Biometric Operator Authentication for Industrial Robot Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current robot systems face safety concerns due to the risk of unauthorized operation when identification cards or passwords are lost, stolen, or leaked, as they do not effectively ensure that only skilled operators perform critical tasks to prevent accidents.
Innovation Solution
A robot system that utilizes a portable operation panel with biometric information acquisition and storage, coupled with an operator determination unit to validate and limit functions based on the operator's biometric data, ensuring only authorized personnel can execute operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If magnetic card, USB terminal, or password is used for operator identification, then operator identification function is achieved, but safety is compromised when terminal is lost or password is leaked
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical/physical identification media (magnetic cards, USB terminals) and knowledge-based authentication (passwords) with biometric authentication using imaging devices. This substitution eliminates the risk of loss, theft, or leakage associated with traditional identification methods, as biometric data is inherently tied to the operator's physical characteristics and cannot be easily replicated or stolen.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital copy of the operator's biometric data (image data) and stores it in the biometric information storage unit. This digital replica allows for rapid comparison and authentication without requiring the physical presence of the original biometric characteristics, enabling quick verification while maintaining security.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If biometric authentication is implemented, then unauthorized access prevention is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the biometric authentication functionality into the existing operation panel, which already serves as the interface for robot control. The imaging device, biometric information storage unit, and operator determination unit are incorporated into the multi-functional operation panel, allowing it to perform both traditional control operations and biometric authentication without requiring entirely separate systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple functions into a unified authentication and control system. The imaging device captures biometric data, the biometric information storage unit stores reference data, the operator determination unit compares and identifies operators, and the limitation unit applies restrictions - all integrated within the operation panel framework that also handles robot control operations.
3Reliability
If operator determination is performed frequently, then safety is maintained, but operation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic operator determination at predetermined intervals during robot operation. Instead of requiring authentication for every single operation, the system performs biometric verification at scheduled intervals, maintaining safety assurance while minimizing interruptions to the operational flow. This periodic approach balances security requirements with operational efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
In a robot system according to the present invention, an operation panel includes a biometric information acquisition unit configured to acquire biometric information of an operator who uses the operation panel. The robot system includes a biometric information storage unit configured to store biometric information of a plurality of operators, an operator determination unit configured to determine an operator who uses the operation panel by matching the biometric information acquired by the biometric information acquisition unit with the biometric information stored by the biometric information storage unit when the operation panel is activated or when a predetermined operation is executed for the operation panel, and a limitation unit configured to individually limit executable functions for the operator determined by the operator determination unit.