Patents by Inventor John J. Baier

John J. Baier 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: 7917857
    Abstract: Systems and methods that supply direct access (e.g., bypassing the controller) to embedded historian via a subscription and notification component. By modeling the notification related information (e.g., subscription queries, subscriber information, event information . . . ) as data and leveraging the power of database systems to perform set-oriented manipulations on this data efficiently, the subject innovation enables for a highly scalable and efficient subscription and notification system for direct access to the historians.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John J. Baier, Taryl J. Jasper, John T. Campbell, Robert J. McGreevy, Frank Anthony Palmieri, Jr., Robert J. Herbst
  • Patent number: 7882218
    Abstract: Systems and methods that provide for historians communicating in a plurality of protocols/languages with various resources via employing an abstraction component that normalizes such communication. Accordingly, the historian can supply a common configuration for various data (e.g., events, command, event, alarm, scenarios, transactions, messages, and the like), and hence provide support for third party devices. The abstraction component can further facilitate: Filtering, Bridging, Routing, Propagation, Transformation and Monitoring of data exchange with third party devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John J. Baier, Taryl J. Jasper, John T. Campbell, Robert J. McGreevy, Frank Anthony Palmieri, Jr., Robert J. Herbst
  • Patent number: 7869887
    Abstract: A goal or desired output can be stated in terms of a high-level overview in a natural language or other format. The high-level overview can be automatically partitioned into steps to be performed in order to achieve the stated goal, such as by interpreting terms within the overview, analyzing definitions, historical data or other information. Each step can be dynamically assigned to various resources distributed throughout an environment. Such resources can include agents or other machinery that are selected based on a multitude of criteria including location, availability, performance level as well as other factors. If needed, the resources can be dynamically balanced in order to achieve the desired output while mitigating wasted resources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Crisler Terrill Moor, John J. Baier, Kevin Chao, Lance Christopher Rodenfels, Richard Lee Ryan, Robert J. McGreevy
  • Patent number: 7809656
    Abstract: Systems and methods that enable historians (e.g., micro-historians) to function as proxies, to supply plant level data, (e.g., history data) back to the controllers. Accordingly, typically such micro historians can function as clients/servers, to provide higher level data to the controllers (e.g., from third part databases). The historians can create a proxy that image an object on a server associated with controllers (e.g., programmable logic controller.) Such objects can contain data; pieces of code; attributes; operations or combinations thereof, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John J. Baier, Taryl J. Jasper, John T. Campbell, Robert J. McGreevy, Frank Anthony Palmieri, Jr., Robert J. Herbst
  • Patent number: 7801628
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided that enable high-level and abstract business engines to affect and influence plant-floor or industrial operations via dynamic and flexible operator interfaces. In a similar manner, actions directed from the operator interfaces can be communicated to higher level decision components of an enterprise to facilitate automated control and dynamics of the enterprise. In one aspect, an industrial automation system is provided. The system includes one or more controllers to process transaction events in an industrial automation environment. One or more operator interface components are provided that automatically adapt interface control functionality based on the transaction events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Sujeet Chand, Stephen C. Briant, Kenwood H. Hall, Gavan W. Hood, John J. Baier, Michael D. Kalan
  • Patent number: 7742833
    Abstract: Systems and methods that facilitate discovery of history data via a locator component associated with a plant embedded historian(s) of an industrial programmer (e.g., a controller device.) Such locator component can further detect micro historians that are distributed on the back plane of an industrial network. The locator component can be part of applications running on a control unit, which can function as a management control center for the industrial network system. A common data model can be employed to expose functionality and data of the organization to the embedded historian component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Herbst, Frank Anthony Palmieri, Jr., Taryl J. Jasper, Robert J. McGreevy, John T. Campbell, John J. Baier
  • Patent number: 7734590
    Abstract: The claimed subject matter provides a system and/or method that facilitates utilizing metadata appended to data related to an industrial automation environment with a controller that is associated with a hierarchically structured data model. An interface component can facilitate receipt of data associated with at least one of an instruction set, a configuration, and a collection. An append component can affix metadata to at least one of the instruction set, the configuration, and the collection, wherein the metadata conforms to a hierarchically structured data model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Sujeet Chand, Stephen C. Briant, Kenwood H. Hall, Gavan W. Hood, John J. Baier, Michael D. Kalan
  • Publication number: 20100121664
    Abstract: Systems and methods that provide for event driven downloading, via defining storage thresholds in an embedded historian (e.g. micro historian). Upon reaching predetermined thresholds (e.g., low/high water marks), stored data in the embedded historians can automatically down load to a central plant historian. An automatic download engine is provided that down loads historian data based on satisfaction of such conditions defined for the download. The download engine can further include a detector component, which detects whether a predetermined condition (e.g., associated with the storage capacity of the micro-historians have been met. Moreover, a notification component can notify the embedded historians that the data have been permanently persisted in the central historian.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2010
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: ROCKWELL AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: John J. Baier, Robert J. McGreevy, Taryl J. Jasper, Robert J. Herbst
  • Patent number: 7711440
    Abstract: Systems and methods that enable query based formulation requests to an embedded historian and data acquired thereby, via employing a browser engine. Accordingly, users can browse data collected by the plurality of embedded historians based on numerous selection criteria such as for example, type of data collected, location/time of data collection, and the like. Query specific request can be inputted to the browser engine, and data that match such request can subsequently be presented to the user. Thus, history data can be viewed based on user preferences, and in a meaningful manner to such user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John T. Campbell, Robert J. McGreevy, Robert J. Herbst, John J. Baier
  • Patent number: 7693585
    Abstract: The invention relates to systems and methods that support object oriented access to information at multiple levels in a control architecture, for example. Such data access can be facilitated as a layer adjacent to or part of an MES system or as a white box cooperating to encapsulate data such as in the controller or the MES layer, for example. In addition, such object oriented data access can be built into a controller as a standard behavior of controller data types and tags of those data types. In this manner, data can be encapsulated as a data object to expose properties and/or methods related to the data utilizing a common interface with each data consumer. Thus, the data consumer can employ object oriented concepts, such as properties, methods, scope qualifiers, access qualifiers (private, protected, public enterprise), polymorphism, inheritance and the like directly with their automation system components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Kalan, John J. Baier, David W. Farchmin, Randall A. Marquardt, Richard A. Morse, Stephen C. Briant, Sujeet Chand
  • Patent number: 7675406
    Abstract: A field device in an industrial environment comprises a clock that is synchronized with a clock of at least one other field device. A timestamp generator component creates a timestamp for at least one of an alarm and an event created within the field device, the timestamp accords to the synchronized time. An alarm generator component analyzes data produced and/or consumed by the field device and generates an alarm and/or event based at least in part upon the analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John J. Baier, Eric G. Dorgelo, Kenwood H. Hall, Charles M. Rischar, David K. Johnson, Dale Sapach
  • Patent number: 7672740
    Abstract: Systems and methods that provide for event driven downloading, via defining storage thresholds in an embedded historian (e.g. micro historian). Upon reaching predetermined thresholds (e.g., low/high water marks), stored data in the embedded historians can automatically down load to a central plant historian. An automatic download engine is provided that down loads historian data based on satisfaction of such conditions defined for the download. The download engine can further include a detector component, which detects whether a predetermined condition (e.g., associated with the storage capacity of the micro-historians have been met. Moreover, a notification component can notify the embedded historians that the data have been permanently persisted in the central historian.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John J. Baier, Robert J. McGreevy, Taryl J Jasper, Robert J. Herbst
  • Patent number: 7668613
    Abstract: Activities within various environments (e.g., industrial control environment) can be automated through a number of interchangeable modules configured to perform an action or series of actions. Each interchangeable module can be dedicated to a specific function or task (e.g., quality control, performance) and can take into consideration various business aspects. A sequence in which the actions should be performed can be assigned and the appropriate module automatically initiated based on the sequence. A user can manually select a module in order to have a particular function automatically implemented, such as inserting a quality control module into a rack so that functions relating to quality control are automatically implemented. When a different task is desired, the quality control module can be removed and replaced with a different module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John J. Baier, Robert J. McGreevy
  • Patent number: 7643892
    Abstract: A simulation that integrates historical data and real-time data as a test or simulation tool can capture an entry that relates to a desired output as function points. A determination can intellectually be made as to which activities can achieve the desired output. The activities can be process steps that can represent a workflow that can be automatically implemented by an MES Appliance or other enterprise components. If a simulation reveals that the desired output might not be achieved, a change to one or more function points can be analyzed in an attempt to achieve the desired result. This change can be input into a simulation tool through a feedback loop, for example. Another simulation can performed on the modified data until a determination is made that the desired output can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Crisler Terrill Moor, John J. Baier, Kevin Chao, Lance Christopher Rodenfels, Richard Lee Ryan, Robert J. McGreevy
  • Patent number: 7612661
    Abstract: Systems and methods that dynamically generates alarms in real time are disclosed. An interface component receives instructions for generating alarms. A builder component dynamically creates alarms in real time based on instructions received and information stored on a data repository. The information comprises at least one or more of user roles, language spreadsheet and device characteristics. The system can further comprise a publisher component that packages alarms for delivery to web servers and/or another network. A proxy component for implementing the subject invention with legacy controllers is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David K. Johnson, Eric G. Dorgelo, Kenwood H. Hall, Jan Bezdicek, Dale Robert Sapach, John J. Baier
  • Publication number: 20090240348
    Abstract: An editor in an industrial automation environment comprises an input component that receives modification data relating to at least one of lifecycle and deployment of an object, the object is associated with a programmable logic controller and configured in accordance with a hierarchically structured data model. An implementation component can implement the modification data with respect to the object. The editor can further comprise a security component that determines that an entity providing the data to the input component is authorized to implement the modification data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: ROCKWELL AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Sujeet Chand, Stephen C. Briant, Kenwood H. Hall, Gavan W. Hood, John J. Baier, Michael D. Kalan
  • Publication number: 20090210081
    Abstract: The invention provides control systems and methodologies for controlling a process having computer-controlled equipment, which provide for optimized process performance according to one or more performance criteria, such as efficiency, component life expectancy, safety, emissions, noise, vibration, operational cost, or the like. More particularly, the subject invention provides for employing machine diagnostic and/or prognostic information in connection with optimizing an overall business operation over a time horizon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Applicant: ROCKWELL AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Angel Sustaeta, Ka-Hing Lin, Ric Snyder, John Christopher Theron, Mark Funderburk, Michael Eugene Sugars, Frederick M. Discenzo, John J. Baier
  • Publication number: 20090204234
    Abstract: The invention provides control systems and methodologies for controlling a process having computer-controlled equipment, which provide for optimized process performance according to one or more performance criteria, such as efficiency, component life expectancy, safety, emissions, noise, vibration, operational cost, or the like. More particularly, the subject invention provides for employing machine diagnostic and/or prognostic information in connection with optimizing an overall business operation over a time horizon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Applicant: ROCKWELL AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Angel Sustaeta, Ka-Hing Lin, Ric Snyder, John Christopher Theron, Mark Funderburk, Michael Eugene Sugars, Frederick M. Discenzo, John J. Baier
  • Publication number: 20090204267
    Abstract: The invention provides control systems and methodologies for controlling a process having computer-controlled equipment, which provide for optimized process performance according to one or more performance criteria, such as efficiency, component life expectancy, safety, emissions, noise, vibration, operational cost, or the like. More particularly, the subject invention provides for employing machine diagnostic and/or prognostic information in connection with optimizing an overall business operation over a time horizon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Applicant: ROCKWELL AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Angel Sustaeta, Ka-Hing Lin, Ric Snyder, John Christopher Theron, Mark Funderburk, Michael Eugene Sugars, Frederick M. Discenzo, John J. Baier
  • Publication number: 20090204245
    Abstract: The invention provides control systems and methodologies for controlling a process having computer-controlled equipment, which provide for optimized process performance according to one or more performance criteria, such as efficiency, component life expectancy, safety, emissions, noise, vibration, operational cost, or the like. More particularly, the subject invention provides for employing machine diagnostic and/or prognostic information in connection with optimizing an overall business operation over a time horizon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Applicant: ROCKWELL AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Angel Sustaeta, Ka-Hing Lin, Ric Snyder, John Christopher Theron, Mark Funderburk, Michael Eugene Sugars, Frederick M. Discenzo, John J. Baier