Patents by Inventor Brian J. Hunt

Brian J. Hunt has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20240113984
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for generating, sending, and receiving messages in a networked environment using autonomous (or semi-autonomous) agents. In one example of the disclosed technology, a method of controlling message flow in a computer network comprising a plurality of agents, agent data consumers, and an agent message bridge configured to send messages by receiving a set of messages, at least some of the messages including a message type, queuing the set of messages in a spooler that includes an indication of the respective message type for each of the messages, receive an indication that sending some of the messages queued in the spooler should be delayed for one or more indicated message types, and sending at least one of the messages to a selected one or more of the agent data consumers, the sent messages not being of the indicated message types.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventors: Gwendolyn Meredith Hunt, Benjamin J. Jansen, Eric L. Delaney, Ryan Larson, Mitch Thomas, Brian McFeely
  • Patent number: 7054704
    Abstract: A method and system provide for the control of resource allocation within a build-to-order manufacturing environment. One example embodiment of a method according to the present disclosure includes an operation for monitoring a work-in-process (WIP) profile that represents dynamic attributes of an area in a manufacturing facility. A user interface in a control center for the manufacturing facility may be automatically updated to depict one or more of the dynamic attributes in substantially real time, based on one or more of the WIP profiles. After the user interface is updated, user input that specifies a desired reallocation of resources for the manufacturing facility may be received. The user input may trigger communications with one or more areas in the manufacturing facility to implement the desired reallocation of resources. Alternative embodiments may include additional or alternative features, such as features for error detection and recovery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Branden Clark Bickley, Mark Allen Pape, Richard M. Williams, Nicholas J. Widis, Brian J. Hunt
  • Patent number: 6950714
    Abstract: A method and system provide for the control of resource allocation within a build-to-order manufacturing environment by monitoring a work-in-process (WIP) profile that represents dynamic attributes of an area in a manufacturing facility. A user interface in a control center for the manufacturing facility is automatically updated to depict one or more of the dynamic attributes in substantially real time, based on one or more of the WIP profiles. After the user interface is updated, user input that specifies a desired reallocation of resources for the manufacturing facility is received. The user input may then trigger communications with one or more areas in the manufacturing facility to implement the desired reallocation of resources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Branden Clark Bickley, Mark Allen Pape, Richard M. Williams, Nicholas J. Widis, Brian J. Hunt
  • Publication number: 20040243825
    Abstract: The NetSafe Computer Security Switch uses a simple physical switching technology in a way that allows a computer or group of computers to quickly and easily block a communications signal from entering the computer(s) and restart the signal without any software and without the need to power down, reboot, or run software on the computer(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2003
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Applicant: Computer Hardware
    Inventor: Brian J. Hunt
  • Publication number: 20040010334
    Abstract: A method and system provide for the control of resource allocation within a build-to-order manufacturing environment. One example embodiment of a method according to the present disclosure includes an operation for monitoring a work-in-process (WIP) profile that represents dynamic attributes of an area in a manufacturing facility. A user interface in a control center for the manufacturing facility may be automatically updated to depict one or more of the dynamic attributes in substantially real time, based on one or more of the WIP profiles. After the user interface is updated, user input that specifies a desired reallocation of resources for the manufacturing facility may be received. The user input may trigger communications with one or more areas in the manufacturing facility to implement the desired reallocation of resources. Alternative embodiments may include additional or alternative features, such as features for error detection and recovery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2003
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Applicant: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Branden Clark Bickley, Mark Allen Pape, Richard M. Williams, Nicholas J. Widis, Brian J. Hunt
  • Patent number: 6615092
    Abstract: A method, a system and a facility provide for the control of resource allocation within a build to order manufacturing environment. A system for providing a control center for a manufacturing facility is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of information sources operably associated with manufacturing products within the manufacturing facility. A user interface of the system displays selective information associated with portions of the manufacturing facility within a control center operable to manage production within the manufacturing facility. The system further includes a resource allocator operably coupled to the control center and the plurality of information sources and the resource allocator is operable to monitor work in process within the manufacturing facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Branden Clark Bickley, Mark Allen Pape, Richard M. Williams, Nicholas J. Widis, Brian J. Hunt
  • Patent number: 6529797
    Abstract: A method for shipping items from a distribution facility according to customer orders may include a step of determining that the distribution facility contains all items requested in a customer order. The method may also include a step of determining that the requested items are a less-than-trailer-load (LTL) shipment. In response to determining that the distribution facility contains the requested items, a determination may be made as to whether sufficient pallet-build squares are available in the distribution facility to accommodate the requested items. In response to determining that sufficient pallet-build squares are available, the requested items may be automatically transported to an LTL dock in the distribution facility via one or more of the available pallet-build squares.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Richard M. Williams, Mark A. Pape, Branden Clark Bickley, Brian J. Hunt, William B. Muir, Larry L. Roder, Mariely Franzetti
  • Publication number: 20020123814
    Abstract: In accordance with teachings of the present disclosure, a method, system and facility are described for controlling resource allocation within a build to order manufacturing environment. A system for providing a control center for a manufacturing facility is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of information sources operably associated with manufacturing products within the manufacturing facility. A user interface of the system displays selective information associated with portions of the manufacturing facility within a control center operable to manage production within the manufacturing facility. The system further includes a resource allocator operably coupled to the control center and the plurality of information sources and the resource allocator is operable to monitor work in process within the manufacturing facility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2001
    Publication date: September 5, 2002
    Applicant: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.
    Inventors: Branden C. Bickley, Mark A. Pape, Richard M. Williams, Nicholas J. Widis, Brian J. Hunt
  • Publication number: 20020123944
    Abstract: A method for shipping items from a distribution facility according to customer orders may include a step of determining that the distribution facility contains all items requested in a customer order. The method may also include a step of determining that the requested items are a less-than-trailer-load (LTL) shipment. In response to determining that the distribution facility contains the requested items, a determination may be made as to whether sufficient pallet-build squares are available in the distribution facility to accommodate the requested items. In response to determining that sufficient pallet-build squares are available, the requested items may be automatically transported to an LTL dock in the distribution facility via one or more of the available pallet-build squares.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2001
    Publication date: September 5, 2002
    Applicant: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.
    Inventors: Richard M. Williams, Mark A. Pape, Branden Clark Bickley, Brian J. Hunt, William B. Muir, Larry L. Roder, Mariely Franzetti