FIELD OF THE ART
This invention relates to an analysis system comprising one or more analysis
devices that analyze an exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine and a management
device that manages the analysis devices.
BACKGROUND AR5 T
Conventionally, as shown in the paragraph 0048 of the patent document 1, for this
kind of the analysis devices that require various settings, correction, operations for preparation,
maintenance or the like, an access level is divided into a plural number and an operable range
is determined according to the access level by specifying the access level by an ID or a
10 password. This is because contingency might be generated such that data is falsified or
eliminated or a malfunction or breakage of the analysis device due to the usage of an
immature user if all operations concerning the analysis device are allowed equally for any
users.
15 PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS
PATENT DOCUMENTS
Patent Document 1: Publication of Applications No. 4303492
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
20 PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION
However, if a user whose access level is high leaves his or her seat in front of a
console without logging-off, it is possible for an unspecified third person to conduct an
operation so that the same problem as the above-mentioned problem might be generated.
Then, similar to a personal computer, it can be conceived that the window is
25 returned to a log in window and the operation is prohibited without logging in again after the
operation is interrupted for a certain period of time. However, it is important for the
analysis system to make the operation status of each analysis device visible on a constant basis.
Then, even if it is temporarily, it is not preferable that the operation status is invisible and
3
incapable of being conducted.
The present claimed invention is made with considering this situation, and intends to
solve all of the problems and a main object of this invention is to make it possible to conduct
the minimum operation of the management device or to monitor the behavior of the analysis
device continuously while preventing an unexpected operation by an unauthorized user5 .
MEANS TO SOLVE THE PROBLEMS
More specifically, the analysis system in accordance with the present claimed
invention comprises one or more analysis devices and a management device that manages the
10 analysis devices, and is characterized by that the management device recognizes a user based
on input user information and sets an operable range for the management device of the user in
an initial operable range previously determined for each of the users, and in case that an
operation of the user is interrupted for a certain period of time, the operable range of the user is
automatically changed to a previously determined base operable range.
15 The operation described above is opening/closing a window of the management
device, a command input to the analysis device, an input of various settings or a command of
printing. In addition, the base operable range described above is an operable range wherein
the minimum operation or the movement monitoring to the management device or the
analysis device can be conducted.
20 More specifically, it is preferable that the management device comprises an access
level memory part that memorizes a plurality of access levels whose initial operable range for
the management device is determined respectively and users who are allowed for each of the
access levels and an operable range setting part that recognizes the user based on the input user
information, specifies the access level that is set for each of the users by referring to the access
25 level memory part and sets the operable range for the management device of the user in the
initial operable range that is determined for the access level, and in case that the operation
conducted based on one access level is interrupted for a certain period of time, the operable
range setting part automatically changes the access level to a base access level as being an
4
access level whose base operable range is determined.
In order to make it possible more securely to prevent a contingency such as an
improper operation or breakage of the analysis device, it is preferable to set the base access
level in the access level of the minimum operable range by the operable range setting part.
In case that an item that is required to be monitored continuously or whose situatio5 n
is required to be grasped continuously is displayed on a window, even though the item is not
allowed to be monitored by a user of a low ranking level (a user whose operable range is
smaller), it may be so configured that the item is displayed as it is even after the operable range
is automatically changed to the base operable range unless an erase operation is conducted.
10 In this case, it is necessary to lock the window so as not to be operated by the user of the low
ranking level.
In order to prevent the operation unnecessarily from being complicated, it is
preferable that, in case that a given execution command such as initiation of a measurement or
initiation of correction is instructed to the analysis device, the operable range setting part
15 automatically changes the operable range of the user to the base operable range unless the
operation is conducted for a certain period of time after the completion of the execution
command by the analysis device.
EFFECT OF THE INVENTION
20 In accordance with the arrangement of this invention, when a certain period of time
passes after a high ranking level user whose operable range is big leaves a console without
logging-off, the operable range is automatically lowered to the base operable range so that it is
not possible to conduct an operation of importance whose access level is set for the high
ranking level user, thereby preventing an unexpected operation by an unauthorized user.
25 Meanwhile, since a base operation that is allowed for a low ranking level user is
secured continuously without performing log-in again, it is possible to obtain an effect that a
minimum operation of the management device or monitoring a movement of the analysis
device can be conducted on a constant basis.
5
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an analysis system in accordance with
one embodiment of this invention.
Fig. 2 is a display configuration diagram showing one embodiment of a window
displayed in this embodiment5 .
Fig. 3 is a display configuration diagram showing one embodiment of a window
displayed in this embodiment.
MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
10 One embodiment of this invention will be explained with reference to drawings.
An analysis system 1 in accordance with this embodiment is, as shown in Fig. 1, for
sampling an exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine of a vehicle and
analyzing/calculating a component concentration, a fuel efficiency or an EGR ratio of the
exhaust gas, and comprises a plurality of exhaust gas analysis devices 2 (for example, a CVS
15 device, an EGR ratio measurement device or an exhaust gas comprehensive analysis device
inside of which a plurality of exhaust gas analysis units are provided) and a management
device 3 that comprehensively manages these analysis devices 2 by transmitting an operation
command to each of the analysis devices 2, conducting settings or calibrating or receiving
measured data.
20 In this embodiment, the management device 3 divides the access level of the user
into a plural number, and in case that an operation of the management device 3 by the user is
not conducted for a certain period of time (hereinafter also called as a permission time), the
access level is automatically lowered to the minimum level as being a base access level.
Then various functions of the management device 3 in accordance with this access
25 level will be explained.
The management device 3 physically comprises a CPU, a memory, a
communication device, a display and an input device (a mouse or a keyboard or the like).
The management device 3 produces functions as an access level memory part 31 and an
6
operable range setting part 32 by cooperating with the CPU and its peripheral devices based
on predetermined programs stored in the memory.
The access level memory part 31stores a plurality of access levels to determine an
operable range for the management device 3 and users who are allowed to access each of the
access levels5 .
In this embodiment, for example, six access levels, namely, “Operator”,
“Supervisor”, “Administrator”, “Service”, “Manufacture” and “Developer” are set in an
ascending order from the lowest level. Both the operable range and a user identifier for
identifying the user are assigned to each of the access levels.
10 The operable range setting part 32 recognizes the user based on the user information
(in this embodiment, the user identifier and a pass word) input by the user on a log-in window,
not shown in drawings, specifies the access level set for the user by referring to the access
level memory part 31 and sets the operable range determined for the access level.
Furthermore, in this embodiment, in case that an operation (for example, open/close
15 the window screen, input of executing a command or various setting for the analysis device, or
an operation of printing) on a console conducted based on a certain access level is interrupted
for a certain period of time, the access level is automatically changed to the “Operator” level
as being the access level of the minimum operable range. For example, the range that the
user of the “Operator” level is allowed to operate is an operation range in accordance with an
20 ordinary movement/usage of this analysis system such as a preparation, operation and
cleaning up of the test (a measurement by the analysis devices or equipment operation such as
dynamo of the vehicle test facility) in addition to starting up or halting the analysis devices or
the management devices (or whole of vehicle test equipment including the analysis devices).
Meanwhile, for example, in the “Supervisor” level, the management of this analysis system,
25 namely, periodic maintenance, a diagnosis, or an adjustment can be operated.
Next, an example of the movement of this management device 3 will be explained.
The management device 3 has a function of indicating each of the total operating
time of various devices constituting the analysis device 2 and a function of issuing a warning
7
when the total operating time exceeds an allowable time that is determined for each device or
the total operating time approaches the allowable time, and these functions are produced when
a window (a prevention protection window) W1 as shown in Fig. 2 is opened.
The prevention protection window W1 displays, for example, a device name, a
present total operating time, an allowable time, a remaining time for each device in a list form5 .
When the remaining time approaches zero, the remaining time is displayed and a warning is
issued. In addition, a reset button B1 and a detail button B2 are arranged for each device.
When the reset button B1 is clicked, it is possible to reset the total operating time of the device
to zero. When the detail button B2 is clicked, a detail setting window, not shown in
10 drawings, opens separately so that it becomes possible to change the setting of the allowable
time or the warning timing.
It is possible for the user of the “Operator” level to see the total operating time of
each device by opening the prevention protection window W1, however, it is not possible for
the user of the “Operator” level to operate the reset button B1 and the detail button B2 due to
15 the restriction by the operable range setting part 32. For example, the reset button B1 and the
detail button B2 are not displayed or are displayed in a light character so as not to be capable
of clicking.
Meanwhile, for example, the user of the “Administrator” level can operate the reset
button B1 and cannot operate the detail button B2.
20 The user of the “Service” level or over can operate both of the reset button B1 and
detail button B2, and can change each setting in the detail setting window.
Then, when a permission time passes while the user of the “Service” level or over
does not conduct any operation in a state that the prevention protection window W1 is open,
the operable range setting part 32 is activated so that the access level is automatically lowered
25 to the “Operator” level and the operation to the reset button B1 and the detail button B2 is
prohibited.
Another example will be presented. The management device 3 makes it possible
for the user of the “Developer” level as being the highest level to open the user setting window
8
W2 shown in Fig. 3 and to change the access level of each user or the user information.
The access level is displayed on a list section L1 and the user name that belongs to
the access level selected in the list section L1 is displayed on a list section L2. Since the
detailed information on the user selected on the list section L2 is displayed on a user
information section L3, it is possible for the user of the “Developer” level to change the acces5 s
level of the user and the user information by editing the user information section L3.
When a permission time passes without any operation in a state that the user setting
window W2 is open, the access level is automatically lowered to the “Operator” level so that
any operation is not allowed except for the “Close “ operation of the window W2 although the
10 user setting window W2 is displayed.
In addition, when the window W2 is once closed after the access level is
automatically lowered, it is not possible to open the window W2 any more while the authority
of the access level is still that of the “Operator” level.
Further different example will be presented. For example, various buttons or tabs
15 are set on an analysis data display window, not shown in drawings, where analysis results are
displayed one after another. A predetermined button or tab among the displayed buttons or
tabs can be used only by a user whose access level is equal to or higher than a predetermined
access level. When the access level is automatically lowered, these buttons and tabs cannot
be operated or these buttons and tabs are not displayed.
20 In accordance with this embodiment, when a certain period of time passes after the
user of a high ranking access level leaves a console without logging-off, the access level is
automatically lowered to the lowest access level so that it is not possible to conduct an
operation of importance whose access level is set as the high ranking access level, thereby
preventing an unexpected operation by an unauthorized user.
25 Meanwhile, since the operation of the user whose access level is the lowest is
secured continuously without performing log-in again, it is possible to obtain an effect that a
minimum operation of the management device or monitoring a movement of the analysis
device can be conducted on a constant basis.
9
The present claimed invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment.
For example, the operable range of each user is classified into a plurality of the
access levels and each user belongs to either of the access levels in the above-mentioned
embodiment, however, the operable range that is allowed for each user, namely an initial
operable range in claims may be set without using a concept as the access level5 .
More concretely, the initial operable range assigned to each user is stored in an initial
operable range memory part (not shown in drawings) set in the memory. In addition, the
base operable range as being the operable range corresponding to the operable range of the
lowest access level is previously specified and stored in a base operable range memory part
10 (not shown in drawings) set in the memory.
Then, at a time when the user logs in, the operable range setting part sets the
operable range of the user as the initial operable range assigned to the user by referring to the
initial operable range memory part. Meanwhile, in case that the operation by the user is
interrupted for a certain period of time, the operable range of the user is automatically changed
15 to the base operable range.
In accordance with this arrangement, it is possible to set the initial operable range for
each user more finely.
In addition, at a time when the user of the high ranking access level opens a window
that is not allowed for the user of the lowest access level to open and a permission time passes,
20 the window may be automatically closed. Originally, from the viewpoint of monitoring, the
window that is not allowed for the user of the lowest access level to open is unnecessary.
The permission time may be varied in accordance with each function or each access
level. It can be conceived that the permission time is set shorter for the higher importance
wherein it is not assumed to be operated by the user of the low ranking access level.
25 For an operation execution command to the analysis device, a waiting period
without requiring any operation might be generated after inputting the command until the
operation of the analysis device is completed. For example, a waiting period is generated
from a time when the correction command is inputted to a time of completing the correction.
10
During this waiting period, if the access level is automatically lowered because the permission
period passes, it becomes necessary to log in again after the waiting period, thereby
complicating the operation. Then, in this case, permission period may start after completion
of the waiting period.
It is not necessarily to lower the access level to the lowest level after the permissio5 n
period passes, the access level may be lowered one by one. In other words, the base access
level is not necessarily the lowest access level and may vary according to time. The base
access level may be set as the access level of the ranking higher than the lowest level
depending on a practicing mode of the analysis system. The same applies also to the base
10 operable range.
The present claimed invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment
and may be variously modified without departing from a spirit of the invention.
EXPLANATION OF CODES
15 1 … analysis system
2 … analysis device
3 … management device
31 … access level memory part
32 … operable range setting part
20
11
We Claim:
1. An analysis system (1) comprising one or more analysis devices (2) and a management
device (3) that manages the analysis devices, wherein
the management device recognizes a user based on input user information and set5 s
an operable range for the management device of the user in an initial operable range
previously determined for each of the users, on the other hand in case that an operation of the
user is interrupted for a certain period of time, the operable range of the user is automatically
changed to a previously determined base operable range.
10
2. The analysis system as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the management device comprises an access level memory part (31) that memorizes
a plurality of access levels whose initial operable range for the management device is
determined respectively and users who are allowed for each of the access levels and an
15 operable range setting part (32) that recognizes the user based on the input user information,
specifies the access level that is set for each of the users by referring to the access level
memory part and sets the operable range for the management device of the user in the initial
operable range that is determined for the access level, and
in case that the operation conducted based on one access level is interrupted for a
20 certain period of time, the operable range setting part automatically changes the access level to
a base access level as being an access level whose base operable range is determined.
3. The analysis system as claimed in claim 2, wherein
the base access level is the access level of the minimum operable range.
25
4. The analysis system as claimed in claim 1, wherein
in case that the operable range is changed, the operable range setting part displays
the window just prior to the change as it is unless an erase operation is conducted.
12
5. The analysis system as claimed in claim 1, wherein
in case that a given execution command such as initiation of a measurement or
initiation of correction is instructed to the analysis device, the operable range setting part
automatically changes the operable range of the user to the base operable range unless th5 e
operation is conducted for a certain period of time after completion of the execution by the
analysis device.
6. A management device (3) that manages one or more analysis devices, wherein
10 a user is recognized based on input user information, and an operable range for the
management device of the user is set in an initial operable range that is previously determined
for each of the users, on the other hand in case that an operation of the user is interrupted for a
certain period of time, the operable range of the user is automatically changed to a previously
determined base operable range.