Patents by Inventor Charles R. Combs
Charles R. Combs 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).
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Publication number: 20230348201Abstract: A conveyor controller for being implemented into a conveyor system includes control circuitry and one or more network interfaces for coupling with other conveyor controllers. In one embodiment, the control circuitry configured for detecting whether another conveyor controller is connected and to determine which network interface is used in order to set the direction of the conveyor system. In another embodiment, the control circuitry is configured, to receive configuration data from a conveyor controller connected to a network interface, and to detect if another conveyor controller is and to transmit configuration message to another conveyor controller that includes additional configuration data associated with the conveyor controller. In still another embodiment, the control circuitry transmits configuration data to a replacement conveyor controller upon getting a request from the replacement conveyor controller that has been connected to a network interface.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2023Publication date: November 2, 2023Inventors: Charles R. Combs, James P. Knapke, Dimitar Ivanov Petrov, Timothy A. Barnes, David W. Sellers
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Patent number: 11724888Abstract: A conveyor controller for being implemented into a conveyor system includes control circuitry and one or more network interfaces for coupling with other conveyor controllers. In one embodiment, the control circuitry configured for detecting whether another conveyor controller is connected and to determine which network interface is used in order to set the direction of the conveyor system. In another embodiment, the control circuitry is configured, to receive configuration data from a conveyor controller connected to a network interface, and to detect if another conveyor controller is and to transmit configuration message to another conveyor controller that includes additional configuration data associated with the conveyor controller. In still another embodiment, the control circuitry transmits configuration data to a replacement conveyor controller upon getting a request from the replacement conveyor controller that has been connected to a network interface.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2022Date of Patent: August 15, 2023Assignee: Insight Automation, Inc.Inventors: Charles R. Combs, James P. Knapke, Dimitar Ivanov Petrov, Timothy A. Barnes, David W. Sellers
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Publication number: 20220162015Abstract: A conveyor controller for being implemented into a conveyor system includes control circuitry and one or more network interfaces for coupling with other conveyor controllers. In one embodiment, the control circuitry configured for detecting whether another conveyor controller is connected and to determine which network interface is used in order to set the direction of the conveyor system. In another embodiment, the control circuitry is configured, to receive configuration data from a conveyor controller connected to a network interface, and to detect if another conveyor controller is and to transmit configuration message to another conveyor controller that includes additional configuration data associated with the conveyor controller. In still another embodiment, the control circuitry transmits configuration data to a replacement conveyor controller upon getting a request from the replacement conveyor controller that has been connected to a network interface.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2022Publication date: May 26, 2022Inventors: Charles R. Combs, James P. Knapke, Dimitar Ivanov Petrov, Timothy A. Barnes, David W. Sellers
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Patent number: 11247846Abstract: A conveyor controller for being implemented into a conveyor system includes control circuitry and one or more network interfaces for coupling with other conveyor controllers. In one embodiment, the control circuitry configured for detecting whether another conveyor controller is connected and to determine which network interface is used in order to set the direction of the conveyor system. In another embodiment, the control circuitry is configured, to receive configuration data from a conveyor controller connected to a network interface, and to detect if another conveyor controller is and to transmit configuration message to another conveyor controller that includes additional configuration data associated with the conveyor controller. In still another embodiment, the control circuitry transmits configuration data to a replacement conveyor controller upon getting a request from the replacement conveyor controller that has been connected to a network interface.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2020Date of Patent: February 15, 2022Assignee: Insight Automation, Inc.Inventors: Charles R. Combs, James P. Knapke, Dimitar Ivanov Petrov, Timothy A. Barnes, David W. Sellers
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Publication number: 20200277145Abstract: A conveyor controller for being implemented into a conveyor system includes control circuitry and one or more network interfaces for coupling with other conveyor controllers. In one embodiment, the control circuitry configured for detecting whether another conveyor controller is connected and to determine which network interface is used in order to set the direction of the conveyor system. In another embodiment, the control circuitry is configured, to receive configuration data from a conveyor controller connected to a network interface, and to detect if another conveyor controller is and to transmit configuration message to another conveyor controller that includes additional configuration data associated with the conveyor controller. In still another embodiment, the control circuitry transmits configuration data to a replacement conveyor controller upon getting a request from the replacement conveyor controller that has been connected to a network interface.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2020Publication date: September 3, 2020Inventors: Charles R. Combs, James P. Knapke, Dimitar Ivanov Petrov, Timothy A. Barnes, David W. Sellers
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Patent number: 10654659Abstract: A conveyor controller for being implemented into a conveyor system includes control circuitry and one or more network interfaces for coupling with other conveyor controllers. In one embodiment, the control circuitry configured for detecting whether another conveyor controller is connected and to determine which network interface is used in order to set the direction of the conveyor system. In another embodiment, the control circuitry is configured, to receive configuration data from a conveyor controller connected to a network interface, and to detect if another conveyor controller is and to transmit configuration message to another conveyor controller that includes additional configuration data associated with the conveyor controller. In still another embodiment, the control circuitry transmits configuration data to a replacement conveyor controller upon getting a request from the replacement conveyor controller that has been connected to a network interface.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2019Date of Patent: May 19, 2020Assignee: Insight Automation, Inc.Inventors: Charles R. Combs, James P. Knapke, Dimitar Ivanov Petrov, Timothy A. Barnes, David W. Sellers
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Publication number: 20190210814Abstract: A conveyor controller for being implemented into a conveyor system includes control circuitry and one or more network interfaces for coupling with other conveyor controllers. In one embodiment, the control circuitry configured for detecting whether another conveyor controller is connected and to determine which network interface is used in order to set the direction of the conveyor system. In another embodiment, the control circuitry is configured, to receive configuration data from a conveyor controller connected to a network interface, and to detect if another conveyor controller is and to transmit configuration message to another conveyor controller that includes additional configuration data associated with the conveyor controller. In still another embodiment, the control circuitry transmits configuration data to a replacement conveyor controller upon getting a request from the replacement conveyor controller that has been connected to a network interface.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2019Publication date: July 11, 2019Inventors: Charles R. Combs, James P. Knapke, Dimitar Ivanov Petrov, Timothy A. Barnes, David W. Sellers
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Patent number: 10233028Abstract: A conveyor controller for being implemented into a conveyor system includes control circuitry and one or more network interfaces for coupling with other conveyor controllers. In one embodiment, the control circuitry configured for detecting whether a another conveyor controller is connected and to determine which network interface is used in order to set the direction of the conveyor system. In another embodiment, the control circuitry is configured, to receive configuration data from a conveyor controller connected to a network interface, and to detect if another conveyor controller is and to transmit configuration message to another conveyor controller that includes additional configuration data associated with the conveyor controller. In still another embodiment, the control circuitry transmits configuration data to a replacement conveyor controller upon getting a request from the replacement conveyor controller that has been connected to a network interface.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2017Date of Patent: March 19, 2019Assignee: Insight Automation Inc.Inventors: Charles R. Combs, James P. Knapke, Dimitar Ivanov Petrov, Timothy A. Barnes, David W. Sellers
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Publication number: 20170137230Abstract: A conveyor controller for being implemented into a conveyor system includes control circuitry and one or more network interfaces for coupling with other conveyor controllers. In one embodiment, the control circuitry configured for detecting whether a another conveyor controller is connected and to determine which network interface is used in order to set the direction of the conveyor system. In another embodiment, the control circuitry is configured, to receive configuration data from a conveyor controller connected to a network interface, and to detect if another conveyor controller is and to transmit configuration message to another conveyor controller that includes additional configuration data associated with the conveyor controller. In still another embodiment, the control circuitry transmits configuration data to a replacement conveyor controller upon getting a request from the replacement conveyor controller that has been connected to a network interface.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2017Publication date: May 18, 2017Inventors: Charles R. Combs, James P. Knapke, Dimitar Ivanov Petrov, Timothy A. Barnes, David W. Sellers
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Patent number: 9555977Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and program products for controlling a conveyor. One embodiment of the method includes operating a motorized roller of the conveyor to rotate in a first direction corresponding to a direction of travel, and in response to detecting that a jam has occurred, operating the motorized roller to rotate in a second direction opposite the first direction. Another embodiment of the method includes sending a message to a second controller controlling a downstream conveyor requesting data to determine whether the downstream conveyor is occupied by an article. In response to determining the downstream conveyor is not occupied by the article, operating a motorized roller of an upstream conveyor to convey an incoming article at a target speed, and in response to determining the downstream conveyor is occupied by the article, operating the motorized roller to convey the incoming article at an adjusted target speed slower than the target speed.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2014Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: Insight Automation, Inc.Inventors: Charles R. Combs, James P. Knapke, Dimitar I. Petrov, Timothy A. Barnes, David W. Sellers
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Patent number: 8983651Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling a conveyor system including a conveyor zone having a plurality of conveyor regions. A zone controller is configured to track the position of one or more articles within a controlled zone. The zone controller may be operatively coupled to controllers of adjacent zones, and may receive and transmit data relating to the position of articles in the controlled zone and whether the zone is accepting articles from the other controllers. Articles are moved within the controlled zone by selectively activating the zone based on determined positions of articles within the controlled zone, the positions of articles within adjacent zones, and/or the operating mode of the zone. The zone controller may thereby operate cooperatively with adjacent zones to manage spacing between articles by selectively positioning multiple articles within the zone, and may accumulate or discharge articles from the conveyor system in a desired arrangement.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2013Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: Insight Automation, Inc.Inventors: Charles R. Combs, James P. Knapke, Dimitar Petrov, Kazuya Ichieda
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Publication number: 20140277698Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling a conveyor system including a conveyor zone having a plurality of conveyor regions. A zone controller is configured to track the position of one or more articles within a controlled zone. The zone controller may be operatively coupled to controllers of adjacent zones, and may receive and transmit data relating to the position of articles in the controlled zone and whether the zone is accepting articles from the other controllers. Articles are moved within the controlled zone by selectively activating the zone based on determined positions of articles within the controlled zone, the positions of articles within adjacent zones, and/or the operating mode of the zone. The zone controller may thereby operate cooperatively with adjacent zones to manage spacing between articles by selectively positioning multiple articles within the zone, and may accumulate or discharge articles from the conveyor system in a desired arrangement.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: INSIGHT AUTOMATION, INC.Inventors: Charles R. Combs, James P. Knapke, Dimitar Petrov, Kazuya Ichieda
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Publication number: 20140244030Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and program products for controlling a conveyor. One embodiment of the method includes operating a motorized roller of the conveyor to rotate in a first direction corresponding to a direction of travel, and in response to detecting that a jam has occurred, operating the motorized roller to rotate in a second direction opposite the first direction. Another embodiment of the method includes sending a message to a second controller controlling a downstream conveyor requesting data to determine whether the downstream conveyor is occupied by an article. In response to determining the downstream conveyor is not occupied by the article, operating a motorized roller of an upstream conveyor to convey an incoming article at a target speed, and in response to determining the downstream conveyor is occupied by the article, operating the motorized roller to convey the incoming article at an adjusted target speed slower than the target speed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2014Publication date: August 28, 2014Applicant: Insight Automation, Inc.Inventors: Charles R. Combs, James P. Knapke, Dimitar I. Petrov, Timothy A. Barnes, David W. Sellers
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Patent number: 8757363Abstract: Various methods, apparatuses, and program products that are used to control at least a portion of a conveyor, determine information about an article conveyed by the conveyor, or otherwise operate a conveyor are provided. One method includes detecting whether a second conveyor controller is connected to the first conveyor controller and, in response to detecting that there is a second conveyor controller connected to the first conveyor controller, identifying whether the second conveyor controller is connected to a predetermined network interface of the first conveyor controller. The method further includes configuring the first conveyor controller to rotate a motorized roller in a first predetermined direction if a second conveyor controller is connected to the predetermined network interface and configuring the first conveyor controller to rotate the motorized roller in a second predetermined direction if a second conveyor controller is not connected to the predetermined network interface.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2011Date of Patent: June 24, 2014Assignee: Insight Automation, Inc.Inventors: Charles R. Combs, James P. Knapke, Dimitar I. Petrov, Timothy A. Barnes, David W. Sellers
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Publication number: 20120290126Abstract: Various methods, apparatuses, and program products that are used to control at least a portion of a conveyor, determine information about an article conveyed by the conveyor, or otherwise operate a conveyor are provided. One method includes detecting whether a second conveyor controller is connected to the first conveyor controller and, in response to detecting that there is a second conveyor controller connected to the first conveyor controller, identifying whether the second conveyor controller is connected to a predetermined network interface of the first conveyor controller. The method further includes configuring the first conveyor controller to rotate a motorized roller in a first predetermined direction if a second conveyor controller is connected to the predetermined network interface and configuring the first conveyor controller to rotate the motorized roller in a second predetermined direction if a second conveyor controller is not connected to the predetermined network interface.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2011Publication date: November 15, 2012Applicant: INSIGHT AUTOMATION, INC.Inventors: Charles R. Combs, James P. Knaple, Dimitar ivanov Petrov, Timothy A. Barnes, David W. Sellers
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Patent number: 5522827Abstract: An apparatus and method for harvesting a tendon graft beneath the overlying tissues through a remote incision which exposes only a portion of the donor tendon from which the graft will be harvested. The apparatus or tendon harvester 10 includes an elongated tubular shaft 20 connected to a cylindrical handle 30 and a length of flexible cutting wire or cable 12. A needle 16 is connected to one end of the cable 12 which extends from the distal end of the shaft 20. The needle end of the cable 12 is affixed to the distal end of the shaft 20 to form a cable loop for slitting the tendon 4.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 1994Date of Patent: June 4, 1996Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.Inventors: Charles R. Combs, Kevin S. Cook, Charles D. Persons