Patents Assigned to Schneider Automation
  • Publication number: 20040205465
    Abstract: A method of producing documents in a legal proceeding that comprises the steps of converting the documents to a common file type and then electronically placing bates stamps on each file. The method of placing the bates stamps on the file comprises the placement of bates stamps on each page of each file, incrementing the bates stamp number for each page across the multiple documents. In addition, a computer program for electronically placing bates stamps on each page of a document wherein the bates stamps are incremented through each successive pages and each successive document.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2002
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Applicant: Schneider Automation Inc.
    Inventors: Richard A. Baker, Edward Jarmolowicz
  • Patent number: 6801920
    Abstract: A system for providing remote configuration management for an industrial control system (ICS) over a wide area network (such as the Internet), including keeping track of each application used by each device of the ICS, the system including: a configuration database, for keeping track of past and present configurations (which devices are or were in use by the ICS in each configuration); a remote sensing module, for determining information about the ICS devices and about applications used by the ICS devices; a configuration manager, for providing over the wide area network a restored copy of an application used by an ICS device; and utilities for enabling communication over a wide area network. The system optionally includes a billing manager that receives from the configuration manager information about each service performed by the configuration manager.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: Schneider Automation Inc.
    Inventor: Rainer H. Wischinski
  • Patent number: 6792361
    Abstract: A system, method and program for calculating a fluid flow volume within a conduit having an operably connected flow meter is disclosed. The system includes a controller having a backplane. A flow meter module is operably connected to the backplane of the controller and to the flow meter. A program embedded within the controller is also operably connected to the flow meter. The program includes a plurality of segments for sensing a characteristic of the fluid for determining the flow volume of the fluid. The controller, in cooperation with the flow meter module, monitors the dynamic fluid density of the fluid in the conduit. The controller utilizes the dynamic density to determine a correction factor to more accurately calculate the fluid flow volume through the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Schneider Automation Inc.
    Inventor: James A Vun Cannon
  • Patent number: 6760782
    Abstract: An interface allows for the transfer of real time control data with guaranteed delivery times between devices on a general purpose network and an industrial control system. A proxy server takes the role of a TCP/IP router and is configured to control the rate at which messages are forwarded from the non-real time to the real time portion of the network, keeping the loading of the real time portion stable regardless of the external non-real-time communication demand. Real time data is preconfigured and exchanged in a regular sequence, with the cyclic update period known. The length of any communication message necessary to transmit this information, plus any sequencing and acknowledgment overhead, is calculated in advance and aggregated. Each device with authority to transmit on the shared medium is given a time budget, calculated so that the total transmission quantity in unit time is deliberately limited to some fraction of the maximum transmission capability of the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Schneider Automation Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew G. Swales
  • Publication number: 20040111700
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for developing an agent-based, preferably a multi-agent-based, control system (SS) for an industrial flexible production system (PS). To simplify implementation of a control system for a flexible production system, it is provided that a simulation model (KM) of the production system (PS) is generated, and that the simulation model (KM) derived from the production system (PS) is transformed directly into models of a multi-agent-based control system (MASS).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2003
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Applicant: Schneider Automation GmbH
    Inventor: Armando Walter Colombo
  • Patent number: 6744393
    Abstract: Analog input module for a programmable logic controller, the analog input module having an input circuit with terminals for accepting either a single voltage range or a single current range from process control sensors. The analog input module includes an analog-to-digital converter and an input circuit with an output terminal connected to the input of the analog-to-digital converter, a voltage input terminal, a current input terminal, and a common terminal. The input circuit is configured to accept a voltage input between the voltage input terminal and the common terminal, to accept a current input between the current input terminal and the common terminal, and to provide an output voltage at the output terminal dependent upon either the voltage input or the current input, without switching or configuring between them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Schneider Automation Inc.
    Inventor: Richard H. Breinlinger
  • Patent number: 6739205
    Abstract: A system, method and program for calculating a fluid flow volume within a conduit having an operably connected flow meter is disclosed. The system includes a controller having a backplane. A flow meter module is operably connected to the backplane of the controller and to the flow meter. A program embedded within the controller is also operably connected to the flow meter. The program includes a plurality of segments for sensing a characteristic of the fluid for determining the flow volume of the fluid. The controller, in cooperation with the flow meter module, monitors the dynamic fluid density of the fluid in the conduit. The controller utilizes the dynamic density to determine a correction factor to more accurately calculate the fluid flow volume through the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Schneider Automation Inc.
    Inventor: James A. Vun Cannon
  • Patent number: 6736944
    Abstract: An apparatus and technique are provided for generating a plasma using a power supply circuit and arc detection arrangement. The power supply circuit has a cathode enclosed in a chamber, and is adapted to generate a power-related parameter. The arc detection arrangement is communicatively coupled to the power supply circuit and adapted to assess the severity of arcing in the chamber by comparing the power-related parameter to at least one threshold. According to various implementations, arc occurrences, arcing duration, intensity and/or energy are measured responsive to comparing the power-related parameter to the at least one threshold. According to further implementations, the above-mentioned measured quantities are accumulated and/or further processed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Schneider Automation Inc.
    Inventor: Paul R. Buda
  • Patent number: 6738441
    Abstract: A method and device for filtering an input signal received by an input module in order to produce a filtered input signal, wherein the received input signal is converted such that it has either a HIGH input state or a LOW input state each having a time duration characteristic of the input module, and the filtered input signal is represented by an ON filtered state and an OFF filtered state. The time duration of the HIGH input state and the LOW input state are determined by sampling the converted input signal at a certain sampling rate so as to allow the sampling results to be used by a filtering algorithm to set the filtered input state to ON or OFF based on a set of filter parameters which may vary from one input module to another. The filtering device is adapted to be configurable such that the filter parameters can be electronically selected so that the same filtering algorithm can be used for different input modules having different electrical characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Schneider Automation Inc.
    Inventors: Steve R. Webster, Richard H. Breinlinger, Kenneth L. Wester
  • Patent number: 6732191
    Abstract: A control system allows a user to access an input/output device over a communication network using a web browser. The system includes an Internet web site between the network and the input/output module. The web site runs from an Ethernet board coupled directly to the input/output module back plane and includes a HTTP protocol interpreter, an input/output module, a TCP/IP stack, and an Ethernet board kernel. The web site provides access to the input/output module by a user at a remote location through the Internet. The web site translates the industry standard Ethernet, TCP/IP and HTTP protocols used on the Internet into data recognizable to the input/output module. Using this interface, the user can input or retrieve all pertinent data regarding the operation of the input/output device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Schneider Automation Inc.
    Inventors: Richard A. Baker, Dennis J. W. Dube
  • Patent number: 6715267
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and system for packing an order of parts. An operator is prompted to select an indicated part. The part is read by the system to verify the selection of the part. An array of indicators directs the operator to where the part should be placed in a shipping tote. An array of sensors confirms the packing of the part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Schneider Automation Inc.
    Inventors: James V. Schaefer, Robert J. Bell
  • Patent number: 6711698
    Abstract: A controller and a method for operating the controller is disclosed. The controller, in response to a detected Ethernet network error, performs the steps of determining whether a communication error has occurred, notifying the controller that an error has occurred, stopping normal controller operation, and executing fail safe routine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Schneider Automation Inc.
    Inventors: Alain Marbach, Andre Peyrache, Richard A. Baker, Dennis J. W. Dube
  • Patent number: 6687649
    Abstract: A system, method and computer program for facilitating the operation of a control system utilizing one or more input devices is disclosed. The control system provides the ability to monitor and modify operating parameters of the input devices. A function integrated within a software code is to be executed by the control system. The function is responsive to the input device. The input device includes at least one condition comprising a state wherein all of the conditions must be met prior to the execution of the function. A display of an unmet condition is exhibited to operator personnel of the control system during the execution of any function having an unmet condition prohibiting the execution of the function. The operator personnel is capable of overriding the unmet condition by selecting the state of the condition that allows the condition to be met, thus allowing the function to be executed. A maintenance log contains a record of the conditions that were bypassed or overridden.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Schneider Automation Inc.
    Inventors: John Ditter, Scott Walczak
  • Publication number: 20040015827
    Abstract: This invention relates to a programming station comprising a memory containing description files, each description file describing part of an automation application and being expressed in a single, hierarchised and object oriented language such as the XML language. The programming station uses a compression program that generates a file in the compacted format stored in a memory on the automation equipment, for each description file. The compression program comprises a step to reduce tags contained in a description file by applying a specific stylesheet and a step to execute a compaction algorithm adapted to XML files.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2002
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Applicant: Schneider Automation
    Inventors: Pascal Nicolle, Christian Tuccinardi, Bruno Bories
  • Publication number: 20040015844
    Abstract: This invention relates to a programming station for an automation application that will be executed in an automation equipment. The programming station stores at least one file in an internal memory containing a description grammar for automation applications in text format, for at least one of the graphic automation languages (Ladder, SFC, FBD) using a single, hierarchised and object oriented language. It also contains a set of one or several description files, each description file describing part of the automation application and being expressed in this single language. The single, hierarchised and object oriented language is the XML (eXtended Markup Language) language.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2002
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Applicant: Schneider Automation
    Inventors: Pascal Nicolle, Christian Tuccinardi, Bruno Bories
  • Patent number: 6679628
    Abstract: A method and system for automated temperature measurement is described. The system includes a programmable logic controller, a temperature measurement diode, an analog-to-digital converter coupled to the diode and the programmable logic controller, a current source coupled to the diode and configured to generate a first current and a second current different from said first current, and a processor coupled to the current source and to the analog-to-digital converter. The processor controls the current source such that the current source sequentially applies the first current to the diode at a first point in time and applies the second current to the diode at a second point in time. The processor also receives a first voltage across the diode measured when the first current is applied to the diode and a second voltage across the diode measured when the second current is applied to the diode. Based on the first and second voltages, the processor determines the temperature proximate the diode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Schneider Automation Inc.
    Inventor: Richard H. Breinlinger
  • Publication number: 20040008467
    Abstract: The invention relates to a safety communication system in a automation application (5), comprising a first communication bus (19) on which at least one first safety monitor (12) is connected fitted with several outputs (13), and a second communication bus (29) on which are fitted a second inputs safety module (25), capable of generating a second safety signal, and a second safety monitor (22) receiving said safety signal and fitted with several outputs (23), on the second communication bus (29). Outputs (13) of the first safety monitor (12) are electrically connected to inputs of the second inputs module (25) so as to control at least one output (23) of the second safety monitor (22) as a function of the state of the outputs (13) of the first safety monitor (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2003
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Applicant: Schneider Automation
    Inventors: Jean-Marc Calandre, Andre Ganier
  • Patent number: 6671569
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for monitoring a workpiece (WSx) during a transportation and/or production process with at least one workpiece agent (WA1 . . . WAn) assigned to the workpiece. To enhance the freedom of the process from failure on the one hand and to facilitate the incorporation of new workpieces into the process on the other, it is provided that the failure of a workpiece agent (WA1 . . . WAn) assigned to a workpiece (WSx) is detected; that the monitoring of the workpiece (WSx) is taken over by a further workpiece agent (WAk), and workpiece-specific data of the taken-over workpiece (WSx) are contained in the workpiece agent (WAk) taking over the monitoring and/or in a database and are transmitted in the workpiece agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Schneider Automation GmbH
    Inventors: Ronald Schoop, Siegfried Ralf Neubert, Eckart I. Tietze
  • Patent number: 6669004
    Abstract: The invention relates to a transportation system (10) for transporting objects (WSx), in particular workpieces, including a plurality of parallel or substantially parallel transportation paths (12, 14, 16) and a device (18) for shifting the objects (WSx) between at least two adjacent transportation paths (12, 14, 16). In order to reduce both the space required for the transportation path and the time consumption for displacing the workpieces between the transportation paths, it is proposed that the transportation paths (12, 14, 16) are disposed one above the other in different planes, and that the workpieces (WSx) on being shifted are moved on a path (30) that defines a plane extending perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the transportation paths (12, 14, 16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Schneider Automation GmbH
    Inventors: Ronald Schoop, Siegfried Ralf Neubert, Eckart I. Tietze
  • Patent number: D488133
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Schneider Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Jean-Louis Droulin, Jean-Marc Tixador, Benoit Lecoanet