Patents by Inventor Norman R. McFarland
Norman R. McFarland 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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Patent number: 10379504Abstract: An automation component configured for optimized wireless communication within a building automation system is disclosed. The automation component includes a wireless communications component, a processor in communication with the wireless communications component, a memory in communication with the processor, the memory configured to store computer readable instructions which are executable by the processor. The computer readable instructions being programmed to process at least one communication variable received via the wireless communications component; to optimize a communication or radio transmit power level associated with the wireless communication component, wherein the optimized communication power level is a function of the at least one communication variable; and an adjustment of the communication power level associated with the wireless communication component based on the optimized communication power level.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2015Date of Patent: August 13, 2019Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.Inventors: Pornsak Songkakul, Geoffrey Daniel Nass, Norman R. McFarland
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Patent number: 9846531Abstract: An approach for integrating logical graphics display (100) and geographic display system data (200) into building automation systems that allow users to navigate between the logical graphics displays and the geographic displays and to select the logical graphics displays and the geographic displays that are displayed on the displays to the users of the building automation systems.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2014Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: SIEMENS INDUSTRY, INC.Inventors: Norman R. McFarland, Thomas Jachmann
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Patent number: 9652728Abstract: Systems and methods generate building process summary data depicting a process over time. A method includes receiving a process value and attribute information. The method includes calculating statistical moments for the received data. The method includes retrieving a “where used” database list for a specific process. The method further includes determining if received attribute information matches database record attributes. Where there is a match, the method includes storing calculated statistical moments for the received data into a current database record. While the received attribute information matches additional database record attributes according to the “where used” database list, the method includes storing calculated statistical moments for the received data into additional database records as building process summary data.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2012Date of Patent: May 16, 2017Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.Inventor: Norman R. McFarland
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Patent number: 9299051Abstract: Systems and methods generate a business process control chart and process report card. A method includes generating process control chart data for a building process. The method further includes generating a summary record of sample data from the control chart data. The method includes determining a process grade for each process using the summary record. The method further includes generating a process report card including the determined process grade for each process.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2012Date of Patent: March 29, 2016Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.Inventor: Norman R. McFarland
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Publication number: 20160054712Abstract: An approach for statistically modeling a room or building in a building automation system to provide fault detection and diagnostics and economic optimization of the building automation system using statistical data.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2014Publication date: February 25, 2016Applicant: SIEMENS INDUSTRY, INC.Inventors: Norman R. McFarland, Osman Ahmed
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Publication number: 20160011753Abstract: An approach for integrating logical graphics display (100) and geographic display system data (200) into building automation systems that allow users to navigate between the logical graphics displays and the geographic displays and to select the logical graphics displays and the geographic displays that are displayed on the displays to the users of the building automation systems.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2014Publication date: January 14, 2016Applicant: Siemens Industry, Inc.Inventors: Norman R. McFarland, Thomas Jachmann
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Publication number: 20150212505Abstract: An automation component configured for optimized wireless communication within a building automation system is disclosed. The automation component includes a wireless communications component, a processor in communication with the wireless communications component, a memory in communication with the processor, the memory configured to store computer readable instructions which are executable by the processor. The computer readable instructions being programmed to process at least one communication variable received via the wireless communications component; to optimize a communication or radio transmit power level associated with the wireless communication component, wherein the optimized communication power level is a function of the at least one communication variable; and an adjustment of the communication power level associated with the wireless communication component based on the optimized communication power level.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2015Publication date: July 30, 2015Inventors: Pornsak Songkakul, Geoffrey Daniel Nass, Norman R. McFarland
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Patent number: 9030315Abstract: An automation component configured for wireless communication within a building automation system is disclosed. The automation component includes a communication module having a communication port, and a wireless communication component. The automation component further includes a processor in communication with the communication module, a memory in communication with the processor, the memory configured to store computer readable instructions which are executable by the processor. The computer readable instructions are programmed to receive a component identifier via the communications port, generate a binding request based on the received component identifier, and communicate the binding request via the wireless communication component.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2007Date of Patent: May 12, 2015Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.Inventors: John A. Hendrix, Norman R. McFarland, Geoffrey D. Nass, Jeffrey A. Raimo, Pornsak Songkakul
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Patent number: 9024717Abstract: An automation component configured for optimized wireless communication within a building automation system is disclosed. The automation component includes a wireless communications component, a processor in communication with the wireless communications component, a memory in communication with the processor, the memory configured to store computer readable instructions which are executable by the processor. The computer readable instructions being programmed to process at least one communication variable received via the wireless communications component; to optimize a communication or radio transmit power level associated with the wireless communication component, wherein the optimized communication power level is a function of the at least one communication variable; and an adjustment of the communication power level associated with the wireless communication component based on the optimized communication power level.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2008Date of Patent: May 5, 2015Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.Inventors: Pornsak Songakul, Geoffrey D. Nass, Norman R. McFarland
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Publication number: 20140074867Abstract: Systems and methods generate a business process control chart and process report card. A method includes generating process control chart data for a building process. The method further includes generating a summary record of sample data from the control chart data. The method includes determining a process grade for each process using the summary record. The method further includes generating a process report card including the determined process grade for each process.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2012Publication date: March 13, 2014Applicant: Siemens Industry, Inc.Inventor: Norman R. McFarland
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Publication number: 20140074797Abstract: Systems and methods generate building process summary data depicting a process over time. A method includes receiving a process value and attribute information. The method includes calculating statistical moments for the received data. The method includes retrieving a “where used” database list for a specific process. The method further includes determining if received attribute information matches database record attributes. Where there is a match, the method includes storing calculated statistical moments for the received data into a current database record. While the received attribute information matches additional database record attributes according to the “where used” database list, the method includes storing calculated statistical moments for the received data into additional database records as building process summary data.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2012Publication date: March 13, 2014Applicant: Siemens Industry, Inc.Inventor: Norman R. McFarland
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Patent number: 8350691Abstract: On a first level of the wireless building automation architecture, sensors and associated actuators communicate directly. The sensor performs control processes appropriate for the sensor and regardless of the type of actuator being used. The actuator performs control processes specific to the actuator regardless of the type of sensor being used. By direct wireless communication between sensors and actuators, the opportunity for a failed communications link using a hub and spoke arrangement may be avoided. Communication redundancy is provided by receiving the outputs of sensors at a controller, such as a controller on a second high speed or high bandwidth tier of the architecture. Regional control is implemented in the higher level tier. The higher level tier may override or control operation of components of the lower level tier as needed. The distributed control processing allows for more convenient room level integration.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2008Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.Inventor: Norman R. McFarland
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Patent number: 8332819Abstract: A method of performing diagnostics on a first hierarchical device operable within a building automation system is disclosed. The method includes compiling application code configured to control the first hierarchical device such that the application code includes a plurality of internal variables, providing a diagnostic module configured to monitor the plurality of internal variables, collecting internal variable diagnostic data related to the monitored plurality of internal variables, uploading the collected internal variable diagnostic data to a second hierarchical device, performing, at the second first hierarchical device, a layered diagnostic analysis on the internal variable diagnostic data, and identifying a first hierarchical device problem based on the analyzed internal variable diagnostic data.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2008Date of Patent: December 11, 2012Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.Inventors: Norman R. McFarland, Geoffrey D. Nass, Pornsak Songkakul
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Patent number: 8264371Abstract: An automation component configured for wireless communication within a building automation system includes a wireless communications component, a processor in communication with the wireless communications component, and a memory in communication with the processor. The memory configured to store computer readable instructions which are executable by the processor to process a change-of-value message received via the wireless communications component, generate a change-of-value update in response to the change-of-value message, and communicate the change-of-value update via the wireless communication component. This change-of-value can occur in a polled (pull) fashion, or in a pushed (when it occurs) fashions.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2008Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.Inventors: Norman R. McFarland, Geoffrey D. Nass, Pornsak Songkakul
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Patent number: 8249579Abstract: A method for wireless communication within a building automation system is disclosed. The method includes establishing a communication connection between a wireless device and a controller, and communicating an upgrade packet to the wireless device from the controller. The method further includes executing the upgrade packet to upgrade the wireless device or a building automation component connected to the wireless device. A building automation system is further disclosed. The system includes a controller configured to provide a software module, and a wireless transceiver in communication with the controller and configured to communicate the software module. The system further includes a wireless device in communication with the wireless transceiver and configured to receive the software module to upgrade the wireless device.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2007Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.Inventors: Geoffrey D. Nass, Norman R. McFarland
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Patent number: 8200273Abstract: On a first level of the wireless building automation architecture, sensors and associated actuators communicate directly. The sensor performs control processes appropriate for the sensor and regardless of the type of actuator being used. The actuator performs control processes specific to the actuator regardless of the type of sensor being used. By direct wireless communication between sensors and actuators, the opportunity for a failed communications link using a hub and spoke arrangement may be avoided. Communication redundancy is provided by receiving the outputs of sensors at a controller, such as a controller on a second high speed or high bandwidth tier of the architecture. Regional control is implemented in the higher level tier. The higher level tier may override or control operation of components of the lower level tier as needed. The distributed control processing allows for more convenient room level integration.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2010Date of Patent: June 12, 2012Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.Inventor: Norman R. McFarland
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Patent number: 8155664Abstract: A network of wireless radios automatically conserves energy, directs the operation of equipment, and locates assets and personnel. The network may identify changes in the occupancy of a building area and automatically alter the building environment according to predetermined settings, personal preferences, or unexpected conditions. The wireless radios also may include sensors that monitor specific parameters, the parameters may relate to building environment conditions or operating equipment. The network may automatically alter the operating building equipment in response to the parameters received. The wireless radios also may be portable and mounted upon movable items, such as personal identification devices, office furniture, equipment, containers, or other assets. The network may locate the movable items within a building based upon signals received from the wireless radios. The network also may track the movement of the movable items within a building. The wireless radios may operable as a mesh network.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2008Date of Patent: April 10, 2012Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.Inventor: Norman R. McFarland
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Patent number: 8060658Abstract: A method for auto-addressing a device in communication with a controller is disclosed. The method includes communicating a pulse from a first contact of a controller, receiving the pulse at a second contact of a device in communication with the controller, communicating a number of pulses from a first contact of the device, and receiving the number of pulses at a second contact of the controller, wherein the number of pulses indicates a number of devices in communication with the controller.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2009Date of Patent: November 15, 2011Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.Inventor: Norman R. McFarland
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Patent number: 8036064Abstract: In a building environment, a distance associated with a building automation device is determined as a function of an interval or an inserted time delay between a wireless transmission of a signal and wireless reception of another signal. For example, a two-way communication is provided with an automatic interval or a desired time delay inserted before responding to a received transmission. By using two-way transmissions, the building automation devices may be free of clock synchronization. Acoustic signals may be used in a building environment to determine a distance. The building automation device may also use radio frequency information for communicating with other devices.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2009Date of Patent: October 11, 2011Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.Inventor: Norman R. McFarland
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Publication number: 20110070904Abstract: On a first level of the wireless building automation architecture, sensors and associated actuators communicate directly. The sensor performs control processes appropriate for the sensor and regardless of the type of actuator being used. The actuator performs control processes specific to the actuator regardless of the type of sensor being used. By direct wireless communication between sensors and actuators, the opportunity for a failed communications link using a hub and spoke arrangement may be avoided. Communication redundancy is provided by receiving the outputs of sensors at a controller, such as a controller on a second high speed or high bandwidth tier of the architecture. Regional control is implemented in the higher level tier. The higher level tier may override or control operation of components of the lower level tier as needed. The distributed control processing allows for more convenient room level integration.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 23, 2010Publication date: March 24, 2011Inventor: Norman R. McFarland