JP5296650B2 - Electronic padlock - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic padlock which prohibits the electronic padlock from being unlocked and locked at an unauthorized place other than a delivery center, or records a history of its unlocking and locking. <P>SOLUTION: The electronic padlock 10 includes: (a) a battery 32; (b) a motor 21 for moving a locking means to a locking position or to an unlocking position; (c) an electronic-key-registration-information storage means 46 for storing electronic-key-registration information; (d) a control means 40 for applying an electric current to the motor 21 and controlling the motor 21 when electronic-key-permission information conforms to the electronic-key-registration information; and (e) a history storage means 43 for storing the locking time or the unlocking time by the electronic-key-permission information and an electronic key. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic padlock that has a detachable joint shaft and locking means for locking the joint shaft and is locked or unlocked by an electronic key having a key identification number stored therein.

Conventionally, electronic padlock systems have been sold.
The electronic key has a battery and a key identification number. The electronic padlock can be unlocked with a detachable joint shaft, a locking means for locking the joint shaft, a cylinder for moving the locking means to the locking position and the unlocking position, and a rotation locking means for locking the rotation of the cylinder. Key identification number storage means for storing a key identification number of a simple electronic key.
When an electronic key is attached to the electronic padlock, the control circuit is driven by obtaining power from the electronic key, reads the key identification number of the electronic key, and matches the key identification number stored in the key identification number storage means When doing so, the locked state of the rotation lock means is released.
Thereby, the user can rotate the cylinder to perform unlocking or locking.
The unlocking / locking time, the user, and the like are stored in the electronic key, and are read into the PC as data when the electronic key is returned to the key storage.
Here, the conventional system has a key called a programming key in addition to the electronic key. The programming key is a key for writing necessary information such as a key identification number, which is attached to the electronic padlock and newly unlocked, into the electronic padlock.

On the other hand, the courier system currently uses, for example, a truck that is empty in Hokkaido and passes through the suburbs of Nagoya when trying to move luggage from Hokkaido to Nagoya. Widely used for cost reduction.
In that case, they are loaded at a collection / delivery center in Hokkaido and unloaded at a collection / delivery center in Nagoya, but a padlock is attached along the way to prevent the driver from accessing the package. However, since the padlock key was delayed when sent separately, the driver had to leave it with the driver, so the security of the luggage was defective. That is, there is a possibility that a trouble may occur in the middle of the driver's use of a padlock in the service area of the highway.

  On the other hand, Patent Document 1 has a key opening / closing device including a key opening / closing mobile phone in a trunk, and the mobile phone number on the recipient side is registered in advance. A technique is described in which a base station sends a signal to a mobile phone for key opening / closing by driving a key opening / closing device by making a phone call to the base station using a mobile phone. Patent Document 1 further describes that the cellular phone for key opening / closing has a GPS function, and confirms a trunk route.

JP 2006-69753 A

However, the conventional commercially available system has the following problems.
That is, when unlocking and locking is performed with a regular electronic key, the unlocking time and the locking time can be stored. For example, a rotation lock means (solenoid or the like) can be stored using a substitute for the electronic key. Since the history such as the unlocking time and the locking time could not be stored, it was not possible to detect whether or not the electronic padlock was unlocked on the way. In other words, since there is no battery on the electronic padlock side, when unlocked / locked with another electronic key, there is no history on the electronic padlock side, and the fact that it was unlocked can be grasped. There wasn't.
Therefore, there was a problem that part of the luggage was lost along the way.
Originally, it should have been unlocked only at the distribution center, but it was completely defenseless against being unlocked and locked at a place other than the designated place such as the distribution center.

  The present invention is for solving the above-mentioned problems, and prohibits the electronic padlock from being unlocked / locked at an unauthorized place other than the distribution center, or leaves a history of unlocking / locking. The purpose is to provide an electronic padlock that can be used.

In order to achieve the above object, the electronic padlock of the present invention has the following configuration.
(1) An electronic padlock having a detachable joint shaft and a lock means for locking the joint shaft, and being locked or unlocked by an electronic key storing electronic key permission information, (a) a battery (B) lock drive means for moving the lock means to the locked position or unlock position, (c) electronic key registration information storage means for storing electronic key registration information, and (d) electronic key permission information, Lock control means for driving the lock drive means by supplying current to the lock drive means when it coincides with the electronic key registration information, and (e) electronic key permission information and the lock time or unlock time by the electronic key are stored. having a history storage unit, a, (f) to have the registration GPS area storage means for storing an openable permission area and (g) the electronic key, given from the GPS device G (H) The lock control means has GPS information stored in the GPS storage means within the permitted area and the valid time has not elapsed. In addition, the lock driving means is driven.
Here, for example, the GPS device is built in a control device fixed in the distribution center, and outputs the detected GPS information. Therefore, constant GPS information is always output.
(2) An electronic padlock having a detachable joint shaft and locking means for locking the joint shaft, and being locked or unlocked by an electronic key storing electronic key permission information, (a) a battery (B) lock drive means for moving the lock means to the locked position or unlock position, (c) electronic key registration information storage means for storing electronic key registration information, and (d) electronic key permission information, Lock control means for driving the lock drive means by supplying current to the lock drive means when it coincides with the electronic key registration information, and (e) electronic key permission information and the lock time or unlock time by the electronic key are stored. It has a history storage means and (i) a destination indicator .

(3) In the electronic padlock described in (1) or (2), the unlocking position detecting means that detects that the locking means is in the unlocked position and the history storage means are detected by the unlocking position detecting means. The unlocked time is stored .
Oite the electronic padlock as described in (4) (1), the electronic key, the electronic key permission information, the write GPS information, and the valid time information, characterized in that it is a smart phone. The smartphone incorporates a GPS device and outputs GPS information detected by the GPS device.

( 5 ) An electronic padlock that has a detachable joint shaft and a lock means for locking the joint shaft, and is locked or unlocked by an electronic key in which electronic key permission information is stored. Having electronic key storage means for storing electronic key permission information, GPS information given from the GPS device, and valid time; an electronic padlock; (a) battery; and (b) lock means unlocking position and unlocking Lock driving means for moving to a position; (c) electronic key registration information storage means for storing electronic key registration information; (d) registered GPS area storage means for storing an openable / closable permission area; and (e) an electronic key. When the permission information matches the electronic key registration information, the GPS information is in the permission area, and the valid time has not passed, a current is passed through the lock driving means. It has a lock control means for driving the click drive means.
( 6 ) In the electronic padlock described in ( 5 ), the electronic key permission information, the GPS information, and the valid time information are written to the electronic key by a smartphone.

Next, the operation and effect of the electronic padlock of the present invention having the above configuration will be described.
(1) An electronic padlock having a detachable joint shaft and a lock means for locking the joint shaft, and being locked or unlocked by an electronic key storing electronic key permission information, (a) a battery (B) lock drive means for moving the lock means to the locked position or unlock position, (c) electronic key registration information storage means for storing electronic key registration information, and (d) electronic key permission information, Lock control means for driving the lock drive means by supplying current to the lock drive means when it coincides with the electronic key registration information, and (e) electronic key permission information and the lock time or unlock time by the electronic key are stored. History storage means, so that the state of the motor 21, the state of the locking cam 16 and the like can be checked by the battery. Even if it is driven by being conductive, can save time lock drive means is driven such as history, it is possible to check the occurrence of an abnormal state.
Further, (f) having a registered GPS area storage means for storing an openable / closable permission area, and (g) an electronic key having a GPS storage means for storing GPS information given from a GPS device and an effective time. (H) Since the lock control means is characterized in that the lock driving means is driven when the GPS information stored in the GPS storage means is within the permitted area and the valid time has not elapsed. For example, even when an attempt is made to unlock the electronic key using a copy of the electronic key, the unlocking cannot be performed at a place other than a regular sales office. The effective time is normally set to about 10 minutes. According to this, even if GPS information is properly stored in the electronic key at a regular sales office, it cannot be unlocked after 10 minutes and cannot be unlocked at a place other than the regular sales office.
Further, when unlocked, only unlocking / locking information is stored as a history, and if GPS information is not stored or GPS information other than the distribution center is stored, follow-up investigation can be performed.

(2) An electronic padlock having a detachable joint shaft and locking means for locking the joint shaft, and being locked or unlocked by an electronic key storing electronic key permission information, (a) a battery (B) lock drive means for moving the lock means to the locked position or unlock position, (c) electronic key registration information storage means for storing electronic key registration information, and (d) electronic key permission information, Lock control means for driving the lock drive means by supplying current to the lock drive means when it coincides with the electronic key registration information, and (e) electronic key permission information and the lock time or unlock time by the electronic key are stored. History storage means, so that the state of the motor 21, the state of the locking cam 16 and the like can be checked by the battery. Even if it is driven by being conductive, can save time lock drive means is driven such as history, it is possible to check the occurrence of an abnormal state.
(I) Since it has a destination indicator, the electronic padlock is compatible with the lock that is fixed to the trunk of the truck. You can use it, but you can correct the mistake by checking the destination indicator.

(3) Also, in the electronic padlock described in (1) or (2), the unlocking position detecting means for detecting that the locking means is in the unlocked position, and the history storage means are the unlocking position detecting means. It memorizes the unlocking time detected by, so that the joint shaft was moved even when the lock shaft was forcibly released and the joint shaft was moved without driving the lock drive device. Therefore, the time can be stored in the history, and the occurrence of an abnormal state can be specified.
As a security method, it is best that the cargo does not cause troubles such as theft, but it requires a great deal of cost to construct a system for that purpose. Compared to this, if the unlocking / history of the electronic padlock is securely stored, it is possible to perform a follow-up survey after a trouble has occurred, so that sufficient security can be ensured. In particular, a crime prevention effect can be expected by notifying the driver that the history is stored.

(4) Oite the electronic padlock as described in (1), the electronic key, the electronic key permission information, GPS information, and write the valid time information, so characterized in that it is a smart phone, If you install the program on a commercially available smartphone, connect the electronic key to the smartphone using the dedicated connector for the electronic key, and enter the password using the touch panel of the smartphone, you can perform personal authentication, the smartphone The access authority can be confirmed by communicating with the base server using the communication function, so that necessary data can be written to the electronic key, and it is necessary easily and inexpensively in a wide area of the distribution center. The number of smartphones can be installed, and work efficiency can be increased. Even when one control device is arranged in the distribution center, the cost can be reduced by using a smartphone.

( 5 ) An electronic padlock that has a detachable joint shaft and a lock means for locking the joint shaft, and is locked or unlocked by an electronic key in which electronic key permission information is stored. Having electronic key storage means for storing electronic key permission information, GPS information given from the GPS device, and valid time; an electronic padlock; (a) battery; and (b) lock means unlocking position and unlocking Lock driving means for moving to a position; (c) electronic key registration information storage means for storing electronic key registration information; (d) registered GPS area storage means for storing an openable / closable permission area; and (e) an electronic key. When the permission information matches the electronic key registration information, the GPS information is in the permission area, and the valid time has not passed, a current is passed through the lock driving means. And lock control means for driving the click drive means, because it has a, for example, even if you try to open the lock to using a copy of the electronic key, can not be unlocked at a location other than the regular sales office. The effective time is normally set to about 10 minutes. According to this, even if GPS information is properly stored in the electronic key at a regular sales office, it cannot be unlocked after 10 minutes and cannot be unlocked at a place other than the regular sales office.
Therefore, even if the unlocking history is not stored, the unlocking is not performed at a place other than the regular sales office, so that the possibility that the conveyed product is lost along the route can be reduced.
( 6 ) In the electronic padlock described in ( 5 ), the electronic key permission information, the GPS information, and the valid time information are written to the electronic key by a smartphone. If you install a program on a commercially available smartphone and connect the electronic key to the smartphone using a dedicated connector for the electronic key, you can write the necessary data to the electronic key while performing personal authentication and access authority confirmation. Therefore, the required number of smartphones can be installed inexpensively and easily in a wide area of the distribution center, so that work efficiency can be increased.

It is sectional drawing which shows the locked state of the electronic padlock 10 which is one Example of this invention. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an unlocked state of an electronic padlock 10. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in the middle of locking of an electronic padlock 10. FIG. 1 is an external view of an electronic padlock 10 and an electronic key 9. FIG. 1 is a bottom view of an electronic padlock 10. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of an electronic padlock 10. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of an unlocking / locking program 45 of the control means 40 of the electronic padlock 10; It is a flowchart which shows the control effect | action of the control apparatus 51 of a delivery center. It is explanatory drawing which shows a delivery system.

Hereinafter, an embodiment embodying an electronic padlock according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 4 shows an external view of the electronic padlock 10 and the electronic key 9. FIG. 5 shows a bottom view of the electronic padlock 10. The electronic padlock 10 has a U-shaped joint shaft 12 whose one end is detachable from the lock body 11. The electronic key 9 includes an LED 9a and a pair of contact terminals 9b. Display means (indicator) 8 is attached to the upper surface of the electronic padlock 10. In the present embodiment, the display on the display means 8 is a two-digit number. The operator can confirm the destination by numbers.
1, 2, and 3 are cross-sectional views showing the configuration of the electronic padlock 10. FIG. 1 shows a state where the short shaft 12b is inserted and locked in the lock body 11 (locked state), and FIG. 2 shows a state where the short shaft 12b is detached from the lock body 11 (unlocked state). Yes. FIG. 3 shows a state where the short shaft is inserted into the lock body 11 but is not yet locked.
On the upper surface of the lock body 11 made of metal and having a hollow portion 11d, a short shaft hole 11a into which the short shaft 12b of the joint shaft 12 is detachably inserted and a long shaft hole into which the long shaft 12a is inserted. 11b is formed. Further, a lateral hole 11c that connects the short shaft hole 11a and the long shaft hole 11b is formed. A pair of locking balls 14 and 15 are attached to the lateral hole 11c with a flat-shaped locking cam 16 interposed therebetween. A protrusion (not shown) is formed at the entrance of the horizontal hole to prevent the lock balls 14 and 15 from coming out.
At the center of the locking cam 16, the tip of the rotating shaft 18 is fixed. The distal end surface of the rotary shaft 18 is rotatably held by a resin pressing plate 17.

A resin case 13 is attached to the hollow portion 11 d of the lock body 11. The resin-made case 13 is used because the electronic padlock 10 for home delivery is used outdoors and is therefore waterproof.
A convex portion 13c is formed on the upper surface of the case 13, and the rotary shaft 18 is rotatably held in a holding hole 13d formed in the convex portion 13c. In the case 13, a holding hole 13e having a slightly larger diameter is formed continuously to the holding hole 13d, and the holding hole 13e also holds the rotating shaft 18 rotatably.
The case 13 is formed with a battery housing hole 13a for housing two dry batteries 32. Further, a guide hole 13b for slidably holding the long shaft 12a is formed. A long shaft 12a is slidably mounted in the guide hole 13b. A retaining member 12f is fixed to the long shaft. The retaining member 12 f is guided by the guide hole 13 h of the case 13 and functions as a retaining member for preventing the long shaft 12 a from being detached from the lock body 11.

The case 13 is formed with a notch sliding hole 13f for slidably holding a sliding notch 24 for detecting the long shaft 12a. An urging spring 25 is attached to the notch sliding hole 13f, and the urging spring 25 urges the sliding notch 24 in a direction to contact the long shaft 12a.
A hollow portion 13g is formed at the center of the case 13, and includes a motor 21 for rotating the rotating shaft, a motor gear 20 fixed to the rotating shaft of the motor 21, and a rotating shaft 18 fixed to the motor gear 20. A rotary shaft gear 19 engaged with the rotary shaft 18, a detection plate 22 fixed to the lower end of the rotary shaft 18 and formed with a detection notch 22a, and a lock position detection switch 23 which is a limit switch for detecting the detection notch 22a. The long shaft confirmation switch 26, which is a limit switch for confirming the position of the long shaft by the sliding notch 24, and the electronic key 9 are mounted, and the electronic key mounting portion 28 for contacting the contact of the electronic key 9 is housed. Has been.
The wiring of the motor 21, the locking position detection switch 23, the long shaft confirmation switch 26, and the like, and the control means 40 are not shown because they are complicated in the drawing.
The opening 11 e of the hollow portion 11 d of the lock body 11 is closed by the body lid 27. As shown in FIG. 5, the main body lid 27 is formed with an insertion port 29 for the electronic key 9, a battery insertion lid 30, and a mini USB terminal 35.
The mini USB terminal 35 is a terminal for connecting the control means 51 of the distribution center and the electronic padlock 10. The history stored in the electronic padlock 10 is periodically taken up by the control means 51.

Next, the operation of the electronic padlock 10 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the joint shaft 12 has the short shaft 12b coming out of the short shaft hole 11a, and the long shaft 12a comes out of the position shown in FIG. 2 when the retaining member 12f comes into contact with the lock body 11. There is nothing. At this time, the sliding notch 24 is biased by the biasing spring 25 and slightly protrudes into the guide hole 13b, and the long shaft confirmation switch 26 is off.
Moreover, the convex part which is not shown in figure is formed in the edge part of the horizontal hole 11c, and the lock balls 14 and 15 do not fall out from the horizontal hole 11c. The locking cam 16 has the cam valleys in contact with the lock balls 14 and 15, and when the joint shaft 12 is pulled out, the lock balls 14 and 15 move to the positions shown in FIG. 2. When the locking cam 16 is in the position shown in FIG. 2, the locking position detection switch 23 is off because the detection notch 22 a of the detection plate 22 is located away from the detection plate of the locking position detection switch 23.

Next, the locking action will be described. An operator inserts the short shaft 12b into the short shaft hole 11a in a state where a chain or the like is hung in the U-shaped portion 12c of the joint shaft 12, and the state shown in FIG.
Next, the electronic key 9 is inserted from the insertion port 29 and mounted at a predetermined position of the electronic key mounting unit 28. In this embodiment, it is necessary to mount the electronic key 9 on the electronic key mounting portion 28 regardless of whether the electronic padlock is unlocked or locked. By always attaching the electronic key 9 at the time of unlocking / locking, the unlocking / locking information can be written to the electronic key 9. The electronic padlock 10 reads destination information from the electronic key 9 and displays it on the display means 8. In the present embodiment, the display on the display means 8 is a two-digit number. The operator can confirm the destination by numbers.
The action of the electronic key 9 will be described in detail later. The control means 40 of the electronic padlock 10 drives the motor 21 when a predetermined condition is satisfied. When the motor is driven, the locking cam 16 is rotated through the motor gear 20, the rotating shaft gear 19, and the rotating shaft 18, and the locked state shown in FIG. 1 is obtained. In the state of FIG. 1, since the lock balls 14 and 15 are engaged with the lock grooves 12 d and 12 e of the joint shaft 12, the short shaft 12 b cannot be removed from the lock body 11.
In the locked state of FIG. 1, the sliding notch 24 is moved leftward by the long shaft 12a, and the long shaft confirmation switch 26 is turned on. When the locking cam 16 is in the position shown in FIG. 1, the detection position 22 is on because the detection notch 22a of the detection plate 22 is on the detection plate of the lock position detection switch 23.

The short shaft 12b may not be inserted into the short shaft hole 11a of the lock body 11 only when the lock position detection switch 23 is turned on. However, in this embodiment, the position of the long shaft 12a is also confirmed by the long shaft. Since it is confirmed by the switch 26, if the locking position detection switch 23 is turned on and the long shaft confirmation switch 26 is turned on, it can be surely confirmed that the locking has been achieved.
The electronic padlock 10 of this embodiment includes a battery 32, and always checks the unlocked / locked state by the locking position detection switch 23 and the long shaft confirmation switch 26, and the locking position detection switch 23 or the long shaft confirmation switch. When there is a change in the on / off state 26, the contents of all changes and the time of change are stored in the history means 43. Of all the changes, in this embodiment, when the lock position detection switch 23 is turned off and the long shaft confirmation switch is turned off, it is determined that the lock has been unlocked and stored as the unlock time.

Therefore, when the electronic padlock 10 is unlocked / locked at a place other than a predetermined place such as the delivery centers A and B, the fact of the unlocking / locking and the time of the unlocking can be grasped. The electronic padlock 10 is connected to the control means 51 of the distribution center via the mini USB terminal 35 at a predetermined time, and the history stored in the history storage means 43 is sucked up by the control means 51. At this time, the remaining amount of the battery 32 is checked. When the remaining amount is low, the control means 51 displays a battery replacement instruction.
In this embodiment, the locking position detection switch 23 and the long shaft confirmation switch 26 are not linked and controlled, but control may be performed only when both switches are on.

Next, the control device of the electronic padlock 10 is shown in a block diagram in FIG. In FIG. 1 and the like, illustration of the control board is omitted.
The motor 21, the long shaft confirmation unit 26, the locking position detection unit 23, the display unit 8, and the electronic key mounting unit 28 are connected to the control unit 40. An electronic key 9 is mounted on the electronic key mounting unit 28, and the electronic key 9 is connected to the control means 40 via the electronic key mounting unit 28.
The control means 40 has a CPU 41, a RAM 42, and a ROM 44. The RAM 42 has history storage means 43. The ROM 44 also includes an unlocking / locking program 45, an electronic key registration information storage unit 46, and a registered GPS area storage unit 47.
Although the electrical configuration of the electronic key 9 is not shown, a pair of power terminals 9b for a contact IC chip, which is a storage means, are connected to both sides of the contact IC chip, and the LED 9a is connected in parallel with the contact IC chip. ing. The contact IC chip can read stored data by supplying power.

Next, a courier system in which the electronic padlock 10 of the present invention is used will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 9, consider a case where a package is delivered by a truck 52 from a delivery center A (for example, Hokkaido) to a delivery center B (for example, Nagoya).
In the distribution center A, the worker A uses the electronic key 9 </ b> A to lock the trunk room door of the truck 52 using the electronic padlock 10. That is, the worker A needs to receive permission to lock the electronic padlock 10 by inserting the electronic key 9A into the control device 51A fixed in the distribution center A.
Similarly, at the delivery center B, the worker B unlocks the trunk room door of the truck 52 using the electronic padlock 10 using the electronic key 9B. That is, the operator B needs to receive permission to insert the electronic key 9B into the control device 51B fixed in the distribution center B and lock the electronic padlock 10.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control device 51. The program shown in this flowchart is stored in the ROM in the control device 51. The program is common for unlocking and locking.

The operator inserts the electronic key 9 into the electronic key insertion slot of the control device 51. The control device 51 energizes the electronic key 9. The electronic key 9 has a built-in contact IC chip. By supplying a current to the contact IC chip, the control device 51 can read data stored in the contact IC chip (S201). As a result, the control means 51 reads the unique key number stored in the contact IC chip of the electronic key 9 (S202). The contact IC chip has almost no same number.
Next, the worker inputs a password for authenticating the individual. In addition, the number of the electronic padlock to be locked is input (S203). It is confirmed whether or not the individual (in this case, the worker) specified by the unique number and password of the electronic key 9 has the access authority for the electronic padlock to be locked. The access authority is an authority to confirm the cargo and lock the door.

If the user has access authority (S204; YES), the electronic key permission information, the GPS information by the GPS device possessed by the control means 51A, the valid time, and the destination number as the destination information are stored in the electronic key 9A. Writing to the contact IC chip (S205). If the user does not have access authority (S204; NO), an error is displayed on the screen of the control means 51 (S206).
In this embodiment, password input is used as the personal authentication method. However, fingerprint authentication, vein authentication, or the like may be used to further increase the security level. Further, the electronic padlock used in the truck may be specified by inputting a predetermined code of the truck service instead of the electronic padlock number.

Next, the operation of the unlocking / locking program stored in the control means 40 of the electronic padlock 10 will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG.
The worker starts the locking operation after confirming the final load. Alternatively, the unlocking operation is started. That is, the operator inserts the electronic key 9 </ b> A permitted by the control means 51 in the distribution center from the insertion port 29 of the electronic padlock 10. When the electronic key 9 is mounted at a predetermined position of the electronic key mounting unit 28 (S101; YES), the control means 40 causes a current to flow through the electronic key 9 and from the contact IC chip provided in the electronic key 9. In addition to reading the electronic key permission information, GPS information, and valid time, the destination information is read and a number indicating the destination is displayed on the display means 8 (S102). The operator confirms the display, and if it is different from the planned destination number, the operator quickly removes the electronic key 9. This prevents the process from proceeding to S103. If it matches the planned destination number, the electronic key 9 is inserted as it is.
Next, the control means 40 of the electronic padlock 10 determines whether or not the electronic key permission information read from the electronic key 9 matches the electronic key registration information stored in the electronic key registration information storage means 46 ( S103). If they match (S103; YES), the process proceeds to S104. If they do not match (S103; NO), an error is displayed on the electronic key 9 (S108). The electronic key 9 is provided with an LED 9a, and error display is performed by blinking the LED 9a.

  Next, it is determined whether the read effective time has not elapsed (S104). If the valid time has not passed, that is, before the valid time (S104; YES), the process proceeds to S105. If the valid time has passed (S104; NO), an error is displayed on the electronic key 9 (S108). Next, it is determined whether or not the read GPS information is within the permission area stored in the registered GPS area storage unit 47 (S105). If it is within the permission area (S105; YES), the motor 21 is driven to lock (S106). Then, the lock time and the electronic key number are written in the history means 43 and the contact IC chip of the electronic key 9 (S107). On the other hand, when it is not within the permission area (S105; NO), an error is displayed on the LED 9a of the display means 8 or the electronic key 9 (S108).

Either one or both of the electronic padlock 10 and the electronic key 9 has a GPS function, and when the electronic padlock 10 is to be unlocked / locked with the electronic key 9, an authorized area (for example, If it is possible to unlock and lock only within the site of the distribution center A, it is not necessary to use the element of effective time.
However, the electronic key 9 and the electronic padlock 10 are required to be compact, and the current situation is that the GPS function cannot be provided in order to reduce costs.
As a result of repeated trial and error, the present inventor has conceived that the control means 51 on the distribution center side is provided with a GPS function, and when the permission information is written in the electronic key 9, the GPS information is also written.
However, there is a problem that the operator can unlock and lock the electronic padlock only by writing the GPS information when the operator takes the electronic key 9 on which the GPS information is written out of the area of the distribution center by proper means. It was.
In order to prevent this, in this embodiment, the GPS information is written, the valid time is written, and when the valid time elapses, the electronic padlock 10 cannot be unlocked / locked with the electronic key 9.

The effective time is set by the administrator according to the area of the distribution center, the arrangement of the truck yard, the frequency of unlocking / locking the electronic padlock 10, and the like.
The concept of this embodiment is that GPS information and effective time are used in pairs. However, there is a problem that work efficiency is lowered in the time zone where the truck is crowded to go to the control means 51 of the distribution center for each unlocking / locking and receiving a predetermined permission.
In such a case, a smartphone, for example, an Apple iPhone (trademark of Apple Inc.) is held by the worker who unlocks and locks one by one, and the program shown in FIG. 8 is installed on the smartphone. The operator does not need to go to the control means 51 and can obtain unlocking / locking permission information, GPS information, and effective time on the spot, thereby improving work efficiency.

As described above in detail, according to the electronic padlock 10 of this embodiment, (1) the detachable joint shaft 12 and the lock means (lock balls 14 and 15, locking cam 16) for locking the joint shaft 12. And an electronic padlock 10 that is locked or unlocked by the electronic key 9 in which the electronic key permission information is stored, wherein (a) the battery 32 and (b) the locking means are locked or unlocked. A motor 21 that moves to a position; (c) an electronic key registration information storage means 46 that stores electronic key registration information; and (d) a current that is supplied to the motor 21 when the electronic key permission information matches the electronic key registration information. Since the motor 21 has the control means 40 and the history storage means 43 for storing (e) electronic key permission information and the lock time or unlock time by the electronic key, The state of the motor 21 and the state of the locking cam 16 can be checked. For example, even when the motor 21 is forcibly energized and driven from the outside, the history storage means 43 indicates the time when the motor 21 was driven. It is possible to check the occurrence of abnormal conditions.
Further, the electronic padlock 10 has (f) a registered GPS area storage means 47 for storing an openable / closable permission area, and (g) the electronic key 9 displays GPS information and valid time given from the GPS device. (H) The motor 21 has the GPS information stored in the GPS storage means within the permitted area (S105; YES) and the valid time has not elapsed (S104; YES), the lock drive means is driven, so that, for example, even if an attempt is made to unlock using a copy of the electronic key 9, it cannot be unlocked at a place other than a regular sales office. . The effective time is normally set to about 10 minutes. According to this, even if GPS information is properly stored in the electronic key at a regular sales office, it cannot be unlocked after 10 minutes and cannot be unlocked at a place other than the regular sales office.

(2) A detachable joint shaft 12 and locking means (locking balls 14 and 15 and a locking cam 16) for locking the joint shaft 12, and locked or unlocked by an electronic key 9 in which electronic key permission information is stored. Electronic padlock 10 to be operated, (a) battery 32, (b) motor 21 for moving the locking means to the locked position or unlocked position, and (c) electronic key registration for storing electronic key registration information When the information storage means 46 and (d) the electronic key permission information coincide with the electronic key registration information, a current is passed through the motor 21 to control the motor 21 and (e) the electronic key permission information, the electronic key And the history storage means 43 for storing the locking time or the unlocking time according to FIG. , For example, can be even when it is driven by being energized forced motor 21 from the outside, can save the time motor 21 is driven such in the history storage unit 43, checks the occurrence of the abnormal state.
Furthermore, (i) since it has the destination indicator 8, the operator can correct the mistake by confirming the destination with the destination indicator 8.

(3) The electronic padlock 10 has an unlocking position detecting means (locking position detecting switch 23, long shaft confirmation switch 26) for detecting that the locking means (lock balls 14, 15 and locking cam 16) are in the unlocked position. ), And the history storage means 43 stores the unlocking time detected by the unlocking position detection means, so that the lock means is forcibly released without driving the motor 21 and the joint shaft. Even when 12 is moved, since the movement of the joint shaft 12 is detected, the time can be stored in the history storage means 43, and the occurrence of an abnormal state can be specified.
In the case of the present embodiment, it is determined that the lock is unlocked when the lock position detection switch 23 is turned off and the long shaft confirmation switch is turned off.

( 4 ) Since it is a smart phone that writes electronic key permission information, GPS information, and valid time information to the electronic key 9, a program is installed on a commercially available smart phone, If you connect the electronic key to your smartphone using the dedicated connector, you can write the necessary data to the electronic key while performing personal authentication and access authority confirmation, so it is cheap and easy in a large area of the distribution center Since the number of smartphones required for the installation can be installed, work efficiency can be increased.

( 5 ) A detachable joint shaft 12 and locking means (locking balls 14, 15 and locking cam 16) for locking the joint shaft 12, and locked or opened by an electronic key 9 in which electronic key permission information is stored. An electronic padlock 10 to be locked, in which the electronic key 9 has electronic key permission information, GPS information given from a GPS device, and electronic key storage means (contact IC chip) for storing valid time; The electronic padlock 10 includes: (a) a battery 32; (b) a motor 21 that moves the locking means to a locked position and an unlocked position; and (c) an electronic key registration information storage means 46 that stores electronic key registration information. (D) registered GPS area storage means 47 for storing openable / closable permission areas; and (e) electronic key permission information matches the electronic key registration information, and GPS information Is within the permitted area (S105; YES) and the effective time has not elapsed (S104; YES), the control means 40 that drives the motor 21 by supplying current to the motor 21 is provided. For example, even when an attempt is made to unlock the electronic key 9 using a copy of the electronic key 9, it cannot be unlocked at a place other than a regular sales office. The effective time is normally set to about 10 minutes. According to this, even if GPS information is properly stored in the electronic key at a regular sales office, it cannot be unlocked after 10 minutes and cannot be unlocked at a place other than the regular sales office.
Therefore, even if the unlocking history is not saved, the unlocking is not performed at a place other than the regular sales office, so that the possibility that the conveyed product is lost along the route can be reduced.

( 6 ) Since it is a smart phone that writes the electronic key permission information, GPS information, and valid time information to the electronic key 9, a program is installed on a commercially available smart phone for use with the electronic key. If you connect the electronic key to your smartphone using the dedicated connector, you can write the necessary data to the electronic key while performing personal authentication and access authority confirmation, so it is cheap and easy in a large area of the distribution center Since the number of smartphones required for the installation can be installed, work efficiency can be increased.

In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, A part of structure can also be changed suitably and implemented in the range which does not deviate from the meaning of invention.
For example, in this embodiment, all the unlocking / locking history of the electronic padlock 10 is stored, but if the electronic key can be used only within the delivery area according to the GPS information, the entire history is not stored. However, it is possible to prevent the electronic padlock 10 from being unlocked / locked along the way.
Also, in this embodiment, the effective time is about 10 minutes. However, since the truck normally enters and exits at the delivery center, it is complicated to obtain the unlocking permission every time even if the smartphone is carried. There is a case. In that case, for example, as the effective time of the worker A, a few hours until the next break time may be set. Since the movement status of the worker is also known by the other person, the effective time may be set to expire at a break time such as a lunch break.

In this embodiment, the electronic padlock 10 is attached to the trunk of the truck. However, the electronic padlock 10 may be used to lock a security box for transporting important documents or the like and a security bag. . In that case, for example, when the security box is transported between the head office and the branch office of the company, the person in charge of the company possesses the electronic key 9 and the security trunk containing the documents is connected with the electronic padlock 10. Locked and delivered by courier. At the delivered branch office, the person in charge unlocks the electronic key 9. Since this locking / unlocking system is the same as the present embodiment, a detailed description is omitted.
Here, although it is convenient to use a smartphone as the control means 51, it becomes a problem when it is outside the range of the smartphone, such as in a basement of a building. In such a case, the electronic padlock 10 of the present embodiment can be used by installing a PC at a place where it is used and performing wired communication.

In this embodiment, the destination information is stored in the RAM 42 of the electronic padlock 10 via the electronic key 9, but the electronic padlock 10 is connected to the control means 51 without passing through the electronic key 9, and the control means If the destination information is written directly into the RAM 42 of the electronic padlock 10 from 51 and the destination number is displayed on the display means 8 from the beginning, the work efficiency of the operator can be improved.
Moreover, you may utilize the electronic padlock 10 of this invention for the cargo container for aircrafts. At present, it is difficult to keep track of the history when a cargo is put in or taken out from a cargo container. According to the electronic padlock 10 of the present invention, the security of an aircraft container can be improved.

9 Electronic key 10 Electronic padlock 11 Lock body 12 Joint shaft 14, 15 Lock ball 16 Locking cam 21 Motor 23 Locking position detection switch 26 Long shaft confirmation switch 32 Battery 43 History storage means 45 Unlocking / locking program 46 Electronic key registration information Storage means 47 registered GPS area storage means 51 (delivery center) control means

Claims (6)

In an electronic padlock that has a detachable joint shaft and a lock means for locking the joint shaft, and is locked or unlocked by an electronic key in which electronic key permission information is stored.
Battery,
Lock driving means for moving the locking means to a locked position or an unlocked position;
Electronic key registration information storage means for storing electronic key registration information;
Lock control means for driving the lock drive means by passing a current through the lock drive means when the electronic key permission information matches the electronic key registration information;
History storage means for storing the electronic key permission information, the locking time or the unlocking time by the electronic key;
To have,
Having a registered GPS area storage means for storing a permission area that can be opened and closed;
The electronic key has GPS storage means for storing GPS information and valid time given from a GPS device;
The lock control means drives the lock driving means when the GPS information stored in the GPS storage means is within the permission area and the valid time has not elapsed;
Electronic padlock characterized by In an electronic padlock that has a detachable joint shaft and a lock means for locking the joint shaft, and is locked or unlocked by an electronic key in which electronic key permission information is stored.
Battery,
Lock driving means for moving the locking means to a locked position or an unlocked position;
Electronic key registration information storage means for storing electronic key registration information;
Lock control means for driving the lock drive means by passing a current through the lock drive means when the electronic key permission information matches the electronic key registration information;
History storage means for storing the electronic key permission information, the locking time or the unlocking time by the electronic key;
An electronic padlock characterized by having a destination indicator. In the electronic padlock according to claim 1 or claim 2 ,
Unlocking position detecting means for detecting that the locking means is in the unlocked position;
The history storage means stores the unlocking time detected by the unlocking position detection means;
Electronic padlock characterized by Oite the electronic padlock according to claim 1,
The electronic padlock, wherein the electronic key permission information, the GPS information, and the valid time information are written to the electronic key by a smartphone. In an electronic padlock that has a detachable joint shaft and a lock means for locking the joint shaft, and is locked or unlocked by an electronic key in which electronic key permission information is stored.
The electronic key has electronic key storage means for storing the electronic key permission information, GPS information given from a GPS device, and an effective time;
The electronic padlock includes: (a) a battery; (b) lock driving means for moving the lock means to a locked position and an unlocked position; and (c) electronic key registration information storage means for storing electronic key registration information. (D) registered GPS area storage means for storing an openable / closable permission area; and (e) the electronic key permission information matches the electronic key registration information, and the GPS information is within the permission area. And when the effective time has not passed, a lock control means for driving the lock drive means by passing a current through the lock drive means;
An electronic padlock characterized by comprising: In the electronic padlock according to claim 5 ,
The electronic padlock, wherein the electronic key permission information, the GPS information, and the valid time information are written to the electronic key by a smartphone.

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