Patents by Inventor Alan Mills

Alan Mills 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).

  • Publication number: 20240134630
    Abstract: A method may include receiving an indication of an available updated container. The method may also involve identifying one or more compute surfaces comprising a first container and a second container that correspond to the available container, such that the first container may control one or more operations of an operational technology (OT) device. The method may also include scheduling a deployment of the updated container to replace the second container, receiving expected output data associated with a digital model associated with the OT device, and scheduling a switchover of control of the one or more operations to the second container based on the expected output data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2024
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Inventors: Nathaniel S. Sandler, Rob A Entzminger, David C. Mazur, Bruce T. McCleave, Jr., Jonathan Alan Mills, Patrick E. Ozimek, Tim S. Biernat, Michael J. Anthony, Chris Softley
  • Publication number: 20240103491
    Abstract: An industrial automation device includes processing circuitry and a non-transitory computer-readable medium that includes instructions that, when executed by the processing circuitry of the industrial automation device, cause the processing circuitry to execute a software container and receive, at the software container, data from one or more industrial automation devices communicatively coupled to the industrial automation device. The instructions, when executed, also cause the processor to determine, using the software container, one or more control operations for the industrial automation device or the one or more industrial automation devices based on the data. Furthermore, the instructions, when executed, cause the processor to cause the industrial automation device to perform the one or more control operations or send the one or more control operations to the one or more industrial automation devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2022
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Inventors: David C. Mazur, Rob A. Entzminger, Jonathan Alan Mills
  • Publication number: 20240103475
    Abstract: An industrial automation device includes processing circuitry and a non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions that, when executed by the processing circuitry, cause the processing circuitry to execute a software container and receive, at the software container, a first set of data having raw data from one or more industrial automation devices communicatively coupled to the industrial automation device. When executed, the instructions also cause the processing circuitry to pre-process the first set of data using the software container to generate a second set of data and send the second set of data to a second industrial automation device communicatively coupled to the first industrial automation device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2022
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Inventors: David C. Mazur, Rob A. Entzminger, Jonathan Alan Mills
  • Publication number: 20240094713
    Abstract: Embodiments of this present disclosure may include systems that perform operations including receiving a first symbol instance from an industrial automation device. The first template object instance may characterize a dataset accessible to the industrial automation device. Symbol object instances may inherit a categorization with respect to categories associated with the industrial automation device including an identity, a state, a runtime status, a maintenance status, sustainability information, or any combination thereof. The operations may include receiving a first input corresponding to the first symbol object instance. The first input may include an indication of a change to the original symbolic definition. The operations may include identifying a type of the industrial automation device based on the first symbol object instance and generating enhanced template data based on the type of the industrial automation device, the first input, and the first symbol object instance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2022
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventors: David C. Mazur, Rob A. Entzminger, Jonathan Alan Mills, Bruce T. McCleave, JR.
  • Patent number: 11914212
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to an optical fiber ribbon. The optical fiber ribbon includes a plurality of optical fibers arranged adjacently to each other and a plurality of bonding regions intermittently spaced along a length of the optical fiber ribbon. At each bonding region, at least one bond is formed between two optical fibers of the plurality of optical fibers. Further, the at least one bond comprises a first material applied to outer surfaces of the two optical fibers and a second material applied over the first material. The first material is different from the second material, and at least one of the first material or the second material includes a colorant configured to identify the optical fiber ribbon. Also disclosed are embodiments of making such an optical fiber ribbon as well as of optical fiber cables including such an optical fiber ribbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: CORNING RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Julie Ann Chalk, David Wesley Chiasson, Gregory Alan Mills, Bin Yang, Xiaomin Zhao
  • Patent number: 11880676
    Abstract: A method may include receiving an indication of an available updated container. The method may also involve identifying one or more compute surfaces comprising a first container and a second container that correspond to the available container, such that the first container may control one or more operations of an operational technology (OT) device. The method may also include scheduling a deployment of the updated container to replace the second container, receiving expected output data associated with a digital model associated with the OT device, and scheduling a switchover of control of the one or more operations to the second container based on the expected output data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathaniel S. Sandler, Rob A Entzminger, David C. Mazur, Bruce T. McCleave, Jr., Jonathan Alan Mills, Patrick E. Ozimek, Tim S. Biernat, Michael J. Anthony, Chris Softley
  • Publication number: 20240019296
    Abstract: A readout circuit for an amplitude modulating sensor includes a first and second wavelength light source; an optical coupler coupled to receive a first light signal from the first wavelength light source and a second light signal from the second wavelength light source; a frequency selector that allows for the first light signal to pass to the amplitude modulating sensor; and a detector system coupled to the optical coupler to receive the first light signal and the second light signal after the first light signal is modulated by the amplitude modulating sensor and independently detect the two signals. The detector system generates electronic signals representing the modulated first light signal and the second light signal and removes a common mode signal of the modulated first light signal and the second light signal, removing common mode noise or attenuation in the modulated first light signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2022
    Publication date: January 18, 2024
    Inventors: David Alan Mills, William C. Patterson
  • Publication number: 20230273390
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to an optical fiber ribbon. The optical fiber ribbon includes a plurality of optical fibers arranged adjacently to each other. Each optical fiber has a circumferential outer surface. The optical fiber ribbon also includes a lengthwise continuous coating disposed on at least a portion of the circumferential outer surface of each optical fiber. The coating includes a colorant for identifying the optical fiber ribbon among a plurality of optical fiber ribbons. The coating has a first thickness. Further, the optical fiber ribbon includes plurality of bonds intermittently formed between adjacent optical fibers of the plurality of optical fibers. Each of the bonds has a second thickness that is greater than the first thickness. The plurality of bonds provide the only connection between the adjacent optical fibers of the plurality of optical fibers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2023
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Inventors: Julie Ann Chalk, David Wesley Chiasson, Gregory Alan Mills, Bin Yang, Xiaomin Zhao
  • Publication number: 20230258905
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an optical fiber ribbon in which the optical fibers of the optical fiber ribbon are intermittently bonded together at bonding regions along the length of the optical fiber ribbon. The bonding regions of the optical fiber ribbon each include a joining ribbon matrix that have different colors along the length of the optical fiber ribbon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2023
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Inventors: Julie Ann Chalk, David Wesley Chiasson, Jeffrey Dean Danley, Gregory Alan Mills, Zhaoxu Tian, Bin Yang
  • Publication number: 20230251443
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to an optical fiber ribbon. The optical fiber ribbon includes a plurality of subunits each having a subunit coating surrounding at least one optical fiber. The subunit coating is made of a first material. The optical fiber ribbon also includes a plurality of bonds intermittently formed between adjacent subunits of the plurality of subunits. The plurality of bonds are made of a second material. Each bond of the plurality of bonds has a unique longitudinal position along a length of the optical fiber ribbon such that no other bond of the plurality of bonds is located at the unique longitudinal position. Further, each bond of the plurality of bonds includes a diffusion zone comprising a mixture of the first material and the second material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2023
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Inventors: Arash Abedijaberi, Ronald Steven Black, David Wesley Chiasson, Darin Gregory Howe, Gregory Alan Mills
  • Publication number: 20230185047
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to an optical fiber ribbon. The optical fiber ribbon includes a plurality of subunits each comprising a subunit coating surrounding at least two optical fibers arranged adjacently to each other. The subunit coating is made of a first material. A plurality of bonds are intermittently formed between adjacent subunits of the plurality of subunits. The plurality of bonds are made of a second material. The optical fiber ribbon includes a diffusion zone at an interface between each of the plurality of bonds and the subunit coating of each adjacent subunit. Each diffusion zone has a gradient of the second material in the first material. Further, the intermittent bonds may include one or more saddle surfaces formed by intersecting convex and concave curvatures. A method of forming such optical fiber ribbons is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2023
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Inventors: Julie Ann Chalk, David Wesley Chiasson, Klaus Hartkorn, Gregory Alan Mills, Xiaomin Zhao
  • Patent number: 11656423
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to an optical fiber ribbon. The optical fiber ribbon includes optical fibers arranged in a row having a first width. Indicator fibers are provided at the edges of the row. The indicator fibers have different color fiber jackets. The optical fiber ribbon also includes a primary matrix into which the plurality of optical fibers is embedded. The optical fiber ribbon also includes an opacifying layer having a second width and a color layer, distinct from the opacifying layer, having a third width. The optical fiber ribbon further includes a layer of printing disposed on an outer surface of the primary matrix. In the optical fiber ribbon, the first width is greater than at least one of the second width or the third width such that the indicator fibers extend past at least one of the opacifying layer or the color layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: CORNING RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Olus Naili Boratav, Julie Ann Chalk, David Wesley Chiasson, Gregory Alan Mills, Girish Arun Saigaonkar, Randall Dwaine Tuttle, Xiaomin Zhao
  • Publication number: 20230152784
    Abstract: Embodiments of this present disclosure may include systems that perform operations including receiving a first symbol instance from an industrial automation device. The first template object instance may characterize a dataset accessible to the industrial automation device. Symbol object instances may inherit a categorization with respect to categories associated with the industrial automation device including an identity, a state, a runtime status, a maintenance status, sustainability information, or any combination thereof. The operations may include identifying a type of the industrial automation device based on the first symbol instance and generating template data based on the type of the industrial automation device and the first symbol instance. The template data may include values associated with the dataset and the categories associated with the first symbol instance. The operations may also include sending a control signal to the industrial automation device based on the template data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2022
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Inventors: David C. Mazur, Jonathan Alan Mills, Todd A. Wiese, Rob A. Entzminger, Roberto S. Marques
  • Publication number: 20230141686
    Abstract: Embodiments of this present disclosure may include systems that perform operations including receiving a request to access data associated with an industrial automation device from a requesting device and identifying the industrial automation device based on the request. The operations may include sending a query for template data to the industrial automation device based on the request and receiving the template data. The operations may include determining a data structure based on the requesting device and generating the data structure based on the template data and a mapping between the data structure and the template data. The operations may additionally include sending the data structure to the requesting device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2022
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Inventors: Jonathan Alan Mills, Todd A. Wiese, Rob A. Entzminger, David C. Mazur, Roberto S. Marques, Marius G. Chis, Ryan Coon, Robert J. Miklosovic
  • Publication number: 20230141305
    Abstract: Embodiments of this present disclosure may include systems that perform operations including receiving a request to access data of an industrial automation device from a requesting device and identifying the industrial automation device based on the request. The operations may include sending a query for template data to the industrial automation device based on the request and symbolic data operations. The template data may include one or more instantaneous values associated with the industrial automation device. The operations may include sending the template data to the requesting device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2022
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Inventors: David C. Mazur, Jonathan Alan Mills, Rob A. Entzminger, Todd A. Wiese, Bruce T. McCleave, JR., Michael J. Anthony
  • Publication number: 20220317400
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to an optical fiber ribbon. The optical fiber ribbon includes a plurality of optical fibers arranged adjacently to each other and a plurality of bonding regions intermittently spaced along a length of the optical fiber ribbon. At each bonding region, at least one bond is formed between two optical fibers of the plurality of optical fibers. Further, the at least one bond comprises a first material applied to outer surfaces of the two optical fibers and a second material applied over the first material. The first material is different from the second material, and at least one of the first material or the second material includes a colorant configured to identify the optical fiber ribbon. Also disclosed are embodiments of making such an optical fiber ribbon as well as of optical fiber cables including such an optical fiber ribbon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2022
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Inventors: Julie Ann Chalk, David Wesley Chiasson, Gregory Alan Mills, Bin Yang, Xiaomin Zhao
  • Patent number: 11391902
    Abstract: Disclosed here are embodiments of an optical fiber ribbon. In the optical fiber ribbon, a plurality of optical fibers are arranged in a row. The optical fibers are embedded in a primary matrix. The primary matrix comprises a base resin and an opacifier pigment. A secondary matrix is disposed around the primary matrix, and a layer of printing is disposed between the primary matrix and the secondary matrix. The secondary matrix has a contrast ratio of from 0.2 to 0.9 as measured according to ASTM D2805. Embodiments of a method of preparing an optical fiber ribbon are also disclosed in which optical fibers are arranged in a row and embedded in a primary matrix. Characteristics of the optical fibers is printed onto the primary matrix, and the primary matrix is coated with a secondary matrix having a contrast ratio of from 0.2 to 0.9 according to ASTM D2805.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: CORNING RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
    Inventors: David Wesley Chiasson, Ching-Kee Chien, Gregory Alan Mills
  • Patent number: 11340362
    Abstract: A device includes a network having a first material (e.g. electron donor, hole transporting material, p-type semiconductor) for transporting positive electrical charges and a second material (e.g. electron acceptor, electronic transporting material, n-type semiconductor) for transporting negative electrical charges. The first and second materials are dispersed within the network to form a plurality of electrical junctions. A plurality of nanoparticles are dispersed within the network, wherein the nanoparticles have at least one dimension larger than twice an exciton Bohr radius for the nanoparticles and at least one dimension less than 100 nm. In use, the nanoparticles convert incoming radiation into free positive and negative electrical charges for transportation by the first and second materials respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Inventors: Hashini Manodya Thirimanne, Koruwakankanange Don Gershon Imalka Jayawardena, Sembukuttiarachilage Ravi Pradip Silva, Christopher Alan Mills
  • Publication number: 20220050256
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to an optical fiber ribbon. The optical fiber ribbon includes optical fibers arranged in a row having a first width. Indicator fibers are provided at the edges of the row. The indicator fibers have different color fiber jackets. The optical fiber ribbon also includes a primary matrix into which the plurality of optical fibers is embedded. The optical fiber ribbon also includes an opacifying layer having a second width and a color layer, distinct from the opacifying layer, having a third width. The optical fiber ribbon further includes a layer of printing disposed on an outer surface of the primary matrix. In the optical fiber ribbon, the first width is greater than at least one of the second width or the third width such that the indicator fibers extend past at least one of the opacifying layer or the color layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2021
    Publication date: February 17, 2022
    Inventors: Olus Naili Boratav, Julie Ann Chalk, David Wesley Chiasson, Gregory Alan Mills, Girish Arun Saigaonkar, Randall Dwaine Tuttle, Xiaomin Zhao
  • Patent number: 11169348
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to an optical fiber ribbon. The optical fiber ribbon includes optical fibers arranged in a row having a first width. Indicator fibers are provided at the edges of the row. The indicator fibers have different color fiber jackets. The optical fiber ribbon also includes a primary matrix into which the plurality of optical fibers is embedded. The optical fiber ribbon also includes an opacifying layer having a second width and a color layer, distinct from the opacifying layer, having a third width. The optical fiber ribbon further includes a layer of printing disposed on an outer surface of the primary matrix. In the optical fiber ribbon, the first width is greater than at least one of the second width or the third width such that the indicator fibers extend past at least one of the opacifying layer or the color layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: CORNING RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Olus Naili Boratav, Julie Ann Chalk, David Wesley Chiasson, Gregory Alan Mills, Girish Arun Saigaonkar, Randall Dwaine Tuttle, Xiaomin Zhao