Patents by Inventor Stephen L. Hickox

Stephen L. Hickox 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: 11927929
    Abstract: A cloud-based modeler component that generates interactive models of an industrial automation system(s) (IAS(s)) is presented. An interactive model facilitates remote viewing of, interaction with, troubleshooting of problems with, or optimization of industrial assets of an IAS. The modeler component polls industrial assets via cloud gateways to obtain information relating to the industrial assets to identify industrial assets of the IAS and relationships with other industrial assets or can receive information from a communication device that obtains information relating to legacy industrial assets to identify those legacy assets and their relationships. The modeler component generates an interactive model of the industrial assets of the IAS based on the information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John Strohmenger, Jessica L Korpela, Matthew W. Fordenwalt, Jan Pingel, Stephen L Hickox, Douglas B. Weber
  • Patent number: 11880179
    Abstract: A cloud-based analytics engine that analyzes data relating to an industrial automation system(s) to facilitate enhancing operation of the industrial automation system(s) is presented. The analytics engine can interface with the industrial automation system(s) via a cloud gateway(s) and can analyze industrial-related data obtained from the industrial automation system(s). The analytics engine can determine correlations between respective portions or aspects of the system(s), between a portion(s) or aspect(s) of the system(s) and extrinsic events or conditions, or between an employee(s) and the system(s). The analytics engine can determine and provide recommendations or instructions in connection with the industrial automation system(s) to enhance system performance based on the determined correlations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John Strohmenger, Jessica L. Korpela, Matthew W. Fordenwalt, Jan Pingel, Stephen L Hickox, Douglas B Weber
  • Publication number: 20230384763
    Abstract: A system may include a control system for controlling one or more operations of one or more industrial devices in an industrial system. The control system may receive streaming data comprising one or more visualizations representative of one or more live operational parameters associated with one or more industrial devices. The streaming data may include multiple image frames. The control system may also identify multiple datasets associated with the streaming data and generate multiple machine-readable images based on the multiple datasets. In addition, the control system may embed the multiple machine-readable images within the multiple image frames of the streaming data to generate updated streaming data and send the updated streaming data to a computing system that may extract the multiple machine-readable images from the updated streaming data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2022
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Stephen L. Hickox, Bryan W. Barnett, Abhishek Mehrotra
  • Publication number: 20230384773
    Abstract: A method may include generating visualizations via a control system that controls one or more operations of one or more industrial devices. Each of the visualizations is representative of one or more live operational parameters associated with the one or more industrial devices. The method may also include continuously streaming one or more of the visualizations to a first computing system via the control system and receiving the one or more of the visualizations via a second computing system. Additionally, the method may include identifying one or more data fields in the one or more of the visualizations and retrieving values from each of the one or more data fields over a period of time via the second computing system. Each value may correspond to one or more frames of image data including the one or more of the visualizations. Furthermore, the method may include storing the values in a database.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2022
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Stephen L. Hickox, Bryan W. Barnett, Abhishek Mehrotra
  • Publication number: 20230384749
    Abstract: A method may include generating visualizations each representative of operational parameters associated with industrial devices in an industrial system via a control system that controls operations of the industrial devices. The control system is communicatively connected to a first computing system and a second computing system. The method may also include receiving a request including credentials associated with a requester from the second computing system and determining rights to each of the visualizations. Additionally, the method may include identifying one or more of the visualizations based on the access rights and receiving a selection of the one or more of the visualizations from the second computing system. Moreover, the method may include transmitting the one or more of the visualizations to the first computing system that live streams the one or more of the visualizations to the second computing system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2022
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Stephen L. Hickox, Bryan W. Barnett, Abhishek Mehrotra
  • Publication number: 20230013700
    Abstract: A cloud-based modeler component that generates interactive models of an industrial automation system(s) (IAS(s)) is presented. An interactive model facilitates remote viewing of, interaction with, troubleshooting of problems with, or optimization of industrial assets of an IAS. The modeler component polls industrial assets via cloud gateways to obtain information relating to the industrial assets to identify industrial assets of the IAS and relationships with other industrial assets or can receive information from a communication device that obtains information relating to legacy industrial assets to identify those legacy assets and their relationships. The modeler component generates an interactive model of the industrial assets of the IAS based on the information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Inventors: John Strohmenger, Jessica L. Korpela, Matthew W. Fordenwalt, Jan Pingel, Stephen L. Hickox, Douglas B. Weber
  • Patent number: 11513477
    Abstract: A cloud-based industrial controller that controls devices, processes, and other assets of an industrial automation system via control algorithms that execute on a cloud platform is presented. A cloud-based collection component collects information from the industrial automation system via cloud gateways associated with the industrial automation system or extrinsic data sources. The cloud-based industrial controller can monitor and analyze the information, generate control instructions based on the analysis results, and communicate the control instructions to the devices, processes, and/or other assets of the industrial automation system to control operation of the industrial automation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John Strohmenger, Jessica L. Korpela, Matthew W. Fordenwalt, Jan Pingel, Stephen L. Hickox, Douglas B. Weber
  • Patent number: 11409251
    Abstract: A cloud-based modeler component that generates interactive models of an industrial automation system(s) (IAS(s)) is presented. An interactive model facilitates remote viewing of, interaction with, troubleshooting of problems with, or optimization of industrial assets of an IAS. The modeler component polls industrial assets via cloud gateways to obtain information relating to the industrial assets to identify industrial assets of the IAS and relationships with other industrial assets or can receive information from a communication device that obtains information relating to legacy industrial assets to identify those legacy assets and their relationships. The modeler component generates an interactive model of the industrial assets of the IAS based on the information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John Strohmenger, Jessica L. Korpela, Matthew W. Fordenwalt, Jan Pingel, Stephen L. Hickox, Douglas B. Weber
  • Publication number: 20220137582
    Abstract: A cloud-based analytics engine that analyzes data relating to an industrial automation system(s) to facilitate enhancing operation of the industrial automation system(s) is presented. The analytics engine can interface with the industrial automation system(s) via a cloud gateway(s) and can analyze industrial-related data obtained from the industrial automation system(s). The analytics engine can determine correlations between respective portions or aspects of the system(s), between a portion(s) or aspect(s) of the system(s) and extrinsic events or conditions, or between an employee(s) and the system(s). The analytics engine can determine and provide recommendations or instructions in connection with the industrial automation system(s) to enhance system performance based on the determined correlations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2022
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Inventors: John Strohmenger, Jessica L. Korpela, Matthew W. Fordenwalt, Jan Pingel, Stephen L. Hickox, Douglas B. Weber
  • Patent number: 11243505
    Abstract: A cloud-based analytics engine that analyzes data relating to an industrial automation system(s) to facilitate enhancing operation of the industrial automation system(s) is presented. The analytics engine can interface with the industrial automation system(s) via a cloud gateway(s) and can analyze industrial-related data obtained from the industrial automation system(s). The analytics engine can determine correlations between respective portions or aspects of the system(s), between a portion(s) or aspect(s) of the system(s) and extrinsic events or conditions, or between an employee(s) and the system(s). The analytics engine can determine and provide recommendations or instructions in connection with the industrial automation system(s) to enhance system performance based on the determined correlations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John Strohmenger, Jessica L. Korpela, Matthew W. Fordenwalt, Jan Pingel, Stephen L. Hickox, Douglas B. Weber
  • Publication number: 20210302923
    Abstract: Cloud-based backup provides a back up of an industrial plant comprising an industrial automation system(s) (IAS(s)). A cloud-based backup component comprising a modeler component can generate a model of industrial assets of the IAS(s) and relationships between industrial assets based on information obtained from the industrial assets via cloud gateways, a communication device associated with the IAS(s), or another source. The cloud-based backup component can store the model in a data store to be employed as a backup of the IAS(s) or to be used to configure a new IAS that is the same as or similar to the IAS(s). The model can be stored in the data store in a standardized or an agnostic format, wherein the backup component can translate the model to a format suitable to an IAS for which it is to be implemented based on characteristics associated with the IAS.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2021
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Inventors: John Strohmenger, Jessica L. Korpela, Matthew W. Fordenwalt, Jan Pingel, Stephen L. Hickox, Douglas B. Weber
  • Patent number: 11042131
    Abstract: Cloud-based backup provides a back up of an industrial plant comprising an industrial automation system(s) (IAS(s)). A cloud-based backup component comprising a modeler component can generate a model of industrial assets of the IAS(s) and relationships between industrial assets based on information obtained from the industrial assets via cloud gateways, a communication device associated with the IAS(s), or another source. The cloud-based backup component can store the model in a data store to be employed as a backup of the IAS(s) or to be used to configure a new IAS that is the same as or similar to the IAS(s). The model can be stored in the data store in a standardized or an agnostic format, wherein the backup component can translate the model to a format suitable to an IAS for which it is to be implemented based on characteristics associated with the IAS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John Strohmenger, Jessica L. Korpela, Matthew W. Fordenwalt, Jan Pingel, Stephen L. Hickox, Douglas B. Weber
  • Publication number: 20200041969
    Abstract: A cloud-based modeler component that generates interactive models of an industrial automation system(s) (IAS(s)) is presented. An interactive model facilitates remote viewing of, interaction with, troubleshooting of problems with, or optimization of industrial assets of an IAS. The modeler component polls industrial assets via cloud gateways to obtain information relating to the industrial assets to identify industrial assets of the IAS and relationships with other industrial assets or can receive information from a communication device that obtains information relating to legacy industrial assets to identify those legacy assets and their relationships. The modeler component generates an interactive model of the industrial assets of the IAS based on the information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2019
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Inventors: John Strohmenger, Jessica L. Korpela, Matthew W. Fordenwalt, Jan Pingel, Stephen L. Hickox, Douglas B. Weber
  • Patent number: 10496061
    Abstract: A cloud-based modeler component that generates interactive models of an industrial automation system(s) (IAS(s)) is presented. An interactive model facilitates remote viewing of, interaction with, troubleshooting of problems with, or optimization of industrial assets of an IAS. The modeler component polls industrial assets via cloud gateways to obtain information relating to the industrial assets to identify industrial assets of the IAS and relationships with other industrial assets or can receive information from a communication device that obtains information relating to legacy industrial assets to identify those legacy assets and their relationships. The modeler component generates an interactive model of the industrial assets of the IAS based on the information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John Strohmenger, Jessica L. Korpela, Matthew W. Fordenwalt, Jan Pingel, Stephen L. Hickox, Douglas B. Weber
  • Publication number: 20160274552
    Abstract: A cloud-based industrial controller that controls devices, processes, and other assets of an industrial automation system via control algorithms that execute on a cloud platform is presented. A cloud-based collection component collects information from the industrial automation system via cloud gateways associated with the industrial automation system or extrinsic data sources. The cloud-based industrial controller can monitor and analyze the information, generate control instructions based on the analysis results, and communicate the control instructions to the devices, processes, and/or other assets of the industrial automation system to control operation of the industrial automation system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventors: John Strohmenger, Jessica L. Korpela, Matthew W. Fordenwalt, Jan Pingel, Stephen L. Hickox, Douglas B. Weber
  • Publication number: 20160274558
    Abstract: A cloud-based analytics engine that analyzes data relating to an industrial automation system(s) to facilitate enhancing operation of the industrial automation system(s) is presented. The analytics engine can interface with the industrial automation system(s) via a cloud gateway(s) and can analyze industrial-related data obtained from the industrial automation system(s). The analytics engine can determine correlations between respective portions or aspects of the system(s), between a portion(s) or aspect(s) of the system(s) and extrinsic events or conditions, or between an employee(s) and the system(s). The analytics engine can determine and provide recommendations or instructions in connection with the industrial automation system(s) to enhance system performance based on the determined correlations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventors: John Strohmenger, Jessica L. Korpela, Matthew W. Fordenwalt, Jan Pingel, Stephen L. Hickox, Douglas B. Weber
  • Publication number: 20160274978
    Abstract: Cloud-based backup provides a back up of an industrial plant comprising an industrial automation system(s) (IAS(s)). A cloud-based backup component comprising a modeler component can generate a model of industrial assets of the IAS(s) and relationships between industrial assets based on information obtained from the industrial assets via cloud gateways, a communication device associated with the IAS(s), or another source. The cloud-based backup component can store the model in a data store to be employed as a backup of the IAS(s) or to be used to configure a new IAS that is the same as or similar to the IAS(s). The model can be stored in the data store in a standardized or an agnostic format, wherein the backup component can translate the model to a format suitable to an IAS for which it is to be implemented based on characteristics associated with the IAS.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventors: John Strohmenger, Jessica L. Korpela, Matthew W. Fordenwalt, Jan Pingel, Stephen L. Hickox, Douglas B. Weber
  • Publication number: 20160274553
    Abstract: A cloud-based modeler component that generates interactive models of an industrial automation system(s) (IAS(s)) is presented. An interactive model facilitates remote viewing of, interaction with, troubleshooting of problems with, or optimization of industrial assets of an IAS. The modeler component polls industrial assets via cloud gateways to obtain information relating to the industrial assets to identify industrial assets of the IAS and relationships with other industrial assets or can receive information from a communication device that obtains information relating to legacy industrial assets to identify those legacy assets and their relationships. The modeler component generates an interactive model of the industrial assets of the IAS based on the information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventors: John Strohmenger, Jessica L. Korpela, Matthew W. Fordenwalt, Jan Pingel, Stephen L. Hickox, Douglas B. Weber