JP2019181149A - Control method, information processor, management system and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To reduce a time required for locking/unlocking of a storage tool.SOLUTION: A control method for controlling locking/unlocking of a storage tool using a block chain is configured so that, a block chain stores key owner information indicating a person who has authority of locking/unlocking a storage tool, the method comprises: a step (step S501) for determining whether or not, a key owner obtained by reading key owner information stored in the block chain and an owner of a terminal being a transmission source of first request information match, when receiving the first request information indicating request of locking/unlocking from the terminal; a step (step S502) for executing locking/unlocking processing for performing locking/unlocking related to the first request information to the storage tool, when it is determined that the key owner and owner match; a step (step S503) for, after executing locking/unlocking processing, executing first storage processing for storing transaction data indicating that locking/unlocking processing has been executed in the block chain.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

  The present invention relates to a control method, an information processing apparatus, a management system, and a program.

  A technique for managing the unlocking or unlocking of a storage unit in which articles are stored, such as a delivery box, using a block chain is disclosed (see Non-Patent Document 1).

GMO Internet Co., Ltd., “GMO Internet Group, Saison Information Systems, PARCO jointly implemented the second demonstration experiment using blockchain and IoT”, [online], June 21, 2017, [2018 Search on October 25, 2010], Internet <URL: https://cloud.z.com/jp/news-ep/iot2/>

  However, there is a problem that it takes a relatively long time to unlock the enclosure.

  Therefore, the present invention provides an information processing method that can reduce the time required for unlocking the enclosure.

  A control method according to an aspect of the present invention is a control method for controlling unlocking or unlocking of a storage using a block chain, wherein the storage is unlocked on the block chain. The key holder information indicating the authorized person is stored, and when the first request information indicating the unlocking request is received from the terminal, the key holder information stored in the block chain is read. It is determined whether the obtained key holder and the owner of the terminal that is the transmission source of the first request information match, and when it is determined that the key holder and the owner match, Executes unlocking processing for causing the storage device to perform unlocking and locking related to the first request information, and stores transaction data indicating that the unlocking processing has been executed in the block chain after executing the unlocking processing. Performing a first storage processing that.

  Note that these comprehensive or specific modes may be realized by a recording medium such as a system, an apparatus, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a computer-readable CD-ROM. The system, the apparatus, the integrated circuit, and the computer program And any combination of recording media.

  According to the control method of the present invention, the time required for unlocking the storage can be reduced.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the management system in the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of server functions in the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the data structure of the block chain. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the data structure of transaction data. FIG. 5 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the storage device in the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the unlocking process of the management system in the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the unlocking process of the storage device in the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the unlocking process of the management system in the comparative example. FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the server in the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing processing for changing the key holder of the management system according to the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the unlocking process of the management system in the second embodiment. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a control method in a modification of each embodiment. FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an information processing device according to a modification of each embodiment.

(Knowledge that became the basis of the present invention)
A control method according to an aspect of the present invention is a control method for controlling unlocking or unlocking of a storage using a block chain, wherein the storage is unlocked on the block chain. The key holder information indicating the authorized person is stored, and when the first request information indicating the unlocking request is received from the terminal, the key holder information stored in the block chain is read. It is determined whether the obtained key holder and the owner of the terminal that is the transmission source of the first request information match, and when it is determined that the key holder and the owner match, Executes unlocking processing for causing the storage device to perform unlocking and locking related to the first request information, and stores transaction data indicating that the unlocking processing has been executed in the block chain after executing the unlocking processing. Performing a first storage processing that.

  According to the said aspect, the process which stores transaction data in a block chain after receiving the unlocking | locking request | requirement of a storage device until execution of unlocking is not included. Thus, according to the control method of one embodiment of the present invention, the time required for unlocking the storage can be reduced.

  For example, the control method further executes a second storage process for storing the second request information in the block chain when receiving second request information indicating a request for changing the key holder information from the terminal. When the first request information is received, it is determined whether or not the second storage process is being executed, and the execution of the unlocking process is controlled according to the result of the determination May be.

  According to the said aspect, execution of the unlocking | locking of a storage device can be controlled in the non-reflecting state of a key holder change by the process in the middle of the process which concerns on a key holder change being performed. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the time required for unlocking the storage device while avoiding inappropriate unlocking of the storage device in the unreflected state.

  For example, when controlling the execution of the unlocking process, the storage device may be prohibited from executing the unlocking process according to the first request information.

  According to the said aspect, the unlocking process is prohibited as control of execution of the unlocking in an unreflected state. As a result, it is possible to more easily avoid the inappropriate unlocking of the container in the unreflected state.

  For example, when controlling the execution of the unlocking process, the process may wait until the second storage process ends, and the unlocking process may be executed after the second storage process ends.

  According to the above aspect, as control of execution of unlocking in the unreflected state, the unlocking process is waited until the unreflected state ends, and unlocking is executed after the key holder change is reflected. As a result, it is possible to more easily avoid the inappropriate unlocking of the container in the unreflected state.

  For example, when controlling the execution of the unlocking process, an image indicating that the process waits until the second storing process is completed may be displayed.

  According to the above aspect, when the unlocking process is waited until the unreflected state is completed as control for executing the unlocking in the unreflected state, this can be notified to the user by the display image. Thereby, it can be made to recognize that the user is waiting until the end of the unreflected state. In addition, it is possible to avoid an inappropriate operation or the like that can be performed by a user misrecognizing without this display.

  For example, when the unlocking is executed by the storage, the result information indicating whether or not the unlocking is actually executed is acquired, and the fact that the unlocking is actually executed is acquired. Only when the result information indicates, the transaction data may be stored in the block chain.

  According to the above aspect, the unlocking history is updated only when the unlocking of the storage is actually executed. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the time required for unlocking the storage device while avoiding updating the unlocking history when unlocking is actually desired for some reason.

  For example, when the transaction data is stored in the block chain, a block including the transaction data is generated, and when a consensus is formed for the generated block, the transaction data may be stored in the block chain. Good.

  According to the said aspect, the management system can store the block in which the consensus was made | formed by the some server in a block chain.

  An information processing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention is an information processing apparatus of one of a plurality of information processing apparatuses that controls unlocking or locking of a container using a block chain. A processor, a memory, and a storage device in which a distributed ledger by the block chain is stored, and the block chain stores key holder information indicating a person having authority to unlock the storage The processor is obtained by reading the key holder information stored in the block chain when receiving the first request information indicating the unlocking request from the terminal using the memory. When it is determined whether the key holder and the owner of the terminal that is the transmission source of the first request information match, and it is determined that the key holder and the owner match, the first holder request A first unlocking process is executed to cause the storage device to perform unlocking and locking related to the information, and after executing the unlocking process, transaction data indicating that the unlocking process has been executed is stored in the block chain. Execute the storage process.

  Moreover, the management system which concerns on 1 aspect of this invention is the said some information processing apparatus containing said information processing apparatus, and said unlocking or locking is controlled by the said some information processing apparatus using the said block chain A housing.

  According to the said aspect, there exists an effect similar to said control method.

  A program according to one embodiment of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to execute the above control method.

  According to the said aspect, there exists an effect similar to said control method.

  Note that these comprehensive or specific modes may be realized by a system, an apparatus, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a recording medium such as a computer-readable CD-ROM, and the system, apparatus, integrated circuit, and computer program. Alternatively, it may be realized by any combination of recording media.

  Hereinafter, embodiments will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

  It should be noted that each of the embodiments described below shows a comprehensive or specific example. The numerical values, shapes, materials, constituent elements, arrangement positions and connecting forms of the constituent elements, steps, order of steps, and the like shown in the following embodiments are merely examples, and are not intended to limit the present invention. In addition, among the constituent elements in the following embodiments, constituent elements that are not described in the independent claims indicating the highest concept are described as optional constituent elements.

(Embodiment)
In the present embodiment, a control method that can reduce the time required for unlocking the storage device will be described. The control method according to the present embodiment is a control method for controlling the unlocking or locking of one or more storage units in which articles can be stored using a distributed ledger. The storage is, for example, a delivery box or a coin locker. The control method according to the present embodiment can also be applied to a device that is unlocked, for example, a hotel room, an office, a house, or a vehicle such as a passenger car.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a management system 1 in the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the management system 1 includes servers 10A, 10B,..., 10E, terminals 21 and 22, and a storage 30. The servers 10A, 10B,..., 10E are also referred to as “server 10A etc.”, and each of the servers 10A etc. is also referred to as “server 10”.

  The management system 1 is a system that manages the unlocking of the storage 30 when the article 5 is delivered from the user U1 to the user U2 using the storage 30. For example, it is assumed that the storage device 30 is a delivery box and the management system 1 manages the unlocking of the delivery box. For example, when the recipient receives the article 5 via the delivery agent, the user U1 corresponds to the delivery agent and the user U2 corresponds to the recipient.

  Each of the servers 10A and the like is a server device that is an information processing device that manages the unlocking or locking of the storage device 30 on a computer using a distributed ledger. Each of the servers 10A, etc. has a ledger for management of unlocking or locking, and the ledger held in synchronization with the ledger held by its own device and the ledger held by another server 10A, etc. Has been updated. The distributed ledger can be realized by block chain technology which has an advantage that it is difficult to falsify recorded information.

  In the ledger held by the server 10A or the like, information indicating whether the storage 30 is unlocked or locked, and a key that is a person who has the authority to unlock the storage 30 The key holder information indicating who the holder is is stored. The server 10A and the like are communicably connected to the terminals 21 and 22 and the storage 30 via the network N. Servers 10A and the like are connected by a network M so that they can communicate with each other. The network M may be connected to the network N or may be the network N.

  The function for managing the unlocking and locking of the storage unit 30 and the function for managing the key holder may be realized by executing a normal computer program code, or a contract code that is a program code recorded in the ledger. Execution, in other words, may be realized by a smart contract.

  The terminals 21 and 22 are information processing terminals that receive an operation for unlocking or locking the storage device 30 from a user and transmit information to the server 10A or the like. Here, it is assumed that the terminal 21 is a terminal owned by the user U1 who delivers the article 5, and the terminal 22 is a terminal owned by the user U2 who receives the article 5. The terminals 21 and 22 are smartphones, personal computers, and the like.

  The storage 30 is a temporary storage place for the article 5 that is used when the article 5 is delivered from the user U1 to the user U2. It is assumed that the number of persons having authority to unlock the storage device 30 is limited to a predetermined number. The predetermined number is one person, for example, and this case will be described as an example. However, the predetermined number is not limited to one.

  The container 30 has at least a storage chamber for storing the article 5. The storage device 30 is unlocked based on an operation by the user U1, and is locked after the article 5 is stored by the user U1. Thereafter, the unlocking is performed based on the operation by the user U2, and the article 5 is carried out by the user U2.

  In the following description, the process of the management system 1 when the user U1 accommodates the article 5 in the storage unit 30 will be described as an example, but the same description holds when the article 5 is carried out of the storage unit 30.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the server 10 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the server 10 includes a reception unit 11, an unlocking management unit 12, a ledger storage unit 14, and a synchronization unit 15.

  The receiving unit 11 is a processing unit that receives a request for unlocking, which is unlocking or locking the storage unit 30. The accepting unit 11 can be realized by a processor executing a predetermined program.

  The receiving unit 11 receives request information (also referred to as first request information) indicating a request for unlocking from the terminal 21 of the user U1 via the communication interface. When accepting the request information, the accepting unit 11 performs an authentication process for authenticating the user U1 who is the sender of the request information. For the authentication process, identification information of the terminal 21 is used, and a known technique such as a PKI (Public-Key Infrastructure) technique can be applied. If the authentication of the user U1 is successful, the reception unit 11 provides the request information to the unlocking management unit 12.

  The unlocking management unit 12 is a processing unit that manages the unlocking of the storage unit 30. The unlocking management unit 12 can be realized by a processor executing a predetermined program. The unlocking management unit 12 includes a determination unit 13 that determines whether or not the key holder matches the owner of the terminal that is the transmission source of the request information. Specifically, when the determination unit 13 receives request information indicating a request for unlocking from the terminal 21, the key holder obtained by reading the key holder information stored in the ledger storage unit 14, It is determined whether or not the owner of the terminal that is the transmission source of the request information matches.

  Moreover, the unlocking management part 12 performs the unlocking process for making the storage device 30 perform the unlocking which concerns on request information, when the determination part 13 determines that a key holder and an owner correspond. In the unlocking process, the unlocking management unit 12 transmits an unlocking command or an unlocking command that is a locking command to the storage device 30.

  The ledger storage unit 14 is a storage unit that stores a distributed ledger. The ledger storage unit 14 is realized by a storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive), and a function realized by a processor executing a predetermined program. The distributed ledger is realized by a block chain that stores transaction data in blocks. The ledger storage unit 14 stores an unlocking history 17 and a key holder history 18. The latest data in the unlocking history 17 stored in the ledger storage unit 14 represents the current unlocking state of the storage unit 30. Further, the latest data in the key holder history 18 stored in the ledger storage unit 14 represents the key holder of the storage device 30 at the present time.

  The synchronization unit 15 is a processing unit that stores transaction data in the ledger storage unit 14 while synchronizing the ledger storage unit 14 among the plurality of servers 10. The synchronization unit 15 can be realized by a processor executing a predetermined program.

  The synchronization unit 15 stores transaction data indicating that the unlocking process has been executed in the unlocking history 17 after the unlocking process is executed by the unlocking management unit 12. Here, the processing related to storage is also referred to as first storage processing. When performing the first storage process, an attempt is made to form an agreement with another server 10 based on a consensus algorithm at predetermined time intervals. Then, when the consensus building is successful, the synchronization unit 15 stores new information in the block as a recording unit in the ledger storage unit 14. It takes a few minutes to several tens of minutes for the synchronization unit 15 to form an agreement with another server 10. As the consensus algorithm, conventionally proposed algorithms such as PBFT (Practical Byzantine Fault Tolerance) can be applied.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the data structure of the block chain. FIG. 3 shows three blocks B1, B2, and B3 among the blocks included in the block chain.

  The block chain is a block in which the recording units are connected on a chain. Each block has a plurality of transaction data and a hash value of the immediately preceding block. Specifically, the block B2 includes the hash value of the previous block B1. Then, the hash value calculated from the plurality of transaction data included in the block B2 and the hash value of the block B1 is included in the block B3 as the hash value of the block B2. In this way, tampering with stored transaction data is effectively prevented by connecting the blocks in a chain while including the contents of the previous block as a hash value.

  If past transaction data stored in the blockchain is changed, the hash value of the block will be different from that before the change, and in order to make the altered block appear to be correct, all the blocks after that are changed. This has to be reworked and this work is very difficult in practice.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the data structure of the transaction data D1.

  The transaction data D1 shown in FIG. 4 includes a data field D2 indicating the contents of the transaction and a signature field D3.

  The data field D2 includes data indicating the history of execution of unlocking or data indicating the history of key holder changes.

  The signature field D3 includes an electronic signature generated by encrypting the hash value of the data included in the data field D2 with the signature key of the person who generated the data field D2.

  Transaction data D1 including data indicating execution of unlocking corresponds to the unlocking history 17, and transaction data D1 including data indicating change of the key holder corresponds to the key holder history 18.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the storage 30 in the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the storage 30 includes a communication unit 31 and an unlocking control unit 32.

  The communication unit 31 is a communication interface device that is communicably connected to another device. The communication unit 31 is connected to the network N and can communicate with the server 10 via the network N.

  The unlocking control unit 32 controls whether or not the storage device 30 is unlocked or locked. When receiving the unlocking command from the unlocking management unit 12 of the server 10 via the communication unit 31, the unlocking control unit 32 unlocks the storage device 30 according to the received unlocking command. When receiving a locking command from the unlocking management unit 12 of the server 10, the storage device 30 is locked according to the received locking command.

  The processing of the management system 1 configured as described above will be described in comparison with a comparative example.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the unlocking process of the management system 1 in the present embodiment. The series of processing shown in FIG. 6 shows processing when the user U1 unlocks the storage device 30 in a state where the storage device 30 is locked.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in step S <b> 101, the reception unit 11 determines whether an unlocking / locking request that is a request for unlocking or locking is received from the terminal 21. If it is determined that the unlocking request has been received (Yes in Step S101), the process proceeds to Step S102, and if not (No in Step S101), Step S101 is executed again. That is, the reception unit 11 stands by in step S101 until an unlocking request is received from the terminal 21. Here, it is assumed that an unlocking request has been received, and the following description will proceed.

  In step S102, the reception unit 11 performs an authentication process on the user U1 who is the sender of the unlock request received in step S101, and determines whether the authentication process is successful. If it is determined that the authentication process is successful (Yes in step S102), the process proceeds to step S103. If not (No in step S102), the series of processes illustrated in FIG.

  In step S103, the determination unit 13 determines whether or not the user U1 of the terminal 21 that is the transmission source of the unlock request received in step S101 matches the current key holder. The current key holder can be obtained by reading the key holder history 18 in the ledger storage unit 14.

  In step S104, if the determination unit 13 determines in step S103 that the sender of the unlock request matches the current key holder (Yes in step S104), the determination unit 13 proceeds to step S105, and otherwise (step S104). If NO in S104, the process proceeds to step S106.

  In step S105, the unlocking management unit 12 transmits an unlocking command to the storage 30 based on the unlocking request received in step S101.

  In step S <b> 106, the unlocking management unit 12 stores history information indicating that the storage unit 30 has been unlocked in the unlocking history 17 of the ledger storage unit 14. Storage of the unlocking history 17 is performed after transmitting update information of the unlocking history 17 to another server 10 and the like, and forming a consensus by a consensus algorithm. Note that storing the history information in the unlocking history 17 in step S106 received result information indicating that the storage unit 30 actually executed the unlocking in response to the unlocking command transmitted in step S105. It may be done only in cases.

  In addition, although the process at the time of unlocking the locked storage 30 was demonstrated above, the process at the time of locking the unlocked storage 30 is made similarly. In that case, the unlock request and the unlock command in the above description are appropriately replaced with the lock request and the lock command, respectively.

  In FIG. 6, it is described that a series of processing from step S101 to step S106 is executed. The storage and consensus building process of S106 may be executed.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the unlocking process of the storage device 30 in the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 7, in step S <b> 201, the unlocking control unit 32 determines whether an unlocking command has been received from the server 10. If an unlocking command is received, the process proceeds to step S202, and if not, step S201 is executed again. That is, the unlocking control unit 32 stands by in step S201 until an unlocking command is received from the server 10.

  In step S202, the unlocking control unit 32 executes unlocking or locking of the storage device 30 based on the unlocking command received in step S201. When the process of step S202 is completed, step S201 is executed again.

  Next, the unlocking process of the management system in the comparative example will be described. The management system in the comparative example is an example of a system corresponding to a conventional management system, and the timing for storing the unlocking history is different from the management system 1 of the present embodiment. In the following description, the components of the management system in the comparative example will be described with the same names as those of the management system 1 of the present embodiment without reference numerals.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the unlocking process of the management system in the comparative example.

  Steps S301 and S302 are the same as the processes of steps S101 and S102 of the management system 1. Here, it is assumed that an unlocking request has been received in step S301, and the following description will proceed.

  In step S303, the unlocking management unit stores the unlocking request information received in step S301 in the unlocking history of the ledger management unit. The unlocking history is stored after transmitting the update information of the unlocking history to another server and forming a consensus by the consensus algorithm.

  In step S304, the determination unit determines whether or not the sender of the unlocking request received in step S301 matches the current key holder. The current key holder can be obtained by reading the key holder information in the ledger storage unit.

  In step S305, when the determination unit determines in step S304 that the sender of the unlocking request matches the current key holder (Yes in step S305), the determination unit proceeds to step S306, and otherwise (step S305). In No), the series of processing shown in FIG.

  In step S306, the unlocking management unit transmits an unlocking command to the storage unit 30 based on the unlocking request received in step S301.

  As described above, in the management system in the comparative example, the process related to the consensus formation in step S303 takes about several minutes to several tens of minutes. That is, it takes a time exceeding several minutes to several tens of minutes after receiving the unlocking request until the unlocking of the storage device 30 is actually performed.

  On the other hand, the management system 1 according to the present embodiment does not include a process related to the consensus formation from when the unlocking request is received until the unlocking of the storage device 30 is actually performed. For this reason, the time from when the unlocking request is received until the storage device 30 is actually unlocked can be shortened to a relatively short time, for example, about 1 second or less.

  In the above description, the processing of the management system 1 when the user U1 stores the article 5 in the storage 30 has been described. However, the same description applies when the user U2 carries out the article 5 from the storage 30. Is established.

  As described above, according to the control method according to the present embodiment, the process of storing the transaction data in the block chain between the time when the unlocking request of the storage device is received and the time when the unlocking is executed is not included. Thus, according to the control method of one embodiment of the present invention, the time required for unlocking the storage can be reduced.

  Further, the unlocking history is updated only when the unlocking of the storage is actually executed. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the time required for unlocking the storage device while avoiding updating the unlocking history when unlocking is actually desired for some reason.

  In addition, the management system can store blocks for which consensus has been formed by a plurality of servers in the block chain.

(Embodiment 2)
In the present embodiment, a technique for appropriately unlocking the storage after the change of the key holder will be described for a control method that can reduce the time required for unlocking the storage.

  The server 10F in the present embodiment is partially different from the server 10 in the first embodiment. Hereinafter, with respect to the server 10F and the like, portions different from the server 10 are mainly described.

  FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the server 10F in the present embodiment.

  As illustrated in FIG. 9, the server 10F includes a reception unit 11, an unlocking management unit 12, a ledger storage unit 14, and a synchronization unit 15A. Among the functional configurations of the server 10 </ b> F, the synchronization unit 15 </ b> A is different from the synchronization unit 15 of the server 10.

  The synchronization unit 15A has the same function as the synchronization unit 15 of the first embodiment, and further includes a detection unit 15B.

  Similar to the synchronization unit 15, the synchronization unit 15 </ b> A stores information to be stored in the ledger storage unit 14 in the ledger storage unit 14 through consensus formation with other servers 10 </ b> F and the like. Information that the synchronization unit 15A has as information to be stored in the ledger storage unit 14 is request information indicating a request for unlocking and request information (also referred to as second request information) indicating a request for changing the key holder. Here, the process of storing transaction data indicating a request for changing the key holder in the ledger storage unit 14 through consensus formation with another server 10F is also referred to as a second storage process.

  The detection unit 15B is a processing unit that detects transaction data indicating a request to change the key holder from information that is temporarily stored in the synchronization unit 15A and should be stored in the ledger storage unit 14.

  When the synchronization unit 15A receives unlocking request information from the storage device 30, the synchronization unit 15A stores transaction data indicating a key holder change request from information to be stored in the ledger storage unit 14. The detection unit 15B determines whether or not the storage process is being executed. And according to the result of determination by the detection part 15B, execution of the unlocking process of the storage device 30 is controlled.

  Control of execution of the unlocking process may include, for example, prohibiting the storage unit 30 from executing the unlocking process related to the first request information.

  Further, the control of the execution of the unlocking process may include, for example, waiting until the second storage process ends, and executing the unlocking process after the second storage process ends.

  Further, the control of execution of the unlocking process may include, for example, displaying an image indicating that the process waits until the second storage process ends. For example, the image is displayed by the terminal 21 of the user U1. In that case, the synchronization unit 15A transmits a signal for displaying the image to the terminal 21 via a communication interface (not shown).

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the key holder change process of the management system 2 in the present embodiment.

  As illustrated in FIG. 10, in step S <b> 401, the reception unit 11 determines whether a key holder change request (also simply referred to as a change request) has been received from the terminal 21. If it is determined that a change request has been received (Yes in step S401), the process proceeds to step S402. If not (No in step S401), step S401 is executed again. That is, the reception unit 11 waits in step S401 until a change request is received from the terminal 21.

  In step S402, the reception unit 11 performs an authentication process for the user U1 who is the sender of the change request received in step S401, and determines whether the authentication process is successful. If it is determined that the authentication process is successful (Yes in step S402), the process proceeds to step S403. If not (No in step S402), the series of processes illustrated in FIG.

  In step S403, the unlocking management unit 12 performs a process of changing the key holder based on the change request received in step S401. Specifically, the unlocking management unit 12 performs a storage process of storing transaction data indicating a request for changing the key holder in the key holder history 18. In the storing process, the transaction data is generated, and after the consensus algorithm is formed with the other server 10F by the synchronization unit 15A, the transaction data is stored in the key holder history 18. The time required for consensus building varies depending on the type of blockchain software, but is, for example, about several minutes to several tens of minutes.

  For this reason, the change request from the user is not reflected in the key holder history 18 until the key holder history information is stored in the ledger storage unit 14 in step S403 after the change request is received in step S401. . This state is also referred to as an unreflected state.

  If a request for unlocking the storage device 30 is received from the user U2 in an unreflected state in which the change of the key holder from the user U1 to the user U2 is not reflected, the unlocking related to the request cannot be executed. .

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the unlocking process of the management system 2 in the present embodiment. The series of processing shown in FIG. 11 is partly different from the unlocking processing (see FIG. 6) of the management system 1 of the first embodiment.

  Steps S101 to S104 and S105 to S106 shown in FIG. 11 are the same as the steps having the same names shown in FIG.

  In step S104A, the detection unit 15B attempts to detect transaction data indicating a key holder change request from information stored in the ledger storage unit 14 held by the synchronization unit 15A. The synchronization unit 15A determines whether the detection unit 15B has detected the transaction data. If it is determined that the transaction data has been detected (Yes in step S104A), the process proceeds to step S104B. If not (No in step S104A), the process proceeds to step S105.

  In step S105B, the management system 2 performs a predetermined process. For example, the predetermined process is to end a series of processes shown in FIG. 11 at this time. Executing this process corresponds to controlling the execution of the unlocking process of the storage device 30 received in step S101 to be prohibited.

  The predetermined process may be waiting for a predetermined time. When waiting for a predetermined time, the detection unit 15B executes step S104A again after the predetermined time has elapsed. As a result, the unlocking management unit 12 controls to wait for the unlocking process of the storage unit 30 until the change request is reflected, and to execute the unlocking command transmission process after waiting.

  According to the process shown in FIG. 11, the unlocking process in the unreflected state can be prohibited or waited. Thereby, there exists an advantage by which performing the process which concerns on unlocking in an unreflected state is avoided.

  As described above, according to the control method according to the present embodiment, in the state in which the process related to the key holder change is being executed, Execution of unlocking can be controlled. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the time required for unlocking the storage device while avoiding inappropriate unlocking of the storage device in the unreflected state.

  Further, the unlocking process is prohibited as a control for executing the unlocking in the unreflected state. As a result, it is possible to more easily avoid the inappropriate unlocking of the container in the unreflected state.

  In addition, as control of execution of unlocking in the unreflected state, the unlocking process is waited until the unreflected state ends, and unlocking is executed after the key holder change is reflected. As a result, it is possible to more easily avoid the inappropriate unlocking of the container in the unreflected state.

  Further, when the unlocking process is waited until the unreflected state is completed as control for executing the unlocking in the unreflected state, this can be notified to the user by the display image. Thereby, it can be made to recognize that the user is waiting until the end of the unreflected state. In addition, it is possible to avoid an inappropriate operation or the like that can be performed by a user misrecognizing without this display.

(Modification of each embodiment)
In this modification, a control method and an information processing apparatus according to modifications of the above-described embodiments will be described.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a control method in the present modification.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the control method in the present modification is a control method for controlling the unlocking / locking of the enclosure using the block chain. Here, key holder information indicating a person who has authority to unlock the storage device is stored in the block chain.

  In step S501, when the first request information indicating the unlocking request is received from the terminal, the key holder obtained by reading the key holder information stored in the block chain, and the transmission source of the first request information It is determined whether or not the owner of the terminal is the same. If it is determined that the key holder matches the owner, the process proceeds to step S502.

  In step S502, an unlocking process for causing the storage device to execute the unlocking related to the first request information is executed.

  In step S503, after the unlocking process is executed, a first storage process for storing transaction data indicating that the unlocking process has been executed in the block chain is executed.

  Thereby, the time required for unlocking the storage can be reduced.

  FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the information processing apparatus 10G in the present modification.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the information processing apparatus 10 </ b> G according to the present modification is one piece of information among a plurality of information processing apparatuses that uses a block chain to control the unlocking or locking of the enclosure. This is the processing apparatus 10G.

  The information processing apparatus 10G includes a processor 41, a memory 42, and a storage device 43 in which a distributed ledger using a block chain is stored. In the block chain, key holder information indicating a person who has the authority to unlock the storage device is stored.

  When the processor 41 receives the first request information indicating the unlocking request from the terminal using the memory 42, the processor 41, the key holder obtained by reading the key holder information stored in the block chain, It is determined whether or not the owner of the terminal that is the transmission source of the request information matches.

  Moreover, the processor 41 performs the unlocking process for making a storage unit perform the unlocking which concerns on 1st request information, when it determines with a key holder and an owner using the memory 42 matching.

  Moreover, the processor 41 performs the 1st storage process which stores the transaction data which showed having performed the unlocking process in the block chain after execution of the unlocking process using the memory 42. FIG.

  Thereby, the time required for unlocking the storage can be reduced.

  In the above-described embodiment, each component may be configured by dedicated hardware or may be realized by executing a software program suitable for each component. Each component may be realized by a program execution unit such as a CPU or a processor reading and executing a software program recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk or a semiconductor memory. Here, the software that realizes the information processing apparatus of the above-described embodiment is a program as follows.

  That is, this program is a control method for controlling the unlocking or unlocking of the enclosure using the block chain to the computer, and the block chain has the authority to unlock the enclosure. Is obtained by reading the key holder information stored in the block chain when first request information indicating a request for unlocking is received from the terminal. When it is determined whether the key holder and the owner of the terminal that is the transmission source of the first request information match, and it is determined that the key holder and the owner match, the first holder Execute unlocking processing for causing the storage device to perform unlocking related to request information, and after executing the unlocking processing, transaction data indicating that the unlocking processing has been executed is To execute the control method for performing a first storage processing of storing the over down.

  As mentioned above, although the control method etc. which concern on one or several aspects were demonstrated based on embodiment, this invention is not limited to this embodiment. Unless it deviates from the gist of the present invention, various modifications conceived by those skilled in the art have been made in this embodiment, and forms constructed by combining components in different embodiments are also within the scope of one or more aspects May be included.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used for a control method that can reduce the time required for unlocking the enclosure. Specifically, it can be used as a locker for public use.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 2 Management system 5 Goods 10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E, 10F Server 10G Information processing apparatus 11 Reception part 12 Unlocking management part 13 Judgment part 14 Ledger storage part 15, 15A Synchronization part 15B Detection part 17 Solution Locking history 18 Key holder history 21, 22 Terminal 30 Storage unit 31 Communication unit 32 Unlocking control unit 41 Processor 42 Memory 43 Storage device B1, B2, B3 Block D1 Transaction data D2 Data field D3 Signature field N, M Network U1, U2 user

Claims (10)

A control method for controlling the unlocking or unlocking of the enclosure using a block chain,
The block chain stores key holder information indicating a person who has the authority to unlock the lock.
When receiving the first request information indicating the unlocking request from the terminal, the key holder obtained by reading the key holder information stored in the block chain and the transmission source of the first request information Determine if the owner of a device matches,
When it is determined that the key holder and the owner match, an unlocking process for causing the storage device to execute the unlocking according to the first request information is performed,
A control method for executing a first storage process for storing transaction data indicating that the unlocking process has been executed in the block chain after the unlocking process has been executed. The control method further includes:
When receiving second request information indicating a request for changing the key holder information from the terminal, execute a second storage process for storing the second request information in the block chain,
When receiving the first request information, determine whether the second storage process is being executed,
The control method according to claim 1, wherein execution of the unlocking process is controlled according to a result of the determination. When controlling the execution of the unlocking process,
The control method according to claim 2, wherein the storage device is prohibited from executing the unlocking process related to the first request information. When controlling the execution of the unlocking process,
The control method according to claim 2, waiting until the second storage process is completed, and executing the unlocking process after the second storage process is completed. When controlling the execution of the unlocking process,
The control method according to claim 4, wherein an image indicating waiting until the second storage process is completed is displayed. When the unlocking is executed by the enclosure,
Obtaining result information indicating whether or not the unlocking is actually executed;
The control method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the transaction data is stored in the block chain only when the acquired result information indicates that the unlocking has actually been executed. When storing the transaction data in the blockchain,
The control method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a block including the transaction data is generated and the transaction data is stored in the block chain when a consensus is formed for the generated block. An information processing device of one of a plurality of information processing devices that controls the unlocking or unlocking of the enclosure using a block chain,
A processor;
Memory,
A storage device in which the distributed ledger by the block chain is stored,
The block chain stores key holder information indicating a person who has the authority to unlock the lock.
The processor uses the memory,
When receiving the first request information indicating the unlocking request from the terminal, the key holder obtained by reading the key holder information stored in the block chain and the transmission source of the first request information Determine if the owner of a device matches,
When it is determined that the key holder and the owner match, an unlocking process for causing the storage device to execute the unlocking according to the first request information is performed,
An information processing apparatus that executes a first storage process for storing transaction data indicating that the unlocking process has been executed in the block chain after the unlocking process has been executed. A plurality of information processing devices including the information processing device according to claim 8;
A management system comprising: the storage in which unlocking or locking is controlled by the plurality of information processing devices using the block chain.   The program for making a computer perform the control method of any one of Claims 1-6.

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