result, power is supplied from the power supply unit 63 to the electronic lock 2 of the cabinet Bx13 (transmission of an unlocking signal), and the electronic lock 2 is unlocked.

Further, in step S2-2 shown in FIG. 6, processing similar to step S1-4 is performed based on the address (m, n) designated by the address information of the unlocking instruction signal. That is, switching is performed between the first row wiring WL1m and the first column wiring WC1n corresponding to the address (m, n), power is supplied to the electronic lock 2 of the cabinet Bxmn (transmission of an unlocking signal), and electronic Lock 2 is unlocked.

According to this embodiment as well, it is possible to perform unlocking control of a plurality of storages Bx without making it essential to provide a control unit for each storage Bx. Further, according to the present embodiment, when the number of the plurality of storages Bx is mXn, the plurality of first wirings W1 includes m first row wirings WL1 and n first column wirings WC1. are prepared, and m second row wirings WL2 and n second column wirings WC2 are prepared as a plurality of second wirings W2, reception of the detection signal of each storage bin Bx and unlocking of the electronic lock 2 are possible. Lock processing can be performed separately. Therefore, when increasing the number of multiple storages Bx, it is possible to suppress an increase in the number of the multiple first wirings W1 and the multiple second wirings W2.

<Third Embodiment>
13-15 show a storage system according to a third embodiment of the invention. The storage system A3 of this embodiment differs from the above-described embodiment in that it is composed of a plurality of storage units U. As shown in FIG.

The number of storage units U is not limited at all, and the example shown in FIG. 13 is composed of six storage units U1 to U6. Each storage unit U has a plurality of storage boxes Bx, as shown in FIG. Note that the electronic lock 2, detection unit 3, and switch unit 4 of each storage box Bx are omitted in FIG. In the storage unit U, as in the storage system A2, the mXn storage bins Bx are provided with m first row wirings WL1, n first column wirings WC1, m second row wirings WL2, and n second column wirings WC2 are connected in a matrix. In the illustrated example, m=4 and n=4 are set. m first row wirings WL1, n first column wirings WC1, m second row wirings WL2, n second column wirings WC2, electronic locks 2 of a plurality of storages Bx, and detectors 3 and the switch section 4 are the same as those of the storage system A2 described above.

In this embodiment, each storage Bx has a connecting portion 7 . As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the connecting portion 7 includes a first row wiring WL1, a first column wiring WC1, a second row wiring WL2 and a second column wiring WC2, and an electronic lock 2 and a detection portion 3 of the container Bx. and the switch unit 4 are connected. In this example, the connecting portion 7 has an individual board 70 , a first connector 71 and a second connector 72 .

The individual board 70 is a wiring board having a base material made of glass epoxy resin, for example. The first connector 71 and the second connector 72 are mounted on the individual board 70 . The first connector 71 is connected to the first row wiring WL1 and the first column wiring WC1 laid in the storage Bx. The first connector 71 is connected to the electronic lock 2 of the storage Bx. As a result, the illustrated first row wiring WL1 and first column wiring WC1 are connected via the electronic lock 2 .

The second connector 72 is connected to the second row wiring WL2 and the second column wiring WC2 laid in the storage Bx. The second connector 72 is connected to the detection section 3 and the switch section 4 of the storage Bx. As a result, the illustrated second row wiring WL2 and second column wiring WC2 are connected via the detection section 3 and the switch section 4 .

As shown in FIG. 14, the storage unit U has row connectors CL1, CL2 and column connectors CC1, CC2. One ends of the first row wirings WL11 to WL14 and one ends of the second row wirings WL21 to WL24 are connected to the row connector CL1. The other ends of the first row wirings WL11 to WL14 and the other ends of the second row wirings WL21 to WL24 are connected to the row connector CL2. One ends of the first column wirings WC11 to WC14 and one ends of the second row wirings WL21 to WL24 are connected to the column connector CC1, respectively. The other ends of the first column wirings WC11 to WC14 and the other ends of the second column wirings WC21 to WC24 are connected to the column connector CC2.

Row connector CL1 and row connector CL2 are configured to be connectable to each other. Also, the column connector CC1 and the column connector CC2 are configured to be connectable to each other. In the example shown in FIG. 13, the row connectors CL1 and CL2 of adjacent storage units U are connected, and the column connectors CC1 and CC2 are connected, thereby connecting the six storage units U1 to U6 to each other. Concatenated. For example, the row connector CL1 of the storage unit U2 is connected to the row connector CL2 of the adjacent storage unit U1, and the row connector CL2 of the storage unit U2 is connected to the row connector CL1 of the adjacent storage unit U3. Also, the row connector CC2 of the storage unit U2 is connected to the row connector CC1 of the adjacent storage unit U5. With such a connection form, the six storage units U1 to U6 are connected in a matrix of 2 rows×3 columns. This corresponds to 96 (16 x 6 units) storage bins Bx arranged in a matrix of 8 rows x 12 columns in the storage system A3 as a whole. The plurality of storage units U1 to U6 are configured to have 8 first row wirings WL1 and 8 second row wirings WL2, and 12 first column wirings WC1 and 12 second column wirings WC2. there is

A specific form of connection between the plurality of storage units U and the control section 5 is not limited at all. As a specific example of the connection configuration, for example, similar to the storage system A2 shown in FIG. 53C, the plurality of second row wirings WL2 are connected to the row scanning section 52L, and the plurality of second column wirings WC2 are connected to the column scanning section 52C.

In the example shown in FIG. 13, a flat cable FWL and a flat cable FWC extend from the control unit 5. As shown in FIG. A connector CL0 is attached to the flat cable FWL. Connector CL0 is connected to row connector CL1 of storage units U1 and U4. A connector CC0 is attached to the flat cable FWC. Connector CC0 is connected to column connector CC1 of storage units U1, U2, and U3. With the above configuration, the storage system A3 is configured as a system electrically equivalent to the configuration of the storage system A2 shown in FIG. The same control as the control described for is possible. In addition, when increasing or decreasing the set number of the plurality of storages Bx, the number of the plurality of storage units U may be increased or decreased as appropriate, and the configuration may be such that only one storage Bx is provided.

According to this embodiment as well, it is possible to perform unlocking control of a plurality of storages Bx without making it essential to provide a control unit for each storage Bx. Further, by adopting the storage unit U having a predetermined number (mXn) of storages Bx, it is possible to easily and rationally configure the storage system A3 having the number of storages Bx that is an integral multiple of mXn. . Further, since each storage unit U has a plurality of first row wirings WL1, a plurality of first column wirings WC1, a plurality of second row wirings WL2, and a plurality of second column wirings WC2, the storage units U increase in the number of the plurality of first row wirings WL1, the plurality of first column wirings WC1, the plurality of second row wirings WL2, and the plurality of second column wirings WC2. Avoidable. Also, the configuration having row connectors CL1, CL2 and column connectors CC1, CC2 is suitable for connecting a plurality of storage units U to each other.

The storage system and storage system control method according to the present invention are not limited to the embodiments described above. The specific configuration of the storage system and storage system control method according to the present invention can be modified in various ways.

A1, A11, A12, A13, A2, A3: Storage system 2: Electronic lock 3: Detection unit 4: Switch unit 5: Control unit 7: Connection unit 8: External server 11: Storage unit 12: Door 13: Hinge 14: Locking portion 33: Storage Bx detection portion 41: Relay control portion 42: Relay portion 51: Arithmetic processing portion 52: Scanning portion 52C: Column scanning portion 52L: Row scanning portion 53: Switching portion 53C: Column switching portion 53L: Row Switching unit 54 : Communication unit 61 : Input unit 62 : Storage unit 63 : Power supply unit 70 : Individual board 71 : First connector 72 : Second connector 81 : Communication unit 82 : Storage unit Bx : Storage box CC0 : Connectors CC1 and CC2 : Column connector CL0 : Connectors CL1, CL2: Row connector D : Diodes FWC, FWL: Flat cable R : Resistance S : Step Ti1 : First time interval Ti2 : Second time interval U : Storage unit W1 : First wiring W2 : Second wiring W3: Third wiring WC1: First column wiring WC2: Second column wiring WL1: First row wiring WL2: Second row wiring

Claims (4)

multiple storage bins and
A storage system comprising a control unit,
Each of the above storages is
a door;
an electronic lock for locking and unlocking the door;
a detection unit that detects an unlocking instruction by manual operation;
and a switch section for blocking the detection signal of the detection section,
a plurality of first wires that individually connect the control unit and the plurality of electronic locks;
a plurality of second wirings that individually connect the control unit and the plurality of switch units,
The control unit
receiving the detection signal by sequentially switching the plurality of second wirings at first time intervals;
transmitting an unlocking signal via the first wiring to the electronic lock of the storage having the detection unit to which the detection signal is output;
When an unlocking instruction signal is received from the outside, based on the address information included in the unlocking instruction signal, the electronic lock of the storage designated by the address information is operated via the first wiring. A storage system that sends an unlock signal. the plurality of second wirings includes a plurality of second row wirings and a plurality of second column wirings;
the plurality of second row wirings and the plurality of second column wirings are connected via the switch section and the detection section in each of the plurality of storages,
The control unit
switching the plurality of second column wirings sequentially at a second time interval; and
receiving the detection signal by sequentially switching the plurality of second row wirings at the first time interval;
the plurality of first wirings includes a plurality of first row wirings and a plurality of first column wirings;
the plurality of first row wirings and the plurality of first column wirings are connected via the electronic lock in each of the plurality of storages,
The control unit, among the plurality of first row wirings and the plurality of first column wirings, is connected to the electronic lock of the storage having the detection unit to which the detection signal is output. to transmit the unlocking signal;
The storage system of Claim 1. a row connector to which the m first row wirings and the m second row wirings are connected;
a column connector to which the n first column wirings and the n second column wirings are connected;
A storage unit consisting of mXn storage units is configured,
A plurality of storage units are connected by connecting the row connectors and the column connectors of the adjacent storage units, respectively.
3. The storage system of claim 2.
(However, both m and n are natural numbers) A control method for a storage system according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
a first step in which the control unit receives the detection signal by sequentially switching the plurality of second wirings to be received at the first time interval;
When the control unit receives the detection signal, the control unit transmits the unlocking signal via the first wiring to the electronic lock of the storage having the detection unit to which the detection signal is output. and a second step of unlocking the electronic lock.

Images