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: 7809683
    Abstract: An industrial automation object library system comprises a data store that is accessible by way of the Internet. The data store retains an object that is executable by a programmable logic controller, wherein the object conforms to a hierarchically structured data model. A location component associated with the data store accesses the data store to locate the object upon receipt of a request for the object. In one particular example, the hierarchically structured data model can be based at least in part upon ISA S95 and/or ISA S88.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gavan W. Hood, Ralph Kappelhoff, Kenwood H. Hall
  • 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: 7797060
    Abstract: The claimed subject matter provides a system and/or method that facilitates management within an industrial environment. A controller can execute with a real-time operating system such that the controller can include two or more controller engine instances executing as processes on the controller. A partition component can organize one or more controller engine instances based upon priority data corresponding to controller engine instance priority in relation with the industrial environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    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
  • Publication number: 20100217902
    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: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: ROCKWELL AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Kenwood H. Hall
  • Patent number: 7772978
    Abstract: System(s) and method(s) to increase the accuracy and efficiency of an RFID system is provided. A system includes an RFID component that receives a signal from an RFID reader, and an identifier component that interfaces with the RFID component and identifies the source of the signal. The system further includes a signal strength component that interfaces with the identifier component and measures the strength of the signal. The system can include an environment component that analyzes an operating environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Andreas Somogyi, Vivek R. Bapat, Sujeet Chand, Kenwood H. Hall, Richard A. Morse, Joseph P. Owen, Jr., Arthur P. Pietrzyk, Kenneth A. Tinnell
  • Patent number: 7764191
    Abstract: The claimed subject matter provides a system and/or a method that facilitates utilizing a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag associated with an object. An RFID component can receive extended data from the RFID tag that identifies an operation. An automation device can then manipulate the object based at least in part upon the extended data and the identified operation. Moreover, a controller can be utilized to control the automation device, wherein the controller utilizes an internal database and/or data store to provide efficient access to specific information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenwood H. Hall, Vivek R. Bapat, Sujeet Chand, Richard A. Morse, Joseph P. Owen, Jr., Arthur P. Pietrzyk, Andreas Somogyi, Kenneth A. Tinnell
  • Patent number: 7747764
    Abstract: A new industrial control system and method are disclosed allowing for communication between multiple control devices of the system and remote devices via the Internet. The system includes a web access interface that is capable of being coupled to the remote devices via the Internet, and is coupled to the control devices by way of a network. A program executed by the interface receives an Internet signal having socket API data and formatted in accordance with the TCP/IP protocol, and extracts the data from the Internet signal. Another program executed by the interface receives the data and transmits a network signal, which includes the data but is not formatted in accordance with the TCP/IP protocol, to an appropriate one of the control devices, each of which has a respective web server program. The data is processed by the server program at the appropriate control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian A. Batke, Gary W. Baczkowski, Kenwood H. Hall
  • 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: 20100138017
    Abstract: An industrial control system and method of controlling an industrial process are disclosed herein. In at least one embodiment, the control system includes an order system configured to receive an order from an external source and process the order to generate an order instance in accordance with an order ontology, at least one database storing a plurality of selectable generalized production plans and information identifying capabilities of a plurality of control entities, and a product agent in at least indirect communication with the order system, the at least one database and the control entities. The product agent receives at least one portion of the order instance, selects at least one of the generalized production plans, and communicates with the control entities so as to determine a production plan instance suitable for governing at least one aspect of an industrial process in order to satisfy at least one portion of the received order corresponding to the at least one portion of the order instance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2008
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Inventors: Pavel Vrba, Kenwood H. Hall, Petr Kadera, Vladimir Marik, Marek Obitko, Miloslav Radakovic
  • Patent number: 7721273
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and methodology facilitating automated manufacturing processes in an industrial controller environment. An automation system is provided for automated industrial processing. The system includes an equipment phase object that is executed by a controller engine, wherein the equipment phase object can be accessible from internal instructions within the controller and/or from external instructions directed to the controller such as from a server or another controller across a network connection. A sequencing engine operates with the equipment phase object to facilitate automated industrial processing. The sequencing engine can be adapted to various industrial standards or in accordance with other state type models.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenwood H. Hall, Stephen D. Ryan, Richard Alan Morse, Kam-Por Yuen, Raymond J. Staron, Paul R. D'Mura, James H. Jarrett, Michael D. Kalan, Robert C. Kline, Jr., Charles Martin Rischar, Christopher E. Stanek, Tao Zhao, Kenneth S. Plache, Shoshana L. Wodzisz, Jan Bezdicek, David A. Johnston, Jeffery W. Brooks
  • Publication number: 20100121799
    Abstract: A requesting entity can submit a query to an industrial control configuration to determine a location for a module. A distributed directory can be employed to discover an absolute location of the module, which can be provided to the requesting entity. This discovery can occur in real-time such that an answer can be given with a relatively high degree of certainty. In addition to providing the absolute address in the answer, a path on how to reach the module can be provided. The path can be optimized in order to allow quicker response time and to manage system resources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: 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: 7716403
    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: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenwood H. Hall
  • Publication number: 20100076575
    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: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: 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: 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: 7676279
    Abstract: A message component for an industrial automation system is provided. This includes a service component that is employed to locate functionality of applications associated with a control system message bus. An operations component exchanges messages with the message bus, where the service component and the operations component form an external view to facilitate communications between the applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gavan W. Hood, Kenwood H. Hall, Sujeet Chand, Paul R. D'Mura, Michael D. Kalan, Kenneth S. Plache
  • Patent number: 7676281
    Abstract: A distributed database system within an industrial automation environment comprises a plurality of associated programmable logic controllers, wherein each of the programmable logic controllers includes data relating to one of a process and a device. Furthermore, the data within the plurality of programmable logic controllers can conform to a hierarchically structured data model, which, for example, can be based upon ISA S95, ISA S88, OMAC, or any suitable combination thereof. A reception component receives and services a request for data that is located within at least one of the programmable logic controllers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gavan W. Hood, Ralph Kappelhoff, Kenwood H. Hall
  • Patent number: 7672737
    Abstract: An industrial automation device comprises a data storage component that retains at least a portion of a schema, the schema facilitates usage of a hierarchically structured data model by the industrial automation device. A processor is communicatively coupled to the data storage component and facilitates at least one of receipt, execution, and creation of an object that conforms to the hierarchically structured data model. In another example, the industrial automation device can be employed to execute a workflow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gavan W. Hood, Ralph Kappelhoff, Kenwood H. Hall
  • Publication number: 20100042586
    Abstract: In a distributed directory configuration, different nodes can retain information pertinent an industrial control configuration. As information changes in one node, replicas of the information in other nodes can be updated. However, updating can take time and a query can be run upon the directory while nodes have conflicting information. Conflicting information can be identified and resolved such that a query obtains a correct answer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2008
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Applicant: 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: 7657333
    Abstract: Systems and methods that vary multiple data sampling rates, to collect sets of data with different levels of granularity for an industrial system. The data for such industrial system includes sets of data from the “internal” data stream(s) (e.g., history data collected from an industrial unit) and sets of data from an “external” (e.g., traffic data on network services) data stream(s), based in part on the criticality/importance criteria assigned to each collection stage. Each set of data can be assigned its own unique data collection rate. For example, a higher sample rate can be employed when collecting data from the network during an operation stage that is deemed more critical (e.g., dynamic attribution of predetermined importance factors) than the rest of the operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan D. Bradford, Timothy Siorek, Martin George Gach, Mark Joseph Balewski, Robert J. Kretschmann, Kendal R. Harris, Kenwood H. Hall, Charles Martin Rischar
  • Patent number: 7650405
    Abstract: A system that facilitates tracking and tracing products in an industrial environment comprises a reception component that receives data indicative of location of entities within an industrial environment, wherein the data conforms to a hierarchically structured data model. A monitoring component facilitates tracking and tracing the entities across process boundaries. Tracking refers to a process of uniformly building a track of objects that are forwarded to, processed for, applied in, or disposed of usage. Similarly, tracing is the process of uniformly generating a sample of traces of objects that are forwarded to, processed for, applied in, or disposed of usage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gavan W. Hood, Ralph Kappelhoff, Kenwood H. Hall