Abstract: In order to make user authentication for accessing an access-protected apparatus (10) quicker and more convenient, what is specified is a user authentication method in which a mobile electronic device (8) is used to capture biometric information of a user (9) of the device (8) during a recording interval. A computer system (6) is used to determine a confidence value on the basis of the biometric information. An authentication unit (7) is used to establish that the device is located within predefined surroundings of an apparatus (10). The authentication unit (7) is used to authorize access to the apparatus (10) on the basis of the confidence value.

Abstract: In order to provide an acoustic analysis of a condition of a machine (8) having reduced computational complexity, a method for generating at least one reference signal (20) is provided. An individual acoustic signal is provided for each of at least two components (14, 15, 16) of the machine (8). A total acoustic signal which is to be expected is determined on the basis of the individual signals by means of a computing unit (13). The reference signal (20) is generated by means of the computing unit (13) in accordance with the total signal.

Abstract: An operator control device for a technical system includes at least one touch-sensitive operator control panel which produces, based on electrical vibration, an adjustable and operator perceptible frictional force when the operator moves his finger on the surface thereof, wherein operator control elements are provided within the at least one operator control panel, the frictional force is produced and an operator command is generated by the operator touching a respective operator control element with his finger, at least some of the operator commands are control commands for the technical system, the number of operator control elements includes at least one first operator control element, and where the frictional force produced when a respective first operator control element is touched is lower than the frictional force produced in response to a touch in a region of the at least one operator control panel bordering the respective first operator control element.

Abstract: An operator control device for a technical system includes at least one touch-sensitive operator control panel which produces, based on electrical vibration, an adjustable and operator perceptible frictional force when the operator moves his finger on the surface thereof, wherein operator control elements are provided within the at least one operator control panel, the frictional force is produced and an operator command is generated by the operator touching a respective operator control element with his finger, at least some of the operator commands are control commands for the technical system, the number of operator control elements includes at least one first operator control element, and where the frictional force produced when a respective first operator control element is touched is lower than the frictional force produced in response to a touch in a region of the at least one operator control panel bordering the respective first operator control element.

Abstract: A method of operating an operator control and monitoring device for safety-critical applications in which the control and monitoring device includes a display and a touch-sensitive sensor, wherein a control element is shown on the display which an operator must touch to obtain an approval for a safety-critical application that is granted for as long as the control element is being touched, wherein first and second numbers of touch points are respectively displayed in first and second control zones, position data of the first and second control zones is selected such that the fingers of a human hand cannot simultaneously touch all touch points of the first and second control zones, and wherein the approval for the safety-critical application is only granted if all touch points from the first and second control zones are being touched.