Patents by Inventor Wayne Foster

Wayne Foster 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: 9244153
    Abstract: Aspects of the present invention provide an RFID system for safely controlling an auto guided vehicle, an automated robot or other moving object (“AGV”). The system may include a plurality of radio frequency identification (“RFID”) tags, and each may store a unique identification in a first memory location, a position in a second memory location and/or an instruction in a third memory location. An AGV having an RFID transceiver or antenna and a computer with a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium containing a predetermined table may read one or more of the memory locations. The table comprises a plurality of data elements with certain data elements associated with particular RFID tags. The AGV safely determines its location upon matching the one or more memory locations read with one or more data elements, or triggers a fault upon failing to match. The AGV may also predict the next RFID tag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin M. Zomchek, Derek W. Jones, William E. Waltz, Richard W. Boyd, Wayne Foster
  • Patent number: 9135762
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided relating to utilizing a plurality of RFID tags in conjunction with a circuit comprising at least one reed switch to facilitate determination of operational states and actions based thereon. A magnet can activate the reed switch causing a first RFID tag to be activated and transmit an associated RFID identifier from which a position/operation associated with the first RFID can be determined. The magnet can be removed to activate a second RFID tag whereupon a second RFID identifier is transmitted from which a second position/operation can be determined. The circuit comprising the reed switch and RFID tags can have an induction coil enabling the circuit to be activated when the induction coil is brought into proximity of a second induction coil and inductively coupled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne Foster, Anatoly Grinberg, Dennis Mackey, Michael Burdenko
  • Publication number: 20150123765
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided relating to utilizing a plurality of RFID tags in conjunction with a circuit comprising at least one reed switch to facilitate determination of operational states and actions based thereon. A magnet can activate the reed switch causing a first RFID tag to be activated and transmit an associated RFID identifier from which a position/operation associated with the first RFID can be determined. The magnet can be removed to activate a second RFID tag whereupon a second RFID identifier is transmitted from which a second position/operation can be determined. The circuit comprising the reed switch and RFID tags can have an induction coil enabling the circuit to be activated when the induction coil is brought into proximity of a second induction coil and inductively coupled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne Foster, Anatoly Grinberg, Dennis Mackey, Michael Burdenko
  • Patent number: 8941493
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided relating to utilizing a plurality of RFID tags in conjunction with a circuit comprising at least one reed switch to facilitate determination of operational states and actions based thereon. A magnet can activate the reed switch causing a first RFID tag to be activated and transmit an associated RFID identifier from which a position/operation associated with the first RFID can be determined. The magnet can be removed to activate a second RFID tag whereupon a second RFID identifier is transmitted from which a second position/operation can be determined. The circuit comprising the reed switch and RFID tags can have an induction coil enabling the circuit to be activated when the induction coil is brought into proximity of a second induction coil and inductively coupled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne Foster, Anatoly Grinberg, Dennis Mackey, Michael Burdenko
  • Publication number: 20140118117
    Abstract: Aspects of the present invention provide an RFID system for safely controlling an auto guided vehicle, an automated robot or other moving object (“AGV/BOT”). The system may include a plurality of radio frequency identification (“RFID”) tags, and each may store a unique identification in a first memory location, a position in a second memory location and/or an instruction in a third memory location. An AGV/BOT having an RFID transceiver or antenna and a computer with a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium containing a predetermined table may read one or more of the memory locations. The table comprises a plurality of data elements with certain data elements associated with particular RFID tags. The AGV/BOT safely determines its location upon matching the one or more memory locations read with one or more data elements, or triggers a fault upon failing to match. The AGV/BOT may also predict the next RFID tag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin M. Zomchek, Derek W. Jones, William E. Waltz, Richard W. Boyd, Wayne Foster
  • Publication number: 20130127599
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided relating to utilizing a plurality of RFID tags in conjunction with a circuit comprising at least one reed switch to facilitate determination of operational states and actions based thereon. A magnet can activate the reed switch causing a first RFID tag to be activated and transmit an associated RFID identifier from which a position/operation associated with the first RFID can be determined. The magnet can be removed to activate a second RFID tag whereupon a second RFID identifier is transmitted from which a second position/operation can be determined. The circuit comprising the reed switch and RFID tags can have an induction coil enabling the circuit to be activated when the induction coil is brought into proximity of a second induction coil and inductively coupled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: ROCKWELL AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Wayne Foster, Anatoly Grinberg, Dennis MacKey, Michael Burdenko