JP3349505B2 - Key information issuance and acquisition method of the collection and delivery box device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a so-called "delivery box", and more particularly, to key information for unlocking a door for taking articles in and out of the box. An improvement in a method of handling, which can significantly reduce the labor required for collection and delivery of home delivery, and can greatly improve the security of collection and delivery of home delivery, so that the key information issuance and acquisition method of the collection box device can be obtained.
About the law .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, in home delivery cleaning,
A customer orders cleaning of articles such as clothes and futons from a home delivery cleaning company (hereinafter simply referred to as a cleaning company) using an appropriate communication means such as a telephone and an e-mail. The cleaning company asks the contracted collection and delivery company to pick it up at the customer's home on the date and time specified by the customer,
Further, even after the cleaning, the delivery is made to the customer's house at the date and time designated by the customer.

[0003] In addition, at a pickup / delivery location, a customer can specify a nearby convenience store or the like, thereby allowing a pickup / delivery company to collect and deliver at a convenient time.

[0004] However, in the above-described conventional collection and delivery method, if the collection and delivery location is a customer's house, the customer must be at home during the scheduled collection and delivery time zone, and is bound by time. In this regard, the collection and delivery company,
When the customer is absent, it takes time and effort to fill in an absentee vote and mail it to a customer's post. Of course,
At this time, it is possible to leave the home delivery to the neighborhood home, but recently, many homes are reluctant to take responsibility for the home delivery, so the collection and delivery company has not deposited the home delivery to the neighborhood home. Is disappearing.

[0005] On the other hand, if the delivery place is a convenience store or the like, the customer is less likely to be restricted by time and the collection and delivery company does not need to worry about whether the customer is at home. The trouble of having to go to the place occurs.

Of course, such a problem is not limited to home delivery cleaning, but can be applied to home delivery in general. From the above viewpoint, a so-called “home delivery box” is used.
2. Description of the Related Art An electronically-locked collection and delivery box device called a so-called "collection and delivery box device" has been developed, and has been put to practical use mainly as a common locker for an apartment house. The following four types are typical of the collection and delivery box devices.

(1) As the first type, for example, JP-A-5-147694, JP-A-7-293068, and JP-A-10-1
There is a 27470 publication and the like, and the collection and delivery box device disclosed therein is installed, for example, collectively at the entrance of an apartment house or at each door, and a collection and delivery company, for the purpose of picking up goods to be shipped in the collection and delivery box device Alternatively, the door of the collection / delivery box device is electrically unlocked by manually inputting key information using a numeric keypad or the like, in order to put an article sent from another device into the collection / delivery box device.

(2) As the second type, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-147694 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-127470 described above include a room number or a room number and a number specifying a collection and delivery company. A system using a combination as key information is disclosed.

(3) As a third type, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H5-287943
JP, JP-A-7-237696, JP-A-10-127470, JP-A-2000-17911, etc., use a magnetic card in which information for specifying a collection / delivery company is recorded by using a collection / delivery box device. Is disclosed.

(4) As a fourth type, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-8925 discloses an image pickup / delivery company imaged by an image pickup device provided in a collection / delivery box device. A device is disclosed in which the lock release operation is performed remotely by checking with a communication device or the like.

[0011]

However, for example, in the case of the first type of collection / delivery box device, when the owner of the collection / delivery box device releases the lock, the key information that only the owner can know However, in order to allow a third party such as a collection and delivery company to release the lock, it is necessary to assign and inform the collection and delivery company of such key information by some method.

In the second type of collection / delivery box apparatus, the room number and the number for specifying the collection / delivery company are unchanged, and the collection / delivery company obtains the key information once. In this case, there is a risk that the key information may leak to the outside, and there is a problem that any one of the collection and delivery companies can unlock the collection and delivery box device at any time.

In the third type of collection / delivery box apparatus, an unspecified number of persons can access the collection / delivery box apparatus without any restriction as compared with the room number and the number for specifying the collection / delivery company. Can be avoided, but the courier always has a card with the same information,
If a plurality of such magnetic cards are issued, security in the event of loss is not maintained. In a multi-family apartment, residents may move,
The trouble of issuing such a magnetic card every time one moves to maintain security is enormous.

Further, in the case of the fourth type of collection and delivery box device, key information can be made unnecessary, but it is difficult to identify whether the collection and delivery company confirmed by the image is a genuine collection and delivery company. Yes, and every time such a collection and delivery company visits,
The trouble of having to deal with customers one by one also remains.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object the issuance of key information with high security for unlocking a collection and delivery box device, and the security maintained. The key information can be obtained by the collection and delivery company without the need for the customer and the collection and delivery company, so that the customer does not need to be at home for collection and delivery, and the delivery location is as close to the customer's home as possible. Can be set, and therefore, it is not necessary for the collection and delivery company to consider whether the customer is at home or not .
It is to provide an acquisition method .

In this specification, a person who uses the collection / delivery box apparatus for purposes other than substantial collection / delivery work is referred to as a “customer” with respect to a “collection / delivery company”. Can be "Sender" or "Consignee". "Customers"
Does not necessarily need to have a collection and delivery box device, but also includes a case where a shared collection and delivery device is used.

[0017]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a key information issuance and acquisition method for a collection and delivery box device according to the present invention is provided. to add to the collection and delivery box device, a key information issuing method for acquiring collection and delivery box device to obtain the electronic key information for unlocking the door provided in said population distribution box device, a sender
Side notifies the consignee of the shipment of the article, and the consignee or
The sender issues the key information and the consignee issues the key information.
Is issued, the issued key information is referred to the
If the sender issues the key information,
Delivered key information to both the recipient and the delivery / delivery company
And, consignee side, ship's side, and at least one of the collection and delivery agency side, the short-range wireless communication capable portable communication device of the key information to and from the collection and delivery box device, the key information Issued or delivered.

Also, an electronic key for unlocking a door provided on the collection / delivery box device so that the collection / delivery company can put the article requested to be sent by the sender into the collection / delivery box device of the consignee. This is a key information issuance and acquisition method for a collection and delivery box device that obtains information, and is a collection and delivery company that has received a shipping request for goods from the sender.
Side notifies the consignee side of the shipment of the article, and the sender or
The collection and delivery company issues the key information, and the sender determines the key information.
When issuing information, the issued key information must be
Handover to both the collection and delivery company side, and the collection and delivery company side
Is issued, the issued key information is sent to the recipient.
Pass, consignee side, ship's side, and at least one of the collection and delivery agency side, the short-range wireless communication capable portable communication device of the key information to and from the collection and delivery box device, the key information Issued or delivered.

The "collection and delivery company" in the present invention is not limited to a company specializing in collection and delivery. For example, a "collection and delivery company" which collects and delivers cleaning products as part of a home delivery cleaning business may be used. Good.
In addition, the portable communication device referred to here is a so-called PDA (Perso
The present invention is not limited to the nal digital assistant, but may be any portable communication device, such as a network-compatible mobile phone.

The pick-up / delivery box device is installed at a place physically accessible to the pick-up and drop-off company so that the customer is not restricted in time during pick-up and delivery. For example, in order to greatly reduce the labor of the customer, it is installed, for example, in front of the entrance of the customer's house. In addition, the collection and delivery box device can be provided at another location (preferably outdoors) on the premises of the customer's house, or, in the case of a multi-family house, for example, a common part of the multi-family house. In this way, by setting the installation location of the collection and delivery box device as close to the customer's home as possible, it is possible to reduce the time and effort required for the customer to travel to the collection and delivery location.

Further, the collection and delivery box device is not limited to the use of collection and delivery in the home delivery business, but can be applied to, for example, collection and delivery of mail.

In the present invention, the collection / delivery company that ultimately unlocks the collection / delivery box device is provided with key information set by the consignee in the collection / delivery box device (or related key information, which will be described later). You need to get Therefore,
In this case, the third party on the sending side is called "sender" and the customer on the receiving side is called "consignee", and the "sender" and "consignee" can be interchanged respectively. It is assumed that the key information can be owned and used, and the process from when the key information of the collection / delivery box device is issued to when it is acquired by the collection / delivery company will be described below.

With regard to home delivery, not only does a customer voluntarily request a collection / delivery company to a collection / delivery box apparatus, but also
In many cases, a third party asks the collection and delivery company to ship the goods to the customer (for example, when ordering goods by mail order, or when delivering a gift from an acquaintance). In such a case, it is difficult for the collection and delivery company to obtain the key information for unlocking the collection and delivery box device from the customer only by direct exchange between the customer and the collection and delivery company. This is because the customer may not know in advance that a third party will ship the goods.

As described above, ultimately, the consignee sets the key information in the collection and delivery box device, and the collection and delivery company acquires the key information set in the collection and delivery device for unlocking the lock. I need to do that. Therefore, both the consignee side and the collection / delivery company hold a certain kind of key information, and such key information is issued by the sender side in addition to the consignee side and the collection / delivery side. It is possible.

When the consignee issues key information, the issued key information is set in the collection / delivery box device, and the key information is transmitted directly to the collection / delivery company or to the collection / delivery company. Indirect delivery via the sender is assumed. When the sender issues key information, the key information set in the collection / delivery box device is delivered directly to the consignee side or indirectly via the collection / delivery company side, and the lock of the collection / delivery box device is released. It is assumed that the key information for the transfer is delivered directly to the collection and delivery company side or indirectly via the consignee side. Further, when the collection / delivery company issues key information, the issued key information for unlocking the collection / delivery box device is used, and the key information is directly transmitted to the consignee or received. Indirect delivery to the person via the sender is assumed.

[0026] However, it is good if the consignee issues the key information, but if the sender or the collection and distribution company issues the key information, the reliability of the key information issuance is questioned. That is, when anyone can issue key information, so-called "spoofing" occurs and security cannot be maintained. Therefore, the sender or the collection / delivery company directly or indirectly gives a shipping notice to the consignee side, and certain reliability information, that is, information specifying the sender or the collection / delivery company side is included in the shipping notice. The identification information is provided to prevent “spoofing” on the sender or collection / delivery side.

In the case where the sender gives a shipping notice directly to the consignee, for example, if the consignee knows the sender, the name of the sender may be notified. . That is, to be specific, the shipping notice may be an electronic mail including a name, a mail address, and the like that can identify the sender. Of course, in the present invention, the communication means is not limited to the electronic mail, and it is sufficient that the communication means includes the information capable of specifying the sender side as described above.

Also, even when the consignee does not directly know the sender, such as when ordering goods through mail order or the like, the name of the sender is included in the shipping notice. If so, the consignee would normally remember that they had placed the order, and the e-mail as described above would be sufficient.

In the same manner, if the collection and delivery company gives a notice of delivery, this is somewhat complicated, but if the collection and delivery company is a well-known collection and delivery company, information that specifies the collection and delivery company, such as the name of the collection and delivery company, is included. May be able to solve it. However,
This does not prevent "spoofing", so, for example, the collection / delivery company is genuine or, in particular, a genuine collection / delivery company who certainly receives a request for delivery to himself / herself (consignee). And present this proof to the consignee in the shipping notice. In order to prove that the collection / delivery company is genuine, for example, it is possible to provide a predetermined certification body (certification body side), and have such certification issued therefrom. Such a certifying method can be applied not only to the collection and delivery company but also to the sender who has a possibility of “spoofing”.

Specifically, it is desirable that the certification organization is, for example, an organization composed of a third party and whose certification information is socially recognized. However, for example, such a certification authority side can be operated as a website, so that it is possible for the collection and delivery company to operate substantially instead of a third party. In any case, it is sufficient that the authentication information on the website provides at least a certain level of security to the consignee.

More specifically, the certificate authority is, for example, a so-called “certificate authority” that issues a digital certificate. More specifically, for example, “SET (Secure
Electronic Transactions). In such an authentication method,
Subject to registration by the sender and / or collection and delivery company,
Such registration may be a temporary registration for each series of collection and delivery. In addition, in the present invention, the authentication of the consignee side is not essential, but if the sender and the collection / delivery side communicating with the consignee side require such, the consignee side should be included in the object of authentication. Is also possible.

If the website can be given a certain level of reliability as described above, for example, a collection and delivery company opens a website for receiving a shipping request, and the sender who received the website receives the request. Publishes a shipping request from this side on this website, and informs the consignee that the request has been sent and gives advance notice of shipping.When the consignee accesses the website, the consignee The key information may be issued by either the side or the website.

The key information whose reliability is ensured as described above may use single key information (or personal identification number information) such as a so-called “common key method”. Two types of keys such as "asymmetric key method" may be used. In the case of the asymmetric key method, generally,
It has a public key for encryption and a private key for decryption.

The information for specifying the sender side and / or the collection / delivery side as described above may be transmitted together with information on a shipping request in actual operation. For the protection of privacy, it is desirable that information be transmitted in an encrypted form to ensure its security.

In this case, for example, contrary to the above, the secret key is used for encryption and the public key is used for decryption. And make the public key available to the consignee,
The collection and delivery company uses the secret key obtained from the sender to
Information specifying the sender and / or the collection / delivery company side, information on the shipping request, and the like are encrypted, and the encrypted information is transmitted to the consignee as a shipping notice. The consignee side decrypts the shipping notice received from the collection / delivery company with the public key, and unlocks the collection / delivery box device if it can be decrypted. Further, not only can the content be decrypted but also the security can be expected to be further improved by a configuration in which the decrypted content is confirmed and the lock is released.

As described above, in this specification, the "key information" includes information encrypted by a key other than the key itself such as an electronic security code and an electronic key.

In the above-described invention, the exchange of information between the consignee side, the sender side, and the collection / delivery side depends on the easiness of the exchange of digitized key information and the exchange of various information to be exchanged. It is desirable to transmit by communication in order to ensure security and to facilitate the processing of the key information and various types of information. Further, each of the consignee side, the sender side, and the collection / delivery side has such It is desirable to have a device capable of communicating information and perform these series of processes. However, in the case of the sender side and the consignee side, it is not necessary to provide a special communication device, and it goes without saying that the above-mentioned collection and delivery device can be used. As a device capable of such communication, a portable communication device suitable for short-distance communication such as infrared rays and Bluetooth in order to minimize security problems such as leakage of communication contents when communicating with a collection / delivery box device. Is adopted.

From the above, in the present specification,
The “consignee side” is a consignee and / or a communication device used by the consignee. The “sender side” is a sender and / or a communication device used by the consignor. Trader side "
Is a collection / delivery company and / or a communication device used by the collection / delivery company, and “the certification body side” is a certification body and / or
Or a communication device used by the certification authority.

As described above, according to the key information issue / acquisition method of the collection / delivery box apparatus according to the present invention, the electronic key information issued by the collection / delivery box apparatus, or a device such as a home server and a portable communication device can be used. It can be easily notified to a specific collection / delivery company.

The key information issued here is digitized in a communicable form and can be issued to the collection / delivery company in units of putting goods into and out of the collection / delivery box apparatus, so that the security is extremely high.

Further, with this configuration, the consignee or the collection / delivery company can install the collection / delivery box device capable of performing short-range wireless communication of the electronic key information with the portable communication device. Even without using a communication device of the type, it is possible to perform an unlocking operation in front of the collection / delivery box device using a portable communication device used by a consignee or a pickup / delivery company. In particular, in the case of the consignee, the key information setting operation, the lock releasing operation, and the like can be performed by the portable communication device, so that it can be easily performed immediately before going out or when returning home. It is possible to handle the collection box device.
Similarly, in the case of a collection / delivery company, a lock release operation or the like can be performed by a portable communication device, so that a collection / delivery worker at the site does not have a physical interface for communication when collecting / delivery. In addition, the collection and delivery box device can be easily handled in front of the user.

When using the key information, the customer and the collection / delivery company do not need to pay attention to the contents of the key information, and there is no input with the ten keys or the like. It is.

In the above invention, the "collection / delivery company", "customer", "sender", "consignee", and "certifying body" are entrusted by these persons and perform the respective functions. (Or consignee), and therefore, "collector / distributor side", "customer side", "sender side", "consignee side",
The “certifying institution side” may be a communication device used by the trustee (or trustee).

[0044]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a collection and delivery method according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the network shown in FIG. 1 and a control system of a home server and a collection and delivery box device. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of FIG. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a home network connected to the home server 2 via the LAN 21 is constructed at the customer's home (upper left in the figure). As a communication method for connecting the home network, other appropriate communication methods such as infrared, wireless LAN, and Bluetooth can be adopted other than the wired LAN shown here. A digital television receiver 3 capable of two-way communication and a collection box device 1 are connected to the home network, and the collection box device 1 is installed adjacent to the outside of the customer's home. This installation location is preferably a location that is easily accessible to, for example, a collection and delivery company, such as in front of the entrance.

As shown in FIG. 1, the pick-up / delivery box device 1 includes an input port 11 for a customer CLT to input an article A,
Storage 12 for temporarily storing articles A input from
An electronic lock-type opening / closing door 13 for the LT or the collection / delivery company 6 to take in / out the article A is provided.

Further, as shown in FIG.
Are CPU 100, ROM 101, RAM 102, LA
An N interface (LAN I / F) 103, a closing sensor 104, a door lock mechanism 105, an output unit 106, and a password receiving unit 107 are provided.

The CPU 100 controls each part of the collection box device 1 connected thereto based on the computer program stored in the ROM 101. The ROM 101 stores various computer programs necessary for the operation of the CPU 100. RA
The M 102 temporarily stores various data generated when the CPU 100 operates, and in the present embodiment, a password storage unit 10 that stores a password for unlocking the door 13.
2a is secured in a part of the area. The LAN interface 103 is an interface for connecting the collection and delivery box device 1 to the LAN 21.

The loading sensor 104 detects the loading of the article A into the loading slot 11 and gives the detection result to the CPU 100. The door lock mechanism 105 is an electronic lock mechanism attached to the door 13, and locks and unlocks the door 13 according to an instruction from the CPU 100. The output unit 106 includes a lamp, a buzzer, a liquid crystal display, and the like. The password receiving unit 107 directly receives a password transmitted from the outside and outputs the received result to the CPU.
Give to 100.

The home server 2 has a CPU 200 and a ROM 20
1, a RAM 202, and a LAN interface (LAN I / F) 203.

The CPU 200 controls each unit of the home server 2 connected thereto based on the computer program stored in the ROM 101. The ROM 201 stores various computer programs necessary for the operation of the CPU 200,
In the present embodiment, the password generation program 201a
And a transaction processing program 201b. The RAM 202 temporarily stores various data generated during the operation of the CPU 200. In the present embodiment, the RAM 202 partially secures an area for storing various information generated during the processing of the transaction processing program 201b. It is. Also, LA
The N interface 203 is an interface for connecting the home server 2 to the LAN 21.

The transaction processing program 201b
Activated when a delivery request and pick-up request for article A are input, transmits a request to this effect to the request destination, activates the password generation program 201a, and issues a password corresponding to this request Then, the personal identification number is assigned to the collection / delivery box device 1 while the password is programmed to be included in the request to the effect.

The home network according to the present embodiment composed of the LAN 21 has an external communication interface (external communication).
The home server 2 is connected to an external network NET via an I / F) 22, and the Internet server 7, 8 (operated by a supermarket or the like that undertakes delivery of side dishes and home delivery) through the network NET. 1 (see FIG. 1). This network NE
In the present embodiment, T means an appropriate network such as the Internet, an extranet, or a dedicated line for a network-compatible mobile phone.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the contents of the mutual processing between the collection / delivery box device 1 and the home server 2 when the customer CLT uses the collection / delivery box device 1 to collect and deliver the goods A to the collection / delivery company 6. The home server 2 stores, in the transaction storage unit 202a of the RAM 202, each piece of information obtained by communication with the collection / delivery box apparatus 1 and each piece of information obtained by communication with a communication apparatus outside the home network.

First, the CPU 100 of the collection and delivery box device 1 monitors the loading of the article A by the loading sensor 104 (step S1).
1), and waits until the insertion is detected (step S11)
With “NO”).

On the other hand, when the input sensor 104 is, for example, the customer CLT
In this case, the CPU 100 of the collection / delivery box device 1 recognizes this when the article A input from the input port 11 is detected by the
“YES” in S11), a request to request the collection and delivery company 6 to pick up the input article A is transmitted to the home server 2 via the LAN interface 103 (step S12).

The CPU 200 of the home server 2
Starts the transaction processing program 201b in response to the reception of the signal from the LAN 21 via the LAN 21, and determines whether or not the received information from the collection and delivery box device 1 is a request to request a pickup (step S22). If the request is a request for a pickup request ("YES" in step S22), CPU 200 activates password generation program 201a, and opens / closes door corresponding to the request.
13 are assigned to the PINs for unlocking, and the assigned PINs are notified to the collection / delivery box device 1 via the LAN interface 203 (step S23).

Then, the CPU 200 of the home server 2 sends a pick-up request corresponding to this request together with the password to a pick-up trader (in the present embodiment, directly the collection / delivery trader 6). Is transmitted to the Internet server 7 of the cleaning company via the LAN interface 203 (step S24).

The CPU 100 of the collection / delivery box device 1 sets, for example, to unlock the opening / closing door 13 by inputting the same personal identification number as the one notified from the home server 2 from outside (step S13). ). Specifically, the password is stored in the password storage unit 102a of the RAM 102, and the door lock mechanism 105 locks the opening / closing door 13.
Then, the CPU 100 is a collection and delivery company from the personal identification number receiving unit 107.
The input of the password is monitored (step S14), and the process waits until the password is input ("NO" in step S14).

On the other hand, when the password is input (“YES” in step S 14), the CPU 100 of the collection and delivery box device 1 stores the input password in the password stored in the password storage unit 102. Authentication is performed by matching
S15). If the authentication is OK (“YE
S ”), the CPU 100 causes the door lock mechanism 105 to unlock the door 13 (step S16), and if the authentication is not OK (“ NO ”in step S15), the output unit 106 informs the error. This error is output by, for example, a buzzer sound, lighting of a lamp, display of a character string indicating an error, etc. Note that the error is reported by an on-site collection and delivery worker as described later. You may make it transmit to the portable communication device used.

The CPU 200 of the home server 2 monitors a delivery request for the article A to be delivered to the collection and delivery box device 1 (step S21). The delivery request is made by the customer CLT by operating the remote controller 4 via the digital television receiver 3 or, for example, from the outdoors from a network-compatible mobile phone or a personal digital assistant (PDA).
network NE by operating the portable communication device 5 (stant)
The information is transmitted to the home server 2 via the T and the external communication interface 22, and is, for example, a home delivery order for a prepared food to a supermarket.

If the received information is not a request for a delivery request (“N” in step S 21)
O ”), the process proceeds to the step S22, and when the request is not a request to request the receipt (“ N ”in the step S22).
O "), and executes other processing (step S27).

On the other hand, CPU 200 of home server 2 determines that the received information is a request for a delivery request (step S21).
"YES") to start the password generation program 201a,
A password for unlocking the door 13 corresponding to the request is assigned, and the assigned password is notified to the collection / delivery box device 1 via the LAN interface 203 (step S25).

Then, the CPU 200 of the home server 2 sends a delivery request in response to the request together with the password to a delivery company (in the present embodiment, directly the collection and delivery company 6). For example, the data is transmitted to the Internet servers 7, 8 such as a cleaning company and a supermarket via the LAN interface 203 (step S26). On the other hand, the CPU 100 of the collection / delivery box device 1
The same processing as steps S13 to S17 is executed.

In this embodiment, the collection and delivery box device is used.
Although 1 is described as having a simple box storage 12, it is also possible to provide additional functions such as heat retention and moisture retention according to the articles A held inside.

In the present embodiment, the assignment of the personal identification number, that is, the issuance of the personal identification number, has been described as being performed by the home server 2. However, the collection and delivery box device 1 is provided with the personal identification number generation program 201a, It is also possible to configure so as to cause the device 1 to issue.

Similarly, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the information is issued by the portable communication device 5 used by the customer CLT and is directly set in the collection / delivery box device 1. Specifically, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, as the portable communication device 5, devices compatible with various communication systems can be adopted. For example, a network-compatible mobile phone, a Bluetooth-compatible mobile information terminal device, an infrared communication-compatible mobile phone, It is possible to adopt a non-contact type IC card or the like. Therefore, as the personal identification number receiving unit 107 of the collection and delivery box device 1, a device corresponding to these communication methods is adopted. These portable communication devices 5 usually include a memory (not shown) for storing a password and a CPU for executing a computer program such as a password generation program 201a. It is easy to have such a function.

Further, not only issuance / setting of a security code, but also the release of the lock of the opening / closing door 13 is performed by the collection / delivery box device 1 using the communication function described above, or the home server 2 and the remote controller 4 are used. Various requests to be made are performed by the portable communication device 5, and a request for the request (hereinafter, referred to as a request)
(Called “request information”) may be transferred to the home server 2 via the pickup box device 1.

Further, similarly, as shown in FIG. 5, the unlocking of the opening / closing door 13 is performed by the collection box by the portable communication device 62 used by the collection / delivery worker 61 who actually picks up and delivers the article A. It is also possible for the device 1 to perform this. In such a case, the communication method, the hardware configuration, and the like of the portable communication device 62 are the same as those of the above-described portable communication device 5 of the customer CLT, and a description thereof will be omitted.

In the above description, the pickup / delivery box device
The relation between the home server 2 and the home server 2 is a client server system in the home network, and the home server 2 manages information related to collection and delivery such as generation of request information and issuance of a personal identification number. It may be configured as a stand-alone type so that all processes are performed by the collection and delivery box device 1.

By the way, besides the case of the collection and delivery in which the request of the customer CLT originates, for example, when the customer CLT places an order for goods by mail order or when a gift is delivered from an acquaintance's home, etc. As shown in FIG. 6, a sender 9 such as a mail order dealer or an acquaintance can use various communication devices 91 such as a network-compatible mobile phone and a personal computer.
Or by using the collection and delivery box device 1 according to the present invention, a request is made by communication to the shipping request receiving communication device 64 operated by the collection and delivery company 6 to which the shipping is requested. Accordingly, the sender 9 generates the shipping request information by using the communication device 91 and transmits the shipping request information to the shipping request receiving communication device 64 directly or indirectly via the network NET.

The collection / delivery company 6 includes a communication device 64 for receiving a shipping request.
Is used to transfer the dispatch request information (which includes a password, which will be described in detail later), to the collection / delivery worker 61 at the site in charge of the corresponding destination area. Collection and delivery workers61
The transfer information is received by the in-vehicle communication device or the portable communication device 62 of the collection and delivery work vehicle 65 used by the collection and delivery worker 61. Here, the transfer information received by the in-vehicle communication device is
A configuration for downloading to the portable communication device 62 is also possible. Of course, it is also possible to configure so that the collection / delivery worker 61 at the site receives the shipping request from the sender 9 directly, but in reality, the processing related to the request reception is performed by the communication device 64 for receiving the request. It is better to centrally manage the data.

Next, an example of a mode of issuing a personal identification number in response to a shipping request will be described with reference to FIGS. In the following description, it is desirable that the consignee (customer CLT), the sender 9 and the collection / delivery company 6 execute the respective processes by the communication device used by each of them as described above. Specifically, the respective communication devices are the collection / delivery box device 1, the home server 2, the portable communication device 5 and the like if they are consignees, and the communication device 91 and the collection / delivery box device if they are the sender 9. 1 and the collection and delivery company 6, the communication device 64 for receiving a delivery request, the portable communication device 62 of the collection and delivery worker 61, and the collection and delivery work vehicle 65 (strictly speaking,
The in-vehicle communication device).

First, referring to FIG. 7, prior to a shipping request to the collection and delivery company 6, the sender 9 checks the customer CLT serving as the consignee.
Is notified of the shipment of article A (step). Upon receiving the shipping notice and accepting it, the consignee issues a personal identification number (step), and sets the issued personal identification number in the collection and delivery box device 1 (step). Then, the consignee sends the same password as that set in the collection and delivery box device 1 together with, for example, information indicating that the consignment has been accepted.
Notify (step). In response to receiving the notification of the personal identification number, the sender 9 makes a shipping request to the collection and delivery company 6, and at this time, passes the notified personal identification number to the collection and delivery company 6 (step).

In a similar manner, as shown in FIG. 8, when the sender 9 gives a notice of the shipment of the article A to the customer CLT as the consignee prior to the dispatch request to the collection and delivery company 6 (step), It is also possible for the consignee who has received the shipping notice to return only the information indicating acceptance of the consignment to the sender 9 without issuing a password (step). In this case, the sender 9 having received the notification of the acceptance of the consignment issues a personal identification number (step) and notifies the consignee of the issued personal identification number (step). Then, the sender 9 makes a delivery request to the collection and delivery company 6 together with the delivery of the password notified to the consignee (step). On the other hand, the consignee
The personal identification number notified from the sender 9 is set in the collection and delivery box device 1 (step).

When the collection / delivery company 6 issues a password, as shown in FIG. 9, the sender 9 first requests the collection / delivery company 6 for shipping (step). Next, the delivery / delivery company 6 that has received the shipping request issues a password (step) and gives a notice of shipping to the consignee (step). here,
This shipping notice indicates that the shipper 9 has received a shipping request for the consignee from the sender 9 or a genuine collection and delivery company 6 who has received a shipping request for the consignee from the sender 9. This includes presentation of information certifying the fact (hereinafter referred to as “shipping request certificate”) and notification of a password issued by the collection and delivery company 6. Then, the consignee who has received such a shipping notice sets the personal identification number included in the shipping notice in the collection and delivery box device 1 (step).

In a similar manner, as shown in FIG. 10, first, a sender 9 requests a delivery to a collection / delivery company (step), and the collection / delivery company 6 that has received the delivery request sends a password together with the above-mentioned delivery request certificate and a personal identification number. Is notified to the consignee (step). Next, the consignee who has received the shipping notice issues a personal identification number (step) and sets the issued personal identification number in the collection / delivery box device 1 (step). Then, the consignee notifies the collection / delivery company 6 of the password (step).

Further, in order to have greater reliability in the shipping notice notified by the collection and delivery company 6 to the consignee,
As shown in FIG. 11, a pre-established collection and delivery company certification organization 600
To authenticate that the collection / delivery company 6 is at least a genuine collection / delivery company, and issue information of the authentication (hereinafter, referred to as “collection / delivery company authentication ID”) (step).
Then, when the delivery / delivery company 6 receives a delivery request from the sender 9 (step), the delivery / delivery company 6 gives a shipping notice including presentation of the delivery / delivery company authentication ID to the consignee (step). The consignee who has received the shipping notice issues a personal identification number (step), sets the issued personal identification number in the collection / delivery box device 1 (step), and notifies the collection / delivery company 6 of the personal identification number (step).

As shown in FIG. 12, it is also possible to issue a collection / delivery company authentication ID from the collection / delivery company certification organization 600 for each shipping request. In this case, for example, it is possible to have the collection and delivery company certification organization 600 issue a password. That is, as the collection / delivery company 6 receives a shipping request from the sender 9 (step), the collection / delivery company 6 sends the collection / delivery company authentication ID 600 and the PIN number corresponding to the shipping request to the collection / delivery company certification organization 600. Have it issued (step). At this time, the collection / delivery company authentication ID may be unique to the shipping request. The collection / delivery company 6 receives the issuance of the personal identification number with the collection / delivery company authentication ID and gives a notice of shipment to the consignee (step). Here, the shipping notice includes notification of a password with the collection / delivery company authentication ID. Then, the consignee who has received such a shipping notice sets the personal identification number included in the shipping notice in the collection and delivery box device 1 (step).

As shown in FIG. 13, it is also possible to substitute the collection / delivery company 6 with a website 63 operated by the collection / delivery company (hereinafter, referred to as “collection / delivery company website”) 63. In this case, the collection / delivery company website 63 is provided with functions such as acceptance and management of a shipping request and issuance of a personal identification number. For example, the collection / delivery company website 63 displays the management number of the received request and information (name,
Various shipping request information such as address, telephone number, breakdown of shipment, etc., and information on consignee (name, address, telephone number, etc.) are posted. Therefore, the sender 9 writes the shipping request information on the collection / delivery company website 63, and the consignee can confirm the shipping request information and receive a password.

In other words, the sender 9 is the collection / delivery company website 6
3 and requesting a shipping on the collection / delivery company website 63 (step). When the dispatch request is completed, the above-described information is posted as one delivery request order on the collection and delivery company website 63, and the sender 9 sends, for example, an e-mail message that forms a part of the collection and delivery company website 63. From the credit web page, an advance notice is sent to the consignee by sending an e-mail to the consignee (step). The e-mail sent to the consignee includes, for example, the URL of the collection / delivery company website 63, and the consignee receiving the URL designates the URL portion, and sends the URL to the collection / delivery company website 63. It can be easily accessed (step). Collection and Delivery Website 63
The consignee who accesses the website confirms that the shipping request corresponding to the shipping notice to himself has been posted on the collection and delivery company website 63, and issues a PIN according to the instructions on the collection and delivery company website 63. Collection and Delivery Website 63
Send to (step). Alternatively, the personal identification number issued by the collection and delivery company website 63 may be received in accordance with the instruction of the collection and delivery company website 63 (step). Then, the consignee sets the password issued in this way in the collection and delivery box device 1 (step).

Similarly, as shown in FIG. 14, instead of the dispatcher 9 notifying the consignee of the dispatch notice, the dispatcher website 63 automatically notifies the consignee of the dispatch notice. Good. That is, first, the sender 9 accesses the collection and delivery company website 63, and makes a delivery request on the collection and delivery company website 63 (step). Once the shipping request is completed,
While the information described above is posted as one delivery request order on the collection / delivery company website 63, the collection / delivery company website 63 sends a notice of delivery in the form of e-mail including the URL of the collection / delivery company website 63 to the consignee. Send to (step). The consignee accesses the collection / delivery company website 63 corresponding to the URL included in the received e-mail (step), and either the collection / delivery company website 63 or the consignee issues a password as described above ( Step,
). Then, the consignee sets the password issued in this way in the collection and delivery box device 1 (step).

In the above embodiment, the pickup / delivery box device
Although the key information used to release the lock 1 has been described as being the same, that is, the so-called “common key method” between the consignee and the collection / delivery company, the so-called “common key method” using two types of key information instead is described. An "asymmetric key method" may be used.

For example, as shown in FIG. 15, the sender 9
The public key is issued, and a shipping notice including the public key is given to the consignee (step). On the other hand, the sender 9 issues a private key and sends a shipping request including the issued private key to the collection and delivery company.
Perform for 6 (step). On the other hand, the consignee sets the public key included in the shipping notice from the sender 9 in the collection and delivery box device 1.

Similarly, as shown in FIG. 16, the sender 9
A delivery notice is given to the consignee (step), and a delivery is requested to the collection / delivery company 6 (step). The consignee receiving the shipping notice issues a public key and a secret key, sets the public key in the collection / delivery box device 1 (step), and hands over the secret key to the collection / delivery company 6 (step).

As in the above two embodiments, the public key held by the consignee is set in the collection / delivery box device 1, while the secret key held by the collection / delivery company 6 is used for encrypting information such as a shipping request. Used. The encrypted information is temporarily stored in the portable communication device 62, for example, by being transferred from the delivery request receiving communication device 64 to the portable communication device 62 of the on-site collection and delivery worker 61, and the like. The data is transmitted from the portable communication device 62 to the collection and delivery box device 1 by an appropriate communication method, and is taken into the collection and delivery box device 1. The collection and delivery box device 1 decrypts the received encrypted information using the public key, and releases the lock, for example, when the decryption is possible. Further, in order to further improve security, further authentication can be performed based on the decrypted content. As described above, the key information need not be the key information itself such as a personal identification number, but may be information encrypted with a key. Further, the key information may adopt a security method such as a digital ID or an electronic signature.

In addition, the collection and delivery box apparatus 1 configured as described above
Can be used not only by the consignee but also by the sender on the shipping side, and thus can be used by both the consignee and the sender.

From this viewpoint, for example, as shown in FIG. 17, when a certain customer CLT stays at a certain business trip destination A (for example, a hotel or the like), the collection and delivery installed at the business trip destination A is performed. Assume that articles A as laundry are deposited in the box device 1 (step). At this time, the customer A designates a “destination” via the collection and delivery box device 1 and obtains a “password” from the collection and delivery box device 1. In such a case, the pickup and delivery box device 1
It is desirable to provide appropriate input means in addition to the configuration described above.

For example, if the customer CLT sets the next destination B (for example, another hotel) as the “destination”, first,
The goods A deposited in the collection / delivery box device 1 of the business trip destination A are picked up by the collection / delivery company 6 (step) and delivered to the cleaning company. Then, the article A is cleaned, for example, by a cleaning company (step), and is again delivered by the collection / delivery company 6 to the collection / delivery box device 1 of the next business trip destination B, which is the “destination” (step).

The customer CLT arriving at the next business trip destination B receives the above-mentioned “PIN” from the collection / delivery box device 1 installed at this business trip destination B.
Cleaned articles stored inside using the
A can be taken out (step).

This is an example, and according to the collection and delivery box device 1 of the present invention using key information in a form that can be transmitted,
Various usage modes can be assumed by using a plurality of collection and delivery box devices 1. Therefore, the application is not limited to the cleaning service as described above, but may be, for example, a mere delivery service. In addition, as described above, the sender and the consignee may be the same and use a plurality of collection / delivery box devices 1, and the sender and the consignee may use a single collection / delivery box device 1 for a station or the like. It may be used like a common locker installed in public facilities.

[0092]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, there is no need for a customer to be at home for pickup and delivery, and a delivery location can be set as close to the customer's home as possible. Also, the collection / delivery company does not need to worry about whether the customer is at home.

Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to issue key information with high security for unlocking the collection / delivery box device and to obtain key information by a collection / delivery company while maintaining security. It can be done without bothering the collection and delivery company.

Further, according to the present invention, the lock can be easily released by the customer and the delivery / delivery company by using the key information having high security as described above.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a collection and delivery method and a collection and delivery box device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a network shown in FIG. 1 and a configuration of a control system of a home server and a collection and delivery box device.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the contents of mutual processing between the collection and delivery box device and the home server in the collection and delivery method according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a form of a customer communication device for operating the collection and delivery box device according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a form of a communication device of a collection and delivery company (particularly, a collection and delivery worker at a site) holding key information.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a distribution route of key information of the collection and delivery box device in response to a shipping request from a sender.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a distribution route of key information of the collection and delivery box device in a case where a sender gives a shipping notice to a consignee.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining another example of the distribution route of the key information of the pickup / delivery box device in a case where the sender gives a shipping notice to the consignee.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a distribution route of key information of the collection and delivery box device when a delivery notice is given to a consignee from a collection and delivery company.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining another example of the distribution route of the key information of the collection / delivery box device when a delivery notice is given from the collection / delivery company to the consignee.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a distribution path of key information of a collection and delivery box device using a certification organization for preventing “spoofing” such as a sender and / or a collection and delivery company.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram for explaining another example of a distribution path of key information of a collection and delivery box device using a certification organization for preventing “spoofing” such as a sender and / or a collection and delivery company.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a distribution path of key information of a collection and delivery box device using a collection and delivery management website (collection and delivery company website).

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram for explaining another example of a distribution path of key information of a collection and delivery box device using a collection and delivery management website (collection and delivery company website).

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a distribution path of key information of the collection and delivery box device using the “asymmetric key method”.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram for explaining another example of a distribution route of key information of the collection and delivery box device using the “asymmetric key method”.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a usage form of the collection and delivery box device using a plurality of collection and delivery box devices.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1… Collection box device 2… Home server 3… Digital television receiver 4… Remote controller 5… Portable communication device 6… Collection and delivery company 7… Internet server 8… Internet server 9… Sender 12… Storage 13 …… Opening door 62 …… Portable communication device 63 …… Collection / delivery company website 64 …… Dispatch acceptance communication device 65 …… (with communication device) Collection and delivery work vehicle 91 …… Communication device 600… … Certification agency of collection and delivery company A …… Goods CLT …… Customer (consignee, sender) NET …… Network

Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-4-1144891 (JP, A) JP-A-11-100107 (JP, A) JP-A-10-177686 (JP, A) JP-A-10-54166 (JP, A) JP-A-2001-98811 (JP, A) JP-A-2000-245616 (JP, A) JP-A-2-101572 (JP, A) JP-A-9-330458 (JP, A) (58) Field (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) E05B 65/00 E05B 49/00-49/04 B65D 91/00 G06K 17/00 G06K 17/60

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] An electronic key for unlocking a door provided on a collection / delivery box device so that a collection / delivery company puts an article requested to be sent by a sender into the collection / delivery box device of the consignee. A method of acquiring and obtaining key information of a collection and delivery box device for obtaining information , wherein a sender notifies a consignee side of a shipment notice of the article, and
Side or the sender issues the key information, and the consignee side
When issuing key information, collect the issued key information
Handover, and the sender issues the key information.
Sends the issued key information to both the recipient and the
Delivery, consignee side, ship's side, and at least one of the collection and delivery agency side, the short-range wireless communication capable portable communication device of the key information to and from the collection and delivery box device, the key information Issuance or delivery of a key information issue / acquisition method for a collection / delivery box device. 2. An electronic key for unlocking a door provided on the collection / delivery box device so that the collection / delivery company can put the article requested to be sent by the sender into the collection / delivery box device of the consignee. a key information issuing method of acquiring the collection and delivery box device to obtain the information, collection and delivery agency side consignee who received the shipment request of goods from dispatch people side
A notice of the shipment of the goods to the person,
Side issues the key information, and the sender issues the key information
In the case where the key information is issued, the
Handover to both sides, and the collection and delivery company issues the key information
If that is delivered to the consignee side the issued key information, consignee side, ship's side, and at least one of the collection and delivery agency side, the short-range wireless of the key information to and from the collection and delivery box device The key information issuance / acquisition method of a collection and delivery box device , wherein the key information is issued or delivered by a portable communication device capable of communication. 3. When ships's side or the collection and delivery trader issues the key information, wherein the shipping notice, claim, characterized in that information specifying the ship's side and / or the collection and delivery trader 2 The key information issuance and acquisition method of the collection and delivery box device described. 4. When the shipping notice includes information for specifying a sender and / or a collection / delivery company, the information includes information indicating that the sender and / or the collection / delivery company have been authenticated by a predetermined certification body. 4. The key information issue / acquisition method for a collection / delivery box device according to claim 3, wherein the key information is acquired. 5. The key information includes two key information of a first key information and a second key information, the consignee holds the first key information, and sends the first key information by the second key information. human side or collection and delivery agency side, the key information issuing method for acquiring collection and delivery box device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 information identifying the ship's side or the collection and delivery trader and wherein the encrypting.