Patent ID: 9122892
Filing Date: 2015-09-01
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A protection device controlling an external device, the external device operates with operation modes that include a user mode and a manufacturer mode, the protection device comprising: a mode detector that detects whether the external device is currently in the user mode or the manufacturer mode by detecting input of a password, the external device being operated by a user in the user mode, and being operated by a non-user in the manufacturer mode, the non-user performing at least one of maintenance, repair and reconfiguration of the external device, the user mode and the manufacturer mode being switched by detecting input of the password; a data detector that detects whether or not security data is input to the protection device; and a controller configured such that, when the mode detector detects that the external device is currently in the manufacturer mode, and when said data detector does not detect an input of the security data, the controller restricts at least one function of the external device in the manufacturer mode, and when the mode detector detects that the external device is currently in the manufacturer mode, and when said data detector detects an input of the security data, an internal memory of the protection device stores information indicating that the security data is detected in the manufacturer mode, and when said mode detector detects that the external device is currently in the user mode, the controller retrieves the information stored in the internal memory, and determines, based on the retrieved information, whether or not said data detector has detected the input of the security data while the external device was previously in the manufacturing mode, and while the external device is currently in the user mode, in response to a determination that said data detector has detected the input of the security data while the external device was previously in the manufacturing mode, the controller further determines whether or not said data detector detects the input of the security data, and while the external device is currently in the user mode, in response to said data detector not detecting the input of the security data, said controller restricts the at least one function of the external device in the current user mode, wherein the mode detector and the controller comprise a processor that executes instructions stored in a memory.