Patents by Inventor Tom Rule

Tom Rule 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: 7482917
    Abstract: An apparatus for displaying event information from a building system includes a display device coupled to a processing circuit. The processing circuit is operable to cause the display to display information regarding a first building system in a first portion of the display, the information being selectable and changeable by a user. The processing circuit is further operable to cause the display to display, independent of the displayed information in the first portion, an alarm graphic element in a second portion of the display, the alarm graphic element including building system event information regarding a second building system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens Building Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil Rhodes, Tom Rule, John Faragoi, James Han
  • Publication number: 20060220827
    Abstract: An apparatus for displaying event information from a building system includes a display device coupled to a processing circuit. The processing circuit is operable to cause the display to display information regarding a first building system in a first portion of the display, the information being selectable and changeable by a user. The processing circuit is further operable to cause the display to display, independent of the displayed information in the first portion, an alarm graphic element in a second portion of the display, the alarm graphic element including building system event information regarding a second building system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2006
    Publication date: October 5, 2006
    Applicant: Siemens Corporation
    Inventors: Neil Rhodes, James Han, Tom Rule, John Faragoi
  • Patent number: 7049951
    Abstract: An apparatus for displaying event information from a building system includes a display device coupled to a processing circuit. The processing circuit is operable to cause the display to display information regarding a building system in a first portion of the display, the information being selectable and changeable by a user. The processing circuit is further operable to cause the display to display, independent of the displayed information in the first portion, an alarm graphic element in a second portion of the display, the alarm graphic element including building system event information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Siemens Building Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil Rhodes, James Han, Tom Rule, John Faragoi
  • Patent number: 6989756
    Abstract: A method of displaying status information of a plurality of smoke detectors includes obtaining first data including a first measurement value representative of a maintenance condition of a first smoke detector, the first measurement value falling within a first range. The method also includes obtaining second data including a second measurement value representative of a maintenance condition of a second smoke detector, the second measurement value falling within a second range, the second range different from the first range. The method further includes displaying first information representative of the first measurement value and second information representative of the second measurement value, the first information and the second information falling within a uniform range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Siemens Building Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil Rhodes, Tom Rule
  • Publication number: 20040260812
    Abstract: A data transmission system for a building or facility includes a fire control sub-network, a building automation sub-network and/or a corporate sub-network. The fire control sub-network includes workstations connected to fire control panels that are connected to fire control devices. The sub-network includes an Ethernet switch that is UL listed for fire protective signaling uses, along with the workstations. This sub-network is integrated with the building automation sub-network through an IP router that is UL listed for information technology equipment. Thus, the fire control sub-network is both electrically isolated and isolated from data transmission traffic through the building automation and/or corporate sub-networks, so that the response of the fire control sub-network is not compromised by data traffic through the other networks. In certain embodiments, building automation workstations and control devices can be included within the fire control sub-network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Inventors: Neil Rhodes, Tom Rule
  • Publication number: 20030234731
    Abstract: An apparatus for displaying event information from a building system includes a display device coupled to a processing circuit. The processing circuit is operable to cause the display to display information regarding a building system in a first portion of the display, the information being selectable and changeable by a user. The processing circuit is further operable to cause the display to display, independent of the displayed information in the first portion, an alarm graphic element in a second portion of the display, the alarm graphic element including building system event information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2003
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Inventors: Neil Rhodes, James Han, Tom Rule, John Faragoi
  • Publication number: 20030234732
    Abstract: A method of displaying status information of a plurality of smoke detectors includes obtaining first data including a first measurement value representative of a maintenance condition of a first smoke detector, the first measurement value falling within a first range. The method also includes obtaining second data including a second measurement value representative of a maintenance condition of a second smoke detector, the second measurement value falling within a second range, the second range different from the first range. The method further includes displaying first information representative of the first measurement value and second information representative of the second measurement value, the first information and the second information falling within a uniform range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2003
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Inventors: Neil Rhodes, Tom Rule