A method for secure communication with a field measuring device of process measuring technology is described and shown. Upon contact by an external communication means with a web server via a communication interface, a first authenticity check of an external communication means is carried out by the field measuring device and a second authenticity check of the external communication means is carried out. After successful completion of the first authenticity check and the second authenticity check, further communication of the external communication means with the web server is authorized by the field measuring device.

A centralized control system including a centralized control device including a storage unit configured to store identification information of an identification medium, biometric information of an operator, and operation authority information in association with each other, an identification information acquisition unit configured to acquire the identification information from the identification medium, a biometric information acquisition unit configured to acquire the biometric information from the operator, an identification information authentication unit configured to authenticate the operation of the operator on the basis of the identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition unit and the identification information stored in the storage unit, a biometric authentication unit configured to authenticate the operation of the operator on the basis of the biometric information acquired by the biometric information acquisition unit and the biometric information stored in the storage unit, a specific operation reception unit configured to receive a specific operation on the basis of the authentication result by the identification information authentication unit, an authentication result by the biometric authentication unit, and the operation authority information stored in the storage unit, and an operation information output unit configured to output specific operation information indicating the specific operation received by the specific operation reception unit to an operation target device, and a network.

The invention described herein generally pertains to a system and method for evaluating one or more conditions or preliminary weld condition related to a welding system and/or method that utilizes a welding sequence to perform two or more welds with respective welding schedules. In an embodiment, an operator registration is provided that verifies the operator and identifies welding sequences to which the operator is authorized to perform. In another embodiment, one or more fixture locations are monitored to determine whether a workpiece is accurately configured prior to a welding operation. In still another embodiment, locations on a workpiece can be displayed to assist an operator in performing two or more welds utilizing a welding sequence. Moreover, a wireless system communications a data signal to a welding work cell in which such data is used to identify a welding sequence.

A method and apparatus are provided to control processes, such as industrial processes or computer programs to increase process security and avoid injury to persons. An apparatus, may include a receiver that may be configured to receive sensor information from a sensor. The apparatus may also include at least one processing core that may determine, based on the sensor information, at least one characteristic of a user, and to modify execution of a process based at least in part on the characteristic.

To provide a controller for reducing a burden to be imposed on an operator in applying force with a finger during operation on a machine tool or a robot, and for associating an operation history with identification information about the operator. A controller for a robot or a machine tool comprises a fingerprint detection unit and a control unit. The control unit comprises: a key information receiving part that receives input key information; a key information transmission part that transmits the input key information linked in advance with the fingerprint detection unit to the key information receiving part if an operator makes a finger touch the fingerprint detection unit; and an individual identification information specification part that specifies identification information about the operator based on fingerprint information about the finger having touched the fingerprint detection unit.

The operator identification system is capable of managing the information required for authentication of operators centrally with high operation rate. The operator identification system includes a manufacturing cell including a manufacturing machine and a cell controller that can communicate with the manufacturing machine. The cell controller includes a first operator identification information acquisition unit for acquiring operator identification information, a first operation permission/inhibition information storage unit for storing operation permission/inhibition information of the operator on the manufacturing machine, and a first operator identification unit for determining an operation executable by the operator on the manufacturing machine based on the operator identification information and the operation permission/inhibition information. The manufacturing machine includes a second operator identification information acquisition unit, a second operation permission/inhibition information storage unit, a second operator identification unit, and an operation unit for accepting the operation by the operator. The operation unit executes the operation determined to be executable by the first operator identification unit or the second operator identification unit.

Technologies for bio-chemically controlling operation of a machine include applying a bio-chemical agent to an operator of the machine and controlling an operational characteristic of the machine based on the presence of the bio-chemical agent on the operator. The operational characteristic of the machine may be controlled based on the presence or lack of the biochemical agent on the operator. In some embodiments, the bio-chemical agent may be configured to generate a bio-chemical trigger in response to exposure to a biochemical or biological characteristic of the operator. The operation of the machine may be controlled based on such bio-chemical trigger or reaction.

The invention described herein generally pertains to a system and method for evaluating one or more conditions or preliminary weld condition related to a welding system and/or method that utilizes a welding sequence to perform two or more welds with respective welding schedules. In an embodiment, an operator registration is provided that verifies the operator and identifies welding sequences to which the operator is authorized to perform. In another embodiment, one or more fixture locations are monitored to determine whether a workpiece is accurately configured prior to a welding operation. In still another embodiment, locations on a workpiece can be displayed to assist an operator in performing two or more welds utilizing a welding sequence. Moreover, a wireless system communications a data signal to a welding work cell in which such data is used to identify a welding sequence.

Apparatuses, systems, and methods of the present disclosure may provide access security in a process control system. For example, current biometric data representative of a user may be acquired and compared to stored biometric data representative of previously identified users. Access to the process control system may be authorized when the current biometric data matches stored biometric data.

A method and arrangement for securely accessing an industrial automation component via a mobile device, wherein the automation component is blocked against unauthorized access, valid access information is stored on the mobile device and, when in the vicinity of the automation component, transmitted to a radio unit and checked in the automation component, such that the automation component is then enabled for access.