JP2020057027A - Article management system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a highly versatile article management system capable of managing one or more articles with a simple configuration.SOLUTION: An article management system 1 is provided with an in-housing camera 40 for detecting one or more articles 2 housed inside an openable/closable housing 10, at the inside of the case 10, a code reader 50 for detecting a target article which is at least one of the one or more articles 2, at an outside of the housing 10, and a communication unit 26 for outputting first detection information indicating a detection result by the in-housing camera 40 and second detection information indicating the detection result by the code reader 50.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

  The present disclosure relates to an article management system that manages one or more articles stored in a housing.

  2. Description of the Related Art A vending machine that automatically sells articles is known (for example, see Patent Literature 1). Patent Literature 1 discloses a vending machine system that can switch between a normal mode and a free mode based on authentication information read by a card reader.

JP-A-2015-162084

  However, in the above-described conventional vending machine system, a housing for storing articles is a dedicated product. The articles stored in the housing must also have a shape and a size suitable for the main housing. The configuration for storing the articles and the configuration of the outlet for the articles are also complicated.

  Thus, the present disclosure provides a highly versatile article management system that can manage one or more articles with a simple configuration.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, an article management system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a first detection unit that detects one or more articles stored in an openable and closable housing, inside the housing, A second detection unit that detects a target article that is at least one of the one or more articles outside the housing, first detection information indicating a detection result by the first detection unit, and the second detection An output unit that outputs second detection information indicating a detection result by the unit.

  In addition, for example, the article management system according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a detection unit that detects one or more articles stored in a predetermined position inside the openable housing inside the housing. And an output unit for outputting detection information indicating a detection result by the detection unit, wherein the output unit has moved from a position where a target article, which is at least one of the one or more articles, is stored. When the detection unit detects, the position information indicating the position of the target article may be output as the detection information.

  According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a highly versatile article management system that can manage one or more articles with a simple configuration.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the article management system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a top view of a lunch box, which is an example of an article to be managed by the article management system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3A is a perspective view showing a closed housing in the article management system according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 3B is a perspective view showing the opened housing in the article management system according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of a user using the article management system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the article management system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a registered person list in the article management system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a price list in the article management system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a photographing range of the indoor camera in the article management system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a state where a user holds an article over a code reader in the article management system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a lock mechanism of the article management system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a side view showing an unlocked state and a locked state of the lock mechanism of the article management system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 12 is a top view showing a locked state of the lock mechanism of the article management system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation of the article management system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control device of the article management system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating error processing performed by the control device of the article management system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a matching process performed by the management device of the article management system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating an identification display reading process performed by the code reader and the control device of the article management system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a comparison and charging process performed by the management device of the article management system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating another example of the comparison and charging process performed by the management device of the article management system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of the housing of the article management system according to the first modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 21 is a perspective view of an in-compartment sensor unit of the article management system according to the second modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a detachable sensor of the in-compartment sensor unit according to the second modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a plurality of articles are attached to the in-compartment sensor unit according to the second modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating a state in which an article is removed from the detachable sensor according to the second modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 25 is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation of the article management system according to the second modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control device in the article management system according to the second modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 27 is a perspective view of an in-compartment sensor unit of the article management system according to the third modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 28 is a perspective view of a detachable sensor of the in-compartment sensor unit according to the third modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 29 is a diagram showing a state in which a plurality of articles are attached to the in-compartment sensor unit according to the third modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 30 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a lunch box is removed from the detachable sensor according to the third modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 31 is a perspective view of an in-compartment sensor unit of the article management system according to Modification 4 of Embodiment 1. FIG. 32 is a diagram illustrating a state where a plurality of articles are attached to the in-compartment sensor unit according to Modification 4 of Embodiment 1. FIG. 33 is a diagram illustrating a state where an article is attached to the in-compartment sensor unit according to the fourth modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 34 is a diagram illustrating a state where an article is removed from the in-compartment sensor unit according to the fourth modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 35 is a diagram illustrating a positional relationship between a weight sensor and an article in the article management system according to the fifth modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 36 is a perspective view of an individual storage unit of the article management system according to the sixth modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 37 is a perspective view of an individual storage unit in which an article is stored in the article management system according to the sixth modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 38 is a perspective view showing a state before and after removing an article from an individual storage unit in the article management system according to Modification 6 of Embodiment 1. FIG. 39 is a diagram illustrating the individual storage shelves in the article management system according to the seventh modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 40 is a perspective view showing a part of the individual storage shelf according to the seventh modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 41 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an article management system according to Embodiment 2. FIG. 42 is a perspective view of a plurality of individual housings in the article management system according to Embodiment 2. FIG. 43 is a front view showing a housing in which a plurality of individual housings according to Embodiment 2 are arranged. FIG. 44 is a diagram showing a person list in the article management system according to Embodiment 2. FIG. 45 is a flowchart illustrating a collation process performed by the management device of the article management system according to the second embodiment. FIG. 46 is a flowchart showing an operation of the control device of the article management system according to the second embodiment. FIG. 47 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an article management system according to Embodiment 3. FIG. 48 is a diagram illustrating an example of storing a plurality of articles in a housing in the article management system according to the third embodiment. FIG. 49 is a diagram illustrating a storage position table indicating a correspondence between an article and a storage position in the article management system according to the third embodiment. FIG. 50 is a sequence diagram showing an operation of the article management system according to Embodiment 3. FIG. 51 is a sequence diagram showing an operation of the article management system according to the modification of the third embodiment. FIG. 52 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an article management system according to Embodiment 4. FIG. 53 is a sequence diagram showing an operation of the article management system according to Embodiment 4. FIG. 54 is a flowchart showing the operation of the state confirmation process performed by the management device of the article management system according to Embodiment 4. FIG. 55 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an article management system according to a first modification of the fourth embodiment. FIG. 56 is a sequence diagram showing an operation of the article management system according to the first modification of the fourth embodiment. FIG. 57 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a state confirmation process performed by the management device of the article management system according to the first modification of the fourth embodiment. FIG. 58 is a sequence diagram showing an operation of the article management system according to the second modification of the fourth embodiment. FIG. 59 is a diagram illustrating a connection relationship between the control device and the lock mechanism of the article management system according to the fifth embodiment. FIG. 60 is a flowchart showing an unlocking process performed by the lock mechanism of the article management system according to the fifth embodiment. FIG. 61 is a diagram illustrating a connection relationship between the control device of the article management system and the lock mechanism according to the first modification of the fifth embodiment. FIG. 62 is a diagram illustrating a connection relationship between a control device of an article management system and a lock mechanism according to a second modification of the fifth embodiment. FIG. 63 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an article management system according to a modification of the embodiment. FIG. 64 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the communication terminal of the article management system according to the modification of the embodiment. FIG. 65 is a diagram showing an example of an unlock code display screen according to a modification of the embodiment.

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

  Each of the embodiments described below shows a comprehensive or specific example. Numerical values, shapes, materials, constituent elements, arrangement positions and connection forms of constituent elements, steps, order of steps, and the like shown in the following embodiments are merely examples, and do not limit the present disclosure.

  In addition, each drawing is a schematic diagram, and is not necessarily strictly illustrated. Therefore, for example, the scales and the like do not always match in each drawing. Further, in each of the drawings, substantially the same configuration is denoted by the same reference numeral, and redundant description will be omitted or simplified.

(Embodiment 1)
[Overview]
First, an outline of an article management system 1 according to Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an article management system 1 according to the present embodiment.

  The article management system 1 according to the present embodiment is a system that manages a plurality of articles 2 stored in a case 10 that can be opened and closed. The number of articles 2 managed by the article management system 1 may be only one. A control device 20 that can communicate with the management device 30 is attached to the housing 10. In the present embodiment, the housing 10 is not a dedicated housing. The article management system 1 is configured by retrofitting a hardware configuration such as the control device 20 to a commercially available general housing 10.

  In the present embodiment, the article management system 1 stores the article 2 and charges for the article 2 taken out of the housing 10. That is, in the article management system 1, the housing 10 can be a so-called vending machine.

  The housing 10 is installed in a place where a plurality of persons gather, such as a workplace (office building), a school, and a hospital. Any person or a predetermined person can open the housing 10 and can take out the article 2 stored in the housing 10. The control device 20 and the management device 30 specify the article 2 taken out of the housing 10 and the taken out person, and charge the specified person for the specified article 2. In this way, the article management system 1 can store and sell the article 2 stored in the housing 10.

  In the following embodiment, an example in which the article 2 is a lunch box as shown in FIG. 2 will be described as an example. That is, the article management system 1 is an automatic lunch sales system arranged in an office or the like. FIG. 2 is a top view of a lunch box, which is an example of the article 2 to be managed by the article management system 1 according to the present embodiment.

  The bento is stored in the housing 10 and stored in an environment where the temperature is controlled. A user who has little time to buy a lunch box or a user who wants a special lunch box (for example, for vegetarians) different from a commercial lunch box can open the housing 10 and purchase his / her favorite lunch box. . Payment is automatically performed based on personal information registered in advance. Therefore, it is possible to purchase a lunch box without cash.

  3A and 3B are perspective views of the housing 10 of the article management system 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3A shows a state where the housing 10 is closed. FIG. 3B shows a state where the housing 10 is opened.

  As shown in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B, a plurality of lunch boxes 2 a to 2 c are housed in the housing 10. Each of the plurality of lunch boxes 2a to 2c is an example of the article 2, and types thereof are different from each other. For example, the lunch 2a is a lunch containing meat as a main ingredient, and the lunch 2b is a lunch containing fish as a main ingredient. The lunch 2c is a vegetarian lunch that does not contain meat and fish. The lunch boxes 2a to 2c may be lunch boxes corresponding to dishes styles such as Western style, Chinese style and Japanese style.

  Here, an operation in which the user takes out (purchases) the article 2 from the housing 10 using the article management system 1 will be briefly described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of a user using the article management system 1 according to the present embodiment.

  Here, the case where the user is a person who is permitted to use the article management system 1 and correctly uses the article management system 1 and takes out only one article 2 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, an in-compartment camera 40 is mounted inside the housing 10. A control device 20, a code reader 50, and a card reader 60 are mounted outside the housing 10.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the user holds an identification card such as an ID card or a credit card held by the user over the card reader 60 for personal authentication (collation with a registration list) (S1). ). After the personal authentication of the user is completed, the lock mechanism 70 (see FIGS. 5 and 10) is unlocked, so that the housing 10 can be opened (S2). The user opens the housing 10 (door 12) and takes out the article 2 from the housing 10 (S3).

  Thereafter, the user causes the code reader 50 to read the identification display 51 attached to the taken-out article 2 (S4). Thereby, the specified article 2 taken out and the billing process are performed. Then, the user closes the housing 10 (door 12) to complete the removal (purchase) of the article 2 (S5). The timing at which the user closes the housing 10 may be immediately after the article 2 is taken out and before the identification display 51 is read by the code reader 50.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the article management system 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the article management system 1 according to the present embodiment includes a housing 10, a control device 20, a management device 30, an in-compartment camera (first detection unit) 40, and a code reader (first 2) a card reader (acquisition unit) 60, a lock mechanism 70, an open / close sensor 80, and a guide unit 90.

  In the following, an example in which the article management system 1 includes the housing 10 will be described. However, the article management system 1 may not include the housing 10. That is, the control device 20, the in-compartment camera 40, the code reader 50, the card reader 60, the lock mechanism 70, the open / close sensor 80, and the guide unit 90 are attached to a highly versatile housing (such as a commercially available showcase) 10, or By arranging it near the housing 10, the article management system 1 can be applied. The attachment is performed using a fixture such as a screw or an adhesive sheet. That is, since a dedicated housing is not required as the housing 10, it is possible to realize the article management system 1 with high versatility.

  Hereinafter, details of each component of the article management system 1 will be described with reference to the drawings.

[Housing]
The housing 10 is an openable and closable housing for accommodating a plurality of articles 2 therein. FIG. 5 shows an example in which the first detection unit 40, the lock mechanism 70, and the open / close sensor 80 are arranged inside the housing 10. Hereinafter, a detailed configuration of the housing 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B.

  As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the housing 10 includes a main body 11 and a door 12.

  The main body 11 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing that forms an outer periphery of the housing 10. The main body 11 forms a substantially rectangular parallelepiped storage space 11a for storing a plurality of articles 2 therein. At least one surface of the main body 11 is open, and a door 12 is attached so as to cover the open surface.

  The shapes of the main body 11 and the storage space 11a may be substantially cubic, substantially columnar, substantially spherical, or the like, and are not particularly limited. The size of the main body 11 is, for example, such that the capacity of the storage space 11a is about 60 liters to 100 liters, but is not limited thereto. The main body 11 is formed by, for example, molding and combining a metal material or a resin material. However, the material of the main body 11 is not particularly limited, and may be formed using wood or the like.

  In the present embodiment, the storage space 11a of the main body 11 is divided into a plurality of partial spaces by a partition member. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, two shelves 13 are arranged in the storage space 11a. The two shelves 13 divide the storage space 11a into three (upper, middle, lower) sections in the vertical direction. The shelf 13 is formed using, for example, a flat plate or a flat net.

  Although not shown, a pair of grooves or a pair of protrusions are provided at the same height on two inner surfaces (left inner surface and right inner surface) of the main body 11 facing each other. The shelf 13 is inserted into the pair of grooves or placed on the pair of protrusions. At this time, a plurality of pairs of grooves or a pair of protrusions may be provided at different heights. Thereby, the height of the shelf 13 can be changed according to the size of the article 2 to be stored. Thus, the shelf 13 may be removable.

  In the present embodiment, different types of articles 2 are stored in each of the partial spaces divided by the shelf 13. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, a lunch box 2a is arranged in an upper stage, a lunch box 2b is arranged in a middle stage, and a lunch box 2c is arranged in a lower stage. The lunch boxes 2a are arranged side by side and stacked.

  The door 12 is fixed to the main body 11 so as to be openable and closable. Specifically, the door 12 is a substantially rectangular plate, and is connected to one side of the main body 11 so as to be rotatable around one side as an axis. That is, the door 12 is a so-called horizontal opening type door. When the door 12 is closed, the storage space 11a of the main body 11 is blocked from the outside, and the article 2 cannot be taken out. By opening the door 12, the storage space 11a is opened to the outside, and the article 2 can be taken out.

  The door 12 is formed using a translucent member such as a transparent glass plate, for example. Thereby, the state of the article 2 stored inside can be visually checked without opening the door 12. The door 12 may be formed using a light-shielding member. Although not shown, packing is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the door 12 so as to fill a gap between the door 12 and the main body 11 when the door 12 is closed. Thereby, the tightness (airtightness) of the storage space 11a can be improved.

  The housing 10 according to the present embodiment is an openable and closable housing that receives power supply. As shown in FIG. 5, the housing 10 has a temperature adjustment unit 14 that adjusts the temperature of the storage space 11a by using supplied power. Specifically, the temperature adjustment unit 14 can cool the storage space 11a and keep the temperature at a predetermined temperature. Note that the temperature adjustment unit 14 may heat the storage space 11a without being limited to cooling. Further, the temperature adjusting section 14 may cool or heat only a part of the storage space 11a. For example, the temperature adjustment unit 14 may be able to keep the storage space 11a at a different temperature for each region.

  The temperature adjustment unit 14 is realized by, for example, a compressor (compressor) or a Peltier device. The compressor or the Peltier element is driven by electric power supplied from outside (specifically, the control device 20).

  As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the housing 10 includes a power cord 15 for receiving external power. The power cord 15 has a plug connectable to, for example, a commercial power supply. In the present embodiment, power cord 15 is connected to control device 20. That is, power is supplied to the housing 10 from the outside via the control device 20.

[Control device]
The control device 20 controls the internal camera 40, the code reader 50, the card reader 60, the lock mechanism 70, the open / close sensor 80, and the guide unit 90. Specifically, the control device 20 supplies electric power to each of the in-compartment camera 40, the code reader 50, the card reader 60, the lock mechanism 70, the open / close sensor 80, and the guide unit 90, and controls signals with each other. Or, it transmits and receives information. The control device 20 transmits and receives information by communicating with the management device 30.

  The control device 20 is realized by, for example, a single-board computer. Specifically, the control device 20 includes a non-volatile memory in which a program is stored, a volatile memory that is a temporary storage area for executing the program, an input / output port, a processor that executes the program, and the like. The control device 20 (single board computer) is housed in a housing, and is attached to the outer wall surface of the housing 10 as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the control device 20 includes a control unit 21, a power receiving unit 24, a power supply unit 25, and a communication unit 26. The control unit 21 includes a lock control unit 22 that controls the lock mechanism 70, and an information processing unit 23 that inputs and outputs various types of information and performs processing.

  The lock control unit 22 controls the lock mechanism 70. Specifically, the lock control unit 22 unlocks the lock mechanism 70 when the collation result by the collation unit 32 of the management device 30 indicates that the persons match. In the article management system 1 according to the present embodiment, only the person registered in advance in the person list 35 managed by the management device 30 is allowed to take out (ie, purchase) the article 2 from the housing 10. . For this reason, the lock control unit 22 unlocks the lock mechanism 70 only when the collation unit 32 confirms that the user who wants to take out the article 2 is a person registered in the person list 35. Thereby, the user can be permitted to take out the article 2. The lock control unit 22 locks the lock mechanism 70 when the open / close sensor 80 detects that the door 12 is closed. Specific unlocking processing and locking processing will be described later.

  The information processing unit 23 controls each of the in-compartment camera 40, the code reader 50, the card reader 60, the lock mechanism 70, the open / close sensor 80, and the guide unit 90, and transmits / receives control signals or information to / from each of them. . For example, the information processing section 23 acquires the first detection information from the in-compartment camera 40. The information processing section 23 acquires the second detection information from the code reader 50. The information processing section 23 acquires personal information from the card reader 60. The information processing section 23 acquires the opening / closing information of the housing 10 from the opening / closing sensor 80. The information processing section 23 outputs guide information or error information to the guide section 90. Further, the information processing unit 23 transmits information acquired from each processing unit to the management device 30 via the communication unit 26. The specific processing performed by the information processing unit 23 will be described later in detail together with the description of the operation of the article management system 1.

  The power receiving unit 24 receives power from the outside and supplies the power to the control unit 21. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the power receiving unit 24 includes a power cord and a plug, and is connected to a household outlet or the like to receive power.

  The power supply unit 25 supplies the power received by the power receiving unit 24 to the housing 10. Specifically, the power supply unit 25 is configured by a plug insertion port, and the power cord 15 included in the housing 10 is inserted therein. That is, electric power is supplied to the housing 10 via the control device 20. The external power supply, the control device 20 and the housing 10 are serially connected.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, power reception unit 24 receives power common to housing 10. Specifically, power reception unit 24 receives power from the outside as power common to housing 10.

  The communication unit 26 performs transmission and reception (input and output) of various information or commands by communicating with the communication unit 37 of the management device 30. The communication unit 26 performs wireless communication or wired communication. The communication unit 26 performs wireless communication based on a communication standard such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or 3G, 4G, or LTE (Long Term Evolution).

  In the present embodiment, the communication unit 26 is an example of an output unit that outputs first detection information indicating a detection result by the in-compartment camera 40 and second detection information indicating a detection result by the code reader 50. More specifically, the communication unit 26 transmits the first detection information and the second detection information to the management device 30 by transmitting the first detection information and the second detection information to the management device 30 by wireless communication or wired communication. This is transmitted to the comparison unit 31. For example, the communication unit 26 outputs the first in-compartment image and the second in-compartment image obtained by the photographing by the in-compartment camera 40 as first detection information. The communication unit 26 may transmit the first in-compartment image and the second in-compartment image at the same time, or may transmit the first in-compartment image and the second in-compartment image each time they are acquired.

  In addition, the communication unit 26 outputs the person information acquired by the card reader 60. Specifically, the communication unit 26 transmits the personal information to the management device 30 by wireless communication or wired communication, thereby transmitting the personal information to the matching unit 32 of the management device 30.

[Management device]
The management device 30 manages the article 2 based on information transmitted from the control device 20. Specifically, the management device 30 performs identification and collation (personal authentication) of the person who opened the casing 10, identification of the article 2 taken out of the casing 10, and billing for the article 2.

  The management device 30 is, for example, a server device. The management device 30 includes, for example, one computer or a plurality of computers connected via a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network).

  As illustrated in FIG. 5, the management device 30 includes a comparison unit 31, a collation unit 32, a charging unit 33, a storage unit 34, and a communication unit 37. The storage unit 34 stores a person list 35 and a price list 36.

  The comparing unit 31 performs a comparison based on the first detection information and the second detection information. That is, the comparison unit 31 compares the detection results of the article 2 inside and outside the housing 10. Specifically, based on the first detection information and the second detection information, the comparison unit 31 determines the first number, which is the increase / decrease number of the plurality of articles 2 before and after opening and closing the housing 10, and the outside of the housing 10. Is compared with the second number, which is the number of articles 2 detected by the second detection unit 50. The comparing unit 31 compares the first number with the second number, and outputs a comparison result to the matching unit 32 and the charging unit 33. Here, the first number indicates, for example, the number of articles 2 reduced from the housing 10 as a positive number, and indicates the number of articles 2 as a negative number when the number of articles 2 increases.

  The comparison result is information indicating whether the first number matches the second number. If the first number and the second number match, it means that the number of articles 2 taken out of the housing 10 matches the number of articles 2 detected by the code reader 50. I do. That is, the agreement between the first number and the second number means that the user has taken out the article 2 in accordance with a normal use method.

  If the first number does not match the second number, it means that the number of articles 2 taken out of the housing 10 does not match the number of articles 2 detected by the code reader 50. I do. That is, the mismatch between the first number and the second number means that some unauthorized use has been performed intentionally or by negligence. For example, when the first number is larger than the second number, the cause may be that the article 2 taken out by the user was not detected by the code reader 50. When the second number is larger than the first number, the cause may be that the user mistakenly detected the article 2 with the code reader 50 a plurality of times. If the second number is a negative number, the cause may be that an unauthorized article 2 has been added into the housing 10.

  In the present embodiment, first, the comparison unit 31 counts the first number by performing image processing on each of the first in-compartment image and the second in-compartment image acquired via the communication unit 37. Specifically, the comparison unit 31 counts the first number by subtracting the number of articles 2 included in the second in-compartment image from the number of articles 2 included in the first in-compartment image. For example, when the number of the articles 2 included in the first in-compartment image is 10, and the number of the articles 2 included in the second in-compartment image is 8, the first number is two. That is, it can be seen that two articles 2 have been taken out of the housing 10.

  When the number of articles 2 increases before and after opening and closing the housing 10, the first number becomes a negative number. For example, if the number of the articles 2 included in the first in-compartment image is 10 and the number of the articles 2 included in the second in-compartment image is 11, the first number is -1. This may occur, for example, when an article 2 (for example, an empty lunch box) is added due to a malicious intention of the user. In this case, error notification or a predetermined amount billing process is performed. Details will be described later.

  The collation unit 32 collates the person list 35 with the person indicated by the person information, and outputs a collation result indicating match or mismatch of the person. The collation unit 32 outputs the collation result to the charging unit 33 or to the lock control unit 22 of the control device 20 via the communication unit 37.

  In the article management system 1 according to the present embodiment, only a person registered in the person list 35 in advance is allowed to take out (ie, purchase) the article 2 from the housing 10. Therefore, the matching unit 32 determines whether or not the person indicated by the person information acquired by the card reader 60 is registered in the person list 35. That is, the matching unit 32 performs a personal authentication process.

  The charging unit 33 charges at least one consideration for the plurality of articles 2 to a person indicated by the person information acquired by the card reader 60. In the present embodiment, charging unit 33 determines a charging amount based on the comparison result by comparison unit 31.

  When normal use by the person indicated by the person information is confirmed, the billing unit 33 calculates an accurate billing amount and bills the calculated amount to the person. Specifically, the charging unit 33 charges the price of the target article detected by the code reader 50 when the comparison result by the comparing unit 31 indicates that the first number matches the second number. That is, since it is confirmed from the comparison result that the number of the retrieved articles 2 is the same as the number of the target articles detected by the code reader 50, the charging unit 33 charges the price of the target article.

  The billing unit 33 acquires the individual price of the target article by referring to the price list 36 stored in the storage unit 34, for example. The charging unit 33 calculates the total amount as the charging amount by multiplying the price of the target article by the number and adding them together. The billing unit 33 refers to the person list 35 to settle the billing amount by credit card associated with the person indicated by the person information, to reduce the balance of the prepaid card, or to debit the billing amount to the bank account. Perform processing.

  In the case where the article management system 1 is introduced by an employer or a company and many of the users are employees, settlement processing by deduction from salary may be performed. That is, the billing unit 33 may provide purchase history data including the billing amount for each person to the employer or the human resources department or the general affairs department of the company.

  Further, when it is confirmed that any unauthorized processing has been performed by the person indicated by the personal information, the charging unit 33 determines the highest charging amount within an appropriate range, and determines the determined charging amount as the relevant charging amount. Charge a person. When the comparison result by the comparing unit 31 indicates that the first number and the second number do not match, the charging unit 33 determines the first item number and the second number item as the price of the item having the highest price among the plurality of items 2. The value multiplied by the larger number is charged as consideration.

  For example, as one form of fraud, the code reader 50 does not detect at least one of the retrieved articles 2 even though a malicious person (hereinafter, referred to as a Service-to-Self) has retrieved a plurality of articles 2. Is considered. In the present embodiment, since the code reader 50 detects the identification display 51 of the article 2 and specifies the taken-out article 2, at least one of the taken-out articles 2 is specified by fraudulence of a Service-to-Self. You will not be able to do it.

  Here, the number of articles 2 taken out of the housing 10 can be grasped based on the detection result by the in-compartment camera 40. Therefore, the billing unit 33 performs the billing process on the assumption that the taken-out article 2 is the highest priced article among the plurality of articles 2 stored in the housing 10. Specifically, the charging unit 33 charges a price obtained by multiplying the price of the highest priced product among the plurality of products 2 by the first number as a price.

  The storage unit 34 is a memory for storing the person list 35. The storage unit 34 is a non-volatile storage medium such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a semiconductor memory.

  The person list 35 is a list indicating one or more persons registered in advance. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a registered person list 35 in the article management system 1 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in the person list 35, an ID, a name, and registered card information are associated with each other. The ID is a management number uniquely assigned to a person, such as an employee number. The card information is the number of a credit card or a prepaid card for payment when charging a person. Instead of the card information, account information indicating a person's bank account or the like may be included in the person list 35.

  The price list 36 is a list indicating prices of the plurality of articles 2 stored in the housing 10. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the price list 36 in the article management system 1 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 7, in the price list 36, types and prices are associated with each other. The type is, for example, the name of the article 2 or the like. Instead of the type, information unique to each of the plurality of articles 2 (such as a serial number) may be associated with a price.

  The communication unit 37 transmits and receives information to and from the control device 20 by wireless communication or wired communication. The communication unit 37 performs wireless communication based on a communication standard such as Wi-Fi, 3G, 4G, or LTE, for example.

  In the present embodiment, the communication unit 37 receives the first detection information, the second detection information, and the person information. In addition, the communication unit 37 transmits the comparison result, the comparison result, the billing information, and the error information.

[In-chamber camera (first detection unit)]
The in-compartment camera 40 is an example of a first detection unit that detects a plurality of articles 2 stored in the openable / closable housing 10 inside the housing 10. In the present embodiment, the in-compartment camera 40 is one or more cameras that photograph the inside of the housing 10.

  As shown in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B, the in-compartment camera 40 is attached to, for example, the inner surface of the main body 11 and photographs the storage space 11 a. The image captured by the in-compartment camera 40 is output to the control device 20.

  Specifically, the in-compartment camera 40 is provided at a corner of the storage space 11a. Specifically, the in-compartment camera 40 is disposed above the main body 11 and near a portion connected to the door 12. The in-compartment camera 40 takes an image toward the back of the storage space 11a.

  The in-compartment camera 40 is, for example, a small camera that receives power supply via a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable, is connected to the control device 20 via a USB cable, and operates with power supplied from the control device 20. Note that the in-compartment camera 40 may have a battery (battery) and operate using electric power supplied from the battery.

  The in-compartment camera 40 may have a fisheye lens. Thereby, it is possible to photograph the storage space 11a over a wide range. Alternatively, the in-compartment camera 40 may be attached to a movable pan head so that the shooting direction can be changed.

  In the present embodiment, the storage space 11a is photographed by one in-camera camera 40, but not all of the storage space 11a falls within the photographing range. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a shooting range 41 of the in-compartment camera 40 in the article management system 1 according to the present embodiment. Here, FIG. 8 is a diagram of the storage space 11a viewed from the front (from the door 12 side).

  As shown in FIG. 8, the photographing range 41 of the internal camera 40 does not include the entire storage space 11a. In this case, the lunch 2c (article 2) arranged in the lower stage is not photographed by the in-compartment camera 40, so that the lunch 2c cannot be detected.

  Therefore, the article management system 1 according to the present embodiment includes a mirror 42 inside the housing 10 as shown in FIG. The mirror 42 is arranged in the photographing range 41 of the in-compartment camera 40 and captures a blind spot of the photographing range 41. Specifically, a range 43 including the lunch box 2c located in the photographing range 41 is reflected on the mirror 42. For this reason, the image photographed by the in-compartment camera 40 includes the lunch box 2c reflected on the mirror 42. Thereby, the article 2 in the storage space 11a can be detected without increasing the number of the in-compartment cameras 40.

  In the present embodiment, the number of articles 2 stored in the housing 10 is counted by performing image recognition on a captured image captured by the internal camera 40. As shown in FIG. 2, each of the plurality of articles 2 is provided with a marker 44 of a predetermined color or a predetermined shape to facilitate image recognition.

  The marker 44 is, for example, a seal of a single color such as white or black, or a primary color such as red, green, or blue, and is attached to the surface of the article 2. The color of the marker 44 is different from the color of the article 2. In the present embodiment, since the article 2 is a lunch box, blue or the like, which is difficult to use as a lunch box material, can be selected as the color of the marker 44.

  Thus, only the marker 44 is emphasized by extracting the blue portion from the captured image. By counting the number of the markers 44, the number of the articles 2 stored in the housing 10 can be easily counted.

  Note that a reflective material may be attached to the article 2 instead of the marker 44. In this case, in the captured image, the luminance is increased only at the marker 44 portion. Therefore, for example, the marker 44 can be emphasized by binarizing the pixel value of the captured image using a high threshold.

  In the article management system 1 according to the present embodiment, by comparing the number of the articles 2 in the casing 10 before the casing 10 is opened and the number of the articles 2 after the casing 10 is closed. Then, the number of articles 2 taken out of the housing 10 is specified. For this reason, the in-compartment camera 40 performs at least two times of photographing before or immediately after the housing 10 is opened and after the housing 10 is closed.

  In the present embodiment, the in-compartment camera 40 performs photographing based on control by the control unit 21 of the control device 20. Specifically, the in-compartment camera 40 performs shooting at a timing when a shooting command is received from the control unit 21. The shooting command is output from the control unit 21 before, for example, opening the housing 10 and after closing the housing 10.

  As described above, the in-compartment camera 40 generates a first in-compartment image by photographing the inside of the housing 10 before the housing 10 is opened. That is, the first in-compartment image is an image representing the state inside the housing 10 before the housing 10 is opened. Further, the in-compartment camera 40 generates a second in-compartment image by photographing the inside of the housing 10 after the housing 10 is closed. That is, the second in-compartment image is an image representing the internal state of the housing 10 after the housing 10 is closed.

  In addition, the timing of photography of the in-compartment camera 40 may be controlled based on the detection result of the open / close sensor 80. For example, the in-compartment camera 40 may generate the first in-compartment image by taking an image of the inside of the housing 10 immediately after the housing 10 is opened, based on the detection result of the open / close sensor 80. Specifically, the in-compartment camera 40 generates a first in-compartment image by photographing the inside of the housing 10 when the opening and closing sensor 80 detects that the housing 10 has been opened. The first in-compartment image is an image representing the state inside the housing 10 immediately after the housing 10 is opened. Here, “immediately after opening” means within a predetermined period after the housing 10 is opened. The predetermined period is a time shorter than the time required for the user to take out the article 2 after opening the housing 10, and is, for example, 0 second to 1 second, but is not limited to this. Specifically, the in-compartment camera 40 shoots within a predetermined period after the opening / closing sensor 80 detects that the housing 10 has been opened.

  When the open / close sensor 80 detects that the casing 10 is closed, the in-compartment camera 40 generates a second in-compartment image by photographing the inside of the casing 10. Specifically, the in-compartment camera 40 captures an image within a predetermined period after the opening / closing sensor 80 detects that the housing 10 is closed. The predetermined period is not particularly limited, but is, for example, 0 second to 1 second. Thus, the number of articles 2 taken out of the housing 10 can be quickly determined using the second in-compartment image.

  Note that the internal camera 40 may control the shooting timing in conjunction with the operation of the card reader 60. Specifically, the in-compartment camera 40 may take an image of the inside of the housing 10 when the card reader 60 acquires the personal information. At the time when the person information is acquired, the lock mechanism 70 has not been unlocked yet, so that it is possible to reliably photograph the state in the refrigerator before the housing 10 is opened.

  Alternatively, the in-compartment camera 40 may always photograph the inside of the housing 10. The in-compartment camera 40, the control device 20, the management device 30, and the like may record video (moving images) for a predetermined period before and after opening and closing of the housing 10. The information processing unit 23 of the control device 20 or the comparison unit 31 of the management device 30 converts the image before the housing 10 is opened from among the plurality of images (frames) constituting the recorded video into the first in-compartment image. And the image after the casing 10 is closed may be obtained as the second in-compartment image. For example, when the open / close sensor 80 detects that the housing 10 is opened, the information processing unit 23 or the comparison unit 31 acquires an image before a predetermined period (for example, one second) as a first in-compartment image. You may. Further, for example, when the information processing unit 23 or the comparison unit 31 detects that the housing 10 is closed by the open / close sensor 80, the image after a predetermined period (for example, one second) is set as the second in-compartment image. May be acquired.

[Code reader (second detector)]
The code reader 50 is an example of a second detection unit that detects a target article that is at least one of the plurality of articles 2 outside the housing 10. Specifically, the code reader 50 detects the target article, which is the article 2 taken out of the housing 10 by the user, outside the housing 10. In the present embodiment, the code reader 50 reads the identification mark 51 attached to each of the plurality of articles 2.

  As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the code reader 50 is a camera that is fixed to the outer surface of the housing 10 and captures a predetermined area outside the housing 10. For example, the code reader 50 is a small camera that receives power supply via a USB cable, is connected to the control device 20 via a USB cable, and operates with power supplied from the control device 20. Note that the code reader 50 may have a battery (battery) and operate using power supplied from the battery.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the article 2 is provided with a two-dimensional code such as a QR code (registered trademark) as the identification mark 51.

  The identification display 51 attached to the article 2 is information unique to the attached article 2. For example, the identification display 51 is a two-dimensional code in which the serial number (production number) of the article 2 is matrixed. The two-dimensional code is, for example, printed on a label 52 attached to the upper surface of the article 2 as shown in FIG.

  In addition, since the article 2 is a lunch box, it is not preferable to incline or turn the article 2 obliquely in order to prevent scattering of ingredients and spilling of juice. That is, it is desirable that the article 2 be carried while keeping the posture stored in the housing 10. This is the same when the identification display 51 is read by the code reader 50.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the code reader 50 can read the identification display 51 attached to the target article when the target article has the same attitude as the attitude of being stored in the housing 10. It has a detection range. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a state where the user 3 holds the article 2 over the code reader 50 in the article management system 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, the code reader 50 has a substantially conical detection range 53 having a vertically downward center axis. Therefore, when the user 3 takes out the article 2, the code reader 50 can read the identification display 51 in the posture as it is.

  Note that the code reader 50 is, for example, a bar code reader, and the identification display 51 attached to the article 2 may be a bar code. Further, the code reader 50 may not be fixed to the housing 10 and may allow the user to freely change the detection range 53 by grasping with a hand or the like.

[Card reader (acquisition unit)]
The card reader 60 is an example of an acquiring unit that acquires person information indicating a person who opens the housing 10. In the present embodiment, the card reader 60 is a contact-type or non-contact-type card reader that reads card information such as a credit card or an ID card as personal information.

  As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the card reader 60 is fixed to the outer surface of the housing 10. The card reader 60 acquires card information stored in the IC chip by communicating with an IC chip mounted on a credit card, an ID card, or the like. Note that the card reader 60 may read card information from an IC chip mounted on a portable information terminal such as a mobile phone or a smartphone. For example, the card reader 60 reads card information by performing close proximity wireless communication with a credit card, an ID card, or a portable information terminal. The read card information is output (transmitted) to the matching unit 32 of the management device 30 via the control device 20.

  The card information is an example of a person who opens the housing 10, that is, person information indicating the owner of the card. The card information includes information unique to the card owner. For example, the card information includes information indicating a card number, a name of an owner, an expiration date of the card, and the like.

  The credit card or ID card may be a magnetic stripe card. In this case, a magnetic reader (magnetic card reader) can be used as the card reader 60.

  In addition, in preparation for use of a stolen card, the article management system 1 according to the present embodiment includes a biometric information acquisition unit that acquires biometric information of a person who opens the housing 10 as personal information. It may be provided as an example of an acquisition unit. The article management system 1 may include a biometric information acquisition unit instead of the card reader 60, or may include a biometric information acquisition unit in addition to the card reader 60. The biological information includes information indicating at least one of a fingerprint, a retina, an iris, a face, a voiceprint, a blood vessel (vein), and the like. The biological information acquisition unit is, for example, a fingerprint sensor, a vein sensor, a microphone, a camera (image sensor), or the like. At this time, the camera may be used also as the code reader 50.

[Lock mechanism]
The lock mechanism 70 restricts opening and closing of the housing 10. Specifically, the lock mechanism 70 restricts opening and closing of the door 12. The lock mechanism 70 is connected to the control device 20, and unlocking and locking are controlled by the lock control unit 22.

  FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the lock mechanism 70 of the article management system 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 10 shows a state where the door 12 of the housing 10 is opened.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the lock mechanism 70 includes an electronic lock (male key) 71 and a female key 72. The electronic lock 71 of the lock mechanism 70 and the control device 20 are connected by a connection cable 73.

  The electronic lock 71 is a lock that switches between unlocking and locking depending on whether a predetermined voltage is applied. In the present embodiment, the electronic lock 71 is unlocked when a predetermined voltage (for example, 12 V) is applied, and maintains the locked state when no voltage is applied. That is, the electronic lock 71 is a normally-off type electronic lock.

  The electronic lock 71 has a claw portion 71a and a holding housing 71b. The claw portion 71a is held so as to be able to be taken in and out of the holding housing 71b. The holding housing 71b is fixed to the inner surface of the main body 11 of the housing 10. For example, the holding housing 71b is fixed to the inner surface of the main body 11 using a fixing tool such as a screw. The claw portion 71a and the holding housing 71b are formed using, for example, a strong (rigid) metal or resin material.

  The female key 72 has a hole 72a. The claw 71a of the electronic lock 71 is inserted into the hole 72a. The female key 72 is formed using a strong (rigid) metal or resin material.

  The connection cable 73 is an example of a wiring that electrically and physically connects the electronic lock 71 and the control device 20. The connection cable 73 includes a power cable for supplying power to the electronic lock 71.

  Although not shown, the electronic lock 71 includes a driving unit housed in the holding housing 71b. The driving unit is a servomotor or the like that moves the claw 71a using the applied voltage.

  FIG. 11 is a side view showing an unlocked state and a locked state of the lock mechanism 70 of the article management system 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 12 is a top view of the locked state of the lock mechanism 70 of the article management system 1 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 11, in the electronic lock 71, when no voltage is applied, the claw portion 71a protrudes from the holding housing 71b. The protruding claw portion 71a is inserted into the hole 72a of the female key 72, and the movement of the claw portion 71a to the side (the direction orthogonal to the protruding direction) is restricted.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, since the female key 72 is present over the entire circumference of the claw 71a, the movement of the claw 71a in all directions orthogonal to the protruding direction is restricted. As a result, the claw portion 71a and the female key 72 are locked, so that the locked state of the lock mechanism 70 is maintained.

  On the other hand, when the voltage is applied, the driving unit (not shown) moves the claw portion 71a so as to be housed in the holding housing 71b. During the application of the voltage, the state where the claw portion 71a is housed in the holding housing 71b is maintained. As a result, as shown in FIG. 11, the claw portion 71a and the female key 72 do not lock, so that the door 12 can be opened. Although FIG. 11 shows an example in which the claw portion 71a is completely housed in the holding housing 71b, the present invention is not limited to this. It is only necessary that the claw portion 71a and the female key 72 have a positional relationship where they do not lock (do not touch) when a voltage is applied.

  FIGS. 10 and 12 show an example in which the female key 72 is formed in a ring shape and restricts movement in all directions perpendicular to the protruding direction of the claw portion 71a, but is not limited thereto. . For example, the female key 72 may not restrict the movement of the claw 71a in the direction in which the door 12 is closed, while restricting the movement of the claw 71a in the direction in which the door 12 is opened. Thus, if a voltage is applied at the time of unlocking, the lock mechanism can be automatically locked only by closing the door 12. That is, it is not necessary to stop the application of the voltage after detecting that the door 12 is closed. When the door 12 is opened, the application of the voltage can be stopped, and the power consumption can be reduced. it can.

  Further, an electronic lock (male key) 71 may be attached to the door 12 and a female key 72 may be attached to the housing 10. In addition, even when attached to the housing 10, it may be attached not only to the side surface of the housing 10 but also to a ceiling surface or a floor surface. Further, the female key 72 may be a concave portion provided in the housing 10 or the door 12 (for example, similar to a concave portion 772 of the individual housing 710 described later).

  Further, in the present embodiment, an example in which the lock mechanism 70 is a physical lock mechanism has been described, but the lock mechanism 70 may be a lock mechanism using an electromagnet. The same applies to an individual lock mechanism 770 described later.

[Opening / closing sensor]
The open / close sensor 80 detects opening / closing of the housing 10. Specifically, the open / close sensor 80 detects that the door 12 has been opened and closed. In the present embodiment, the open / close sensor 80 is a contact-type open / close sensor such as a tact switch.

  The open / close sensor 80 is fixed to the main body 11 or the electronic lock 71, for example. The open / close sensor 80 has a switch unit (not shown) that is pressed down when the door 12 is closed and is pushed up when the door 12 is opened. For example, the open / close sensor 80 transmits a predetermined signal (close signal) to the control device 20 when the switch unit is pressed, and stops transmitting the close signal when the switch unit is not pressed.

  Thus, the control device 20 can determine whether the door 12 is opened or closed based on whether or not the closing signal has been received. Specifically, the lock control unit 22 of the control device 20 determines that the door 12 is closed when receiving the closing signal. The lock control unit 22 determines that the door 12 has been opened when the lock signal has not been received.

  The open / close sensor 80 may transmit a predetermined signal (open signal) when the switch is not pressed, and may stop transmitting the open signal when the switch is pressed. Alternatively, the open / close sensor 80 may transmit a close signal and an open signal in accordance with the pressed state of the switch unit.

  Note that the open / close sensor 80 does not have to be a contact-type open / close sensor. For example, the open / close sensor 80 may be a magnetic sensor. Specifically, a reed switch or a coil electrically connected to the lock control unit 22 is attached to the main body unit 11, and a permanent magnet is attached to the door 12. When the door 12 is closed, the permanent magnet approaches the reed switch, the reed switch conducts, and current flows. Alternatively, when the door 12 is closed, the permanent magnet approaches the coil, and a current flows through the coil by electromagnetic induction. These currents are output to the lock control unit 22 as a close signal.

[Guide]
The guide unit 90 guides the target article to a person who opens the housing 10. For example, the guide unit 90 guides the article 2 recommended to a person who opens the housing 10 or the article 2 (reserved) specified in advance by the person.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the guide unit 90 includes a display unit 91 and an audio output unit 92.

  The display unit 91 displays guidance information for guiding the storage position of the target article. For example, the display unit 91 is a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an organic EL display that has a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix and can display an image or a video. The display unit 91 displays a guidance image and the like.

  Note that the display unit 91 may be a plurality of light emitting elements mounted at predetermined positions on the housing 10. The plurality of light emitting elements are arranged in a line along the edge of the opening of the main body 11 of the housing 10, for example. By switching on and off of each of the plurality of light emitting elements, the position of the target article can be indicated. The plurality of light emitting elements are, for example, LED (Light Emitting Diode) elements, but are not limited thereto.

  The voice output unit 92 outputs, as voice, guidance information for guiding the storage position of the target article. The audio output unit 92 is, for example, a speaker element, and is attached to the housing 10 or the control device 20.

  In the present embodiment, guide unit 90 also functions as a notification unit. That is, the guide unit 90 leaves the occurrence of any problem in the article management system 1 to a person around the housing 10.

  For example, when the comparison result by the comparing unit 31 indicates that the first number and the second number do not match, the guide unit 90 notifies the person indicated by the person information. Specifically, the guide unit 90 notifies a person who has taken out the article 2 from the housing 10 that some kind of fraud has been performed. For example, the sound output unit 92 may emit a warning sound (buzzer sound) or a warning sound. Alternatively, the display unit 91 may cause the LED elements to blink. If the display unit 91 can display images or characters, a warning message or the like may be displayed.

  Further, for example, when the code reader 50 reads the same identification display 51 a plurality of times, the guide unit 90 notifies the person indicated by the person information to the person. In the present embodiment, all the articles 2 are each provided with a unique identification mark 51.

  For example, when a plurality of articles 2 are taken out of the housing 10, there is a risk that the identification reader 51 of one article 2 is erroneously read by the code reader 50 a plurality of times. In such a case, the guide unit 90 can notify the user that there is an error.

[motion]
Subsequently, an operation of the article management system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. First, the overall flow of the article management system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 13, and then details of the main operation of each device will be described with reference to FIGS.

<Overall operation>
FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation of the article management system 1 according to the present embodiment. Specifically, FIG. 13 shows an operation of the article management system 1 when the user operates according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  First, when the user holds the ID card over the card reader 60, the card reader 60 detects the approach of the ID card (S10). The card reader 60 reads card information from the ID card by close proximity wireless transfer. The card reader 60 transmits the read card information to the control device 20 as person information indicating a person opening the casing 10 (S12).

  The control device 20 transmits the personal information transmitted from the card reader 60 to the management device 30 via the communication unit 26 (S14). The management device 30 receives the personal information via the communication unit 37.

  In the management device 30, the matching unit 32 performs a matching (personal authentication) process using the received personal information (S16). Specifically, the matching unit 32 outputs a matching result by matching the person list 35 with the person indicated by the person information. The collation result is transmitted to the control device 20 via the communication unit 37 (S18). The control device 20 receives the collation result via the communication unit 26.

  In the control device 20, the control unit 21 generates a predetermined command based on the collation result (S20). Specifically, the information processing unit 23 and the lock control unit 22 of the control unit 21 generate a shooting command and an unlock command when the matching result indicates that the persons match. If the collation result indicates that the persons do not match, the information processing section 23 causes the guide section 90 to perform an error notification. Details will be described later.

  The information processing section 23 outputs the generated photographing command to the in-compartment camera 40 (S22). Upon receipt of the photographing command, the in-compartment camera 40 photographs the inside of the housing 10 (S24), and transmits the first in-compartment image obtained by the photographing to the control device 20 (S26).

  Further, the lock control unit 22 of the control unit 21 outputs the generated unlock command to the lock mechanism 70 (S28). In the present embodiment, the lock control unit 22 supplies a predetermined voltage for unlocking to the lock mechanism 70 as an unlock command. The unlock command may be output simultaneously with the shooting command. Alternatively, the shooting command may be output after the unlock command is output.

  The lock mechanism 70 unlocks upon receiving the unlock command (S30). More specifically, the driving mechanism stores the claw portion 71a in the holding housing 71b by the supplied voltage, whereby the lock mechanism 70 is unlocked. At this time, the guide unit 90 may guide that the lock mechanism 70 is unlocked. For example, the display unit 91 may turn on an LED element. Alternatively, the sound output unit 92 may output a sound guide indicating that the lock mechanism 70 is unlocked. When the lock mechanism 70 is unlocked, the user can open the door 12.

  When the user opens the door 12, the open / close sensor 80 detects that the door 12 has been opened (S32). Although not shown in FIG. 13, the open / close sensor 80 may transmit an open signal indicating that the door 12 has been opened to the control device 20. The control device 20 may activate the code reader 50 by receiving the open signal. Thus, the power consumption can be reduced by activating the code reader 50 only when necessary and not supplying power when not necessary.

  The code reader 50 reads the identification display 51 of the article 2 (S34). The code reader 50 outputs the identification information (such as the serial number of the article 2) included in the read identification display 51 to the control device 20 (S36). Further, the open / close sensor 80 detects that the door 12 is closed (S38), and transmits a close signal indicating that the door 12 is closed to the control device 20 (S40).

  The reading by the code reader 50 (S34) and the detection of the closed state by the open / close sensor 80 (S38) are performed after an operation by the user. Therefore, it is up to the user to determine which of the operation of causing the code reader 50 to read the identification display 51 and the operation of closing the door 12 first.

  In the control device 20, after receiving the close signal, the control unit 21 generates a predetermined command (S42). Specifically, the information processing unit 23 and the lock control unit 22 of the control unit 21 generate a shooting command and a locking command.

  The information processing section 23 outputs the generated photographing command to the in-compartment camera 40 (S44). Upon receipt of the photographing command, the in-compartment camera 40 takes an image of the inside of the housing 10 (S46), and transmits the second in-compartment image obtained by the imaging to the control device 20 (S48).

  Further, the lock control unit 22 outputs the generated locking command to the lock mechanism 70 (S50). In the present embodiment, the lock control unit 22 stops supplying a predetermined voltage to the lock mechanism 70 as a locking command. The locking command may be output simultaneously with the shooting command. Alternatively, the shooting command may be output after the locking command is output.

  The locking mechanism 70 receives the locking command and locks (S52). Specifically, when the supply of the voltage is stopped and the operation of the driving unit is stopped, the claw portions 71a protrude from the holding housing 71b. As a result, the claw portion 71a is inserted into the hole 72a of the female key 72, and the lock mechanism 70 is locked.

  Further, the control device 20 transmits the first in-compartment image and the second in-compartment image (that is, the first detection information) and the identification information (the second detection information) to the management device 30 via the communication unit 26. (S54). The communication unit 26 collectively transmits the first in-compartment image, the second in-compartment image, and the identification information, but may transmit the information to the management device 30 each time it is acquired. The management device 30 receives the first in-compartment image, the second in-compartment image, and the identification information via the communication unit 37.

  In the management device 30, the comparison unit 31 performs the comparison process based on the first in-compartment image and the second in-compartment image and the identification information (S56). Specifically, the comparison unit 31 calculates a first number, which is an increase / decrease number of the plurality of articles 2 before and after opening and closing the housing 10, and a second number, which is the number of articles 2 detected by the code reader 50. Make a comparison.

  Next, the charging unit 33 performs a charging process based on the comparison result (S58). Specifically, the billing unit 33 determines a billing amount based on the specified article 2 and the price of the article 2, and performs a settlement process or a withdrawal process of the decided billing amount.

  Further, the management device 30 transmits the billing information to the control device 20 via the communication unit 37 (S60). The billing information is, for example, information indicating a billing amount.

  In the control device 20, the control unit 21 generates voice guidance or a guidance image based on the billing information (S62). The generated voice guidance or guidance image is output to the guidance unit 90, and the display unit 91 or the voice output unit 92 of the guidance unit 90 outputs the voice guidance or the guidance image.

<Operation of control device>
Subsequently, the operation of the control device 20 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the operation of control device 20 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 14, first, the control device 20 waits until personal information is obtained (No in S101). When the personal information is acquired by the card reader 60 and output to the control device 20 (Yes in S101), the communication unit 26 transmits the personal information to the management device 30 (S102, S14 in FIG. 13). As shown in FIG. 13, the management device 30 performs the matching process (S16) based on the person information.

  The control device 20 waits until the communication unit 26 receives the verification success notification or until a predetermined period has elapsed (No in S103 and No in S114). Here, when the predetermined period has elapsed (that is, time-out has occurred), or when the verification failure notification has been received within the predetermined period (Yes in S114), the control device 20 performs error processing (S117). The details of the error processing will be described later. It should be noted that the collation success notification is a collation result indicating that the persons match. The verification failure notification is a verification result indicating that the persons did not match.

  When the communication unit 26 receives the notification of the successful verification (Yes in S103), the control unit 21 generates a shooting command and an unlock command (S104, S20 in FIG. 13). Next, the information processing section 23 of the control section 21 transmits a shooting command to the in-compartment camera 40 (S105, S22 in FIG. 13), and further, the lock control section 22 transmits an unlock command to the lock mechanism 70. (S106, S28 in FIG. 13). As described above, the transmission of the photographing command and the transmission of the unlock command may be performed first, or may be performed simultaneously. Since the lock mechanism 70 is unlocked, the user opens and closes the housing 10 and takes out the article 2.

  The control device 20 waits until the identification information and the close signal are received (No in S107 and No in S115). When the predetermined period has elapsed without receiving at least one of the identification information and the close signal (Yes in S115), the control device 20 performs an error process (S117).

  When the identification information and the closing signal are received (Yes in S107), the control unit 21 generates a shooting command and a locking command (S108, S42 in FIG. 13). Next, the information processing unit 23 of the control unit 21 transmits a shooting command to the in-compartment camera 40 (S109, S44 in FIG. 13), and the lock control unit 22 transmits a locking command to the lock mechanism 70 (S110, S50 in FIG. 13).

  Next, the communication unit 26 transmits the first in-compartment image, the second in-compartment image, and the identification information (S111, S54 in FIG. 13). Note that the first in-compartment image and the second in-compartment image are images transmitted from the in-compartment camera 40 in response to the photographing command transmitted in each of steps S106 and S108. Although not shown, if an in-compartment image cannot be acquired from the in-compartment camera 40 within a predetermined period after the transmission of the photographing command, an error process described later is performed (S117).

  The control device 20 waits until the communication unit 26 receives the billing information (No in S112 and No in S116). Here, when the predetermined period has elapsed, or when the error notification has been received within the predetermined period (Yes in S116), the control device 20 performs an error process (S117).

  When the communication unit 26 receives the billing information (Yes in S112), the control unit 21 generates guidance information such as voice guidance or a guidance image based on the billing information, and causes the guidance unit 90 to output the guidance information (S113). Thereafter, the control device 20 returns to step S101 and waits for the next person information to be obtained.

<Error processing>
Subsequently, the error processing shown in step S117 in FIG. 14 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an error process performed by the control device 20 of the article management system 1 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 15, first, the control device 20 determines whether or not the housing 10 is in a closed state (S121). Specifically, the information processing section 23 determines whether or not a close signal has been received from the open / close sensor 80.

  When the case 10 is in the closed state (Yes in S121), the lock control unit 22 generates a locking command and transmits it to the lock mechanism 70 (S122). Thereafter, the lock control unit 22 maintains the locked state of the lock mechanism 70. That is, the lock control unit 22 prohibits the unlocking of the lock mechanism 70 even when personal information or the like is acquired.

  Next, the information processing section 23 notifies an error (S123). More specifically, the information processing section 23 generates a guidance image, a voice guidance, or a warning sound indicating that an error has occurred, and outputs the guidance image or the warning sound to the guidance section 90. The display unit 91 or the sound output unit 92 of the guide unit 90 outputs a guide image or a sound guide or a warning sound to notify a person who has tried to open the housing 10. Further, the information processing unit 23 may notify the management device 30 of the occurrence of the error via the communication unit 26.

  As a result, once an error has occurred, the housing 10 cannot be opened thereafter. Thereby, the article 2 in the housing 10 can be protected from a person who has caused an error with malicious intent. Further, when a malicious person makes an error, there is a possibility that the article 2 in the housing 10 is harmed in some way. For example, it is assumed that the genuine article 2 is replaced with a fake. In this case, by preventing the housing 10 from being opened, it is possible to prevent a well-intentioned person from accidentally purchasing a fake article.

  When the casing 10 is not closed (No in S121), the lock control unit 22 causes the information processing unit 23 to notify an error without outputting a locking command (S123). If the locking command is output while the housing 10 is open, the housing 10 may not be able to be closed. In the present embodiment, the locking command is output only when the casing 10 is closed, so that the closed state of the casing 10 can be maintained.

<Verification process (personal authentication process)>
Next, the collation processing (personal authentication processing) among the operations performed by the management device 30 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a collation process performed by the management device 30 of the article management system 1 according to the present embodiment. Note that the matching process is a process of step S16 shown in FIG. 13 and is performed after the personal information is received via the communication unit 37.

  As shown in FIG. 16, in the management device 30, the collation unit 32 collates the person list 35 with the person indicated by the person information (S131). When the person indicated by the person information matches the person included in the person list 35 (Yes in S132), the matching unit 32 generates and outputs a matching result indicating matching of the person as a matching success notification (S133). The verification success notification is transmitted to the control device 20 via the communication unit 37, and is output to the charging unit 33.

  When the person indicated by the person information does not match the person included in the person list 35 (No in S132), the matching unit 32 generates and outputs a matching result indicating mismatch of the person as a matching failure notification (S134). The verification failure notification is transmitted to the control device 20 via the communication unit 37.

<Identification display reading process>
Next, a process of reading the identification display 51 by the code reader 50 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a code reading process performed by the code reader 50 and the control device 20 of the article management system 1 according to the present embodiment. Note that the code reading process is a process of step S34 shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the code reader 50 waits until the identification display 51 is read (No in S141). When the code reader 50 has read the identification display 51 (Yes in S141), the information processing section 23 acquires the read identification display 51 and determines whether or not the identification display 51 is the same as the previously read identification display (S141). S142). In order to make the determination, the information processing section 23 includes a storage section and stores the previously read identification display. The storage unit may store only the identification display that has been read immediately before, or may store a plurality of identification displays that have been read a predetermined number of times immediately before.

  If the read identification display 51 is different from the read identification display (No in S142), the information processing unit 23 transmits the identification information included in the identification display 51 to the management device 30 via the communication unit 26 (S143). ).

  When the read identification display 51 is the same as the read identification display (Yes in S142), the information processing unit 23 notifies an error (S144). Specifically, the information processing unit 23 generates a warning sound or a guidance image or a voice guidance notifying that the read identification display 51 is the same as the read identification display, and outputs the guidance image or the voice guidance to the guidance unit 90. The display unit 91 or the audio output unit 92 of the guidance unit 90 outputs the guidance image or the audio guidance, so that the user can be notified of the error.

  For example, when the user takes out a plurality of articles 2 at a time, it is assumed that the code reader 50 erroneously (or maliciously) reads the identification display 51 of the same article 2 twice. In this case, by notifying the user of the error, it is possible to prompt the user to perform a correct operation.

  Note that the determination of the read identification display 51 may be performed by the code reader 50 instead of the information processing unit 23. Alternatively, the management device 30 may make the determination.

<Comparison and billing process>
Next, a comparison and charging process among operations performed by the management device 30 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the comparison and charging process performed by the management device 30 of the article management system 1 according to the present embodiment. The comparison and billing processes are steps S56 and S58 shown in FIG. 13, and are performed after receiving the first detection information (in-compartment image) and the second detection information (identification information) via the communication unit 37.

  As shown in FIG. 18, first, the comparing unit 31 counts the increase / decrease number of the article 2 as the first number based on the first in-compartment image and the second in-compartment image (S151). Specifically, the comparison unit 31 performs the image processing on each of the first in-compartment image and the second in-compartment image, and counts the number of articles 2 included in each image.

  For example, the comparison unit 31 performs a binarization process on each of the first in-compartment image and the second in-compartment image. The comparison unit 31 performs a binarization process on the pixel value of each image using a value higher than the median (for example, 80% of the maximum value) as a threshold. Thereby, for example, the white marker 44 can be emphasized in the image. Alternatively, when the marker 44 is a color such as blue, the comparing unit 31 can emphasize the marker 44 in the image by extracting only the color of the marker 44 (for example, blue).

  The comparison unit 31 obtains the number (first number of articles) of the articles 2 before the casing 10 is opened by counting the number of highlighted markers 44 in the first in-compartment image. Similarly, the comparison unit 31 counts the number of highlighted markers 44 in the second in-compartment image to obtain the number of articles 2 (the second number of articles) after the housing 10 is closed. I do. The comparison unit 31 calculates the first number by subtracting the second article number from the first article number.

  Next, the comparison unit 31 counts the number of pieces of identification information received by the communication unit 37 as a second number (S152). In the present embodiment, the number of pieces of identification information is the number of pieces of identification display 51 read by code reader 50. The number of pieces of identification information matches the number of articles 2 taken out of the housing 10 by the user as long as the identification information is used according to a correct procedure.

  Next, the comparison unit 31 compares the first number and the second number (S153). When the first number and the second number match (Yes in S153), the charging unit 33 calculates a charging amount based on the identification information (S154). Specifically, the billing unit 33 acquires the individual price of the target article by referring to the price list 36 stored in the storage unit 34. The charging unit 33 calculates the total amount as the charging amount by multiplying the price of the target article by the number and adding them together.

  If the first number and the second number do not match (No in S153), the charging unit 33 multiplies the highest price of the article 2 by the larger of the first number and the second number, thereby obtaining a charging amount. Is calculated (S155). If the first number and the second number do not match, it is considered that some kind of fraud has been performed by the Service-to-Self. For this reason, the charging unit 33 calculates the maximum amount that can be lost by the Service-to-Self as the charging amount.

  After calculating the billing amount, the billing unit 33 generates billing information and transmits the billing information to the control device 20 via the communication unit 37 (S156).

  Note that, in the example shown in FIG. 18, the charging unit 33 charges the maximum amount when the first number and the second number do not match and there is a suspicion of fraud. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Instead of charging the maximum amount, an error (illegal) may be notified to the user.

  FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating another example of the comparison and charging process performed by the management device 30 of the article management system 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 19 is different from FIG. 18 in the processing when the first number and the second number do not match, and the other processing is the same.

  As shown in FIG. 19, when the first number and the second number do not match (No in S153), the comparing unit 31 sends the comparison result indicating the mismatch as an error notification via the communication unit 37. To the control device 20 (S155a). The control device 20 that has received the error notification performs the error processing shown in FIG.

  It should be noted that both the charging of the maximum amount (S155 in FIG. 18) and the error notification (S155a in FIG. 19) may be performed.

[Effects, etc.]
As described above, the article management system 1 according to the present embodiment detects the plurality of articles 2 stored inside the openable casing 10 inside the casing 10 (for example, The internal camera 40), a second detection unit (for example, a code reader 50) that detects at least one target article out of the plurality of articles 2 outside the housing 10, and a detection result by the first detection unit. And an output unit (for example, the communication unit 26) that outputs second detection information indicating the detection result by the second detection unit.

  Thereby, the first detection information indicating the detection result of the plurality of articles 2 stored in the housing 10 inside the housing 10 and the second detection information indicating the detection result outside the housing 10 are output. Therefore, by performing comparison based on the two pieces of information, the state of the article 2 inside and outside the housing 10 can be grasped. Therefore, for example, according to the article management system 1, it is possible to manage whether or not the article 2 is taken out of the housing 10, how many articles 2 are stored in the housing 10, and the like.

  At this time, for example, the in-compartment camera 40 as an example of the first detection unit and the code reader 50 as an example of the second detection unit may be attached to the housing 10, and the dedicated housing 10 is not required. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, a highly versatile article management system 1 that can manage a plurality of articles 2 with a simple configuration can be provided.

  Further, for example, the article management system 1 further includes, based on the first detection information and the second detection information, a first number, which is an increase / decrease number of the plurality of articles 2 before and after opening / closing of the housing 10, and a housing 10. And a comparison unit 31 that compares the number of articles 2 detected by the second detection unit with the second number outside the unit.

  Thus, by comparing the first number and the second number, it is possible to confirm whether or not the article 2 is correctly taken out. Therefore, the management of the article 2 can be strict.

  Further, for example, the article management system 1 further includes an acquisition unit (for example, a card reader 60) for acquiring person information indicating a person who opens the housing 10, and the communication unit 26 further outputs person information.

  Thus, by acquiring the person information, the person who opens and closes the casing 10 can be specified. Therefore, for example, only the identified person can open and close the casing 10, and it is possible to prevent the unspecified person from opening the casing 10. Thus, the management of the article 2 can be made more strict.

  Further, for example, the article management system 1 further collates the person list 35 indicating one or more persons registered in advance with the person indicated by the person information, and outputs a matching result indicating match or mismatch of the persons. A part 32 is provided.

  Thus, by registering the person who is permitted to open and close the casing 10 in the person list 35 in advance, it is possible to prevent the casing 10 from being opened by anyone other than the registered persons. Therefore, the management of the article 2 can be stricter.

  Further, for example, the article management system 1 further includes a lock mechanism 70 for restricting opening and closing of the housing 10 and a lock control unit 22 for controlling the lock mechanism 70. If it indicates a match, the lock mechanism 70 is unlocked.

  Thereby, the opening and closing of the housing 10 can be restricted, so that the management of the article 2 can be made more strict.

  Further, for example, the article management system 1 further includes a charging unit 33 that charges at least one of the plurality of articles 2 to a person indicated by the person information.

  Thereby, it is possible to request a price for the article 2 taken out. That is, the article management system 1 can be used as an automatic vending system.

  Further, for example, when the comparison result by the comparing unit 31 indicates that the first number and the second number match, the charging unit 33 charges for the target article.

  Thus, by comparing the first number and the second number, it is possible to confirm that the act of removing the article 2 is valid. After this confirmation, the user is charged for a legitimate price, so that the occurrence of a charging error can be suppressed.

  In addition, for example, when the comparison result by the comparing unit 31 indicates that the first number and the second number do not match, the charging unit 33 assigns the first item number to the price of the item having the highest price among the plurality of items 2. A value obtained by multiplying the larger number among the second number is charged as a price.

  As a result, when the first number and the second number do not match, it is assumed that some misconduct has been performed. For example, it is conceivable that although the Service-to-Self have taken out the expensive article 2 and the cheap article 2 from the housing 10, it seems that only the cheap article 2 has been taken out. In this case, the Service-to-Self can be charged assuming that two of the highest-valued articles 2 are taken out of the plurality of articles 2 stored in the housing 10, so that the manager of the article 2 loses money. Does not occur. In addition, the Service-to-Self is charged an amount equal to or more than the actual charge amount of the taken out article 2. For the Service-to-Self, a fine effect occurs, which also serves as a deterrent. Therefore, as a result, the management of the article 2 can be stricter.

  In addition, for example, the article management system 1 further includes a notification unit (for example, a guidance unit 90) that notifies a person when the comparison result by the comparison unit 31 indicates that the first number and the second number do not match. Is also good.

  Thereby, the person who took out the article 2 can be notified. If the person is a Service-to-Other, and the procedure is incorrect, the procedure can be performed in the correct procedure. In addition, when the person is a Service-to-Self, it can be notified to other persons around the housing 10 and the like, which is a deterrent to the Service-to-Self. Therefore, as a result, the management of the article 2 can be stricter.

  Further, for example, the first detection unit is one or more cameras (specifically, the in-compartment camera 40) that captures an image of the inside of the housing 10.

  This allows the camera to be attached to a position where the inside of the housing 10 can be photographed, so that the plurality of articles 2 stored in the housing 10 can be easily detected.

  Further, for example, the article management system 1 may further include a mirror 42 that is disposed inside the housing 10 and within the shooting range 41 of the one or more in-compartment cameras 40 and that reflects the blind spot of the shooting range 41. Good.

  Thereby, the articles 2 existing in the blind spot of the camera are reflected on the mirror 42, so that more articles 2 can be detected by one camera. For example, the article 2 located in the blind spot of the camera can be detected with a simple configuration as compared with the case where a camera platform or the like for driving the camera is provided.

  Further, for example, the article management system 1 may further include a marker 44 or a reflective material of a predetermined color or a predetermined shape attached to each of the plurality of articles 2. Thereby, for example, the marker 44 can be emphasized by image processing such as binarization processing, so that the number of articles 2 can be easily counted. Therefore, occurrence of counting errors (for example, missing or duplicated counting) can be suppressed, and the accuracy of management of the article 2 can be increased.

  In addition, for example, the in-compartment camera 40 generates a first in-compartment image by photographing the inside of the housing 10 before the housing 10 is opened or immediately after the housing 10 is opened. By photographing the inside of the housing 10 after the body 10 is closed, a second in-compartment image is generated, and the communication unit 26 outputs the first in-compartment image and the second in-compartment image as first detection information. Then, the comparing unit 31 counts the first number by performing image processing on each of the first in-compartment image and the second in-compartment image.

  Accordingly, since two images taken before or immediately after the housing 10 is opened and after the housing 10 is closed are used, the number of articles 2 before and after opening and closing the housing 10 is increased or decreased. The number can be easily counted. Therefore, the occurrence of counting errors can be suppressed, and the accuracy of management of the article 2 can be increased.

  Further, for example, the second detection unit is a code reader 50 that reads an identification display 51 attached to each of the plurality of articles 2.

  This allows the code reader 50 to be attached to the outer surface of the housing 10 or its vicinity, so that the article 2 taken out of the housing 10 can be easily detected.

  Further, for example, the identification display 51 is a barcode or a two-dimensional code.

  Thus, the identification display 51 can be easily read using a barcode reader or a camera.

  In addition, for example, when the target article is in the same attitude as the attitude of being stored in the housing 10, the second detection unit 53 can detect the identification display 51 attached to the target article. Having.

  This allows the code reader 50 to read the identification display 51 of the article 2 while maintaining the posture at the time of storage. For example, when the article 2 is a bento, it is not necessary to tilt the bento, so that scattering of ingredients and spilling of juice can be suppressed.

  Further, for example, the identification display 51 is information unique to the attached article, and the article management system 1 further notifies the person when the code reader 50 reads the same identification display a plurality of times. (For example, a guide unit 90).

  Thereby, for example, when a plurality of articles 2 are taken out of the housing 10 and the identification display 51 of one article 2 is read incorrectly or maliciously a plurality of times, the person can be notified. . Therefore, if a Service-to-Other makes an error, the error can be noticed. Further, when the Service-to-Self goes with malicious intent, it is possible to notify other persons around the casing 10 of the unauthorized use. Therefore, as a result, the management of the article 2 can be performed more strictly.

  In addition, for example, the article management system 1 further includes a guide unit 90 that guides a target article to a person who opens the housing 10.

  Thereby, it is possible to guide the user with recommended articles and the like, so that the convenience of the user can be improved.

  Further, for example, the guide unit 90 has a display unit 91 that displays guide information for guiding the storage position of the target article.

  Thereby, it becomes visually easy to understand and the usability of the article management system 1 can be enhanced. In addition, by displaying the guidance information, a person with a hearing impairment or the like can use the article management system 1. Therefore, the article management system 1 with high user accessibility can be realized.

  Further, for example, the guide unit 90 includes a sound output unit 92 that outputs, as a sound, guide information for guiding the storage position of the target article.

  In this way, by outputting the guidance information as a voice, the article management system 1 can be used even by people with low vision or abnormal color vision. Therefore, the article management system 1 with high user accessibility can be realized.

  Further, for example, the article management system 1 includes a control device 20 including a communication unit 26, and a management device 30 including a comparison unit 31, and the communication unit 26 performs the first detection information and the second detection information by wireless communication or wired communication. By transmitting the second detection information to the management device 30, the first detection information and the second detection information are output to the comparison unit 31.

  Thereby, for example, the control device 20 can be attached to the housing 10 and the management device 30 can be arranged at a remote place remote from the housing 10. The management device 30 manages the person list 35, the price list 36, and the like, so that falsification by a Service-to-Self can be suppressed. Therefore, the management of the article 2 can be stricter.

  Further, for example, the article management system 1 further includes a housing 10.

  Thereby, for example, the exclusive housing 10 can be used in accordance with the article 2 to be stored. Since the dedicated housing 10 is used, versatility is reduced, but strict management suitable for the article 2 can be performed.

(Modification of First Embodiment)
Hereinafter, a plurality of modified examples of the first embodiment will be described. In the following modifications, differences from Embodiment 1 will be mainly described, and description of common points will be omitted or simplified.

[Modification 1]
First, a first modification of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of the housing 10a of the article management system according to the present modification. The housing 10a shown in FIG. 20 is substantially the same as the housing 10 according to the first embodiment, and is different in that two shelves 13a and 13b are provided instead of the two shelves 13.

  Each of the shelves 13a and 13b is an example of a partition member for dividing the storage space 11a in the main body 11 into a plurality of partial spaces, similarly to the shelf 13 according to the first embodiment. The shelves 13a and 13b are formed using a flat plate or a flat net.

  As shown in FIG. 20, the shelf 13a is arranged on the upper side of the shelf 13b. Although not shown in FIG. 20, the in-compartment camera 40 is attached to the upper corner of the inner wall of the main body 11, as in the first embodiment. That is, the shelf 13a is arranged at a position closer to the camera 40 than the shelf 13b.

  The shelf 13a and the shelf 13b have different lengths in the depth direction. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 20, the length L1 of the shelf 13a in the depth direction is shorter than the length L2 of the shelf 13b in the depth direction. For this reason, the lunch box 2a arranged on the upper shelf 13a is arranged on the back side of the storage space 11a, and the lunch box 2c arranged on the floor surface of the lower main body 11 is arranged on the near side of the storage space 11a. Can be arranged. That is, when the lunch boxes 2a to 2c are viewed from above, the lunch boxes 2a to 2c can be arranged so that some or all of them do not overlap.

  Thus, when the storage space 11a is photographed from above by the internal camera 40, the lunch boxes 2a to 2c (the plurality of articles 2) can be prevented from overlapping in the photographed image. Therefore, it is easy to count the number of the lunch boxes 2a to 2c (the plurality of articles 2) by the image processing, and it is possible to suppress occurrence of a counting error or the like.

[Modification 2]
Subsequently, Modification 2 of Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. In the first embodiment, the in-compartment camera 40 has been described as an example of the first detection unit. In this modification, an example in which a detachable sensor is used as an example of the first detection unit will be described.

<Inside sensor unit>
FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the in-compartment sensor unit 140 of the article management system according to the present modification. FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the detachable sensor 143 of the in-compartment sensor unit 140 according to the present modification. FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating a state where a plurality of articles 2 are attached to the in-compartment sensor unit 140 according to the present modification. FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the article 2 is removed from the detachable sensor 143 according to the present modification.

  The article management system according to the present modification includes, as an example of a first detection unit, an in-compartment sensor unit 140 shown in FIG. The in-compartment sensor unit 140 includes a support plate 141, a plurality of electrode portions 142, a plurality of detachable sensors 143, and a plurality of wires 144.

  The support plate 141 supports the plurality of detachable sensors 143. As shown in FIG. 21, a plurality of electrode portions 142 are provided on the support plate 141, and the detachable sensor 143 is supported in association with the electrode portions 142.

  The support plate 141 is, for example, a flat plate having a substantially rectangular shape in plan view, and is disposed inside the housing 10. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 23, the support plate 141 is fixed upright to the floor surface of the main body 11 so as to be parallel to the inner side surface at the back of the main body 11.

  The plurality of electrode portions 142 are electrodes for applying a voltage to the corresponding detachable sensor 143. The electrode portion 142 also functions as a detection electrode for detecting a detection signal (current at the time of energization) of the detachable sensor 143. As shown in FIG. 23, each of the plurality of electrode portions 142 is connected to a wiring 144. The wiring 144 is a conductive line for transmitting a detection signal to the control device 20, and is connected to the control device 20.

  The plurality of wires 144 are, for example, collectively connected to one connector (not shown). An end of the cable connected to the control device 20 is exposed inside the housing 10, and a connector of the wiring 144 is connected to the end. This allows the in-compartment sensor unit 140 to be easily mounted in the housing 10. That is, the connection between each of the plurality of detachable sensors 143 and the control device 20 may not be performed.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 21, a larger number of electrode portions 142 are provided on the support plate 141 than the detachable sensors 143. Thereby, one electrode section 142 is selected from the plurality of electrode sections 142 according to the size, shape, arrangement, and the like of the article 2, and the detachable type attached to the article 2 is attached to the selected electrode section 142. The sensor 143 can be brought into contact and fixed.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 23, the plurality of articles 2 are stacked on each other. The plurality of detachable sensors 143 respectively hold the ends of the plurality of articles 2. Each of the plurality of detachable sensors 143 is fixed to the support plate 141 so as to contact the electrode portion 142 located at a position corresponding to the height of the article 2.

  The plurality of detachable sensors 143 are sensors detachably attached to each of the plurality of articles 2. As shown in FIGS. 22 and 24, the detachable sensor 143 is a clip-type sensor. Specifically, the detachable sensor 143 has a clip body 143a, a holding portion 143b, a conductive portion 143c, and a guide portion 143d. The detachable sensor 143 detects detachment of the corresponding article 2 by energizing when the holding portions 143b come into contact with each other.

  The clip body 143a has a shape substantially along the side surface of the triangular prism, and a holding portion 143b provided on one side is in contact with the clip body 143a. The clip body 143a has elasticity and is elastically deformed when a force is applied. Specifically, when an object is inserted between the holding portions 143b, the clip body 143a is elastically deformed. The clip body 143a is formed using, for example, an insulating material such as a resin material.

  The holding portion 143b holds at least a part of the corresponding article 2. The holding portion 143b is formed using a conductive material such as a metal.

  The conductive part 143c is electrically connected to the holding part 143b. The conductive part 143c contacts the electrode part 142 when the detachable sensor 143 is attached to the support plate 141. When the holding portions 143b come into contact with each other, a current flows through the electrode portion 142 via the conductive portion 143c.

  The guide portion 143d is a part of the clip body 143a, and is a portion located on the distal end side of the holding portion 143b. The guide portions 143d are formed so as to move away from each other as the distance from the holding portion 143b increases. Thus, by inserting the article 2 along the guide portion 143d, the article 2 can be easily held by the holding portion 143b.

  Each of the plurality of detachable sensors 143 is fixed to the support plate 141 so as to contact the corresponding electrode unit 142. For example, the detachable sensor 143 may be screwed to the support plate 141 or may be bonded to the support plate 141 with an adhesive sheet. Alternatively, the detachable sensor 143 or the support plate 141 may be a magnetic material, and the detachable sensor 143 may be fixed to the support plate 141 by a magnetic force.

  In this modification, as shown in FIG. 24, when the article 2 is inserted between the holding portions 143 b, the clip body 143 a is elastically deformed, so that an urging force is applied to the holding portion 143 b so as to sandwich the article 2. . When the article 2 is formed using an insulating material, the holding portions 143b are insulated without being in contact with each other. Therefore, no current flows through the holding portion 143b.

  On the other hand, when the article 2 is taken out, the holding portion 143b contacts. At this time, since a voltage is applied to the holding section 143b via the conductive section 143c and the electrode section 142, the holding section 143b conducts electricity. The current flowing through the holding portion 143b is output to the control device 20 as a detection signal via the conductive portion 143c, the electrode portion 142, and the wiring 144.

<Operation>
Here, the operation of the article management system according to the present modification will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 25 is a sequence diagram showing an operation of the article management system according to the present modification. As illustrated in FIG. 25, the article management system according to the present modification includes a detachable sensor 143 instead of the in-compartment camera 40 as compared with the article management system according to Embodiment 1 illustrated in FIG. Although only one detachable sensor 143 is shown in FIG. 25, the article management system according to the present modification includes a plurality of detachable sensors 143 as shown in FIGS.

  The present modification is different from the first embodiment in that the control device 20 does not generate a shooting command. As shown in FIG. 25, in the control device 20, when the collation result indicates that the persons match (that is, when the personal authentication is successful), the lock control unit 22 generates an unlock command (S20a). The lock control unit 22 outputs an unlock command to the lock mechanism 70 (S28), and the lock mechanism 70 is released (S30).

  Thereafter, when the article 2 is taken out by the user, the detachable sensor 143 detects the taking out of the article 2 (S33a). Specifically, when the article 2 is taken out, as shown in FIG. 24, the holding portions 143b come into contact with each other to energize. The detachable sensor 143 outputs the current flowing through the electrode portion 142 and the wiring 144 to the control device 20 as a detection signal (S33b).

  When the user takes out a plurality of articles 2, the plurality of detachable sensors 143 output detection signals. For this reason, the information processing section 23 of the control device 20 can determine the number of articles 2 taken out by counting the number of detection signals. The information processing section 23 transmits the determined number as detection information to the management device 30 together with the identification information (S54a).

  In the present modification, the operation of the components other than the control device 20 and the detachable sensor 143 is the same as in the first embodiment. In the comparison process (S56) performed by the management device 30, the image processing is not performed, and the comparison is performed with the number indicated in the detection information as the first number.

  FIG. 26 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the control device 20 of the article management system according to the present modification. The following description focuses on differences from the flowchart shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 26, when the communication unit 26 receives the verification success notification (Yes in S103), the lock control unit 22 generates an unlock command (S204, S20a in FIG. 25), and generates the unlock command. Is transmitted (S106, S28 in FIG. 25). At this time, the information processing section 23 does not generate a shooting command.

  After that, the control unit 21 waits until the detection signal, the identification information, and the close signal are received (No in S207 and No in S115). When the predetermined period has elapsed without receiving at least one of the detection signal, the identification information, and the close signal (Yes in S115), the control device 20 performs an error process (S117).

  When all of the detection signal, the identification information, and the closing signal have been received (Yes in S207), the lock control unit 22 generates a locking command (S208). Subsequent processing is the same as the processing shown in FIG.

  As described above, in the article management system according to the present modification, for example, the first detection unit includes the plurality of detachable sensors 143 detachably attached to each of the plurality of articles 2.

  As described above, in the present modification, the removal of the plurality of articles 2 is detected based on the detection signals from the individual detachable sensors 143, instead of photographing the inside before and after opening and closing the housing 10. Thereby, since a plurality of articles 2 can be individually detected, the detection accuracy of the articles 2 stored in the housing 10 can be improved. Therefore, the accuracy of management of the article 2 can be improved.

  In addition, for example, each of the plurality of detachable sensors 143 has a holding portion 143b for holding at least a part of the corresponding article 2, and when the holding sections 143b come into contact with each other, electricity is supplied to the corresponding article 2 Is detected.

  Thus, by using the clip-type detachable sensor 143, the article 2 can be easily attached and detached.

  In addition, for example, the first detection unit further includes a support plate 141 that supports the plurality of detachable sensors 143.

  Thus, by attaching the plurality of detachable sensors 143 to the support plate 141 collectively, the work of attaching the in-compartment sensor unit 140 to the housing 10 can be easily performed.

[Modification 3]
Next, a third modification of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In this modification, an example in which a detachable sensor is used will be described, similarly to the second modification.

  FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the in-compartment sensor unit 240 of the article management system according to the present modification. FIG. 28 is a perspective view of the detachable sensor 243 of the in-compartment sensor unit 240 according to the present modification. FIG. 29 is a diagram illustrating a state where a plurality of articles 2 are attached to the in-compartment sensor unit 240 according to the present modification. FIG. 30 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the article 2 is removed from the detachable sensor 243 according to the present modification.

  The article management system according to the present modification includes, as an example of a first detection unit, an in-compartment sensor unit 240 shown in FIG. The in-compartment sensor unit 240 includes a support plate 141, a plurality of electrode units 142, a plurality of detachable sensors 243, and a plurality of wires 144. Note that the support plate 141, the electrode portion 142, and the wiring 144 are the same as in the second modification.

  The plurality of detachable sensors 243 are sensors detachably attached to each of the plurality of articles 2. As shown in FIGS. 28 and 30, the detachable sensor 243 is a hinge-type sensor. Specifically, the detachable sensor 243 has two plate portions 243a and 243b and a shaft portion 243c. The detachable sensor 243 detects the detachment of the corresponding article 2 by energizing when the two plate portions 243a and 243b come into contact with each other.

  The two plate portions 243a and 243b are rotatably combined about one side as an axis. Each of the two plate portions 243a and 243b is a flat plate having a substantially rectangular shape in plan view, and is rotatably fixed to the shaft portion 243c around the shaft portion 243c as a rotation axis. As shown in FIG. 29, one of the two plate portions 243a and 243b is placed on the corresponding article 2. The other of the two plate portions 243a and 243b is fixed to the support plate 141 in contact with the electrode portion 142.

  The plate portions 243a and 243b are formed using a conductive material such as a metal, for example. The plate parts 243a and 243b are connected via the shaft part 243c, but are insulated at the connection part. That is, the plate portions 243a and 243b conduct electricity when the main surfaces thereof come into contact with each other, and current flows. The sizes and shapes of the plate portions 243a and 243b are, for example, the same as each other, but may be different.

  In this modification, as shown in FIG. 29, a plate portion 243b is placed on each of the stacked articles 2. In this case, the plate portion 243a and the plate portion 243b do not come into contact with each other and are not energized. In addition, the detachable sensor 243 located at the uppermost position in FIG. 29 is not in contact with the article 2, and the plate portion 243a and the plate portion 243b are in a state of being energized.

  As shown in FIG. 30, when the article 2 is taken out, the plate portion 243b placed on the article 2 rotates around the shaft portion 243c by gravity and comes into contact with the plate portion 243a. As a result, the plate portion 243a and the plate portion 243b conduct, and a current is output as a detection signal to the control device 20 via the electrode portion 142 and the wiring 144. As described above, when the state of the detachable sensor 243 changes from open to energized, the control unit 21 can determine that the article 2 has been taken out.

  Note that the operation of the article management system according to the present modification is the same as that of Modification 2, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  As described above, in the article management system according to the present modification, for example, each of the plurality of detachable sensors 243 is rotatably combined about one side as an axis, and one is placed on the corresponding article 2. It has two plate portions 243a and 243b, and when the two plate portions 243a and 243b come into contact with each other, the detachment of the corresponding article 2 is detected by conducting electricity.

  Thus, the article 2 can be easily removed by using the hinge-type detachable sensor 243.

[Modification 4]
Next, a fourth modification of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In this modification, an example in which a detachable sensor is used will be described, similarly to the second modification.

  FIG. 31 is a perspective view of the in-compartment sensor unit 340 of the article management system according to the present modification. FIG. 32 is a diagram showing a state where a plurality of articles 2 are attached to the in-compartment sensor unit 340 according to the present modification.

  The article management system according to the present modification includes, as an example of a first detection unit, an in-compartment sensor unit 340 shown in FIG. The in-compartment sensor unit 340 includes a support plate 341, a rail 342, a sensor 343, and a wiring 344.

  The support plate 341 supports the sensor unit 343. As shown in FIG. 31, a plurality of rails 342 are provided on the support plate 341, and a sensor 343 is supported on each of the plurality of rails 342.

  The support plate 341 is, for example, a flat plate having a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view, and is disposed inside the housing 10. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 32, the support plate 341 is fixed upright to the floor surface of the main body 11 so as to be parallel to the inner inner surface of the main body 11.

  The rail section 342 forms a trajectory when the sensor section 343 moves. In the present modification, the rail portion 342 is a through hole that penetrates the support plate 341 in the thickness direction, and has a long slit-like shape that extends along the height direction when the support plate 341 is fixed to the main body portion 11. It is a through hole. The sensor unit 343 is movably supported along the direction in which the rail unit 342 extends (that is, the height direction).

  Note that, instead of the support plate 341 and the rail portion 342, a support rod may be fixed upright to the floor surface of the main body portion 11. The sensor unit 343 may be supported so as to be able to move in the height direction along the support bar so as to grip the support bar.

  The sensor section 343 is movable along the rail section 342, and detects a position in the rail section 342. Specifically, the sensor section 343 detects a distance along the rail section 342 from the floor of the main body section 11 to the sensor section 343, that is, a height. The sensor unit 343 is connected to the wiring 344, and outputs position information (specifically, height information) indicating the position of the sensor unit 343 to the control device 20.

  As shown in FIG. 32, the sensor section 343 has a guide section 343a and a plate section 343b. The guide portion 343a extends obliquely upward from the tip of the plate portion 343b. The plate portion 343b is placed on the article 2.

  FIG. 33 is a diagram illustrating a state where the article 2 is attached to the in-compartment sensor unit 340 according to the present modification. As shown in FIG. 33, by sliding the article 2 along the floor surface, the end of the article 2 comes into contact with the guide portion 343a. By pushing the article 2 as it is, the guide part 343a is pushed up to the end of the article 2, and the sensor part 343 is lifted. As a result, the plate portion 343b is placed on the end of the article 2, and the height of the sensor section 343 substantially matches the height of the article 2.

  In this modification, as shown in FIG. 32, a plurality of articles 2 are stacked and housed inside the housing 10. The in-compartment sensor unit 340 detects the height of the article 2 located at the top of the plurality of articles 2 stacked. Specifically, since the sensor section 343 is placed on the article 2 located at the uppermost level, the height of the sensor section 343 changes according to the number of articles 2. That is, as the number of stacked articles 2 increases, the height of the sensor unit 343 increases, and as the number of stacked articles 2 decreases, the height of the sensor unit 343 decreases.

  In the present modification, the information processing unit 23 or the comparison unit 31 calculates a decrease in height before and after the article 2 is taken out based on the position information output from the sensor unit 343, and calculates a decrease in the calculated height. The number of removed articles 2 can be determined based on the minute and the height of one article 2.

  FIG. 34 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the article 2 is removed from the in-compartment sensor unit 340 according to the present modification. For example, as shown in FIG. 34, the height before taking out the article 2 is h1, and by taking out the article 2, the height is reduced to h2. The height decrease is represented by h2-h1. The number of articles 2 is calculated by dividing the decrease by the height of one article 2.

  Here, a case where the height h1 before taking out the article 2 is 35 cm, the height h2 after taking out the article 2 is 25 cm, and the height of one article 2 is 5 cm will be described as an example. The decrease in height is 10 (= 35-25) cm. Therefore, the number of articles 2 taken out is 2 (= 10 cm ÷ 5 cm).

  As described above, in the article management system according to the present modification, for example, the plurality of articles 2 are stacked and stored inside the housing 10, and the first detection unit (the in-compartment sensor unit 340) is stacked. The height of the article 2 located at the top of the plurality of articles 2 is detected.

  Thus, by detecting a change in the height, the number of the articles 2 taken out can be determined. At this time, in the modified examples 2 and 3, only the uppermost article 2 can be taken out, whereas according to the present modified example, the article 2 located in the middle of the stacked articles 2 or the lower Can be extracted. In this way, the user can freely take out the desired articles 2 from the stacked articles 2.

  In this modification, the same kind of articles 2, that is, the articles 2 having the same height are stacked in order to facilitate counting of the number of the articles 2, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a plurality of types of articles 2 having different heights may be stacked. For example, an article A having a height of Ha and an article B having a height of Hb may be stacked.

  The control unit 21 can estimate the taken-out article 2 according to the decrease in height. For example, when the height decrease is Ha, the control unit 21 can estimate that the taken-out article 2 is the article A. Similarly, when the height decrease is Hb, the control unit 21 can estimate that the taken-out article 2 is the article B. If the height decrease is Ha + Hb, the control unit 21 can estimate that the article A and the article B have been taken out. When the decrease in height is twice as large as Ha, the control unit 21 can estimate that two articles A have been taken out.

  At this time, the least common multiple of the heights Ha and Hb may be equal to or greater than the height of the storage space 11a of the housing 10 (the height from the floor surface to the ceiling surface). In this case, the heights of the combinations of the articles A and B stacked in the storage space 11a are all different. Therefore, the type and the number of the articles 2 taken out can be determined based on the decrease in height.

  For example, it is assumed that the height of the storage space 11a of the housing 10 is 30 cm, the height Ha of the article A is 5 cm, and the height Hb of the article B is 7 cm. At this time, the least common multiple of Ha and Hb is 35 cm, which is larger than the height of the storage space 11a.

  In this case, the combinations of the articles 2 stored in the storage space 11a and the heights of the articles 2 stacked according to the combinations are as follows.

  (Number of articles A, number of articles B, height) = (0, 0, 0), (1, 0, 5), (1, 1, 12), (1, 2, 19), (1, (3, 26), (2, 0, 10), (2, 1, 17), (2, 2, 24), (3, 0, 15), (3, 1, 22), (3, 2, 29), (4, 0, 20), (4, 1, 27), (5, 0, 25), (6, 0, 30)

  Thus, the height of the stacked articles 2 differs for each combination. Therefore, even if one or more articles 2 are taken out, by comparing the height before and after taking out the articles 2, the type and number of the taken out articles 2 can be determined.

  On the other hand, if the least common multiple of Ha and Hb is smaller than the height of the storage space 11a, the number and type of the articles 2 taken out may not be determined. For example, when the height Ha of the article A is 2 cm and the height Hb of the article B is 3 cm, the least common multiple of Ha and Hb is 6 cm. For this reason, if the decrease in height is 6 cm, it cannot be determined whether three articles A or two articles B have been taken out.

  In such a case, the number of articles 2 to be taken out may be limited. For example, the guide unit 90 notifies the user that the number of items 2 to be taken out at one time is two or less. Thereby, it is possible to determine the number and type of the taken out articles 2.

  In this modification, the height of the uppermost article 2 is detected based on the position of the sensor section 343 on the rail section 342, but the invention is not limited to this. The first detection unit may be realized by a distance measuring device. For example, the distance measuring device may be fixed to the ceiling surface of the housing 10 so as to measure the distance from itself to the floor surface of the housing 10. The distance measuring device uses a TOF (Time Of Flight) method or a stereo method. A plurality of articles 2 are stacked and arranged between the distance measuring device and the floor of the housing 10.

  Thereby, as the number of articles 2 increases, the distance from the distance measuring device to the uppermost article 2 decreases. When the article 2 is taken out, the distance from the ranging device to the uppermost article 2 increases. Therefore, the number of articles 2 can be calculated by dividing the increase in the distance to the article 2 at the top level by the height of one article 2.

[Modification 5]
Next, a fifth modification of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In this modification, a weight sensor is used instead of the in-compartment camera 40.

  FIG. 35 is a diagram illustrating a positional relationship between the weight sensor 440 and the article 2 of the article management system according to the present modification. As shown in FIG. 35, the article management system according to the present modification includes a weight sensor 440 as a first detection unit.

  The weight sensor 440 detects the weight of the plurality of articles 2. In this modification, the weight sensor 440 is arranged on the floor of the main body 11 of the housing 10. As described in the first embodiment, when the storage space 11a is divided by the shelf 13, the weight sensor 440 may be further arranged on the shelf 13. An example in which a weight sensor is arranged for each shelf 13 will be described later in a third embodiment.

  The weight sensor 440 detects the weight (total weight) of the plurality of articles 2 placed on the weight sensor 440, and outputs the detected weight to the control device 20. If the weight of each article 2 is substantially equal, the total weight detected by the weight sensor 440 is divided by the weight of each article to calculate the number of articles 2 placed on the weight sensor 440. be able to.

  For this reason, in this modification, the weight sensor 440 outputs the total weight before and after the removal of the article 2 to the control device 20. For example, as in the first embodiment, the total weight may be measured based on a measurement command (corresponding to a shooting command) from the control unit 21 and the measured total weight may be output to the control unit 21. Alternatively, the weight sensor 440 may output the measured total weight to the control unit 21 every time the measured total weight changes.

  As described above, in the article management system according to the present modification, for example, the first detection unit (weight sensor 440) detects the weight of the plurality of articles 2.

  Thus, by detecting a change in weight, the number of the taken out articles 2 can be determined. At this time, similarly to the fourth modification, the user can freely take out the desired article 2 from the stacked articles 2. Alternatively, since the article 2 only needs to be placed on the weight sensor 440, if there is sufficient space, the article 2 need not be stacked. Thereby, occurrence of damage to the articles 2 due to stacking can be suppressed.

  As in the case of the fourth modification for detecting the height, when the weights of the plurality of types of articles 2 are different, the type and the number of the articles 2 can be specified from the change in the total weight.

[Modification 6]
Next, a sixth modification of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 36 to 38. In this modification, a contact sensor is used instead of the in-compartment camera 40. Further, in the first embodiment and the first to fifth modifications thereof, a plurality of articles 2 are stacked, but in this modification, after being stored in an individual storage unit having a contact-type sensor, It is stored in the housing 10.

  FIG. 36 is a perspective view of the individual storage unit 540 of the article management system according to the present modification. FIG. 37 is a perspective view of the individual storage unit 540 in which the article 2 is stored in the article management system according to the present modification.

  As shown in FIG. 36, the individual storage unit 540 includes a film main body 541 and a contact sensor 543. A plurality of through holes 542 are provided in the film main body 541.

  As shown in FIG. 37, the film main body 541 stores one article 2 therein. The shape of the film main body 541 is, for example, a cylindrical shape having openings at both ends, but may be a bag shape having an opening at one end and a closed end. The opening is provided for receiving the article 2 and may be closed after the article 2 is inserted. For example, a fastener or the like may be provided in the opening.

  The film main body 541 is formed using, for example, a highly flexible material. The film main body 541 is formed of, for example, an insulating resin material.

  One or more through holes 542 are provided in the film main body 541. The through hole 542 is a ventilation hole for passing air in the housing 10 through the individual storage unit 540 when the individual storage unit 540 is placed in the housing 10. Thereby, for example, the article 2 can be cooled while being stored in the individual storage unit 540 using the cool air in the housing 10.

  The contact sensor 543 detects contact and non-contact of the article 2. The contact sensor 543 is provided on the inner surface of the film main body 541. When the article 2 is stored in the film main body 541, the article 2 contacts the contact sensor 543.

  Although not shown, wiring is connected to the contact sensor 543. An end of a cable connected to the control device 20 is arranged inside the housing 10. By connecting the wiring connected to the contact sensor 543 to the end of the cable (for example, connector connection), the detection result of the contact sensor 543 can be output to the control device 20. The contact sensor 543 outputs a detection signal to the control device 20 when, for example, the article 2 is removed from the individual storage unit 540, that is, when the contact between the article 2 and the contact sensor 543 is lost.

  FIG. 38 is a perspective view showing a state before and after removing the article 2 from the individual storage unit 540 in the article management system according to the present modification. As shown in FIG. 38, in this modification, a plurality of articles 2 can be stacked while being stored in the individual storage unit 540. FIG. 38 shows an example in which three individual storage units 540 are stacked.

  Here, the article 2 is taken out from the individual storage unit 540 located at the middle stage. In this case, since the film main body 541 has flexibility, the middle individual storage unit 540 is crushed and deformed by the gravity of the upper individual storage unit 540.

  Note that the film main body 541 may have rigidity. In this case, the shape of the film main body 541 is maintained even after the article 2 is taken out.

[Modification 7]
Next, a seventh modification of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In the first embodiment, a plurality of articles 2 are collectively stored inside the housing 10, whereas in the present modified example, an individual storage space for individually storing the plurality of articles 2 is provided. ing. Each of the plurality of individual storage spaces is provided with a sensor for detecting the stored article 2.

  FIG. 39 is a front view of the individual storage shelf 610 in the article management system according to the present modification. FIG. 40 is a perspective view showing a part of the individual storage shelf 610 according to the present modification. FIG. 39 shows a state in which the article 2 is stored in the individual storage space 613a of the individual storage shelf 610. FIG. 40 shows an individual storage space 613a in which the article 2 is not stored.

  The individual storage shelves 610 are storage shelves for forming a plurality of individual storage spaces 613a for individually storing a plurality of articles 2. Since the individual storage shelves 610 are arranged inside the housing 10, a plurality of individual storage spaces 613a are provided inside the housing 10.

  As shown in FIG. 39, the individual storage shelf 610 has a frame 611 and a plurality of shelves 613. As shown in FIG. 40, an individual sensor 640 is arranged on each of the shelves 613. The frame portion 611 is provided with a plurality of light emitting portions 691.

  The frame 611 is a main body housing of the individual storage shelf 610. The frame 611 supports a plurality of shelves 613. The means for supporting the shelf 613 is, for example, the same as the means for supporting the shelf 13 by the main body 11 in the first embodiment.

  The shape of the frame portion 611 is, for example, a rectangular tube that is long in the up-down direction. The frame body portion 611 has an upper surface portion, a floor surface portion, a left side surface portion, and a right side surface portion, and has an opening in the front-rear direction. “Front” in the front-rear direction is the side on which the light emitting unit 691 is provided, and is the door 12 side when the light emitting unit 691 is disposed inside the housing 10. The “rear” in the front-rear direction is the opposite side of the front, and is the back side when arranged inside the housing 10. Note that the frame portion 611 may not have the upper surface portion and the floor surface portion. Further, the frame body portion 611 may not have one of the left side surface portion and the right side surface portion.

  The shelf 613 is an example of a partition for forming the individual storage space 613a. The shelf 613 is, for example, a net shelf formed using a flat net. In the present modified example, an individual storage space 613a is formed by two adjacent shelf portions 613 and the frame portion 611. The size of the individual storage space 613a may be changeable according to the size of the article 2. For example, the shelf 613 can be changed stepwise in the vertical direction or to an arbitrary position.

  The individual sensor 640 is an example of a first detection unit arranged for each individual storage space 613a. The individual sensor 640 detects the article 2 arranged in the corresponding individual storage space 613a. The individual sensor 640 is, for example, a capacitance sensor, a weight sensor, an infrared sensor, or the like, but is not particularly limited.

  Wiring (not shown) is connected to each of the plurality of individual sensors 640. The plurality of wires connected to each of the plurality of individual sensors 640 are collectively fixed to the frame 611 and the like. An end of a cable connected to the control device 20 is arranged inside the housing 10. A plurality of wirings connected to each of the plurality of individual sensors 640 are collectively connected and connected to an end of the cable (for example, connector connection), so that a detection result by the plurality of individual sensors 640 is output to the control device 20. be able to.

  The plurality of light emitting units 691 are an example of the display unit 91 provided in the guide unit 90. The plurality of light emitting units 691 are provided in one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of individual storage spaces 613a. In this modification, as shown in FIG. 39 and FIG. 40, the frame 611 is disposed near the corresponding individual storage space 613a. The lighting state of the light emitting section 691 changes according to the article 2 stored in the corresponding individual storage space 613a. For example, the light emitting unit 691 is realized by a light emitting element such as an LED.

  For example, the light emitting unit 691 is turned on when the article 2 is stored in the corresponding individual storage space 613a, and turned off when the article 2 is not stored. Further, when the stored article 2 is a special article directed to a specific person, the light emitting section 691 may perform blinking lighting. Note that the light emitting unit 691 may be capable of changing a light emitting color.

  As described above, in the article management system according to the present modification, for example, a plurality of individual storage spaces 613a for individually storing a plurality of articles 2 are provided inside the housing 10, and the first detection unit It has a plurality of individual sensors 640 that are arranged for each individual storage space 613a and detect the articles 2 arranged in the corresponding individual storage space 613a.

  Thereby, since the article 2 can be detected for each individual storage space 613a, the management accuracy of the article 2 can be improved.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, a second embodiment will be described. The following description focuses on differences from the first embodiment, and description of common points is omitted or simplified.

  In the article management system 1 according to the first embodiment, any person who is permitted to open the casing 10 can freely take out the articles 2 stored in the casing 10. On the other hand, in the article management system according to the present embodiment, a special article directed to a specific person is included in the plurality of articles 2 stored in the housing 10, and only the specific person Is a system that can take out the special article. That is, in the present embodiment, one housing 10 is used in two ways, that is, reserved use (sales) and general use.

[Constitution]
First, the configuration of the article management system according to the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 41 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an article management system 701 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 41, the article management system 701 according to the present embodiment is different from the article management system 1 according to the first embodiment in that the control device 720 and the management device are used instead of the control device 20 and the management device 30. 730 is different from that in which one or more individual housings 710 are arranged in the housing 10.

<Individual housing>
First, the individual housing 710 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 42 is a perspective view of the individual housing 710 in the article management system 701 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 43 is a front view showing housing 10 in which a plurality of individual housings 710 according to the present embodiment are arranged.

  The individual housing 710 is an openable / closable housing that forms an individual storage space 713 that individually stores at least one of the plurality of articles 2. As shown in FIG. 42, an individual lock mechanism 770 for restricting opening and closing of the individual housing 710 is attached to the individual housing 710. In addition, an individual sensor 640 for detecting the stored article 2 is provided inside the individual housing 710.

  In the present embodiment, at least one of the plurality of individual housings 710 is assigned to a predetermined person (hereinafter, referred to as a specific person). The individual casing 710 to which the specific person is assigned is a dedicated casing for the assigned specific person, and only the specific person can open and close. For example, the individual housing 710 stores an article 2 specified in advance by a specific person (for example, a special lunch box adapted to the constitution of the specific person). The provision of the individual lock mechanism 770 in the individual housing 710 prohibits a person other than the specific person from taking out.

  The plurality of individual housings 710 are arranged inside the housing 10 as shown in FIG. FIG. 43 illustrates an example in which the individual storage shelves 610 described in the seventh modification of the first embodiment are stored in the housing 10 and three individual housings 710 are arranged in the lower three stages of the individual storage shelves 610. ing.

  In this case, it is possible to notify that the individual housing 710 is dedicated to a specific person by using the light emitting unit (individual light emitting unit) 691 arranged near the three individual housings 710. Specifically, the individual light emitting unit 691 is lit in a lighting state different from that of the normal light emitting unit 691. For example, the individual light emitting unit 691 and the normal light emitting unit 691 emit light of different emission colors (such as red and green).

  The light emitting unit 691 blinks when a specific person opens the housing 10. Thereby, the location of the individual housing 710 dedicated to a specific person can be notified.

  As shown in FIG. 42, the individual housing 710 includes a frame 711 and a drawer 712.

  The frame portion 711 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing with an open front surface, and houses the drawer portion 712 so that it can be taken in and out. Inside the frame portion 711, a concave portion 772 into which the claw portion 771a of the electronic lock 771 of the individual lock mechanism 770 is inserted is provided. The frame 711 is, for example, a substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing formed of a resin or a metal material, but the material, shape, and size of the frame 711 are not particularly limited. It should be noted that the frame portion 711 may be provided with a ventilation hole for passing cool air inside the housing 10.

  The drawer portion 712 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing whose upper surface is open. The opened upper surface is covered by the upper surface of the frame 711 when inserted into the frame 711. As a result, an individual storage space 713 is formed by the frame portion 711 and the drawer portion 712. A grip 714 for facilitating the pulling out of the drawer 712 is provided on the front surface of the drawer 712. The grip portion 714 is a convex portion (knob) protruding from the front surface of the drawer portion 712, but may be a concave portion provided on the front surface of the drawer portion 712.

  An individual sensor 640 is provided on the floor of the drawer 712. The individual sensor 640 is the same as that shown in the seventh modification of the first embodiment. The individual sensor 640 is connected to the control device 720 by a cable. The cable may be embedded, for example, inside the drawer 712 (such as a side plate or a bottom plate).

  Note that FIG. 42 illustrates an example in which the opening and closing method of the individual housing 710 is a pull-out method, but is not limited thereto. The opening and closing method of the individual housing 710 may be a horizontal opening method using a door, similarly to the housing 10 according to the first embodiment. Alternatively, the opening and closing method of the individual housing 710 may be a vertical opening, a sliding type, a double door opening, or the like.

<Individual lock mechanism>
The individual lock mechanism 770 is attached to each of the plurality of individual housings 710, and restricts opening and closing of the attached individual housings 710. The individual lock mechanism 770 has an electronic lock 771 and a recess 772 as shown in FIG.

  The electronic lock 771 includes a claw 771a and a holding housing 771b, like the electronic lock 71 according to the first embodiment. When a predetermined voltage is applied from the outside, the claw 771a is housed in the holding housing 771b, and when the application of the voltage is stopped, the claw 771a protrudes from the holding housing 771b. The individual housing 710 is locked by inserting the protruding claw 771a into the recess 772.

  The concave portion 772 corresponds to a female key. Instead of the concave portion 772, the female key 72 may be attached to the frame portion 711 as in the first embodiment.

  Although not shown, the electronic lock 771 is connected to the control device 720 by a cable. The cable may be embedded, for example, inside the drawer 712 (such as a side plate or a bottom plate).

<Control device>
The control device 720 is different from the control device 20 according to the first embodiment in that the control unit 21 is newly provided with an individual lock control unit 727.

  The individual lock control unit 727 controls a plurality of individual lock mechanisms 770. When the collation result transmitted from the management device 30 indicates a match with a predetermined person (specific person), the individual lock control unit 727 assigns the individual lock mechanism 770 to the specific person. The individual lock mechanism 770 corresponding to the individual housing 710 is unlocked. That is, when the person who intends to open the housing 10 is a specific person, the individual lock control unit 727 unlocks the individual lock mechanism 770 attached to the individual housing 710 dedicated to the specific person.

<Management device>
The management device 730 is different from the management device 30 according to the first embodiment in that a matching unit 732 is provided instead of the matching unit 32, and a person list 735 is stored in the storage unit 34 instead of the person list 35. Is different.

  FIG. 44 is a diagram showing a person list 735 in the article management system 701 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 44, the person list 735 is such that reservation information is further added to the person list 35 shown in FIG.

  The reservation information includes flag information and individual housing information. The flag information is information indicating whether the corresponding person is a specific person. In FIG. 44, a circle (（) indicates that the corresponding person is a specific person, and a cross (X) indicates that the corresponding person is not specific information. The individual case information is information for specifying the individual case 710 assigned to the specific person, and indicates, for example, the position of the individual case 710.

  The collation unit 732 collates the person list 735 with the person indicated by the person information. Furthermore, when the person indicated by the person information matches a person included in the person list 735, the matching unit 732 determines whether or not the person is a specific person by referring to the person list 735. The collation unit 732 reads the individual housing information based on the flag information of the person list 735 when the person is a specific person. The collation unit 732 transmits, to the control device 720, via the communication unit 37, the fact that the person is a specific person and the individual housing information assigned to the specific person as a collation result.

[motion]
Next, an operation of the article management system 701 according to the present embodiment will be described. Here, the collation processing by the management device 730, the operation of the control device 720, and the operation of the individual lock mechanism 770 will be described. The operations of the other components constituting the article management system 701 are as shown in FIG.

<Verification process (personal authentication process)>
FIG. 45 is a flowchart illustrating a collation process performed by the management device 730 of the article management system 701 according to the present embodiment. The matching process is a process of step S16 shown in FIG. 25, and is performed after receiving the personal information via the communication unit 37. In the flowchart shown in FIG. 45, the same reference numerals are given to the same processes as the matching process of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 16, and the description will be simplified.

  As illustrated in FIG. 45, in the management device 730, the collation unit 732 collates the person list 735 with the person indicated by the person information (S131). If the person indicated by the person information matches the person included in the person list 735 (Yes in S132) and is a specific person (Yes in S332), the matching unit 732 converts the individual housing information from the person list 735 into It is acquired (S333). The collation unit 732 generates a collation result indicating the matching of the persons as a collation success notification, and outputs the collation result together with the individual housing information (S334). The verification success notification and the individual case information are transmitted to the control device 720 via the communication unit 37 and output to the charging unit 33.

  If the person indicated by the person information matches the person included in the person list 735 (Yes in S132) and is not a specific person (No in S332), the matching unit 732 checks the matching result indicating the matching of the person It is generated and output as a success notification (S133). The verification success notification is transmitted to the control device 720 via the communication unit 37 and is output to the charging unit 33.

  When the person indicated by the person information does not match the person included in the person list 735 (No in S132), the matching unit 732 generates and outputs a matching result indicating mismatch of the person as a matching failure notification (S134). The verification failure notification is transmitted to the control device 720 via the communication unit 37.

<Operation of control device>
FIG. 46 is a flowchart showing an operation of control device 720 of article management system 701 according to the present embodiment. In the flowchart shown in FIG. 46, the same processes as those performed by control device 20 according to Modification 2 of Embodiment 1 shown in FIG. 26 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be simplified.

  As shown in FIG. 46, in the control device 20, when the communication unit 26 receives the verification success notification (Yes in S <b> 103), the individual lock control unit 727 determines whether the person indicated by the personal information is a specific person. A determination is made (S303). Specifically, the individual lock control unit 727 makes a determination based on whether or not individual case information has been received together with a successful verification notification.

  When the individual housing information is received, that is, when the person indicated by the personal information is a specific person (Yes in S303), the individual lock control unit 727 generates an individual unlock command (S304). Specifically, the individual lock control unit 727 generates an individual unlock command for unlocking the individual lock mechanism 770 attached to the individual housing 710 indicated by the individual housing information. In the present embodiment, the individual lock control unit 727 supplies, for example, a predetermined voltage to be applied to the electronic lock 771 of the individual lock mechanism 770 as the individual unlock command.

  Thereafter, the lock control unit 22 generates an unlock command (S204), and transmits the generated unlock command to the lock mechanism 70 (S106). Similarly, when the person indicated by the personal information is not a specific person (No in S303), the lock control unit 22 similarly generates an unlock command (S204), and transmits the generated unlock command to the lock mechanism 70. (S106). Subsequent processing is the same as in the first embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, the information processing section 23 may change the lighting state of the light emitting section 691 when the person indicated by the personal information is a specific person. For example, when the person indicated by the personal information is a specific person, the information processing unit 23 blinks the light emitting unit 691 corresponding to the individual housing 710 indicated by the individual housing information. Thereby, the position of the individual housing 710 assigned to the specific person can be guided to the specific person who has opened the housing 10.

  Instead of or in addition to changing the lighting state of the light emitting unit 691, the information processing unit 23 controls the audio output unit 92 to notify the position of the individual housing 710 by audio guidance. You may. For example, the information processing section 23 may generate a voice guidance such as “Your thing is in the bottom box” and output the voice guidance to the voice output section 92.

[Effects, etc.]
As described above, the article management system 701 according to the present embodiment forms, for example, one or more individual storage spaces 713 that are arranged inside the housing 10 and individually store at least one of the plurality of articles 2. One or more individual housings 710 that can be opened and closed, one or more individual locking mechanisms 770 for restricting the opening and closing of each of the one or more individual housings 710, and an individual lock control unit that controls the one or more individual locking mechanisms 770. 727, and one of the one or more individual housings 710 is assigned to a predetermined person, and the individual lock control unit 727 determines that the matching result indicates that the predetermined person matches with the predetermined person. Of the individual lock mechanisms 770 described above, the individual lock mechanism 770 corresponding to the individual housing 710 assigned to a predetermined person is unlocked.

  Thus, the dedicated article 2 of the specific person can be stored in the housing 10. That is, one housing 10 can be used by being divided into a part shared by a plurality of persons (general use) and a part used individually (reserved use).

  In the present embodiment, the removal of the article 2 other than the specific person is prohibited by the individual housing 710 and the individual lock mechanism 770, but the invention is not limited to this. The individual housing 710 may not be provided with a door or the like. For example, the individual lock mechanism 770 may be directly attached to the article 2.

  Specifically, the individual lock mechanism 770 may include a chain or a string such as a chain lock, and an electronic lock attached to an end of the chain or the string. For example, the individual lock mechanism 770 may be fixed to the individual housing 710 or the housing 10 through a ring member attached to the article 2 or a through hole provided in the article 2.

(Embodiment 3)
Next, a third embodiment will be described. The following description focuses on differences from the first embodiment, and description of common points is omitted or simplified.

  In the first embodiment, the article management system 1 includes the second detection unit that detects the article 2 outside the housing 10, whereas the article management system according to the present embodiment includes the second detection unit. I don't have. In the article management system according to the present embodiment, the position where the article 2 is stored is predetermined, and the extracted article 2 is specified based on the storage position of the extracted article 2.

[Constitution]
First, the configuration of the article management system according to the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 47 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an article management system 801 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 47, the article management system 801 according to the present embodiment is different from the article management system 1 according to the first embodiment in that control is performed instead of the control device 20, the management device 30, and the in-compartment camera 40. The point that the device 820, the management device 830, and the plurality of weight sensors 841 to 843 are provided is different from the point that the code reader 50 is not provided.

  In the present embodiment, the plurality of articles 2 are stored in predetermined positions in the housing 10. The storage position of each of the plurality of articles 2 may be determined in advance, or the storage position may be determined for each type of the article 2.

  FIG. 48 is a diagram illustrating an example of storing a plurality of articles 2 (lunch boxes 2a to 2c) in the housing 10 in the article management system 801 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 48, for example, the lunch 2a is a Western-style lunch and is arranged in the upper stage. The lunch 2b is a Chinese lunch and is arranged at the middle stage. The lunch box 2c is a Japanese-style lunch box and is arranged at a lower stage.

  The control device 820 controls the plurality of weight sensors 841 to 843. Specifically, the control device 820 receives a detection signal output from any of the plurality of weight sensors 841 to 843, and generates position information of the taken-out article 2 based on the received detection signal, The generated position information is transmitted to the management device 30.

  As shown in FIG. 47, the control unit 21 of the control device 820 includes an information processing unit 823. When a detection signal is transmitted from at least one of the plurality of weight sensors 841 to 843, the information processing unit 823 specifies the weight sensor that has transmitted the detection signal. In the present embodiment, as schematically shown in FIG. 48, the control device 820 (the information processing unit 823) and the plurality of weight sensors 841 to 843 are connected via different cables. Therefore, the information processing unit 823 identifies the weight sensor 841 to 843, which is the transmission source of the detection signal, by identifying the cable to which the detection signal has been transmitted.

  The communication unit 26 is an example of an output unit that outputs detection information indicating detection results obtained by the plurality of weight sensors 841 to 843. The communication unit 26, when any of the weight sensors 841 to 843 detects that the target article, which is at least one of the plurality of articles 2, has been moved from the stored position, displays position information indicating the position of the target article. Output as detection information.

  In the present embodiment, the position information is a detection result (that is, a total weight) of each of the plurality of weight sensors 841 to 843. In the present embodiment, since the plurality of weight sensors 841 to 843 and the position of the article 2 are associated with each other, the position information can indicate the position of the article 2 by indicating the weight sensor. The position of the taken-out article 2 (target article) is indicated by a change in the total weight of any of the weight sensors 841 to 843. Alternatively, the position information may be information that explicitly indicates the position of the target article, such as the upper, middle, or lower tier.

  The management device 830 is different from the management device 30 according to the first embodiment in that a specifying unit 831 is provided instead of the comparison unit 31, and a storage position table 836 is stored in the storage unit 34 instead of the price list 36. Is different.

  The specifying unit 831 specifies the article 2 taken out of the housing 10 based on the position information transmitted from the control device 820. Specifically, the specifying unit 831 specifies the type and the number of the articles 2 taken out of the housing 10. For example, when the total weight detected by the weight sensor 841 changes, the specifying unit 831 refers to the storage position table 836, and the taken-out article 2 is arranged on the upper stage where the weight sensor 841 is installed. It specifies that it is lunch 2a. Further, the specifying unit 831 specifies the number of the extracted lunches 2a according to the decrease in the total weight. Based on the specified result by the specifying unit 831, the charging unit 33 performs a charging process on the extracted person.

  In the present embodiment, the correspondence between the type of the article 2 and the storage position is managed by the management device 830. Specifically, the storage unit 34 of the management device 830 stores a storage position table 836 indicating the correspondence between the article 2 and the storage position.

  FIG. 49 is a diagram showing a storage position table 836 indicating the relationship between the article 2 and the storage position in the article management system 801 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 49, in the storage position table 836, the type of the article 2 and the storage position are associated with each other. The storage position table 836 also serves as the price list 36 according to the first embodiment. Therefore, in the storage position table 836, the type of the article 2 is associated with the price.

  The plurality of weight sensors 841 to 843 are an example of a detection unit that detects the plurality of articles 2 inside the housing 10. As shown in FIG. 48, the plurality of weight sensors 841 to 843 are respectively provided in the upper stage, the middle stage, and the lower stage. The plurality of weight sensors 841 to 843 detect the total weight of the article 2 placed on each. Specifically, the weight sensor 841 is placed on the shelf 13 forming the upper stage, and detects the total weight of one or more lunch boxes 2a arranged in the upper stage. The weight sensor 842 is placed on the shelf 13 forming the middle stage, and detects the total weight of one or more lunch boxes 2b arranged in the middle stage. The weight sensor 843 is placed on the floor of the main body 11 forming the lower tier, and detects the total weight of one or more lunch boxes 2c arranged in the lower tier. Based on the change in the total weight detected by each of the plurality of weight sensors 841 to 843, it is possible to determine the identification and the number of the extracted lunches 2a to 2c. The method of specifying the number is the same as that of the fifth modification of the first embodiment.

[motion]
Next, an operation of the article management system 801 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 50 is a sequence diagram showing an operation of the article management system 801 according to the present embodiment. Here, a description will be given focusing on differences from Modification 2 of Embodiment 1 shown in FIG. Although only the weight sensor 841 is shown in FIG. 50, the weight sensors 842 and 843 operate similarly.

  As shown in FIG. 50, the processing until the lock mechanism 70 performs the unlocking process (S30) according to the unlocking command transmitted by the control device 820 is the same as that of the second modification of the first embodiment shown in FIG. .

  When the article 2 is taken out by the user after the lock mechanism 70 is unlocked, at least one of the plurality of weight sensors 841 to 843 detects a change in weight (S33c). For example, when the user takes out the lunch box 2a, the weight sensor 841 detects a change in weight.

  The weight sensor 841 that has detected the change in weight outputs a detection signal (S33d). The detection signal includes information indicating the total weight of the lunch 2a placed on the weight sensor 841.

  Note that each of the plurality of weight sensors 841 to 843 may always (or periodically) transmit the detected total weight to the control device 820. The information processing unit 823 of the control device 820 or the specifying unit 831 of the management device 830 calculates the difference between the total weight transmitted immediately before and the newly transmitted total weight for each weight sensor, thereby obtaining the total. The change in weight may be calculated.

  Alternatively, similarly to the case of the in-compartment camera 40, each of the plurality of weight sensors 841 to 843 measures and measures the total weight based on a measurement command (corresponding to a shooting command) from the information processing unit 823. The total weight may be transmitted to the information processing unit 823. Specifically, the plurality of weight sensors 841 may measure and transmit the total weight twice before or immediately after the housing 10 is opened and twice after the housing 10 is closed. .

  After the control device 820 generates and outputs the locking command (S42 and S50), the communication unit 26 transmits the position information included in the detection signal to the management device 830 (S54b). Specifically, the communication unit 26 transmits, as position information, information indicating the weight sensor 841 that has detected the change in the total weight and information indicating the total weight as a detection result.

  In the management device 830, the position information is received via the communication unit 37, and the specifying unit 831 performs the specifying process of the article 2 based on the position information (S56b). Specifically, the specifying unit 831 refers to the storage position table 836 to specify the type of the taken-out article 2 and the number thereof. For example, since the total weight detected by the weight sensor 841 has changed, the specifying unit 831 specifies that the taken out article 2 is the lunch box 2a. In addition, the specifying unit 831 calculates the amount of change in the total weight, and divides the calculated change by the price of the lunch 2a to determine the number of the extracted lunches 2a.

  Thereafter, the charging unit 33 performs a charging process based on the specified result by the specifying unit 831 (S58). Specifically, the billing unit 33 calculates a billing amount by multiplying the price of the lunch 2a by the number of the extracted lunches 2a, and bills the person specified by the matching unit 32.

[Effects, etc.]
As described above, the article management system 801 according to the present embodiment detects a plurality of articles 2 stored at predetermined positions inside the openable casing 10 inside the casing 10. A detection unit (for example, a weight sensor 841 to 843) and an output unit (for example, the communication unit 26) that outputs detection information indicating a detection result by the detection unit, wherein the output unit is at least one of the plurality of articles 2 When the detection unit detects that the target article is moved from the position where the target article is stored, position information indicating the position of the target article is output as detection information.

  Thus, since the plurality of articles 2 are stored at predetermined positions, the position of the taken-out article 2 can be detected to specify the taken-out article 2. Therefore, in the article management system 801 according to the present embodiment, a means for detecting the article 2 outside the housing 10 such as the code reader 50 is not required, so that the configuration can be further simplified. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, a highly versatile article management system 801 that can manage a plurality of articles 2 with a simple configuration can be provided.

[Modification]
Subsequently, a modified example of the third embodiment will be described. In the third embodiment, the plurality of articles 2 stored in the housing 10 are detected using the plurality of weight sensors 841 to 843. On the other hand, the article management system according to the present modification includes the in-compartment camera 40 as an example of the detection unit, as in the first embodiment.

  FIG. 51 is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation of the article management system according to the present modification. As shown in FIG. 51, since the code reader 50 is not provided, the control device 820 generates and outputs a shooting command and a locking command (S42, S44, and S50), and then the communication unit 26 sets the first command. The in-compartment image and the second in-compartment image (that is, position information) are transmitted to the management device 830 (S54c).

  In the management device 830, the specifying unit 831 specifies the type and the number of the retrieved articles 2 based on the first in-compartment image and the second in-compartment image (S56c). Specifically, the specifying unit 831 performs the image processing on each of the first in-compartment image and the second in-compartment image, thereby specifying the position where the article 2 is taken out and the number thereof. For example, when the marker 44 is attached to a plurality of articles 2, by specifying the position and the number of the marker 44 included in the first in-compartment image and not included in the second in-compartment image, The position and the number of the taken out articles 2 are specified. The specifying unit 831 can specify the type of the taken out article 2 from the position of the article 2 by referring to the storage position table 836.

  As described above, even when the in-compartment camera 40 is provided as an example of the detection unit, the means for detecting the article 2 outside the housing 10 such as the code reader 50 is not provided. The type and number can be specified.

  In addition, the article management system 801 according to the present embodiment and the modification thereof includes the weight sensors 841 to 843 or the in-compartment camera 40 as an example of the detection unit, but is not limited thereto. The article management system 801 may include, as a detection unit, the in-compartment sensor unit 140, 240, or 340 described in Modifications 2 to 4 of the first embodiment. Alternatively, the article management system 801 may include, as a detection unit, the plurality of contact sensors 543 or the plurality of individual sensors 640 described in the sixth or seventh modification of the first embodiment. For example, by providing a sensor in one-to-one correspondence with a plurality of articles 2, it is possible to easily specify the article 2 taken out.

(Embodiment 4)
Next, a fourth embodiment will be described.

  The article management system according to the present embodiment is different in that the control device 20 and the management device 30 further manage the state of power supplied to the housing 10. The following description focuses on differences from the first embodiment, and description of common points is omitted or simplified.

[Constitution]
First, the configuration of the article management system according to the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 52 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an article management system 901 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 52, the article management system 901 according to the present embodiment is different from the article management system 1 according to the first embodiment in that the control device 920 The difference is that a device 930 is provided.

  The control device 920 manages the power state supplied to the housing 10. Note that the housing 10 is an openable and closable housing that receives power supply. Specifically, the housing 10 includes a temperature adjustment unit 14 that adjusts the temperature of the storage space 11a (for example, cools and keeps heat) using the supplied power.

  In the present embodiment, control device 920 is different from control device 20 according to the first embodiment in that a control unit 921 is provided instead of control unit 21. Control device 920 includes power reception unit 24 and power supply unit 25, as in the first embodiment. The power receiving unit 24 receives power from the outside and supplies the power to the control unit 921. The power supply unit 25 supplies the power received by the power receiving unit 24 to the housing 10. That is, common electric power is supplied to the control device 920 and the housing 10.

  The control unit 921 includes an information processing unit 923 as shown in FIG. The information processing unit 923 is an example of a transmission unit that transmits a power reception signal indicating a power reception state of common power. Specifically, the information processing unit 923 generates an alive signal when power is being received by the power receiving unit 24. The information processing unit 923 transmits the generated alive signal to the management device 930 via the communication unit 26.

  The alive signal is a signal indicating that the common power is correctly received. That is, the alive signal is a signal indicating that the control device 920 and the housing 10 are receiving normal power and are operating normally.

  In the present embodiment, the information processing unit 923 periodically generates and transmits an alive signal while the power receiving unit 24 receives the common power. For example, the information processing unit 923 transmits an alive signal at time intervals of several minutes or less. The transmission interval of the alive signal may be 1 minute or less, and may be a short time such as 1 second. The shorter the time interval, the more accurately the power supply state can be detected.

  In the present embodiment, the control unit 921 includes a lock control unit 922. The lock control unit 922 controls the lock mechanism 70 similarly to the lock control unit 22 of the first embodiment. The lock control unit 922 further prohibits unlocking of the lock mechanism 70 when it is determined that the common power has been cut off. Since the lock mechanism 70 includes the normally-off type electronic lock 71, it is not unlocked when the power is cut off, but can be unlocked when the power supply is restored. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the lock control unit 922 prohibits unlocking of the lock mechanism 70 even when power supply is restored. As a result, even if the verification (personal authentication) of the person attempting to open the housing 10 succeeds, the lock mechanism 70 cannot take out the article 2 without being unlocked.

  Thereby, it is possible to prevent the article 2 from being taken out after the power supply to the housing 10 is cut off. When the power supply to the housing 10 is stopped, the temperature adjustment by the temperature adjustment unit 14 cannot be performed. For this reason, when the article 2 is a lunch box, the quality of the article 2 may be deteriorated. According to the article management system 901 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent the article 2 having the deteriorated quality from being taken out.

  The management apparatus 930 is different from the management apparatus 30 according to Embodiment 1 in further including a determination unit 938. The determination unit 938 receives the power reception signal, and determines whether to cut off the common power based on the received power reception signal. In this embodiment, determination unit 938 determines that common power has been cut off when an alive signal has not been received for a predetermined period. The predetermined period is, for example, a time longer than the transmission interval of the alive signal and shorter than twice the transmission interval.

  During a period in which normal power is supplied to the control device 920, the communication unit 37 of the management device 930 receives the alive signal at substantially constant time intervals. That is, as long as communication unit 37 continues to receive the alive signal at substantially constant time intervals, determination unit 938 determines that control device 920 is receiving normal common power. On the other hand, when the communication unit 37 does not receive the alive signal during the period equal to or longer than the time interval, the determination unit 938 determines that the control device 920 cannot receive normal power and cannot transmit the alive signal.

[motion]
Here, the operation of the article management system 901 according to the present embodiment will be described using FIG. FIG. 53 is a sequence diagram showing an operation of the article management system 901 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 53 illustrates only the control device 920 and the management device 930 related to the determination of the power state among the plurality of components configuring the article management system 901.

  As shown in FIG. 53, the control device 920 generates an alive signal at substantially constant time intervals (S402), and transmits it to the management device 930 (S403). In the management device 930, since the communication unit 37 receives the alive signal at substantially constant intervals, the determination unit 938 determines that power has been normally supplied.

  Here, for example, a power outage, or a power cord disconnection due to intentional or negligence occurs, and power supply to the control device 920 is interrupted (S410). As a result, the control device 920 does not transmit the alive signal, so that the management device 930 cannot receive the alive signal. By not receiving the alive signal for a predetermined period or more, the determination unit 938 determines that the common power has been cut off (S411). At this time, the management device 930 may notify the administrator that the power has been cut off.

  After the power is restored (S420), in the control device 920, the information processing unit 923 generates an alive signal as before the power supply is cut off (S423), and sends the alive signal to the management device 930 via the communication unit 26. It is transmitted (S424). In the management device 930, when the communication unit 37 receives the alive signal, the determination unit 938 determines that the supply of the common power to the control device 920 and the housing 10 has been restored. In response to the restoration of the power supply, the determination unit 938 generates an unlocking prohibition instruction for prohibiting unlocking of the lock mechanism 70 (S425). The determination unit 938 transmits an unlock prohibition instruction to the control device 920 via the communication unit 37 (S426).

  Upon receiving the unlock prohibition instruction, the lock control unit 922 of the control device 920 prohibits unlocking of the lock mechanism 70 (S427). Thus, even if the user holds the ID card over the card reader 60, the state in which the lock mechanism 70 is not unlocked and the housing 10 cannot be opened is maintained.

  The information processing section 923 notifies the error by controlling the guide section 90 (S428). For example, the display unit 91 displays a guide image indicating that power supply is cut off and the quality of the article 2 stored in the housing 10 is not guaranteed. Alternatively, the sound output unit 92 may output a sound guide indicating that the quality of the article 2 is not guaranteed, or a warning sound.

  Note that, in the present embodiment, the management device 930 transmits an unlocking prohibition instruction to the control device 920 after receiving the alive signal after the recovery of the power supply. The prohibition instruction may be repeatedly transmitted. Thereby, control device 920 can receive the unlock prohibition instruction as soon as the power is restored, and prohibit unlocking of lock mechanism 70.

  Also, an example in which the management device 930 transmits an unlock prohibition instruction to the control device 920 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the control device 920 may voluntarily prohibit unlocking after the power supply is restored.

<Confirmation process of housing status (power)>
FIG. 54 is a flowchart showing a state confirmation process performed by the management device 930 of the article management system 901 according to the present embodiment.

  In the management device 930, the determination unit 938 determines whether an alive signal has been received within a predetermined period (S430). As long as the alive signal is received within the predetermined period (Yes in S430), the management device 930 determines that the power supply to the housing 10 and the control device 920 is normal, and performs the normal operation (comparison, collation, and Billing, etc.).

  When the alive signal has not been received within the predetermined period (No in S430), the determination unit 938 determines that the common power has been cut off (S432). Thereafter, the determination unit 938 waits until the communication unit 37 receives the alive signal again (No in S434). When the communication unit 37 receives the alive signal (Yes in S434), the determination unit 938 performs error notification and transmits an unlock prohibition instruction (S436).

  In the present embodiment, after determining that the power supply has been cut off, it waits for the transmission of the unlock prohibition instruction until the alive signal is received again. Thus, it is possible to suppress the transmission of the unlock prohibition instruction during a period in which the control prohibition instruction cannot be received by the control device 920 without the power supply to the control device 920 being restored.

[Effects, etc.]
As described above, the article management system 901 according to the present embodiment is an article management system that manages a plurality of articles 2 stored in the openable and closable housing 10 that receives power supply, and is common to the housing 10. Power receiving unit 24 that receives the received power, a transmitting unit (for example, an information processing unit 923) that transmits a power receiving signal indicating a power receiving state of the common power, and a common power based on the received power receiving signal And a judgment unit 938 for judging whether or not to shut off.

  Electric power is supplied to the housing 10, and the electric power may be used to maintain the quality of the article 2. In such a case, if the power supply is cut off, the quality of the article 2 may be degraded. That is, after the interruption of the power, the quality of the article 2 may not be guaranteed. According to the article management system 901 according to the present embodiment, interruption of power supply can be determined, and therefore, when the quality of the article 2 is not guaranteed, unlocking is prohibited, or a report to a user or an administrator is made. Measures can be taken. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, a highly reliable article management system 901 can be provided.

  Further, for example, the information processing unit 923 periodically transmits an alive signal during a period when the power receiving unit 24 receives the common power, and the determination unit 938 determines that the alive signal has not been received for a predetermined period. It is determined that the common power has been cut off.

  Thus, power supply can be determined based on whether or not an alive signal has been received, and thus interruption of power supply can be determined with a simple configuration.

  Further, for example, the power receiving unit 24 receives power from the outside as common power, and the article management system 1 further includes a power supply unit 25 that supplies the power received by the power receiving unit 24 to the housing 10.

  Thereby, power is supplied to the housing 10 via the control device 920. Therefore, by detecting the power receiving state to the control device 920, the power supply state to the housing 10 can be determined.

  Further, for example, the article management system 901 further includes a lock mechanism 70 for restricting opening and closing of the housing 10 and a lock control unit 922 for controlling the lock mechanism 70, and the lock control unit 922 is shared by the determination unit 938. When it is determined that the power has been cut off, the unlocking of the lock mechanism 70 is prohibited.

  Thus, once it is determined that the power supply has been interrupted, unlocking of the lock mechanism 70 is prohibited, so that opening of the housing 10 can be prohibited. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the article 2 whose quality is not guaranteed from being taken out.

  Further, for example, the lock mechanism 70 has an electronic lock 71 that unlocks when a predetermined voltage is applied and maintains a locked state when no voltage is applied.

  Accordingly, the electronic lock 71 maintains the locked state when the predetermined voltage is not supplied, and therefore, when the power supply to the housing 10 is cut off, the voltage to the electronic lock 71 is not applied. The locked state is maintained. Therefore, when the power supply to the housing 10 is cut off, the housing 10 cannot be opened and closed, so that the article 2 can be protected.

(Modification of Embodiment 4)
Hereinafter, a plurality of modified examples of the fourth embodiment will be described. In the following modifications, differences from the fourth embodiment will be mainly described, and description of common points will be omitted or simplified.

[Modification 1]
First, a first modification of the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

<Structure>
FIG. 55 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an article management system 1001 according to the present modification. As shown in FIG. 55, the article management system 1001 according to this modification further includes a temperature sensor 1010 and a point that a control device 1020 and a management device 1030 are provided instead of the control device 920 and the management device 930. Different.

  Temperature sensor 1010 is an example of a temperature measurement unit that measures the temperature inside housing 10. Temperature sensor 1010 outputs temperature information indicating the measured temperature to control device 1020. For example, the temperature sensor 1010 measures the temperature inside the casing 10 at substantially constant time intervals, and outputs a measurement result (temperature information) to the control device 1020. For example, the timing at which the temperature information is output is synchronized with the timing at which control device 1020 outputs an alive signal. Specifically, the time interval for outputting the temperature information and the time interval for outputting the alive signal are substantially the same.

  Control device 1020 includes a control unit 1021 instead of control unit 921, as compared with control device 920 according to the fourth embodiment. The control unit 1021 includes a lock control unit 1022 and an information processing unit 923.

  When the determination unit 1038 determines that the common power has been cut off, the lock control unit 1022 determines whether (i) the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 1010 after the estimated time at which it is estimated that the common power has been cut off is a predetermined value. When the temperature is out of the range, the unlocking of the lock mechanism 70 is prohibited. (Ii) When the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 1010 is maintained within the predetermined range after the estimated time, the lock mechanism 70 is unlocked. Do not prohibit unlocking. In the present modification, the determination unit 1038 of the management device 1030 determines whether the temperature is within a predetermined range. Therefore, when receiving the unlocking prohibition command transmitted from the management device 1030, the lock control unit 1022 prohibits unlocking of the lock mechanism 70.

  The management device 1030 includes a determination unit 1038 instead of the determination unit 938, as compared with the management device 930 according to the fourth embodiment. The determination unit 1038 not only determines the reception of the alive signal, but also determines the temperature. Specifically, determination unit 1038 determines whether or not the temperature inside housing 10 indicated by the temperature information transmitted via control device 1020 is within a predetermined range. The predetermined range is a range in which the quality of the article 2 stored in the housing 10 can be maintained, for example. For example, when the article 2 is a lunch box, the predetermined range is a range from 5 ° C. to 20 ° C.

  The determination unit 1038 does not generate the unlocking prohibition instruction if the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 1010 is maintained within a predetermined range after the estimated time at which the power is estimated to be cut off. When the temperature inside the housing 10 is maintained within a predetermined range, the quality of the article 2 is maintained. For example, even if the cooling and heat retaining functions of the temperature adjustment unit 14 are lost due to a power failure or the like, the period may be sufficiently short and the quality of the article 2 may not be affected. In this case, the determination unit 1038 can cause the removal of the article 2 from the housing 10 as usual without generating the unlock prohibition instruction.

  On the other hand, determination unit 1038 generates an unlocking prohibition instruction when the temperature measured by temperature sensor 1010 is out of the predetermined range after the estimated time at which power is estimated to be cut off. For example, the determination unit 1038 generates an unlocking prohibition instruction when the temperature has deviated from the predetermined range even once even after the estimated time.

  Thereby, even if the temperature inside the casing 10 returns to the predetermined range due to the restoration of the power, if the temperature deviates from the predetermined range, the quality of the article 2 cannot be guaranteed. The opening and closing of 10 can be prohibited. For this reason, the accuracy of quality control of the article 2 can be further improved.

<Operation>
Next, an operation of the article management system 1001 according to the present modification will be described.

  FIG. 56 is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation of the article management system 1001 according to the present modification. FIG. 56 illustrates only the temperature sensor 1010, the control device 1020, and the management device 1030, which are related to the determination of the power state and the temperature state, among a plurality of components configuring the article management system 1001.

  In this modification, the temperature sensor 1010 measures the temperature inside the housing 10 (S400), and transmits temperature information indicating the measured temperature to the control device 1020 (S401). The timing at which the temperature sensor 1010 transmits the temperature information is synchronized with the timing at which the control device 1020 transmits the alive signal. For this reason, for example, the control device 1020 transmits the temperature information to the management device 1030 by including it in the alive signal.

  In the management device 1030, the communication unit 37 receives the alive signal, and the determination unit 1038 determines the temperature based on the temperature information included in the alive signal (S405). Specifically, determination unit 1038 determines whether the temperature indicated by the temperature information, that is, the temperature inside housing 10 is within a predetermined range.

  Until the power supply is interrupted (S410), the temperature measurement, the generation of the alive signal, and the temperature determination are repeated. When the power supply is interrupted, the determination unit 1038 determines that the power has been interrupted because the alive signal cannot be received within the predetermined period (S411).

  After the power is restored (S420), in the housing 10, the temperature sensor 1010 measures the temperature (S421) and transmits the temperature information to the control device 1020 (S422), as before the power supply is cut off. The control device 1020 generates an alive signal (S423) and transmits it to the management device 1030 (S424).

  In the management device 1030, when the communication unit 37 receives the alive signal, the determination unit 1038 determines that the supply of the common power to the control device 1020 and the housing 10 has been restored. The determination unit 1038 performs the temperature determination in response to the restoration of the power supply, and generates an unlocking prohibition instruction if the temperature inside the housing 10 is out of the predetermined range (S425). The determination unit 1038 transmits the generated unlock prohibition instruction to the control device 1020 via the communication unit 37 (S426). Subsequent processing is the same as in the fourth embodiment.

<Confirmation of housing status (power and temperature)>
FIG. 57 is a flowchart illustrating a state confirmation process performed by the management device 1030 of the article management system 1001 according to the present modification. The difference from the flowchart shown in FIG. 54 is that a process for determining the temperature (S435) is added.

  In the present modification, after the communication unit 37 receives the alive signal (Yes in S434), the determination unit 1038 determines whether the temperature is within a predetermined range (S435). If the temperature is not within the predetermined range (No in S435), determination unit 1038 performs error notification and transmits an unlocking prohibition instruction (S436).

  If the temperature is within the predetermined range (Yes in S435), determination unit 1038 transitions to a standby state for receiving an alive signal without generating an unlock prohibition instruction (return to S430). That is, when the temperature is within the predetermined range, the unlocking prohibition instruction is not transmitted to the control device 1020, and the control device 1020 returns to the same state (normal state) as before the power supply was cut off. Therefore, when the card reader 60 reads the personal information, the lock mechanism 70 is unlocked according to the collation result.

<Effects>
For example, when unlocking of the lock mechanism 70 is prohibited, an authorized administrator needs to perform recovery, and there is a possibility that the recovery may require time and effort. Until the recovery, the article 2 cannot be taken out, which is inconvenient for the user.

  On the other hand, the article management system 1001 according to the present modification includes a temperature sensor 1010 that measures the temperature inside the housing 10, and the lock control unit 1022 determines that the common power has been cut off by the determination unit 1038. In the case where (i) the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 1010 is out of the predetermined range after the estimated time at which the common power is estimated to be cut off, the unlocking of the lock mechanism 70 is prohibited, ii) Unlocking of the lock mechanism 70 is not prohibited when the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 1010 is maintained within a predetermined range after the estimated time.

  As a result, when the temperature in the housing 10 is maintained within the predetermined range, the quality of the article 2 does not deteriorate, so that the unlocking of the lock mechanism 70 does not have to be prohibited. Therefore, when there is no problem in the quality of the article 2, even if the power supply is interrupted due to a power failure or the like, the article 2 can be taken out as usual after the power is restored.

  In the present modification, an example has been described in which the management device 1030 performs temperature management, but the control device 1020 may perform temperature management. In this case, since the communication unit 26 does not need to transmit the temperature information to the management device 1030, the amount of information to be transmitted can be reduced, and power consumption can be reduced.

  The article management system according to the present modification includes the temperature sensor 1010, but includes a sensor that detects a state other than the temperature of the housing 10 instead of the temperature sensor 1010 or in addition to the temperature sensor 1010. Is also good. For example, the article management system according to the present modification may include a humidity sensor. When an airflow or a water flow is formed in the housing 10, an airflow or a waterflow sensor may be provided.

[Modification 2]
Subsequently, a second modification of the fourth embodiment will be described.

  In Embodiment 4 described above, an alive signal is periodically transmitted from control device 920 to management device 930. On the other hand, in the present modified example, control device 920 does not periodically transmit an alive signal. Instead of the periodic transmission of the alive signal, the control device 920 transmits a reboot signal after power recovery.

  FIG. 58 is a sequence diagram showing an operation of the article management system according to the present modification. The configuration of the article management system according to the present modification is the same as that of the fourth embodiment.

  In this modified example, as shown in FIG. 58, the processing related to the power state is not particularly performed until the power supply is cut off. After the power supply is cut off and the power is restored (S420), the control device 920 generates a reboot signal (S450), and transmits the reboot signal to the management device 930 via the communication unit 26 (S451). .

  Note that the reboot signal is an example of a power reception signal indicating that power supply has been restored. Specifically, the reboot signal is a signal indicating that the power supply is restored after the power supply is cut off and the operation of the control device 920 is stopped, and the control device 920 is restarted (rebooted). As described above, in the present modification, the information processing unit 923 transmits the reboot signal only when the power reception of the common power is restarted after stopping.

  In the management device 930, when the communication unit 37 receives the reboot signal, the determination unit 938 determines that common power to the control device 920 and the housing 10 has been cut off (S452). The determination unit 938 generates an unlock prohibition instruction (S425) and transmits it to the control device 920 (S426). Subsequent processing is the same as in the fourth embodiment.

  As described above, in the article management system according to the present modified example, for example, the information processing unit 923 transmits the reboot signal only when the power receiving unit 24 resumes after stopping the power reception of the common power, and determines the determination unit 938. Determines that the common power has been cut off when the reboot signal is received.

  This eliminates the need for periodic transmission of a signal like an alive signal, thereby reducing power consumption.

  Note that the article management system may include an uninterrupted power supply (UPS). The control device 920 or 1020 may transmit to the management device 930 or 1030 that power has been supplied from the uninterruptible power supply instead of a reboot signal.

(Embodiment 5)
Next, a fifth embodiment will be described.

  In the article management system according to the first embodiment, an example is shown in which the lock mechanism 70 is unlocked when a predetermined voltage is applied. However, in the article management system according to the present embodiment, the unlocking is performed only by applying the voltage. A lock mechanism is provided for unlocking when a control signal for unlocking is received together without being locked.

  The following mainly describes the configuration of the lock mechanism of the article management system according to the present embodiment. Other components included in the article management system according to the present embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[Constitution]
FIG. 59 is a diagram showing a connection relationship between the control device 1120 and the lock mechanism 1170 of the article management system 1101 according to the present embodiment. An article management system 1101 according to the present embodiment is a system that manages a plurality of articles 2 stored in an openable / closable housing 10 as in the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 59, the article management system 1101 includes a wiring 1110, a control device 1120, a lock mechanism 1170, and an open / close sensor 80. Although not shown, the article management system 1101 further includes a management device 30, an in-compartment camera 40, a code reader 50, a card reader 60, and a guide unit 90.

  FIG. 59 schematically shows the housing 10 so that the positional relationship between the control device 1120 and the lock mechanism 1170 and each housing 10 becomes clear. Specifically, control device 1120 is installed outside housing 10, and lock mechanism 1170 is installed inside housing 10.

  The wiring 1110 is a cable that electrically and physically connects the control device 1120 and the lock mechanism 1170. In this embodiment, the wiring 1110 includes two power supply lines 1111 and 1112 and a control line 1113.

  The power supply lines 1111 and 1112 are wirings for supplying a predetermined voltage (for example, 12 V) to the electronic lock 71 of the lock mechanism 1170. Power supply lines 1111 and 1112 connect the power supply unit 25 of the control device 1120 and the electronic lock 71. The power supply line 1112 has a relay circuit 1173 (switch) inserted between the power supply unit 25 and the electronic lock 71. In the present embodiment, a predetermined voltage for unlocking the electronic lock 71 is applied between the power supply line 1111 and the power supply line 1112.

  The control line 1113 is a wiring for transmitting a control signal. The control line 1113 is connected to the lock control unit 1122 of the control device 1120 and the decode circuit 1174 of the lock mechanism 1170.

  In the present embodiment, the wiring 1110 is exposed outside the housing 10 because the housing 10 is not a dedicated product and the control device 1120 and the lock mechanism 1170 are attached to the ready-made housing 10. This makes it possible for a malicious person to cut or process the wiring 1110. For example, a Service-to-Self can illegally unlock the electronic lock 71 by cutting off the power supply lines 1111 and 1112 and applying a predetermined voltage. In the present embodiment, in order to prevent this fraud, the lock mechanism 1170 includes a relay circuit 1173 and a decode circuit 1174, and unlocks the electronic lock 71 based on a control signal transmitted from the control device 1120.

  The control device 1120 controls the lock mechanism 1170. As shown in FIG. 59, the control device 1120 includes a lock control unit 1122.

  The lock control unit 1122 generates a control signal (unlock signal) for unlocking the lock mechanism 1170. Specifically, the lock control unit 1122 generates an unlock signal when the collation result indicates that the persons match (that is, when the personal authentication is successful). The lock control unit 1122 outputs the generated unlock signal to the decode circuit 1174 of the lock mechanism 1170 via the control line 1113 of the wiring 1110.

  Specifically, the lock control unit 1122 generates and outputs a signal modulated based on a bit pattern 1122b including a plurality of bits as an unlock signal. For example, the lock control unit 1122 outputs a voltage signal that changes between high (H) and low (L) based on the bit pattern 1122b as an unlock signal via the control line 1113.

  In the present embodiment, the bit pattern 1122b is stored in the storage unit 1122a provided in the lock control unit 1122. The bit pattern 1122b is the same as the bit pattern 1174b stored in the storage unit 1174a of the decoding circuit 1174. FIG. 59 illustrates an 8-bit pattern represented by “11010010” as an example of the bit pattern 1174b, but is not limited thereto.

  The lock mechanism 1170 restricts opening and closing of the housing 10. As shown in FIG. 59, the lock mechanism 1170 includes an electronic lock 71, a relay circuit 1173, and a decode circuit 1174. Although not shown, the lock mechanism 1170 includes a female key 72.

  The electronic lock 71 is an electronic lock that unlocks when a predetermined voltage is applied and maintains the locked state when no voltage is applied, similarly to the electronic lock 71 described in the first embodiment. That is, the electronic lock 71 is a normally-off type electronic lock. The electronic lock 71 is fixed to the inner surface of the main body 11 of the housing 10. When no voltage is applied, the locking mechanism 1170 is locked by the protrusion of the claw portion 71a and the insertion of the claw portion 71a into the hole 72a (not shown) of the female key 72 fixed to the door 12. When a predetermined voltage is applied, the claw 71a is housed in the holding housing 71b and the claw 71a and the female key 72 are not locked, so that the lock mechanism 1170 is unlocked.

  The relay circuit 1173 is a circuit that switches between application and non-application of a predetermined voltage to the electronic lock 71. The relay circuit 1173 has a switch 1173a whose on / off is controlled by the decode circuit 1174.

  The decode circuit 1174 decodes the control signal transmitted from the control device 1120, and causes the relay circuit 1173 to apply a predetermined voltage to the electronic lock 71 when the decoded control signal indicates that the electronic lock 71 is unlocked. Specifically, the decoding circuit 1174 includes a storage unit 1174a that stores the bit pattern 1174b. The decode circuit 1174 demodulates the control signal transmitted via the control line 1113, and determines whether a bit pattern included in the control signal matches the bit pattern 1174b.

  When the bit pattern included in the control signal matches the bit pattern 1174b, the decoding circuit 1174 turns on the switch 1173a of the relay circuit 1173. As a result, a predetermined voltage is applied to the electronic lock 71, and the electronic lock 71 is unlocked.

  When the bit pattern included in the control signal does not match the bit pattern 1174b, the decoding circuit 1174 does not turn on the switch 1173a of the relay circuit 1173. For this reason, even if any signal is applied to the control line 1113 due to an illegal process, the lock mechanism 1170 will not be unlocked unless it matches the bit pattern 1174b.

[motion]
Next, the operation of the article management system 1101 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 60 is a flowchart showing an operation performed by the lock mechanism 1170 of the article management system 1101 according to the present embodiment. The process shown in FIG. 60 is, for example, a detailed version of the unlocking process (S30) shown in FIG. That is, it is performed when an unlock signal is received from the control device 1120.

  The lock mechanism 1170 waits until the decode circuit 1174 receives the unlock signal (No in S510). When the unlock signal is received (Yes in S510), the decoding circuit 1174 obtains a bit pattern included in the unlock signal by decoding the unlock signal. The decoding circuit 1174 determines whether or not the obtained bit pattern matches the bit pattern 1174b stored in the storage unit 1174a (S512).

  If the bit patterns match (Yes in S512), that is, if the unlock signal indicates unlocking of the electronic lock 71, the decoding circuit 1174 causes the relay circuit 1173 to apply a predetermined voltage to the electronic lock 71. Specifically, the switch 1173a of the relay circuit 1173 is turned on, a voltage is applied to the electronic lock 71, and the claw portion 71a is stored in the holding housing 71b, whereby the lock mechanism 1170 is unlocked (S514). ).

  If the bit patterns do not match (No in S512), the decoding circuit 1174 does not turn on the switch 1173a of the relay circuit 1173 and maintains the off state. Therefore, the lock mechanism 1170 is not unlocked, and the locked state is maintained (S516).

  If the bit patterns do not match, there is a possibility that some illegal processing has been performed. For this reason, the lock mechanism 1170 may notify the person in the vicinity of the housing 10 or the error to the control device 1120 or the management device 30. For example, the lock mechanism 1170 may notify the control device 1120 of an error via the control line 1113. Alternatively, the lock mechanism 1170 may be connected to the guide unit 90 inside the housing 10 and cause the display unit 91 or the audio output unit 92 to output an error display or a warning sound.

[Effects, etc.]
As described above, the article management system 1101 according to the present embodiment is an article management system that manages a plurality of articles 2 stored in the openable and closable housing 10, and is installed inside the housing 10. A lock mechanism 1170 that restricts opening and closing of the housing 10, a control device 1120 that is installed outside the housing 10 and controls the lock mechanism 1170, and electrically and physically connects the lock mechanism 1170 and the control device 1120. The lock mechanism 1170 includes an electronic lock 71 that unlocks when a predetermined voltage is applied and maintains a locked state when no voltage is applied, and an electronic lock with a predetermined voltage. A case where a relay circuit 1173 for switching between application and non-application to the control signal 71 and a control signal transmitted from the control device 1120 are decoded, and the decoded control signal indicates that the electronic lock 71 is unlocked. And a decoding circuit 1174 for applying a predetermined voltage to the electronic lock 71 to the relay circuit 1173, and the wiring 1110 transmits power supply lines 1111 and 1112 for supplying a predetermined voltage to the electronic lock 71, and transmits a control signal. And a control line 1113 for performing the operation.

  As a result, even if a malicious party attempts to apply a voltage to the electronic lock 71 from the outside by cutting the wiring 1110, no voltage is applied to the electronic lock 71 by the relay circuit 1173. For this reason, since the lock mechanism 1170 is not unlocked, it is possible to prevent the article 2 stored in the housing 10 from being stolen.

  Further, for example, control device 1120 outputs a signal modulated based on bit pattern 1122b including a plurality of bits as an unlock signal.

  This makes it possible to increase the complexity of the unlock signal by using a bit pattern including a plurality of bits. Therefore, the security of the lock mechanism 1170 can be enhanced, and the protection level of the article 2 can be increased.

  In the present embodiment, a signal modulated based on a bit pattern including a plurality of bits is used as an unlocking signal, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the unlock signal may be a single pulse signal.

(Modification of Embodiment 5)
Hereinafter, a plurality of modified examples of the fifth embodiment will be described. In the following modifications, differences from the fifth embodiment will be mainly described, and description of common points will be omitted or simplified.

[Modification 1]
First, a first modification of the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 61 is a diagram illustrating a connection relationship between the control device 1220 and the lock mechanism 1270 of the article management system 1201 according to the present modification. The article management system 1201 according to this modification is different from the article management system 1101 according to Embodiment 5 in that a control device 1220 and a lock mechanism 1270 are provided instead of the control device 1120 and the lock mechanism 1170. .

  The control device 1220 includes a lock control unit 1222. The lock control unit 1222 includes a random number generator 1228.

  The random number generator 1228 is an example of a first random number generator that generates a random number. The random number generator 1228 generates, for example, an M-sequence random number, but is not particularly limited. The random number generator 1228 generates a different random number over time. For example, the random number generator 1228 generates different random numbers at short time intervals of one minute or less.

  The lock control unit 1222 generates a bit pattern based on the random number generated by the random number generator 1228, and outputs a signal modulated based on the generated bit pattern as an unlock signal. The bit pattern is composed of a plurality of bits, and the number of bits is not particularly limited.

  The lock mechanism 1270 includes a decode circuit 1274. The decoding circuit 1274 includes a random number generator 1275.

  The random number generator 1275 is an example of a second random number generator that generates a random number. The random number generator 1275 is synchronized with the random number generator 1228 of the control device 1220. Specifically, the random number generator 1275 generates the same random number at the same timing as the random number generator 1228.

  The decoding circuit 1274 decodes the unlock signal based on the random number generated by the random number generator 1275. Specifically, the decoding circuit 1274 generates a bit pattern based on a random number generated by the random number generator 1275. The decoding circuit 1274 compares the generated bit pattern with a bit pattern obtained by demodulating the unlock signal.

  When the two bit patterns match, the decode circuit 1274 turns on the switch 1173a of the relay circuit 1173 to apply a predetermined voltage to the electronic lock 71. As a result, the lock mechanism 1270 is unlocked. If the two bit patterns do not match, the decoding circuit 1274 does not turn on the switch 1173a of the relay circuit 1173 and maintains the off state. As a result, the lock mechanism 1270 is not unlocked.

  As described above, in the article management system 1201 according to this modification, for example, the control device 1220 includes the random number generator 1228, generates the bit pattern based on the random number generated by the random number generator 1228, and generates the generated bit pattern. A signal modulated based on the pattern is output as an unlock signal.

  Thus, by using a random number, the complexity of the unlock signal can be increased, and the security of the lock mechanism 1270 can be increased.

  Further, for example, the random number generator 1228 generates a different random number with the passage of time, and the decoding circuit 1274 has a random number generator 1275 synchronized with the random number generator 1228. The unlock signal is decoded based on the unlock signal.

  As a result, the random number changes with the passage of time. Therefore, even if the bit pattern of the unlock signal at a certain timing is known to a malicious party, the bit pattern can be used only for a short time. Therefore, unauthorized unlocking of the lock mechanism 1270 by a malicious person can be suppressed, and the security of the lock mechanism 1270 can be further enhanced.

[Modification 2]
Next, a second modification of the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 62 is a diagram illustrating a connection relationship between the control device 1320 of the article management system 1301 and the lock mechanism 1170 according to the present modification. The article management system 1301 according to the present modification is different from the article management system 1101 according to the fifth embodiment in that a control device 1320 is provided instead of the control device 1120.

  Similarly to the article management system 1101 according to the fifth embodiment, in the article management system 1301 according to the present modification, the wiring 1110 connecting the control device 1320 and the lock mechanism 1170 is exposed outside the housing 10. . For this reason, there is a possibility that an illegal act such as cutting or processing by a Service-to-Self will be performed.

  The control device 1320 includes a notification unit 1321. The notifying unit 1321 notifies the management device 30 of an error when the opening / closing sensor 80 does not detect that the housing 10 has been opened within a predetermined period after instructing the unlocking of the electronic lock 71. For example, when the wiring 1110 is disconnected, the lock mechanism 1170 is not unlocked even if the lock control unit 1122 transmits an unlock signal. For this reason, the opening signal is not transmitted from the open / close sensor 80 to the control device 1320 without the case 10 being unlocked. Therefore, the notifying unit 1321 outputs an unlocking signal and notifies the management device 30 of an error when the housing 10 cannot be opened although the housing 10 should normally be opened. Thus, the management device 30 can notify the administrator of the abnormality of the housing 10 and the control device 1320.

  As described above, the article management system 1301 according to the present modification includes, for example, the open / close sensor 80 that detects the opening / closing of the housing 10, and the control device 1320 issues a command to unlock the electronic lock 71 for a predetermined period If the opening / closing sensor 80 does not detect that the housing 10 has been opened, the notification unit 1321 that notifies the management device 30 of an error.

  Thus, when an abnormality occurs in the control device 1320, the housing 10, or the like, an error can be notified to the management device 30.

  Note that the lock mechanism 1170 may periodically transmit an alive signal to the control device 1320, as in the fourth embodiment. For example, the lock mechanism 1170 transmits an alive signal to the control device 1320 using the control line 1113. In a case where the wire 1110 is disconnected by a Service-to-Self, the alive signal cannot be received by the control device 1320. In the control device 1320, when an alive signal is not received within a predetermined period, the notification unit 1321 may notify the management device 30 of an error.

(Modification)
Here, a modified example of the article management system will be described. The present modification is different from the above embodiments in that a purchase process (settlement process) is performed before opening and closing the housing 10 using a user's communication terminal. Hereinafter, differences from the embodiments will be mainly described, and descriptions of common points will be omitted or simplified.

[Constitution]
FIG. 63 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an article management system 1401 according to the present modification. As shown in FIG. 63, an article management system 1401 according to the present modification includes a communication terminal 1410. The article management system 1401 is different from the article management system 1 according to the first embodiment in that the article management system 1401 does not include the card reader 60. In the present modification, the code reader 50 functions as an acquisition unit that acquires personal information instead of the card reader 60.

  Communication terminal 1410 is a portable information terminal such as a smartphone or a mobile phone. Alternatively, communication terminal 1410 may be a stationary device such as a personal computer (PC). As shown in FIG. 63, the communication terminal 1410 includes a display unit 1411, a control unit 1412, and a communication unit 1413.

  The display portion 1411 is a liquid crystal display device, an organic EL display device, or the like, and includes a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix. The display unit 1411 displays images, videos, and the like generated by the control unit 1412. Specifically, the display unit 1411 displays a purchase screen or a reservation screen of the article 2 or the like. The display unit 1411 is, for example, a touch panel display, and the displayed various screens can be operated by a user.

  The control unit 1412 controls the operation of the communication terminal 1410. The control unit 1412 includes, for example, a nonvolatile memory storing a program, a volatile memory serving as a temporary storage area for executing the program, an input / output port, a processor executing the program, and the like.

  The control unit 1412 executes, for example, an operation program (application program) of the article management system 1401. By executing the operation program, the control unit 1412 generates a selection screen of the article 2, a payment screen, an unlock code display screen, an error display screen, and the like, and causes the display unit 1411 to display the generated screen. Note that the control unit 1412 may activate a web browser, and various screens displayed on the display unit 1411 may be images generated by the management device 30.

  The communication unit 1413 performs transmission and reception of various information by communicating with the communication unit 37 of the management device 30. The communication unit 1413 performs wireless communication or wired communication. The communication unit 1413 performs wireless communication based on a communication standard such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or 3G, 4G, or LTE, for example.

[motion]
Subsequently, an operation of the article management system 1401 according to the present modification will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 64 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the communication terminal 1410 of the article management system 1401 according to the present modification.

  In this modification, the user operates the communication terminal 1410 to purchase the article 2. That is, before the housing 10 is opened, the purchase of the article 2 is performed. Specifically, the user operates the communication terminal 1410 to activate the operation program of the article management system 1401. Note that a web page for purchasing the article 2 by the article management system 1401 may be accessed.

  In communication terminal 1410, control unit 1412 activates an operation program based on an operation by a user. The control unit 1412 generates a selection screen for the article 2 and causes the display unit 1411 to display the selection screen (S600). Specifically, the control unit 1412 acquires information indicating the type, price, and the like of the plurality of articles 2 stored in the housing 10 from the management device 30 and generates a selection screen based on the acquired information. . The user selects one or more desired articles 2 while viewing the selection screen.

  The control unit 1412 performs a settlement process for the article 2 selected by the user (S602). Specifically, information indicating the type and the number of the selected articles 2 is transmitted to the management device 30 via the communication unit 1413. The charging unit 33 of the management device 30 determines a charging amount based on the information transmitted from the communication terminal 1410 and charges the user. Note that the accounting process may be performed by the communication terminal 1410 instead of the management device 30.

  Note that the purchase (settlement) may be completed simultaneously with the selection, or the control unit 1412 may generate a purchase confirmation screen, and the display unit 1411 may display the confirmation screen. If payment information such as a credit card or a bank account has not been registered in advance, the control unit 1412 may generate a registration screen at this point and display the registration screen on the display unit 1411.

  After the payment is completed, the control unit 1412 determines based on the information indicating the selected article 2 (information unique to the article 2) and the personal information (card information) indicating the user (owner) of the communication terminal 1410. For example, as shown in FIG. 65, an unlock code display screen 1500 including identification information such as a QR code (registered trademark) 1501 is generated and displayed on the display unit 1411 (S604). The identification information is information used for unlocking the lock mechanism 70 of the housing 10. FIG. 65 is a diagram showing an example of the unlock code display screen 1500 according to the present modification.

  Specifically, the user causes the code reader 50 of the housing 10 to read the QR code (registered trademark) 1501 displayed on the display unit 1411. Accordingly, the information processing unit 23 of the control unit 21 transmits the information included in the read QR code (registered trademark) 1501 to the management device 30 via the communication unit 26. The matching unit 32 of the management device 30 performs personal authentication based on the personal information included in the QR code (registered trademark) 1501.

  Note that identification information such as a QR code (registered trademark) 1501 displayed on the display unit 1411 is information with limited use conditions. For example, when the code reader 50 does not allow the code reader 50 to read within a predetermined period (within one minute) after being displayed on the display unit 1411, the code may disappear and an error display screen or the like may be displayed.

  Subsequent processing is the same as in the first embodiment. If the personal authentication is successful, the lock mechanism 70 is unlocked, so that the user can take out the purchased article 2 from the housing 10. The user causes the code reader 50 to read the identification display 51 attached to the retrieved article 2, and the management device 30 determines whether the purchased article 2 matches the article 2 retrieved by the user. Can be determined.

  As described above, according to the article management system 1401 according to the present modified example, the purchase process can be performed in advance, so that the management of the article 2 can be more strict. Further, for example, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of damage to the administrator due to the unauthorized processing. Further, since the card reader 60 need not be provided, the configuration can be further simplified. In addition, since the in-compartment camera 40 does not need to be provided, the configuration can be further simplified.

  When the communication terminal 1410 is a stationary computer or the like, the communication terminal 1410 may include an output unit that outputs a QR code (registered trademark) 1501 instead of the display unit 1411. For example, the communication terminal 1410 may output the QR code (registered trademark) 1501 to an output device such as a printer. The printer prints, for example, a QR code (registered trademark) 1501 on paper. The user can unlock the housing 10 by holding the QR code (registered trademark) 1501 printed on paper over the code reader 50.

(Other embodiments)
Although the article management system according to one or more aspects has been described based on the embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to these embodiments. Unless departing from the gist of the present disclosure, various modifications conceivable by those skilled in the art are applied to the present embodiment, and forms configured by combining components in different embodiments are also included in the scope of the present disclosure. It is.

  For example, the article 2 is not limited to the lunch boxes 2a to 2c. The article 2 may be anything that can be stored in the housing 10. Specifically, the article 2 may be a fresh food such as fish, vegetables, and meat, or drinking water, or a frozen food. Alternatively, the article 2 may be an article that does not require the refrigeration function or the freezing function of the housing 10. For example, the article 2 is a food item such as bread, retort food, and sweets. The article 2 does not have to be a food item, but may be a jewelry item, clothing item, book or magazine, stationery, or the like.

  Further, for example, the opening and closing method of the housing 10 is not particularly limited. A horizontal opening, a vertical opening, a sliding type, a double door opening, or the like may be used. The case 10 may be opened and closed as in the case of the individual case 710 shown in FIG.

  Further, for example, the in-compartment camera 40 may be used as the code reader 50. For example, the in-compartment camera 40 is attached to the back side of the door 12. When the door 12 is closed, an image of the inside of the housing 10 is taken. When the door 12 is opened, a code It may function as the reader 50.

  Further, for example, in the above-described embodiment, the example in which the code reader 50 and the guide unit 90 are attached to the housing 10 has been described. For example, a portable information terminal such as a smartphone or a mobile phone owned by the user may function as at least one of the code reader 50 and the guide unit 90. The portable information terminal may have, for example, a function as an identification card for personal authentication.

  Here, the operation of the user when using the portable information terminal and the operation of the article management system 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  For example, the user previously installs the application program of the article management system on the portable information terminal. The user starts the application program by operating the portable information terminal, and selects the article 2 (lunch) to be purchased. Here, the article 2 may be selected on a web page instead of the application program. The application program and the web page are created and managed by the management device 30, for example. The selection of the article 2 is optional and need not be performed.

  The user causes personal authentication by holding the portable information terminal over the card reader 60 (S1). Thereby, the lock mechanism 70 is unlocked (S2), and the user opens the housing 10 and takes out the article 2 (S3). At this time, the user may close the housing 10 (door 12) (S5).

  The user uses the camera of the portable information terminal to read the QR code (registered trademark) (identification display 51) of the article 2 taken out (S4). On the display of the portable information terminal, for example, a confirmation screen is displayed as to whether or not the article 2 taken out by the user is a purchase target and is correct. On the confirmation screen, information about the article 2 and a transmission button for transmitting the information to the management device 30 are displayed. At this time, the confirmation screen includes, instead of or in addition to the send button, a selection button (for example, a Yes / No button) that allows the user to select whether the purchase object is correct or not. Is also good. When the user presses the transmission button, the identification information and the like included in the identification display 51 are transmitted to the management device 30.

  Thereafter, guidance information such as billing information is displayed on the display of the portable information terminal. Further, when the number of the articles 2 taken out of the storage of the housing 10 is different from the number of the articles 2 taken out, an error screen is displayed on the display.

  Further, for example, an RFID (Radio Frequency IDentifier) may be used as a second detection unit that detects a plurality of articles 2 outside the housing 10. For example, the article management system may include an RFID reader having a communication range in a predetermined range including the housing 10 as the second detection unit, and an RFID attached to each of the plurality of articles 2. The RFID reader can detect that the RFID attached to the article 2 has come out of the communication range.

  Further, for example, in the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which only a person (that is, a specific person) registered in the person list 35 in advance can take out (purchase) the article 2; . For example, an unspecified number of persons may be able to use without performing authentication processing. Alternatively, it may be possible to register in the person list 35 at the first use. For example, the card reader 60 may read payment information such as a credit card and register the read information in the person list 35.

  Further, for example, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which the article management system 1 includes the control device 20 and the management apparatus 30 has been described, but the article management system 1 may not include the management apparatus 30. Specifically, the control device 20 may include each component included in the management device 30. For example, the control device 20 includes a comparison unit 31 and the like. The control device 20 does not need to include the communication unit 26, and includes an output unit that outputs a signal in the control device 20.

  Further, for example, the present invention can be applied to an article management system for watching over. Specifically, the article management system may be applied to a single-person home. For example, an article management system is applied using a home refrigerator as the housing 10. When the article 2 is taken out of the refrigerator, it is known that the resident is living as usual. On the other hand, in a normal case, if the article 2 is not taken out during the time when the article 2 is taken out, it can be determined that some abnormality (poor physical condition, unexpected accident, etc.) has occurred in the resident.

  When applied to the watching system, the management device 30 stores the retrieval history of the article 2 as time-series data. The management device 30 determines that an abnormality has occurred in the life of the resident based on the removal history, and notifies the medical staff or the administrator. Thereby, for example, it can be used for early detection of a change of a resident.

  In such a case, the billing process and the matching (personal authentication) process need not be performed. That is, the article management system does not need to include the charging unit 33, the collation unit 32, and the like.

  In each of the above embodiments, various changes, replacements, additions, omissions, and the like can be made within the scope of the claims or the equivalents thereof.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present disclosure can be used as a highly versatile article management system capable of managing a plurality of articles with a simple configuration, and can be used for, for example, an automatic vending system.

1, 701, 801, 901, 1001, 1101, 1201, 1301, 1401 Article management system 2 Article 2a, 2b, 2c Lunch 3 User 10, 10a Housing 11 Main body 11a Storage space 12 Door 13, 13a, 13b Shelf material 14 Temperature control unit 15 Power cord 20, 720, 820, 920, 1020, 1120, 1220, 1320 Control device 21, 921, 1021, 1412 Control unit 22, 922, 1022, 1122, 1222 Lock control unit 23, 823, 923 Information processing unit 24 Power receiving unit 25 Power supply units 26, 37, 1413 Communication unit 30, 730, 830, 930, 1030 Management device 31 Comparison unit 32, 732 Collation unit 33 Billing unit 34, 1122a, 1174a Storage unit 35, 735 Person list 36 Price list 40 Internal camera (first detector)
41 shooting range 42 mirror 43 range 44 marker 50 code reader (second detector)
51 Identification display 52 Label 53 Detection range 60 Card reader (acquisition unit)
70, 1170, 1270 Lock mechanism 71, 771 Electronic lock 71a, 771a Claw portion 71b, 771b Holding housing 72 Female key 72a Hole 73 Connection cable 80 Open / close sensor 90 Guide unit 91, 1411 Display unit 92 Audio output unit 140, 240 340 sensor units 141, 341 support plate 142 electrode plate 143, 243 detachable sensor 143a clip body 143b clamping unit 143c conductive unit 143d, 343a guide unit 144, 344 wiring 243a, 243b, 343b plate unit 243c shaft unit 342 rail Unit 343 sensor unit 440, 841, 842, 843 weight sensor 540 individual storage unit 541 film main body 542 through hole 543 contact type sensor 610 individual storage shelf 611, 711 frame body 613 shelf 613a, 713 individual storage space 64 Individual sensor 691 Light emitting unit 710 Individual housing 712 Pull-out unit 714 Grip unit 727 Individual lock control unit 770 Individual lock mechanism 772 Recess 831 Specific unit 836 Storage position table 938, 1038 Judgment unit 1010 Temperature sensor 1110 Wiring 1111, 1112 Power supply line 1113 Control Line 1122b, 1174b Bit pattern 1173 Relay circuit 1173a Switch 1174, 1274 Decoding circuit 1228, 1275 Random number generator 1321 Notification unit 1410 Communication terminal 1500 Unlock code display screen 1501 QR code (registered trademark)

Claims (31)

A first detection unit that detects one or more articles stored inside the openable housing, inside the housing,
A second detection unit that detects a target article that is at least one of the one or more articles outside the housing;
An article management system, comprising: first detection information indicating a detection result by the first detection unit; and an output unit outputting second detection information indicating a detection result by the second detection unit. The article management system may further include, based on the first detection information and the second detection information, a first number, which is an increase / decrease number of the one or more articles before and after opening and closing the housing, and 2. The article management system according to claim 1, further comprising: a comparison unit that externally compares the number of articles detected by the second detection unit with a second number. 3. The article management system further includes an acquisition unit that acquires person information indicating a person who opens the housing,
The article management system according to claim 2, wherein the output unit further outputs the person information. The article management system further includes a matching unit that matches a person list indicating one or more persons registered in advance with a person indicated by the person information, and outputs a matching result indicating matching or mismatching of the persons. Item 3. The article management system according to Item 3. The article management system further comprises:
A lock mechanism for restricting opening and closing of the housing;
A lock control unit that controls the lock mechanism,
The article management system according to claim 4, wherein the lock control unit unlocks the lock mechanism when the collation result indicates that the persons match. The article management system further comprises:
One or more open / close individual housings arranged inside the housing and forming one or more individual storage spaces for individually storing at least one of the one or more articles;
One or more individual locking mechanisms for restricting opening and closing of each of the one or more individual housings;
An individual lock control unit for controlling the one or more individual lock mechanisms,
One of the one or more individual enclosures is assigned to a predetermined person;
The individual lock control unit is configured to correspond to an individual housing assigned to the predetermined person among the one or more individual lock mechanisms when the comparison result indicates a match with the predetermined person. The article management system according to claim 4, wherein the individual lock mechanism is unlocked. The article management system according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the article management system further includes a billing unit that charges a person indicated by the person information for at least one of the one or more articles. The article management system according to claim 7, wherein the charging unit charges the price of the target article when the comparison result by the comparison unit indicates that the first number and the second number match. The charging unit, when the comparison result by the comparison unit indicates a mismatch between the first number and the second number, the price of the highest priced item among the one or more items, the first number and The article management system according to claim 7, wherein a value obtained by multiplying the larger number among the second number is charged as the consideration. The article management system further includes a notification unit that notifies the person when the comparison result by the comparison unit indicates a mismatch between the first number and the second number. Item management system according to the item. The article management system according to any one of claims 2 to 10, wherein the first detection unit is at least one camera that captures an image of the inside of the housing. The article management system according to claim 11, wherein the article management system further includes a mirror disposed inside the housing and within a shooting range of the one or more cameras, and reflecting a blind spot of the shooting range. The article management system according to claim 11, wherein the article management system further includes a marker or a reflector of a predetermined color or a predetermined shape attached to each of the one or more articles. The first detection unit includes:
Before the housing is opened, or by photographing the inside of the housing immediately after the housing is opened, a first in-compartment image is generated,
By photographing the inside of the housing after the housing is closed, a second in-compartment image is generated,
The output unit outputs the first in-compartment image and the second in-compartment image as the first detection information,
The article management system according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the comparison unit counts the first number by performing image processing on each of the first in-compartment image and the second in-compartment image. . The article management system according to any one of claims 2 to 10, wherein the first detection unit includes one or more detachable sensors detachably attached to each of the one or more articles. Each of the one or more detachable sensors has a holding portion for holding at least a part of the corresponding article, and detects the detachment of the corresponding article by energizing when the holding sections come into contact with each other. The article management system according to claim 15. Each of the one or more detachable sensors is rotatably combined with each other about one side as an axis, and one has two plate portions mounted on corresponding articles, and the two plate portions are The article management system according to claim 15, wherein when the pieces come into contact with each other, a current is applied to detect detachment of the corresponding article. The article management system according to any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein the first detection unit further includes a support plate that supports the one or more detachable sensors. The one or more articles are stacked and housed inside the housing,
The article management system according to any one of claims 2 to 10, wherein the first detection unit detects a height of an article located at an uppermost stage among the one or more articles stacked. The article management system according to claim 2, wherein the first detection unit detects a weight of the one or more articles. One or more individual storage spaces for individually storing the one or more articles are provided inside the housing,
The article according to any one of claims 2 to 10, wherein the first detection unit includes one or more sensors arranged for each of the individual storage spaces and configured to detect an article disposed in a corresponding individual storage space. Management system. The article management system according to any one of claims 2 to 21, wherein the second detection unit is a code reader that reads an identification display attached to each of the one or more articles. The article management system according to claim 22, wherein the identification display is a barcode or a two-dimensional code. The second detection unit has a detection range in which the identification display attached to the target article can be read when the target article is in the same posture as the posture stored in the housing. Item 24. The article management system according to item 22 or 23. The identification display is information unique to the attached article,
The article management system according to any one of claims 22 to 24, wherein the article management system further includes a notification unit that notifies the person when the second detection unit reads the same identification display a plurality of times. system. The article management system according to any one of claims 2 to 25, wherein the article management system further includes a guide unit that guides the target article to a person who opens the housing. The article management system according to claim 26, wherein the guide section includes a display section that displays guide information for guiding a storage position of the target article. The article management system according to claim 26, wherein the guide section includes a voice output section that outputs, as voice, guide information for guiding a storage position of the target article. The article management system,
A control device including the output unit;
A management device including the comparison unit,
The output unit outputs the first detection information and the second detection information to the comparison unit by transmitting the first detection information and the second detection information to the management device by wireless communication or wired communication. The article management system according to any one of claims 2 to 28. The article management system according to any one of claims 1 to 29, wherein the article management system further includes the housing. Inside the openable housing, one or more articles stored in a predetermined position, a detection unit that detects inside the housing,
An output unit that outputs detection information indicating a detection result by the detection unit,
The output unit detects position information indicating a position of the target article when the detection unit detects that the target article, which is at least one of the one or more articles, has been moved from a stored position. An article management system that outputs information.

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