JP2005146610A - Locking and unlocking system of utensil - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a locking and unlocking system of a utensil capable of increasing a stored article control function in the case of access to the utensil. <P>SOLUTION: The locking and unlocking system is equipped with the utensil having a storing section of articles equipped with a locking and unlocking device in an opening and closing section and a read-out device of a user ID, an input terminal inputting an article ID and the user ID, data-base corresponding to the article ID and a utensil ID and a control section controlling the locking and unlocking device, the read-out device and the data-base, and when a user inputs a lending demand of the article together with the user ID by the input terminal, the utensil wherein the article is stored is unlocked, and when the user ID is compared with the user ID inputted by the input terminal, in the case both of them do not coincide with each other, the locking and unlocking system of the utensil is so constituted that a wrong access to a utensil different from the unlocked utensil can be detected. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a fixture that can be locked, and more particularly to a locking and unlocking system that can grasp the contents and can lock and unlock these fixtures.

  Conventionally, a method for unlocking a fixture that can be locked is implemented by going to the fixture with the key of the fixture and inserting the key into the keyhole to unlock it. In addition, it has a plurality of fixtures and an input terminal that can communicate with these fixtures, manages authority information that defines the users who can unlock the fixture, and selects the user using the input terminal based on this privilege information There has been proposed a locking / unlocking system capable of unlocking the fixtures (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2003-41822 A (pages 7-8, FIG. 13)

  In the locking / unlocking system described in Patent Document 1 described above, the fixture is unlocked based on the input to the input terminal by the user, and the access to the fixture, that is, the article for which the user requests to lend or return (hereinafter referred to as the article) (Referred to as “object”). However, since the locking / unlocking system cannot confirm the user who has accessed the fixture, there is no confirmation means for confirming whether the user who has unlocked the fixture has access to the object, and there is no confirmation means other than the user who has unlocked the fixture. Even if a problem such as theft or unauthorized removal by the three parties occurred, it could not be confirmed.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to such problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a fixture locking / unlocking system capable of enhancing the storage management function when accessing the fixture.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, a locking / unlocking system for a fixture according to claim 1 of the present invention is provided.
A fixture having a storage unit for storing articles, a locking / unlocking device for locking / unlocking the opening / closing unit of the storage unit, and a reading device capable of reading at least a user ID;
An input terminal capable of inputting the article name or article ID of the object requested by the user and the user ID;
A database that stores information that associates the article ID and fixture ID of the object;
A control unit that controls the locking and unlocking device and the reading device, and a processing unit that processes input information from the input terminal or information in the database, and a management unit.
The management unit specifies the fixture ID based on the article ID and the database when the article ID and the user ID of the object are input by the input terminal in the processing unit, The control unit issues an unlocking instruction to unlock the locking / unlocking device to the target fixture to which the specified fixture ID is assigned, and the user ID is input by the reading unit of the target fixture in the processing unit. When this is done, a comparison process is performed in which the user ID is compared with the user ID input from the input terminal.
According to this feature, when a user inputs a user ID and an object for which lending or return is requested using an input terminal, the object fixture for storing the object is unlocked. Will be prompted to enter or enter a user ID. For this reason, whether the user ID that unlocked the fixture and the user ID that accessed the fixture correspond correctly, that is, whether the user ID was stolen by a third party, unauthorized removal, or correct access, etc. It is possible to confirm the occurrence of defects and to enhance the storage management function when accessing furniture.
The article is a unit of an object (for example, a box, a book, etc.) that can be identified by the article ID, and the fixture ID is identification information that is uniquely given to the fixture, and is given to at least the fixture. IDs (for example, 1, 2,...), A fixture includes a single shelf and a space, and depending on the structure, IDs are also given to shelf position information and space position information. You are free to do.
The user ID is identification information uniquely assigned to a user (for example, a person, a department, etc.).

The fixture locking / unlocking system according to claim 2 of the present invention is the fixture locking / unlocking system according to claim 1,
Preferably, the user ID is recorded on an RFID tag, and the reading device of the fixture and the input terminal can read the user ID recorded on the RFID tag by wireless communication.
According to this feature, when an RFID tag is presented to an input terminal and a fixture, a plurality of users can input user IDs simultaneously via wireless communication. In addition, it is possible to confirm whether the user ID unlocking the fixture matches the user ID accessing the fixture.
The RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) tag includes an IC chip having a storage unit and a wireless antenna capable of transmitting and receiving information stored in the storage unit.

The fixture locking / unlocking system according to claim 3 of the present invention is the fixture locking / unlocking system according to claim 1 or 2,
The fixture includes a notification means,
When the management unit determines that there is a mismatch by the comparison process, it is preferable that the notification unit can notify the error of the fixture accessed by the user.
According to this feature, it is possible to notify the user who has unlocked the fixture that he or she is accessing a fixture different from the unlocked fixture.

The fixture locking / unlocking system according to claim 4 of the present invention is the fixture locking / unlocking system according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
It is preferable that the control unit is on a center side that centrally controls each of the fixtures, and performs a storage process of storing a result of the comparison process in the database.
According to this feature, it can be confirmed on the center side that the user who unlocked the fixture has erroneously accessed a fixture different from the unlocked fixture.

  Examples of the present invention will be described below.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a locking / unlocking system to which a fixture 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is applied. A plurality of fixtures 1 in which articles are stored are installed (three in this embodiment). These fixtures 1 are connected to the relay device 11 via the communication cable 2, and the relay device 11 is connected to the fixture antenna 10 via the communication cable 2.

  A management computer 3 that manages and operates the locking / unlocking system of the fixture 1 is connected to an input terminal 4 that performs data input / output and data display of the management computer 3 via a LAN cable 8 (in this embodiment via a LAN). ) Interconnected.

  The management computer 3 is connected to the management antenna 9 via the communication cable 2, and the input terminal 4 is connected to the electromagnetic wave including the item ID from the RFID tag attached to the item 7 and the user authentication card 6 via the communication cable 2. It has an RFID reader / writer that can receive electromagnetic waves including a user ID from a built-in RFID tag, and is connected to an RFID reader / writer-equipped weighing device 5 that can measure the mass of the article 7. The furniture antenna 10 and the management antenna 9 are connected to each other wirelessly so that various data can be transmitted and received.

  The fixture 1 has a structure in which a library 100 is placed on the upper side of the lateral 200, and an upper shelf storage unit 101 and a lower shelf storage unit 102 are formed in the library 100, and the drawers 201, 202, 203, 204 are formed in the lateral 200. These storage units store file cases for storing documents such as files and medical records, and articles 7 such as books. RFID tags are individually attached to the articles 7 stored in the fixture 1.

  Further, the library 100 and the lateral 200 include an instruction lamp corresponding to each storage unit, specifically, an upper shelf instruction lamp 111 in the upper shelf storage unit 101, a lower shelf instruction lamp 112 in the lower shelf storage unit 102, and drawers 201 to 204. Are provided with indicator lamps 211 to 214, and the indicator can be instructed and notified by lighting or blinking the indicator lamps. Further, the library 100 includes an unlocking lamp 115 and a speaker 116, and the lateral 200 includes an unlocking lamp 215 and a speaker 216, respectively, and can notify that the unlocking is performed by turning on or flashing the unlocking lamp. A message can be notified by sound output from a speaker.

  FIGS. 2 and 3 are block diagrams showing the configuration of the fixture locking / unlocking system of the present embodiment. The archive 100 constituting the fixture 1 of FIG. 1 has an upper shelf instruction lamp 111 as shown in FIG. The lower shelf instruction lamp 112, the unlocking lamp 115, the speaker 116, the locking / unlocking device 117 capable of locking / unlocking the library 100, and the open / close door switch for detecting that the library 100 is opened / closed from the right or left (right ) 131, an open / close door switch (left) 132, an upper shelf antenna 141, a lower shelf antenna 142, a communication unit 122, and a control unit 121 connected to the communication unit 122. The upper shelf antenna 141 and the lower shelf antenna 142 are installed at positions where the electromagnetic waves including the article IDs from the RFID tags of the articles 7 stored in the upper shelf storage unit 101 and the lower shelf storage unit 102 can be received. The control unit 121 is connected to the lamp, speaker, antenna, and switch described above, and can perform various controls according to various data transmitted and received from the management computer 3 via the communication unit 122.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the lateral 200 constituting the fixture 1 includes instruction lamps 211 to 214, an unlocking lamp 215, a speaker 216, a locking / unlocking device 217 that can lock / unlock the lateral 200, and a drawer 201. Opening / closing door switches 231 to 234 for detecting that .about.204 are opened and closed, antennas 241 to 244, a communication unit 222, and a control unit 221 connected to the communication unit 222 are provided. The antennas 241 to 244 are installed at positions that can receive electromagnetic waves including the article ID from the RFID tag of the article 7 housed in the drawers 201 to 214, respectively. The control unit 221 is connected to the above-described lamp, speaker, antenna, and switch, and can perform various controls according to various data transmitted and received from the management computer 3 via the communication unit 222.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the management computer 3 includes a CPU that performs calculations according to a predetermined procedure, a ROM that stores CPU control programs and various data tables, and a control unit that includes a RAM that writes and reads necessary data. 301, a communication unit 302 for communicating with the input terminal 4 via the LAN 8, a communication unit 303 for communicating with the furniture 1 via the management antenna 9, and various information described later (see FIGS. 7 and 8). And a storage unit 304 for storing. The control unit 301 can perform various controls according to various data transmitted / received via the communication unit 302 or the communication unit 303.

  The input terminal 4 communicates with a control unit 401 having the same configuration as the control unit 301 of the management computer 3, a communication unit 402 for communicating with the management computer 3 via the LAN 8, and the weighing device 5 with RFID reader / writer. And an input / output device (in this embodiment, a display, a keyboard, and a mouse) that can accept an input from a user based on a screen (to be described later) (see FIGS. 5 and 6). And an output unit 404. The control unit 401 transmits / receives various data input via the communication unit 403 or the input / output unit 404 to / from the management computer 3 via the communication unit 402, and also receives various data received via the communication unit 402 or the communication unit 403. The input / output unit 404 for displaying data is controlled.

  The weighing device with RFID reader / writer 5 includes a communication unit 502 for communicating with the input terminal 4, an RFID antenna 503 for wirelessly communicating with the user authentication card 6 and the RFID tag attached to the article 7, and the article 7. It is comprised from the measuring device 504 for measuring the mass of, and the control part 501 which controls these.

  The user authentication card 6 includes a storage unit 602 for recording a user ID, an RFID reader / writer-equipped weighing device 5 and an RFID antenna 603 for wireless communication with the fixture 1, and a control unit 601 for controlling them. The RFID tag comprised from is attached.

  The article 7 includes a storage unit 702 for recording an article ID, an RFID reader / writer-equipped weighing device 5 and an RFID antenna 703 for wireless communication with the fixture 1, and a control unit 701 for controlling these. An RFID tag is attached.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of transmission / reception of information performed between the input terminal 4, the management computer 3, and the furniture 1 in accordance with the rental and return of the user. FIGS. An example of the screen displayed by the input terminal 4 is shown. First, based on these FIGS. 4-6, the rental method of the goods which is an example of the usage method of the locking / unlocking system to which the fixture 1 of a present Example was applied is demonstrated.

  The user of the fixture locking / unlocking system of the present embodiment executes an authentication operation (see FIG. 4) upon use. Specifically, at the input terminal 4 on which the initial screen shown in FIG. 5A is displayed, the user is requested to present the user authentication card 6. When the user presents the user authentication card 6 to the weighing device 5 with the RFID reader / writer, the password input screen shown in FIG. 5B is displayed on the input terminal 4, and the user inputs the password.

  When the user performs an authentication operation, an authentication request (see FIG. 4) including the user ID read from the user authentication card 6 and the input password is transmitted to the management computer 3 by the input terminal 4. Then, the reply from the management computer 3, that is, the transmission of the authentication result (see FIG. 4) indicating whether or not the use of the user is permitted is waited. If use is permitted in the returned authentication result, the main screen shown in FIG. 5C is displayed on the input terminal 4, and the user performs a lending operation (see FIG. 4) by a button operation. Can do.

  Therefore, when the user performs a lending operation, a lending request (see FIG. 4) is transmitted from the input terminal 4 to the management computer 3, and a reply from the management computer 3, that is, a list of articles that can be lent to the user is shown. Transmission of the list of rentable articles (see FIG. 4) is awaited. Then, based on the returned list of rentable articles, a lenttable article list screen shown in FIG. 5D is displayed on the input terminal 4, and the user can request the rent 7, and the storage fixture 1 for the article 7. And a list of storage locations, and a selection operation (book) of an article 7 (for example, an article stored in the lower shelf storage section 102 of the library 100, hereinafter referred to as a request item) that is requested to be rented with a mouse or a keyboard. In the embodiment, a lending execution operation (see FIG. 4) including a plurality of selections) can be performed.

  When the user performs a lending execution operation, a lending execution request (see FIG. 4) capable of specifying a requested item is transmitted to the management computer 3 by the input terminal 4, and a lending progress screen shown in FIG. Is displayed, so that the user can confirm that the loan is in progress. Then, the user who performed the lending execution operation or confirmed the lending progress screen starts moving to the furniture 1 (for example, the library 100 shown in FIG. 1) to take out the requested item.

  Further, in the management computer 3 that has received the lending execution request, the requested item is confirmed, and the expected travel time from the input terminal 4 to the furniture 1 in which the requested item is stored is specified. When the estimated travel time has elapsed, the unlocking signal (see FIG. 4) is turned on by the management computer 3, and the locking / unlocking device (eg, the locking / unlocking device 117 of FIG. 3) of the fixture 1 is unlocked. At the same time, the lamp signal (see FIG. 4) is turned on, and the lamps of the fixture 1 (for example, the unlocking lamp 115 and the lower shelf instruction lamp 112 in FIG. 1) are turned on.

  The user moves to the fixture 1 in which the requested item is stored, with the lamp of the fixture 1 being lit as a mark. And if a user opens the opening / closing part of the storage part (for example, the lower shelf storage part 102 of the library 100 of FIG. 1) of the fixture 1 which was already unlocked by the unlocking signal, the fixture 1 will have an open / close door switch ( For example, when the opening / closing door switch (right) 131 in FIG. 3 detects the opening, the opening signal (see FIG. 4) is turned on, and the management computer 3 confirms that the door has been opened. The

  In the management computer 3 confirming that the door has been opened, the antenna signal is turned on, and the antenna of the fixture 1 (for example, the lower shelf antenna 142 in FIG. 3) is activated. At this time, in the furniture 1, the article ID of the article 7 being stored is detected by the activated antenna, and a stored article signal (see FIG. 4) that can identify these stored articles is transmitted to the management computer 3. Is done. Thus, in the fixture 1 opened by the user, the article 7 taken out or delivered by the management computer 3 can be grasped.

  In addition, the antenna of the fixture 1 can read not only the article ID but also the user ID of the RFID tag of the user authentication card 6, and the user can read the user authentication card 6 from the fixture 1. , The user ID of the user authentication card 6 is transmitted from the fixture 1 as a stored signal, so that the user who has taken out the article 7 can check with the management computer 3. Also, the management computer compares the user ID that requested the lending at the input terminal 4 and unlocked the fixture 1 with the user ID that accessed the fixture 1 and took out the article 7, and if there is a mismatch, A signal or a speaker signal (not shown) is controlled to indicate that the fixture 1 has been accessed by mistake from a lamp (for example, change from lighting to flashing) or a speaker (eg, output a message sound). It is supposed to inform.

  When the user closes the opening / closing part of the furniture 1, the door is detected by an open / close door switch (for example, the open / close door switch (right) 131 in FIG. 3), and the furniture 1 turns off the door opening signal. The door is confirmed. The management computer 3 that has confirmed the closing of the door turns off the antenna signal and turns off the antenna of the furniture 1. For this reason, in the fixture 1 closed by the user, the article 7 taken out or delivered by the management computer 3 cannot be grasped.

  When the management computer 3 confirming the closing of the door 1 confirms that the article has been taken out based on the change in the stored signal from the opening to the closing of the fixture 1, the lamp signal and the unlocking signal are sequentially transmitted. Turn it off, turn off the lamp and lock the fixture. That is, lending is completed when the article is actually taken out and the fixture 1 is closed.

  Next, a method for returning an article, which is an example of a method for using the locking / unlocking system to which the fixture 1 of this embodiment is applied, will be described. The authentication operation at the input terminal 4 and the user's operation after moving to the fixture 1 are the same as at the time of lending, and are omitted here.

  When the user finishes the authentication operation and the use is permitted by the management computer 3, the main screen shown in FIG. 5C is displayed on the input terminal 4, so that the user can start returning by button operation. It has become.

  When the user operates the button on the input terminal 4 in FIG. 1 to start the return, the return article registration screen shown in FIG. 6 (f) is displayed, and the user selects the article 7 (hereinafter referred to as a request item) requesting the return. A return operation (see FIG. 4) for registering a request and a return execution operation (see FIG. 4) for returning the requested item. Note that the return operation can be performed a plurality of times before the return execution operation is performed, and a plurality of articles 7 can be returned at once.

  As shown in FIG. 1, when a user places an article 7 on a weighing device 5 with an RFID reader / writer and performs a return operation for weighing the requested item, the mass of the requested item is measured and the requested item is also measured. The ID is read out. Then, a return request (see FIG. 4) indicating the read article ID and mass is transmitted to the management computer 3 by the input terminal 4, and a reply from the management computer 3, that is, whether to return the requested item is permitted. Is returned (see FIG. 4). And if return is permitted in the returned return permission / rejection, as shown in FIG. 6 (b), the information on the requested item is additionally displayed on the return article registration screen, and the fixture 1 and the storing unit in which the requested item is stored Can be confirmed.

  When the user performs a return execution operation by a button operation on the return article registration screen shown in FIG. 6B, a return execution request (see FIG. 4) that can specify the article ID and mass of the requested item by the input terminal 4. ) Is transmitted to the management computer 3 and a return in progress screen shown in FIG. 6C is displayed so that the user can confirm that the return is in progress. And the user who performed return execution operation or confirmed the return progress screen starts the movement to the fixture 1 in order to deliver a request | requirement.

  FIGS. 7 and 8 are diagrams illustrating examples of information stored in the storage unit 304 of the management computer 3 constituting the fixture locking / unlocking system of this embodiment.

  FIG. 7A illustrates fixture information in which importance is determined for each fixture ID and storage unit ID, and is used to specify the importance of the storage unit to which the fixture ID and storage unit ID are assigned. FIG. 7B is travel time information that defines a travel time for each fixture ID, and is used as an expected travel time from the input terminal 4 to the fixture 1 to which the fixture ID is assigned. FIG. 7C shows article information in which the article name, mass, fixture ID, and storage unit ID are defined for each item ID, and is used to specify the fixture ID and storage unit ID assigned to the storage unit of the article 7. . FIG. 7D shows use permission information in which a password is set for each user ID and product ID, and is used to specify the product 7 that is allowed to be used when the user inputs a specific password.

  FIG. 8E shows loan history information for recording a plurality of pieces of information (hereinafter referred to as a loan history) from when the user requests the loan of the article 7 until a series of procedures accompanying the request is completed. It is possible to record the article ID, the end indicating that the loan has been completed, the request information at the time of request, the loan information at the time of loan, and the return information at the time of return. Specifically, the request information includes a requesting user ID (hereinafter referred to as a requester ID) and date and time. The lending information includes a user ID (hereinafter referred to as a lender ID) from which the article 7 has been lent, date and time, and mismatch information indicating a match / mismatch between the requester ID and the lender ID. The return information includes the user ID (hereinafter referred to as returner ID) that returned the item 7, the date and time, the mass, the mismatch information indicating the match / mismatch between the lender ID and the returner ID, and the item 7 at the time of lending. Temporary lending indicating that the product has been temporarily taken out and delivered immediately, and mass abnormality indicating that the mass at the time of lending and the mass at the time of return are inconsistent.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing details of the main process executed in the management computer 3 of FIG. 1 constituting the fixture locking / unlocking system of the present embodiment. The management computer 3 receives an authentication request and a loan request from the input terminal 4. , Wait until receiving any data of the return request (Sa1 to Sa3), and each shifts to an authentication process when receiving an authentication request, a loan process when receiving a loan request, and a return process when receiving a return request, respectively. (Sa4 to Sa6).

  Next, the authentication process in Sa4 will be described. Based on the use permission information stored in the storage unit 304 of the management computer 3 in FIG. 3, the user ID specified by the authentication request and the article ID that can be used by the password are determined. Determine if there is. If there is an article ID that can be used, the input terminal 4 transmits an authentication result indicating that the use is permitted, and if not, the authentication result indicating that the use is not permitted. When the use is permitted, the user ID and password are stored in the RAM or the storage unit 304 of the control unit 301 so that the user ID and password can be used in the lending process or the return process.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the lending process in Sa5 in FIG. 9. First, the user ID and password stored in the RAM of the control unit 301 or the storage unit 304 and the use permission information stored in the storage unit 304 are shown. Based on the rental ID information stored in the storage unit 304, the ID of the item that is currently lent is confirmed, and the ID of the item that can be used and is not lent is determined. A list of identifiable items that can be lent is transmitted to the input terminal 4 (Sb1) and waits until a lending execution request is transmitted from the input terminal 4 (Sb2).

  Next, when a lending execution request is transmitted from the input terminal 4, a user ID, an article ID (hereinafter referred to as a request) identified by the lending execution request, and the date and time when this lending execution request was made. Is newly registered in the lending history information (Sb3). For example, as shown in the bottom row of FIG. 8 (e), an article given 98 as an article ID is requested to a user having 2 as a user ID at 2003/09/30 12:34:56. It is recorded. Then, after being recorded in the lending history information, the process shifts to an article lending process (Sb4).

  11 and 12 are flowcharts showing the article lending process in Sb4 of FIG.

  First, based on the requested item ID and the article information stored in the storage unit 304, the ID of a fixture (hereinafter referred to as a target fixture) that stores the requested item and an ID of a storage unit (hereinafter referred to as a target storage unit) are specified. Furthermore, the expected travel time to the target fixture is identified based on the identified target fixture ID and the travel time information stored in the storage unit 304 (Sc1). And it waits until this estimated movement time passes (Sc2). For example, when a rental of an article with 2 as an article ID is requested, the fixture ID is specified as 1 and the expected travel time is specified as 10 seconds. When the user inputs a plurality of requirements using the input terminal 4, the estimated movement time to the target fixture 1 is specified for one of the requirements.

  Next, on the basis of the loan history information stored in the storage unit 304, an unrented (request information: yes, end: x, loan information: no) requirement ID is specified (Sc3), and there is no corresponding article ID. If so, the article lending process is terminated.

  In Sc3, if there is an unrented request ID, the unlocking signal and the lamp signal for the target fixture and the target storage unit are sequentially turned on to unlock the locking / unlocking device and turn on the lamp (Sc4). Until the unlocking time elapses or the target fixture is opened (door opening signal: ON detection) (Sc5, Sc6). The predetermined unlocking time is an upper limit value (for example, 10 minutes) of access time given to the user. Although only one type of predetermined unlocking time is set, a predetermined unlocking time may be set for each fixture, each article, each user, or each combination thereof.

  In Sc5 and Sc6, when a predetermined unlocking time has elapsed, the fact that the lending has been terminated due to the unlocking time expired (unlocking time expired: ○, finished: ○) is recorded in the lending history information (Sc7), The unlocking signal and the lamp signal for the target storage unit are sequentially turned off, the locking / unlocking device is locked and the lamp is turned off (Sc8), and the article lending process is terminated.

  In Sc5 and Sc6, when the target fixture is opened (opening signal: ON detection) (Sc6), the antenna signal for the target fixture and the target storage unit is turned on, and the stored items in the target fixture and the target storage unit are turned on. It can be detected (Sc10). It should be noted that, regarding the target fixture and the target storage unit to which the antenna is not attached, it is obvious that the stored items in the target fixture and the target storage unit cannot be detected even if the antenna signal is turned on.

  Next, the importance level is specified based on the fixture information stored in the storage unit 304 and the ID of the target fixture opened and the target storage unit. When the importance level is high, the release time elapses, or the stored item signal It waits until either change is detected or the opening signal: off is detected (Sc12 to Sc14). When the importance is low, a lending flag indicating that the requested item has been lent is set (S11), and the process proceeds to steps Sc12 to Sc14. For this reason, in the fixture 1 with low importance, it is considered that the loan was established only by opening the door.

  In Sc12 to Sc14, when the unlocking time elapses, that is, when the unlocking time expires with the door open (open signal: ON) (Sc12), it is determined that an error of forgetting to close has occurred, and error processing is performed. (For example, notification of a message by a speaker) is performed (Sc15). Thereafter, the process proceeds to Sc12 to Sc14 and waits until the target fixture and the target storage part are closed (opening signal: OFF).

  In Sc12 to Sc14, when a change in the stored product signal from the target fixture and the target storage unit is detected (Sc13), it is determined whether the required product ID has disappeared (Sc16), and when the required product ID has disappeared, a rental flag is set. (Sc17), and the process proceeds to Sc12 to Sc14.

  Further, in Sc13, when the requested item ID appears in the target fixture and the target storage unit (Sc18), the requested item is taken out from unlocking to locking, and a temporary lending flag indicating that the item has been delivered is set (Sc19). , Sc12 to Sc14.

  In Sc13, when a user ID appears in the target fixture and the target storage unit (Sc20), it is determined whether the user ID matches the requester ID input from the input terminal 4 (Sc21). If they match, a user ID flag indicating that the user authentication card has been presented is set (Sc24), and the process proceeds to Sc12 to Sc14.

  In Sc21, if the detected user ID and the requester ID do not match, a mismatch flag indicating that the requester and the lender do not match is set (Sc22), the ramp signal is controlled and input An error notification for notifying that the user is accessing a fixture 1 different from the fixture 1 requested to be rented and unlocked at the terminal 4, for example, a flashing notification that periodically repeats on / off of the lamp signal, (Sc23). Thereafter, the process proceeds to Sc12 to Sc14 via Sc24.

  Further, in Sc13, when the disappeared or appearing ID is neither the requested item ID nor the user ID, that is, when an article other than the requested item is taken out or delivered, it is determined that an illegal takeout / delivery error has occurred. Then, error processing (for example, notification of a message by a speaker) is performed (Sc25). Thereafter, the process proceeds to Sc12 to Sc14.

  In Sc12 to Sc14, when the fixture 1 is closed (opening signal: detection of off) (Sc14), the antenna signal for the target fixture and the target storage portion is turned off to turn off the article 7 in the target fixture and the target storage portion. Cannot be detected (Sc26).

  Next, it is confirmed whether the user ID flag is set (Sc27), and if it is set, the process proceeds to Sc29. If it is not set, it is determined that an error of non-presentation of the user authentication card has occurred, error processing (for example, notification of a message by a speaker) is performed (Sc28), and the process proceeds to Sc29.

  In Sc29, it is confirmed whether the lending flag is set, that is, whether the requested item has been lent. If there is a lending, turn off the unlocking signal and the ramp signal for the target fixture in sequence, and lock and unlock the locking / unlocking device. The light is turned off (Sc30), and the user ID and date / time are recorded in the lending information of the lending history information stored in the storage unit 304 to record that the article has been lent (Sc31). If there is no loan, the process proceeds to Sc5 and Sc6, and waits until one of the conditions is satisfied, whether the release time elapses or the door is opened again and the loan is started.

  Next, it is confirmed whether or not a mismatch flag is set (Sc32). If it is set, a mismatch is recorded in the loan information of the loan history information stored in the storage unit 304 (Sc33). If it is not set, the process immediately proceeds to Sc34.

  Further, it is confirmed whether or not the temporary lending flag is set (Sc34), and when not set, various flags are cleared (Sc38), and the process proceeds to Sc2 to continue lending of unrented requested items.

  In Sc33, when the temporary lending flag is set, the user ID, date and time, temporary lending, and termination are recorded in the return information of the lending history information stored in the storage unit 304, and the lending is temporarily lending. The fact is also recorded (Sc35). Then, it is confirmed whether or not the mismatch flag is set (Sc36), and when set, after recording a mismatch indicating that the requester and the returner do not match in the return information of the loan history information in the storage unit 304 (Sc37) While clearing various flags (Sc38), the process proceeds to Sc2, and the lending of unrental requested items is continued.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the return process in Sa6 of FIG. 9. First, the article ID specified by the return request received from the input terminal 4 of FIG. 1 and the lending stored in the storage unit 304 of FIG. Based on the history information, it is confirmed whether the article ID is being lent (lending information: present, end: x) (Sd1). If the article is not rented, a return permission indicating that it is impossible is transmitted to the input terminal 4 (Sd3), and the process proceeds to Sd4 and Sd5 to receive the next return request or the article execution request. Wait until this condition is met. If the article is being rented, a return permission / inhibition indicating yes is transmitted to the input terminal 4 (Sd2), and the process proceeds to Sd4 and Sd5.

  In Sd4 and Sd5, when a return request is received (Sd4), the process proceeds to Sd1 and it is determined again whether or not it can be returned. When a return execution request is received (Sd5), the process proceeds to Sd6 and an article return process is performed.

  FIGS. 14 and 15 are flowcharts showing the article return process in Sd6 of FIG. 13. First, the article ID (identified as a request object) and the mass specified by the return execution request and the storage unit 304 are stored. Based on the article information, an ID of a fixture (hereinafter referred to as a target fixture) that stores the requested object and a storage portion (hereinafter referred to as a target storage portion) is specified. Furthermore, the expected travel time to the target fixture is specified based on the specified target fixture ID and the travel time information stored in the storage unit 304 (Se1). And it waits until this estimated movement time passes (Se2). For example, when a return of an article with 2 as an article ID is requested, the fixture ID is 1 and the expected travel time is 10 seconds. When the user inputs a plurality of requirements using the input terminal 4, the estimated movement time to the target fixture 1 is specified for one of the requirements.

  Next, based on the rental history information stored in the storage unit 304, an unreturned (end: x) requirement ID is specified (Se3), and if there is no corresponding requirement ID, the article return process is terminated.

  In Se3, if there is an unreturned request ID, the unlocking signal and the lamp signal for the target fixture and the target storage unit are sequentially turned on to unlock the locking / unlocking device and turn on the lamp (Se4). Until the unlocking time elapses or the target fixture is opened (opening signal: ON detection) (Se5, Se6). The predetermined unlocking time is an upper limit value (for example, 10 minutes) of time provided to the user from unlocking to locking. Although only one type of predetermined unlocking time is set, a predetermined unlocking time may be set for each fixture, each article, each user, or each combination thereof.

  In Se5 and Se6, when a predetermined unlocking time has elapsed, the fact that the return has not been performed due to the unlocking time expired (unlocking time expired: ○) is recorded in the rental history information (Se7), and the target fixture and target storage The unlocking signal and the lamp signal for the part are sequentially turned off, the locking / unlocking device is locked and the lamp is turned off (Se8), and the article return process is terminated.

  In Se5 and Se6, when the target fixture is opened (opening signal: detection of ON) (Se6), the antenna signal for the target fixture and the target storage unit is turned on, and the stored items in the target fixture and the target storage unit are changed. It should be possible to detect (Se10). Regarding the target fixtures and target storage units to which no antenna is attached, it is clear that the stored items in the target fixtures and target storage units cannot be detected even if the antenna signal is turned on. .

  Next, the importance level is specified based on the fixture information stored in the storage unit 304 and the ID of the target fixture opened and the target storage unit. When the importance level is high, the release time elapses, or the stored item signal The system waits until either a change in the detected value or an opening signal: off is detected (Se12 to Se14). When the importance level is low, a return flag indicating that the requested item has been returned is set (S11), and the process proceeds to steps Se12 to Se14. For this reason, in the fixture 1 with low importance, it will be considered that return was materialized only by opening.

  In Se12 to Se14, when the unlocking time elapses, that is, when the unlocking time expires with the door opened (opening signal: ON) (Se12), it is determined that an error of forgetting to close has occurred, and error processing is performed. (For example, notification of a message by a speaker) is performed (Se15). Then, it transfers to Se12-Se14 and waits until an object fixture and an object accommodating part are closed (door opening signal: OFF).

  In Se12 to Se14, when a change in the stored product signal from the target fixture and the target storage unit is detected (Se13), it is determined whether the required product ID has appeared (Se16), and a return flag is set when the required product ID has appeared. (Se17), and the process proceeds to Se12 to Se14.

  In Se13, when a user ID appears in the target fixture and the target storage unit (Se18), it is determined whether this user ID matches the user ID of the loan information of the loan history information (Se19). If they match, a user ID flag indicating that the user authentication card 6 has been presented is set (Se22), and the process proceeds to Se12 to Se14.

  In Se19, if the detected user ID and the user ID of the loan information of the loan history information do not match, a mismatch flag indicating that the lender and the returner do not match is set (Se20), and the lamp Since the user who took out the article by controlling the signal is different from the user who delivered it, an error notification for notifying the possibility that the user is accessing the wrong furniture 1, for example, turning on / off the lamp signal periodically Blinking notification to be repeated automatically (Se21). Thereafter, the process proceeds to Se12 to Se14 via Se22.

  Further, in Se13, when the appearing ID is neither the request ID nor the user ID, that is, when an article other than the request is taken out or delivered, it is determined that an error of illegal takeout / delivery has occurred, and an error occurs. Processing (for example, notification of a message by a speaker) is performed (Se23). Thereafter, the process proceeds to Se12 to Se14.

  In Se12 to Se14, when the fixture 1 is closed (opening signal: detection of off) (Se13), the antenna signal for the target fixture and the target storage portion is turned off to turn off the article 7 in the target fixture and the target storage portion. Cannot be detected (Se24).

  Next, it is confirmed whether the user ID flag is set (Se25), and if it is set, the process proceeds to Se27. If not set, it is determined that a user authentication card non-presentation error has occurred, error processing (for example, notification of a message by a speaker) is performed (Se26), and then the process proceeds to Se27.

  In Se27, it is confirmed whether the return flag has been set, that is, whether the requested product has been returned. If there is a return, the unlocking signal and the ramp signal for the target fixture are sequentially turned off, and the locking and unlocking of the locking and unlocking device are The light is turned off (Se28).

  Next, the weight of the request specified by the return execution request and the latest return mass of the request ID (the request ID of the loan history information matches and has been returned (terminated: ○), and the return date is It is confirmed whether the latest mass (in the lending history) matches (Se29). If they match, the process proceeds to Se31. If they do not match, the fact that the mass is abnormal (mass abnormality: x) is recorded in the return information of the loan history information (Se30), and then the process proceeds to Se31.

  In Se31, the user ID, date and time, mass, and end (end: ◯) are recorded as return information of the rental history information, and the fact that the article has been returned is recorded.

  Next, it is confirmed whether or not a mismatch flag is set (Se32). If it is set, a mismatch is recorded in the return information of the loan history information stored in the storage unit 304 (Se33), and various flags are cleared. (Se34), the process proceeds to Se2, and the return of the unreturned request is continued. When the mismatch flag is not set, the process immediately proceeds to Se34, and after clearing various flags, the process proceeds to Se2.

  As described above, in the fixture locking / unlocking system of the present embodiment, the user inputs the article ID of the article 7 requested to be lent or returned by operating the input terminal 4, and the user is further input to the input terminal 4. When the user ID is input by presenting the authentication card 6, the fixture 1 that stores the article 7 is unlocked, and the antenna that detects the stored item in the fixture 1 is activated. 7 can be rented and returned, and a user ID can be input by presenting the user authentication card 6. Then, after the user moves to the furniture 1 and takes out the article 7, when the user authentication card 6 is presented to the antenna, the user ID is read from the antenna. For this reason, the user ID input to the input terminal 4, that is, the user ID that unlocked the fixture, and the user ID that is input to the fixture 1, that is, the user ID that accessed the fixture, correspond correctly. The management computer 3 can check whether or not there is a problem such as theft or unauthorized removal by a third party, and the stored item management function when accessing the furniture can be enhanced.

  Further, even when a plurality of user authentication cards 6 each having an RFID tag attached thereto are simultaneously presented to the input terminal 4 and the fixture 1, a plurality of user IDs recorded on the RFID tag are used for reading via wireless communication. Since it can be read at the same time, it can be confirmed whether the user ID unlocking the fixture matches the user ID accessing the fixture even when a plurality of users are using it simultaneously.

  In addition, when the user ID that unlocked the fixture and the user ID that accessed the fixture do not match, the management computer 3 informs the user that the appliance 1 has been accessed by mistake from the lamp or speaker of the fixture 1. It is possible to notify the user who has unlocked the fixture that he or she is accessing a fixture different from the unlocked fixture.

  In addition, when the user ID that unlocked the fixture and the user ID that accessed the fixture do not match, the fact is recorded in the lending history information stored in the storage unit 304 of the management computer 3. The center side can confirm that the user who unlocked the fixture accidentally accessed a fixture different from the unlocked fixture.

  As mentioned above, although Example 1 of this invention has been demonstrated based on drawing, this invention is not limited to these Examples, Even if there is a change and addition in the range which does not deviate from the main point of this invention, this invention. Needless to say, it is included in

  For example, in the above embodiment, the RFID tag attached to the user authentication card 6 and the RFID tag attached to the article 7 can be read by the same RFID reader / writer and the same antenna. The invention is not limited to this, and even if different RFID reader / writers and RFID tags readable by antennas are attached to the user authentication card 6 and the article 7, respectively, the furniture 1 and the input terminal 4 are different. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied by attaching an RFID reader / writer and an antenna.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the locking / unlocking system to which the furniture 1 which is 1st Example of this invention was applied. It is a block diagram of the locking / unlocking system of the fixture. It is a block diagram of the locking / unlocking system of the fixture. It is a sequence diagram which shows an example of the transmission condition of the various data between the input terminal 4, the management computer 3, and the furniture 1. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen mainly displayed at the time of rental in the input terminal 4. In the input terminal 4, it is a figure which shows an example of the screen mainly displayed at the time of return. It is a figure which shows the various information memorize | stored in the memory | storage part 304 of the management computer 3. FIG. It is a figure which shows the various information memorize | stored in the memory | storage part 304 of the management computer 3. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of main processing performed by a control unit 301 of the management computer 3. 5 is a flowchart of a lending process performed by the control unit 301 of the management computer 3. It is a flowchart of the article | item lending process performed in the lending process of FIG. It is a flowchart of the article | item lending process performed in the lending process of FIG. It is a flowchart of the return process performed by the control part 301 of the management computer 3. FIG. It is a flowchart of the article | item return process performed in the return process of FIG. It is a flowchart of the article | item return process performed in the return process of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Furniture 2 Communication cable 3 Management computer 4 Input terminal 5 Weighing device 6 with RFID reader / writer 6 User authentication card 7 Article 8 LAN cable 9 Management antenna 10 Furniture antenna 11 Relay device 100 Library 101 Upper shelf storage part (storage part)
102 Lower shelf storage (storage)
111 Upper shelf instruction lamp 112 Lower shelf instruction lamp 115 Unlock lamp 116 Speaker 117 Lock / unlock device 131 Open / close door switch (left)
132 Open / close door switch (right)
141 Upper shelf antenna 142 Lower shelf antenna 200 Lateral 201-204 Drawer 211-214 Indicator lamp 215 Unlocking lamp 216 Speaker 217 Locking / unlocking device 231-234 Open / close door switch 241-234 Antenna 301 Control unit 304 Storage unit

Claims (4)

A fixture having a storage unit for storing articles, a locking / unlocking device for locking / unlocking the opening / closing unit of the storage unit, and a reading device capable of reading at least a user ID;
An input terminal capable of inputting the article name or article ID of the object requested by the user and the user ID;
A database that stores information that associates the article ID and fixture ID of the object;
A control unit that controls the locking and unlocking device and the reading device, and a processing unit that processes input information from the input terminal or information in the database, and a management unit.
The management unit specifies the fixture ID based on the article ID and the database when the article ID and the user ID of the object are input by the input terminal in the processing unit, The control unit issues an unlocking instruction to unlock the locking / unlocking device to the target fixture to which the specified fixture ID is assigned, and the user ID is input by the reading unit of the target fixture in the processing unit. And a fixture locking / unlocking system for performing a comparison process of comparing the user ID with the user ID input from the input terminal.   The user ID is recorded on an RFID tag, and the reading device of the fixture and the input terminal can read the user ID recorded on the RFID tag by wireless communication. Item 2. A fixture locking and unlocking system according to item 1. The fixture includes a notification means,
The fixture locking / unlocking system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the management unit can notify the error of the fixture accessed by the user by the notification means when the comparison unit determines that there is a mismatch.   The said management part is in the center side which carries out central control of each said fixture, and performs the memory | storage process which memorize | stores the result of the said comparison process in the said database, The appliance of any one of Claims 1-3 characterized by the above-mentioned. Locking and unlocking system.

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