Patents Assigned to Schneider Automation
  • Patent number: 7010464
    Abstract: A mobile testing apparatus, method, and computer product that performs high speed testing of mobile pressure devices using high speed totalization, where testing of multiple devices may be done concurrently. Test results are communicated to a central console using a variety of communication methods, including wireless, and the testing apparatus and method is robust and reliable despite the occurrence of transient communication failures, because the test apparatus and method may operate independently of central control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Schneider Automation Inc.
    Inventors: John L. Kuzala, Mark E. Wertham, Robert J. Bell, Paul G. Horvath
  • Patent number: 6978227
    Abstract: High-speed programmable logic controller (PLC) signal processing is accomplished using a programmable signal processing arrangement that is capable of altering characteristics of signal processing in response to one or more signal processing coefficients. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a PLC-based arrangement includes a PLC controller and a signal processing arrangement that oversamples and processes a signal at a frequency that is greater than a maximum input-process-output scan rate of the PLC controller. In one implementation, the signal processing arrangement is programmable with complex high-speed signal processing parameters that can be downloaded, for example, via the Internet in response to an end-user request. With these approaches, signal sampling and processing is achieved with a PLC-based system at a rate that can be much higher than previously-available signal processing rates with PLC controllers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Schneider Automation Inc.
    Inventor: Paul R. Buda
  • Patent number: 6968242
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing an active standby control system comprising the steps of providing a first and second controller, each controller having an operating state. Each controller is operably connected to a network. Assigning a network identifier, i.e., Internet Protocol, Media Access Control address, etc., to each controller and sensing the operating state of each controller. The network identifier of each controller is determined by the operating state of each respective controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Schneider Automation Inc.
    Inventors: Nan Shan Hwu, Jay Ward, David L. Kryger
  • Patent number: 6961633
    Abstract: A method and system for monitoring a factory automation product via a communications network. The factory automation product is installed at an installation site having an installation site address and includes identifiable information such as a product number, a version number, a serial number and a MAC address. By obtaining the installation site address and the identifiable information, it is possible to associate the installation site address to the factory automation product based on the identifiable information. Based on the installation site address, it is possible to determine whether the factory automation product is used in violation of licenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Schneider Automation Inc.
    Inventors: Alain Marbach, Richard A. Baker
  • Patent number: 6952727
    Abstract: A method for adapting a computer-to-computer communication protocol, and especially TCP/IP, or any protocol implemented in a general purpose off-the-shelf network like Ethernet, for use in providing communication needed in an industrial control system, and especially an industrial control system using a programmable logic controller (PLC), where there is frequent communication between the PLC and control or monitoring elements, the method aimed at allowing the PLC to perform scanning of its ladder logic at a rate adequate for effective industrial control. The method includes making permanent-type TCP connections between the PLC and a control element or a monitoring element, use of a protocol for communication with a control or monitoring element in which both a read register and a write register instruction is included in a single communication transaction, such as a MODBUS command, and tuning communication between the PLC and a control element or a monitoring element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2005
    Assignee: Schneider Automation Inc.
    Inventors: David T. Lindner, Andrew G. Swales
  • Patent number: 6937962
    Abstract: The invention relates to a diagnostic system which involves the use of a piece of observed information (5) coming from a process (1) monitored by a programmable automaton (10). The diagnostic system includes: an observation module (30) which collects, at input, the information observed (5) and delivers, at output, a piece of processed information (35) to a learning module (40); and a detection module (20) which collects, at input, the observed information (5) in order to apply a detection process (21) thereto including a diagnostic function (45), which comes from the learning module (40), in order to deliver a diagnostic result (25) at output. The observation module (30) and the detection module (20) are executed by the processing unit (11) of the programmable automaton (10) in the form of function units in accordance with standard IEC1131-3. The learning module (40) elaborates the diagnostic function (45) using an algorithm based on neural networks or on fuzzy logic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Schneider Automation
    Inventors: Robert Rousseau, François Bonnard, Alain Lafuite
  • Patent number: 6915355
    Abstract: Automation equipment executes a real-time program for carrying out monitoring/control in an automation application. The automation equipment includes a USB connector connected via a USB bus driver circuit to an internal bus. The automation equipment also includes a software task in charge of controlling a flow of communications exchanged via the USB connector with remote equipments. The characteristics of the application program are executed in the automation equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Schneider Automation
    Inventor: Jean-Jacques Genin
  • Patent number: 6915330
    Abstract: A communication system for automation equipment on a TCP/IP network. The automation equipment controls an automation application by executing an application program written according to standard IEC1131-3. The communication system includes at least a reception WEB function block integrated into the application program to implement a WEB server function, and/or at least one send WEB function block integrated into the application program to implement a WEB client function, and an HTTP interface capable of routing messages between the TCP/IP network and WEB function blocks identified by a URL address. The contents of HTTP requests may be an XML frame or a UEL encoded frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Schneider Automation
    Inventors: Christian Hardy, Christophe Vincent, Jean-Marie Stawikowski, Robert Rousseau
  • Patent number: 6907485
    Abstract: A CANOpen network including a bus master and an I/O module are disclosed. Each are communicatively coupled to a common bus. The I/O module is subject to a state change. The bus master collects state information from the I/O module by sending a state signal from the I/O module to the bus master in response to a state change of the I/O module, sending a trigger signal from the bus master to the I/O module, and sending a state signal from the I/O module to the bus master in response to the trigger signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Schneider Automation Inc.
    Inventors: William A. White, III, James McLean, Lawrence W. Hill, Jean-Francois Rolland, William D. Sparks
  • Patent number: 6888541
    Abstract: A method for monitoring a factory process is disclosed. The factory process comprises a plurality of tasks. The method comprises displaying the factory process in real-time as a three-dimensional, free-camera, computer generated representation of the process as a whole, selectively displaying each of the tasks in real-time as a three-dimensional, free-camera, computer generated representation of the respective task.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Schneider Automation Inc.
    Inventor: Carl P. Morse
  • Patent number: 6853867
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for accessing, controlling and monitoring a programable logic controller with a network client having a conventional web browser. The apparatus includes an archive, an interface, and a library. The archive provides for compiling an application written in code supported by the web browser. The interface is responsive to the application for establishing a connection between the controller and the network client. Further, the library is responsive to the application for supporting communication between the controller and the network client upon establishing a connection therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Schneider Automation Inc.
    Inventors: Charles J. Klindt, Richard A. Baker, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6845401
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for storage of applications symbols, graphics, web pages, and other data within a server coupled to a programable logic controller. The server is operably connected to a network and the programable logic controller and includes a memory, an FTP server, and a HTTP server. The FTP server is operably connected to the memory and the network for transferring files into the memory. The HTTP is operably connected to the memory and the network for transferring web pages onto the network. Also, the programable logic controller is provided access to the memory within the server for downloading files into the memory of the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Schneider Automation Inc.
    Inventors: A. Dean Papadopoulos, Allan Tanzman, Rodolfo G. Belliardi, Richard A. Baker, Alain Lafuite
  • Patent number: 6840819
    Abstract: An electrical apparatus including a base configured to be fitted to a holding rail with opposing coplanar arms, and configured to accommodate a component member of the apparatus and fitted with a locking device having two opposing catches each intended to hook onto a respective arm of the rail. Further, at least one of the two catches is joined to a slide configured to slide in a direction and can be moved by a manual unlocking member. In addition, he manual unlocking member includes a lever pivoted around at least one bearing pin having an axis perpendicular to the sliding direction of the slide, and the lever cooperates with the slide bar via a cam device guiding through a slide track having an axis parallel to the axis of the bearing pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Schneider Automation Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Bet, Frédéric Delvaux, Michel Girard, Philippe Rix
  • Patent number: 6842454
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for communicating information over a communications network from a sending device to a target device is disclosed. The sending device determines a network location of a target device to which a first frame of information is to be sent. The first frame of information is formatted for a first communications protocol and includes a device address field configured to store a device identifier that corresponds to the target device. Then the sending device selects, based on the network location of the target device, an addressing scheme from among plural different addressing schemes. The device identifier is generated for the first frame on the basis of the selected addressing scheme. The sending device encapsulates the first frame of information in a second frame of information formatted for a second communications protocol and including a destination address field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Schneider Automation Inc.
    Inventor: Orlando P. Metcalf, III
  • Publication number: 20040260954
    Abstract: A system for providing access to a PLC controlled subcomponent of an automation system. The system comprises a biometric identification device coupled to an I/O device of the automation system. The I/O device is configured to process input from the biometric identification device and provide an identification code for a user of the biometric identification device. The system further comprises a PLC based server configured to receive the identification code generated by the I/O device and process the identification code to determine whether to provide access to a PLC controlled subcomponent of the automation system to the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2003
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Applicant: Schneider Automation Inc.
    Inventor: Carl P. Morse
  • Publication number: 20040260557
    Abstract: A voice output system for providing a voice output to a user of a subcomponent of an automation system. A PLC associated with monitoring or controlling an operation of the subcomponent determines if voice output is needed and generates a signal to provide the requisite speech output. The output may be computer generated or a pre-recorded taped message.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2003
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Applicant: Schneider Automation Inc.
    Inventor: Carl P. Morse
  • Publication number: 20040260538
    Abstract: A system for providing voice input to a subcomponent of an automation system. The system comprises an apparatus for receiving vocal transmissions from an operator of the subcomponent and converting the vocal transmissions to an electrical vocal signal. The system further comprises a PLC operatively associated with the subcomponent. The PLC is configured to receive the electrical vocal signal and convert the electrical vocal signal into an input signal associated with operation of the subcomponent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2003
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Applicant: Schneider Automation Inc.
    Inventor: Carl P. Morse
  • Patent number: 6826432
    Abstract: A process for programming an automation application program on an automation equipment programming station, including defining several structured type objects each representing an input-output channel of automation equipment, declaring symbolic input-output variables of the program as an instance of a previously defined structured type object, a configuring symbolic input-output variables comprising a definition of the physical location of inputs-outputs of the automation equipment, automatically interpreting the program to execute it on the automation equipment, comprising replacing symbolic variables in the program with the complete topological address of corresponding input-output information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Schneider Automation
    Inventors: François Beck, Henry Baraston, Christian Laurain
  • Publication number: 20040210664
    Abstract: The disclosure presents a system and method for transmitting data from Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs). The system may be implemented in a variety of ways, including as a method for transmitting data between a first and a second programmable logic controller, the method comprising the steps of: inputting data into a first register of a first programmable logic controller; inputting the data to a first management information table; transmitting the data from the first programmable logic controller to an external network; inputting the data from the external network into a second programmable logic controller; inputting the data into a second management information table; and, introducing the data into a second register of the second programmable logic controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2003
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Applicant: Schneider Automation Inc.
    Inventor: Francis T. Prendergast
  • Publication number: 20040206613
    Abstract: A network tap system and method are disclosed. The system includes a housing, a first connection block, a second connection block, a third connection block, a device switch, and a communication port. The housing has a thermoplastic composition resin housing. The first connection block is configured to accept a first portion of a network trunk cable. The second connection block is configured to accept a second portion of a network trunk cable. The third connection is configured for connection to a network device. The device switch is configured to short the network trunk cable when the network device is not connected to the third connection. The device switch is configured to operate without the need for manual selection. The communication port is configured to accept a programming cable from a computer. The communication port is also configured for access while the housing is mounted on the DIN rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2003
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Applicant: Schneider Automation Inc.
    Inventor: Lee J. Ward