An opt-in from at least one user of a plurality of users associated with at least one tool of a plurality of tools is received. An authentication associated with a first opted-in user of the plurality of users associated with an access of a first tool of the plurality of tools is determined. A set of credentials required to operate the first tool associated with the first opted-in user is verified. A request to an Internet of things (IoT) receiver device is transmitted. A response from an IoT transmitter device is received. In response to determining that the first user is utilizing required equipment to operate the first tool, power to the first tool is supplied.

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.

An image capture device for a secure industrial control system is disclosed. In an embodiment, the image capture device includes: an image sensor; a signal processor coupled to the image sensor; and a controller for managing the signal processor and transmitting data associated with processed image signals to at least one of an input/output module or a communications/control module via a communications interface that couples the controller to the at least one of the input/output module or the communications/control module, wherein the controller is configured to establish an encrypted tunnel between the controller and the at least one of the input/output module or the communications/control module based upon at least one respective security credential of the image capture device and at least one respective security credential of the at least one of the input/output module or the communications/control module.

A controller acquires biometric information of a worker and environmental information related to work environment and determines a safety level of the worker in a plurality of steps according to a safety level determination condition stored in advance on the basis of the acquired biometric information and environmental information. Then, the controller continuously controls an operation of an industrial machine in a state of a predetermined restriction being applied to a driving unit of the industrial machine and in a state of a predetermined safety function being activated on the basis of the determined safety level.

The need for a more readily usable interface for programmable devices is widely recognized. The present invention relates to programmable sequencing devices, or, more particularly, the remote controls for consumer electronic devices. The present invention provides an enhanced interface for facilitating human input of a desired control sequence in a programmable device by employing specialized visual feedback. The present invention also relates to a new interface and method of interfacing with a programmable device, which is usable as an interface for a programmable video cassette recorder.

A signature system for verifying a signature, includes a writing device which is equipped with identification devices for determining identification data which are linked to the identity of an user of the writing instrument, and code generating devices for generating an identification code from the identification data and from further data, the writing device further including display devices for displaying the identification code; as well as a corresponding signature method.

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.

Operator actions and/or other commands or requests are secured via an authentication path from an action originator to a communications/control module or any other industrial element/controller. In implementations, an industrial control system includes an action authenticator configured to sign an action request generated by the action originator. The destination communications/control module or any other industrial element/controller is configured to receive the signed action request, verify the authenticity of the signed action request, and perform a requested action when the authenticity of the signed action request is verified.

Systems and methods are disclosed for moving a tabletop of a workstation based on biometric input associated with a user, the method being performed by a controller that is configured to send control signals to actuators to move the tabletop. One method includes: accessing a user profile associated with a user device; determining parameters for moving the tabletop, based on the user profile, for eliciting desired biometric inputs from the workstation user at one or more times during the movement of the tabletop; and repeating one or more iterations of: moving the tabletop based on the parameters, by sending control signals to the actuators of the tabletop; receiving, into a data storage device, actual biometric inputs from the workstation user; comparing the received actual biometric inputs with the desired biometric inputs; and if the parameters do not elicit the desired biometric inputs, adjusting the parameters.

A machining center NC operation panel is provided which can serve as a personal authentication system capable of simply and reliably identifying operators and implementing appropriate operational restrictions. The operation panel is provided with an imaging device mounted on its front or on a manual pulse generator for at-hand operation connected to the operation panel. In the operation panel: a storage unit stores an operator list allocated with work information prepared for each of the pre-registered operators, the work information including operations which the operators are respectively allowed to perform at a machine tool main body and restricted operations which the operators are not respectively allowed to perform, and a face image file holding a group of face image data on the operators registered in the operator list; and a control unit includes a face authentication processing unit which searches for and identifies an operator by checking operator face image data obtained from the imaging device against the group of face image data held in the face image file and a work information processing unit which obtains, from the operator list, work information associated with the identified operator and has, based on the obtained work information, a function of displaying work items the identified operator is allowed to perform in the display part.