Patents by Inventor Timothy P. HENTZ

Timothy P. HENTZ 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: 11665022
    Abstract: A system for automatically assigning sequential identification values to networked nodes, such as accessory modules within a storage and dispensing enclosure. The system includes a host controller communicating with client controllers via both a shared, multi-drop communications bus and an initial segment of a daisy-chained, point-to-point communications bus. The host controller issues a token to a first client controller via the point-to-point bus, then queries the client controllers, receives a reply from the client controller having the token (associating that controller with a sequential identification value), and commands passing of the token, each via the multi-drop bus. The client controllers receive the token and query via the respective busses and, if that controller has the token, reply to the query via the multi-drop bus, as well as receive the command and, if that controller has the token, pass the token via the point-to-point bus to a subsequent controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: APEX INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Timothy P. Hentz, James M. Allen
  • Publication number: 20220393906
    Abstract: A system for automatically assigning sequential identification values to networked nodes, such as accessory modules within a storage and dispensing enclosure. The system includes a host controller communicating with client controllers via both a shared, multi-drop communications bus and an initial segment of a daisy-chained, point-to-point communications bus. The host controller issues a token to a first client controller via the point-to-point bus, then queries the client controllers, receives a reply from the client controller having the token (associating that controller with a sequential identification value), and commands passing of the token, each via the multi-drop bus. The client controllers receive the token and query via the respective busses and, if that controller has the token, reply to the query via the multi-drop bus, as well as receive the command and, if that controller has the token, pass the token via the point-to-point bus to a subsequent controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2022
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Applicant: APEX INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Timothy P. HENTZ, James M. ALLEN
  • Patent number: 11418365
    Abstract: A system for automatically assigning sequential identification values to networked nodes, such as accessory modules within a storage and dispensing enclosure. The system includes a host controller communicating with client controllers via both a shared, multi-drop communications bus and an initial segment of a daisy-chained, point-to-point communications bus. The host controller issues a token to a first client controller via the point-to-point bus, then queries the client controllers, receives a reply from the client controller having the token (associating that controller with a sequential identification value), and commands passing of the token, each via the multi-drop bus. The client controllers receive the token and query via the respective busses and, if that controller has the token, reply to the query via the multi-drop bus, as well as receive the command and, if that controller has the token, pass the token via the point-to-point bus to a subsequent controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: APEX INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Timothy P. Hentz, James M. Allen
  • Publication number: 20200145253
    Abstract: A system for automatically assigning sequential identification values to networked nodes, such as accessory modules within a storage and dispensing enclosure. The system includes a host controller communicating with client controllers via both a shared, multi-drop communications bus and an initial segment of a daisy-chained, point-to-point communications bus. The host controller issues a token to a first client controller via the point-to-point bus, then queries the client controllers, receives a reply from the client controller having the token (associating that controller with a sequential identification value), and commands passing of the token, each via the multi-drop bus. The client controllers receive the token and query via the respective busses and, if that controller has the token, reply to the query via the multi-drop bus, as well as receive the command and, if that controller has the token, pass the token via the point-to-point bus to a subsequent controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2018
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Inventors: Timothy P. HENTZ, James M. ALLEN