Access Level Management for Analysis Systems

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In analysis systems, if a high-ranking user leaves their console without logging off, an unauthorized user can potentially access and operate the system, leading to unexpected operations and potential device malfunctions or data falsification, as existing access level systems do not adequately manage user access levels during periods of inactivity.

Innovation Solution

A management device with an access level memory and operable range setting part that automatically lowers the access level to a base minimum operable range if a user's operation is interrupted for a certain period, preventing unauthorized access and ensuring continuous monitoring and minimum operations can be conducted by locking out higher-level functions from lower-ranking users.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If access level is divided and operable range is determined by ID or password, then data falsification and device malfunction are prevented, but system complexity increases and operation becomes more cumbersome

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata integrity and device safetyVSAvoidaccess control system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic access level adjustment based on user behavior and system state. The control unit automatically changes the operable range from a wide initial range to a restricted range when inactivity is detected or suspicious operations are identified, resolving the contradiction by making the system adaptive rather than statically complex

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by setting an initial wide operable range for authenticated users, then proactively restricts access before potential misuse can occur. This preliminary restriction mechanism maintains reliability while reducing the need for continuously complex access verification

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If high-ranking user leaves console without logging off, then operation continuity is maintained, but unauthorized operation risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation continuityVSAvoidunauthorized operation risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit continuously monitors user presence and system operation state, providing feedback that triggers automatic access level adjustment. When the system detects prolonged inactivity or attempts to switch users, it feedback-restricts the operable range, maintaining productivity while eliminating unauthorized access risk without requiring explicit logout

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-service security management by automatically detecting user absence and adjusting access levels without human intervention. This self-regulating mechanism maintains operation continuity for legitimate users while automatically preventing unauthorized access, resolving the contradiction between productivity and security

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If window is returned to log in window after interruption, then security is improved, but operation status monitoring capability is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidoperation status visibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the operable range into multiple levels with different monitoring capabilities. The control unit restricts access to a base operable range that maintains read-only monitoring capabilities while preventing write operations, thus segmenting security and monitoring functions to resolve the contradiction between security and information visibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2730911B2Analysis system and management device
Publication Date: 2022.08.10 HORIBA LTD
  • EP2730911B2 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2730911B2 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2730911B2 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

This invention is to make it possible for the analysis system 1 to conduct the minimum operation of the management device 3 or monitoring a movement of the analysis device 2 continuously while preventing an unexpected operation by an unauthorized user. In order to attain this object, the access level is automatically changed to the smaller operable range in case that the operation conducted based on a certain access level is interrupted for a certain period of time.