Robot Controller Configuration Fingerprinting for Change Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods lack effective means to detect post-declaration modifications to the system configuration of a robot controller, making it difficult to ensure continued conformity to quality and safety standards as the hardware and software evolve or are altered.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a fingerprinting mechanism within the robot controller to compute and compare a fingerprint of the current system configuration with a stored original manufacturer settings fingerprint, allowing detection of changes and enabling informed decisions on maintaining standard conformity, along with a lockdown functionality to prevent unauthorized modifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the system configuration is made modifiable to allow integrators and users to customize robot functionality, then adaptability and versatility improve, but the ability to detect unauthorized modifications and maintain standard conformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by computing and storing a fingerprint of the original system configuration before any modifications are made. This pre-established reference fingerprint enables later detection of unauthorized changes, allowing the system to maintain reliability and standard conformity assurance even while permitting modifiability for adaptability.
2Reliability
If comprehensive monitoring of system configuration changes is implemented, then reliability and safety are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies copying by creating a fingerprint - a simplified digital representation or copy of the system configuration. Instead of monitoring and comparing entire complex configuration files, the system computes and compares compact fingerprint values, significantly reducing device complexity while maintaining reliable change detection capability.
3Ease of operation
If the system allows extensive customization by integrators and end users, then ease of operation improves, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring unauthorized modifications increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies copying by creating a fingerprint - a simplified digital representation or copy of the system configuration. Instead of monitoring and comparing entire complex configuration files, the system computes and compares compact fingerprint values, significantly reducing device complexity while maintaining reliable change detection capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A robot controller is configured to control operation of at least one industrial robot. The robot controller includes: a processor; a memory configured to store a current system configuration of the robot controller, and an editing interface configured to enable modification of the current system configuration. It further includes a stored fingerprint corresponding to the system configuration according to original manufacturer settings; and a fingerprinting interface configured to facilitate computation of a fingerprint based on the current system configuration. The stored and computed fingerprints may be compared to determine whether any modification has occurred.