Patents by Inventor Kenwood H. Hall

Kenwood 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: 10649820
    Abstract: An improved system for handling events in an industrial control system is disclosed. A module in an industrial controller is configured to generate an event responsive to a predefined signal or combination of signals occurring. The event is transferred to an event queue for subsequent execution. The event queue may also be configured to store a copy of the state of the module at the time the event is generated. The event queue may hold multiple events and each event is configured to trigger at least one event task. Subsequent events that occur during execution of the event task are stored in the event queue for later execution. An event, or combination of events, may trigger execution of an event task within the module, within the controller to which the module is connected, or within multiple controllers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric D. Decker, Kenwood H. Hall, Robert J. Kretschmann, Terence S. Tenorio, Scott A. Pierce, Bret S. Hildebran, Raymond R. Husted, Gregg Sichner, David M. Fort
  • Patent number: 10541917
    Abstract: A method and system for interacting with data frames passing through a module connected to an industrial network is disclosed. Each module includes an aggregation unit located on the network interface above the physical layer. To transmit data, the aggregation unit reads a header from a dynamic data packet to determine if the module is a participant module for the packet. If so, the aggregation unit inserts data from the module into the data packet and transmits the packet to another module. To receive data, the aggregation unit reads a header from the data packet to determine whether the data packet includes data for the module. If so, the aggregation unit reads the data and passes the data packet to another module. If the aggregation unit determines that a data packet is not intended for the module, the data packet is passed to another module with no further interaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Sivaram Balasubramanian, Jonathan D. Bradford, Anthony G. Gibart, Kenwood H. Hall, Kendal R. Harris, Raymond R. Husted, Edward C. Korsberg, Gregory A. Majcher, Scott A. Pierce, Gregg M. Sichner, Patrick D. Telljohann, Robert J. Kretschmann
  • Patent number: 10474115
    Abstract: An input module for an industrial controller includes configurable execution windows. The execution windows are defined by a first parameter and a second parameter stored within the input module. A third parameter defines a status bit which is compared against the execution window to set a window output signal within the input module. The execution window may define a range between the first and second parameters against which the status bit is compared. Alternately, the first and second parameters may define setpoints against which the status bit is compared. At one of the setpoints, the window output signal is set and at the other of the setpoints, the window output signal is reset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric D. Decker, DuWayne D. Mulhall, Kenwood H. Hall, Richard O. Ruggeri, Harsh Shah, Andreas P. Frischknecht, Scott A. Pierce, Terence S. Tenorio, Gregory J. Svetina
  • Publication number: 20180329378
    Abstract: An input module for an industrial controller includes configurable execution windows. The execution windows are defined by a first parameter and a second parameter stored within the input module. A third parameter defines a status bit which is compared against the execution window to set a window output signal within the input module. The execution window may define a range between the first and second parameters against which the status bit is compared. Alternately, the first and second parameters may define setpoints against which the status bit is compared. At one of the setpoints, the window output signal is set and at the other of the setpoints, the window output signal is reset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Inventors: Eric D. Decker, DuWayne D. Mulhall, Kenwood H. Hall, Richard O. Ruggeri, Harsh Shah, Andreas P. Frischknecht, Scott A. Pierce, Terence S. Tenorio, Gregory J. Svetina
  • Publication number: 20180248799
    Abstract: A method and system for interacting with data frames passing through a module connected to an industrial network is disclosed. Each module includes an aggregation unit located on the network interface above the physical layer. To transmit data, the aggregation unit reads a header from a dynamic data packet to determine if the module is a participant module for the packet. If so, the aggregation unit inserts data from the module into the data packet and transmits the packet to another module. To receive data, the aggregation unit reads a header from the data packet to determine whether the data. packet includes data for the module. If so, the aggregation unit reads the data and passes the data packet to another module. If the aggregation unit determines that a data packet is not intended for the module, the data packet is passed to another module with no further interaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2018
    Publication date: August 30, 2018
    Inventors: Sivaram Balasubramanian, Jonathan D. Bradford, Anthony G. Gibart, Kenwood H. Hall, Kendal R. Harris, Raymond R. Husted, Edward C. Korsberg, Gregory A. Majcher, Scott A. Pierce, Gregg M. Sichner, Patrick D. Telljohann, Robert J. Kretschmann
  • Patent number: 10048657
    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 facilitated 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 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Vasko, Charles Martin Rischar, Kenwood H. Hall, Subbian Govindaraj, Robert J. Kretschmann, Michael D. Kalan, Paul R. D'Mura, Taryl J. Jasper, Eugene Liberman, Raymond J. Staron
  • Patent number: 10037443
    Abstract: A simulation environment is provided 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. A variation of these techniques for use with cloud-based emulations is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Francisco P. Maturana, Raymond J. Staron, Danny L. Carnahan, Kenwood H. Hall
  • Patent number: 10031497
    Abstract: An input module for an industrial controller is configurable to simplify setup and commissioning. The input module includes input terminals configurable, for example, as a counter input. Still other input terminals may be configured to trigger events as a function of the input signals present at the terminals. Time signals corresponding to transitions in state of the input terminals, triggering of events, or operation of the counters may be recorded. The input module is further configurable to transmit data back to the processor or to transmit data directly to another module in the industrial control network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric D. Decker, DuWayne D. Mulhall, Kenwood H. Hall, Richard O. Ruggeri, Harsh Shah, Andreas P. Frischknecht, Scott A. Pierce, Terence S. Tenorio, Gregory J. Svetina
  • Publication number: 20180189119
    Abstract: An improved system for handling events in an industrial control system is disclosed. A module in an industrial controller is configured to generate an event responsive to a predefined signal or combination of signals occurring. The event is transferred to an event queue for subsequent execution. The event queue may also be configured to store a copy of the state of the module at the time the event is generated. The event queue may hold multiple events and each event is configured to trigger at least one event task. Subsequent events that occur during execution of the event task are stored in the event queue for later execution. An event, or combination of events, may trigger execution of an event task within the module, within the controller to which the module is connected, or within multiple controllers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Inventors: Eric D. Decker, Kenwood H. Hall, Robert J. Kretschmann, Terence S. Tenorio, Scott A. Pierce, Bret S. Hildebran, Raymond R. Husted, Gregg Sichner, David M. Fort
  • Patent number: 9971914
    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: June 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Francisco P. Maturana, Raymond J. Staron, Danny L. Carnahan, Kenwood H. Hall
  • Patent number: 9960997
    Abstract: A method and system for interacting with data frames passing through a module connected to an industrial network is disclosed. Each module includes an aggregation unit located on the network interface above the physical layer. To transmit data, the aggregation unit reads a header from a dynamic data packet to determine if the module is a participant module for the packet. If so, the aggregation unit inserts data from the module into the data packet and transmits the packet to another module. To receive data, the aggregation unit reads a header from the data packet to determine whether the data packet includes data for the module. If so, the aggregation unit reads the data and passes the data packet to another module. If the aggregation unit determines that a data packet is not intended for the module, the data packet is passed to another module with no further interaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Sivaram Balasubramanian, Jonathan D. Bradford, Anthony G. Gibart, Kenwood H. Hall, Kendal R. Harris, Raymond R. Husted, Edward C. Korsberg, Gregory A. Majcher, Scott A. Pierce, Gregg M. Sichner, Patrick D. Telljohann, Robert J. Kretschmann
  • Patent number: 9948591
    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: July 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    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: 9922148
    Abstract: Systems and methods that efficiently simulate controlled systems are presented. A simulation management component (SMC) controls simulation of a controlled system by controlling a desired number of nodes, each comprising a controller (e.g., soft controller) and a simulated component or process, which are part of the controlled system. The simulation can be performed in a step-wise manner, wherein the simulation can comprise a desired number of steps of respectively desired lengths of time. For each step, the SMC dynamically selects a desired clock (e.g., currently identified slowest clock) as a master clock for the next step. The SMC predicts a length of time of the next step to facilitate setting a desired length of time for the next step based in part on the predicted length of time. As part of each step, components can synchronously exchange data via intra-node or inter-node connections to facilitate simulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Francisco P. Maturana, Kenwood H. Hall
  • Patent number: 9921890
    Abstract: An improved system for handling events in an industrial control system is disclosed. A module in an industrial controller is configured to generate an event responsive to a predefined signal or combination of signals occurring. The event is transferred to an event queue for subsequent execution. The event queue may also be configured to store a copy of the state of the module at the time the event is generated. The event queue may hold multiple events and each event is configured to trigger at least one event task. Subsequent events that occur during execution of the event task are stored in the event queue for later execution. An event, or combination of events, may trigger execution of an event task within the module, within the controller to which the module is connected, or within multiple controllers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric D. Decker, Kenwood H. Hall, Robert J. Kretschmann, Terence S. Tenorio, Scott A. Pierce, Bret S. Hildebran, Raymond R. Husted, Gregg Sichner, David M. Fort
  • Patent number: 9898611
    Abstract: A method of transmitting high speed serial data with reduced levels of radiated emissions is disclosed. A transmitting device scrambles data utilizing a pseudo-random number sequence generator. Scrambling the data eliminates transmission of repeated data sequences. The transmitting device similarly scrambles idle pairs of data between data transmissions to eliminate an additional source of repeated data sequences. The scrambled and encoded data is transmitted to a receiving device. The receiving device also includes a pseudo-random number sequence generator. Synchronization of the two pseudo-random number sequence generators occurs by utilizing control characters of the data frame being transmitted. Each of the pseudo-random number sequence generators is configured to generate the same sequence of numbers and is initialized to start with a first number in the sequence of numbers corresponding to the first byte of data being transmitted or received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony G. Gibart, Kenwood H. Hall, Robert E. Lounsbury
  • Patent number: 9841736
    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: October 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Grgic, Subbian Govindaraj, Kenwood H. Hall, Robert J. Kretschmann, Charles M. Rischar, Raymond J. Staron, David A. Vasko
  • Patent number: 9798319
    Abstract: In an industrial control setting, different components can have information that can be valuable to various entities, such as other components, technicians, and the like. A decision can be made as to what information should be available to entities and a determination can be made if the information should be published in a directory or be discoverable. Security can be taken into account in determining if information should be published and decision making can employ adaptive learning, such that a publish and/or discovery decision criterion can be modified based on the learning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    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: 9594367
    Abstract: A process controller a procedure module that includes instructions for executing a procedure, and a plurality of supplemental procedure modules, each of which includes instructions for executing one of a plurality of supplemental procedures. The process controller also includes a process monitor processor configured to receive an input electronic signal indicative of a status of a process feature, apply logic based on the input electronic signal, and generate an output electronic signal in response to the input electronic signal. The process controller also includes a sequence engine processor configured to execute the procedure, receive the output electronic signal, apply logic based on the output electronic signal, select one or more of the plurality of supplemental procedures based on the received output electronic signal, and execute the selected one or more of the plurality of supplemental procedures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: ROCKWELL AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Paul R. D'Mura, Kenneth S. Plache, Michael D. Kalan, Kenwood H. Hall, Sujeet Chand
  • Patent number: 9557900
    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: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: ROCKWELL AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Gavan W. Hood, Ralph Kappelhoff, Kenwood H. Hall
  • Publication number: 20160294692
    Abstract: A method and system for interacting with data frames passing through a module connected to an industrial network is disclosed. Each module includes an aggregation unit located on the network interface above the physical layer. To transmit data, the aggregation unit reads a header from a dynamic data packet to determine if the module is a participant module for the packet. If so, the aggregation unit inserts data from the module into the data packet and transmits the packet to another module. To receive data, the aggregation unit reads a header from the data packet to determine whether the data packet includes data for the module. If so, the aggregation unit reads the data and passes the data packet to another module. If the aggregation unit determines that a data packet is not intended for the module, the data packet is passed to another module with no further interaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Inventors: Sivaram Balasubramanian, Jonathan D. Bradford, Anthony G. Gibart, Kenwood H. Hall, Kendal R. Harris, Raymond R. Husted, Edward C. Korsberg, Gregory A. Majcher, Scott A. Pierce, Gregg M. Sichner, Patrick D. Telljohann, Robert J. Kretschmann