Patents by Inventor Rene Graf

Rene Graf 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).

  • Publication number: 20230273603
    Abstract: A safety system of a mobile component of an industrial automation plant and method for adjusting failsafe monitoring in the industrial automation plant, wherein a sensor of a mobile component of the industrial automation plant is used to determine a position and orientation of the mobile component relative to a further component of the industrial automation plant in a failsafe manner, a communicative and failsafe coupling is set up between the mobile component and the further component, and successful coupling results in a monitoring region of the mobile component are adjusted, where a monitoring region of the further component is also possibly adjusted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2021
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Inventors: Martin ARZICH, Rene GRAF
  • Patent number: 11687044
    Abstract: Method for operating a redundantly configured automation system which includes has a first subsystem, a second subsystem and a third subsystem, wherein a sequence program is implemented in each of the subsystems of the automation system and is executable in a runtime environment to fulfill automation tasks, and wherein a data memory is implemented in the subsystems in each of the automation systems, where the sequence program includes at least a first subprogram and a second subprogram, the data memory in each of the subsystems includes at least a first submemory and a second submemory, the first subprogram and the first submemory are synchronized with a first synchronization clock between the first and second subsystems, and the second subprogram and the second submemory are synchronized with a second synchronization clock between the first and third subsystems, and where the first and synchronization clocks differ from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Rene Graf, Guido Steinhauer
  • Patent number: 11660751
    Abstract: An automated method determines a safety zone for a robot. The robot carries out operations along a specified trajectory. For collision-free operation, a safety zone is determined by: dividing the specified trajectory into a plurality of subtrajectories; determining a plurality of fine-grained envelope cuboids around extreme points of each subtrajectory; and determining a number of optimized envelope cuboids from an enlargement of individual fine-grained envelope cuboids in relation to the volume occupied by the enlarged fine-grained envelope cuboids. The optimized envelope cuboids determined in this way form the safety zone for the trajectory. This automated method can be expanded to multiple trajectories of a robot, multiple robots, and replanning a trajectory for an occupied semaphore zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Felix Baer, Rene Graf, Ralf Gross
  • Patent number: 11379391
    Abstract: A real-time automation device includes a real-time databus, and a memory device, wherein the databus is configured to transmit values associated with defined bus variables and configured to communicate a value associated with a bus variable from a bus variable source in accordance with a bus database via a databus to a bus variable receiver associated with the bus variable in accordance with the bus database such that, following transfer of the value from the bus variable source to the databus, the value is transferred within a predefined time period to the bus variable receiver, wherein the memory device also includes a software application which receives values associated with the bus variable from the databus or sends values associated with the bus variable to the databus, and wherein the automation device registers the software application as a bus variable receiver or as a bus variable source for the bus variables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Rene Graf, Jürgen Reichmann, Olaf Ulrich, Christian Winkler
  • Patent number: 11370118
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for adjusting a protective function during operation of a machine (1), in which a transfer region (5) is monitored by a plurality of protective devices (L1, L2), the transfer region (5) being arranged between a risk region (2), in which a dangerous movement is performed by the machine (1), and a surrounding region (3), the transfer region (5) being monitored by first protective devices (L1) in respective first monitoring directions (UI) and, independently thereof, by second protective devices (L2) in respective second monitoring directions (U2), at least one of the first protective devices (L1) and at least one of the second protective devices (L2) being arranged relative to one another in such a way that the first monitoring direction (UI) of the at least one first protective device (L1) and the second monitoring device (U2) of the at least one second protective device (L2) have a point of intersection (S).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Felix Bär, Rene Graf, Ralf Gross, Matthias Loskyll
  • Publication number: 20220138027
    Abstract: In a method for transmitting a message in a computing system, the message is transmitted by a transmitter and received by a receiver. The transmitter is granted access to a memory area for the purpose of transmitting using a first virtual address allocated to the transmitter by a memory management unit, whereas the access to the memory area by the transmitter is revoked after transmitting. Subsequently, the receiver is granted access to the memory area for the purpose of receiving using a second virtual address allocated to the receiver by a memory management unit. The first virtual address may be different from the second virtual address.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Applicant: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Rene Graf
  • Publication number: 20220072710
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for adjusting a protective function during operation of a machine (1), in which a transfer region (5) is monitored by a plurality of protective devices (L1, L2), the transfer region (5) being arranged between a risk region (2), in which a dangerous movement is performed by the machine (1), and a surrounding region (3), the transfer region (5) being monitored by first protective devices (L1) in respective first monitoring directions (UI) and, independently thereof, by second protective devices (L2) in respective second monitoring directions (U2), at least one of the first protective devices (L1) and at least one of the second protective devices (L2) being arranged relative to one another in such a way that the first monitoring direction (UI) of the at least one first protective device (L1) and the second monitoring device (U2) of the at least one second protective device (L2) have a point of intersection (S).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Inventors: Felix Bär, Rene Graf, Ralf Gross, Matthias Loskyll
  • Publication number: 20210303488
    Abstract: A real-time automation. device includes a real-time databus, and a memory device, wherein the databus is configured to transmit values associated with defined bus variables and configured to communicate a value associated with a bus variable from a bus variable source in accordance with a bus database via a databus to a bus variable receiver associated with the bus variable in accordance with the bus database such that, following transfer of the value from the bus variable source to the databus, the value is transferred within a predefined time period to the bus variable receiver, wherein the memory device also includes a software application which receives values associated with the bus variable from the databus or sends values associated with the bus variable to the databus, and wherein the automation device registers the software application as a bus variable receiver or as a bus variable source for the bus variables.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Inventors: Rene GRAF, Jürgen REICHMANN, Olaf ULRICH, Christian WINKLER
  • Publication number: 20210263481
    Abstract: Method for operating a redundantly configured automation system which includes has a first subsystem, a second subsystem and a third subsystem, wherein a sequence program is implemented in each of the subsystems of the automation system and is executable in a runtime environment to fulfill automation tasks, and wherein a data memory is implemented in the subsystems in each of the automation systems, where the sequence program includes at least a first subprogram and a second subprogram, the data memory in each of the subsystems includes at least a first submemory and a second submemory, the first subprogram and the first submemory are synchronized with a first synchronization clock between the first and second subsystems, and the second subprogram and the second submemory are synchronized with a second synchronization clock between the first and third subsystems, and where the first and synchronization clocks differ from one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2021
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Inventors: Rene GRAF, Guida STEINHAUER
  • Publication number: 20210138649
    Abstract: An automated method determines a safety zone for a robot. The robot carries out operations along a specified trajectory. For collision-free operation, a safety zone is determined by: dividing the specified trajectory into a plurality of subtrajectories; determining a plurality of fine-grained envelope cuboids around extreme points of each subtrajectory; and determining a number of optimized envelope cuboids from an enlargement of individual fine-grained envelope cuboids in relation to the volume occupied by the enlarged fine-grained envelope cuboids. The optimized envelope cuboids determined in this way form the safety zone for the trajectory. This automated method can be expanded to multiple trajectories of a robot, multiple robots, and replanning a trajectory for an occupied semaphore zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2020
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Inventors: Felix Baer, Rene Graf, Ralf Gross
  • Patent number: 10274922
    Abstract: A method for operating a programmable logic control device to which a current input data set having state data regarding a peripheral component is provided cyclically by a communications bus after each bus cycle terminates. A first program instance of a control program is cyclically processed by a control device. The program cycle duration is longer than the bus cycle duration and, therefore, between the beginning and end of the program cycle, the communications bus provides at least one current data set that cannot be taken into account by the first program instance. To reduce the latency with which a control device reacts to a change in the input value of a peripheral component. at least one other program instance of the control program is cyclically processed so that it is temporally offset by less than one program cycle duration relative to the first program instance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Rene Graf, Michael Wieczorek
  • Publication number: 20190056970
    Abstract: In a method for computer-aided coupling a processing module into a modular technical system, wherein the technical system has a host system designed to provide a virtual machine having real-time capability, and a processing module with a hardware unit having sensor or an actuator, and a connection unit having a communication component for controlling the hardware unit by way of control instructions and a data memory storing configuration data and a control program for providing the control instructions. Data messages are exchanged between the processing module and the host system via the connection unit. The following steps are carried out: The method includes reading the configuration data and the control program from the data memory; instantiating a virtual machine on the host computer; loading the configuration data and the control program into the virtual machine; and transmitting control instructions to the processing module for controlling the hardware unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2018
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Applicant: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Rene Graf
  • Patent number: 10044194
    Abstract: Method for anticipatory regulation of energy flows in an electrical supply grid of an automation installation, which includes a number of connecting devices that are connected to the electrical supply grid, wherein the connecting devices exchange information with respect to their energy requirements or their energy supply among one another and the connecting devices exchange energy among one another based on the information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Rene Graf, Frank Konopka
  • Patent number: 9952954
    Abstract: A method for operating a multi-core processor system, wherein different of a program are each executed simultaneously by a different respective processor core of the multi-core processor system includes inserting a breakpoint in a first of the threads for interrupting the first processor core and instead executing an exception handling routine. At least one processor core to be additionally interrupted is determined with the exception handling routine on the basis of an association matrix, and an inter-processor interrupt (IPI) is sent to the at least one processor core by the exception handling routine in order to interrupt the at least one processor core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Rene Graf
  • Patent number: 9436836
    Abstract: A method for regulating process, production, and/or actuating installation includes recording observation data records at installation components of the installation by respective recording units of the installation. The method also includes transmitting the observation data records to a central control apparatus of the installation via a field bus. The method further includes forming, at the control apparatus, associated actuating data record based on the transmitted observation data records. The method also includes transmitting the actuating data records to actuating units of the installation via filed buses. The method also includes adjusting the installation components from the actuating units based on the transmitted actuating data records.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Rene Graf
  • Patent number: 9308653
    Abstract: An industrial robot with a robotic arm and a data recording module connected to the robotic arm is described. The data recording module is designed for a wireless communication and has a self-sufficient power supply with a converter unit by which mechanical energy is converted into electrical energy, the energy from the movement of the robotic arm being used therefore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Rene Graf
  • Publication number: 20160077509
    Abstract: A method for operating a programmable logic control device to which a current input data set having state data regarding a peripheral component is provided cyclically by a communications bus after each bus cycle terminates. A first program instance of a control program is cyclically processed by a control device. The program cycle duration is longer than the bus cycle duration and, therefore, between the beginning and end of the program cycle, the communications bus provides at least one current data set that cannot be taken into account by the first program instance. To reduce the latency with which a control device reacts to a change in the input value of a peripheral component. at least one other program instance of the control program is cyclically processed so that it is temporally offset by less than one program cycle duration relative to the first program instance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Rene Graf, MICHAEL WIECZOREK
  • Publication number: 20160062863
    Abstract: A method for operating a multi-core processor system, wherein different of a program are each executed simultaneously by a different respective processor core of the multi-core processor system includes inserting a breakpoint in a first of the threads for interrupting the first processor core and instead executing an exception handling routine. At least one processor core to be additionally interrupted is determined with the exception handling routine on the basis of an association matrix, and an inter-processor interrupt (IPI) is sent to the at least one processor core by the exception handling routine in order to interrupt the at least one processor core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2013
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: RENE GRAF
  • Publication number: 20140325185
    Abstract: A method for operating a processor in which a first program comprising a first sequence of commands is provided, at least one second program is provided comprising a second sequence of commands, where the first program comprises a time-critical section with time-critical commands, commands from the first and second programs are processed in a processor pipeline, a start time is identified for the time-critical section in the first program, and a predefined interrupt program is incorporated into the at least one second program once the start time of the time critical section in the first program has been identified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: Siemens Aktiengesellschaff
    Inventors: Rene Graf, Wolfgang Hartmann
  • Publication number: 20140304521
    Abstract: A method for regulating process, production, and/or actuating installation includes recording observation data records at installation components of the installation by respective recording units of the installation. The method also includes transmitting the observation data records to a central control apparatus of the installation via a field bus. The method further includes forming, at the control apparatus, associated actuating data record based on the transmitted observation data records. The method also includes transmitting the actuating data records to actuating units of the installation via filed buses. The method also includes adjusting the installation components from the actuating units based on the transmitted actuating data records.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: RENE GRAF