Patents by Inventor Ferrell Mercer

Ferrell Mercer 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).

  • Methods and systems for managing and controlling an automation control module system
    Patent number: 7904583
    Abstract: A web-enabled automation control module (ACM) system includes at least one network module configured to receive a request for a file from the network, a web server and database module located outside the network module and including a database configured to store the file, and an ACM central processing unit (CPU) configured to send ACM data to the web server and database module to embed ACM data in the file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: GE Fanuc Automation North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Baxter Chambers, II, Ferrell Mercer
  • Service and diagnostic logic scan apparatus and method
    Patent number: 7836347
    Abstract: A diagnostic and service logic program for a programmable logic controller (PLC) is provided in parallel with the main machine logic program. The diagnostic and service logic program has the same functionality as the main machine logic program, but can be modified and operated independently of the main machine logic program for testing and debugging a faulty main machine logic program. The PLC can be switched between programs for testing and debugging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: GE Intelligent Platforms Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel H. Miller, Ferrell Mercer, Judy Popelas
  • Methods and systems for management and control of an automation control module
    Patent number: 7734716
    Abstract: A web-enabled automation control module (ACM) includes an ACM central processing unit (CPU) and a web and file transfer system electrically connected to the ACM CPU, and embedded within the ACM. The system is configured to process hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) requests from a network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: GE Fanuc Automation North America, Inc.
    Inventors: David Collier, Ferrell Mercer, Bill Hannold, Jason Kandingo, Brad Bolfing, Bob Newman, Carrie Brownhill, Dave Hietanen, Robert Chambers, David Elliott
  • SERVICE AND DIAGNOSTIC LOGIC SCAN APPARATUS AND METHOD
    Publication number: 20090106590
    Abstract: A diagnostic and service logic program for a programmable logic controller (PLC) is provided in parallel with the main machine logic program. The diagnostic and service logic program has the same functionality as the main machine logic program, but can be modified and operated independently of the main machine logic program for testing and debugging a faulty main machine logic program. The PLC can be switched between programs for testing and debugging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2007
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Inventors: Daniel H. Miller, Ferrell Mercer, Judy Popelas
  • Methods and systems for management and control of an automation control module
    Patent number: 7269640
    Abstract: An e-mail-enabled automation control module (ACM) includes an ACM and an e-mail subsystem electrically connected to the ACM. The e-mail subsystem is configured to perform at least one of sending e-mail messages from the ACM through a network and receiving e-mail messages from the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: GE FANUC Automation North America, Inc.
    Inventors: William M. Huntley, Jr., Carrie Brownhill, Robert Chambers, Misty Chambers, David Collier, Ferrell Mercer, Jason Kadingo, Brad Bolfing
  • Service-portal enabled automation control module (ACM)
    Patent number: 7266589
    Abstract: The invention presents a system and a method for assisting automation control module (ACM) customers to retrieve information relevant to their specific ACM(s). A service-portal ACM combines a conventional ACM with a service portal and/or a general-purpose computer to facilitate locating relevant information by the customers. The service-portal ACM comprises a first central processing unit (CPU), and a first memory operably connected to the first CPU. A second CPU is operably connected to the first CPU, and a second memory is operably connected to the second CPU for storing a service-portal database containing a first set of service-portal data and one or more links to a second set of service-portal data stored in a remote network server. A first network interface is operably connected to the second CPU and to a gateway configured for enabling the second CPU to communicate with the remote network server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Carrie Brownhill, Bill Huntley, David Collier, Ferrell Mercer, Jason Kadingo, Brad Bolfing, Dan Miller
  • Methods and systems for managing and controlling an automation control module system
    Publication number: 20050021676
    Abstract: A web-enabled automation control module (ACM) system includes at least one network module configured to receive a request for a file from the network, a web server and database module located outside the network module and including a database configured to store the file, and an ACM central processing unit (CPU) configured to send ACM data to the web server and database module to embed ACM data in the file.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2003
    Publication date: January 27, 2005
    Inventors: Robert Chambers, Ferrell Mercer
  • Methods and systems for management and control of an automation control module
    Publication number: 20030140094
    Abstract: A web-enabled automation control module (ACM) includes an ACM central processing unit (CPU) and a web and file transfer system electrically connected to the ACM CPU, and embedded within the ACM. The system is configured to process hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) requests from a network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2002
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Inventors: David Collier, Ferrell Mercer, Bill Hannold, Jason Kandingo, Brad Bolfing, Bob Newman, Carrie Brownhill, Dave Hietanen, Robert Chambers, David Elliott
  • Methods and systems for management and control of an automation control module
    Publication number: 20030140133
    Abstract: An e-mail-enabled automation control module (ACM) includes an ACM and an e-mail subsystem electrically connected to the ACM. The e-mail subsystem is configured to perform at least one of sending e-mail messages from the ACM through a network and receiving e-mail messages from the network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2002
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Inventors: William M. Huntley, Carrie Brownhill, Robert Chambers, Misty Chambers, David Collier, Ferrell Mercer, Jason Kadingo, Brad Bolfing
  • Service-portal enabled automation control module (ACM)
    Publication number: 20030033376
    Abstract: The invention presents a system and a method for assisting automation control module (ACM) customers to retrieve information relevant to their specific ACM(s). A service-portal ACM combines a conventional ACM with a service portal and/or a general-purpose computer to facilitate locating relevant information by the customers. The service-portal ACM comprises a first central processing unit (CPU), and a first memory operably connected to the first CPU. A second CPU is operably connected to the first CPU, and a second memory is operably connected to the second CPU for storing a service-portal database containing a first set of service-portal data and one or more links to a second set of service-portal data stored in a remote network server. A first network interface is operably connected to the second CPU and to a gateway configured for enabling the second CPU to communicate with the remote network server.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2001
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventors: Carrie Brownhill, Bill Huntley, David Collier, Ferrell Mercer, Jason Kadingo, Brad Bolfing, Dan Miller