Patents by Inventor Lonnie Douglas Spears

Lonnie Douglas Spears 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).

  • Patent number: 9338238
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for managing and controlling multiple automation components coupled via a building automation network. The computer implemented method includes receiving, via the building automation network, a first operational schedule from a first automation device where the first operational schedule is formatted according to a first protocol, receiving, via the building automation network, a second operational schedule from a second automation device where the second operational schedule is formatted according to a second protocol, converting the received second operational schedule from the second protocol to the first protocol, generating a unified schedule that includes the first operational schedule and the converted second operational schedule, and displaying the unified schedule in a user accessible manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventors: Lonnie Douglas Spears, Charles James Koerner, Michael J. Marchi, Patrick M. Nickels, Michael J. Baum
  • Patent number: 9244812
    Abstract: Automation systems, methods, and mediums. A method includes displaying, in a user interface, a portion of code associated with a process running in the automation system. The process is associated with a point variable in the automation system. The portion of code includes the point variable. The method further includes identifying a location of a cursor in a user interface in response to detecting the cursor in the location associated with the user interface for a period of time. The method includes requesting the point value of the point variable in the portion of code and associated with the location of the cursor. The method includes receiving the value associated with the variable over a network connection. The method includes displaying the point value in the user interface in association with the point variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventors: Lonnie Douglas Spears, Charles James Koerner
  • Patent number: 8918492
    Abstract: The systems, methods and devices disclosed herein provide for a field panel that includes a webserver. The field panel and webserver are arranged in communication with one or more automation components and/or field panels deployed for operation in connection with the building automation system. An information request may be directed to a master field panel for authorization. The master field panel may in turn query a node table containing address and/or communication information with the other field panels and/or automation components operable on the wired or wireless communication network. The information within the node table allows for direct communication to the other field panels and/or automation components operable on the network. In this way, authorized access to each of the field panels and/or automation components is achieved while any communications bottleneck at the master field panel may be significantly reduced or eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventors: Udo Koch, John Jeffers, Robert L. Kalafut, Margaret Seribo, Lonnie Douglas Spears
  • Publication number: 20130198222
    Abstract: Automation systems, methods, and mediums. A method includes displaying, in a user interface, a portion of code associated with a process running in the automation system. The process is associated with a point variable in the automation system. The portion of code includes the point variable. The method further includes identifying a location of a cursor in a user interface in response to detecting the cursor in the location associated with the user interface for a period of time. The method includes requesting the point value of the point variable in the portion of code and associated with the location of the cursor. The method includes receiving the value associated with the variable over a network connection. The method includes displaying the point value in the user interface in association with the point variable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventors: Lonnie Douglas Spears, Charles James Koerner
  • Publication number: 20120143378
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for managing and controlling multiple automation components coupled via a building automation network. The computer implemented method includes receiving, via the building automation network, a first operational schedule from a first automation device where the first operational schedule is formatted according to a first protocol, receiving, via the building automation network, a second operational schedule from a second automation device where the second operational schedule is formatted according to a second protocol, converting the received second operational schedule from the second protocol to the first protocol, generating a unified schedule that includes the first operational schedule and the converted second operational schedule, and displaying the unified schedule in a user accessible manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventors: Lonnie Douglas Spears, Charles James Koerner, Michael J. Marchi, Patrick M. Nickels, Michael J. Baum
  • Publication number: 20120110158
    Abstract: The systems, methods and devices disclosed herein provide for a field panel that includes a webserver. The field panel and webserver are arranged in communication with one or more automation components and/or field panels deployed for operation in connection with the building automation system. An information request may be directed to a master field panel for authorization. The master field panel may in turn query a node table containing address and/or communication information with the other field panels and/or automation components operable on the wired or wireless communication network. The information within the node table allows for direct communication to the other field panels and/or automation components operable on the network. In this way, authorized access to each of the field panels and/or automation components is achieved while any communications bottleneck at the master field panel may be significantly reduced or eliminated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventors: Udo Koch, John Jeffers, Robert L. Kalafut, Margaret Seribo, Lonnie Douglas Spears