Access control systems and methods for motion control

• US 7,035,697 B1
• Filed: 02/22/2005
• Issued: 04/25/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Automation Middleware Solutions, Inc. (Quarterhill Inc. (f/k/a Wi-LAN Inc.))
• Original Assignee: ROY-G-BIV Corporation
• Inventors: Brown, David W.
• Primary Examiner(s): PATEL, RAMESH B
• Application Number:
  US11/063,696
• Time in Patent Office: 427 Days
• Field of Search: 700/56, 700/86, 700/87, 713/166, 713/200, 713/201, 713/202
• US Class Current: 700/56
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0426 Programming the control sequence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23195 Memory stores available, allowable, possible options, variations, alternatives of program or modules
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/24142 Program has a protected, independent part and a free programmable part
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/24159 Several levels of security, passwords
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/24168 Identify connected programmer to allow control, program entry

Abstract

A method of generating control commands to be executed by a motion control system under control of a plurality of system users to move an object in a desired manner. At least one restricted program element associated with the motion control system is identified. An application program used by the system users when controlling the motion control system is provided. The application program employs the at least one restricted program element. A plurality of access levels are determined. Each restricted program element is associated with one of the access levels. Each of the plurality of system users is associated with one of the access levels. Motion control commands are generated based on the application program, the access level of each system user, and the access level of each restricted program element.

Claims

1. A method of generating control commands to be executed by a motion control system under control of a plurality of system users to move an object in a desired manner, the method comprising the steps of:

identifying at least one restricted program element associated with the motion control system;

providing an application program used by the system users when controlling the motion control system, where the application program employs the at least one restricted program element;

determining a plurality of access levels;

associating each restricted program element with one of the access levels;

associating each of the plurality of system users with one of the access levels; and

generating motion control commands based on the application program, the access level of each system user, and the access level of each restricted program element.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, in which the step of generating the motion control commands comprises the step of comparing the access level of each system user with the access level of each restricted program element.

3. A method as recited in claim 1, in which the restricted program element is a restricted application function.

4. A method as recited in claim 1, in which the restricted program element is a restricted application parameter.

5. A method as recited in claim 1, in which the restricted program element is at least one of a restricted application function and a restricted application parameter.

6. A method as recited in claim 4, further comprising the steps of:

determining parameter limits associated with the at least one restricted application parameter; and

generating motion control commands further based on the parameter limits.

7. A method as recited in claim 5, further comprising the steps of:

determining parameter limits associated with the at least one restricted application parameter; and

generating motion control commands further based on the parameter limits.

8. A method of generating control commands to be executed by a motion control system under control of a plurality of system users to move an object in a desired manner, the method comprising the steps of:

identifying a plurality of program elements associated with the motion control system;

providing an application program used by the system users when controlling the motion control system, where the application program employs at least one of the program elements;

identifying at least one of the plurality of program elements as a restricted program element;

determining a plurality of access levels;

associating each restricted program element with one of the access levels;

associating each of the plurality of system users with one of the access levels; and

generating motion control commands based on the application program, the access level of each system user, and the access level of each restricted program element.

9. A method as recited in claim 8, in which the step of generating the motion control commands comprises the step of comparing the access level of each system user with the access level of each restricted program element.

10. A method as recited in claim 8, in which the restricted program element is a restricted application function.

11. A method as recited in claim 8, in which the restricted program element is a restricted application parameter.

12. A method as recited in claim 8, in which the restricted program element is at least one of a restricted application function and a restricted application parameter.

13. A method as recited in claim 11, further comprising the steps of:

determining parameter limits associated with the at least one restricted application parameter; and

generating motion control commands further based on the parameter limits.

14. A method as recited in claim 12, further comprising the steps of:

determining parameter limits associated with the at least one restricted application parameter; and

generating motion control commands further based on the parameter limits.

15. A method of generating control commands to be executed by a motion control system under control of a plurality of system users to move an object in a desired manner, the method comprising the steps of:

identifying a plurality of program elements associated with the motion control system;

providing an application program used by the system users when controlling the motion control system, where the application program employs at least one of the program elements;

identifying at least one of the plurality of program elements as a restricted program element;

determining a plurality of access levels;

associating each restricted program element with one of the access levels;

associating each of the plurality of system users with one of the access levels; and

limiting the generation of motion control commands from the application program based on a comparison of the access level of each system user and the access level of each restricted program element.

16. A method as recited in claim 15, in which the step of generating the motion control commands comprises the step of comparing the access level of each system user with the access level of each restricted program element.

17. A method as recited in claim 15, in which the restricted program element is a restricted application function.

18. A method as recited in claim 15, in which the restricted program element is a restricted application parameter.

19. A method as recited in claim 15, in which the restricted program element is at least one of a restricted application function and a restricted application parameter.

20. A method as recited in claim 18, further comprising the steps of:

determining parameter limits associated with the at least one restricted application parameter; and

generating motion control commands further based on the parameter limits.

21. A method as recited in claim 19, further comprising the steps of:

determining parameter limits associated with the at least one restricted application parameter; and

generating motion control commands further based on the parameter limits.