Patents by Inventor Alan Gale

Alan Gale 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).

  • Patent number: 10459413
    Abstract: Controlling and communicating with separate sets of industrial process control devices via separate data protocols simultaneously with a single processing device that utilizes redundancy and task-splitting to increase availability. An exemplary system includes a device integrator processor configured to receive and transmit electronic data via a plurality of protocols simultaneously. In one form, the device integrator processor includes a primary module that primarily controls communications and synchronizes itself with a shadow module of the processor. In another form, the processor includes multiple cores that each control a set of devices. Moreover, the cores implement a redundancy scheme.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Schneider Electric Systems USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Johan I. Tegnell, Alan A. Gale, Thomas A. Nery, Krishna R. Mendu, Christopher Hu
  • Patent number: 10237116
    Abstract: In a network coupling redundant controllers to a control system, an electronic device is provided. The device comprises a first interface coupled to the control system addressed using a unique medium access control (MAC) address, a second interface coupled to a first redundant controller, and a third interface coupled to a second redundant controller. The device receives a first message via the first interface and transmits the first message via the second interface and via the third interface. The device receives a second message via the second interface and transmits the second message via the first interface. The device receives a third message via the third interface and transmits the third message via the first interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Schneider Electric Systems USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan A. Gale, Alan M. Foskett, Ronald C. Rippel
  • Publication number: 20180120796
    Abstract: Controlling and communicating with separate sets of industrial process control devices via separate data protocols simultaneously with a single processing device that utilizes redundancy and task-splitting to increase availability. An exemplary system includes a device integrator processor configured to receive and transmit electronic data via a plurality of protocols simultaneously. In one form, the device integrator processor includes a primary module that primarily controls communications and synchronizes itself with a shadow module of the processor. In another form, the processor includes multiple cores that each control a set of devices. Moreover, the cores implement a redundancy scheme.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Applicant: Schneider Electric Systems USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Johan I. Tegnell, Alan A. Gale, Thomas A. Nery, Krishna R. Mendu, Christopher Hu
  • Patent number: 9367373
    Abstract: Reliability and performance of complex applications executed across workload groups of one or more host computer systems may be improved by automating the verification of consistent policies across the workload groups. An automatic verification process may be executed on a host computer system to identify workload groups that are not collecting statistics, to identify polices that are not enforced on certain workload groups, to identify policies that are not in force for certain periods of the day, and to identify policies that are disabled. Where an application has a complex configuration, the automatic verification process allows an administrator to identify inconsistent policies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Unisys Corporation
    Inventors: Harry Michael Muncey, Justin A. Okun, Michael Alan Gale
  • Publication number: 20160006599
    Abstract: In a network coupling redundant controllers to a control system, an electronic device is provided. The device comprises a first interface coupled to the control system addressed using a unique medium access control (MAC) address, a second interface coupled to a first redundant controller, and a third interface coupled to a second redundant controller. The device receives a first message via the first interface and transmits the first message via the second interface and via the third interface. The device receives a second message via the second interface and transmits the second message via the first interface. The device receives a third message via the third interface and transmits the third message via the first interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2015
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Applicant: INVENSYS SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Alan A. Gale, Alan M. Foskett, Ronald C. Rippel
  • Patent number: 9172597
    Abstract: In a network coupling redundant controllers to a control system, an electronic device is provided. The device comprises a first interface coupled to the control system addressed using a unique medium access control (MAC) address, a second interface coupled to a first redundant controller, and a third interface coupled to a second redundant controller. The device receives a first message via the first interface and transmits the first message via the second interface and via the third interface. The device receives a second message via the second interface and transmits the second message via the first interface. The device receives a third message via the third interface and transmits the third message via the first interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Invensys Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan A. Gale, Alan M. Foskett, Ronald C. Rippel
  • Patent number: 8966340
    Abstract: A dual redundant process controller is provided. The controller comprises a process control application that executes on a first and a second module. When executed by the first module, a first application instance writes a first synchronization information to the second module, reads a second synchronization information from the first module, and, when the second disagrees with the first synchronization information after passage of a time-out interval, performs a resynchronization function; and wherein, when executed by the second module, the second application instance writes the second synchronization information to the first module, reads the first synchronization information from the second module, and, when the first disagrees with the second synchronization information after passage of the time-out interval, performs the resynchronization function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Invensys Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan A. Gale, Andrew L. Kling, Mark E. Timperley, Lawrence T. Bass, John J. Lavallee, George W. Cranshaw, Alan M. Foskett
  • Publication number: 20140237328
    Abstract: A dual redundant process controller is provided. The controller comprises a process control application that executes on a first and a second module. When executed by the first module, a first application instance writes a first synchronization information to the second module, reads a second synchronization information from the first module, and, when the second disagrees with the first synchronization information after passage of a time-out interval, performs a resynchronization function; and wherein, when executed by the second module, the second application instance writes the second synchronization information to the first module, reads the first synchronization information from the second module, and, when the first disagrees with the second synchronization information after passage of the time-out interval, performs the resynchronization function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: INVENSYS SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Alan A. Gale, Andrew L. Kling, Mark E. Timperley, Lawrence T. Bass, John J. Lavallee, George W. Cranshaw, Alan M. Foskett
  • Patent number: 8745467
    Abstract: A dual redundant process controller is provided. The controller comprises a process control application that executes on a first and a second module. When executed by the first module, a first application instance writes a first synchronization information to the second module, reads a second synchronization information from the first module, and, when the second disagrees with the first synchronization information after passage of a time-out interval, performs a resynchronization function; and wherein, when executed by the second module, the second application instance writes the second synchronization information to the first module, reads the first synchronization information from the second module, and, when the first disagrees with the second synchronization information after passage of the time-out interval, performs the resynchronization function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Invensys Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan A. Gale, Andrew L. Kling, Mark E. Timperley, Lawrence T. Bass, John J. Lavallee, George W. Cranshaw, Alan M. Foskett
  • Patent number: 8732556
    Abstract: A dual redundant process controller is provided. The controller comprises a first processor, memory, and instance of a process control application stored in the first memory. The controller further comprises a second processor, memory, and instance of the process control application stored in the second memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Invensys Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan A. Gale, Andrew L. Kling, Mark E. Timperley, Lawrence T. Bass, John J. Lavallee, George W. Cranshaw, Alan M. Foskett
  • Publication number: 20130339788
    Abstract: A dual redundant process controller is provided. The controller comprises a first processor, memory, and instance of a process control application stored in the first memory. The controller further comprises a second processor, memory, and instance of the process control application stored in the second memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: Invensys Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan A. Gale, Andrew L. Kling, Mark E. Timperley, Lawrence T. Bass, John J. Lavallee, George W. Cranshaw, Alan M. Foskett
  • Patent number: 8516355
    Abstract: A dual redundant process controller is provided. The controller comprises a first processor, memory, and instance of a process control application stored in the first memory. The controller further comprises a second processor, memory, and instance of the process control application stored in the second memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Invensys Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan A. Gale, Andrew L. Kling, Mark E. Timperley, Lawrence T. Bass, John J. Lavallee, George W. Cranshaw, Alan M. Foskett
  • Publication number: 20130117436
    Abstract: Reliability and performance of complex applications executed across workload groups of one or more host computer systems may be improved by automating the verification of consistent policies across the workload groups. An automatic verification process may be executed on a host computer system to identify workload groups that are not collecting statistics, to identify polices that are not enforced on certain workload groups, to identify policies that are not in force for certain periods of the day, and to identify policies that are disabled. Where an application has a complex configuration, the automatic verification process allows an administrator to identify inconsistent policies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Inventors: Harry Michael Muncey, Justin A. Okun, Michael Alan Gale
  • Publication number: 20130024480
    Abstract: Method, system, and programs for analyzing data records, to easily identify problems with saved data, facilitate data retrieval and file report optimization. In an embodiment, the user is presented with a visual representation of the data records to alert the user of any problems, omissions, or errors in the data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Inventors: Justin A. Okun, Michael Alan Gale
  • Publication number: 20120275465
    Abstract: In a network coupling redundant controllers to a control system, an electronic device is provided. The device comprises a first interface coupled to the control system addressed using a unique medium access control (MAC) address, a second interface coupled to a first redundant controller, and a third interface coupled to a second redundant controller. The device receives a first message via the first interface and transmits the first message via the second interface and via the third interface. The device receives a second message via the second interface and transmits the second message via the first interface. The device receives a third message via the third interface and transmits the third message via the first interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: INVENSYS SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Alan A. Gale, Alan M. Foskett, Ronald C. Rippel
  • Publication number: 20120210198
    Abstract: A dual redundant process controller is provided. The controller comprises a first processor, memory, and instance of a process control application stored in the first memory. The controller further comprises a second processor, memory, and instance of the process control application stored in the second memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: INVENSYS SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Alan A. Gale, Andrew L. Kling, Mark E. Timperley, Lawrence T. Bass, John J. Lavallee, George W. Cranshaw, Alan M. Foskett
  • Publication number: 20120210199
    Abstract: A dual redundant process controller is provided. The controller comprises a process control application that executes on a first and a second module. When executed by the first module, a first application instance writes a first synchronization information to the second module, reads a second synchronization information from the first module, and, when the second disagrees with the first synchronization information after passage of a time-out interval, performs a resynchronization function; and wherein, when executed by the second module, the second application instance writes the second synchronization information to the first module, reads the first synchronization information from the second module, and, when the first disagrees with the second synchronization information after passage of the time-out interval, performs the resynchronization function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: Invensys Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan A. Gale, Andrew L. Kling, Mark E. Timperley, Lawrence T. Bass, John J. Lavallee, George W. Cranshaw, Alan M. Foskett
  • Patent number: 7630860
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a technique to manage elapsed time performance. Current baseline statistics on N performance components are obtained for a set of programs belonging to a single workload group. N current component performance values associated with the N performance components are obtained in a current measurement for the set of programs at the beginning of a current monitoring cycle. A control component is selected from the N performance components based on the current baseline statistics and the N current component performance values. A control value is applied to an operation corresponding to the control component in the set of programs. A next monitoring cycle is waited for.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Unisys Corporation
    Inventors: Joel King Donnelly, Michael Alan Gale, Andrew David Milligan
  • Patent number: 7434088
    Abstract: A fault router method and system for use in a parallel redundant network environment provide additional safeguards over traditional redundant networks. Where multiple connection faults on multiple machines would ordinarily stifle communications between two or more network entities, the fault router passes packets between redundant networks to bypass connection faults. Compatibility and timing improvements allow for the extension of the parallel network environment, and provide for time-synchronized network operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Invensys Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Gale, Richard Coombs, Krishan Kumar Dhupar, Alan M. Foskett, Douglas MacDougall
  • Patent number: 7380154
    Abstract: A fault router method and system for use in a parallel redundant network environment provide additional safeguards over traditional redundant networks. Where multiple connection faults on multiple machines would ordinarily stifle communications between two or more network entities, the fault router passes packets between redundant networks to bypass connection faults. Compatibility and timing improvements allow for the extension of the parallel network environment, and provide for time-synchronized network operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Invensys Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Gale, Richard Coombs, Krishan Kumar Dhupar, Alan M. Foskett, Douglas MacDougall