JPH0863209A - Program protection system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To prevent a program which is stored in a numerical controller from illegally being copied. CONSTITUTION: A password 41 for release is stored on a memory card 40. A read means 10a in the numerical controller 10 reads the password 41 for release when the memory card 40 is mounted. In the numerical controller 10, a nonvolatile memory 14 which stores a program 14b and a password 14a for confirmation is provided. A collating means 10b collates the read password 41 for release with the password 14 for confirmation and sets a limitation resetting flag 10c when they match each other. A function limiting means 10d allows all requests including a copy request and a reference request to the program 14b in the nonvolatile memory 14 only when the limitation resetting flag 10c is set. Consequently, only a person who bears the memory card on which the same password for release as the password for confirmation in the nonvolatile memory can copy and refer to the program.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a program protection system for a numerical control device, and more particularly to a program protection system for a numerical control device having various programs to be retained even when power is turned off.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a numerical control device, various programs are held in a non-volatile memory. The program includes
Some are specially made for the machine tool to be controlled, and the numerical control device is delivered to the user's destination with the program stored therein.

In the normal case, the user is only permitted to execute the program in the delivered numerical control device, and the copying of the program is prohibited. However, copying this program was easy, and illegal copying was possible. Therefore, there has been a demand for making a program copyable only to those who have ownership of the program. If the program can be referenced even if the copying of the program is prohibited, the same program will be created. Therefore, it is necessary to prohibit the reference.

Conventionally, a password is set in the numerical control device, and the program can be copied or referenced only when the password is input by the MDI key or the like. This allows only those who know the password to copy the program.

[0005]

However, if the password is entered by key operation, if the person who has ownership of the program loses the password copy after setting the password, reference or copy is performed. If you have a need, you cannot do it. Moreover, the copy of the password is often recorded on paper, and is easily lost.

[0006] Further, if another person is operating the key operation for inputting the password, the password may be leaked. Therefore, it is possible to provide a mechanical key so that the program can be copied or referenced only when the lock is released by the key, but a different key is provided for each machine maker. Is not realistic in terms of manufacturing cost of the numerical control device.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a program protection system for preventing illegal copying of a program stored in a numerical control device.

[0008]

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a program protection system for a numerical control device having a program to be retained even when power is turned off,
A memory card for storing a release password, a non-volatile memory provided in the numerical control device for storing the program and the confirmation password, and the memory card in the memory card when the memory card is mounted. A reading means for reading the release password, a comparing means for comparing the confirmation password and the release password, and setting a restriction release flag when they match, and a checking means for not setting the restriction release flag A function protection unit that restricts requests to the program and makes all the requests to the program executable when the restriction release flag is set. To be done.

[0009]

[Function] The memory card stores a password for cancellation. The non-volatile memory provided in the numerical controller is
Stores the program and confirmation password. The reading means reads the release password in the memory card when the memory card is attached. The collating means collates the confirmation password with the cancellation password, and sets a restriction cancellation flag if they match. When the restriction release flag is not set, the function restriction means restricts the request to the program, prohibits copying and reference,
When the restriction release flag is set, all requests to the program can be executed.

This makes it possible to prevent illegal copying of the protected program stored in the numerical control apparatus.

[0011]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a program protection system of the present invention. This block diagram includes a numerical controller 10 and a memory card 40 that can be mounted on the numerical controller 10. A cancellation password 41 is stored in the memory card 40. Numerical control device 10
The reading means 10a therein reads the cancellation password 41 in the memory card 40 when the memory card 40 is attached to the numerical controller 10.

Further, in the numerical controller 10, a non-volatile memory 14 storing a program 14b and a confirmation password 14a is provided. And collating means 10b
Compares the release password 41 read by the reading means 10a with the confirmation password 14a in the non-volatile memory 14, and sets a limit release flag 10c if they match.

The function limiting means 10d has a limit release flag 1
Only when 0c is set, the nonvolatile memory 14
All requests including a copy request and a reference request are permitted to the program 14b therein. Limit release flag 10c
If is not set, copy requests and reference requests are prohibited.

As a result, only the person who owns the memory card 40 storing the cancel password 41 which is the same as the confirmation password 14a in the non-volatile memory 14 can copy or refer to the program 14b.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of hardware of the numerical controller according to the present invention. The numerical controller is mainly composed of the processor 11. The processor 11 controls the entire numerical controller according to the system program stored in the ROM 12. EPROM or EEPROM is used for the ROM 12.

An SRAM or the like is used as the RAM 13, and temporary calculation data, display data, input / output signals, etc. are stored therein. A CMOS (not shown) backed up by a battery is used for the non-volatile memory 14, and programs, confirmation passwords, parameters, machining programs, tool correction data, pitch error correction data, etc., that are to be retained even after power-off are stored. To be done.

The CRT / MDI unit 20 is arranged on the front surface of the numerical controller or at the same position as the machine operation panel,
Used to display data and graphics, input data, and operate numerical control equipment. The graphic control circuit 21 converts a digital signal such as numerical data and graphic data into a raster signal for display and sends the raster signal to the display device 22, and the display device 22 displays these numerical values and graphics. CR on the display device 22
A T or liquid crystal display device is used.

The keyboard 23 is composed of numerical keys, symbolic keys, character keys and function keys, and is used for creating and editing a machining program and operating the numerical control device. The software key 24 is provided below the display device 22, and its function is displayed on the display device. When the screen of the display device changes, the function of the software key changes corresponding to the displayed function.

The memory card interface 17 is a PC
MCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card Internatio)
The memory card 40 conforming to the standard defined by the Nal Association) can be mounted. Then, the data of the attached memory card 40 can be accessed. This memory card 40 has a flash ROM
Alternatively, a battery-backed SRAM is used.

The axis control circuit 15 receives the axis movement command from the processor 11, and outputs the axis movement command to the servo amplifier 16
Output to. The servo amplifier 16 amplifies this movement command and drives a servo motor coupled to the machine tool 30,
It controls the relative motion of the tool and the work of the machine tool 30. The axis control circuits 15 and the servo amplifiers 16 are provided by the number corresponding to the number of axes of the servo motor.

A PMC (Programmable Machine Controller) 18 is M from the processor 11 via the bus 19.
Receives (auxiliary) function signal, S (spindle speed control) function signal, T (tool selection) function signal, and the like. Then, these signals are processed by a sequence program, and output signals are output, and pneumatic equipment, hydraulic equipment in the machine tool 30,
Controls electromagnetic actuators, etc. Also, the machine tool 30
In response to the signals from the machine control panel inside, such as button signals, switch signals and limit switches, sequence processing is performed,
The necessary input signals are transferred to the processor 11 via the bus 19.

In FIG. 2, the spindle motor control circuit, the spindle motor amplifier, etc. are omitted. In the above example, the number of processors 11 is one, but
It is also possible to use multiple processors in a multiprocessor configuration.

Next, a method of setting a password in the numerical controller shown in FIG. 2 will be described. First, the power of the numerical controller is turned on while simultaneously pressing the two keys of the keyboard 23. As a result, the contents of the non-volatile memory 14 are all cleared. Clearing the contents of the non-volatile memory 14 means setting all the data in the non-volatile memory 14 to initial values. Then, the password setting screen is displayed on the display device 22. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a password setting screen. On the password setting screen 50, a message 51 for accepting the input of the password to be initially set is displayed. Here, the operator inputs the password. In this example, "OSINO FMR60HD
1234567 ”has been entered. This password is stored in the non-volatile memory 14 as a confirmation password.

Next, a message 52 asking whether to create a memory card storing the password is displayed. The operator inputs "Y" if the memory card is to be created, and "N" if the memory card is not to be created. In this example, "Y" is entered.

When the memory card creation is selected, a message 53 requesting to mount the memory card is displayed. The operator inserts the memory card into the memory card interface 17 (shown in FIG. 2) and inputs "Y". Here, the cancellation password is written in the memory card.

When the writing of the password for cancellation is finished on the memory card, a message 54 asking whether to continue the password writing operation is displayed. Enter "Y" to continue, or "N" to end.

After that, the program in the non-volatile memory cannot be referred to or copied unless the memory card in which the cancel password is written is attached to the numerical controller.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a processing procedure at the time of turning on the power of the numerical control device to which the password is set. This flowchart is executed when the power of the numerical controller is turned on. [S1] It is determined whether or not a memory card is mounted. If the memory card is mounted, the process proceeds to step 2, and if not, the process proceeds to step 6. Whether or not this memory card is mounted can be determined by whether or not a specified voltage is applied to pins at both ends of the memory card. [S2] It is judged whether or not the release password is written in the memory card. If it is written, the process proceeds to step 3, and if it is not written, the process proceeds to step 6. [S3] The unlock password is read from the memory card. Note that steps 1 to 3 are procedures performed by the reading means 10a shown in FIG. [S4] The confirmation password in the non-volatile memory is collated with the release password read from the memory card. If they match, the process proceeds to step 5, and if they do not match, the process proceeds to step 6. [S5] The restriction release flag is set. Steps 4 and 5 are procedures performed by the matching means 10b shown in FIG. [S6] The numerical control device is brought into a normal operating state.

In this way, the cancellation password and the confirmation password in the memory card are collated. next,
A processing procedure of the numerical controller when a program display request is output so that various operations such as copying of a program can be performed will be described.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when a program display request is output. The procedure shown in this flowchart is a procedure executed by the function limiting means shown in FIG. [S7] A program display request is input. [S8] It is determined whether or not the restriction release flag is set. If it is set, the process proceeds to step 9, and if it is not set, the program is not displayed and the process ends. [S9] The program is displayed on the display device. By displaying the program, the operator can freely perform operations such as copying the program.

As a result, a program in the non-volatile memory can be copied or referred to by anyone other than the person who owns the memory card in which the release password having the same contents as the confirmation password set in the numerical controller is stored. Can not do it. That is, the machine tool manufacturer who created the program can set the password at the same time when the program is stored in the non-volatile memory, and can prevent illegal copying of the program. Then, by storing the memory card in which the unlock password is stored and mounting it in the numerical control device only when necessary, it is possible to freely copy and refer to the program for maintenance. .

Further, although this numerical control device is the same in terms of hardware, it is possible to remove restrictions such as copying with a hardware key using a memory card. Therefore, there is no fear that the password will be leaked during key operation, and the manufacturing cost of the numerical control device can be kept low.

Further, since the program and the confirmation password are stored in the same non-volatile memory, it is not possible to erase only the confirmation password. For example, if the battery of the non-volatile memory is removed, the program is also erased at the same time, so the program cannot be copied.

[0034]

As described above, according to the present invention, the nonvolatile password is stored only when the confirmation password stored in the nonvolatile memory in the numerical controller and the release password in the mounted memory card match. Since the program in the memory can be operated without limitation, it is possible to prevent illegal copying of the program in the non-volatile memory.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a program protection system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of hardware of a numerical controller according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a password setting screen.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure at the time of turning on the power of the numerical control device to which a password is set.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when a program display request is output.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Numerical Control Device 10a Reading Means 10b Collating Means 10c Limit Release Flag 10d Function Limiting Means 14 Nonvolatile Memory 14a Confirmation Password 14b Program 40 Memory Card 41 Release Password

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A program protection method for a numerical control device having a program to be retained even when power is cut off, a memory card for storing a cancellation password, a program and a confirmation password provided in the numerical control device. A non-volatile memory for storing a reading means for reading the cancellation password in the memory card when the memory card is attached, and the verification password and the cancellation password are collated, and if they match To a collation unit that sets a restriction release flag, and if the restriction release flag is not set, limits the request to the program, and if the restriction release flag is set, to the program Program protection characterized by having a function limiting means for making all requests executable. method. 2. The program according to claim 1, wherein the function restricting means makes the display request and the copy request for the program unexecutable when the restriction release flag is not set. Protection method. 3. The memory card is a flash ROM
The program protection system according to claim 1, wherein: