Industrial sewing machine and user authentication method

Abstract

An industrial sewing machine (2) comprises: a main body unit (30) that sews a sewing object; a communication unit (15) that receives authentication result data (60) of a biometric authentication process from a communication terminal; a storage unit (13B) that stores registration data (70) in which the authentication result data (60) is associated with an account; and a control unit (13A) that performs permissions management according to the account. The control unit (13A) verifies authentication result data (60) received from a communication terminal (5) against the registration data (70).

Description

Industrial sewing machine and user authentication method

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an industrial sewing machine and a user authentication method.

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Industrial sewing machines are known in which various operating parameters can be set. Patent Document 1 discloses a sewing machine control device that can collectively change a group of desired parameters from among a plurality of parameters.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2008-272345

[0004] Changing the operating parameters of a sewing machine affects the quality of stitching. For this reason, authority to change operating parameters is managed to prevent general operators from making changes. Password-based authentication is generally used to manage authority to change operating parameters. A safer and simpler authentication method is biometric authentication. Biometric authentication is an authentication method that uses information on a person's unique physical characteristics (biometric information) as authentication template data. Biometric information includes, for example, face, fingerprint, voice (voiceprint), and eye (iris, etc.).

[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 with how to handle the biometric information.

[0006] The present disclosure aims to easily introduce biometric authentication into the authority management of industrial sewing machines.

[0007] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an industrial sewing machine including: a main body unit that sews on a sewing object; a communication unit that receives authentication result data of a biometric authentication process from a communication terminal; a memory unit that stores registration data that associates the authentication result data with an account; and a control unit that 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 disclosure, there is provided a user authentication method for an industrial sewing machine, the method 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 for the account in the registration data that corresponds to the received authentication result data; and managing authority according to the authenticated account.

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

[0010] FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a sewing factory in which an industrial sewing machine according to an embodiment is installed. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an industrial sewing machine and an information terminal according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing authentication result data and registration data according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an account according to an embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of an industrial sewing machine according to an embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a login screen according to an embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically showing a sewing factory in which an industrial sewing machine according to another embodiment is installed.

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the following embodiments are merely examples of the present disclosure. The present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments. The components of the embodiments described below can be combined as appropriate. In addition, some components may not be used.

[0012] [Industrial Sewing Machine] 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 sewn product is produced by the industrial sewing machine 2 sewing an object to be sewn with thread. An example of the sewn product is clothing. In this case, the object to be sewn is fabric that will become a component of the sewn product. In the sewing factory 1, a plurality of industrial sewing machines 2 are produced. A plurality of types of industrial sewing machines 2 may be installed in the sewing factory 1 according to the application. 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 types of industrial sewing machines 2 include a lockstitch sewing machine for sewing together body parts, a button sewing machine for attaching buttons to body parts, and a pocket sewing machine for attaching pockets to body parts. A single sewing factory 1 is equipped with a large number of industrial sewing machines 2 of many different types. For ease of explanation, three industrial sewing machines 2 are shown in Fig. 1. A sewing factory 1 may be equipped with a plurality of industrial sewing machines 2 of the same type.

[0013] A manager and operators work in a 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 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, industrial sewing machines 2 form 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 as the industrial sewing machine 2. 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 via 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 also 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. This 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 includes 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 when 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 two-dimensional barcodes. 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 includes a processor, a main memory including nonvolatile memory and volatile memory, storage, and an interface including an input / output circuit. An example of the processor is a central processing unit (CPU). An example of the nonvolatile memory is a read-only memory (ROM). An example of the volatile memory is a random access memory (RAM). The communication unit 9 communicates with the industrial sewing machine 2 .

[0020] The terminal control device 8 has 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 input data from an authentication device 41 (described later). The display control unit 12 displays a display screen on the display device 7.

[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, fingerprints, voice (voiceprint), and eyes (irises, etc.). The biometric information 40 is recognition data obtained by recognizing the physical characteristics 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 a person's unique physical characteristics. The authentication device 41 varies depending on the biometric information 40 to be acquired. A camera is an example of the authentication device 41 capable of face, eye, or fingerprint recognition. If the input device 6 includes a camera, the camera functions as both the input device 6 and the authentication device 41. A fingerprint recognition touch sensor is an example of the authentication device 41 capable of fingerprint recognition. A microphone is an example of the authentication device 41 capable of voice (voiceprint) recognition. If the input device 6 includes a microphone for calls, the microphone functions as 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 a non-dedicated device, such as a camera or microphone. The authentication device 41 is realized by any device capable of reading a user's physical characteristics 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 memory unit 10. The authentication device 41 may be incorporated into 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 user's physical characteristics using 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. If 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. If the generated recognition data does not match the authentication template data of the terminal account, the terminal control device 8 determines that the authentication of the terminal account is an error.

[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, a main memory including non-volatile memory and volatile memory, storage, and an interface including an input / output circuit. In each of the processing device 13 and the sewing machine control device 14, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) is exemplified as the processor, a ROM (Read Only Memory) is exemplified as the non-volatile memory, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) is exemplified as the volatile memory. The communication unit 15 communicates with the information terminal 5.

[0025] The main body 30 sews the 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 on the information terminal 5. The processing device 13 functions as a web server when the control unit 13A executes 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 memory 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 control commands 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, fabric presser foot pressure, and the shape of the stitches (sewing shape) formed on the fabric. The industrial sewing machine 2 is provided with sensors that detect the operating conditions of the main body unit 30. Examples of the sensors include a tension sensor that detects thread tension and a presser foot pressure sensor that detects fabric presser foot pressure. The monitor unit 17 can monitor the operating conditions of the main body unit 30 by acquiring detection data from the sensors. The monitor unit 17 can monitor the operating conditions of the main body unit 30 by acquiring drive signals from the motors provided in the main body unit 30. An example of an operating condition based on the motor drive signal is the sewing speed of the main body 30. The sewing speed is the number of needle drops (number of stitches formed) per unit time by the main body 30, 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 external media. The external media is a portable storage medium such as a USB memory. The reading unit 19 can read sewing data from the external media.

[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 inputs 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 the 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 transmits 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 account authentication processing by communicating with the information terminal 5. In the embodiment, the industrial sewing machine 2 performs account authentication processing for its own machine (industrial sewing machine 2) using the authentication result of the biometric authentication processing 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 diagram schematically showing authentication result data 60 and registration data 70 according to an embodiment. For the authentication process, the communication unit 15 receives authentication result data 60 of the biometric authentication process 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 units 15 and 9. The authentication result data 60 is data indicating the authentication result of the biometric authentication process of the user performed on the information terminal 5. In the information terminal 5, 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 (arbitrarily determined specific) 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 does include 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 identified by the user identification information 61 has been properly authenticated by the biometric authentication process (authentication was successful). 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 storage areas (storage unit 13B, storage unit 18, etc.) provided in the industrial sewing machine 2.

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

[0035] The control unit 13A performs authentication processing for 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 the 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 determines that the authentication of the account associated with the user identification information 61 has succeeded. 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 the authentication of the account associated with the user identification information 61 has failed. As a result, the control unit 13A authenticates 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 accounts according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 shows an example in which an account is set not for each individual user but for each type of 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 are set: an operator account 74A and an operator account 74B. Note that the account settings are not limited to the example of FIG. 4. For example, unlike the example of FIG. 4, an account may be created for each individual user.

[0037] In the example shown in Fig. 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 in Fig. 4. 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 in Fig. 4.

[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 setting operating conditions for 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 account contents and certain parameters among the operating conditions of the main body unit 30 that have a significant impact on sewing quality. Only the owner of the administrator account 73 can set and change such parameters.

[0040] The operator account 74A and the operator account 74B differ in the setting authority or the operating conditions of the main body unit 30. For example, the operator account 74A does not have an upper limit set for 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 that suits the operator. The operator account 74A is an account for a veteran operator who is skilled in working with the industrial sewing machine 2. The operator account 74B has an upper limit set for 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 the set upper limit. The operator account 74B is an account for a novice operator who has little experience working with the industrial sewing machine 2. For example, the operator account 74B has limited access to external media via the reading unit 19. That is, a novice operator is prohibited from changing data on the external media to prevent accessing sewing data and making erroneous operations such as changing settings or erasing data.

[0041] 3, the registration data 70 may also 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, if the authentication result data 60 includes the user identification information 61 of operator A, the control unit 13A sets the setting information 75 associated with the user identification information 61 of operator A in the main body unit 30. If the authentication result data 60 includes the user identification information 61 of operator B, the control unit 13A sets the setting information 75 associated with the user identification information 61 of operator B in the main body unit 30. In this way, by using biometric authentication, which is personal authentication, the setting information 75 of the individual user is reflected.

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

[0044] The registration data 70 is permitted to be registered and edited by an administrator account 73 that has setting authority over the control unit 13A. An operator account 74 that does not have setting authority over 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, it accepts an editing process for the registration data 70 via the communication unit 15. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1 , when an 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. Alternatively, application software for managing the registration data 70 may be installed in the information terminal 5, allowing the administrator to edit the registration data 70 on the application. Editing the registration data 70 includes, for example, adding and deleting accounts, adding and deleting user identification information 61 to and from the identification information list 71, changing the association between accounts and user identification information 61, and changing the settings of the authority granted to the operator account 74. The information terminal 5 transmits the content 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 content of the editing process in the registration data 70 in the memory unit 13B.

[0045] 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the industrial sewing machine 2 according to the embodiment. As an example, FIG. 5 shows the procedure by which an operator operates the industrial sewing machine 2 via the information terminal 5.

[0046] In order to operate the information terminal 5, the operator performs biometric authentication processing on the information terminal 5 (step SA1). The terminal control device 8 acquires recognition data (biometric information 40) of the operator's physical characteristics using 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 authentication processing for the terminal system using the 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] To operate the industrial sewing machine 2 through the information terminal 5, the operator inputs 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 , if a plurality of industrial sewing machines 2 are each assigned a different IP address 50 as their identification data, the operator inputs the IP address 50 via the input device 6 (touch panel). If a plurality of industrial sewing machines 2 are each assigned a different two-dimensional code as their identification data, the information terminal 5 reads the two-dimensional code. Alternatively, the information terminal 5 and the industrial sewing machine 2 may be connected via 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 the request from the web browser, the industrial sewing machine 2 provides a login screen to the web browser (step SB1).

[0049] 6 is a diagram illustrating 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, each corresponding to a respective one of 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 body parts, a button sewing machine for attaching buttons to the body parts, and a pocket sewing machine for attaching pockets to the body parts. On 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 from the symbols of each process a process to be performed using the industrial sewing machine 2. For example, the operator selects the first symbol 21 corresponding to process A, and then taps the login button 20. As a result, login data for logging in to process A is generated 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 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 registration data 70, which associates the authentication result data 60 with accounts (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 for the account in the registration data 70 that corresponds to the received authentication result data 60 (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 operating the information terminal 5 is authenticated as the owner of the operator account 74 of the industrial sewing machine 2. When account authentication is complete, the control unit 13A updates the main body 30 with the setting information 75 associated with the authenticated user identification information 61.

[0054] Furthermore, the industrial sewing machine 2 provides the web browser with an operation screen corresponding to process A based on the login data for 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). The operation screen corresponding to process A displays various operating conditions related to process A.

[0055] For example, the operation screen corresponding to 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 stitch shape symbol for selecting a stitch shape, a selection button for enabling or disabling the backstitch function at the beginning, a selection button for enabling or disabling the backstitch function at the end, a stitch pitch button for selecting the stitch pitch, etc. The display control unit 12 displays only the operating conditions for which setting changes are permitted in accordance with the setting authority of the authenticated account (here, the operator account 74), so that they can be changed. The display control unit 12 does not accept operation input for operating conditions for which setting changes are 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 by operating the operation screen from the input device 6 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 via processing device 13 to sewing machine control unit 16. Sewing machine control unit 16 controls main body unit 30 based on the operation data (step SB6).

[0058] The above processes are similar when an administrator authenticates the account 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 configures each industrial sewing machine 2, account authentication may be performed for multiple industrial sewing machines 2 at once via the router 3. When authentication is performed using the administrator account 73, all operating conditions can be selected and settings can be changed on the operation screen corresponding to each process. Furthermore, as described above, when authentication is performed using the administrator account 73, it is possible to display the account management screen using the web browser of the information terminal 5. This allows the administrator to perform editing operations for the registration data 70 on the account management screen.

[0059] [Effects] As described above, according to this embodiment, the industrial sewing machine 2 includes the main body unit 30 that sews the sewing object, the communication unit 15 that receives authentication result data 60 of the biometric authentication process from the information terminal 5, which is a communication terminal, the storage unit 13B that stores registration data 70 that associates the authentication result data 60 with accounts, and the control unit 13A that manages authority according to the accounts. The control unit 13A compares the authentication result data 60 received from the information terminal 5 with the registration data 70 to perform authentication processing for the account corresponding to the received authentication result data 60. As a result, the information terminal 5 executes biometric authentication processing using the biometric information 40, and the result of the biometric authentication processing is used to authenticate the account of the industrial sewing machine 2. Therefore, unlike when the industrial sewing machine 2 performs biometric authentication processing, there is no need to store the biometric information 40 in the industrial sewing machine 2. Therefore, biometric authentication can be easily introduced into authority management for the industrial sewing machine 2.

[0060] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the authentication result data 60 does not include the biometric information 40 used for biometric authentication, but includes user identification information 61 authenticated by the biometric authentication process. This allows the industrial sewing machine 2 to implement biometric authentication without handling the biometric information 40. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the registration data 70 includes an administrator account 73 with setting authority for the control unit 13A and the main body unit 30, and an operator account 74 with limited setting authority. This allows account authentication using biometric authentication, thereby efficiently managing the authority of the industrial sewing machine 2. Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the control unit 13A authenticates the administrator account 73, it accepts an editing process for 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, thereby improving the convenience of the industrial sewing machine 2.

[0061] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the control unit 13A has authenticated the account, it performs processing to set 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 suited to 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. However, the mode of communication in the present disclosure is not limited to the above example. The information terminal 5 may 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 above-described embodiment, the processing device 13 and the sewing machine control device 14 are provided separately. However, the aspects of the processing device 13 and the sewing machine control device 14 of the present disclosure are not limited to the above-described example. The processing device 13 and the sewing machine control device 14, both of which are computer systems, may be integrated into a single device.

[0064] In the above-described embodiment, the registration data 70 is stored in the storage unit 13B of each of the multiple industrial sewing machines 2. However, the form of the registration data 70 in the present disclosure is not limited to the above example. The registration data 70 may also be stored in an external server. FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically illustrating a sewing factory 1 in which industrial sewing machines 2 according to another embodiment are installed. In the example of FIG. 7 , an external server 4 that stores the registration data 70 is installed inside or outside the sewing factory 1. When each industrial sewing machine 2 receives a request from an information terminal 5, it may access the external server 4 to acquire the registration data 70. Furthermore, 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 account authentication process for the industrial sewing machine 2.

[0065] The external server 4 may be installed in the same facility as the 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 this case, the external server 4 is installed outside the sewing factory 1. The industrial sewing machine 2 and the information terminal 5 each communicate with the external server 4 via the router 3. The industrial sewing machine 2 and the information terminal 5 can each obtain the registration data 70 from the external server 4. The information terminal 5 can perform editing processing of the registration data 70 on the external server 4.

[0066] The present disclosure includes the following aspects. (1) An industrial sewing machine comprising: a main body unit that sews a sewing object; a communication unit that receives authentication result data of a biometric authentication process from a communication terminal; a storage unit that stores registration data that associates the authentication result data with an account; and a control unit that manages authority according to the account, wherein 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. (2) The industrial sewing machine described in (1), wherein 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. (3) The industrial sewing machine described in (1) or (2), wherein the registration data includes an administrator account that has setting authority for the control unit and the main body unit, and an operator account whose setting authority is limited. (4) The industrial sewing machine described in any one of (1) to (3), wherein the control unit, when authenticating the administrator account, accepts editing processing of the registration data via the communication unit. (5) The industrial sewing machine according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the registration data includes setting information for the main body, and the control unit, when authenticating the account, performs processing to set the setting information corresponding to the authentication result data in the main body. (6) A method for authenticating a user of an industrial sewing machine, comprising: a step of receiving authentication result data of a biometric authentication process from a communication terminal; a step of comparing the received authentication result data with registration data that associates the authentication result data with an account; a step of authenticating the account corresponding to the received authentication result data in the registration data; and a step of managing authority according to the authenticated account.

[0067] This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-184448 filed on October 27, 2023, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

1. 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 that 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.

2. The industrial sewing machine according to claim 1, wherein the authentication result data does not include biometric information used for biometric authentication, but includes identification information of a user authenticated by biometric authentication processing.

3. The industrial sewing machine according to claim 1, wherein 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.

4. The industrial sewing machine according to claim 3, wherein the control unit, when authenticating the administrator account, accepts an edit process for the registered data via the communication unit.

5. An industrial sewing machine as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the registration data includes setting information for the main body unit, and when the control unit authenticates the account, it performs a process of setting the setting information corresponding to the authentication result data in the main body unit.

6. A method for authenticating a user of an industrial sewing machine, comprising the steps of: receiving authentication result data of a biometric authentication process from a communications terminal; comparing the received authentication result data with registration data that associates the authentication result data with an account; performing authentication processing for the account in the registration data that corresponds to the received authentication result data; and managing authority according to the authenticated account.

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