# US 10,768,571 B2 · Lock control device, image forming apparatus, lock control method, and lock system

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- Number: US 10,768,571 B2
- Document ID: US10768571B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/548,201
- Filed: 2019-08-22
- Published: 2020-03-05
- Granted: 2020-09-08
- Earliest claimed: 2018-09-05
- Assignees: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
- Applicants: Masahiro Ishida
- Inventors: Masahiro Ishida
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10768571B2

## CPC

- G03G 21/1614: {Measures for handling of apparatus by disabled persons}
- G03G 21/1647: {Mechanical connection means}
- E05B 47/00: Operating or controlling locks or other fastening devices by electric or magnetic means (electric permutation locks E05B49/00)
- G03G 15/5016: {User-machine interface; Display panels; Control console}
- G03G 15/5091: {for user-identification or authorisation}
- E05B 47/0004: {said core being linearly movable}
- E05B 2047/0048: {Circuits, feeding, monitoring}
- G03G 2221/1654: Locks and means for positioning or alignment
- G03G: ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- E05B: LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS

## Abstract

A lock control device is configured to control a plurality of lock devices respectively provided in a plurality of storage sections. The lock control device includes control circuitry. The control circuitry is configured to: cause an indicator to indicate a plurality of pieces of storage section information representing the plurality of storage sections; receive an input of partial storage section information of the plurality of pieces of storage section information; and output an unlocking signal to a lock device of the plurality of lock devices corresponding to the partial storage section information, to unlock the lock device.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A lock control device configured to control a plurality of lock devices, respectively provided in a plurality of storage sections, the lock control device comprising:
control circuitry configured to:
cause an indicator to visually indicate a plurality of pieces of storage section information representing the plurality of storage sections;
receive an input of partial storage section information of the plurality of pieces of storage section information; and
output an unlocking signal, to a lock device of the plurality of lock devices corresponding to the partial storage section information received, to unlock the lock device, wherein the control circuitry is configured to cause the indicator to visually indicate relative positions of the plurality of storage sections, within an image forming section, so as to visually convey a representative positional arrangement of relative locations of the plurality of storage sections.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The lock control device of claim 1,
wherein the control circuitry is configured to receive an input of user information to authenticate a user,
wherein the control circuitry is configured to cause the indicator to indicate a piece of storage section information, of the plurality of pieces of storage section information, corresponding to the user information received.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

An image forming apparatus comprising:
an image forming section configured to form an image on a target; and
the lock control device of claim 1.

### Claim 4

A lock control method for controlling a plurality of lock devices respectively provided in a plurality of storage sections, the lock control method comprising:
causing an indicator to visually indicate a plurality of pieces of storage section information representing the plurality of storage sections;
receiving an input of partial storage section information of the plurality of pieces of storage section information; and
outputting an unlocking signal, to a lock device of the plurality of lock devices corresponding to the partial storage section information received, to unlock the lock device, wherein the causing of the indicator to visually indicate the plurality of pieces of storage section information causes the indicator to visually indicate relative positions of the plurality of storage sections, within an image forming section, so as to visually convey a representative positional arrangement of relative locations of the plurality of storage sections.

### Claim 5

A lock system comprising:
a plurality of storage sections including a plurality of lock devices, respectively; and
an image forming apparatus configured to form an image on a target,
the image forming apparatus including:
an indicator; and
control circuitry configured to:
cause the indicator to visually indicate a plurality of pieces of storage section information representing the plurality of storage sections;
receive an input of partial storage section information of the plurality of pieces of storage section information; and
output an unlocking signal, to a lock device of the plurality of lock devices corresponding to the partial storage section information received, to unlock the lock device, wherein the control circuitry is configured to cause the indicator to visually indicate relative positions of the plurality of storage sections, within an image forming section, so as to visually convey a representative positional arrangement of relative locations of the plurality of storage sections.

### Claim 6

An image forming apparatus configured to form an image, the image forming apparatus comprising:
an operating device configured to receive a user operation, the user operation received including partial storage section information of a plurality of pieces of storage section information representing a plurality of storage sections; and
control circuitry configured to perform locking control and unlocking control on a lock device of an external apparatus, based on the partial storage section information received by the operating device, wherein the control circuitry is configured to cause an indicator to visually indicate relative positions of the plurality of storage sections to the user, within an image forming section, so as to visually convey a representative positional arrangement, of relative locations of the plurality of storage sections, to the user.

### Claim 7 (depends on 4)

The lock control method of claim 4, further comprising:
receiving an input of user information to authenticate a user, wherein the causing includes causing the indicator to indicate a piece of storage section information, of the plurality of pieces of storage section information, corresponding to the user information received.

### Claim 8 (depends on 5)

The locking system of claim 5,
wherein the control circuitry is configured to receive an input of user information to authenticate a user, and
wherein the control circuitry is configured to cause the indicator to indicate a piece of storage section information, of the plurality of pieces of storage section information, corresponding to the user information received.

### Claim 9 (depends on 6)

The image forming apparatus of claim 6,
wherein the control circuitry is configured to receive an input of user information to authenticate a user,
wherein the control circuitry is configured to cause the indicator to indicate a piece of storage section information, of the plurality of pieces of storage section information, corresponding to the user information received.