Patents by Inventor H. Hall

H. Hall 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: 8856522
    Abstract: The claimed subject matter provides a system and/or method that facilitates employing safety within an industrial environment. An enhancing component can implement at least one of a security level, authentication, authorization, or an access right to a validated action to at least one of the controller or the controller engine instance. The enhancing component can further separate two or more entities within the industrial environment, the first entity related to process control and the second entity related to process safety. Additionally, the enhancing component can employ at least one of a backup controller or a backup controller engine instance in the event of at least one of a software error or a hardware error within the industrial environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies
    Inventors: Richard J. Grgic, Subbian Govindaraj, Kenwood H. Hall, Robert J. Kretschmann, Charles M. Rischar, Raymond J. Staron, David A. Vasko
  • Publication number: 20140297244
    Abstract: A simulation environment for running a process simulation used to validate an industrial control program. The simulation environment exposes the I/O module configurations defined in the control program and retrieves module configuration information therefrom. This I/O module configuration information is combined with generic, module-specific I/O module profiles to create a pool of available controller I/O points, which can be selectively associated with I/O points in the simulation to create an I/O point mapping. During control program validation, simulated I/O data is exchanged between the process simulation and the I/O module instances in the controller in accordance with the I/O point mapping.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventors: Francisco P. Maturana, Raymond J. Staron, Danny L. Carnahan, Kenwood H. Hall
  • Patent number: 8831751
    Abstract: An industrial control configuration can be a dynamic entity where different controllers are added, are subtracted, fail, etc. When dynamic functions occur, bindings of the configuration can benefit from a modification. Therefore, automatic adjustment of bindings can occur to facilitate improved operation. Automatic adjustment can be practiced when the industrial control configuration is a distributed control configuration without reliance upon a central database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Vasko, Raymond J. Staron, Charles Martin Rischar, Kenwood H. Hall, Subbian Govindaraj, Robert J. Kretschmann, Michael D. Kalan, Paul R. D'Mura, Taryl J. Jasper, Eugene Liberman
  • Patent number: 8812684
    Abstract: Systems and methods that facilitate messaging capabilities within a unified plant model (UPM) via employing a plurality of core messaging primitives for configuration of messages that interact with a message engine of the industrial plant. In a related aspect, initially messaging host modules can be located on a network and associated policies identified. Next, data type ID and name syntax can be defined and unique UPM system identifiers generated by the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gavan W. Hood, Michael D. Kalan, Sujeet Chand, Paul R. D'Mura, Kenwood H. Hall, Kenneth S. Plache, Clifton H. Bromley
  • Patent number: 8806099
    Abstract: The subject disclosure pertains to transparent communications in an industrial automation environment amongst automation system components and IT systems. Systems and methods are provided that send and receive data to, from and amongst automation devices and transactional based IT systems. The system is viewed as a control system to the automation device and as a transactional system to the IT system. Accordingly, it is not necessary to provide a custom interface between automation devices and the IT systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenwood H. Hall
  • Patent number: 8803667
    Abstract: The subject invention facilitates alert notification in an industrial environment. The systems and methods enable subscribing devices, such as hosts, to receive events and/or alarms associated with industrial controllers. In addition, a subscribed component can unsubscribe, refresh notification related information, and/or acknowledge a notification. The foregoing can be achieved through a set of objects (e.g., notify objects) that implement a notification and dynamic subscription process. A host system can instantiate an associated notify object, subscribe to an event, and be notified about the event. The invention enables multiple hosts to subscribe to the same event, allows each host to select events of interest, and enables the events to be queued if the events occur faster than can be sent. In one aspect of the invention, the systems and methods can be utilized with an event and alarm infrastructure that is applicable on a Control and Information Protocol (CIP).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jan Bezdicek, Kenwood H. Hall
  • Publication number: 20140223342
    Abstract: A user interface generation system comprises a reception component that facilitates receipt of instantiated objects from within a programmable logic controller, wherein the objects conform to a hierarchically structured data model. A view generation component communicatively coupled to the reception component utilizes a subset of the objects to dynamically generate a user interface. For example, the hierarchically structured data model can be based at least in part upon one or more of ISA S95, ISA S88 and/or OMA.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gavan W. Hood, Ralph Kappelhoff, Kenwood H. Hall
  • Patent number: 8799800
    Abstract: A user interface generation system comprises a reception component that facilitates receipt of instantiated objects from within a programmable logic controller, wherein the objects conform to a hierarchically structured data model. A view generation component communicatively coupled to the reception component utilizes a subset of the objects to dynamically generate a user interface. For example, the hierarchically structured data model can be based at least in part upon one or more of ISA S95, ISA S88 and/or OMAC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gavan W. Hood, Ralph Kappelhoff, Kenwood H. Hall
  • Patent number: 8782249
    Abstract: Systems and methods that facilitate messaging capabilities within a plant (e.g., a unified plant modelā€”UPM) via employing a message engine that normalizes messaging of various messaging protocols and formats, wherein various systems of such plant can map to the message engine; and provide a consistent interface where events are sent/received consistently across such system. Such messaging engines can facilitate communication (e.g., via preferred channels) to other services/products, wherein the configuration and management of messaging is consistent across the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gavan W. Hood, Michael D. Kalan, Sujeet Chand, Paul R. D'Mura, Kenwood H. Hall, Kenneth S. Plache, Clifton H. Bromley
  • Patent number: 8781870
    Abstract: A method is provided for prompting a user to perform PIM-related acts based on dynamic location data. The user's current location is received and a PIM item is selected from the user's PIM system. The user's current location is compared to the location of the selected PIM item. Based on the comparison, a suggested user fulfillment action for the PIM item is suggested to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Bradley W. Ward, David Lee, Martin H. Hall, Mark McNulty
  • Publication number: 20140181358
    Abstract: Techniques for decoding encoded data are described herein. An example of a device in accordance with the present techniques includes a signaling module with a receiver, quantizer, and arithmetic circuit. The receiver receives a plurality of encoded line voltages or currents on a plurality of signal lines. The quantizer determines signal levels of each of the plurality of signal lines at a unit interval. The arithmetic circuit provides a plurality of digital output bits of the decoder based on the signal levels. Each one of the digital output bits is a mathematical combination of all of the signal levels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Inventors: Chaitanya Sreerama, Stephen H. Hall, Olufemi OLUWAFEMI, JASON A. Mix, Michael Leddige, Earl J. Wight, Antonio Zenteno Ramirez
  • Publication number: 20140181357
    Abstract: Techniques for encoding data are described herein. An example of a device in accordance with the present techniques includes a signaling module coupled to a plurality of digital inputs. The signaling module is to encode data received at the plurality of digital inputs to generate encoded data. Based on the encoded data, the signaling module can drive line voltages on a plurality of signal lines of a bus. Each one of the plurality of line voltages corresponds to a weighted sum of the data received at the plurality of digital inputs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Inventors: Stephen H. Hall, Chaitanya Sreerama, Jason A. Mix, Michael W. Leddige, Jose A. Sanchez Sanchez, Olufemi B. Oluwafemi, Paul G. Huray, MAYNARD C. FALCONER
  • Publication number: 20140181348
    Abstract: Techniques for decoding encoded data are described herein. An example of a device in accordance with the present techniques includes a receiving signaling module coupled to a plurality of signal lines. The signaling module includes a receiver to receive a plurality of encoded line voltages or currents on the plurality of signal lines of a bus, wherein each one of the plurality of encoded line voltages corresponds to a weighted sum of data. The signaling module includes a comparator to determine the voltage level of each line at a unit interval and convert the voltage level to a digital value. The signaling module includes a lookup table correlating the digital value with a digital bit stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Inventors: Olufemi B. Oluwafemi, Stephen H. Hall, Jason A. Mix, Earl J. Wight, Chaitanya Sreerama, Michael W. Leddige, Paul G. Huray
  • Patent number: 8756041
    Abstract: A simulation environment for running a process simulation used to validate an industrial control program. The simulation environment exposes the I/O module configurations defined in the control program and retrieves module configuration information therefrom. This I/O module configuration information is combined with generic, module-specific I/O module profiles to create a pool of available controller I/O points, which can be selectively associated with I/O points in the simulation to create an I/O point mapping. During control program validation, simulated I/O data is exchanged between the process simulation and the I/O module instances in the controller in accordance with the I/O point mapping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Francisco P. Maturana, Raymond J. Staron, Danny L. Carnahan, Kenwood H. Hall
  • Patent number: 8732942
    Abstract: In some embodiments a high speed interconnect includes a layer of FR4 material, a trench in the layer of FR4 material, and a pair of transmission lines located near the trench. The trench is filled with a homogenous material. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen H. Hall, Bryce D. Horine, Gary A. Brist, Howard Heck
  • Patent number: 8726091
    Abstract: A system for troubleshooting control programs employs an event log that captures the values of inputs to outputs from the control program only at event times determined by changes in input or output data. The program allows the event log to be reviewed in jumps to only events which cause a change in output value of an instruction or particular change in output value of a particular instruction, greatly simplifying the troubleshooting process. The event log records a particular instruction instance associated with the event permitting the operation of the program to be studied in reverse order. The event log may also record a timestamp of the event allowing time stamped data from different devices to be synchronized with the review of the events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Guenther, Steven A. Zuponcic, Kenwood H. Hall
  • Patent number: 8699025
    Abstract: Disclosed and claimed herein is an apparatus and method for measuring hexavalent chromium in water samples using a colorimetric method. The apparatus includes a means for correcting interference due to sample turbidity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Inventor: Stephen H. Hall
  • Patent number: 8683017
    Abstract: A configuration tool provides a user interface that interacts with a gateway to remotely configure and/or monitor automation devices in an automation network. The configuration tool employs a self-contained software application (e.g., applet) that can be utilized for presentation and configuration interactions within a common web browser. The configuration tool can be based on open standards and implemented with small devices and/or with heterogeneous automation networks. The configuration tool can provide a list of automation devices to a system engineer via a workstation and standard software (e.g., a PC with a browser). The configuration tool interacts with automation devices to obtain their configurable parameters and/or send configuration commands. In one instance, the configuration tool and the automation network devices are based on Java and IEC 61499, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Krainz, Alois Zoitl, Franz Johann Auinger, Kenwood H. Hall
  • Publication number: 20140073131
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device is disclosed. The method including providing a substrate with at least one insulating layer disposed thereon, the at least one insulating layer including a trench; forming at least one liner layer on the at least one insulating layer; forming a nucleation layer on the at least one liner layer; forming a first metal film on a surface of the nucleation layer; etching the first metal film; and depositing a second metal film on the etched surface of the first metal film, the second metal film substantially forming an overburden above the trench.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicants: STMICROELECTRONICS, INC., INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Lindsey H. Hall, Michael Hatzistergos, Ahmet S. Ozcan, Filippos Papadatos, Yiyi Wang
  • Publication number: 20140074275
    Abstract: An industrial controller module (13a) is provided with a routine of program instructions (29a) for storing a log of I/O table state changes (31) in a defined portion of memory (23). Upon the occurrence of a trigger event, a file of the state changes (37) is saved in the memory (23). Each entry (32) in the log of I/O table state changes (31) includes a timestamp (33) and values of each word of I/O state data (36) that changed at a time of the timestamp. Logs of state change data (16a), including timestamp data can also be saved for intelligent sensors and actuators (16) and uploaded with the log of controller processor state data (31) to a computer (20) with a diagnostic program (21a) for playing back the state changes and synchronizing changes of the intelligent sensors and actuators (16) with changes of the controller processor module (13a).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Guenther, Steven A. Zuponcic, Kenwood H. Hall