JP2003515840A - How to link authorized users to multiple devices - Google Patents

Abstract

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A method of monitoring a plurality of electronic devices located in an operating space and accessible by a plurality of users comprises compiling a user database (10) comprising a plurality of user codes for authorized users. And compiling a device database (12) comprising a plurality of device codes for identifying each device, and compiling a linking database (42) linking each user to the plurality of devices. Features. Each of these databases can be accessed by the host computer (26). The user (22) has a user token (16) issuing a user code (14) and the device (24) has a device token (20) issuing a device code (18). . The host computer (26) detects the user code (14) and the device code (18), and measures the strength of the user code (14) and the device code (18). The host computer (26) links the user (22) to the device (24) by linking the user code (14) to the device code (16) in the linking database (42). The host computer (26) sends a disable signal, a prevention signal or a security signal in response to detecting the device code (18) not linked to the user code (14).

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a method for monitoring multiple electronic devices (eg, computers) located in an operating space and accessible by multiple users.

2. DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART Various methods of monitoring the operating space include compiling a user database of user codes for legitimate users and a device database of device codes for identifying each device. Including the stage of compiling. The user enters the operating space with the user token issuing the USCI code. The user code is detected and compared with the user database. Each device located in the operating space has a device token which also emits a device code. The device code is detected and compared to the device database. A logging database is created that records the users that were in the operating space or the devices that were removed from the operating space.

In one method, such as that shown in US Pat. No. 5,970,227, a host computer may disable a device that is attempting to remove it from the operating space without permission. However, this operating system only monitors unauthorized removal of devices. The operating system does not monitor the device at the same time as which user is in the operating space.
This does not prevent unauthorized users from removing authorized devices from the operating space.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND ADVANTAGES The present invention provides a method for monitoring a plurality of electronic devices located in an operating space that are accessible by a plurality of users. The method includes compiling a user database of multiple user codes for authorized (authorized) users and compiling a device database of multiple device codes identifying each of the devices. To do. Each user has a user token that emits a user code, and each device has a device token that emits a device code.
User code and device code are detected. The method is responsive to detecting user code linked to the device code such that each user code is indicated to be authorized to remove the device from the operating space.
Compiling a linking database that links the code to at least one of the device codes.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a method of monitoring devices accessible by multiple users by simultaneously registering a user in the operating space and a device that the user is ejecting. Some users are allowed to eject any and all devices, while other users are only allowed access to specific devices. Other advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent upon a better understanding of the invention by reference to the following detailed description in connection with the accompanying drawings.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments Referring to the drawings (where like numerals refer to like or corresponding parts throughout), FIGS. 1A and 1B show installation in an operating space. , A method of monitoring multiple electronic devices that can be accessed by multiple users is shown.

The first step in the method is compiling a user database 10 of user codes for authorized users, and a device database of device codes for identifying each of the devices. Compiling 12. These databases are accessible by an independent operating system 52 that can only be modified by a system administrator. This independent operating system 52 may be a computer separate from the operating space, or it may be a database maintained on a local or shared network. As shown in FIG. 3, the working space is the outlet 34.
Or it may be constituted by any region having an inlet. If necessary, the system administrator can add or delete user and device information from each database. The plurality of devices may include any electronic device (eg, laptop computer, printer, scanner or cell phone).

The second stage involves emitting the user code 14 from the user token 16 carried by the user 22. Emitting the user code 14 may include producing a disturbed field such as a received signal or magnetic field. A host computer 26 is located in or adjacent to the operating space for detecting user code 14. The host computer 26 searches the user database 10 for the detected user code 14. A user·
The database 10 also includes any personal information about the user 22 that may have been entered by the system administrator.

As the next step, from the device token 20 attached to the device 24 to the device code 1
There is a stage of sending 8. Transmitting the device code 18 may include generating a disturbed field such as a received signal or magnetic field. There may be multiple devices in the operating space, and each device may emit a device code specific to that device. The host computer 26 detects the device code 18 and searches the device database 12 for that device 24. The device database 12 contains information about the device 24 (eg, serial number, model number, device type and any other information entered by the system administrator).

User token 16 and device token 20 each include a power supply 36, a controller 38 and a token radio transceiver 40. The token wireless transceiver 40 sends and receives signals from the host computer 26. The controller 38 signals the token radio transceiver 40 to emit the user code 14. The user token 16 is also capable of receiving signals from the host computer 26 and sending signals to the controller 38. The controller 38 responds to the action requested by the host computer 26. The device token 20 can also receive signals from the host computer 26, similar to the user token 16. Alternatively, the user token 16
Alternatively, device token 20 may include a PFID tag as known in the art, which tag is mounted within user token 16 or device token 20 including user code 14 or device code 18. Have a chip.

The step of detecting the user code 14 and the device code 18 may further include the host computer 26 in a circuit 28 that may be incorporated into the host computer 26 or may be located adjacent to the host computer 26. It may be characterized by connecting. In the preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG.
Wireless transceiver 46, antenna 30, signal measuring device 48, and controller 50. In another embodiment, the step of detecting user code 14 and device code 18 involves a host computer 26 emitting a field, eg, a magnetic field or an electric field. This field will be destroyed by the user token 16 entering it and the chip will be excited. The computer 26 is then enabled to detect the user code 14. The device token 20 is
It works the same way it would in a field.

Once the user code 14 or device code 18 is detected, a signal is sent to the signal measuring device 48 to measure the strength of the user code 14 and device code 18. The strength of the user code 14 will increase in proportion to the strength of the device code 18. This will show the device 24 selected by the user 22. The signal measuring device 48 then turns on the user code 14 and the device code 18.
To the controller 50. The controller 50 sends this code to the host computer 26. The host computer 26 is connected to the independent operating system 52 and can read information about the user code 14 and the device code 18 from the database. Or user code 1
4 and device code 18 may be detected simultaneously when they are together in a magnetic or electric field.

Host computer 26 also monitors devices that have not been selected by user 22. The host computer 26 compares the device database 12 with the device code being detected by the circuit 28. If the device cord 18 maintains consistent cord strength measurements, then this device has not been selected by the user 22. If the device code 18 increases in strength but the user code 14 is not detected in the operating space, the host computer 26 sends an alert signal to the system administrator.

Alternatively, host computer 26 may signal controller 50 requesting user token 16 or device token 20 to transmit user code 12 or device code 18. The controller 50 sends a signal to the wireless transceiver 46 to emit the signal via the antenna 30. The wireless transceiver 46 enters the detect mode. In this detection mode, the wireless transceiver waits for the return signal to be received by the multiple antennas 30.

The next step is to compile a linking database 42 accessible by the host computer 26. The linking database 42 is shown in FIG.
Each user code 14 is linked to multiple device codes, as shown in FIG. For example, user A is allowed to eject devices 1-9, while user D is
Only allowed for devices 3-7. User B can take out only the even numbered device, and user C can take out only the odd numbered device. host·
When the computer 26 receives the user code 14 and the device code 18,
Recognize user 22 and device 24 from their respective databases. The host computer 26 searches the linking database 42 to determine if the user 22 is authorized to eject the device 24. When user 22 is linked to device 24, host computer 26 creates a log of which device 24 was retrieved by which user. The host computer 26 also records the linked device code 18 in a logging database in response to each linked device 24 re-entering the operating space.

However, if the user 22 and device 24 are not linked, the host computer 26 enters an alerting mode. In this mode, the host computer 26 can send a disable, prevent or security signal. If the host computer 26 sends a use prohibition signal, the device 2
4 becomes inoperable. When the host computer 26 sends a prevent signal, the user 22 can only activate certain functions or programs contained within the device 24. The security signal indicates that the device 24 was being taken out of the operating space by the user 22 and that the user 22 was in the database 42.
It will notify the system administrator that it was not linked to device 24 within.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. The present invention can be carried out in a manner other than what is specifically described in the appended claims, and in the claims, what is referred to as prior art is a book represented by a "feature description part". It is described before the novelty of the invention. The novelty of the present invention is described with special distinction in the "feature description part", but the preceding expression only describes the old and well-known combination to which the present invention belongs. The description of these prior arts should be construed to cover any combination in which the novelty of the present invention has application. Furthermore, reference signs in the claims are merely for convenience and do not have any limiting meaning.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1A is a flow chart illustrating steps in monitoring a plurality of electronic devices installed in an operating space and accessible by a plurality of users.

FIG. 1B is a flow chart illustrating steps in monitoring a plurality of electronic devices installed in an operating space and accessible by a plurality of users.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a system capable of monitoring an operating space including a host computer.

[Figure 3]   FIG. 3 is a schematic view of an operation space having a plurality of devices and having a user.

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a linking database that links multiple users to multiple devices.

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (81) Designated countries EP (AT, BE, CH, CY, DE, DK, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, IE, I T, LU, MC, NL, PT, SE, TR), OA (BF , BJ, CF, CG, CI, CM, GA, GN, GW, ML, MR, NE, SN, TD, TG), AP (GH, G M, KE, LS, MW, MZ, SD, SL, SZ, TZ , UG, ZW), EA (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, MD, RU, TJ, TM), AE, AG, AL, AM, AT, AU, AZ, BA, BB, BG, BR, BY, B Z, CA, CH, CN, CR, CU, CZ, DE, DK , DM, DZ, EE, ES, FI, GB, GD, GE, GH, GM, HR, HU, ID, IL, IN, IS, J P, KE, KG, KP, KR, KZ, LC, LK, LR , LS, LT, LU, LV, MA, MD, MG, MK, MN, MW, MX, MZ, NO, NZ, PL, PT, R O, RU, SD, SE, SG, SI, SK, SL, TJ , TM, TR, TT, TZ, UA, UG, UZ, VN, YU, ZA, ZW [Continued summary] To The host computer (26) is a user computer. Check the device code (18) that is not linked to the card (14). In response to the issue, the prohibition signal, the prevention signal or Send a security signal.

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A method for monitoring a plurality of electronic devices installed in an operating space and accessible by a plurality of users, comprising a user database (1) comprising a plurality of user codes for a legitimate user.
0) and a device database consisting of a plurality of device codes identifying each one of the devices (
12) compiling, issuing user code (14) from user token (16), detecting the presence of said user code (14) in a certain operating space, and device token ( 20) emitting a device code (18) from the device, and detecting the presence of the device code (18) in the operating space, the user code being linked to the device code (18). In response to detecting (14), each user code is assigned a device code to indicate that the user code (14) has been authorized to remove the device (24) from the operating space. A method comprising compiling a linking database (42) linked to at least one of them. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising linking a first plurality of device codes to a first user code and a second user code to the first user code.
Linking a second plurality of device codes different from the plurality of device codes of. 3. The method of claim 2, further comprising measuring the strength of the user code (14) and the device code (18) to determine the device to which the user (22) should be linked. A method characterized by. 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the device code (
18) in response to the user code (14) not being linked to the device (
Providing a prohibition signal to said device (24) to disable 24). 5. The method of claim 1 further comprising providing a security signal to a system administrator such that the user code (14) is the device code (18).
A method comprising alerting a system administrator that it is not linked to. 6. The method of claim 3, further comprising compiling a logging database of each user code and linked device code in response to each device being retrieved from the operating space. A method of including. 7. The method of claim 6, further comprising registering the device code linked to the logging database in response to each device re-entering the operating space. A method characterized by. 8. The method according to claim 7, further comprising the step of providing an outlet (34) or inlet for defining the working space. 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of placing a host computer (26) in the operating space to detect the user code (14) and the device code (18). A method comprising: 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising connecting a host computer (26) to an independent operating system (52) to access the linking database (42). A method characterized by. 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising a system administrator adding or removing one user of a plurality of users or one device of a plurality of devices. A method comprising allowing access to a database (42).