Local License Authentication via Recording Medium
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for enabling and disabling optional functions in electrical apparatuses, such as industrial robots, require a manufacturer's visit to the installation site when internet connectivity is absent, leading to inefficiencies and delayed user access to licensed features.
Innovation Solution
A method using a recording medium with license information to authenticate and enable/disable optional functions locally within the apparatus, allowing users to manage these features without manufacturer intervention, by connecting the medium to the apparatus and performing authentication processes to update the function status and record authentication history.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If Internet connection is used for license authentication, then remote function enabling is possible, but hardware connectivity requirements and infrastructure costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the license authentication function from the Internet-based system and implements it locally using a recording medium (USB flash drive, SD card, etc.). The authentication data is stored on the portable medium and processed by the controller without requiring Internet connection, thereby eliminating the hardware connectivity requirement while maintaining the ease of operation for enabling functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a recording medium as an intermediary carrier for license authentication data. This medium serves as a bridge between the user and the controller, allowing authentication information to be transferred without requiring direct Internet connection or manufacturer visit, thus resolving the contradiction between operational ease and hardware complexity.
2Reliability
If manufacturer visit is required for authentication, then secure authentication is possible, but time consumption and operational efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-storing authentication data on a portable recording medium before the user needs to enable a function. The manufacturer or user can prepare the licensed function data in advance on the USB flash drive or SD card, and then simply connect it to the controller when needed, eliminating the need for time-consuming manufacturer visits while maintaining authentication reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service authentication where the user can independently enable licensed functions by connecting the recording medium with authentication data to the controller. This eliminates the need for manufacturer intervention and significantly reduces the time required for function enabling while maintaining secure authentication through the pre-configured license verification process.
3Reliability
If license data is stored in controller memory, then authentication is possible, but data security and flexibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by making the license data storage location flexible rather than fixed. The authentication data can be stored in the controller's memory when permanently licensed, or on a portable recording medium when temporary or transferable licensing is needed. This dynamic storage approach maintains authentication reliability while significantly improving license management flexibility and adaptability to different licensing scenarios.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of setting function includes first to fourth steps. The first step connects a recording medium to a first electrical apparatus having an optional function either disabled or temporarily enabled, the recording medium containing license information to enable the optional function. The second step allows first electrical apparatus to authenticate the license information. The third step, subsequent to the second step, enables the optional function of the first electrical apparatus. The fourth step, subsequent to the third step, records the optional function as having been authenticated in the license information.