Patents Assigned to ROCKWELL AUTOMATION, INC.
  • Patent number: 11753055
    Abstract: Control architecture for use with transport systems, such as linear drive systems, rotary drive systems, or a combination thereof, comprising a computer system having a controller for operating control system software for receiving input commands and protocols for creating a motion profile for each transport element, and a gateway for receiving the motion profile from the control system software and for operating gateway drive software that functions to select the appropriate drives to move each transport element along one or more tracks in accordance with their motion profiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Glen C. Wernersbach, Keith G. Jacobs
  • Patent number: 11619924
    Abstract: A combined visualization configuration is stored and provided by a visualization manager to a thin client HMI. Based upon the configuration, the thin client HMI accesses individual visualizations from automation components, such as automation controllers, motor controllers, camera, and so forth. Policies may be established for users and their roles, and for particular thin client HMIs, and for particular locations of or around a machine or process being monitored and/or controlled. Based on the policies, the individual visualizations are combined and may be changed if one or more of the factors changes. Interactions with the individual visualizations of the combined visualization result in signals back to the automation components originating the visualizations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Tim Caine, Randy Cannady
  • Patent number: 11312403
    Abstract: Control architecture for use with transport systems, such as linear drive systems, rotary drive systems, or a combination thereof, comprising a computer system having a controller for operating control system software for receiving input commands and protocols for creating a motion profile for each transport element, and a gateway for receiving the motion profile from the control system software and for operating gateway drive software that functions to select the appropriate drives to move each transport element along one or more tracks in accordance with their motion profiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Glen C. Wernersbach, Keith G. Jacobs
  • Patent number: 11305800
    Abstract: Control architecture for use with transport systems, such as linear drive systems, rotary drive systems, or a combination thereof, comprising a computer system having a controller for operating control system software for receiving input commands and protocols for creating a motion profile for each transport element, and a gateway for receiving the motion profile from the control system software and for operating gateway drive software that functions to select the appropriate drives to move each transport element along one or more tracks in accordance with their motion profiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Glen C. Wernersbach, Keith G. Jacobs
  • Patent number: 11104524
    Abstract: A transport system comprising linear motor modules utilized both straight and curved track modules, with movers displaced on the track modules by control of power applied to coils of the modules. Curved track modules have modified spline geometries to provide desired acceleration and jerk characteristics. The modified spline geometries may be defined by more than one generators, such as an equation generator and a spline fit between the equation-generated segment and one or more constrained points or locations. The curved track modules may be divided into 180 degree modules, or may be reduced to 90 degree, 45 degree or other fractional arcs to provide for modular assembly, mirror-image geometries and motion profiles, and the like. The system may be adapted to provide improved motion characteristics based on modification of a conventional spline geometry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Glen C. Wernersbach, Marc D. Koeppel, Keith G. Jacobs
  • Patent number: 11018934
    Abstract: A system for configuring and providing automated access to content based on the access rights of a mobile computing device, the location of a mobile computing device, and the user operating the mobile computing device. The system uses a centralized database and management system to configure and manage access to content. The system determines the information that is relevant when a device and user are physically present at a specific location. The system then facilitates access to content on the mobile computing device for user interaction. Access to information is controlled by the system based on a combination of permissions shared by the mobile computing device, the user, and the current location. In one embodiment, access to content is governed by the spatial proximity of the device to some physical asset. In one embodiment, multiple location checks are performed before content is delivered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Tim Caine, Randy Cannady
  • Patent number: 10700924
    Abstract: Techniques to facilitate communication between remote industrial assets are disclosed herein. In at least one implementation, a computing system provides a virtual private network (VPN) service for an industrial automation network of an industrial automation enterprise. The computing system communicates with a first gateway system to establish a first connection between a first industrial asset and the VPN service for the industrial automation network. The computing system also communicates with a second gateway system to establish a second connection between a second industrial asset and the VPN service for the industrial automation network, wherein the second industrial asset is located at a disparate location than the first industrial asset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Gibson, Gregory S. Wilcox, Scott N. Sandler, Douglas B. Weber, Timothy S. Biernat, Vijayant Kaura, Clifford J. Whitehead, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10647339
    Abstract: Control architecture for use with transport systems, such as linear drive systems, rotary drive systems, or a combination thereof, comprising a computer system having a controller for operating control system software for receiving input commands and protocols for creating a motion profile for each transport element, and a gateway for receiving the motion profile from the control system software and for operating gateway drive software that functions to select the appropriate drives to move each transport element along one or more tracks in accordance with their motion profiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Glen C. Wernersbach, Keith G. Jacobs
  • Patent number: 10630220
    Abstract: A controlled motion system having a plurality of movers controlled as they travel along both smart and simple sections of a track. The controlled motion system comprises a control system for controlling the speed of a mover as it travels along a simple section, and permits the pitch or distance between movers to increase or decrease as they travel along a simple section. In a preferred embodiment the controlled motion system includes at least one coupling feature having a driving feature on a simple section for engaging and operably driving a driven feature on each mover such that positive control of each mover is maintained throughout its transition from a smart section to a simple section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Glen C. Wernersbach, Keith G. Jacobs
  • Patent number: 10587730
    Abstract: An enhanced transfer of information using an industrial protocol system and method are disclosed. In one embodiment, an industrial automation system includes a serving device communicably coupled with a client device via an industrial data exchange protocol. The client device is configured to generate a service request in accordance with the industrial data exchange protocol, compress the service request, encapsulate the compressed service request in a request packet, and send the request packet to the serving device. The serving device is configured to receive the request packet, decompress the compressed service request, process the service request, gather a service response payload based on the service request, compress the service response payload, encapsulate the compressed service response payload into a response packet, and send the response packet to the client device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: David Allen Johnston, Elmorris P. Dixon, Kendal R. Harris
  • Patent number: 10571898
    Abstract: An automation control system is provided that includes a distributed automation component that receives and processes delta scripts describing state changes to one or more objects of a persistent object model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas W. Reid, Joseph Bronikowski, Subbian Govindaraj, Taryl Jasper, Michael Kalan, Steven John Kowal, Kenneth Plache, Douglas J. Reichard, Charles Rischar, Christopher E. Stanek
  • Patent number: 10348561
    Abstract: A system for configuring and providing automated access to content based on the access rights of a mobile computing device, the location of a mobile computing device, and the user operating the mobile computing device. The system uses a centralized database and management system to configure and manage access to content. The system determines the information that is relevant when a device and user are physically present at a specific location. The system then facilitates access to content on the mobile computing device for user interaction. Access to information is controlled by the system based on a combination of permissions shared by the mobile computing device, the user, and the current location. In one embodiment, access to content is governed by the spatial proximity of the device to some physical asset. In one embodiment, multiple location checks are performed before content is delivered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Tim Caine, Randy Cannady
  • Patent number: 10310479
    Abstract: An automation interface is provided for interacting with industrial controllers. The automation interface provides for programming, editing, monitoring and maintenance of industrial controllers programmatically from a local or remote location. The automation interface component is adapted to communicate with industrial controllers by integrating a computer process interface library into the automation interface component. The computer process interface library exposes the automation interface component to client application processes, so that the client application processes can communicate with the at least one industrial controller programmatically. The automation interface is provided with functionality for downloading, uploading and programming of control programs to the processors of the industrial controllers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: ROCKWELL AUTOMATION, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. McKelvey, Mike D'Amico
  • Patent number: 10273094
    Abstract: A transport system comprising linear motor modules utilized both straight and curved track modules, with movers displaced on the track modules by control of power applied to coils of the modules. Curved track modules have modified spline geometries to provide desired acceleration and jerk characteristics. The modified spline geometries may be defined by more than one generators, such as an equation generator and a spline fit between the equation-generated segment and one or more constrained points or locations. The curved track modules may be divided into 180 degree modules, or may be reduced to 90 degree, 45 degree or other fractional arcs to provide for modular assembly, mirror-image geometries and motion profiles, and the like. The system may be adapted to provide improved motion characteristics based on modification of a conventional spline geometry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Glen C. Wernersbach, Marc D. Koeppel, Keith G. Jacobs
  • Patent number: 10252827
    Abstract: A packaging system and method for receiving articles from a first location, such as a product delivery system, transporting the articles to a second location for unloading the articles such that they are placed in a desired orientation and number of columns, rows, and stacks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith G. Jacobs, Glen C. Wenersbach, Mark F. Smith
  • Patent number: 10243441
    Abstract: A linear controlled motion system comprises a track formed from one or more track sections and having at least one mover mounted to the track and effective for receiving articles at one location and transporting the articles to another location. The system includes at least one magnetic linear motion motor for providing a magnetic field effective for moving each mover in a controlled motion along the track and a magnetic flux bridge for reducing changes in the magnetic flux that reduces the efficiency or interferes with the operation of the controlled motion system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith G. Jacobs, Glen C. Wernersbach
  • Patent number: 10203679
    Abstract: An automation interface is provided for interacting with industrial controllers. The automation interface provides for programming, editing, monitoring and maintenance of industrial controllers programmatically from a local or remote location. The automation interface component is adapted to communicate with industrial controllers by integrating a computer process interface library into the automation interface component. The computer process interface library exposes the automation interface component to client application processes, so that the client application processes can communicate with the at least one industrial controller programmatically. The automation interface is provided with functionality for downloading, uploading and programming of control programs to the processors of the industrial controllers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: ROCKWELL AUTOMATION, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. McKelvey, Mike D'Amico
  • Patent number: 10193484
    Abstract: A controlled motion system having a plurality of movers controlled as they travel along both smart and simple sections of a track. The controlled motion system comprises a control system for controlling the speed of a mover as it travels along a simple section, and permits the pitch or distance between movers to increase or decrease as they travel along a simple section. In a preferred embodiment the controlled motion system includes at least one coupling feature having a driving feature on a simple section for engaging and operably driving a driven feature on each mover such that positive control of each mover is maintained throughout its transition from a smart section to a simple section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Glen C. Wernersbach, Keith G. Jacobs
  • Patent number: 9988165
    Abstract: A packaging system and method for receiving articles from a first location, such as a product delivery system, transporting the articles to a second location for unloading the articles such that they are placed in a desired orientation and number of columns, rows, and stacks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith G. Jacobs, Glen C. Wenersbach, Mark F. Smith
  • Patent number: 9864365
    Abstract: An automation control system is provided that includes delta scripts that describe one or more changes of the stored state information. The delta scripts may be useful to enable one or more other components of the control system and the one or more other components apply the one or more delta scripts to update state information stored on the one or more other components based upon the one or more changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas W. Reid, Joseph Bronikowski, Subbian Govindaraj, Taryl Jasper, Michael Kalan, Steven John Kowal, Kenneth Plache, Douglas J. Reichard, Charles Rischar, Christopher E. Stanek