JP2001125602A - Supervisory controller - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a supervisory controller which can increase operation security. SOLUTION: This controller is equipped with a fingerprint read means 12 which is embedded in an input key 11 and reads fingerprint information out of a finger of a person who touches the input key 11, a storage means 22 which previously stores fingerprint information on operators and operable ranges by the operators, a fingerprint collating means 23 which collates the fingerprint information read by the fingerprint read means 12 with the fingerprint information stored in the storage means 22, and an operation control means 24 which authenticates the person who touches the input key 11 as an operator which is allowed to operate and permits operation based upon the operable range of the operator stored in the storage means 22 when the fingerprint collating means 23 decides that the fingerprint information read by the fingerprint read means 12 matches one of pieces of fingerprint information on the operators stored in the storage means 22.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a monitoring and control device for monitoring and controlling a plant, for example, and more specifically, authenticates an operator and accepts only an operation corresponding to the operation level of the operator. The present invention relates to a monitoring and control device as described above.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Monitoring and control devices are used to monitor plant operating conditions by displaying plant operating information on a CRT and to control the plant as needed.

In such a monitoring and control device, a dedicated keyboard is used for displaying desired operation information and performing an operation for controlling the plant, so that a one-touch display and an operation specific to the control can be performed by an operator. It is easy to do.

[0004] On the other hand, for example, an operator who is permitted only to monitor a plant (hereinafter referred to as a "level 1 operator") and an operator who is permitted both plant monitoring and plant control ( Hereinafter, referred to as “level 2 operator”)
They are divided into levels.

[0005] That is, any operator (level 1 operator and level 2 operator) is permitted to monitor only the plant, but the plant can be controlled only by its qualification and ability. Only accredited Level 2 operators are permitted.

[0006] Thus, the control of the plant is performed by a level 2 operator having a certain capacity.

Therefore, the conventional monitoring and control apparatus is provided with an operation mode for limiting the function for each level of the operator, and the operator who operates the monitoring and control apparatus has a level 1 operation mode.
The level 1 operation mode is selected for an operator, and the level 2 operation mode is selected for a level 2 operator.

[0008] When the operation mode of level 1 is selected, the operation of the monitoring and control device is in a state where only the plant can be monitored. When the operation mode of level 2 is selected, the operation of the monitoring and control device is in a state where both the plant monitoring and the plant control are possible.

As described above, the conventional monitoring and control device is
Only operations according to the level of the operator are allowed. This prevents the level 1 operator from erroneously controlling the plant, so that the plant can be operated safely.

[0010]

However, such a conventional monitoring and control device has the following problems.

That is, in the conventional monitoring and control apparatus, an operation mode for discriminating the level of the operator is applied. For example, even a level 1 operator may select the level 2 operation mode. it can. As a result, Level 2 operators mistakenly
Even if the operation mode is selected, both the monitoring of the plant and the control of the plant can be performed.

At present, the system is operated so that the level 1 operator does not select the level 2 operation mode. In other words, when selecting the operation mode, the level 1 operator selects only the level 1 operation mode and negotiates with the driving rules so as not to select the level 2 operation mode. Has been made.

However, it is conceivable that the level 1 operator may erroneously select the level 2 operation mode. Alternatively, it is conceivable to intentionally select the level 2 operation mode in order to intentionally control the plant.

[0014] As described above, once the level 2 operation mode is selected, even if the operator is a level 1 operator, the plant can be controlled. May be driven.

Further, in the conventional monitoring and control device, once the operation mode is selected, the operation mode is canceled or
Alternatively, unless the operation mode is changed to another operation mode, the operation mode is maintained.

That is, even when the level 2 operator selects the level 2 operation mode, if the level 2 operator forgets to release it, the level 2 operation mode state is changed. It will continue. In such a case, even a level 1 operator can control the plant, and the plant may be operated in a state where the operation rules are ignored.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and automatically authenticates an operator from a normal operation of the operator, and enables only an operation according to the operation level of the operator. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a monitoring control device capable of improving operation security.

[0018]

Means for Solving the Problems In order to achieve the above object, the present invention takes the following measures.

That is, according to the first aspect of the present invention, an input key, fingerprint reading means embedded in the input key and reading fingerprint information from a finger of a person who touches the input key, fingerprint information of the operator and each operator Storage means for storing the operable range information in advance; fingerprint matching means for comparing fingerprint information read by the fingerprint reading means with fingerprint information stored in the storage means; If it is determined by the fingerprint matching unit that the fingerprint information matches any of the operator's fingerprint information stored in the storage unit, the person who touched the input key is authenticated as an operator who is permitted to operate. And operation control means for enabling an operation based on the operable range information of the operator stored in the storage means.

Therefore, in the monitoring control apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, the operator who is permitted to operate can be authenticated, and only the operation permitted to this operator can be operated. it can.

As a result, it is possible to enhance operation security related to monitoring and control and to realize a monitoring and control device with less possibility of erroneous operation.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the monitoring and control apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, the operation made operable by the operation control means is performed by pressing or touching a predetermined input key. In such a manner, the fingerprint reading means reads fingerprint information from a finger which performs an operation by pressing or touching a predetermined input key, and the fingerprint collating means collates the fingerprint information with fingerprint information of an authenticated operator, When it is determined that the two pieces of fingerprint information match, an operation performed by pressing or touching a predetermined input key is validated.

Therefore, in the monitoring and control apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, the operator permitted to operate can be authenticated, and only the operation permitted to the operator can be operated. it can. Further, when an operation input is actually performed, only when it is confirmed that the person who performed the operation input and the authenticated operator are the same person,
The operation input is made valid.

[0024] This makes it possible to realize a monitoring and control apparatus having the same operation as that of the first aspect of the present invention, and further enhancing the operational security.

[0025]

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

(First Embodiment) A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

The monitoring and control apparatus according to the present embodiment comprises a computer such as a workstation, and monitors the operation state of the plant by displaying the operation information of the plant on a display device such as a CRT. The plant is controlled in accordance with

Furthermore, since the monitoring and control device is an important device for controlling the operation of the plant, its monitoring and control operations have a security function managed for each operator level.

This security function is realized by a fingerprint reading device described later and a fingerprint matching device.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of the monitoring control device according to the first embodiment.

That is, the monitoring and control device 1 according to the present embodiment includes the input device 10, the central processing unit 20, and the display device 30, and performs the monitoring and control of the plant 40.

Further, the input device 10 includes an input key 11 and
A fingerprint reader 12 and an interface 13 are provided.

Input key 11 receives input from an operator and outputs the information to interface 13. The fingerprint reader 12 is embedded in the input key 11, reads fingerprint information from a finger of a person who contacts the input key 11, and outputs the information to the interface 13.

The interface 13 outputs the information received from the input key 11 and the fingerprint reader 12 to the central processing unit 20.

The central processing unit 20 includes an interface 21
An operator information storage device 22, a fingerprint matching device 23,
An operation control device 24 and a plant interface 25 are provided.

The interface 21 is connected to the interface 13 of the input device 10 and the display device 30. Further, it is also interconnected with the fingerprint matching device 23, the operation control device 24, and the plant interface 25 in the central processing unit 20, and functions as an interface for various data exchanged between these devices in the central processing unit 20. .

The operator information storage device 22 is a storage device that stores fingerprint information of the operator and operable range information for each operator.

The fingerprint collation device 23 stores the fingerprint information read by the fingerprint reader 12 and the operator information storage device 22.
And outputs the result to the operation control device 24 via the interface 21. The details of this fingerprint matching method will be described below.

When the interface 21 receives the fingerprint information read by the fingerprint reading device 12 from the interface 13 of the input device 10, it receives the fingerprint information from the fingerprint collating device 2.
Output to 3. The fingerprint collation device 23 includes an interface 2
1 receives the fingerprint information from the operator information storage device 22.
And collates the fingerprint information stored in the operator information storage device 22 with the fingerprint information.
1 to the operation control device 24.

The operation control device 24 determines that the fingerprint collation device 23 determines that the fingerprint information read by the fingerprint reading device 12 matches any of the operator's fingerprint information stored in the operator information storage device 22. Enter key 1
The person who has contacted 1 is determined to be an operator. Then, an operation based on the operable range information of the operator stored in the operator information storage device 22 is made operable, and the result is output to the display device 30 via the interface 21 and displayed. It is displayed on the device 30.

If the fingerprint information read by the fingerprint reading device 12 does not match any of the operator's fingerprint information stored in the operator information storage device 22, the fingerprint collating device 23
If the determination is made, the operation control device 24 determines that the person touching the input key 11 is not an operator. Then, the result is output to the display device 30 via the interface 21 and displayed.

The plant interface 25 is connected to the plant 40, extracts necessary data from the plant 40 according to a monitoring request, and controls the plant 40 according to a control request.

This monitoring request is input from the input key 11 by an operator, and is input to the plant interface 25 via the interface 13 of the input device 10 and the interface 21 of the central processing unit 20. ing.

The plant interface 25 extracts data based on the monitoring request from the plant 40 and outputs the data to the display device 30 via the interface 21 for display.

Similarly, the control request is also input from the input key 11 by the operator, and the input device 1
0 and an interface 21 of the central processing unit 20 to the plant interface 25.

The plant interface 25 controls the plant 40 based on the control request.

The display device 30 is connected to the interface 21 of the central processing unit 20.
1 displays the data received as needed.

Next, the operation of the supervisory control device according to the present embodiment configured as described above will be described.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a method of operating the monitoring and control apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a layout diagram showing an example of input keys of the monitoring and control apparatus according to the first embodiment.

When monitoring and controlling the plant 40 from the monitoring and control device 1, an operator inputs a predetermined key from the input keys 11 as shown in FIG. The input keys 11 shown in FIG. 3 are <target equipment>, <monitoring / control mode>, <target equipment>, <monitoring menu>,
This is an example in which keys are arranged for each <control menu>. All of the input keys 11 have embedded therein a fingerprint reader 12 for reading a fingerprint from a finger in contact with the key.

Therefore, when a finger touches any one of the input keys 11 shown in FIG. 3, the fingerprint is read by the fingerprint reading device 12 embedded in the key (S).
1). The fingerprint reader 12 may be a commonly used one such as a fingerprint authentication element.

In this manner, the fingerprint information read by the fingerprint reading device 12 is transmitted to the interface 13 of the input device 10,
The data is sent to the fingerprint matching device 23 via the interface 21 of the central processing unit 20.

Further, the fingerprint information is collated with the fingerprint information of the operator stored in the operator information storage device 22 in the fingerprint collating device 23 (S2), and the fingerprint information is compared with the fingerprint information of any one of the operators. If a match is confirmed (S3:
Yes), the person touching the input key 11 is authenticated as an operator of this plant (S4), and the fact is displayed on the display device 30.

When the operator is authenticated in this manner, the fingerprint collation device 23 extracts the operable range information (operation level) of the operator from the operator information storage device 22.

On the other hand, if the fingerprint information does not match the fingerprint information of any operator (S3: No), it is determined that the person touching the input key 11 is not an operator of this plant, and the operation is not permitted. Is displayed on the display device 30. If the operation is not permitted, the operation is invalidated by pressing or touching any key (S10).

In S4, the operable range information of the operator output from the fingerprint collation device 23 to the operation control device 24 is output to the display device 30 via the interface 21 and displayed on the display device 30. . The operable range information is also sent from the interface 21 to the input key 11 via the interface 13 of the input device 10, and only the input from the key permitted by the operable information becomes valid ( S4).

At this time, the input keys 11 are provided with a light source such as a light emitting diode for lighting each key.
Only the permitted keys may be turned on. Alternatively, only the keys of the permitted operations may be displayed as the input keys 11 of the liquid crystal panel type.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are schematic diagrams showing an example of the state of the input keys for the operator who is permitted to monitor only the plant.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which operable keys are turned on among input keys of a type in which all buttons are set in advance.

Here, the hatched portions indicate the lit keys. Since this operator is permitted to monitor only, neither the control key of <monitoring / control mode> nor the <control menu>, which cannot be operated, is lit.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example in which only operable keys are displayed among the liquid crystal panel type input keys.

Here, since this operator is only permitted to monitor, neither the control key of <monitoring / control mode> nor the <control menu> is displayed, and no operation is accepted.

In this way, only the operation input permitted to this operator is made by the authenticated operator within a predetermined time (S5: Yes), and the plant 40 is monitored and controlled based on the input. (S9). Even if an operation key that is not permitted is stamped or touched by mistake, the operation is invalidated.

If no operation is possible within the predetermined time, the operation is not accepted (S5: No). This prevents an operation input from being made by another person while leaving the seat while being authenticated as an operator.

As described above, in the monitoring and control apparatus according to the present embodiment, the operator operates the input key 11 for each operation.
By performing a normal operation of touching the operator, the operator can be automatically authenticated without special attention, and only an operation corresponding to the operation level of the operator can be validated.

That is, specifically, it is possible to prevent the user from forgetting to perform the authentication procedure. Even when the operator is replaced by an operator having a different operation level, the replacement operator is authenticated and the operation is performed. Switching to the level is also performed automatically.

Therefore, even if the operator accidentally presses or touches an operation key that is not permitted to himself, the operation is not accepted. Also, even if a person other than the operator inputs an operation, the operation is not accepted.

As a result, it is possible to improve the operation security and to realize a monitoring and control device free from erroneous operations.

(Second Embodiment) A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

That is, the supervisory control device according to the second embodiment has the same overall configuration as the supervisory control device 1 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and only the operator authentication method is used. different. Therefore, the description of the configuration is omitted here, and only the authentication method of the operator will be described.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a method of operating the monitoring and control apparatus according to the second embodiment.

The flowchart shown in FIG. 6 is obtained by inserting S6 to S8 between S5 and S9 in the flowchart shown in FIG. Therefore, the following description focuses on differences from the flowchart shown in FIG.

Steps S1 to S5 are the same as those described in the first embodiment.

In S5, when an operation input is performed within a predetermined time, a fingerprint is read by a fingerprint reading device 12 embedded in the finger from a finger touching any one of the input keys 11 at the time of operation input. (S6).

As described above, the fingerprint information read by the fingerprint reader 12 is transmitted to the interface 13 of the input device 10,
The data is sent to the fingerprint matching device 23 via the interface 21 of the central processing unit 20, and the fingerprint matching device 23
Is collated with the fingerprint information of the operator who has been authenticated in step (S).
7).

If it is confirmed that the fingerprint information of the operator authenticated in S2 matches (S8: Yes), it is determined that the person touching the input key 11 is the authenticated operator himself. At the same time, the operation input made in S5 is validated, and the plant is monitored and controlled based on this operation input (S9).

On the other hand, if the fingerprint information does not match the fingerprint information of the authenticated operator (S8: No), it is determined that the person touching the input key 11 is not the authenticated operator. , The operation is not permitted and the display device 30
Will be displayed. If the operation is not permitted, the operation is invalidated by pressing or touching any key (S1).
0).

As described above, the monitoring and control device according to the present embodiment is different from the monitoring and control device according to the first embodiment in that the operation set to be operable by the operation control device 24 further includes:
The operation is performed by pressing or touching a predetermined input key 11. The fingerprint reading device 12 reads fingerprint information from a finger that performs an operation by pressing or touching the predetermined input key 11, and performs fingerprint collation. The device 23 compares the fingerprint information with the fingerprint information of the authenticated operator. If the fingerprint matching device 23 determines that the two fingerprint information match, the predetermined input key 11 is used. And an operation performed by pressing or touching is validated.

The present embodiment is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be implemented similarly as follows.

FIG. 7 is a layout diagram of input keys showing a modification of the monitoring and control apparatus according to the second embodiment.

The input key 11 shown in FIG.
The fingerprint reader 12 is embedded only in the execution key 15. Further, after a predetermined key is stamped or touched, an operation input is output to the interface 13 of the input device 10 by stamping or touching the execution key 15.

Even when the input key 11 having such a configuration is used, the operator performs authentication by first touching the execution key 15 before operation, and further, after pressing or touching a predetermined key, executes the execution key. By pressing or touching 15, it is confirmed whether or not the operation is performed by the same operator, and the operation can be validated only when it is confirmed that the operation is performed by the same operator. .

As described above, in the monitoring control apparatus according to the present embodiment, it is confirmed that the person who has performed the operation input is the same person as the authenticated operator, and the same person is confirmed. This operation input is valid only when
Otherwise, the operation input can be invalidated.

Thus, for example, an operator is authenticated,
Even if another person erroneously or intentionally inputs a key for which operation input is enabled, the operation input is not accepted.

As a result, it is possible to improve the operation security and to realize a monitoring and control device free from erroneous operations.

[0087]

As described above, according to the monitoring and control apparatus of the present invention, the operator is automatically authenticated from the normal operation of the operator, and only the operation according to the operation level of the operator is performed. Can be validated.

As described above, it is possible to realize a monitoring and control device capable of enhancing operation security.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a monitoring control device according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an operation method of the monitoring control device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a layout diagram illustrating an example of input keys of the monitoring control device according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a state of input keys for an operator who is permitted to monitor only a plant.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a state of input keys for an operator who is permitted to monitor only a plant.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation method of the monitoring control device according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a layout diagram of input keys showing a modification of the monitoring control device according to the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Monitoring control device, 10 ... Input device, 11 ... Input key, 12 ... Fingerprint reader, 13 ... Interface, 15 ... Execution key, 20 ... Central processing unit, 21 ... Interface, 22 ... Operator information storage device, 23 ... Fingerprint collation device, 24 ... Operation control device, 25 ... Plant interface, 30 ... Display device, 40 ... Plant.

Continued on front page F-term (reference)

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An input key, fingerprint reading means embedded in the input key and reading fingerprint information from a finger of a person touching the input key, fingerprint information of an operator, and operable range information for each operator And a fingerprint matching unit for comparing fingerprint information read by the fingerprint reading unit with fingerprint information stored in the storage unit; and a fingerprint read by the fingerprint reading unit. If the fingerprint matching unit determines that the information matches any one of the operator's fingerprint information stored in the storage unit, the operator who is allowed to operate the person who touched the input key is the operator. Operation control means for authenticating the operator and operating the operation based on the operable range information of the operator stored in the storage means. Monitor control apparatus according to claim. 2. The monitoring control device according to claim 1, wherein the operation operable by the operation control means is performed by pressing or touching a predetermined input key, and the fingerprint reading is performed. The means reads fingerprint information from a finger that performs the operation by pressing or touching the predetermined input key, and the fingerprint matching means compares the fingerprint information with fingerprint information of an authenticated operator. When it is determined that the fingerprint information matches, an operation performed by pressing or touching the predetermined input key is validated.