Patents by Inventor Norman R. Swanson
Norman R. Swanson 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).
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Patent number: 10409270Abstract: A method includes installing new communication interfaces in first process controllers of an industrial process control and automation system. The first process controllers are configured to communicate over a first supervisory network, and the communication interfaces are configured to communicate over a second supervisory network of a different type. The method also includes migrating the first process controllers to second process controllers of a different type while maintaining control over an industrial process being controlled by the first process controllers. The second process controllers are configured to communicate over the second supervisory network.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2016Date of Patent: September 10, 2019Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Paul F. McLaughlin, Cathleen F. Kilpatrick, Norman R. Swanson, Joseph P. Felix
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Publication number: 20170364424Abstract: An apparatus includes a first hardware assist device having at least one transmitter, at least one receiver, and a timer. The at least one transmitter is configured to transmit at least one first signal to a second hardware assist device of a redundant second apparatus. The at least one first signal indicates that the apparatus is functional. The at least one receiver is configured to receive at least one second signal from the second hardware assist device. The at least one second signal indicates that the second apparatus is functional. The timer is configured to control a driver to block transmission of the at least one first signal in response to a fault associated with the apparatus. The apparatus also includes at least one processing device configured to perform one or more actions in response to a loss of the at least one second signal from the second apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2017Publication date: December 21, 2017Inventors: Norman R. Swanson, Joseph P. Felix, Raj Bandekar, Michael D. Carney, Zhi Yang
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Patent number: 9661079Abstract: A method includes receiving data from multiple wireless field devices using multiple wireless communication protocols. The method also includes normalizing the data from the wireless field devices using one or more templates associated with the wireless field devices. The method further includes transmitting the normalized data in a unified format. The method could also include generating the one or more templates using device description (DD) files associated with the wireless field devices. Each template may provide, for one wireless field device or type of wireless field device, (i) an indication of a type of data provided by the wireless field device or type of wireless field device, (ii) a range of data provided by the wireless field device or type of wireless field device, and (iii) how to normalize data from the wireless field device or type of wireless field device into the unified format.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2013Date of Patent: May 23, 2017Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Christopher Pulini, Alexander Chernoguzov, Prasad Samudrala, Norman R. Swanson, William Osei-Bonsu
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Publication number: 20160299497Abstract: A method includes installing new communication interfaces in first process controllers of an industrial process control and automation system. The first process controllers are configured to communicate over a first supervisory network, and the communication interfaces are configured to communicate over a second supervisory network of a different type. The method also includes migrating the first process controllers to second process controllers of a different type while maintaining control over an industrial process being controlled by the first process controllers. The second process controllers are configured to communicate over the second supervisory network.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2016Publication date: October 13, 2016Inventors: Paul F. McLaughlin, Cathleen F. Kilpatrick, Norman R. Swanson, Joseph P. Felix
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Patent number: 9241281Abstract: A method includes identifying multiple statistics associated with each of multiple wireless connections. The multiple wireless connections form a single communication path between two wireless nodes in a wireless network. The method also includes identifying an overall quality associated with the communication path using the statistics. The method can also include assigning a quality value to each statistic for each wireless connection, where the overall quality is based on at least one of the quality values assigned to the statistics (such as a lowest of the quality values). The statistics could include a Received Signal Quality Indicator (RSQI), a Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI), and a transmit success/fail ratio. The quality value assigned to each statistic could include a “good” quality, a “fair” quality, or a “poor” quality.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2013Date of Patent: January 19, 2016Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Christopher Pulini, Jeffrey B. Scott, Norman R. Swanson, Niral Sanghavi
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Patent number: 9191843Abstract: A method includes identifying an amount of time that a wireless device has or does not have redundant connectivity in a wireless network during a specified time period. The method also includes identifying a redundant wireless connection availability of the wireless device during the specified time period. Identifying the amount of time that the wireless device has or does not have redundant connectivity could include identifying connection events associated with the wireless device. The connection events can include events in which a wireless connection with the wireless device is formed and events in which a wireless connection with the wireless device is dropped. Time periods during which multiple wireless connections with the wireless device exist or do not exist can be identified. Identifying the redundant wireless connection availability could include identifying a percentage of the specified time period during which multiple wireless connections with the wireless device exist.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2013Date of Patent: November 17, 2015Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Christopher Pulini, Norman R. Swanson
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Patent number: 9154996Abstract: A method includes receiving link quality information associated with multiple wireless connections in a wireless network. The method also includes identifying at least one asymmetric communication path in the wireless network using the link quality information. The link quality information could include a statistical value for each of the wireless connections. Identifying the at least one asymmetric communication path could include identifying a first and a second of the statistical values associated with a first and a second of the wireless connections, respectively, and determining whether a difference between the first and second statistical values exceeds a threshold. The method could further include applying a heuristic to indicate that the first and second wireless connections do not form an asymmetric communication path even if the difference between the first and second statistical values exceeds the threshold.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2013Date of Patent: October 6, 2015Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Channabasavaraj Raravi, Prasad Samudrala, Norman R. Swanson, Christopher Pulini
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Publication number: 20140369211Abstract: A method includes identifying multiple statistics associated with each of multiple wireless connections. The multiple wireless connections form a single communication path between two wireless nodes in a wireless network. The method also includes identifying an overall quality associated with the communication path using the statistics. The method can also include assigning a quality value to each statistic for each wireless connection, where the overall quality is based on at least one of the quality values assigned to the statistics (such as a lowest of the quality values). The statistics could include a Received Signal Quality Indicator (RSQI), a Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI), and a transmit success/fail ratio. The quality value assigned to each statistic could include a “good” quality, a “fair” quality, or a “poor” quality.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2013Publication date: December 18, 2014Applicant: Honeywell International, Inc.Inventors: Christopher Pulini, Jeffrey B. Scott, Norman R. Swanson, Niral Sanghavi
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Publication number: 20140370820Abstract: A method includes identifying an amount of time that a wireless device has or does not have redundant connectivity in a wireless network during a specified time period. The method also includes identifying a redundant wireless connection availability of the wireless device during the specified time period. Identifying the amount of time that the wireless device has or does not have redundant connectivity could include identifying connection events associated with the wireless device. The connection events can include events in which a wireless connection with the wireless device is formed and events in which a wireless connection with the wireless device is dropped. Time periods during which multiple wireless connections with the wireless device exist or do not exist can be identified. Identifying the redundant wireless connection availability could include identifying a percentage of the specified time period during which multiple wireless connections with the wireless device exist.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2013Publication date: December 18, 2014Applicant: Honeywell International, Inc.Inventors: Christopher Pulini, Norman R. Swanson
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Publication number: 20140369212Abstract: A method includes receiving link quality information associated with multiple wireless connections in a wireless network. The method also includes identifying at least one asymmetric communication path in the wireless network using the link quality information. The link quality information could include a statistical value for each of the wireless connections. Identifying the at least one asymmetric communication path could include identifying a first and a second of the statistical values associated with a first and a second of the wireless connections, respectively, and determining whether a difference between the first and second statistical values exceeds a threshold. The method could further include applying a heuristic to indicate that the first and second wireless connections do not form an asymmetric communication path even if the difference between the first and second statistical values exceeds the threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2013Publication date: December 18, 2014Applicant: Honeywell International, Inc.Inventors: Channabasavaraj Raravi, Prasad Samudrala, Norman R. Swanson, Christopher Pulini
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Publication number: 20140355581Abstract: A method includes receiving data from multiple wireless field devices using multiple wireless communication protocols. The method also includes normalizing the data from the wireless field devices using one or more templates associated with the wireless field devices. The method further includes transmitting the normalized data in a unified format. The method could also include generating the one or more templates using device description (DD) files associated with the wireless field devices. Each template may provide, for one wireless field device or type of wireless field device, (i) an indication of a type of data provided by the wireless field device or type of wireless field device, (ii) a range of data provided by the wireless field device or type of wireless field device, and (iii) how to normalize data from the wireless field device or type of wireless field device into the unified format.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2013Publication date: December 4, 2014Inventors: Christopher Pulini, Alexander Chernoguzov, Prasad Samudrala, Norman R. Swanson, William Osei-Bonsu
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Patent number: 8756412Abstract: A method includes synchronizing a first gateway with information from a second gateway. The second gateway operates in a primary role with at least one primary network address. The second gateway communicates with at least one wireless device that uses at least one encryption key during at least one secure communication session. The information includes the at least one encryption key. The method also includes detecting a switchover event at the first gateway. The method further includes, in response to detecting the switchover event, switching the first gateway to the primary role, communicating using the at least one primary network address, and maintaining the at least one secure communication session at the first gateway after the first gateway switches to the primary role.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2010Date of Patent: June 17, 2014Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Christopher Pulini, Norman R. Swanson, Alexander Chernoguzov, Niral B. Sanghavi, Channabasavaraj Raravi, Karthikeya S. Ramanathan
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Patent number: 8108853Abstract: A method includes receiving a request to install a software release, where the software release is to be installed on a first device and/or a second device. The method also includes initiating installation of the software release on the second device and determining whether or not a user wishes to continue with the installation of the software release. The method further includes initiating installation of the software release on the first device if the user wishes to continue. In addition, the method includes restoring a second software release on the second device if the user does not wish to continue. The first and second devices may represent redundant devices, such as a redundant set of controllers in a process control system or a redundant set of I/O modules that facilitate communication between one or more controllers and one or more process elements in the process control system.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2006Date of Patent: January 31, 2012Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Sunil S. Bale, Ashish Sharma, Norman R. Swanson, Paul F. McLaughlin, Jay M. Doyle
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Publication number: 20110258433Abstract: A method includes synchronizing a first gateway with information from a second gateway. The second gateway operates in a primary role with at least one primary network address. The second gateway communicates with at least one wireless device that uses at least one encryption key during at least one secure communication session. The information includes the at least one encryption key. The method also includes detecting a switchover event at the first gateway. The method further includes, in response to detecting the switchover event, switching the first gateway to the primary role, communicating using the at least one primary network address, and maintaining the at least one secure communication session at the first gateway after the first gateway switches to the primary role.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2010Publication date: October 20, 2011Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Christopher Pulini, Norman R. Swanson, Alexander Chernoguzov, Niral B. Sanghavi, Channabasavaraj Raravi, Karthikeya S. Ramanathan
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Patent number: 6415418Abstract: A system for, and method of, disseminating a functional block to a redundant controller for a real-time process control system and a real-time process control system incorporating the system or the method. In one embodiment, the system includes: (1) a dynamically linkable library object associable with the functional block and (2) a shared memory, associated with at least two nodes of the redundant controller, that receives the dynamically linkable library object and the functional block and provides concurrent access thereto by both the at least two nodes to ensure consistent memory images therefore without requiring one of the at least two nodes to be taken off-line.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 1999Date of Patent: July 2, 2002Assignee: Honeywell Inc.Inventors: Paul F. McLaughlin, Norman R. Swanson, Brian R. Reynolds, Markku K. V{umlaut over (aa)}täinen, Pekka M. Salpakari