Patents Assigned to Motion Engineering, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8072999
    Abstract: A method and system for adding a node into a network operating in a cyclic state after one or more nodes have been previously removed without interrupting the synchronous traffic of the remaining nodes on the network is provided. The method includes discovering an added node by sending data to the added node in a downstream timeslot previously assigned to a removed node, the data having a delay value for scheduling a response from the added node to coincide with an upstream timeslot previously assigned to the removed node, thereby avoiding collisions with the synchronous traffic on the network; receiving the response from the added node; configuring the added node in accordance with an original configuration of the removed node; and commencing cyclic operation of the added node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Motion Engineering Inc.
    Inventors: David Cline, Judy Anne Mitchell, Robert Pearce
  • Patent number: 7969985
    Abstract: An improved system, method, and computer-readable instructions for scheduling, transporting, and receiving inbound packets efficiently in networks with cyclic packet scheduling is provided. The method provides for scheduling upstream packet transmission slots for each node in the network so that the spacing between the packet transmission slots is reduced; for each node in the network, if there is a locally originated packet of the node to be transmitted upstream, selectively activating a forwarding buffer to receive and temporarily store a packet received from a neighboring downstream node during upstream transmission of a locally originated packet of the node; and upon completion of the upstream transmission of the locally originated packet, transmitting upstream the packet stored in the forwarding buffer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Motion Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: David Cline, Judy Anne Mitchell, Robert Pearce
  • Patent number: 7460471
    Abstract: A motion control system and method that includes a central controller configured to generate first and second demand control signals to be used to define actuation motion of respective first and second actuators. The central controller is in communication with first and second nodes by way of a data network, each node including at least a respective actuator configured to implement at an actuator time a motion or force-related effort based upon the respective demand control signal. Each node also includes a memory configured to store at least one respective propagation delay parameter related to a signal propagation delay between the central controller and the node. A timing mechanism establishes timing at each node based on the respective propagation delay parameter so that the actuator time at the nodes occurs simultaneously. Strictly cyclic and/or full-duplex high-speed communication can be supported. The network can be wired in a ring or as a tree and with twisted pair cabling or fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Motion Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Pearce, David Cline
  • Patent number: 7406354
    Abstract: A motion control system and method that includes a central controller configured to generate first and second demand control signals to be used to define actuation motion of respective first and second actuators. The central controller is in communication with first and second nodes by way of a data network, each node including at least a respective actuator configured to implement at an actuator time a motion or force-related effort based upon the respective demand control signal. Each node also includes a memory configured to store at least one respective propagation delay parameter related to a signal propagation delay between the central controller and the node. A timing mechanism establishes timing at each node based on the respective propagation delay parameter so that the actuator time at the nodes occurs simultaneously. Strictly cyclic and/or full-duplex high-speed communication can be supported. The network can be wired in a ring or as a tree and with twisted pair cabling or fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Motion Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Pearce, David Cline
  • Publication number: 20060276913
    Abstract: A motion control system and method that includes a central controller configured to generate first and second demand control signals to be used to define actuation motion of respective first and second actuators. The central controller is in communication with first and second nodes by way of a data network, each node including at least a respective actuator configured to implement at an actuator time a motion or force-related effort based upon the respective demand control signal. Each node also includes a memory configured to store at least one respective propagation delay parameter related to a signal propagation delay between the central controller and the node. A timing mechanism establishes timing at each node based on the respective propagation delay parameter so that the actuator time at the nodes occurs simultaneously. Strictly cyclic and/or full-duplex high-speed communication can be supported. The network can be wired in a ring or as a tree and with twisted pair cabling or fiber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2006
    Publication date: December 7, 2006
    Applicant: MOTION ENGINEERING, INC.
    Inventors: Robert Pearce, David Cline
  • Publication number: 20060276912
    Abstract: A motion control system and method that includes a central controller configured to generate first and second demand control signals to be used to define actuation motion of respective first and second actuators. The central controller is in communication with first and second nodes by way of a data network, each node including at least a respective actuator configured to implement at an actuator time a motion or force-related effort based upon the respective demand control signal. Each node also includes a memory configured to store at least one respective propagation delay parameter related to a signal propagation delay between the central controller and the node. A timing mechanism establishes timing at each node based on the respective propagation delay parameter so that the actuator time at the nodes occurs simultaneously. Strictly cyclic and/or full-duplex high-speed communication can be supported. The network can be wired in a ring or as a tree and with twisted pair cabling or fiber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2006
    Publication date: December 7, 2006
    Applicant: MOTION ENGINEERING, INC.
    Inventors: Robert Pearce, David Cline
  • Publication number: 20060271805
    Abstract: A motion control system and method that includes a central controller configured to generate first and second demand control signals to be used to define actuation motion of respective first and second actuators. The central controller is in communication with first and second nodes by way of a data network, each node including at least a respective actuator configured to implement at an actuator time a motion or force-related effort based upon the respective demand control signal. Each node also includes a memory configured to store at least one respective propagation delay parameter related to a signal propagation delay between the central controller and the node. A timing mechanism establishes timing at each node based on the respective propagation delay parameter so that the actuator time at the nodes occurs simultaneously. Strictly cyclic and/or full-duplex high-speed communication can be supported. The network can be wired in a ring or as a tree and with twisted pair cabling or fiber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2006
    Publication date: November 30, 2006
    Applicant: MOTION ENGINEERING, INC.
    Inventors: Robert Pearce, David Cline
  • Patent number: 7143301
    Abstract: A motion control system and method that includes a central controller configured to generate first and second demand control signals to be used to define actuation motion of respective first and second actuators. The central controller is in communication with first and second nodes by way of a data network, each node including at least a respective actuator configured to implement at an actuator time a motion or force-related effort based upon the respective demand control signal. Each node also includes a memory configured to store at least one respective propagation delay parameter related to a signal propagation delay between the central controller and the node. A timing mechanism establishes timing at each node based on the respective propagation delay parameter so that the actuator time at the nodes occurs simultaneously. Strictly cyclic and/or full-duplex high-speed communication can be supported. The network can be wired in a ring or as a tree and with twisted pair cabling or fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Motion Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Pearce, David Cline
  • Patent number: 7024257
    Abstract: A motion control system and method that includes a central controller configured to generate first and second demand control signals to be used to define actuation motion of respective first and second actuators. The central controller is in communication with first and second nodes by way of a data network, each node including at least a respective actuator configured to implement at an actuator time a motion or force-related effort based upon the respective demand control signal. Each node also includes a memory configured to store at least one respective propagation delay parameter related to a signal propagation delay between the central controller and the node. A timing mechanism establishes timing at each node based on the respective propagation delay parameter so that the actuator time at the nodes occurs simultaneously. Strictly cyclic and/or full-duplex high-speed communication can be supported. The network can be wired in a ring or as a tree and with twisted pair cabling or fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Motion Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Pearce, David Cline
  • Publication number: 20050273182
    Abstract: A motion control system and method that includes a central controller configured to generate first and second demand control signals to be used to define actuation motion of respective first and second actuators. The central controller is in communication with first and second nodes by way of a data network, each node including at least a respective actuator configured to implement at an actuator time a motion or force-related effort based upon the respective demand control signal. Each node also includes a memory configured to store at least one respective propagation delay parameter related to a signal propagation delay between the central controller and the node. A timing mechanism establishes timing at each node based on the respective propagation delay parameter so that the actuator time at the nodes occurs simultaneously. Strictly cyclic and/or full-duplex high-speed communication can be supported. The network can be wired in a ring or as a tree and with twisted pair cabling or fiber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2005
    Publication date: December 8, 2005
    Applicant: MOTION ENGINEERING, INC.
    Inventors: Robert Pearce, David Cline
  • Publication number: 20020110155
    Abstract: A motion control system and method that includes a central controller configured to generate first and second demand control signals to be used to define actuation motion of respective first and second actuators. The central controller is in communication with first and second nodes by way of a data network, each node including at least a respective actuator configured to implement at an actuator time a motion or force-related effort based upon the respective demand control signal. Each node also includes a memory configured to store at least one respective propagation delay parameter related to a signal propagation delay between the central controller and the node. A timing mechanism establishes timing at each node based on the respective propagation delay parameter so that the actuator time at the nodes occurs simultaneously. Strictly cyclic and/or full-duplex high-speed communication can be supported. The network can be wired in a ring or as a tree and with twisted pair cabling or fiber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Publication date: August 15, 2002
    Applicant: Motion Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Pearce, David Cline