Industrial sewing machine and user authentication method

Abstract

To easily introduce biometric authentication into authority management of an industrial sewing machine.SOLUTION: An industrial sewing machine includes: a main body unit that sews a sewing object; a communication unit that receives authentication result data of biometric authentication processing from a communication terminal; a storage unit that stores registration data in which the authentication result data is associated with an account; and a control unit that performs authority management according to the account. The control unit performs authentication processing for the account corresponding to the received authentication result data by comparing the authentication result data received from the communication terminal with the registration data.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to an industrial sewing machine and a user authentication method. [Background technology]

[0002] There is known an industrial sewing machine capable of setting various operation parameters. Patent Document 1 discloses a sewing machine control device capable of collectively changing a group of parameters that the user desires to change among a plurality of parameters. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2008-272345 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Changing sewing machine parameters affects sewing quality, so authority management is carried out to prevent general operators from making changes. Password-based authentication is generally used for authority management. Biometric authentication is a safer and simpler authentication method. Biometric authentication is an authentication method that uses information on unique human physical characteristics (biometric information) such as face, fingerprint, voice (voiceprint), and eyes (irises, etc.) as template data for authentication.

[0005] However, unlike passwords, which can be chosen arbitrarily, biometric information used in biometric authentication is difficult to change and corresponds to personal information that identifies a specific individual, so it must be handled with care. Therefore, when using biometric authentication for authority management, it becomes necessary to register the biometric information on the sewing machine, which creates issues in handling the biometric information.

[0006] The technology disclosed in this specification aims to easily introduce biometric authentication into the authority management of industrial sewing machines. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an industrial sewing machine comprising: a main body unit which sews on a sewing object; a communication unit which receives authentication result data of a biometric authentication process from a communication terminal; a memory unit which stores registration data which associates the authentication result data with an account; and a control unit which performs authority management according to the account, wherein the control unit performs authentication processing of the account corresponding to the received authentication result data by comparing the authentication result data received from the communication terminal with the registration data.

[0008] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a user authentication method for an industrial sewing machine, comprising the steps of: receiving authentication result data of a biometric authentication process from a communication terminal; comparing the received authentication result data with registration data that associates the authentication result data with an account; performing authentication processing of the account corresponding to the received authentication result data among the registration data; and performing authority management according to the authenticated account. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the aspects of the present invention, biometric authentication can be easily introduced into the authority management of industrial sewing machines. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of a sewing factory in which industrial sewing machines according to an embodiment are installed. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the industrial sewing machine and the information terminal according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing authentication result data and registration data according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an account according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the industrial sewing machine according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a login screen according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of a sewing factory in which an industrial sewing machine according to another embodiment is installed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the embodiment. The components of the embodiments described below can be appropriately combined. In addition, some components may not be used.

[0012] [Industrial sewing machines] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a sewing factory 1 in which an industrial sewing machine 2 according to an embodiment is installed. The industrial sewing machine 2 is installed in the sewing factory 1. A plurality of industrial sewing machines 2 are installed in the sewing factory 1. A sewing product is produced by sewing an object to be sewn with thread by the industrial sewing machine 2. An example of the sewn product is clothing. In this case, the object to be sewn is a fabric that becomes a part of the sewn product. In the sewing factory 1, the sewn product is produced by the plurality of industrial sewing machines 2. A plurality of types of industrial sewing machines 2 according to the purpose may be installed in the sewing factory 1. A plurality of types of industrial sewing machines 2 are installed in the sewing factory 1 so as to correspond to each of a plurality of processes for producing a sewn product. Examples of the types of industrial sewing machines 2 include a lock stitch sewing machine for sewing together a body, a button attaching sewing machine for attaching a button to a body, and a pocket attaching sewing machine for attaching a pocket to a body. A large number of different types of industrial sewing machines 2 are installed in one sewing factory 1. For ease of explanation, three industrial sewing machines 2 are shown in Fig. 1. A plurality of industrial sewing machines 2 of the same type may be installed in the sewing factory 1.

[0013] A manager and operators work in the sewing factory 1. The manager manages the operators and the industrial sewing machine 2. The operators operate the industrial sewing machine 2 to perform sewing processing. The manager and the operators are users of the industrial sewing machine 2. The manager may be one person or multiple people. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the managers include manager A and manager B. The operators may be one person or multiple people. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the operators include operator A, operator B, and operator C.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, an industrial sewing machine 2 constructs a network in a sewing factory 1 using a router 3 and an information terminal 5 which is a communication terminal.

[0015] The router 3 is a communication device that relays communication between the industrial sewing machine 2 and the information terminal 5. The router 3 is installed in the same facility where the industrial sewing machine 2 is installed. In other words, the router 3 is installed in the sewing factory 1. An example of the router 3 is a wireless local area network (LAN) router.

[0016] The information terminal 5 is a communication terminal capable of transmitting and receiving information through communication with the industrial sewing machine 2. The information terminal 5 is possessed by each of the manager and the operator. The information terminal 5 is loaned to each of the manager and the operator by the sewing factory 1. The information terminal 5 is a portable electronic device such as a smartphone, a smartwatch, or a tablet personal computer. The information terminal 5 may be a stationary electronic device such as a desktop personal computer.

[0017] A web browser is installed in the information terminal 5. A user accesses a web server via the web browser installed in the information terminal 5. A web server is installed in the industrial sewing machine 2. The web server provides a web page screen to the web browser based on a request from the web browser. In the embodiment, the web page screen provided from the web server to the web browser includes an operation screen that simulates the operation panel 31 of the industrial sewing machine 2. The operation screen is displayed on the display device of the information terminal 5. An operator can operate the industrial sewing machine 2 by operating the operation screen displayed on the display device of the information terminal 5.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an industrial sewing machine 2 and an information terminal 5 according to the embodiment.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 2, the information terminal 5 has an input device 6, a display device 7, a terminal control device 8, and a communication unit 9. The input device 6 generates input data by being operated by a user. The input data generated by the input device 6 is input to the terminal control device 8. An example of the input device 6 is a touch panel. The input device 6 may include a camera capable of reading a two-dimensional barcode. The display device 7 displays a display screen. An example of the display device 7 is a flat panel display such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an organic electroluminescence display (OELD). The terminal control device 8 includes a computer system. The terminal control device 8 has a processor such as a central processing unit (CPU), a main memory including a nonvolatile memory such as a read only memory (ROM) and a volatile memory such as a random access memory (RAM), a storage, and an interface including an input / output circuit. The communication unit 9 communicates with the industrial sewing machine 2.

[0020] The terminal control device 8 includes a storage unit 10, an input data acquisition unit 11, and a display control unit 12. The storage unit 10 stores a Web browser (Web browser application). The input data acquisition unit 11 acquires input data from the input device 6 and an authentication device 41 described later. The display control unit 12 causes the display device 7 to display a display screen.

[0021] The information terminal 5 has a function of executing biometric authentication processing. The information terminal 5 stores biometric information 40 used in the biometric authentication processing as authentication template data. The biometric information 40 is information obtained by encoding a person's unique physical characteristics through information processing. Examples of a person's unique physical characteristics include a face, a fingerprint, a voice (voiceprint), and eyes (irises, etc.). The biometric information 40 is recognition data obtained by recognizing a physical characteristic by the information terminal 5. The biometric information 40 is stored in the memory unit 10.

[0022] The information terminal 5 includes at least one authentication device 41 capable of acquiring biometric information 40. The authentication device 41 recognizes the unique physical characteristics of a person. The authentication device 41 differs depending on the biometric information 40 to be acquired. A camera is exemplified as the authentication device 41 capable of face, eye, or fingerprint recognition. When the input device 6 includes a camera, the camera provides the functions of both the input device 6 and the authentication device 41. A fingerprint recognition touch sensor is exemplified as the authentication device 41 that performs fingerprint recognition. A microphone is exemplified as the authentication device 41 capable of voice (voiceprint) recognition. When the input device 6 includes a microphone for calling, the microphone provides the functions of both the input device 6 and the authentication device 41. Therefore, the authentication device 41 may be a device dedicated to biometric authentication such as a fingerprint recognition touch sensor, or may be a non-dedicated device such as a camera or a microphone. The authentication device 41 is realized by any device capable of reading the physical characteristics of a user and application software for biometric authentication processing executed by the terminal control device 8. The application software for biometric authentication processing is recorded in the storage unit 10. The authentication device 41 may be incorporated in the information terminal 5, or may be connected to the information terminal 5 as a so-called external device.

[0023] In the biometric authentication process, the terminal control device 8 reads the physical features of the user with the authentication device 41 and generates recognition data. The terminal control device 8 performs authentication by comparing the generated recognition data with biometric information 40 (authentication template data). The storage unit 10 stores the biometric information 40 in association with an individual's terminal account. The terminal account is an account set in the system of the information terminal 5. When the generated recognition data matches the authentication template data of the terminal account, the terminal control device 8 determines that the authentication of the terminal account is successful. When the generated recognition data does not match the authentication template data of the terminal account, the terminal control device 8 determines that an authentication error has occurred.

[0024] The industrial sewing machine 2 has a main body 30, a processing device 13, a sewing machine control device 14, a communication unit 15, and an operation panel 31. The processing device 13 and the sewing machine control device 14 each include a computer system. The processing device 13 and the sewing machine control device 14 each have a processor such as a central processing unit (CPU), a main memory including a non-volatile memory such as a read only memory (ROM) and a volatile memory such as a random access memory (RAM), a storage, and an interface including an input / output circuit. The communication unit 15 communicates with the information terminal 5.

[0025] The main body 30 sews a sewing object in the industrial sewing machine 2. The main body 30 is a sewing mechanism of the industrial sewing machine 2. The main body 30 includes a motor, and a needle bar, a thread take-up lever, a shuttle, and a feed mechanism that are operated by power generated by the motor.

[0026] The processing device 13 includes a control unit 13A and a storage unit 13B. A Web server is installed in the processing device 13. The Web server is a computer program that provides an operation screen simulating the operation panel 31 to the Web browser installed in the information terminal 5 based on a request from the Web browser. The Web server also receives operation data generated by operating the operation screen in the information terminal 5. The processing device 13 functions as a Web server by the control unit 13A executing the computer program stored in the storage unit 13B.

[0027] The sewing machine control device 14 has a sewing machine control unit 16, a monitor unit 17, a storage unit 18, and a reading unit 19. The sewing machine control unit 16 controls the main body unit 30. The sewing machine control unit 16 outputs a control command to control the main body unit 30 based on operation data from the processing device 13. The sewing machine control unit 16 controls the main body unit 30 based on the operation data. The monitor unit 17 monitors the operating conditions of the main body unit 30. Examples of the operating conditions of the main body unit 30 include thread tension, pressure on the fabric, and the shape of the stitches (sewing shape) formed on the fabric. The industrial sewing machine 2 is provided with a sensor that detects the operating conditions of the main body unit 30. Examples of the sensor include a tension sensor that detects thread tension and a pressure sensor that detects pressure on the fabric. The monitor unit 17 can monitor the operating conditions of the main body unit 30 by acquiring detection data from the sensor. The monitor unit 17 can monitor the operating conditions of the main body unit 30 by acquiring a drive signal of a motor provided in the main body unit 30. The monitor unit 17 exemplifies the sewing speed of the main body unit 30 as an operating condition based on the drive signal of the motor. The sewing speed is the number of needle drops (the number of stitches formed) by the main body unit 30 per unit time, and is expressed, for example, in times per minute. The memory unit 18 stores the operating conditions of the industrial sewing machine 2 monitored by the monitor unit 17. The reading unit 19 is a reader for an external medium. The external medium is a portable storage medium such as a USB memory. The reading unit 19 can read sewing data from the external medium.

[0028] The industrial sewing machine 2 and the information terminal 5 communicate with each other via a communication unit 15 and a communication unit 9. The communication unit 15 of the industrial sewing machine 2 receives operation data from the information terminal 5. The industrial sewing machine 2 and the information terminal 5 may communicate with each other wirelessly or via a cable. An example of the cable is a Universal Serial Bus (USB) cable. One end of the cable is connected to a connection terminal such as a USB terminal provided on the industrial sewing machine 2. The other end of the cable is connected to a connection terminal such as a USB terminal provided on the information terminal 5.

[0029] The operation panel 31 is an input / output device provided in the industrial sewing machine 2. The operation panel 31 accepts operation input to the sewing machine control device 14, and displays various information such as the operating conditions of the industrial sewing machine 2. The operation panel 31 is provided with a flat panel display such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display as a display (output) device, a touch panel as an input device, and a speaker as an alarm device.

[0030] The processing device 13 transmits parameters indicating operating conditions held by the sewing machine control unit 16 to the router 3 or the information terminal 5. The information terminal 5 transmits operation data to the processing device 13 via a USB cable connected to the router 3 or the information terminal 5. The processing device 13 transfers the operation data received from the information terminal 5 to the sewing machine control unit 16. The operation data for operating the industrial sewing machine 2 includes authentication result data 60, which will be described later, a motor control command for the industrial sewing machine 2, a parameter change command, and a sewing machine operation mode change command.

[0031] The industrial sewing machine 2 performs an account authentication process by communicating with the information terminal 5. In the embodiment, the industrial sewing machine 2 performs an account authentication process for its own machine (industrial sewing machine 2) by utilizing the authentication result of the biometric authentication process performed by the information terminal 5. In other words, the industrial sewing machine 2 performs account authentication for the user based on the user being biometrically authenticated by the information terminal 5. Then, the control unit 13A of the processing device 13 performs authority management according to the account.

[0032] 3 is a schematic diagram showing authentication result data 60 and registration data 70 according to an embodiment. For authentication processing, the communication unit 15 receives authentication result data 60 of the biometric authentication processing from the information terminal 5. The authentication result data 60 is provided to the industrial sewing machine 2 from the information terminal 5 through communication between the communication unit 15 and the communication unit 9. The authentication result data 60 is data indicating the authentication result of the biometric authentication processing of the user performed in the information terminal 5. In the information terminal 5, the biometric information 40 for authentication is recorded in the storage unit 10 in association with user identification information 61 of the industrial sewing machine 2. The user identification information 61 is a code indicating the user authenticated by the biometric information 40, and is expressed as a unique character string or the like.

[0033] The authentication result data 60 provided to the industrial sewing machine 2 does not include the biometric information 40 used for biometric authentication, but includes the identification information (user identification information 61) of the user authenticated by the biometric authentication process. In other words, when the information terminal 5 performs authentication using the recognition data (biometric information 40) recognized by the authentication device 41, it transmits the user identification information 61 to the industrial sewing machine 2 instead of the recognition data. Therefore, the authentication result data 60 indicates that the individual indicated by the user identification information 61 has been properly authenticated by the biometric authentication process. The information terminal 5 completes the information processing (biometric authentication processing) that handles the biometric information 40 within the information terminal 5, and does not transmit the biometric information 40 to the industrial sewing machine 2. Therefore, the biometric information 40 is not recorded in any of the memory areas (memory unit 13B, memory unit 18, etc.) provided in the industrial sewing machine 2.

[0034] The industrial sewing machine 2 stores registration data 70 in which the authentication result data 60 corresponds to an account in the memory unit 13B of the processing device 13. The registration data 70 includes an identification information list 71 in which the user identification information 61 of each user is recorded, and account information 72 in which the accounts set in the industrial sewing machine 2 are recorded. The user identification information 61 is set individually for all users. In the registration data 70, multiple accounts are set in the account information 72. Each user identification information 61 corresponds to one of the multiple accounts set in the account information 72.

[0035] The control unit 13A performs authentication processing of the account corresponding to the received authentication result data 60 by collating the authentication result data 60 received from the information terminal 5 with the registration data 70. That is, the control unit 13A compares the user identification information 61 included in the received authentication result data 60 with information in the identification information list 71 registered in the registration data 70. If the same data as the user identification information 61 included in the authentication result data 60 exists in the identification information list 71, the control unit 13A performs authentication of the account associated with the user identification information 61. If the same data as the user identification information 61 included in the authentication result data 60 does not exist in the identification information list 71, the control unit 13A determines that an authentication error has occurred. As a result, the control unit 13A performs authentication of the account using the authentication result of the biometric authentication processing performed by the information terminal 5.

[0036] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an account according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 shows an example in which an account is set for each type of user, not for each individual user. That is, the registration data 70 (account information 72) includes an administrator account 73 and an operator account 74. In the example of FIG. 4, two types of operator accounts 74, an operator account 74A and an operator account 74B, are set. Unlike the example of FIG. 4, an account may be created for each individual user.

[0037] 1, the user identification information 61 of the administrator A and the user identification information 61 of the administrator B are associated with the administrator account 73. The user identification information 61 of the operator A, the user identification information 61 of the operator B, and the user identification information 61 of the operator C are associated with either the operator account 74A or 74B.

[0038] The administrator account 73 is an account that has setting authority for the control unit 13A and the main body unit 30. A user (administrator) who owns the administrator account 73 can perform various settings for the control unit 13A and settings of the operating conditions of the main body unit 30 without any restrictions.

[0039] The operator account 74 is an account with limited setting authority. The limited setting authority means that the operator does not have the authority to change at least some of the parameters that can be set for the control unit 13A and the main body unit 30 (i.e., the authority is limited). The restricted parameters include parameters related to the contents of the account and certain parameters that have a significant effect on the sewing quality among the operating conditions of the main body unit 30. Only the owner of the administrator account 73 can set and change such parameters.

[0040] The operator account 74A and the operator account 74B are different in the setting authority or the contents of the operating conditions of the main body unit 30. In one example, the operator account 74A does not set an upper limit on the operating speed (sewing speed) of the main body unit 30. Therefore, the owner of the operator account 74A can freely operate the main body unit 30 at an operating speed suitable for the owner. The operator account 74A is an account for a veteran operator who is skilled in work using the industrial sewing machine 2. The operator account 74B sets an upper limit on the operating speed (sewing speed) of the main body unit 30. Therefore, the owner of the operator account 74B can operate the main body unit 30 at an operating speed within a range up to the determined upper limit. The operator account 74B is an account for a novice operator who has little experience in work using the industrial sewing machine 2. In the operator account 74B, for example, access to an external medium via the reading unit 19 is restricted. That is, a novice operator is prohibited from changing data on the external medium so as not to access sewing data or the like and perform erroneous operations such as changing settings or erasing data.

[0041] 3, the registration data 70 may include setting information 75 of the main body unit 30. The setting information 75 of the main body unit 30 is associated with each piece of user identification information 61 in the identification information list 71. When authenticating an account, the control unit 13A performs a process of setting, in the main body unit 30, the setting information 75 corresponding to the authentication result data 60 (the user identification information 61 included in the authentication result data 60).

[0042] For example, when the authentication result data 60 includes the user identification information 61 of the operator A, the control unit 13A sets the setting information 75 associated with the user identification information 61 of the operator A in the main body unit 30. When the authentication result data 60 includes the user identification information 61 of the operator B, the control unit 13A sets the setting information 75 associated with the user identification information 61 of the operator B in the main body unit 30. Thereby, by using biometric authentication, which is personal authentication, the setting information 75 of the user is reflected.

[0043] In the example of FIG. 3, the setting information 75 of the main body 30 includes an operation speed setting of the main body 30. The operation speed setting of the main body 30 is an upper limit value of the operation speed (sewing speed). Each operator arbitrarily sets an upper limit value of the operation speed (sewing speed) within an allowed range. In the example of FIG. 3, the setting information 75 of the main body 30 includes a volume setting of the operation panel 31 and a display setting (contrast, display layout, etc.) of the operation panel 31. This reflects settings that are easy for each individual user to use.

[0044] The registration data 70 is permitted to be registered and edited by the administrator account 73 having the setting authority for the control unit 13A. The operator account 74 having no setting authority for the control unit 13A is prohibited from registering and editing the registration data 70. In the embodiment, when the control unit 13A authenticates the administrator account 73, the control unit 13A accepts the editing process of the registration data 70 via the communication unit 15. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, when the administrator authenticates with the administrator account 73 using the information terminal 5, the administrator can transition to an operation screen for managing the registration data 70 in a Web browser. The administrator can edit the registration data 70 from the operation screen. In addition, application software for managing the registration data 70 may be introduced into the information terminal 5 so that the editing process of the registration data 70 can be performed on the application. The editing process of the registration data 70 includes, for example, adding and deleting an account, adding and deleting the user identification information 61 to the identification information list 71, changing the association between the account and the user identification information 61, and changing the setting of the contents of the authority given to the operator account 74. The information terminal 5 transmits the contents of the editing process inputted to the operation screen of the Web browser (or the management application software) to the industrial sewing machine 2 via the communication unit 9. The processing device 13 reflects the received contents of the editing process in the registered data 70 in the memory unit 13B.

[0045] [Operation] Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the industrial sewing machine 2 according to the embodiment. Fig. 5 shows a procedure in which an operator operates the industrial sewing machine 2 through the information terminal 5, as an example.

[0046] In order to operate the information terminal 5, the operator performs a biometric authentication process on the information terminal 5 (step SA1). The terminal control device 8 acquires recognition data (biometric information 40) of the operator's physical features by the authentication device 41. The terminal control device 8 compares the recognition data with the biometric information 40 (authentication template data) recorded in the storage unit 10. The terminal control device 8 performs an authentication process for the terminal system using a terminal account associated with the biometric information 40 that matches the recognition data. As a result, the information terminal 5 operates using the terminal account associated with the biometric information 40, and authenticates the operator as the owner of the user identification information 61 associated with the biometric information 40.

[0047] In order to operate the industrial sewing machine 2 through the information terminal 5, the operator inputs the identification data of the industrial sewing machine 2 to be operated into the terminal control device 8 via the input device 6. As shown in FIG. 1, when a mutually different IP address 50 is assigned to each of the multiple industrial sewing machines 2 as the identification data of the industrial sewing machines 2, the operator inputs the IP address 50 with the input device 6 (touch panel). When a mutually different two-dimensional code is assigned to each of the multiple industrial sewing machines 2 as the identification data of the industrial sewing machines 2, the information terminal 5 reads the two-dimensional code. Note that the information terminal 5 and the industrial sewing machine 2 may be connected by a USB cable, and the identification data of the industrial sewing machine 2 may be transmitted to the information terminal 5 via the USB cable. The input data acquisition unit 11 of the terminal control device 8 acquires the identification data of the industrial sewing machine 2 from the input device 6 (step SA2). The Web browser transmits a request to the processing device 13 (Web server) based on the identification data from the input device 6. The Web browser requests the Web server to provide a login screen (step SA3).

[0048] Based on a request from the Web browser, industrial sewing machine 2 provides a login screen to the Web browser (step SB1).

[0049] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a login screen 100 according to an embodiment. As described above, a plurality of industrial sewing machines 2 are provided in the sewing factory 1 so as to correspond to a plurality of processes for producing a sewn product. Examples of the industrial sewing machines 2 provided in the sewing factory 1 include a lockstitch sewing machine for sewing together bodies, a button attaching sewing machine for attaching buttons to the bodies, and a pocket attaching sewing machine for attaching pockets to the bodies. In the login screen 100, a specific process can be selected from a plurality of processes. The display control unit 12 causes the display device 7 to display the login screen 100 provided to the Web browser (step SA4).

[0050] 6, the login screen 100 includes a login ID display field 20A, a login button 20, a first symbol 21 indicating a sewing process A, a second symbol 22 indicating a sewing process B, a third symbol 23 indicating an inspection process, and a fourth symbol 24 indicating an adjustment process. User identification information 61 is displayed in the login ID display field 20A.

[0051] The operator operates the input device 6 to select a process to be performed using the industrial sewing machine 2 from the symbols of each process. For example, the operator selects the first symbol 21 corresponding to process A, and then taps the login button 20. This generates login data for logging in to process A as input data.

[0052] The input data acquisition unit 11 of the terminal control device 8 acquires the generated login data from the input device 6, and acquires the authentication result data 60 including the user identification information 61 from the storage unit 10 (step SA5). The Web browser transmits a request to the industrial sewing machine 2 based on the login data and the authentication result data 60 acquired by the input data acquisition unit 11 (step SA6).

[0053] The control unit 13A of the industrial sewing machine 2 receives the authentication result data 60 included in the request (step SB2). The control unit 13A compares the received authentication result data 60 with the registration data 70 in which the authentication result data 60 is associated with an account (step SB3). That is, the control unit 13A compares the user identification information 61 included in the authentication result data 60 with each user identification information 61 included in the identification information list 71 of the registration data 70. The control unit 13A performs authentication processing of the account corresponding to the received authentication result data 60 in the registration data 70 (step SB4). That is, the control unit 13A authenticates the account associated with the user identification information 61 included in the authentication result data 60. As a result, the operator who operates the information terminal 5 is authenticated as the owner of the operator account 74 of the industrial sewing machine 2. When the authentication of the account is completed, the control unit 13A reflects the setting information 75 associated with the authenticated user identification information 61 in the main body unit 30.

[0054] Furthermore, the industrial sewing machine 2 provides the Web browser with an operation screen corresponding to the process A based on the login data for the process A included in the request (step SB5). The display control unit 12 causes the display device 7 to display the operation screen provided to the Web browser (step SA7). On the operation screen corresponding to the process A, various operating conditions related to the process A are displayed.

[0055] For example, the operation screen corresponding to the process A displays a pattern list symbol for selecting a sewing pattern, a count symbol for setting the number of reciprocating movements of the sewing machine needle, a sewing shape symbol for selecting a sewing shape, a selection button for enabling or disabling a backstitching function at the beginning, a selection button for enabling or disabling a backstitching function at the end, a sewing pitch button for selecting a sewing pitch, etc. The display control unit 12 displays only the operating conditions for which the setting change is permitted in accordance with the setting authority of the authenticated account (here, the operator account 74) so ​​that the setting can be changed. The display control unit 12 does not accept an operation input for an operating condition for which the setting change is prohibited. In this way, the control unit 13A performs authority management according to the authenticated account.

[0056] The operator operates the input device 6 to select operating conditions for the industrial sewing machine 2. The input data acquisition unit 11 of the terminal control device 8 acquires operation data generated by operating the operation screen from the input device 6 (step SA8). The Web browser transmits the operation data generated from the input device 6 by operating the operation screen to the industrial sewing machine 2 (step SA9).

[0057] Control unit 13A of industrial sewing machine 2 (processing device 13) transmits operation data from the Web browser of information terminal 5 to sewing machine control device 14. The operation data is transmitted from information terminal 5 to sewing machine control unit 16 via processing device 13. Sewing machine control unit 16 controls main body unit 30 based on the operation data (step SB6).

[0058] The above processes are similar when the administrator performs account authentication of the industrial sewing machine 2. When the administrator performs operations, the operations are mainly to change various settings of the industrial sewing machine 2, and therefore the operation data transmitted in step SA9 is mainly data instructing changes to the settings. When the administrator performs settings for each industrial sewing machine 2, account authentication may be performed collectively for a plurality of industrial sewing machines 2 via the router 3. When authentication is performed with the administrator account 73, all operating conditions can be selected and settings can be changed on the operation screen corresponding to each process. Also, as described above, when authentication is performed with the administrator account 73, it is possible to display the account management screen by the Web browser of the information terminal 5. This allows the administrator to perform operations for editing the registered data 70 on the account management screen.

[0059] [effect] As described above, according to this embodiment, the industrial sewing machine 2 includes the main body 30 that sews the sewing object, the communication unit 15 that receives the authentication result data 60 of the biometric authentication process from the information terminal 5 that is a communication terminal, the storage unit 13B that stores the registration data 70 that associates the authentication result data 60 with an account, and the control unit 13A that performs authority management according to the account, and the control unit 13A performs authentication processing of the account corresponding to the received authentication result data 60 by collating the authentication result data 60 received from the information terminal 5 with the registration data 70. As a result, the information terminal 5 executes the biometric authentication processing using the biometric information 40, and the account authentication of the industrial sewing machine 2 is performed using the result of the biometric authentication processing. Therefore, unlike the case where the industrial sewing machine 2 performs the biometric authentication processing, it is not necessary to store the biometric information 40 in the industrial sewing machine 2. Therefore, biometric authentication can be easily introduced into the authority management of the industrial sewing machine 2.

[0060] Moreover, in this embodiment, the authentication result data 60 does not include the biometric information 40 used for biometric authentication, but includes the user identification information 61 authenticated by the biometric authentication process. This allows the industrial sewing machine 2 to introduce biometric authentication without handling the biometric information 40. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the registration data 70 includes an administrator account 73 that has setting authority for the control unit 13A and the main body unit 30, and an operator account 74 with limited setting authority. This allows efficient authority management of the industrial sewing machine 2 through account authentication using biometric authentication. Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the control unit 13A authenticates the administrator account 73, it accepts an editing process of the registration data 70 via the communication unit 15. This allows the user to edit the registration data 70 related to account and authority management using the information terminal 5, improving the convenience of the industrial sewing machine 2.

[0061] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the control unit 13A has authenticated the account, the control unit 13A performs a process of setting the setting information 75 corresponding to the authentication result data 60 in the main body unit 30. As a result, the personal settings are reflected in the industrial sewing machine 2 together with the account authentication, so that the industrial sewing machine 2 can be immediately used with settings suitable for each individual user.

[0062] [Other embodiments] In the above-described embodiment, the information terminal 5 is capable of wireless communication with the industrial sewing machine 2 over a wireless local area network via the router 3. The information terminal 5 may also be capable of wireless communication with the industrial sewing machine 2 without going through the router 3. In this case, the information terminal 5 may be capable of communicating with the industrial sewing machine 2 by short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or optical communication, for example.

[0063] In the embodiment, the processing device 13 and the sewing machine control device 4 are provided separately. The processing device 13 and the sewing machine control device 4, both of which are computer systems, may be integrated into a single device.

[0064] In the embodiment, the registration data 70 is stored in the storage unit 13B of each of the multiple industrial sewing machines 2. The registration data 70 may be stored in an external server. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a sewing factory 1 in which an industrial sewing machine 2 according to another embodiment is installed. In the example of FIG. 7, an external server 4 that holds the registration data 70 is installed inside or outside the facility of the sewing factory 1. When a request is received from an information terminal 5, each industrial sewing machine 2 may access the external server 4 to acquire the registration data 70. Also, the external server 4 may compare the authentication result data 60 (user identification information 61) with the registration data 70 in response to a request from the information terminal 5, and the external server 4 may instruct the industrial sewing machine 2 on the account to be authenticated, thereby realizing the authentication process of the account for the industrial sewing machine 2.

[0065] The external server 4 may be installed in the same facility where the industrial sewing machine 2 is installed. That is, the external server 4 may be installed in the sewing factory 1. The external server 4 may be a cloud server that provides services in the form of cloud computing. In that case, the external server 4 is installed outside the sewing factory 1. Each of the industrial sewing machine 2 and the information terminal 5 communicates with the external server 4 via the router 3. Each of the industrial sewing machine 2 and the information terminal 5 can obtain the registered data 70 from the external server 4. The information terminal 5 can perform editing processing of the registered data 70 for the external server 4. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 1... sewing factory, 2... industrial sewing machine, 3... router, 4... external server, 5... information terminal, 6... input device, 7... display device, 8... terminal control device, 9... communication unit, 10... memory unit, 11... input data acquisition unit, 12... display control unit, 13... processing device, 13A... control unit, 13B... memory unit, 14... sewing machine control device, 15... communication unit, 16... sewing machine control unit, 17... monitor unit, 18... memory unit, 19... reading unit, 20... login button, 20A... display column, 2 1...first symbol, 22...second symbol, 23...third symbol, 24...fourth symbol, 30...main body, 31...operation panel, 40...biometric information, 41...authentication device, 50...IP address, 60...authentication result data, 61...user identification information, 70...registration data, 71...identification information list, 72...account information, 73...administrator account, 74, 74A, 74B...operator account, 75...setting information, 100...login screen.

Claims

1. a main body portion that sews on a sewing object; a communication unit that receives authentication result data of the biometric authentication process from the communication terminal; a storage unit that stores registration data in which the authentication result data is associated with an account; a control unit that performs authority management according to the account, the control unit performs authentication processing for the account corresponding to the received authentication result data by comparing the authentication result data received from the communication terminal with the registration data. Industrial sewing machine.

2. The authentication result data does not include biometric information used for biometric authentication, but includes identification information of a user authenticated by the biometric authentication process.

2. The industrial sewing machine according to claim 1.

3. The registration data includes an administrator account having setting authority for the control unit and the main body unit, and an operator account having limited setting authority.

2. The industrial sewing machine according to claim 1.

4. when authenticating the administrator account, the control unit accepts an editing process of the registration data via the communication unit.

4. The industrial sewing machine according to claim 3.

5. The registration data includes setting information of the main body unit, When the control unit has authenticated the account, the control unit performs a process of setting the setting information corresponding to the authentication result data in the main body unit.

5. An industrial sewing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. A method for authenticating a user of an industrial sewing machine, comprising: receiving authentication result data of the biometric authentication process from the communication terminal; A step of matching the received authentication result data with registration data that associates the authentication result data with an account; performing an authentication process for the account corresponding to the received authentication result data among the registration data; and performing authority management according to the authenticated account. The user authentication method.

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