JP2006301888A - Safety device system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simplify work for registering a password to a plurality of safety devices on a network via a personal computer. <P>SOLUTION: In the safety device system, a personal computer 1 is provided with a password generation means for generating a corresponding password in response to a user's specified operation and a password transmission means for transmitting the password generated by the password generation means to the respective plurality of specified safety devices 21 to 24 connected on the network. In this kind of safety device system, the work for registering the passwords to the plurality of safety devices on the network can be simplified as much as possible. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a safety device system in which a plurality of safety devices (for example, a safety controller, a remote safety terminal, etc.) are appropriately connected via a network.

  Due to the increasing awareness of occupational safety, various safety devices (for example, safety controllers, remote safety terminals, etc.) have been developed recently that incorporate a self-diagnosis function related to input / output, etc., to enhance safety.

  In addition, a safety device system in which a plurality of safety devices are appropriately connected via a network has been widely used in automobile production plants, liquid crystal production plants, and the like these days.

  This type of safety device is required to have extremely high reliability or safety, so safety management operations such as rewriting the configuration information are restricted so that the handling manager is restricted. There are provisions. More specifically, when performing such safety-related work, a method of restricting the person in charge of operation by password management is adopted.

  By the way, in a safety control system of an automobile production factory or the like, a single personal computer functioning as a configurator or the like is connected to such a safety device system, and various safety devices are connected to the safety device from the personal computer. A configuration that says to give a command is adopted.

  In a safety device system in which each safety device can be accessed from a personal computer via a network, it is convenient if a password management function is incorporated in the personal computer itself and a large number of safety devices connected to the network can be accessed at once. Needless to say.

  However, as an environment for handling this type of safety device, the OS of an existing personal computer is considered insufficient in terms of reliability and confidentiality, and only the password management function incorporated in the personal computer OS accesses the safety device. That is not allowed. For this reason, a password management function for limiting the number of operators must be provided for each individual safety device.

In order to perform password management for each individual safety device, it is indispensable to register a password for each individual safety device. However, in the case of a large-scale system used in an automobile production factory or the like, considering that there are, for example, nearly 60 safety devices on the network, a unique password should be registered for each device. For example, the annoyance of the system administrator is unimaginable. Eventually, the majority of system administrators will register the same password for all safety devices connected to the network or for each system safety device. That is easily imagined.
JP 2004-297997 A

  However, in order to register the same password in each of a large number of safety devices in this way, it is necessary to change the device address and repeat the registration operation for sending the password each time. Password setting mistakes are likely to occur due to incorrect address input.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to such conventional problems, and the object of the present invention is to perform as much work as possible for registering passwords in a plurality of safety devices on a network via a personal computer. It is to make it simple.

  Still other objects of the present invention will be easily understood by those skilled in the art by referring to the following description of the specification.

  The safety device system of the present invention is formed by connecting one personal computer and a plurality of safety devices each having a unique address via a network.

  In each of the plurality of safety devices, a predetermined operation of the device is performed on condition that a storage unit for storing a password, and a verification match between a password input from the outside and a password stored in the storage unit. Locking means to permit.

  In the personal computer, in response to a user's predetermined operation, a password generation unit that generates a corresponding password, and a password generated by the password generation unit is transmitted to each of a plurality of predetermined safety devices connected to a network. Password transmitting means for transmitting.

  According to such a configuration, when a user performs a predetermined operation, a password corresponding to the operation is generated, and the generated password is set for each of a plurality of predetermined safety devices connected to the network. Sent to. For this reason, the user only needs to perform a predetermined operation for generating a password and does not perform an address input operation corresponding to each safety device. The generated password can be sent and registered with each individual safety device.

  At this time, the password generated on the personal computer side can take various forms. From the viewpoint of improving operability, password generation itself is not a problem. That is, what is important here is to eliminate the input operation of the device address corresponding to each individual safety device in order to realize the simplicity of operation, and in that case, the password itself is the user. It is only necessary to generate one or more corresponding passwords according to the intent of the user.

  Therefore, not only when the user directly inputs a password using character keys or numeric keys, but also automatically generates one or more passwords in conjunction with the user's key operation and a pre-installed program. Such cases may be included. Of course, from the viewpoint of simplicity of the program and ease of storage for the administrator, it is preferable that the password is generated by directly inputting the password using numerical keys and character keys.

  At this time, in a preferred embodiment, it is preferable that the password generated by the password generation means is a single password. In other words, even if there is only one password, the administrator can easily remember no matter how many safety devices exist, and even if the password is set in each safety device, simply change the device address to perform communication processing. This is because it is only necessary to repeat the above and internal processing becomes easy.

  In a preferred embodiment, the plurality of safety devices to which the password is transmitted are all safety devices connected to the network. According to such a configuration, the password generated in this way is automatically connected to the network as long as the password is generated by a predetermined operation without having to know how many safety devices are connected to each other. Since it is transmitted to all registered safety devices and registered, the work of the system administrator is remarkably simplified.

  In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of safety devices to which the password is to be transmitted are a plurality of designated safety devices among all safety devices connected to the network. Also good. In this way, when the entire system is divided into multiple systems and there are many safety devices for each system, the task of registering different passwords for each system is the same as for each system. Since the input operation is sufficient, the password registration operation can be simplified as a whole.

  The predetermined operation permitted by the locking means may include an operation for changing the operation of the configured device, an operation for locking the set configuration information, or an operation for rewriting the configuration information.

  According to the present invention, in this type of safety device system, an operation for registering a password in a plurality of safety devices on a network via a personal computer can be made as simple as possible.

  Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of a safety device system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  A basic system configuration diagram of the present invention is shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the system of the present invention connects a personal computer 1 and a plurality of safety devices 2, 2... Each assigned a unique address via a network 3. Is.

  Each of the plurality of safety devices 2, 2..., As will be described later, a storage unit for storing a password, and a verification match between a password input from the outside and a password stored in the storage unit And a locking means for permitting a predetermined operation of the device.

  On the other hand, on the personal computer 1 side, in response to a user's predetermined operation, a password generating means for generating a corresponding password, and a predetermined plurality of safety devices connected to the network by the password generated by the password generating means Password transmitting means for transmitting to each of the passwords. The details of each means in the personal computer 1 and each means in the safety device 2 described above will be described later in detail with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 5 and 6.

  Also, what is indicated by reference numeral 101 in the figure is a device password input screen displayed on the monitor of the personal computer 1, and this input screen includes a password input field 101a and “use this password for all devices”. ”101c is an OK button, and 101d is a cancel button. The meaning of the device password input screen will be described later in detail.

  Next, a system configuration diagram showing the inside of the personal computer (PC) and the safety device is shown in FIG. As is apparent from FIG. 2, passwords A and B are stored in the storage means 1a and 1b in the personal computer (PC). On the other hand, each of the safety devices 21, 22, 23, 24 is provided with storage means 21a, 21b, 21c, 21d.

  The same password (password A) is stored in the storage means 21a, 21b, 21c in the devices 21, 22, 23, while a different password (password B) is stored in the storage means 21d of the safety device 24. ) Is stored.

  In such a configuration, a system administrator who operates a personal computer (PC) possesses two types of passwords A and B, and when the password A is used, accesses the safety devices 21 to 23. On the other hand, when the password B is used, the remaining safe device 24 can be accessed.

  Next, an explanatory diagram of a communication method and format between the personal computer (PC) and each of the safety devices 21 to 24 is shown in FIG.

  2A shows a communication method and format when setting a password for each device, and FIG. 2B shows a communication method and format when accessing each device after setting the password. In any case, single cast communication is used as the communication method. As shown in FIG. 5A, a format including a device destination 31, a pre-change password 32, and a post-change password 33 in a transmission frame is used as a format when setting a password for each device.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5B, the format for accessing each device after setting the password includes the device network number 34, the device node number 35, and the device password 36 in the transmission frame. Things are used.

  Next, the relationship between configuration information and passwords in a personal computer (PC) is shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, passwords and configuration information are managed in pairs for each node number. Therefore, when accessing any node, the password corresponding to that node is used. Can do this.

  Next, FIG. 5 shows a flowchart showing the entire processing on the personal computer (PC) 1 side constituting the system of the present invention. When the processing is started in the figure, a password input screen is first displayed on the monitor screen of the personal computer (step 501). Here, examples of the password input screen include a screen indicated by reference numerals 101 and 102 in FIGS. 7 and 9, a screen indicated by reference numeral 105 in FIG. 10, and a screen indicated by reference numeral 108 in FIG. it can.

  Subsequently, as shown in the branch process of step 502, the process is divided into two steps depending on whether or not the same password is used for all devices. That is, when the same password is used for all devices (YES in step 502), the user checks a dialog box on the password input screen (step 503), and then performs a password input operation (step 504). On the other hand, when the same password is not used for all devices (NO in step 502), password input is repeatedly executed for each device (steps 506 and 507) until there are no password input devices (step 505). These operations (steps 505 to 507) are the same as before.

  After that, when the entered password is transmitted from the personal computer (PC) 1 to each safety device, the locked state is released in the safety devices, and the devices can be accessed. (Step 508).

  In the above operation, it is particularly important that when the same password is used for all devices (step 502), the user notifies the PC by checking the dialog box (step 503), and then the password is changed. There is no need for cumbersome processing such as simply inputting (step 504) and then repeatedly sending data by setting an address for each device.

  Next, a flowchart for explaining more detailed processing is shown in FIG. When processing is started in the figure, first, the value of the pointer n is set to the minimum number of node addresses of the device to be accessed.

  In the subsequent step 602, an access operation to the device (#n) is started (step 602). Subsequently, in step 603, it is determined that the dialog box has been checked. If the dialog box has been checked (YES in step 603), the process proceeds to step 608, where either password / password message transmission is performed to the device (#n). Is called.

  In the subsequent step 609, it is determined whether or not access to all the devices has been completed. If the access has not yet been completed (NO in step 609), the process proceeds to step 610, and the value of the pointer #n is set to the next device. After the node address is updated, the process returns to step 602 again, and the same processing is repeated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 603 that the dialog box has not been checked (step 603 NO), a password input screen is displayed on the monitor of the personal computer (step 604), and the password is input to the user. Prompted.

  If the user wants to use the same password for all devices (step 605 YES), the process proceeds to step 606, where a dialog box is checked, and then a password is entered (step 607). Then, the input password is transmitted to the device (#n) as a password / password-added message (step 608), and thereafter, all devices are accessed with the same password. In this way, when it is determined in step 609 that access to all devices has been completed, the processing shown in FIG. 6 ends.

  In the personal computer (PC) 1 of the present invention, if the dialog box is not checked on the password input screen (step 604), the password can be input for each device (step 607). As long as a predetermined dialog box is checked on the screen (step 604) (step 606), it is determined in step 603, and the manual password input processing (step 607) is skipped thereafter. In the case of a system administrator who wants to set the same password for all devices connected to, simply check the dialog box (step 606) and enter only one specific password (step 607). , Do nothing after that , For all safety devices 2, 2 connected to the network, each time without performing an address changing operation, it is possible to easily register the same password.

  After that, after the password is registered in each safety device, the password is given to the corresponding safety device to unlock it, change the operation of the configured device, or set configuration information. It is possible to individually perform operations such as locking and rewriting configuration information. At that time, the password management function by the built-in OS operates in the personal computer 1, but this is a formal one, and the actual password verification management is performed by each individual safety device itself. As a result, the requirements of safety laws and regulations can be fully satisfied.

  Next, an example of the password input screen is specifically shown in FIG. FIG. 4A is a password input screen for inputting one device, and FIG. 4B is a password input screen for inputting a plurality of devices.

  In these figures, 101 is a password input screen, 101a is a password input field, 101b is a dialog box, 101c is an OK button, 101d is a cancel button, 102 is a password input screen, 102a is a password input field, and 102b is a group name input field. , 102c are dialog boxes for device selection, 102d is an end button, and 102e is a button for continuing password input.

  When inputting one device shown in FIG. 5A, the system administrator inputs characters and numbers corresponding to a desired password in the password input field 101a, and then presses an OK button 101c. Then, the input password is transmitted to the corresponding device. On the other hand, if a desired password is entered in the password input field 101a and the dialog box 101b is checked, and then the OK button 101c is pressed, the entered password is transmitted to all devices connected to the network. Is done.

  On the other hand, in the case of FIG. 5B, a dialog box 102c displays a group name in the group name input field 102b, a password in the password input field 102a, and a numerical value corresponding to the node to which this password is to be applied. If the end button 102d is pressed after that, the password is registered in association with the group name, and all the passwords entered for the nodes (safety devices) checked in the dialog box 102c are registered. Sent to. Therefore, if this password input screen 102 is used, a common password can be automatically set only for the safety device designated by the check box 102c among all the safety devices connected to the network. .

  Next, an example of a password sharing (grouping) unit is shown in FIG. (A) in the figure shows a case where all selected devices are set as a common password, (b) in the figure shows a case where a plurality of groups can be selected, and a common password is set for each group, and (c) in FIG. This is a case where all the devices that have been used are set as individual passwords. As described above, in the system using the personal computer of the present invention, various forms can be selected and optimal password setting can be performed for each device or for each system.

  Next, some examples of the timing for inputting a password will be described. First, FIG. 9 shows a case where passwords of all common groups are input first. In this example, as shown in FIG. 5A, first, password input and group selection are performed (step S11), and then the same operation is repeated for all target devices (step S12). That is, as shown in FIG. 5B, the password is input using the password input screen 101 shown in FIG. 5B or the password input screen 102 shown in FIG. .

  Next, FIG. 10 shows a case where a password is input as needed for each common group. In this example, first, a group selection operation is performed (S21). Subsequently, access to the device (S22), display of a password input screen (S23), and password input (S24) are repeated for all groups. In this example, a group selection screen indicated by reference numeral 103, a group selection screen indicated by reference numeral 104, and a password input screen indicated by reference numeral 105 are selectively used. That is, the group selection screen 103 is provided with a group name input field 103a, a dialog box 103b for selecting a node joining the group, an end button 103c, and a button 103d for continuing the group selection.

  Further, the group selection screen 104 is provided with a group name input field 104a, a node address input field 104b in which the node addresses to be joined to the group are separated by commas, an OK mother turn 104c, and a cancel button 104d. .

  The password input screen 105 includes a password input field 105a to be input for a specific group, a dialog box 105b indicating that this password is used for all groups, an OK button 105c, and a cancel button 105d. And are provided.

  When grouping is actively performed and a specific password is set for the group, the dialog box 103b of the corresponding node is checked on the group selection screen 103, and the corresponding group name is input in the group name input field 103a. Then, the end button 103c is operated.

  Alternatively, on the group selection screen 104 shown in FIG. 5B, a group name is input in the group name input field 104a, and node addresses that join this group are input in the input field 104b separated by commas. Press the OK button 104c.

  When the group registration, that is, the grouping is completed by these operations, the process proceeds to FIG. 4D, where the password is input into the password input field 105a on the password input screen 105, and then the OK button 105c is operated. Then, the specified password is registered for the grouped group.

  On the other hand, if the dialog box 105b is checked in the password input field 105, this password will be used for all groups connected to the network regardless of the presence or absence of grouping.

  Next, FIG. 11 shows a case of selecting whether to enter passwords in order of nodes or to use passwords entered in advance. In this example, as shown in FIG. 5A, a password is first input (S31). Thereafter, the start of access to the device (S32), display of the password selection screen (S33), and password selection (S34) are repeated for all target devices.

  At this time, a group name input screen denoted by reference numeral 106 in FIG. 7B, a password selection screen denoted by reference numeral 107 in FIG. 10C, and a password selection screen denoted by reference numeral 108 in FIG. used. That is, after inputting the password group name and password in the input fields 106a and 106b on the group name input screen 106, the desired password group name corresponding to the password group name input field is input on the password selection screen 107. If the OK button 107c is pressed later, the password is selected. On the other hand, in the password selection screen 108, a password can also be selected when a target group name is selected from a list of password group names by a predetermined cursor operation and then the OK button 108b is pressed. If the dialog box 108d is checked, this password can be used for all devices.

  As described above, the present invention can be implemented in various forms, and a desired password can be freely assigned to all devices connected to the network, a specified group of devices, or a specific device. The user-friendliness of the password setting operation using this kind of personal computer can be remarkably improved.

  According to the present invention, when registering the same password to each of a large number of safety devices, the troublesome work of repeating the registration operation for changing the device address and repeating the password transmission each time becomes unnecessary. The operation for registering passwords in a plurality of safety devices on the network can be remarkably simplified.

1 is a basic system configuration diagram of the present invention. It is a system block diagram which shows the inside of PC and a safety device. It is explanatory drawing of a communication method and a format. It is explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between the configuration information and password in PC. It is a flowchart which shows the whole process outline | summary. It is a flowchart explaining a more detailed process. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a password input screen. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a common (grouping) password. It is explanatory drawing which shows the case where the password of all the common groups is input first. It is explanatory drawing which shows the case where a password is input at any time for every common group. It is explanatory drawing which shows the case where it chooses whether to enter a password in order of a node, or to input the password input beforehand.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 PC 2 Safety device 3 Network 1a, 1b Storage means 21-24 Safety device 21a-21d Storage means 31 Device destination 32 Password before change 33 Password after change 34 Device network number 35 Device node number 36 Password 101 Password input screen 101a Password entry field 101b Dialog box 101c OK button 101d Cancel button 102 Password entry screen 102a Password entry field 102b Group name entry field 102c Dialog box 102d Exit button 102e Button for continuing password entry 103 Group selection screen 103a Group name entry field 103b dialog Box 103c End button 103d To continue group selection Button 104 Group selection screen 104a Group name input field 104b Node address input field 104c OK button 104d Cancel button 105 Password input screen 105a Password input field 105b Dialog box 105c OK button 105d Cancel button 106 Group name input screen 106a Password group name input field 106b Password entry field 106c OK button 106d Cancel button 107 Password selection screen 107a Password group name entry field 107b Dialog box 107c OK button 107d Cancel button 108 Password selection screen 108a Password group name guidance field 108b OK button 108c Cancel button 108d Dialog box

Claims (5)

One PC and multiple safety devices with unique addresses are connected via a network,
In each of the plurality of safety devices,
Storage means for storing passwords;
Locking means for permitting a predetermined operation of the device, provided that the password entered from the outside and the password stored in the storage means are matched and matched,
The personal computer includes
A password generating means for generating a corresponding password in response to a predetermined operation by the user;
A safety device system comprising password transmitting means for transmitting the password generated by the password generating means to each of a plurality of predetermined safety devices connected to a network.   The safety device system according to claim 1, wherein the password generated by the password generation unit is one password.   The safety device system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of predetermined safety devices to which the password is to be transmitted are all safety devices connected to a network.   The predetermined plurality of safety devices to which the password is to be transmitted are a plurality of designated safety devices among all safety devices connected to the network. Safety device system.   2. The predetermined operation permitted by the locking means is an operation for changing an operation of a configured device, an operation for locking set configuration information, or an operation for rewriting configuration information. The safety device system in any one of -4.

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