JP4567477B2 - Storage system and storage system control method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for managing a cabinet or the like for storing a stored item such as a document by electrically locking or unlocking the cabinet.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a cabinet system that includes a plurality of cabinets incorporating locking / unlocking devices and that provides a remote terminal device to each user.

  The locking / unlocking device is a device that locks and unlocks the door with an electric actuator, and is controlled by a predetermined management control means. An identification code is assigned to the remote terminal device. And if the said management control means recognizes a user's identification code through a remote terminal device, based on this identification code, it controls a locking / unlocking device so that only the door of the cabinet permitted to the said user is unlocked. It is the composition to do.

  As a prior art related to the invention of the present application, for example, there is one described in Patent Document 1.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-138806

  However, in the above prior art, whether to use each cabinet is set and registered for each user. For this reason, when the importance of the contents stored in the cabinet changes, it is necessary to change the setting of the registration contents regarding use permission / denial for all users, which is very troublesome.

  Then, an object of this invention is to provide the technique which can change the availability of each storage means easily according to the importance change of storage means, such as a cabinet.

The storage system according to the present invention is based on a plurality of storage means having a locking / unlocking device, user determination means for determining a user, and user determination information determined by the user determination means. Management control means for controlling each locking / unlocking device, wherein the management control means includes availability information by security level in which availability of each storage means is associated with a plurality of security levels, and each user. Storing user level assignment information in which one of the security levels is associated with each other and user-specific availability information in which the availability of each storage means is associated with each user and means, on the basis of the user identification information and said user-specific service-availability information to determine the availability of each housing means in response to a user, the said user discriminating information user level split The security level of the user identified based on the information, determines the availability of the respective housing means in accordance with the security level based on the identified security level and said security level by use permission information, the usage Controlling the locking and unlocking operations of each locking / unlocking device based on the determination of availability of each storage means according to the user and the determination of availability of each storage means according to the security level It is.

  The user discrimination means may discriminate the user by reading a unique identification code assigned to the terminal device assigned to the user.

In this case, the management control unit for the storage unit, both of the availability determination contents of each storage unit in response to the user, the availability determination contents of each storage unit in accordance with the security level When it can be used, the locking / unlocking device of the corresponding storage means may be unlocked or unlocked.

Alternatively, the management control unit, for said housing means, and availability determination contents of each storage unit in response to the user, at least one of the availability determination contents of each storage unit in accordance with the security level When it is available, the locking / unlocking device of the corresponding storage means may be brought into an unlockable or unlockable state.

The storage system control method according to the present invention is a storage system control method comprising a plurality of storage means having a locking / unlocking device, wherein (a) the user determination means acquires information for determining the user. And (b) the management control means based on the information for identifying the user and the availability information for each user in which the availability of each storage means is associated with each user. A step of determining whether or not each storage means can be used according to the information, and (c) the management control means corresponds to the information identifying the user and one of a plurality of security levels for each user. A step of identifying the security level of the user based on the assigned user level assignment information, and (d) the management control means for the security level of the user and for each security level Determining the availability of availability based on the security level per service-availability information that associates said each of the storage means in accordance with the security level the particular each housing means Te, (e) the management Control means , based on the contents of the availability determination of each storage means according to the user and the availability determination contents of each storage means according to the security level, the locking operation of each locking and unlocking device and And a step of controlling the release operation.

According to the storage system of the present invention, the management control unit includes the security level availability information in which the availability of each storage unit is associated with a plurality of security levels, and the security level for each user. Storage means storing user level assignment information associated with one of the above and user-specific availability information associating availability of each storage means with each user, the user Based on the discrimination information and the availability information for each user, the availability of each storage means corresponding to the user is determined, and based on the user discrimination information and the user level assignment information, identifying the security level, utilization of the respective housing means in accordance with the security level based on the identified security level and said security level by service-availability information Determining whether the availability determination contents of each storage unit in response to the user, based on the availability determination contents of each storage unit in accordance with the security level, the locking operation of each unlocking device And the release operation is controlled. Therefore, when the importance of the storage means changes, it can be dealt with by changing the availability of each storage means associated with each security level without changing the setting of information for each user. Therefore, the availability of the storage means can be easily changed according to the change in the importance of the storage means. Furthermore, in addition to the importance of the storage means, it is possible to determine whether the storage means can be used in consideration of individual circumstances for the user.

  In this case, when the user discriminating unit discriminates the user by reading the unique identification code assigned to the terminal device, each user uses the terminal device to set the storage system. Available.

Examples of this case, for the storage means, both the availability determination contents of each storage unit in response to the user, the availability determination contents of each storage unit in accordance with the security level, use When it is possible, the structure which makes the locking / unlocking apparatus of a corresponding storage means an unlockable or unlockable state is mentioned.

Alternatively, the management control unit, for said housing means, and availability determination contents of each storage unit in response to the user, at least one of the availability determination contents of each storage unit in accordance with the security level A configuration in which the locking / unlocking device of the corresponding storage means is brought into an unlockable or unlockable state when it is usable.

According to the storage system control method of the present invention, (a) a step of acquiring information by which the user discriminating means discriminates the user, (b) information by which the management control means discriminates the user, and each use Determining whether or not each storage means can be used according to the user based on user-specific availability information that associates the availability of each storage means with the user, and (c) management control The means identifies the security level of the user based on information for identifying the user and user level assignment information in which one of a plurality of security levels is associated with each user. (D) Security management availability means that associates the security level of the user with the availability of each storage means for each security level. And (e) determining whether or not each storage means can be used according to the user , wherein (e) the management control means determines whether or not the storage means can be used according to the specified security level. And a step of controlling a locking operation and a releasing operation of each locking / unlocking device on the basis of the contents and contents for determining whether or not each storage means can be used according to the security level . Therefore, when the importance of the storage means changes, it can be dealt with by changing the availability of each storage means associated with each security level without changing the setting of information for each user. For this reason, the availability of the storage means can be easily changed according to the change in the importance of the storage means. Furthermore, in addition to the importance of the storage means, it is possible to determine whether the storage means can be used in consideration of individual circumstances for the user.

  Hereinafter, a cabinet system and a control method thereof according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

<A: Overall configuration of cabinet system>
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the overall configuration of the cabinet system. This cabinet system includes a plurality of cabinets 10 (three cabinets 10 are shown in FIG. 1) as storage means. Each of these cabinets 10 incorporates a locking / unlocking device 20 (lock device) that can be locked and unlocked by electrical drive (see FIG. 2). Further, an ID card 18 as a terminal device is given to the user of the cabinet 10. Then, the microcomputer 34a as the management control means described in detail later determines the user based on the ID card 18, and whether or not each cabinet 10 can be used based on the determined information, information stored in advance, or the like. And the operation of each locking / unlocking device 20 is controlled based on the determination result. The present invention can be applied to a cabinet system including at least one cabinet 10.

<B: Cabinet configuration>
FIG. 2 is an enlarged front view of a main part showing the cabinet. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cabinet 10 is means for storing a stored item such as a document. Here, the cabinet 10 has a door-type storage portion 12 that can be opened and closed by a door 13 in the upper half, and a drawer-type storage portion 16 that has a three-stage drawer that can be pulled out and pushed in the lower half. Have. But the whole may be a door-type storage part or the whole may be a drawer-type storage part.

  Further, a connecting portion 14 that connects the storage portions 12 and 16 is provided between the door-type storage portion 12 and the drawer-type storage portion 16. A locking / unlocking device 20 is incorporated in the connecting portion 14. The locking / unlocking device 20 is configured by an actuator such as a solenoid 21, for example, and performs the unlocking operation and locking operation by driving the solenoid 21 in accordance with a command from a master unit 30 a described later. When the locking / unlocking device 20 is unlocked, the door-type storage unit 12 and the drawer-type storage unit 16 can be opened. When the locking / unlocking device 20 is locked, the door-type storage unit 12 and the drawer-type storage unit 16 are opened. It becomes impossible.

  In the present embodiment, for the sake of convenience, an example in which the door-type storage unit 12 and the drawer-type storage unit 16 are unlocked or locked together (an example of management in units of cabinets 10) will be described. The door-type storage unit 12 and the drawer-type storage unit 16 may be managed as separate storage units, and may be separately locked or unlocked by separate locking / unlocking devices.

  As the configuration itself for unlocking or locking a predetermined door or drawer by driving an actuator such as the solenoid 21, a well-known configuration using a cam mechanism, a link mechanism, or the like can be appropriately applied.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, the locking / unlocking device 20 has the cylinder lock part 22, and the unlocking / unlocking apparatus 20 is unlocked or unlocked by inserting a key (not shown) into the cylinder lock part 22 and turning it. Can be locked.

  A master unit 30 a and a card reader 40 are incorporated in one of the plurality of cabinets 10. In the other cabinet 10, a slave unit 30b is incorporated.

<C: Electrical configuration of the entire cabinet system>
<C1: Overall configuration>
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the entire cabinet system. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the cabinet system is configured such that a master unit 30 a and a slave unit 30 b incorporated in each cabinet 10 and a management personal computer 50 are connected to each other through a communication line 52. Then, the master unit 30a operates as management control means for controlling each locking / unlocking device 20 in accordance with the user determined while communicating with the other slave unit 30b (this operation will be described in detail later). The function as the management control means may be a configuration realized by the cabinet 10 or a single control means provided outside, or a plurality of control means provided in them may mutually cooperate. It may be a configuration realized by.

<C2: Description of the part incorporating the master unit 30a>
The configuration in the present embodiment will be described more specifically. At least one of the cabinets 10 includes a master unit 30a, a card reader 40, a switch 42, a sensor 44, a light emitting unit 46, and a power supply unit 48. .

  The card reader 40 functions as a user discriminating means for discriminating the user by reading the ID card 18 given to the user. That is, the ID card 18 is a terminal device that stores a card ID as a unique identification code assigned to each user. A preferred example of the ID card 18 is a non-contact IC card. Since the ID card 18 is disposed in the vicinity of the card reader 40, the card reader 40 performs wireless communication with the ID card 18 and reads the card ID stored in the ID card 18. This card ID is given to the master unit 30a as user discrimination information.

  In this case, each user can use the cabinet system by using the ID card 18.

  In addition, as an example of the ID card 18 and the card reader 40, a configuration using a magnetic card, a contact IC card, and the card reader in addition to the non-contact IC card as described above may be used. In addition to a configuration using a card and a card reader, various means for identifying a user using a personal identification number method or information unique to each person such as a fingerprint, vein, retina, voiceprint, etc. A configuration can be employed.

  The master unit 30a outputs a signal to the outside, a microcomputer 34a, a communication circuit unit 35 that relays the microcomputer 34a to the external communication line 52, an input circuit unit 36 for receiving external input, and the like. Output circuit unit 37. The master unit 30a recognizes the presence / absence of the switch 42 operation of the cabinet 10 and the detection result of the sensor 44 through the input circuit unit 36, and the presence / absence of the operation of the switch 42 of each other cabinet 10 through the communication circuit unit 35. And the use of each cabinet 10 is determined based on these recognition results and each table to be described later. Further, according to this determination content, the solenoid 21 and the light emitting unit 46 of the cabinet 10 are controlled through the output circuit unit 37, and each solenoid 21 and the light emitting unit 46 of the other cabinet 10 from the communication circuit unit 35 through the other slave unit 30b. Control etc.

  The microcomputer 34a includes a CPU 31a, a ROM 32a, a RAM 33a, and the like, and operates according to a program stored in the ROM 32a. The RAM 33a stores a user-specific information table shown in FIG. 4 and a security level-specific information table shown in FIG. 5, and functions as a storage unit of the management control means. The microcomputer 34 a of the master unit 30 a determines whether or not each cabinet 10 can be used based on the state of the table 42 and the switch 42 and sensor 44 of each cabinet 10, and the determination result is sent to the slave unit 30 b through the communication line 52. To give. The contents of the user-specific information table and the security level-specific information table, and operations based on them will be described in detail later.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the RAM 33a stores an hourly security level pattern table. Then, the security level information table (see FIG. 5) is updated based on the time security level pattern table. The contents of the hourly security level pattern table and the operation based thereon will be described in detail later.

  Further, the microcomputer 34 a is connected to the switch 42 and the sensor 44 through the input circuit unit 36. The switch 42 is installed on the front panel of the connecting portion 14 (see FIG. 2). When the user operates the switch 42, a signal indicating that the switch 42 is operated is given to the microcomputer 34a through the input circuit portion 36. . That is, the switch 42 functions as an input unit that receives an unlocking instruction. The sensor 44 is means for detecting the open / closed state of the door or the drawer. An open / close detection signal from the sensor 44 is given to the microcomputer 34a via the input circuit section 36.

  The microcomputer 34 a is connected to the solenoid 21 and the light emitting unit 46 via the output circuit unit 37. Then, the solenoid 21 is driven through the output circuit unit 37 and the drive circuit to control the locking / unlocking device 20 and the light emitting operation of the light emitting unit 46 is controlled.

  The power supply unit 48 is means for supplying power to the electrical components of each cabinet 10 including the master unit 30a and the like. FIG. 3 shows only a part of the power supply line.

<C3: Description of the part incorporating the slave unit 30b>
In each cabinet 10 other than the one in which the master unit 30a is incorporated, the slave unit 30b, the switch 42, the sensor 44, and the light emitting unit 46 are incorporated. In the present embodiment, the card reader 40 is omitted, but a configuration having the card reader 40 may be used. In the description here, the same components as those described above are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  The slave unit 30b includes a microcomputer 34b, a communication circuit unit 35 that relay-connects the microcomputer 34b to the external communication line 52, an input circuit unit 36 that receives external input, and a signal output to the outside. Output circuit unit 37.

  The microcomputer 34b includes a CPU 31b, a ROM 32b, a RAM 33b, and the like, and operates according to a program stored in the ROM 32a. When an operation signal from the switch 42 and a detection signal from the sensor 44 are input to the microcomputer 34 b through the input circuit unit 36, a signal corresponding to each input signal is transmitted from the communication circuit unit 35 through the communication line 52. It is transmitted to the microcomputer 34a of 30a. Further, a command relating to the locking operation or unlocking operation of each locking / unlocking device 20 is given from the microcomputer 34 a of the master unit 30 a to the microcomputer 34 b through the communication line 52 and the communication circuit unit 35. The microcomputer 34b controls operations of the locking / unlocking device 20, the light emitting unit 46, and the like according to a command related to the locking operation or the unlocking operation.

<C4: Description of management PC>
The management personal computer 50 is configured by a general personal computer, and is connected to the master unit 30a and the slave unit 30b through the communication line 52 so as to be communicable.

  The table shown in FIGS. 4 and 6 can be set or changed through the management personal computer 50. 6 may be directly rewritten through the management personal computer 50, or a table for one week may be stored in a storage unit (for example, a hard disk device) on the management personal computer 50 side. It may be set and stored, and the table contents for one day may be given to the master unit 30a at a predetermined time (for example, midnight) every day to rewrite the table in the RAM 33a.

  Further, in this system, a history of each user using each cabinet 10, a history of actual unlocking or locking, and the like are temporarily stored in the RAM 33a. The management personal computer 50 collects the history stored in the RAM 33a or the like at a predetermined timing and stores it in the internal storage means.

<C5: Contents of each table>
The user-specific information table shown in FIG. 4 is a table in which each card ID is associated with a user ID, an accessible cabinet number, and a security level.

  The user ID is an identification code assigned to each user, and the user ID of the user is specified by referring to the user-specific information table based on the acquired card ID. Based on the identified user ID, for example, the use history and the like by each user is stored and managed in the management personal computer 50.

  The accessible cabinet number is information regarding the availability of each cabinet 10. For example, each of the 12 digits “101100101101” shown in the second frame from the top in the third column from the left in FIG. 4 is associated with each of the 12 cabinets 10. Indicates whether or not the user can use (access). For example, “0” in each digit indicates that the digit is not usable (access is impossible), and “1” in each digit indicates that the digit is usable (accessible). For example, the cabinet 10 associated with the second, fifth, sixth, eighth, and eleventh digits from the left cannot be used for the user having the card ID “234769”. Cabinet 10 is defined as available.

  The security level represents the security level assigned to the user in this system. That is, in this system, a plurality of security levels are set. Here, for example, security levels of “1”, “2”, “3”, “4”, and “5” are set. For example, a security level “3” is associated with a user having a card ID “234769”. The contents of each security level are defined in the security level-specific information table described below.

  This table by user information is information in which an accessible cabinet number, which is the availability information of each cabinet 10, is associated with the card ID associated with each user, that is, the cabinet for each user. The information includes the availability information for each user that associates 10 availability information. The user-specific information table includes user level assignment information in which one of the security levels is associated with each user. Of course, these pieces of information may be stored as separate tables.

  Such a user-specific information table is set and changed via, for example, an input interface of the management personal computer 50.

  The security level-specific information table shown in FIG. 5 is a table in which an accessible cabinet number is associated with each security level.

  The accessible cabinet number is information regarding the availability of each cabinet 10. For example, twelve digits of “000000000000” shown in the second frame from the top in the right column of FIG. 5 are associated with twelve cabinets 10, respectively. Indicates whether it is possible.

  Here, the cabinets 10 that can be used sequentially from the security level “1” to “5” are increased, that is, the confidentiality is gradually reduced.

  For example, “0” in each digit indicates that the access is not possible (access is impossible), and “1” in each digit indicates that the access is possible. For example, at the security level “1”, all cabinets 10 are defined as unusable, and at the security level “2”, the cabinets 10 associated with the first, second, third, and twelfth digits from the left. Is defined as available and the others are defined as unavailable. At the security level “5”, the cabinets 10 associated with the first to ninth digits from the left are defined to be usable, and the cabinets 10 associated with the tenth to twelfth digits from the left are defined. Is defined as not required.

  In general, the plurality of security levels are ordered in a predetermined order. That is, each security level is defined so that the number of objects of the cabinet 10 that can be used in a predetermined order increases or decreases so that security becomes strict in the predetermined order. However, it does not necessarily have to be ordered according to security.

  This security level-specific information table includes security level-specific availability information that associates the availability of each cabinet 10 with a plurality of security levels.

  Such a security level-specific information table is appropriately set and changed in accordance with, for example, a time-specific security level pattern table.

  The hourly security level pattern table shown in FIG. 6 is a table in which a security level pattern is associated with a change time. The security level pattern is a pattern in which an accessible cabinet number is associated with each security level. In other words, the hourly security pattern table is information (security level-specific availability information for each time zone) defined by associating the security-specific information table (security level availability information) with each predetermined time zone. is there. The time zone mentioned here may be a case where the time zone is distinguished by including the day of the week, the month, etc. in addition to the time in the 24 hours a day.

  In the example shown in FIG. 6, the pattern A is associated with the change time “0:00”, the pattern B is associated with the change time “6:00”, and the change time “12:00”. The pattern C is associated with the pattern, the pattern D is associated with the change time “13:00”, and the pattern E is associated with the change time “18:00”. For example, in pattern A, “000... 000” for security level “1”, “000... 000” for security level “2”, and “000 for security level“ 3 ”. ... 000, security level “4” is defined as “000... 001”, and security level “5” is defined as “010.

<D: Operation>
Hereinafter, the operation of the cabinet system will be described.

<D1: Operation of locking / unlocking>
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the locking / unlocking operation in the cabinet system.

  First, when the user holds the ID card 18 over the card reader 40, the card reader 40 reads the card ID from the ID card 18.

  In step S1, the master unit 30a refers to the user-specific information table and determines whether the read card ID is registered. If it is determined that the read card ID is registered, the process proceeds to step S2.

  In step S2, the master unit 30a determines an accessible cabinet number (that is, availability information of each cabinet) according to the user based on the read card ID and the user-specific information table (see FIG. 4). .

  Subsequently, in step S3, the master unit 30a specifies the security level of the user based on the read card ID and the user-specific information table (see FIG. 4).

  Further, in step S4, the master unit 30a, based on the specified security level and the security level-specific information table (see FIG. 5), the accessible cabinet number corresponding to the security level (usability information on each cabinet). To decide.

  In the following step S5, the master unit 30a uses both the accessible cabinet number determined in step S2 according to the user and the accessible cabinet number determined in step S4 according to the specified security level. Based on the above, whether or not each cabinet 10 can be used is finally determined.

  Here, for each cabinet 10, both the availability determination content of the cabinet 10 according to the user (step S <b> 2) and the availability determination content of the cabinet 10 according to the security level (step S <b> 4) can be used. If it is, it is finally determined that the corresponding cabinet 10 can be used.

  In other words, the accessible cabinet number obtained in step S2 and the accessible cabinet number obtained in step S4 are ANDed for each digit to obtain an accessible cabinet number, which is finally determined. It is said.

  As a specific example, when the accessible cabinet number obtained in step S2 is “101100101101” and the accessible cabinet number obtained in step S4 is “0000011111111”, the finally available accessible cabinet number is determined. Becomes “00000001101”.

  When the final determination of availability for each cabinet 10 is made in step S5, the process proceeds to step S6. In step S6, the master unit 30a determines whether there is an available cabinet 10 based on the final determination content. If it is determined that there is no usable cabinet 10, the process proceeds to step S13, a card error is displayed on the display unit (not shown), and the process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that there is a usable cabinet 10 in step S6, the process proceeds to step S7, and the unlocking device 20 of the cabinet 10 that can be used in the following processing is made unlockable.

  That is, in step S7, the master unit 30a blinks the light emitting unit 46 corresponding to the available cabinet 10. When a plurality of cabinets 10 are available, all the light emitting units 46 corresponding to the available cabinets 10 are blinked. Thus, the user can recognize all the available cabinets 10.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S8, and the master unit 30a determines whether or not the switch 42 is operated. Until the switch 42 is operated, the process proceeds to step S7 and the operation of blinking the light emitting unit 46 is repeated.

  On the other hand, if the user operates the switch 42 of the cabinet 10 that can be used by the light emitting unit 46 as a clue, it is determined in step S8 that the switch 42 is operated, and the process proceeds to step S9. In step S9, the master unit 30a performs the unlocking operation of the locking / unlocking device 20 of the cabinet 10 in which the switch 42 is operated. Thus, the user can use the cabinet 10 by opening the door or pulling out the drawer.

  Thereby, the process regarding unlocking is completed. When the user closes the door or pushes in the drawer after the use is completed, this is detected by the sensor 44, and the locking / unlocking device 20 performs the locking operation.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1 that the card ID is not registered, the process proceeds to step S10.

  In step S10, it is determined whether or not there is a lost registration. The presence / absence of lost registration is stored in advance in the RAM 33a, for example, and the presence / absence of lost registration is determined based on this prestored information. If it is determined in step S10 that there is a lost registration, the process proceeds to step S11. In step S11, notification is performed using a notifying means (not shown) such as a buzzer. This prevents unauthorized use using the ID card 18 registered for loss.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S10 that there is no lost registration, the process proceeds to step S12. In step S12, card error processing is performed and the processing is terminated.

<D1a: Modified example regarding determination of availability of cabinet>
In step S5, for each cabinet 10, the content of determining whether to use the cabinet 10 according to the user (step S2) and the details of determining whether the cabinet 10 can be used according to the security level (step S4). When at least one of them is available, in other words, the accessible cabinet number obtained in each of steps S2 and S4 is logically ORed for each digit to obtain an accessible cabinet number. May be the final decision. In this case, for example, the cabinet 10 that cannot be used as judged from the accessible cabinet number for each user can be used depending on the time zone.

  Further, step S2 may be omitted. In this case, in step S5, the availability of each cabinet 10 is determined according to the content determined in step S4, that is, the accessible cabinet number corresponding to the security level specified corresponding to the user.

<D1b: Modification regarding unlocking operation>
When returning to step S7 after step S8, the elapsed time from a predetermined reference time such as when the card ID is read or when the light emitting unit 46 starts blinking is checked, and if it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed, the light emission is performed. You may make it complete | finish the process regarding unlocking by turning off blinking of the part 46. FIG.

  Moreover, after performing unlocking operation | movement once by step S9, it may return to step S6 and may make another cabinet 10 usable. In this case, for example, the processing related to unlocking may be terminated after a predetermined time has elapsed since the predetermined reference time.

  Furthermore, the processing after it is determined that there is an available cabinet in step S6 in FIG. 7 may be performed in steps S21 to S25 shown in FIG.

  That is, if it is determined in step S6 that there is a usable cabinet 10, the process proceeds to step S21. In step S21, the light emitting units 46 corresponding to the available cabinets 10 are blinked. When a plurality of cabinets 10 are available, all the light emitting units 46 corresponding to the plurality of cabinets 10 are blinked. Thus, the user can recognize the available cabinet 10.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S22, and it is determined whether or not the switch 42 is operated. Until the switch 42 is operated, the process returns to step S21 to repeat the operation of blinking the light emitting unit 46.

    On the other hand, when the user operates the switch 42 of the cabinet 10 that can be used by the light emitting unit 46 as a clue, it is determined in step S22 that there is a switch operation, and the process proceeds to step S23.

  In step S23, the unlocking operation of the locking / unlocking device 20 of the cabinet 10 in which the switch 42 is operated is performed. In addition, the operation acceptance of other switches 42 is stopped. That is, for each cabinet 10 except the cabinet 10 unlocked in step S22, the operation acceptance of the switch 42 is stopped and the locked state is maintained. Thereby, only the single cabinet 10 can be utilized.

  Then, it progresses to step S24 and it is judged whether use of the unlocked cabinet 10 was complete | finished. This determination is made, for example, by determining whether the door is closed or the drawer is pushed based on the output from the sensor 44 provided in each cabinet 10. If it is determined in step S24 that the use of the cabinet 10 has been completed, the process proceeds to the next step S25.

  In step S25, it is determined whether or not a predetermined end condition is satisfied. An example of the termination condition here is an example in which it is determined that the termination condition is satisfied when a predetermined time elapses from a predetermined reference time such as when reading a card ID or when the light emitting unit 46 starts blinking. it can.

  If it is determined in step S25 that the end condition is not satisfied, the process returns to step S21, and the processes in steps S21 to S25 are repeated.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S25 that the termination condition is satisfied, the unlocking process is terminated.

  In the processing shown in FIG. 8, when the management control unit receives an unlocking instruction through one switch 42 among a plurality of switches 42 associated with each cabinet 10 as each storage unit, the management control unit receives the instruction. Processing for causing the locking / unlocking device 20 corresponding to the switch 42 to perform the unlocking operation, stopping the reception of the unlocking instruction to the other switches 42 and preventing the other locking / unlocking devices 20 from performing the unlocking operation. It is. When the management control means determines that the use of the cabinet 10 corresponding to the locking / unlocking device 20 is ended based on the output of the sensor 44 after the unlocking operation of the locking / unlocking device 20 is completed, the other switch 42 This is processing for resuming reception of unlocking instructions and enabling the unlocking operation of other locking / unlocking devices 20.

  From another point of view, after one of the plurality of locking / unlocking devices 20 performs the unlocking operation, until the locking / unlocking device 20 performs the locking operation, the other locking / unlocking devices are unlocked. This is a process that prevents the process from being performed.

  Thereby, while one user is using one cabinet 10, it can be made the state where other cabinets 10 do not open. Thereby, the use of only one user using the ID card 18 can be prevented, and the security can be further improved.

  Further, after step S6, the available locking / unlocking device 20 of the cabinet 10 may be unlocked without operating the switch 42. However, the operation of the locking / unlocking device 20 after waiting for the operation of the switch 42 can be unlocked in accordance with the actual use timing of each cabinet 10, so that the security is excellent.

<D2: Table rewriting operation>
Further, in this cabinet system, the security level-specific information table shown in FIG. 5 can be rewritten according to the time zone. For example, when this cabinet system is installed in an office, the number of people is relatively high during daytime work, so security is set moderately to improve convenience, while the number of people is relatively low at night and during lunch breaks. This is to enable operations such as setting security strictly.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing processing for rewriting the security level-specific information table.

  That is, the hourly security level pattern table shown in FIG. 6 is stored in the RAM 33a of the master unit 30a. As shown in step S9, the master unit 30a determines whether or not the current time is the security level pattern change time based on the hourly security level pattern table and the current time measured by the time measuring means. If it is determined that it is the security level pattern change time, the process proceeds to the next step S32.

  In step S32, the master unit 30a selects a security level pattern corresponding to the change time, and rewrites the stored contents of the RAM 33a so that the security level-specific information table shown in FIG. 5 is replaced with the selected security level pattern. The

  For example, in the example shown in FIG. 6, the pattern A is rewritten at time “0:00”, the pattern B is rewritten at time “6:00”, the pattern C is rewritten at time “12:00”, and the time “13:00” is rewritten. The pattern D is rewritten to “D”, and the pattern E is rewritten to “18:00”.

  Thereby, the information table classified by security level shown in FIG. 5 is rewritten with different contents (security) for each time zone.

  By performing such a table rewriting operation, it is possible to determine whether each cabinet 10 can be used with appropriate security according to the time zone. In addition, since the master unit 30a automatically rewrites the security level pattern, forgetting to set the security level can be prevented.

  A table for one week is set and stored in a storage unit (for example, a hard disk device) on the management personal computer 50 side, and the table contents for one day are given to the master unit 30a every day at a predetermined time. The configuration in which the hourly security level pattern table shown is rewritten has the following advantages. That is, since it is only necessary to store the hourly security level pattern table for one day in the RAM 33a, the storage capacity of the RAM 33a can be made relatively small. In addition, in the case where inconvenience occurs on the management personal computer 50 side, the above-described locking / unlocking operation may be performed based on the hourly security level pattern table of the previous day, so that the operation is continued without causing any major problems. Can be made.

  Note that the operation of rewriting according to the time zone may be omitted.

  Further, the security level pattern may be changed according to an individual command through the management personal computer 50 or the like without depending on the hourly security level pattern table.

  For example, when there is an illegal intrusion at the installation location, if an emergency lock request is input through the management personal computer 50 or the like, the pattern may be changed to a pattern having the highest security level.

  Further, for example, when a disaster such as a fire occurs at the installation location, if an emergency release request is input through the management personal computer 50 or the like, the pattern may be changed to a pattern having the lowest security level.

<Summary>
According to the cabinet system configured as described above and its control method, the security level of the user is specified based on the read card ID and the user-specific information table (see FIG. 4), and the specified security level is determined. Based on the security level-specific information table (see FIG. 5), an accessible cabinet number (usability information on each cabinet) corresponding to the security level is determined. Then, with reference to the accessible cabinet number corresponding to the security level, the availability of each cabinet 10 is finally determined, and the locking and unlocking operations of the locking / unlocking device 20 are controlled based on the determination result.

  For this reason, for example, when the importance of the contents stored in the cabinet 10 changes and the necessity of maintaining confidentiality of the cabinet 10 changes, the availability information for each user is changed. This can be dealt with by changing the setting of the accessible cabinet number for each security level (see FIG. 5). For example, when the necessity of maintaining confidentiality for a predetermined cabinet 10 becomes high, the setting is changed so that the corresponding cabinet 10 can be used only in the case of the highest security level 1.

  Here, since such a cabinet system is normally assumed to be used by a large number of users, it is used for a predetermined cabinet 10 rather than changing availability information for a predetermined cabinet 10 for each user. It is easier to change the availability information for each security level with fewer changes.

  For this reason, the availability of the cabinet 10 can be easily changed according to the importance change of the cabinet 10.

  In addition, an accessible cabinet number corresponding to the user is determined based on the read card ID and the user-specific information table (see FIG. 4), and the accessible cabinet number corresponding to the user is identified as described above. Since the availability of each cabinet 10 is finally determined based on both the accessible cabinet number corresponding to the security level, the availability of the storage means is determined in consideration of individual circumstances for the user. it can. For example, it is possible for the chief officer at the installation location of the system to make settings so that all cabinets 10 can be used regardless of the security level, or settings so that all cabinets 10 cannot be used regardless of the security level. is there.

  In this case, based on both the accessible cabinet number corresponding to the user and the accessible cabinet number corresponding to the specified security level, logical operation or the like is performed to determine whether each cabinet 10 can be used. Since the final decision has been made, for example, the amount of information stored in advance can be reduced rather than registering the availability of each cabinet 10 for each user for each security level. Then, the availability of each cabinet 10 can be finally determined by a quick search and a relatively simple calculation process. For this reason, the process from reading the card ID to unlocking can be processed relatively quickly. In addition, the amount of storage means such as RAM can be reduced.

<Other variations>
A plurality of master units 30a may be provided. In this case, a plurality of cabinets 10 are divided into a plurality of groups, and one master unit 30a is assigned to each group. Each master unit 30a determines whether or not each group can be used, and is locked and unlocked. The structure to control may be sufficient.

  Further, when each electrical component of the cabinet 10 fails, the predetermined cabinet 10 may be disconnected from the management personal computer and operated. In this case, the operation may be performed by separating the cabinet 10 units, a predetermined group unit, or the like. When separating, it is better to be able to lock and unlock manually using a key.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the whole structure of a cabinet system. It is a principal part enlarged front view which shows a cabinet. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical constitution of the whole cabinet system. It is a figure which shows the example of an information table classified by user. It is a figure which shows the example of the information table classified by security level. It is a figure which shows the example of a security level pattern table according to time. It is a flowchart which shows the locking / unlocking operation | movement in a cabinet system. It is a flowchart which shows the modification of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the process which rewrites the information table classified by security level.

Explanation of symbols

10 cabinet 18 ID card 20 locking / unlocking device 21 solenoid 30a master unit 30b slave unit 33a RAM
34a, 34b Microcomputer 40 Card reader 42 Switch 44 Sensor 46 Light emitting unit 50 Management personal computer

Claims (5)

A plurality of storage means having a locking and unlocking device;
User identification means for identifying a user;
Management control means for controlling each locking / unlocking device based on the user discrimination information discriminated by the user discrimination means;
With
The management control means includes
Security level availability information associating availability of each storage means with a plurality of security levels, user level assignment information associating one of the security levels with each user, , Storage means storing user availability information that associates the availability of each storage means with each user ,
Based on the user identification information and the user-specific availability information, the availability of each storage means corresponding to a user is determined, and based on the user identification information and the user level assignment information Specify the security level of the user, determine the availability of each storage means according to the security level based on the identified security level and the availability information by security level,
Control the locking operation and the releasing operation of each locking / unlocking device based on the contents for determining availability of each storage means according to the user and the contents for determining availability of each storage means according to the security level. Storage system. The storage system according to claim 1,
The user discrimination means is
A storage system that discriminates a user by reading a unique identification code assigned to the terminal device assigned to the user.   The storage system according to claim 1 or claim 2,
  The management control means is capable of using both the contents for determining availability of each storage means according to a user and the contents for determining availability of each storage means according to the security level. In some cases, a storage system that makes the locking / unlocking device of the corresponding storage means unlockable or unlockable.   The storage system according to claim 1 or claim 2,
  The management control means can use at least one of the contents for determining whether or not each storage means can be used according to a user and the contents for determining whether or not each storage means can be used according to the security level. In this case, the storage system that makes the locking / unlocking device of the corresponding storage means unlockable or unlockable.   A storage system control method comprising a plurality of storage means having a locking and unlocking device,
  (A) a step of acquiring information for determining a user by a user determining means;
  (B) The management control means responds to the user based on the information for identifying the user and the availability information for each user in which the availability of each storage means is associated with each user. Determining whether or not each storage means can be used;
  (C) The management control means, based on the information for identifying the user and the user level assignment information in which one of a plurality of security levels is associated with each user, Identifying the security level;
  (D) The management control means is identified based on the security level of the user and the availability information by security level that associates the availability of each storage means with each security level. Determining whether or not each storage means can be used according to a security level;
  (E) The management control unit is configured to determine whether to use each storage unit according to the user and whether to use each storage unit according to the security level. Controlling the locking and unlocking operations of the device;
  Control method of storage system provided with.

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