Patents by Inventor Rainer Esch

Rainer Esch 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: 11287787
    Abstract: An input/output system including: an input/output base unit which has a plurality of slots into which input/output modules are pluggable; an evaluation device; and at least one cover element which is arrangeable on one of the plurality of slots of the input/output base unit. The evaluation device detects a presence of the at least one cover element at a slot of the plurality of slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Thorsten Matthies, Rainer Esch, Frank Mueller
  • Publication number: 20210103261
    Abstract: An input/output system including: an input/output base unit which has a plurality of slots into which input/output modules are pluggable; an evaluation device; and at least one cover element which is arrangeable on one of the plurality of slots of the input/output base unit. The evaluation device detects a presence of the at least one cover element at a slot of the plurality of slots.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2020
    Publication date: April 8, 2021
    Inventors: Thorsten Matthies, Rainer Esch, Frank Mueller
  • Patent number: 8965735
    Abstract: The invention relates to a signal processing device having a first signal processing unit (101), a second signal processing unit (103), a third signal processing unit (105), and a safety unit (107). The first signal processing unit (101) and the second signal processing unit (103) are operable in parallel for providing signal processing redundancy, and are designed to output an output signal in each case in response to an input signal. The safety unit (107) is designed to replace the first signal processing unit (101) or the second signal processing unit (103) with the third signal processing unit (105).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Rainer Esch, Viktor Oster
  • Patent number: 8576707
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided, which provide for single-channel bus coupling of safety-relevant processes. The method is distinguished in that a data record which is relevant for the safety-critical process is processed via at least two redundant processing channels, in particular on a protocol-specific basis, in accordance with identical laws for in each case one safe protocol and the redundant safety messages for single-channel bus coupling are joined together to form a common safe protocol, to be precise in that each of the processing channels accesses a common buffer register, with write authorization for each register location being allocated only once, in such a way that the common safe protocol is joined together in components by in each case writing in different components of the respective safety messages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Heinz-Carsten Landwehr, Viktor Oster, Rainer Esch
  • Patent number: 8271708
    Abstract: Method and device in which a data set that is relevant for a safety-critical process is processed by at least two redundant processing channels according to identical laws for each safe protocol and the redundant safe protocols are assembled into a common safe protocol, in that each processing channels accesses a common buffer register. For each register location, a write authorization is allocated only once such that the common safe protocol is assembled proportionally by writing different portions of the corresponding safe protocols. The contents of each register location of the buffer register is read before the transfer of the common safe protocol from the buffer register for verification of the safe protocol formed in common from each of the redundant processing channels. The safe protocol formed in common is released only as a reaction to a release for transmission by each redundant processing channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Rainer Esch, Steffen Horn, Johannes Kalhoff
  • Patent number: 7945715
    Abstract: The system according to the present invention for data transfer between microcomputer devices contains a standard protocol controller, a generally known ethernet controller, for example, as a coupling device instead of the known multipart RAM. Instead of a parallel data connection, the microcomputer devices are coupled to one another via a standardized, serial data connection, for example, ethernet. Using functions of ethernet switches already known, a number of microcomputer devices in the system may be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventors: Andreas Engel, Rainer Esch
  • Publication number: 20100318325
    Abstract: The invention relates to a signal processing device having a first signal processing unit (101), a second signal processing unit (103), a third signal processing unit (105), and a safety unit (107). The first signal processing unit (101) and the second signal processing unit (103) are operable in parallel for providing signal processing redundancy, and are designed to output an output signal in each case in response to an input signal. The safety unit (107) is designed to replace the first signal processing unit (101) or the second signal processing unit (103) with the third signal processing unit (105).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Applicant: PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Rainer Esch, Viktor Oster
  • Patent number: 7809449
    Abstract: Generally, a means for coupling widely differing fieldbus or network systems to their own respective safety mechanisms is provided, in such a way as to ensure the transmission of safety data between at least two bus/network systems with different safety mechanisms. A method and an apparatus are provided for coupling at least two (field)bus/network systems to respectively different safety mechanisms, in particular respective proprietary safety mechanisms, with safety data which is to be transmitted between the different system-based safety mechanisms being processed additionally using a safe data structure which is defined but is system-independent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Rainer Esch, Heinz-Carsten Landwehr
  • Publication number: 20100217408
    Abstract: The invention proposes a method, in which, according to German Patent Application No. 10 2004 039932.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2007
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Rainer Esch, Steffen Horn, Johannes Kalhoff
  • Publication number: 20060229737
    Abstract: Generally, a means for coupling widely differing fieldbus or network systems to their own respective safety mechanisms is provided, in such a way as to ensure the transmission of safety data between at least two bus/network systems with different safety mechanisms. A method and an apparatus are provided for coupling at least two (field)bus/network systems to respectively different safety mechanisms, in particular respective proprietary safety mechanisms, with safety data which is to be transmitted between the different system-based safety mechanisms being processed additionally using a safe data structure which is defined but is system-independent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Publication date: October 12, 2006
    Inventors: Rainer Esch, Heinz-Carsten Landwehr
  • Publication number: 20060087967
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to an apparatus, which is adapted for carrying out the method, for single-channel bus coupling of safety-relevant processes. One object of the invention is to provide a new approach for the transition from multiple channels to a single channel for the safe bus coupling of safety-relevant processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2005
    Publication date: April 27, 2006
    Inventors: Heinz-Carsten Landwehr, Viktor Oster, Rainer Esch
  • Publication number: 20030200376
    Abstract: The system according to the present invention for data transfer between microcomputer devices contains a standard protocol controller, a generally known ethernet controller, for example, as a coupling device instead of the known multiport RAM. Instead of a parallel data connection, the microcomputer devices are coupled to one another via a standardized, serial data connection, for example, ethernet. Using the functions of ethernet switches already known, the number of microcomputer devices in this system may be increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2003
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Inventors: Andreas Engel, Rainer Esch
  • Patent number: 6552568
    Abstract: Apparatuses for level adjustment are essential to make adjustments to signals between integrated circuits having differing signal levels in electronic circuits. To assure signal adjustment for a large number of signals, as occur in parallel busses, an apparatus for level adjustment is used. This digital level adjustment uses the I/O cells already present in the integrated circuits with an externally wired pullup resistor and an internal digitally programmed or constructed signal connection for controlling output drivers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Rainer Esch
  • Publication number: 20020063580
    Abstract: Apparatuses for level adjustment are essential to make adjustments to signals between integrated circuits having differing signal levels in electronic circuits. To assure signal adjustment for a large number of signals, as occur in parallel busses, an apparatus for level adjustment is used. This digital level adjustment uses the I/O cells already present in the integrated circuits with an externally wired pullup resistor and an internal digitally programmed or constructed signal connection for controlling output drivers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Publication date: May 30, 2002
    Inventor: Rainer Esch