JP2021088828A - Key management device and information processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a key management device for effectively notifying information to an operator.SOLUTION: A key management device 100 comprises: a key holder 500 coupled with a key that serves as a storage member, capable of notifying the information; and a storage part 105 for detachably storing the key holder 500. The key holder 500 includes a speaker. When the key holder 500 is removed from the key management device 100, and when a predetermined condition is satisfied, the key holder 500 notifies the information by a warning etc. Therefore, even when an operator who removed the key is not present in a vicinity of the key management device 100, the information is notified to the operator by the key holder 500.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to a key management device and an information processing method.

For example, in Patent Document 1, it is asked whether or not the key has been returned to the storage unit with information specifying the storage unit for detachably storing the key and the storage unit that has been in the extracted state for a predetermined time. A key management device including a notification unit for notifying is disclosed.

JP-A-2018-141306

Conventionally, it is known that the key management device itself notifies the operator of information by an alarm or the like. However, since there are often no operators around the key management device who should know that they have been notified, even if the key management device itself notifies, it often does not reach the operator who should know that it has been notified.
An object of the present invention is to provide a key management device that efficiently notifies an operator of information.

The invention according to claim 1 is a key management device including a storage member connected to a key to notify information, and a storage unit for detachably storing the storage member.
The invention according to claim 2 further includes an output unit that outputs information related to notification to the storage member, and the storage member communicates with the output unit when the storage member is stored in the storage member. The key management device according to claim 1, further comprising a possible first communication unit and notifying information based on the information received from the output unit by the first communication unit.
The invention according to claim 3, wherein the storage member includes a second communication unit capable of remotely communicating with another device, and notifies information based on the information received by the second communication unit. The key management device according to 1 or 2.
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the storage member further includes a measuring unit for measuring a time or time, and the storage member provides instruction information indicating a time for transmitting information or a time until the information is notified. The key management device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which receives and notifies information based on the time or time specified by the instruction information and the time or time measured by the measuring unit. is there.
The invention according to claim 5 is the key management device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the storage member transmits the information to a predetermined destination after notifying the information. is there.
The invention according to claim 6 is a device in which the predetermined destination is instructed to notify information, and the storage member transmits information to the effect that the information has been notified to the device. , The key management device according to claim 5.
The invention according to claim 7 is the key management device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the storage member includes a battery.
The invention according to claim 8, wherein the battery is a rechargeable secondary battery, and further includes a power output unit for outputting electric power supplied to the secondary battery, according to claim 7. Is.
The key according to claim 8, wherein the power output unit outputs power supplied to the secondary battery when the storage member is housed in the storage unit. It is a management device.
The invention according to claim 10 is an invention relating to an information processing method in a key management device, which comprises a step of making a storage member having a storage unit into a state in which information can be stored, and the key management device to the storage member. This is an information processing method including a step of storing information related to notification by a storage member.
The invention according to claim 11 is the information processing method according to claim 10, further comprising a step of notifying information based on the stored information.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a key management device that efficiently notifies an operator of information.

It is a figure which shows the overall configuration example of the key management system which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the appearance configuration example of the key management apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the hardware configuration example of the key management apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure example of the control part of the key management apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. (A) and (B) are diagrams showing an example of an external configuration of a key holder according to the present embodiment. It is a figure which shows the hardware configuration example of the key holder which concerns on this embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure example of the key holder which concerns on this embodiment. It is a flowchart which showed an example of the procedure of the process which a key holder informs information. It is a figure for demonstrating a specific example of the process which a key holder informs information.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<Overall configuration of key management system>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration example of the key management system 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the key management system 1 includes a key management device 100, a management server 200, and an operation terminal 300. Then, the key management device 100, the management server 200, and the operation terminal 300 are connected via the network 400.

The key management device 100 is a device that detachably stores the key holder 500. In the key management device 100, when the operator is set to take out the key holder 500 to be taken out, the operator can take out the key holder 500. Further, a key can be attached to the key holder 500. When the key is attached to the key holder 500, the key management device 100 manages the key together with the key holder 500.
In this embodiment, the key holder 500 is used as an example of the storage member.

The management server 200 is a server device that manages keys and key chains 500. For example, the management server 200 generates and stores various information regarding the use of the key chain 500 (or the use of the key attached to the key chain 500), such as the authority to take out the key chain 500 and the usage period of the key chain 500. Then, the management server 200 transmits various information regarding the use of the key holder 500 to the key management device 100 as needed. Although details will be described later, various information regarding the use of the key holder 500 includes information related to notification by the key holder 500 (hereinafter, referred to as “notification-related information”).

The operation terminal 300 is a terminal device used by an operator, and examples thereof include a PC (Personal Computer), a tablet terminal, and a smartphone.

The network 400 is a communication means used for information communication of the key management device 100, the management server 200, and the operation terminal 300, and is, for example, the Internet, a public line, a LAN (Local Area Network), or the like.

Then, in the present embodiment, after the key holder 500 is taken out from the key management device 100, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, the key holder 500 notifies the information by an alarm or the like. Therefore, even when the operator who has taken out the key is not in the vicinity of the key management device 100, the key holder 500 notifies the operator of the information.

<Appearance configuration of key management device>
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an external configuration of the key management device 100 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the key management device 100 includes a key storage 102 opened and closed by a door 101, a display operation unit 103, and a card reader 104.

The key storage 102 is provided with a plurality of storage units 105. The storage unit 105 detachably stores the key holder 500. Each storage portion 105 is provided with a lock mechanism (not shown) so that the removal of the key holder 500 can be permitted or prohibited. The key management device 100 controls permission or prohibition of taking out each key holder 500 by controlling a lock mechanism for each storage unit 105. Further, the storage unit 105 is provided with a terminal (not shown), and when the key holder 500 is stored in the storage unit 105, information is exchanged between the key holder 500 and the key management device 100.
The exchange of information between the key holder 500 and the key management device 100 is not limited to the configuration performed via a terminal (not shown) provided in the storage unit 105. For example, information may be exchanged by RFID (Radio Frequency IDentifier). Specifically, for example, the key holder 500 is provided with an RF tag in which ID information is embedded, and the storage unit 105 is provided with a reading unit for reading information from the RF tag, thereby between the key holder 500 and the key management device 100. You may exchange information with.

The display operation unit 103 is, for example, a touch panel display, which accepts operations by the operator and displays various information.
For example, the display operation unit 103 displays the information of the user who took out the key holder 500 from the storage unit 105, the time when the key holder 500 was taken out, and the time when the key holder 500 was returned. Here, the contact information (for example, a telephone number or an e-mail address) of the user who has taken out the key holder 500 from the storage unit 105 may be displayed. Further, for example, the operator who operates the key management device 100 takes out the key holder 500 from the key management device 100 by pressing the send button displayed on the screen of the display operation unit 103 (the user (). For example, a message requesting that the key chain 500 be returned may be sent to the user's e-mail address).

The card reader 104 is a reading device that reads information from a card carried by an operator. Examples of the card include a magnetic card and an IC (Integrated Circuit) card. When the operator swipes the card through the card reader 104, the card reader 104 reads an ID from the card and authenticates the operator based on the read ID. As a result of this authentication, when the operator is set to have the authority to take out the key holder 500, the door 101 of the key storage 102 is unlocked so that the door 101 can be opened, and the key holder 500 corresponding to the authority can be taken out. It becomes.

<Hardware configuration of key management device>
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration example of the key management device 100 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the key management device 100 includes a display operation unit 103, a card reader 104, a storage unit 105, a door locking mechanism 111, a communication interface (hereinafter referred to as “communication I / F”) 112, and a storage unit 113. , A control unit 114, a clock unit 115, a power output unit 116, and a speaker 117. Since the display operation unit 103, the card reader 104, and the storage unit 105 have already been described with reference to FIG. 2, the description thereof will be omitted here.

The door locking mechanism 111 is a mechanism for locking the door 101 of the key storage 102.

The communication I / F 112 is an interface for communicating with another device such as the management server 200. As a specific communication means, wired communication or wireless communication can be used.

The storage unit 113 is a storage device including a hard disk device, a non-volatile memory, and the like. The storage unit 113 stores, for example, information on the key holder 500 stored in each storage unit 105 and information on the key attached to the key holder 500. In addition, the storage unit 113 stores various information related to the use of the key holder 500, such as information related to notification.

The control unit 114 controls the entire key management device 100. The control unit 114 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that is a calculation means, a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores basic software, a BIOS (Basic Input Output System), and the like, and a RAM (Random Access) that is used as a work area. Memory) and. Then, the program stored in the ROM, the storage unit 113, or the like is read into the RAM and executed by the CPU, whereby various functions of the key management device 100 are realized.

The clock unit 115 measures the time or time. For example, the clock unit 115 indicates the time at that time. Further, for example, the clock unit 115 operates a timer to measure the passage of a predetermined time (for example, 1 hour).

The power output unit 116 outputs the power supplied to the battery 534 when the battery 534 (see FIG. 6) of the key holder 500 is a secondary battery. Here, the power output unit 116 outputs the power supplied to the battery 534 when the key holder 500 is stored in the storage unit 105. However, the method of supplying electric power to the battery 534 is not limited to such a method. For example, the key management device 100 may be provided with a charging case (not shown), and when the key holder 500 is housed in the charging case, the power output unit 116 may output electric power. Further, for example, in addition to the key management device 100, there may be a device capable of charging the battery 534.

A light emitting unit such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode) may be provided in the storage unit 105 or the like, and the light emitting mode of the light emitting unit may be changed according to the charging status of the key holder 500. For example, different light emission modes may be used during charging and when charging is completed.
Further, the display operation unit 103 may display the charge rate and the remaining battery level of the key holder 500 stored in the storage unit 105. Further, a display unit may be provided in each storage unit 105 to display the charge rate and the remaining battery level of the key holder 500 stored in the storage unit 105 for each storage unit 105.

The speaker 117 outputs sound. The output sound is, for example, a warning sound or a voice.

Here, the operator may take out the key holder 500 from the storage unit 105 in order to exchange the key attached to the key holder 500. A process when an abnormal operation is performed or a power OFF / ON operation of the key management device 100 is performed during such a key exchange operation will be described. The abnormal operation during the key exchange operation is, for example, an operation of opening an emergency door (not shown) or an operation of taking out the key holder 500 in a state where the key holder 500 is not permitted to be taken out. Further, the operation of turning off / on the power of the key management device 100 is an operation of turning off the power of the key management device 100 and then turning on the power again.
Then, if an abnormal operation is performed during the key exchange operation, the key management device 100 continues the key exchange operation. Specifically, the key management device 100 does not accept other operations until the key holder 500, which was in the process of key exchange operation, is returned. In addition, the display operation unit 103 displays a screen indicating that the key exchange operation is in progress. Here, when the key holder 500 is returned to the storage unit 105, the key management device 100 comes to accept operations other than the key exchange operation, and the display operation unit 103 has a standby screen for accepting operations from the operator. Is displayed.
Further, even if the power of the key management device 100 is turned off / on during the key exchange operation, the key management device 100 performs other operations until the key holder 500 during the key exchange operation is returned. Do not accept. Here, when the key management device 100 is activated by performing the power OFF / ON operation, the key management device 100 notifies that it is in an error state by sound or a screen. Next, for example, when an operation for approving the release of the error is performed by any operator on the screen, the display operation unit 103 displays a screen indicating that the key exchange operation is in progress. Then, when the key holder 500 is returned to the storage unit 105, the key management device 100 comes to accept operations other than the key exchange operation, and the display operation unit 103 displays a standby screen.

<Functional configuration of the control unit of the key management device>
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration example of the control unit 114 of the key management device 100 according to the present embodiment. The control unit 114 includes a notification-related information transmission unit 121, an operation reception unit 122, and a display control unit 123.

The notification-related information transmission unit 121 as an example of the output unit transmits the notification-related information to the key holder 500.
For example, when the key holder 500 is stored in the storage unit 105, the notification-related information transmission unit 121 acquires the notification-related information corresponding to the key holder 500 from the storage unit 113, and stores the acquired notification-related information in the key holder 500. Send.
Further, the notification-related information transmission unit 121 may transmit the notification-related information to the key holder 500 after the key holder 500 is taken out from the storage unit 105. In this case, the key holder 500 receives the notification-related information transmitted via the network 400 by wireless communication, or directly receives the notification-related information from the key management device 100.

The operation reception unit 122 receives the operation of the operator performed by the display operation unit 103.

The display control unit 123 generates a control signal for controlling the display on the display operation unit 103, and controls the display on the display operation unit 103.

Then, each functional unit constituting the key management device 100 is realized by the cooperation of software and hardware resources. Specifically, for example, when the key management device 100 is realized by the hardware configuration shown in FIG. 3, various programs stored in the ROM of the control unit 114, the storage unit 113, and the like are executed by the CPU of the control unit 114. As a result, functional units such as the notification-related information transmission unit 121, the operation reception unit 122, and the display control unit 123 shown in FIG. 4 are realized.

<Appearance configuration of key holder>
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an external configuration of the key holder 500 according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 5A, the key holder 500 includes a main body 510 and a fastener 520.

The main body 510 is made of a material such as synthetic resin or metal, and has a connector 511. The connector unit 511 is an example of the first communication unit, and is an interface capable of communicating with the key management device 100 when the key holder 500 is stored in the storage unit 105 of the key management device 100. In addition, for example, when the key holder 500 is housed in the storage unit 105 and the connector unit 511 is connected to the terminal provided in the key management device 100, information is exchanged between the key holder 500 and the key management device 100. Will be done.
In the present embodiment, the main body 510 may be used as an example of the storage member.

The fastener 520 is formed in an annular shape and is attached to the main body 510. Examples of the fastener 520 include a metal ring, a resin ring, and the like. For example, by passing the fastener 520 through the hole provided in the key, the key is attached to the key holder 500, and the key holder 500 and the key are connected. The number of keys attached to the fastener 520 is not limited. One key may be attached to the fastener 520, or a plurality of keys may be attached.

The configuration, shape, material, size, etc. of the key holder 500 are not limited to the example shown in FIG. For example, the key holder 500 may be stored in the storage portion 105, and the shape of the main body portion 510 may be a quadrangular shape, a triangular shape, or the like, and the shape is arbitrary. Further, for example, the shape of the fastener 520 may be, for example, a quadrangular shape or a triangular shape, in addition to the annular shape, and the shape is arbitrary.

In addition, in the example shown in FIG. 5, the key holder 500 and the key are connected by passing the main body 510 and the key through the fastener 520. However, for example, the key holder 500 may be configured to connect the key holder 500 and the key by directly attaching the key to the main body 510 without providing the fastener 520. More specifically, for example, the key holder 500 may be connected to the key by providing a groove for storing the key in the key holder 500 and storing the key in the groove. In this case, when the key holder 500 is stored in the storage unit 105, the key is also stored in the storage unit 105 together with the key holder 500. Therefore, for example, as compared with a configuration in which the key is exposed to the outside, the key is less likely to be stolen, which is a security measure for the key.

Further, in the present embodiment, another member may be attached to the key holder 500 as a storage member together with the key. In the example shown in FIG. 5B, another member 600 is attached to the fastener 520. In this case, it is also possible to make the key holder 500 (or the main body 510) function as a storage member stored in the storage unit 105, and the other member 600 to function as a tool for bundling keys (that is, a key holder).
Further, another member 600 may have a notification function for notifying the operator of information. Specifically, for example, the other member 600 also includes a communication unit in addition to the notification function, and exchanges information with the key management device 100 via the communication unit. Then, the information related to the notification is transmitted from the key management device 100 to the other member 600 by wireless communication. The other member 600 stores the notification-related information received from the key management device 100, and notifies the operator of the information based on the notification-related information, similarly to the information notification unit 541 described later.

<Hardware configuration of key holder>
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration example of the key holder 500 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, the key holder 500 includes a connector unit 511, a CPU 531 which is a calculation means, a memory 532 for storing various information and programs, a position information acquisition module 533, a battery 534, a communication I / F 535, and a clock unit 536. It has a speaker 537. Since the connector portion 511 has already been described with reference to FIG. 5, the description thereof will be omitted here.

The CPU 531 controls the entire key holder 500, and for example, various functions of the key holder 500 are realized by executing a program stored in the memory 532 in the CPU 531. Further, the memory 532 stores the information of the key holder 500 and the information of the key attached to the key holder 500. Further, the memory 532 stores information related to notification. In addition, when the key holder 500 is stored in the storage unit 105, the key holder 500 is in a state where information can be stored in the memory 532 via the connector unit 511.

The position information acquisition module 533 is a module for acquiring the position information of the key holder 500. Examples of the position information acquisition module 533 include a GPS sensor that receives radio waves from a GPS (Global Positioning System) satellite and measures the position of the key holder 500. Further, the position information acquisition module 533 is, for example, a module that measures the position by an access point of Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or a module that measures the position based on a cell ID assigned to a base station of a mobile phone network. It may be.

The battery 534 is an example of a power source and supplies electric power to each part of the key holder 500. Examples of the battery 534 include a primary battery, a secondary battery, a fuel cell, and the like.

The communication I / F 535 as an example of the second communication unit is an interface capable of remotely communicating with other devices such as the key management device 100 and the management server 200 by wireless communication, and is, for example, a Wi-Fi or a mobile phone network. It corresponds to communication standards. In addition, when wireless communication becomes possible by the communication I / F 535, the key holder 500 becomes in a state where information can be stored in the memory 532 via the communication I / F 535.

The clock unit 536 as an example of the measuring unit measures the time or time. For example, the clock unit 536 indicates the time at that time. Further, for example, the clock unit 536 operates a timer to measure the passage of a predetermined time (for example, 1 hour).

The speaker 537 outputs sound. The output sound is, for example, a warning sound or a voice.

<Functional configuration of key holder>
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration example of the key holder 500 according to the present embodiment. The key holder 500 includes an information notification unit 541, a notification-related information acquisition unit 542, a notification-related information storage unit 543, an information reply unit 544, an operation reception unit 545, a connector control unit 546, and a wireless communication control unit 547.

The information notification unit 541 notifies the operator of the information based on the notification-related information. As a method of notifying information, for example, a method of sounding a sound or outputting a voice is exemplified. Further, for example, the notification may be performed by displaying an image on a display unit (not shown) provided on the key holder 500. Further, for example, it may be notified by emitting light from a light emitting unit such as an LED provided on the key holder 500. Moreover, you may combine a plurality of notification means. For example, the sound may be output and an image may be displayed on the display unit, or the sound may be output and the light emitting unit may emit light. Information is notified regardless of whether or not there is an operator around the key holder 500.

The notification-related information acquisition unit 542 acquires notification-related information from the key management device 100.
For example, when the key holder 500 is stored in the storage unit 105, the notification-related information acquisition unit 542 acquires the notification-related information from the key management device 100 by the connector unit 511. Specifically, the notification-related information acquisition unit 542 acquires notification-related information at, for example, the timing when the key holder 500 is stored in the storage unit 105 or the timing when the key holder 500 is taken out from the storage unit 105.
Further, for example, the notification-related information acquisition unit 542 may acquire the notification-related information transmitted from the key management device 100 by wireless communication by the communication I / F 535 after the key holder 500 is taken out from the storage unit 105. Good.

The notification-related information storage unit 543 stores the notification-related information acquired by the notification-related information acquisition unit 542.

The information reply unit 544 transmits the information to a predetermined destination after the information notification unit 541 notifies the information.
The predetermined destination is, for example, a provider of notification-related information, in other words, a device instructed to notify the information. Specifically, for example, the key management device 100 and the management server 200. Further, for example, when the information reply unit 544 receives an inquiry for status confirmation from another device, the information reply unit 544 may transmit information to that device. In this case, the predetermined destination is the device that made the inquiry for status confirmation.
Further, the information transmitted by the information reply unit 544 is, for example, the information when the information notification unit 541 notifies the information. Specifically, for example, information indicating that the information notification unit 541 has notified the information, information indicating the time when the information notification unit 541 has notified the information, and information indicating that the operator has performed an operation to stop the information notification. Illustrated. The operation of stopping the notification of information is, for example, an operation of pressing an alarm stop button (not shown) provided on the key holder 500.

The operation reception unit 545 receives the operation of the operator. For example, the operation reception unit 545 receives an operation of pressing the alarm stop button (not shown) provided on the key holder 500. Further, for example, by providing the key holder 500 with a display unit (not shown) of the touch panel display, the operation reception unit 545 may accept the operation of the operator on the display unit.

The connector control unit 546 controls the connector unit 511. For example, the connector control unit 546 controls the connector unit 511 so as to communicate with the key management device 100 when the key holder 500 is stored in the storage unit 105.

The wireless communication control unit 547 controls the communication I / F 535. For example, the wireless communication control unit 547 controls the communication I / F 535 so as to perform wireless communication with another device located away from the key holder 500.

Then, each functional unit constituting the key holder 500 is realized by the cooperation of software and hardware resources. Specifically, for example, when the key holder 500 is realized by the hardware configuration shown in FIG. 6, various programs stored in the memory 532 or the like are executed by the CPU 531 to execute the information notification unit 541 shown in FIG. , Notification-related information acquisition unit 542, information reply unit 544, operation reception unit 545, connector control unit 546, wireless communication control unit 547, and other functional units are realized. Further, the notification-related information storage unit 543 is realized by, for example, a memory 532.

<Explanation of notification-related information>
Next, the notification-related information will be described in detail. Examples of the notification-related information include instruction information for instructing notification, instruction information for instructing the timing of notification, setting information for setting the presence / absence of notification, and setting information for setting the mode of notification.

The instruction information for instructing the notification is to instruct the key holder 500 to notify the information, and the key holder 500 notifies the key holder 500 as soon as it receives this information. For example, when the key chain 500 receives the command information at the timing when the key has expired or at a specific timing before the expiration date, the key chain 500 notifies the information. Further, for example, when the key holder 500 receives the information that the reservation has been made when the reservation for using the key attached to the key holder 500 is made, the key holder 500 notifies the information as if the instruction information has been received. Further, for example, when the key holder 500 receives a notification that a disaster such as a fire, an earthquake, or a tsunami has occurred or a notification that the user wants to return immediately, the key holder 500 notifies the information as if it has received the command information.

Next, the instruction information for instructing the timing of notification is, for example, instructing the time for notifying the information or instructing the time until the information is notified.
For example, when the time for notifying the information is instructed, the key holder 500 notifies the information based on the instructed time and the time measured by the clock unit 536. Specifically, for example, when it is determined that the instructed time has come by the time indicated by the clock unit 536, the information notification unit 541 notifies the information. Further, for example, when the time until the information is notified is instructed, the key holder 500 notifies the information based on the instructed time and the time measured by the clock unit 536. Specifically, for example, when it is determined that the instructed time has elapsed from the time when the key holder 500 is taken out from the storage unit 105 based on the time measured by the clock unit 536, the information notification unit 541 Notifies information.

Further, the setting information for setting the presence / absence of notification switches between a setting for notifying information (setting ON) and a setting for not notifying information (setting OFF). For example, when the key holder 500 is set to notify the information and receives the setting information for setting not to notify the information, the key holder 500 switches to the setting not to notify the information.
Further, the setting information for setting the mode of notification is, for example, setting the loudness of the sound to be notified, the reproduction speed of the sound, the intensity of the light to be notified, and the like. Further, as the notification mode, the type of notification mode may be set such as "notification only by sound", "notification only by display", "notification by both sound and display", and the like.

The notification-related information may be set by default (that is, initial setting) according to the use of the key holder 500, or may be set or changed by the operator on a WEB page or the like. For example, when the key holder 500 is used, the time from the time when the key holder 500 is taken out from the storage unit 105 until the information is notified may be set to "100 minutes" by default, or the operator may set "200 minutes". May be set or changed.

<Explanation of information reported by the key holder>
Next, the information notified by the key holder 500 will be described in detail.

For example, the key chain 500 notifies that when the key is used for a long time (for example, 10 hours), in other words, when the key holder 500 to which the key is attached is used for a long time, it will be used for a long time. Notify for. Specifically, for example, the key holder 500 outputs a voice saying "It will be used for a long time in 10 minutes" at the timing 10 minutes before the long-time use. Further, for example, a warning sound is output at a timing 10 minutes before long-term use. The key usage time (that is, the usage time of the key holder 500) is measured from, for example, the time when the key holder 500 is taken out from the storage unit 105, or is measured from a preset time.

Further, for example, the key chain 500 may notify before the expiration date of the key, in other words, before the expiration date of the key chain 500, to notify that the expiration date will come. Specifically, for example, the key holder 500 outputs a voice saying "It will be out of the usage time in 10 minutes" at the timing 10 minutes before the expiration date. Further, for example, the key holder outputs a warning sound at a timing 10 minutes before the expiration date.

Further, for example, when the key chain 500 has expired, in other words, when the key chain 500 has expired, the key chain 500 may be notified to notify that the expiration date has expired. Specifically, for example, the key holder 500 outputs a voice saying "It is out of usage time. Please return it now" when the expiration date has expired. Further, for example, the key holder outputs a warning sound when the expiration date has expired.

Further, for example, when the electric power of the battery 534 is low, the key holder 500 notifies the battery 534 that the electric power of the battery 534 is low. Specifically, for example, in the key holder 500, when the electric power of the battery 534 falls below 30% of the total electric energy, "the battery is low", "the battery is less than 30%", etc. Output audio. Further, for example, the key holder outputs a warning sound when the electric power of the battery 534 falls below 30% of the total electric energy.

Here, when outputting a warning sound, the warning sound may be changed depending on the situation.
For example, the warning sound may be changed depending on whether the key is used for a long time or if the key is notified before the expiration date. Specifically, for example, the timbre, pitch, loudness, length of sound, and number of sounds of the warning sound may be changed.
Further, for example, the remaining time may be notified by the number of warning sounds. For example, the warning sound may be sounded 10 times at the timing 10 minutes before the expiration date of the key, or the warning sound may be sounded once at the timing 1 minute before the expiration date of the key.

Further, in this example, an example in which the key holder 500 outputs a voice or a warning sound has been described, but as information to be notified, for example, a message may be displayed on a display unit (not shown) of the key holder 500, or a light emitting unit such as an LED may be displayed. It may emit light with.

<Procedure for processing the key holder to notify information>
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure of processing in which the key holder 500 notifies information. In the following, the processing step is referred to as the symbol "S".

First, the notification-related information acquisition unit 542 acquires notification-related information from the key management device 100 (S101). The acquired notification-related information is stored in the notification-related information storage unit 543. Next, the information notification unit 541 determines whether or not it is time to notify the information based on the notification-related information (S102).

When a positive determination (YES) is made in S102, the information notification unit 541 notifies the operator of the information (S103). Next, the information reply unit 544 transmits the information when the information notification unit 541 notifies the provider of the notification-related information acquired in S101 (for example, the key management device 100 or the management server 200) (S104). ). For example, information indicating that the information notification unit 541 has notified the information and information indicating that the operator has performed an operation to stop the notification of the information are transmitted. Then, this processing flow ends.
On the other hand, when a negative determination (NO) is made in S102, the information is not notified and the processing of S102 is continuously performed. Then, this processing flow ends.

<Specific example of processing in which the key holder notifies information>
Next, a process in which the key holder 500 notifies information will be described with reference to specific examples. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a specific example of the process in which the key holder 500 notifies information.

In the example shown in FIG. 9, the key attached to the key holder 500A is lent to the operator. Specifically, the key holder 500A is rented out from the plurality of key holders 500 stored in the storage unit 105 of the key management device 100A.
Here, when the key holder 500A is stored in the storage unit 105, the key holder 500A acquires notification-related information from the key management device 100A via the connector unit 511. The notification-related information is set to sound a warning alarm 90 minutes after the key holder 500A is taken out from the storage unit 105, and to sound this alarm 10 minutes later. That is, the usage period of the key holder 500 (that is, the usage period of the key) is 100 minutes.

Then, when 90 minutes have passed since the key holder 500A was taken out from the storage unit 105, the information notification unit 541 of the key holder 500A sounds a warning alarm. The key management device 100A also sounds a warning alarm. Here, the display operation unit 103 of the key management device 100A may display identification information for identifying the key holder 500A, information of an operator who borrows the key holder 500A, and the like.

Next, when the operator returns the key holder 500A and stores it in the storage unit 105, the information notification unit 541 of the key holder 500A stops the warning alarm. The key management device 100A also stops the warning alarm. Further, since the key holder 500A is housed in the storage unit 105, the key holder 500 does not sound this alarm even at the end of the usage period (that is, 10 minutes after the warning alarm sounds).

Here, the key management device 100A may output information by e-mail or the like to the operation terminal 300 of the manager of the key management device 100A or the operator who borrows the key holder 500A.
For example, if a specific condition is not satisfied even after a predetermined time has elapsed after the notification by the key holder 500A is performed, the key management device 100A borrows the administrator of the key management device 100A or the key holder 500. A warning is output to the operator's operation terminal 300. Specifically, for example, when the key chain 500 does not send information to the effect that the operator has performed an operation to stop the warning alarm even after a certain period of time (for example, 10 minutes) has elapsed after the warning alarm sounds. , The key management device 100A sends an e-mail warning to the operation terminal 300 of the operator who borrows the key holder 500A to return the key holder 500A. Further, for example, if the key holder 500A is not returned to the storage unit 105 even after a certain period of time (for example, 10 minutes) has elapsed after this alarm sounds, the key management device 100A is an operation terminal of the administrator of the key management device 100A. An e-mail is sent to the 300 notifying that the alarm has sounded and a certain period of time has passed.

In addition, the mode of notification may be changed according to the operator's past return history.
For example, if the operator who rents the key holder 500A has returned the key holder 500A while the warning alarm is sounding or the main alarm is sounding many times in the past, the key holder 500A will give a different warning alarm or this alarm from other operators. You may ring it. Further, for example, the key holder 500A may sound the warning alarm earlier than planned when the operator borrowing the key holder 500A has returned the key holder 500A many times in the past while the warning alarm is sounding or the main alarm is sounding. .. Specifically, for example, when the key holder 500A is set to sound the warning alarm 90 minutes after being taken out from the storage unit 105, the warning alarm is issued 85 minutes after the key holder 500A is taken out from the storage unit 105. May ring.

Further, when returning the key holder 500A, the key holder 500A may be returned to a key management device 100B different from the key management device 100A from which the key holder 500A was taken out. If it is registered in advance that the key management device 100B is to be returned, the key management device 100B at the return destination may sound a warning alarm or this alarm.

<Modification example>
Next, a modified example according to the present embodiment will be described.

In the present embodiment, the key holder 500 may notify the information by using the position information of the key holder 500 acquired by the position information acquisition module 533. For example, the range in which the key holder 500 is allowed to move is predetermined. Information in the permitted range is stored in the key holder 500 via the connector unit 511 or the communication I / F 535. Then, when it is determined that the key holder 500 has moved out of the permitted range based on the position information of the key holder 500 itself, the key holder 500 notifies the information. Specifically, for example, it outputs a voice saying "It is an action outside the range" or sounds a warning sound.

Further, in the above-described example, the key management device 100 transmits the notification-related information to the key holder 500, but the configuration is not limited to this. For example, the management server 200, the operation terminal 300 of the administrator of the key management device 100, and the operation terminal 300 of the operator who borrows the key holder 500 (or the key) may transmit the notification-related information to the key holder 500.
Further, in the above-described example, the management server 200 has decided to generate the notification-related information, but the configuration is not limited to this. For example, the key management device 100, the operation terminal 300 of the administrator of the key management device 100, and the operation terminal 300 of the operator who borrows the key holder 500 (or the key) may generate the notification-related information.

Further, in the above-described example, the key management device 100 and the management server 200 are provided separately, but the functions of the key management device 100 and the management server 200 may be realized by one device. Further, the key management device 100 may realize a part of the functions of the management server 200, or the management server 200 may realize a part of the functions of the key management device 100. Specifically, for example, the key management device 100 may generate various information regarding the use (or the use of the key) of the key holder 500 instead of the management server 200.

Although various embodiments and modifications have been described above, it is of course possible to combine these embodiments and modifications.
Further, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be implemented in various forms without departing from the gist of the present disclosure.

1 ... key management system, 100 ... key management device, 105 ... storage unit, 114 ... control unit, 116 ... power output unit, 122 ... notification-related information transmission unit, 200 ... management server, 500 ... key holder, 511 ... connector unit, 531 ... CPU, 532 ... Memory, 534 ... Battery, 535 ... Communication I / F, 536 ... Clock unit, 537 ... Speaker, 541 ... Information notification unit, 544 ... Information reply unit

Claims (11)

A storage member that is connected to the key and notifies information,
A storage unit that detachably stores the storage member,
A key management device equipped with. An output unit that outputs information related to the notification to the storage member is further provided.
The storage member includes a first communication unit capable of communicating with the output unit when the storage member is stored in the storage unit, and is based on information received from the output unit by the first communication unit. , Notify information,
The key management device according to claim 1. The storage member includes a second communication unit capable of remotely communicating with another device, and notifies information based on the information received by the second communication unit.
The key management device according to claim 1 or 2. The storage member further includes a measuring unit for measuring time or time.
The storage member receives instruction information indicating the time for notifying the information or the time until the information is notified, and the time or time specified by the instruction information and the time or time measured by the measuring unit are set. Inform information based on,
The key management device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. After notifying the information, the storage member transmits the information to a predetermined destination.
The key management device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The predetermined destination is a device instructed to notify the information, and the storage member transmits information to the effect that the information has been notified to the device.
The key management device according to claim 5. The storage member comprises a battery.
The key management device according to any one of claims 1 to 6. The battery is a rechargeable secondary battery and
A power output unit for outputting the power supplied to the secondary battery is further provided.
The key management device according to claim 7. The electric power output unit outputs the electric power supplied to the secondary battery when the storage member is stored in the storage unit.
The key management device according to claim 8. An invention relating to an information processing method in a key management device.
A step of making a storage member having a storage unit into a state in which information can be stored,
A step of storing information related to notification by the storage member from the key management device to the storage member, and
Information processing methods including. Further including a step of notifying the information based on the stored information,
The information processing method according to claim 10.

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