Machine Tool Activation Restriction Removal via Location Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for removing activation restrictions on machine tools are vulnerable to misuse, as they rely on GPS signals that may be unreliable indoors and can be manipulated by malicious service staff, leading to unauthorized removal of restrictions.
Innovation Solution
The electronic equipment acquires current location information and compares it with pre-registered installation position data, ensuring the location is within a predetermined range and satisfying additional conditions such as time constraints or weather conditions, before removing activation restrictions through encrypted communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If GPS-based location verification is used to remove activation restrictions, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to GPS signal unreliability indoors and potential manipulation by malicious service staff
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the location verification process into two independent parts: GPS-based outdoor location detection and indoor position detection using alternative methods (such as Wi-Fi positioning, Bluetooth beacons, or manual coordinate input). This segmentation allows the system to switch between verification methods based on the operational environment, maintaining reliability while preserving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary verification mechanism that acts as a mediator between the GPS location data and the restriction removal decision. This intermediary layer includes multiple verification steps such as cross-referencing with pre-registered location data, validating against multiple position sources, and requiring additional authentication factors, thereby enhancing reliability without significantly complicating the user experience.
2Ease of operation
If GPS device is incorporated into the machine tool for location detection, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability worsens due to inability to receive GPS radio waves indoors
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a universal location detection capability that can function in both outdoor and indoor environments. It combines GPS reception for outdoor positioning with alternative indoor positioning methods (such as detecting signals from fixed indoor transmitters, using inertial measurement units, or referencing pre-stored location data), allowing the machine tool to reliably determine its position regardless of the environment while maintaining ease of operation.
3Ease of operation
If removal code is transmitted via Internet connection for restriction removal, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to potential code interception and misuse
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary verification actions before transmitting the removal code. It validates the service staff member's identity through multiple authentication factors, verifies the machine tool's current location against authorized locations, and checks the temporal validity of the removal request. These preliminary actions ensure that even if the code is intercepted during transmission, it cannot be misused without additional authorized credentials.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes parameters of the removal code such as making it time-limited, location-specific, and machine-unique. The code includes embedded validity periods, geographic coordinates, and device identifiers that must all match for successful restriction removal. This parameter-based approach allows easy code distribution via Internet while maintaining high security through multiple changing validation criteria.
Data Source
AI summary
Electronic equipment, including a GPS dongle and a PC, compares an acquired current location position of the electronic equipment with an acquired planned installation position of a machine tool to determine whether or not the current location position is within a predetermined range from the planned installation position. Further, the electronic equipment determines, if it is determined that the current location position is within the predetermined range from the planned installation position, whether or not a predetermined condition has been satisfied. The electronic equipment also performs, if it is determined that the predetermined condition has been satisfied, information input processing on the machine tool to remove activation restriction on the machine tool. In this manner, the electronic equipment can prevent illegal removal of activation restriction on the machine tool.