NC User Administration via Shared Rights Database Setup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Numerical control systems for machine tools lack simple and user-friendly user administration solutions, particularly in environments where expertise in network administration is scarce, such as small companies or shop floors, leading to difficulties in setting up and maintaining user rights and access.
Innovation Solution
A numerical control system with integrated user administration that includes two software components: one for setting up a database with user rights and creating a configuration file, and another for processing this file to enable secure network access, allowing inexperienced operators to establish a central user administration without requiring network administration knowledge or additional hardware, using a server-client model and LDAP-like functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a dedicated server with LDAP directory is used for user management, then user rights management capability is improved, but device complexity and setup difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the user management server functionality with existing numerical control systems that are already present in the workshop. Instead of introducing a separate dedicated server, the numerical control systems themselves are equipped with server and client software components, merging multiple functions into existing devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The numerical control systems perform user management tasks themselves without requiring external dedicated servers. The systems can autonomously establish server-client connections, transfer configuration files, and manage user rights across the network using built-in software components.
2Reliability
If an LDAP server infrastructure is implemented, then centralized user management is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to requiring network administration knowledge
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables operators to perform user management setup themselves using the built-in software components. The first software component guides operators through creating user databases and configuration files without requiring external network administration expertise, making the system self-configurable.
Solution Approach 2:
Configuration files serve as intermediaries that encapsulate complex network communication settings. These files simplify the setup process by pre-configuring server-client connection parameters, allowing operators to establish centralized user management through simple file transfers rather than complex network configuration.
3Reliability
If additional hardware for user management is introduced, then user administration capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The numerical control systems are designed to perform multiple functions: they serve as both machining controls and user management servers/clients. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated hardware servers, as the existing numerical control systems can handle user management tasks through installed software components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges user management functionality with existing numerical control systems. By combining these functions in single devices, the system avoids adding separate hardware infrastructure, reducing overall system complexity and cost while maintaining centralized user administration capability.
4Reliability
If a network administrator is involved in setup, then user management reliability is improved, but loss of time and operational independence worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables operators to independently perform user management setup without requiring network administrators. The built-in software components provide guided setup procedures that allow workshop personnel to configure user databases, create configuration files, and establish server-client connections autonomously.
Solution Approach 2:
The first software component performs preliminary actions by automatically generating configuration files with all necessary network communication settings. This pre-configured information is then transferred to client systems, enabling rapid setup without requiring administrators to manually configure each connection parameter.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
A numerical control system with integrated user management is disclosed, including a user rights management system. This user management system enables cross-controller administration of at least two controllers (NC-A, NC-B, NC-N) connected via a network (N), where the controller is configured as a server (NC-A) and/or as a client (NC-A, NC-B, NC-N). The rights of all users are stored on the server (NC-A) and can be queried by the clients (NC-A, NC-B, NC-N) via the network (N). A first software component (S1) is installed on the controller, enabling the creation of a database (DB) with user rights and the generation of a configuration file (F) containing all the information necessary for secure access to the database (DB) via the network (N). The first software component (S1) is also configured to copy this configuration file (F) to a transport medium (T).A second software component (S2) is also installed on the controller, which is set up to read the configuration file (F) from the means of transport (T) and to process the configuration file (F) in order to enable access to the database (DB) via the network (N).