Diagnostics Or Debugging Patents (Class 700/26)
  • Patent number: 7937172
    Abstract: It is an object to acquire a program creating device for a programmable controller which is able to create a sequence program without grasping a procedure of an address of an individual parameter area allocated to an object module when a setting of parameters of various functional modules for the programmable controller is executed. The device constitutes setting information creating means 12 for preparing module setting information of a parameter type for the programmable controller by using specific information which is included a functional module, analysis and conversion means 14 for creating a source file to be converted into a sequence program which programmed an operation of the programmable controller according to an analysis of a parameter of the module setting information, and program converting and inserting means 31 for converting a file created by the analysis and conversion means into the sequence program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Yukio Nakayama
  • Patent number: 7881813
    Abstract: Methods and data processing systems are provided to share a common pin between two circuits in microcontroller unit (MCU). Signals are received at a common pin included in the MCU. If the first circuit has been enabled, then the received signals are analyzed to determine whether the signals are valid command signals for the first circuit. If the signals are not a valid command signal, then a second circuit is performed. If the first circuit has not been enabled, then an alternate function is performed. One of the operations performed by the alternate function is to determine whether to enable the first function. In one embodiment, the first circuit is a background debug controller of the MCU and the second circuit is a reset circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Sibigtroth, Dionicio Garcia, III
  • Patent number: 7877231
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for supplying electromechanical actuator (EMA) health status information to a control system. A determination is made as to whether the EMA has experienced a fault. If the EMA has experienced a fault, a fault-based position limit and a fault-based rate limit of the EMA are determined, based on the fault. A design position limit and a design rate limit of the EMA are supplied. An updated position limit of the EMA is determined based on at least the design position limit and the fault-based position limit, and an updated rate limit of the EMA is supplied based on at least the design rate limit and the fault-based rate limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Raj M. Bharadwaj, Dwayne M. Benson, George D. Hadden, Darryl G. Busch
  • Patent number: 7826425
    Abstract: Described is a method for transmitting a voice packet from a first access point (“AP”) to a mobile unit (“MU”), forwarding the voice packet from the first AP to a second AP when acknowledgement of receipt of the voice packet is not received by the first AP and transmitting the voice packet from the second AP to the MU. Also, a system having a first access point (“AP”) transmitting a voice packet to a mobile unit (“MU”) and forwarding the voice packet when acknowledgement of receipt of the voice packet from the MU is not received by the first AP and a second AP receiving the forwarded voice packet from the first AP and transmitting the voice packet to the MU.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Ramesh Sekhar
  • Patent number: 7808371
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fleet security system comprising a vehicle security unit (VSU) to be installed inside each vehicle, on the sun visor or on the dashboard of the vehicle, and connected to the vehicle using the On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) connector of the vehicle. An authorized user holds the key of the vehicle to be used and an electronic security key. When the authorized user opens the door of the vehicle, the VSU detects a disturbance in the vehicle and wirelessly sends a disturbance event message to a fleet master unit. The authorized user then has a given deactivation time period (such as thirteen seconds) to show its security key to a key reader located inside the vehicle, on the VSU. The security key code is validated by the master unit which will command the VSU to disarm its disturbance detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: 2862-8030 Quebec Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Blanchet, Marc-André Beliveau
  • Publication number: 20100146508
    Abstract: A system and method for a network driven actuator mapping agent and bus. The system includes at least one sensor configured to sense an event in a first environment. The system also includes an actuator configured to perform an action in a second environment. Moreover, the system further includes a mapping manager configured to map the sensed event to the actuator to provide a custom interaction throughout a plurality of second environments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Anthony E. Martinez, Bradley S. Tagg
  • Patent number: 7715930
    Abstract: The subject invention relates to a system and/or method that facilitates assessing unexpected field conditions based upon the verification of an audit log. A sensing component can monitor field conditions with respect to an industrial environment. An analysis component can analyze the field conditions and determine that an unexpected event has occurred and retrieve audit logs from a data repository to determine cause of the unexpected event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Bush, Ardaman Singh Grewal
  • Patent number: 7698083
    Abstract: A control apparatus configured to generate correction values for compensation of disturbance signals of a sensor includes a control loop having an input to receive input values. The control loop includes circuitry configured to receive the input values and configured to produce output values based on the input values, and an evaluation device downstream from the circuitry relative to the input, which is configured to receive the output values and to convert the output values into result values. The apparatus also includes a correction device configured to receive the result values and the input values, to generate correction values based on the result values and the input values, and to provide the result values to the circuitry. The correction device includes a detection device having memory, which stores the input values in the memory based on the result values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Austriamicrosystems AG
    Inventors: Thomas Fröhlich, Gerhard Oberhoffner
  • Patent number: 7680549
    Abstract: A device for diagnosing operation of an industrial process control or monitoring system includes an input configured to receive an input related to a process signal. A first statistical parameter module provides a first statistical parameter output related to a statistical parameter of the process signal. A filter provides a filter output related to a filtered value of the process signal. A second statistical parameter module provides a second statistical parameter output related to a statistical parameter of the filter output. A diagnostic module diagnoses operation of the industrial process based upon the first and second statistical parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Kadir Kavaklioglu, David L. Wehrs, Donald Robert Lattimer, Evren Eryurek
  • Publication number: 20100049337
    Abstract: A tracing-result optimization processing unit generates an optimized tracing result. A tracing-result collation processing unit collates the optimized tracing result and a time chart as a basis of a sequence processing for an external apparatus and detects shift of the optimized tracing result. A tracing-result storing unit accumulates and stores therein a tracing result obtained by a programmable logic controller at predetermined time intervals. Every time the tracing result is stored in the tracing-result storing unit, the tracing-result optimization processing unit generates the optimized tracing result.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2006
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Inventors: Kaori Sakagami, Masanobu Sumiya, Tomohiro Sato, Makoto Nonomura
  • Patent number: 7668632
    Abstract: A system for identifying events includes a memory capable of storing a compressed event table including a number of events, the event table having been compressed by reducing the number of events in the event table without reducing the number of events represented by the event table. Each event of the event table includes a set of state parameters, and may also be associated with an output. The system also includes a processor capable of operating a fast state recognition (FSR) application. The FSR application, in turn, can receive a plurality of inputs, and identify an event of the compressed event table based upon the plurality of inputs and the state parameters of the compressed event table, event being identified in accordance with a state recognition technique.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: John L. Vian, Gregory J. Clark, Paul E. R. Pigg
  • Patent number: 7599760
    Abstract: A fuel cell system control system includes a fuel cell system and a controller. The controller includes a display and a processor configured to execute a program for managing an operation of a fuel cell state machine having a plurality of states and capable of executing logic to execute state transitions, and a fuel cell failure detection and correction program, configured to detect one or more fuel cell system failures and correct each detected failure while the fuel cell system continues to operate. The control process includes the steps of representing an operation of a fuel cell control system as a state machine having one or more states, controlling the operation of the fuel cell system using the state machine, executing one or more states of the state machine, and correcting operational errors in the fuel cell control system while the fuel cell system continues to operate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Bloom Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Abhijit Dutta, Swaminathan Venkataraman
  • Patent number: 7558633
    Abstract: In a test automation method and test system for a user end apparatus that can be communicatively connected with a test automation apparatus, at least one data processing unit and a non-volatile memory for storage of a test workflow program as well as a first external interface and a second external interface are provided. The user end apparatus has at least one control unit, a non-volatile memory and an external interface. The user end apparatus is protected by a security housing and has an external interface that can be placed in communication with the special second external interface of the test automation apparatus. By loading release software, the user end apparatus is programmed to generate test output signals and to supply these to the external interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Francotyp-Postalia GmbH
    Inventors: Gerrit Bleumer, Stefan Schwarz
  • Patent number: 7555353
    Abstract: This invention provides an input device of safety unit which enables an error diagnosis result referred to in a process of input processing for generating a control data from raw input signal to be referred by a side using the control data also in a safety unit such as a safety master and safety slave. An input device contains a function of outputting status data indicating the error diagnosis result referred to when input signal is converted to control data and the control data obtained by the conversion in pair, so that when the logical value of the control data is “LOW”, whether it originates from that the raw logical value is “LOW” or that “LOW” is compulsorily set due to an error in the terminal can be determined from the logical value of the status data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Omron Corporation
    Inventors: Keiichi Teranishi, Yasuo Muneta, Chiaki Koshiro, Naoaki Ikeno, Toshiyuki Nakamura, Hiromu Suganuma, Asahi Matsui, Katsufumi Yoshida, Shohei Fujiwara, Takehiko Hioka
  • Publication number: 20090164030
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for programming and/or diagnosing a stored-program controller that includes at least one programmable function block, a specified programming system being used for programming, and, within the scope of this programming system, variables are specified and information-exchange sequences are used for programming; according to the present invention, results of the programming or diagnosis are output via a display device during at least one programming mode, and the information-exchange sequences are assigned to the function block and are made available as predefined information-exchange sequences of this programmable function block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventors: Stephan Schultze, Wolfgang Paul
  • Patent number: 7523297
    Abstract: Methods and circuitry for processing a shadow scan instruction in a multi-threaded microprocessing environment include a bit sequence having a thread identifier, core identifiers and a shadow scan instruction. The core identifiers are assigned a state to identify microprocessor cores of a multi-core structure and are processed combinationally to determine if the shadow scan instruction is to be processed through a thread of the identified core. The processing of the shadow scan instruction through the thread of each of the identified cores is accomplished by a single load operation of the shadow scan instruction into the JTAG TAP controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventor: Roger C. Mistely
  • Publication number: 20090062932
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of controlling and managing a process control system having a plurality of control loops. The method includes implementing a plurality of control routines to control operation of the plurality of control loops, respectively. The plurality of control routines may include at least one non-adaptive control routine. Operating condition data is then collected in connection with the operation of each control loop of the plurality of control loops, and a respective process model is identified for each control loop of the plurality of control loops from the respective operating condition data collected for each control loop of the plurality of control loops. In some embodiments, the identification of the respective process models may be automatic as a result of a detected process change or be on-demand as a result of an injected parameter change.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Applicant: FISHER-ROSEMOUNT SYSTEMS, INC
    Inventors: John Caldwell, Terrence L. Blevins, Peter Wojsznis, Wilhelm K. Wojsznis
  • Patent number: 7493236
    Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments that provide near real-time monitoring of a control application in a manufacturing environment to detect and determine the root cause of faults within the control application. The embodiments monitor the flow of data within the control application during events (i.e., transactions, stages, process steps, etc.). By comparing a dataflow path for a near real-time event with historical dataflow path records, dataflow interruptions (i.e., fails) within the control application can be detected. By determining the location of such a dataflow interruption, the root cause of the control application fail can be determined. Additionally, the invention can generate summary reports indicating the status of the control application. These summary reports can further be generated with drill downs to provide a user with direct access to the records upon which the reports were based.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael W. Mock, Gary R. Moore, Justin W. Wong
  • Patent number: 7484069
    Abstract: A data processing system incorporating watchpoint registers is provided. The memory accesses to be detected may be unaligned memory accesses. The watchpoint may operate in a normal mode and also in a guard mode. In the guard mode of operation a watchpoint comparator generates a match signal if the upper N bits of the memory address match the upper end bits of the watchpoint address and the length of the memory access L is such that the memory access extends to include a memory address having a different upper N bits but located at a predetermined address offset P from the watchpoint address W.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: ARM Limited
    Inventor: Michael John Williams
  • Patent number: 7474987
    Abstract: In the method and system for automated data diagnosis, a relational data base is formed of attributes characterizing an entity. The framework computes optimal diagnosis for a diagnostic inference problem which separates the desirable attributes from the undesirable attributes. The user of the system is permitted to specify certain parameters based on which the system computes a set of optimal or near optimal association rules between the attributes of a specific process, product, or other entity. The system and method of the present invention considers the simplicity of conditions in addition to support and confidence when ordering them, contributes the notion of tight conditions and semi-equivalence to remove redundant rules, uses the concept of the top fringes which allows near optimal conditions to be found, in addition to optimal conditions. Numeric as well as non-numeric attributes can be analyzed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: University of Maryland
    Inventors: V. S. Subrahmanian, Jason Ernst
  • Patent number: 7445551
    Abstract: A hand-held display system for playing video games includes a housing grippable by a user's hands, a liquid crystal display viewable by the user gripping the housing, input devices operable by the user when the user grips the housing and a connector for, in use, operatively connecting to portable storage media storing video game programs for the video games. First processing circuitry processes video game programs having a first program specification and second processing circuitry processes video game programs having a second program specification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoru Okada, Kazuo Yoneyama, Masahiko Ota, Ryuji Umezu, Takanobu Nakashima
  • Patent number: 7444504
    Abstract: A method of tracing a data processor upon reset of the data processor. A data processor reset signal resets the data processor, part of trace collection hardware and does not reset remaining parts of trace collection hardware. The data processor reset signal may be not owned, owned by an application program or owned by a debugger. The partial not reset of the trace collection hardware occurs only upon a data processor reset signal owned by the debugger. A trace logic reset signal resets both the data processor and the trace collection hardware when not owned. This trace logic reset signal resets the data processor only when owned by the debugger and resets the trace collection hardware when owned by an application program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Manisha Agarwala, Lewis Nardini
  • Patent number: 7444189
    Abstract: An energy optimization method and control apparatus may be used in a single building or a group of buildings to optimize utility-supplied and renewable sources in order to minimize the total energy cost. Simultaneously, it may also produce and store hydrogen gas that can be used to fuel hydrogen powered vehicles, provide a means for independent production of electricity and thermal energy, or both. Various factors, such as the production of thermal energy and electricity from the renewable sources, the current store of hydrogen, the current and expected thermal and electricity requirements of the building (based on a profile), the current and expected electricity loads of the equipment used to process hydrogen, the expected thermal and electricity generating capacity of the renewable sources and other factors can be used to determine the mix of renewable-based and utility-based energy that minimizes the total energy cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Inventor: John Joseph Marhoefer
  • Patent number: 7418360
    Abstract: A configurable system for automating a control sequence, in particular a motion sequence, has several components which exchange in regular time intervals during the control sequence with each other information via communication relationships. The system selects exactly one system project design from a plurality of system project designs based on the topology and functionality of the components. Each component of the system has a component project design, which is used by the system to design the components according to the corresponding component project designs. Each component arranges the communication relationships of the other components according to its own component project design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Mirko Danz, Johannes Extra, Michael Franke
  • Patent number: 7415389
    Abstract: A system for automatic multivariable calibration of an engine controller. The system may take inputs which include actuator setpoints, sensor measurements, performance requirements, and so forth. There may be an algorithm to compute engine calibration parameters for the controller. Each of the actuators may be separately stepped through to experimentally obtain actuator input and sensor output data. Algorithmic processing of the experimentally obtained data may be performed to calculate parameters of a model of an engine. A model based control design algorithm may then be invoked to obtain the calibration parameters for a controller. The calibrated controller may be tested with real or simulated engine conditions. The performance related to the parameters may be analyzed and determination of the acceptability of the data be made. If not acceptable, the parameters may be reprocessed. If acceptable, the calibration parameters may be downloaded to the engine controller for application and use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory E. Stewart, Syed M. Shahed, Soumitri N. Kolavennu
  • Patent number: 7412344
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a system for synchronously controlling the testing of pluralities of devices, comprising a server, a switch coupled to the server, and a testing instrument coupled to the server. Pluralities of computers are coupled to the server respectively, wherein the pluralities of devices are respectively connected to the pluralities of computers and the switch under testing. The parameters of the pluralities of devices include a first type test item that is testable by the pluralities of computers, and a second type test item that is testable by the testing instrument. The switch includes a RF switch. The server is connected to the testing instrument by a GPIB cable (or other instrument control interface and the server is connected to the pluralities of computers via local area network (LAN) such as Ethernet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Arcadyan Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Chao-Tang Chang, Chi-Chang Wang
  • Patent number: 7380210
    Abstract: A user interface is provided having a display for displaying information about a system, wherein said system is comprised of a plurality of elements. The user interface is provided with a plurality of modes of user operation, including an installment mode which allows the user to configure the user interface to perform in a desired manner while the element is being installed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens Building Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce J. Lontka, Michael Pierce
  • Patent number: 7325171
    Abstract: A measurement and data acquisition system including a real-time monitoring circuit for implementing control loop applications. The system control loop may include the real-time monitoring circuit, a data acquisition device, a processing unit, and a plurality of subsystems. The subsystems may be comprised in the data acquisition device or may be external to the data acquisition device. The real-time monitoring circuit may receive a plurality of timing signals from the plurality of subsystems and may select a control loop timing signal out of the plurality of timing signals. The real-time monitoring circuit may determine whether the operations of the control loop are performed within a particular period of time by monitoring the control loop timing signal and communicating with the processing unit. In response to an error notification, the processing unit may take appropriate action, such as shutting down the system and/or reporting an error or warning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: National Instruments Corporation
    Inventor: Rafael Castro
  • Patent number: 7293204
    Abstract: A computer peripheral connecting interface system configuration debugging method and system is proposed, which is designed for use in conjunction with a computer platform that is equipped with a particular type of peripheral connecting interface, such as a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) interface, for automatically finding errors in the PCI system configurations of a group of peripheral devices connected to the PCI peripheral connecting interface, and if errors are found, capable of automatically generating an electronic error report. This fully-automatic debugging capability can help software engineers to more conveniently and efficiently correct the errors in the PCI system configurations on a computer platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Inventec Corporation
    Inventors: Ying-chi Lu, Meng-Hua Cheng, Chun-Yi Lee, Lung-Hung Yu, Chi-Tsung Chang, Chia-Hsing Lee
  • Patent number: 7289936
    Abstract: A method of evaluating the performance of a control system using an electronic device having state machine logic. The state machine logic includes determining a first logic state representative of a first condition of the control system based on data received from the control system. The state machine logic also includes executing a first testing function and transitioning to a second logic state representative of a second condition of the control system based on at least one of the received data and output from the first testing function. The state machine logic further includes executing a second testing function and providing a diagnosis of the performance of the control system based on the output of at least one of the first testing function and the second testing function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Ashish Singhal, Timothy I. Salsbury
  • Patent number: 7272450
    Abstract: A development aid device for development of a ladder program for a programmable controller has a program memory for storing the ladder program and an outline data generating part for sequentially scanning constituent elements of this stored ladder program to extract specified elements including output commands and generating outline data by assigning individual index numbers to these extracted elements sequentially in the order of their appearance on the ladder program. An outline data memory stores the generated outline data. A cross-reference data generating part generates cross-reference data by extracting commands having a same operand from the ladder program, and a cross-reference data memory stores the generated cross-reference data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Inoue, Ken Tsutsui, Takashi Miyake
  • Patent number: 7263418
    Abstract: A method is provided for providing image data for visualizing a defective part and/or a repair process and/or a maintenance service of a road-bound vehicle, in particular a car or motorcycle. The aim is to reduce the translation costs for repair manuals. The method is characterized by the following: digital data is provided for at least two vehicle parts, in particular CAD data, vector data or another form of digital data suitable for visualizing is provided; digital data on the location of said two vehicle parts with respect to each other is also provided; a first selection element is provided for selecting a first repair operation from a plurality thereof, data, i.e., image data of the first stage of said first repair operation is provided, afterwards image data of the second stage of the first repair operation is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Eckhard Steinmeier, Ralf Rachholz, Birsen Goek, Martin Kulessa, Bernhard Hoess
  • Patent number: 7257654
    Abstract: An integrated device (e.g., an integrated PCI bridge device), having configuration registers for storing configuration values, device logic for generating internal state values based on the configuration values, and a JTAG interface configured for receiving a serial input stream and outputting a serial output stream, further includes write logic and debug read logic. The write logic is configured for writing selected portions of the serial input stream into respective selected ones of the configuration registers, based on a detected input indicating a JTAG-based override. The debug read logic is configured, in response to a detected debug mode, for outputting selected internal state values for the serial output stream, based on selection values from the serial input stream and having been stored in a prescribed at least one of the selected configuration registers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard W. Reeves, Austen John Hypher
  • Patent number: 7254704
    Abstract: A method of tracing a data processor upon reset of the data processor. A data processor reset signal resets the data processor, part of trace collection hardware and does not reset remaining parts of trace collection hardware. The data processor reset signal may be not owned, owned by an application program or owned by a debugger. The partial not reset of the trace collection hardware occurs only upon a data processor reset signal owned by the debugger. A trace logic reset signal resets both the data processor and the trace collection hardware when not owned. This trace logic reset signal resets the data processor only when owned by the debugger and resets the trace collection hardware when owned by an application program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Manisha Agarwala, Lewis Nardini
  • Patent number: 7251551
    Abstract: An on-vehicle electronic control device includes an auxiliary microprocessor and subjects a microprocessor allocated to a main part of control to an external diagnosis, thereby improving reliability of performance. A microprocessor including a nonvolatile program memory into which a control program is written is serially connected to an auxiliary microprocessor including an auxiliary nonvolatile program memory. The microprocessor and the auxiliary microprocessor function in cooperation to control on-vehicle electric load groups in response to input signals from on-vehicle sensor groups and on-vehicle analog sensor group. The nonvolatile program memory and the microprocessor are subjected to runaway monitoring performed by a watchdog timer and to an external checksum diagnosis performed periodically by the auxiliary microprocessor. If an anomaly occurs in the runaway monitoring, the external checksum diagnosis, and a checksum interval, parts of electric loads are cut off of power supply by load power relay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Mitsueda, Katsuya Nakamoto, Kohji Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 7251535
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for use with a component assembly that forms part of an enterprise and at least one processor, the processor programmed to perform at least one diagnostic process on the assembly and to at least periodically perform at least one summary process on the assembly, the method for commencing the at least one summary process and comprising the steps of specifying at least one triggering relationship between at least a first enterprise user and the assembly that is to initiate the at least one summary process, determining when the at least one triggering relationship occurs and, when the at least one triggering relationship occurs, causing the processor to perform the at least one summary process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Farchmin, David Alan Vasko, Brian A. Batke, David Michael Callaghan, Scot A. Tutkovics, Daniel P. Noonen, John Joseph Baier
  • Patent number: 7239977
    Abstract: A method and system for the systematic evaluation and rating of technical equipment using a data processing device (20), which works together with at least one data memory (21) and has an input (22) and display device (23), in which, step-by-step for the particular technical equipment, at least one first data set having economically relevant input parameters and at least one second data set having technically relevant input parameters are detected and/or established. For each data set, through knowledge-based predetermined numerical and/or logical linkages and knowledge-based predetermined weighting factors specific to the equipment, the established input parameters are brought together into an economic evaluation parameter FIx and a technical evaluation parameter RIx, respectively, and from the established evaluation parameters, through knowledge-based predetermined numerical linkages and weighting factors, a single overall resulting evaluation parameter EIx is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: ABB Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Nicolaie Laurentiu Fantana, Lars Pettersson, Mark D. Perkins, Ramsis S. Girgis, Asim Fazlagic
  • Patent number: 7225103
    Abstract: A computer is programmed to fit exponential models to upper percentile subsets of observed measurements for performance metrics collected as attributes of a computer system. The subsets are defined from sets chosen to reduce model bias due to expected variations in system performance, e.g. those resulting from temporal usage patterns induced by end users and/or workload scheduling. Measurement levels corresponding to high cumulative probability, indicative of likely performance anomalies, are extrapolated from the fitted models generated from measurements of lower cumulative probability. These levels are used to establish and to automatically set warning and alert thresholds which signal to (human) administrators when performance anomalies are observed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Oracle International Corporation
    Inventors: John M. Beresniewicz, Amir Najmi
  • Patent number: 7218993
    Abstract: A robot system is provided and includes an autonomous mobile robot. In the system in which monitoring is performed using the autonomous mobile robot which travels along a predetermined path, an interval between the time when a user requests transmission of images and the time when the user obtains the images may be reduced. The autonomous mobile robot travels along a predetermined path at predetermined times, a camera takes photographs at predetermined locations during the travel along the predetermined path, images taken by the camera are stored, and the stored images are sent to a requesting cell phone in response to a transmission request from the cell phone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Yusuke Yasukawa, Masayasu Hino
  • Patent number: 7216003
    Abstract: A cutting apparatus includes a hi-accuracy three-dimensional cutting apparatus for topographic modeling that is electronically coupled with a computer. The computer has a central processor that executes instructions, a memory for storing instructions to be executed, and non-volatile storage for storing the messages. The executable computer instructions of the system include one or more algorithms for converting the complex and randomly-occurring contours found in natural terrain into an efficient series of modeling material removal swaths defined in simplified 2-axis cross-sections that are cut adjacent and parallel to one another. The swaths are defined in a simplified 2-axis surface contour-following rotation cutting device moved by the system's CPU, driver software, driver circuitry and/or logic circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Solid Terrain Modeling
    Inventors: Lawrence Q. Faulkner, Mark E. Fisher, Justin Luton
  • Patent number: 7196487
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a system and method for confining a robot to a particular space. The system includes a portable barrier signal transmitter that produces a barrier signal primarily along an axis, and a mobile robot capable of avoiding the barrier signal upon detection of the barrier signal. In the preferred embodiment the barrier signal is emitted in an infrared frequency and the robot includes an omni-directional signal detector. Upon detection of the signal, the robot turns in a direction selected by a barrier avoidance algorithm until the barrier signal is no longer detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph L. Jones, Philip R. Mass
  • Patent number: 7197434
    Abstract: A supervisory control system and display client are disclosed. The supervisory control system generates a graphical display representative of an operational status of operational components in a plant, facility or process being supervised. There are typically several types of operational components in the plant, facility or process. The system includes a server in communication with the operational components via a network. The server maintains a plurality of equipment unit objects, each of the equipment unit objects having one or more parameters representative of the operational status of the operational components. A display client is in communication with the server. The display client stores one or more equipment symbol objects, each of the one or more equipment symbol objects defining a graphical representation of one of the one or more operational components in the graphical display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Corporate Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernhard Gaissmaier, Georg Muenzel, George Lo
  • Patent number: 7174225
    Abstract: An application program that describes processing of a workpiece by the machine tool in form of instruction steps is disclosed. A computer executes the application program and step-by-step determines based on a simulation program machine-dependent control commands for a controller. The machine-dependent control commands depend on a virtual time base that is independent of an actual time base. The computer determines based on a computer-internal model of the machine tool and the determined machine-dependent control commands expected actual states of the machine tool, thereby simulating execution of the machine-dependent control commands by the machine tool. The simulation program is implemented as control software in the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Stefan Dolansky
  • Patent number: 7171582
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling a safety-critical system, in particular of a motor vehicle, which includes a microcontroller. The microcontroller controls and/or regulates the operating sequences of the safety-critical system, and the microcontroller is composed of a microprocessor and at least one peripheral microprocessor device. In a method for controlling a safety-critical system in which disruption to the operational reliability is to be prevented by changes in the molecular movement of the carrier of the microprocessor, the chip temperature of a chip which is provided with the microprocessor and peripheral device together is measured during an operating sequence and/or program sequence and compared with a maximum permitted chip temperature of the microcontroller. The operating sequence and/or the program sequence is controlled as a function of the temperature comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Michael Henninger
  • Patent number: 7155499
    Abstract: A system controller is adapted to be integrated into a control network including a plurality of device controllers that communicate through the network via a network specific communication protocol for controlling a plurality of network devices. The system controller includes an application controller which is adapted to be connected to the network and stores a plurality of system points corresponding to a plurality of system variables relating to the network devices. The application controller is adapted to convert the system points into the corresponding system variables, and the corresponding system variables into the system points. At least one client is connected to the network and in communication with the application controller. The client is adapted to send a command and request a report relating to a select system point to and from the application controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Siemens Building Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Soemo, Pierre DeSmul, Robert Johnson, Mark Gagner, Geoffrey D. Nass
  • Patent number: 7152030
    Abstract: A numerical control apparatus incorporating a programmable controller and capable of displaying a comment in a plurality of languages with a single sequence program and of displaying a comment in a maintenance screen in a manner suited to the screen. The sequence program has a signal information area stored at its addresses with comments on signals or on the sequence program, each comment being written in a plurality of languages. Languages serving as display (language) attributes of each comment are also stored. In displaying a ladder diagram after the setting of language (for example, English) is completed, as for an address for which there is any comment of the preset language (English), such comment (second comment written in English) is displayed. Comments displayed in a desired language make it easy to perform the maintenance and management of the programmable controller and the numerical control apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: Fanuc Ltd
    Inventors: Noritake Nagashima, Mitsuru Mochizuki
  • Patent number: 7139564
    Abstract: First, a system for providing direct field technical, troubleshooting, engineering analysis, equipment performance and efficiency analysis, new equipment and parts information, invoicing and sales support by means of data input and data retrieval in the field through the use by field located personnel of a hand-held, wireless communication device that allows direct field communication with a base or service provider master computer and software programs. Finally, utilization of a base or service provider located mater computer and software programs to provide all the primary computing processes needed to support a limited field located data entry and retrieval device that could further use the input data to establish a master computer file for a customer, equipment, performance and invoicing database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Inventor: Thomas H. Hebert
  • Patent number: 7120782
    Abstract: Accessing descriptive information associated with a TDMA/GSM switch having an adjunct processor is provided. At least a portion of a database of descriptive information is incorporated with data provided to the adjunct processor to control the TDMA/GSM switch. The adjunct processor is accessed to access the TDMA/GSM switch and to access the portion of the database of descriptive information incorporated with the data provided to the adjunct processor. The portion of the database incorporated with the data provided to the adjunct processor may be selected based on the data provided to the adjunct processor to control the TDMA/GSM switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ)
    Inventors: Anders Lundh, Piroz Darai
  • Patent number: 7120789
    Abstract: A method and a system for providing a processor to a computer system through a removable CPU module. The processor on the removable CPU module may be shared by multiple computer systems by inserting the module into different computer systems at different times. Upon insertion of the removable CPU module into the computer system, the computer system detects and identifies the module. The computer system may determine a compatibility between the processor and the operating system as well as an access address of the processor, an addressing mode of the processor, a data transfer mode of the processor, etc. The computer system then loads the operating system, informs the operating system of the processors attributes, and initiates execution of the operating system using the processor on the removable CPU module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin Andrew Himmel, Maria Azua Himmel, Herman Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 7096078
    Abstract: A technique for configuring a Boolean logic function block displays a matrix associated with the Boolean logic function block on a display screen of a computer. A programmer may then enter configuration data into the matrix to configure the Boolean logic function block. The matrix may include a plurality of cells, some of which correspond to variables to be used in generating a function block output, and the programmer may enter configuration data into the cells. The configuration data entered into cells are indicative of logic functions to which the variables corresponding to the cells are to be provided as inputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Kent A. Burr, Kenneth D. Krivoshein, Gary K. Law