Having Operator Control Interface (e.g., Control/display Console) Patents (Class 700/83)
  • Patent number: 8229577
    Abstract: A distributed historian framework is provided where historical data is collected in accordance with an organizational model of a hierarchical system that is distributed across various elements of an enterprise. A directory service operates with the organizational model to enable configuration of historian components within the organization and to enable data to be located within the organization. In one aspect, an industrial automation system is provided. The system includes at least one historian component to archive data within an organization. A common data model then exposes functionality and data of the organization to the historian component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. McGreevy, Deborah A. Sadowski, Robert J. Herbst, Justin R. Hartman
  • Patent number: 8229576
    Abstract: There is provided a field device management apparatus for acquiring and managing device information about a field device. The apparatus includes: a device information description unit having: an activation processing algorithm that activates a device information processing algorithm for acquiring the device information from the field device; and a description information that describes the device information; and a device information acquisition control unit that activates the device information processing algorithm using the activation processing algorithm so as to acquire the device information through the device information description unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Yokogawa Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Kazutoshi Kodama, Hiroaki Kanokogi
  • Publication number: 20120185065
    Abstract: A device information display apparatus that communicates with a field device and acquires a device information of the field device to display the device information on a display device, the device information display apparatus may include: a changing unit that changes the device information to be displayed on the display device, the changing being performed based on operation instructions received from an input device; a definition file generation unit that generates a definition file for prescribing the device information to be displayed on the display device, the generating being performed based on the device information changed by the changing unit; and a switching unit that switches the device information to be displayed on the display device, the switching being performed based on the definition file generated by the definition file generation unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2012
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: YOKOGAWA ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hideyuki FUJII
  • Patent number: 8224892
    Abstract: An improved oven for use in a residence is described. The oven includes a cooking chamber, a programmable controller for executing program instructions, memory media for recording executable program instructions, and at least one controllable cooking system under control of the programmable controller, which provides a data-processing-controlled high speed cooking process which may be applied to food placed in the oven chamber. A plurality of cooking programs are recorded in the memory media of the oven. These define a plurality of high speed cooking routines available for use with the oven. A gateway server is communicatively coupled to the programmable controller. It manages the communication of digital content which is at least in-part related to operation and utilization of the improved oven. A broadband communication channel extends from a source of digital content, which is external to the residence, to the residence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Turbochef Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Bogatin, Richard Caron, David McFadden, Bryan Connell, Carl Pryor, James K. Pool, III
  • Patent number: 8223349
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus that can provide an online support service is provided. The image processing apparatus includes a user operation data retaining section for retaining user operation data in which contents of user's operation performed by a user is recorded, an input section having a help key for instructing start of execution of an online support function, and a support data retaining section for retaining information about a support connecting destination to be connected in the online support. When recognizing pressing of the help key, the image processing apparatus refers to the user operation data so as to gain at least a part of the contents of the operation performed until a time point of the pressing, selects the support connecting destination according to the gained user operation contents with reference to the support data retaining section so as to request connection of communication with the selected support connecting destination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kazusei Takahashi, Hisashi Uchida, Yoshiyuki Tamai, Masaya Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 8219239
    Abstract: Dental unit, which comprises at least one connection for at least one ancillary device, a drive-power and feed system for providing drive power or feed to said at least one ancillary device, and a control system for controlling the drive-power and feed system as well as the at least one ancillary device. For its part, the control system comprises at least one programmed function, which includes at least one predefined control operation directed to at least one ancillary device. In addition, at least one trigger is defined for each programmed function within the control system, in response to which said programmed function is performed. According to the invention, the dental unit comprises configuration means, which are arranged to receive control commands from the user in order to configure at least one programmed function and to configure said at least one programmed function according to control commands received from the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Planmeca Oy
    Inventors: Henri Andell, Tero Pihlajamäki
  • Patent number: 8219619
    Abstract: There is provided a data management server that is connectable to a plurality of content servers that store content data and metadata that includes content data attribute information and to a client device that acquires the content data based on the metadata. The data management server includes a data collection portion, a data processing portion, and a transmission portion. The data collection portion collects the metadata from each of the plurality of the content servers. The data processing portion hierarchically structures the metadata that the data collection portion collected, based on the attribute information that is included in the metadata. The transmission portion, in response to a request from the client device, transmits to the client device the metadata that was hierarchically structured by the data processing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Gen Hamada, Kazuto Horimatsu
  • Patent number: 8219451
    Abstract: Content is generated on a host system based on real-time data from a controlled process collected over the internet from a customer's client machine tool control system. The client system may request content from a host website. Instructions associated with the requested content, which may be in the form of an application to be run on the client, is delivered to the client via download over the internet. The client gathers real-time data associated with a controlled process and transmits it to the host, where content based on the data can be generated for the client and/or its owner. Data gathered by the host, and content generated on the basis of the data, may be made accessible to machine tool manufacturers. Also, data received by the host is associated with an identifier defined for each client system. A historical database for given client equipment can thereby be created.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Volker Kreidler, Knut Lagies, Wolfgang Mutscheller
  • Patent number: 8219251
    Abstract: Controllers and methods are disclosed for aiding a user in programming a schedule of a programmable controller. In an illustrative embodiment, a guided programming routine can be activated by a user, which then guides a user through two or more screens that are designed to collect sufficient information from the user to generate and/or update at least some of the schedule parameters of the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: John B. Amundson, Heidi J. Finch, Brent D. Vick
  • Patent number: 8219222
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a controller. The controller includes an input/output (I/O) module and a rule module. The I/O module is configured to present a question for a patient when communicatively coupled to a user interface and receive patient information in response to the question via the user interface. The rule module is configured to apply a rule to the patient information and generate a suggested insulin pump setting from application of the rule. Other devices, systems, and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Smiths Medical ASD, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Blomquist
  • Patent number: 8214073
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a software product for designing a drilling pattern for excavating a rock cavern. The invention further relates to a rock-drilling rig, in whose control unit the software product and the method are executable. During designing of the drilling pattern, drill hole bottom locations are placed at a blast plane at the bottom of a round. A drilling pattern design program determines the missing properties of the drill holes viewed from the bottom of the round towards a navigation plane. The program is able to determine a starting location for a drill hole based on the location and the direction of the bottom. The program also performs blasting calculation on the drill holes positioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Sandvik Mining and Construction Oy
    Inventor: Martti Keskinen
  • Patent number: 8207842
    Abstract: There is provided a method for monitoring a building control device, the method comprising associating the building control device with an event; storing the event and at least one parameter of the building control device in a database, wherein the database is operatively connected to a plurality of operator devices, and wherein the at least one parameter at least pertains to defining the event to be one from the group of unassigned, pending, or assigned by the plurality of operator devices; traversing, by at least a first of the plurality of operator devices, the database subject to the at least one parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Schneider Electric Buildings AB
    Inventors: Magnus Kennedy, Bo Lincoln, Fredrik Tibblin, Jonas Bülow, Camilla Andersson, Joakim Kvarnlöv, Jan Aarni, Anders Jakobsson, Joakim Karlsson
  • Publication number: 20120158160
    Abstract: A modular industrial drive system includes a base that receives one or more control modules as a face template. The control modules provide a set of functionalities to the drive system, and the face template serves as a user interface to the drive system. The drive system can include a power module and a control module which define desired functionalities for the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: ROCKWELL AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Michael S. Baran, Michael J. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20120158159
    Abstract: An air-conditioning information storer (13) stores data received by a communicator (11) from air conditioners (2) and sensors (3) as air-conditioning information. A controller (10) executes control programs including at least a PLC program, determines control details for each air conditioner (2) in accordance with the air-conditioning information stored in the air-conditioning information storer (13), and stores the determined control details as air-conditioning information in the air-conditioning information storer (13). Furthermore, the controller (10) transmits control data based upon the determined control details to the corresponding air conditioner (2) via the communicator (11). Moreover, the controller (10) updates the PLC program on the basis of an operation performed by the user. Air-conditioning information is stored at a predetermined address within the air-conditioning information storer (13) in accordance with the type and content of the corresponding equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Takeru Kuroiwa, Masanori Nakata, Tomoaki Gyota
  • Patent number: 8204609
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided that enable high-level and abstract business engines to affect and influence plant-floor or industrial operations via dynamic and flexible operator interfaces. In a similar manner, actions directed from the operator interfaces can be communicated to higher level decision components of an enterprise to facilitate automated control and dynamics of the enterprise. In one aspect, an industrial automation system is provided. The system includes one or more controllers to process transaction events in an industrial automation environment. One or more operator interface components are provided that automatically adapt interface control functionality based on the transaction events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Sujeet Chand, Stephen C Briant, Kenwood H Hall, Gavan W Hood, John J Baier, Michael D Kalan
  • Patent number: 8205164
    Abstract: An image display system for controlling automatic leveling of heavy equipment is provided. The image display system includes the leveling means for adjusting horizontal levels of a lower frame provided with a traveling means and an upper frame having a cab and installed on an upper part of the lower frame, a sensor unit for sensing posture information of the heavy equipment, a leveler electronic control unit for generating an image signal from the posture information, and an image display unit for displaying the image signal on a display screen. The posture information includes inclination angles of the upper frame and the lower frame sensed on the basis of a horizontal surface against a direction of gravity, an azimuth angle of the heavy equipment sensed against a forward direction of the upper frame, and a swing angle of the upper frame sensed on the basis of a front direction of the lower frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Volvo Construction Equipment Holding Sweden AB
    Inventors: Jin Seop Kim, Chang Soo Lee, In Woo Kim
  • Patent number: 8204612
    Abstract: A tip-based computer controlled system for a dental delivery device is disclosed. The system automatically controls an operating characteristic such as power control or fluid flow based on tip identification and history. The operating characteristic may also be controlled in response to particular conditions throughout the dental procedure, such as (but not limited to) temperature, dental hygiene material, fluid type, etc. The system may provide an alert or shut off if unsafe conditions occur and/or error circumstances are detected. An operator interface is provided to configure the system and augment/override an executing control algorithm during a procedure. A method and a computer-readable storage medium are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Inventors: James Feine, Mohammad A. Jamnia, William L. Bollig
  • Patent number: 8200865
    Abstract: Languages based in whole or in part on ideographic characters such as Chinese, Japanese, and Korean, are often are entered in a computerized text-entry system in a two-phase process. In the first phase, symbols from a first pre-conversion set are entered, then in the second phase, these pre-conversion symbols are converted into a second set of post-conversion symbols. This invention teaches a method and apparatus for the automatic conversion of pre-conversion symbols into post-conversion symbols without requiring an explicit conversion signal to be input by the user. It accomplishes this goal though the design of trigger sequences of keystrokes which are substantially functionally equivalent to an explicit conversion signal input by the user. An apparatus constructed according to the trigger sequence method is particularly well adapted for use on reduced keyboards, and in conjunction with predictive text-entry methods. Explicit constructions are shown for Chinese, Japanese, and Korean.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Eatoni Ergonomics, Inc.
    Inventor: Howard Andrew Gutowitz
  • Patent number: 8195309
    Abstract: A building control system incorporating an external calendar service, having a schedule subsystem, a schedule synchronization subsystem connected to the schedule subsystem, and an external calendar configuration subsystem connected to the schedule synchronization subsystem. The schedule subsystem may have a schedule object, a building schedule mechanism for activating different subsystems in a building based on a configuration of a building schedule, and a schedule change mechanism for creating, configuring and/or changing the building schedule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Kiran Hegde, Cuong Huynh, Patrick Brisbine, Stuart Donaldson
  • Patent number: 8195313
    Abstract: A thermostat for controlling an HVAC system is described, the thermostat having a user interface that is visually pleasing, approachable, and easy to use while also providing ready access to, and intuitive navigation within, a menuing system capable of receiving a variety of different types of user settings and/or control parameters. For some embodiments, the thermostat comprises a housing, a ring-shaped user-interface component configured to track a rotational input motion of a user, a processing system configured to identify a setpoint temperature value based on the tracked rotational input motion, and an electronic display coupled to the processing system. An interactive thermostat menuing system is accessible to the user by an inward pressing of the ring-shaped user interface component. User navigation within the interactive thermostat menuing system is achievable by virtue of respective rotational input motions and inward pressings of the ring-shaped user interface component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Nest Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony M. Fadell, Matthew L. Rogers, David Sloo, Michael J. Matas, Fred Bould, Shigefumi Honjo, Brian Huppi, John B. Filson
  • Patent number: 8190458
    Abstract: A method of performing oilfield operations for an oilfield having a subterranean formation with a reservoir therein is provided. The method involves generating a business analysis of the oilfield based on business inputs, generating an operational analysis of the oilfield based on operational inputs, and selectively integrating the business analysis with the operational analysis by using the operational outputs as at least a portion of the business inputs and by using the business outputs as at least a portion of the operational inputs to form an integrated oilfield analysis. The business analysis includes business outputs for characterizing the business impact of projects performed on the oilfield. The operational analysis includes operational outputs for characterizing the operational impact of projects performed on the oilfield. The integrated oilfield analysis includes integrated oilfield outputs for characterizing the business and operational impact of projects performed on the oilfield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Back, Daniel Fichter, Doug MacDonald, Peter Tyler, Roger Gallant, Dave Mason
  • Patent number: 8190274
    Abstract: Methods for accessing a control module that can be executed in a control device of an automating system are provided. The method includes the steps of providing the control module in the control device; providing a first interface module in the control device; providing a second interface module in the control device; connecting the control device with an operating device via a network; transferring the second interface module from the control device to the operating device, whereby the operating device comprises input and output devices for operation by a user; executing the second interface module by the operating device; and transferring data between the first and the second interface modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Frank Konieczny, Dietmar Krumsiek, Thorsten Behr, Anja Kruse, Ralf Aron
  • Patent number: 8190278
    Abstract: Control of a device including aiming a pointing device comprising a camera and a source of invisible light in the direction of an object associated with the device to be controlled, upon which object a number of retroreflective marker elements are positioned, which reflect at least a part of the invisible light emitted by the light source back to the pointing device; generating a first image of a target area aimed at by the pointing device whereby the light source is inactive; generating a second image of the target area aimed at by the pointing device whereby, invisible light is emitted by the light source in the direction of pointing; processing the target area images to determine the presence of retroreflective marker elements; using information pertaining to the retroreflective marker elements to identify the device to be controlled and/or to determine a control signal for the identified device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Jan Kneissler
  • Patent number: 8188971
    Abstract: In the medical image interpreting apparatus having a pointing device for moving a cursor, medical image, interpretation report, and cursor are displayed on a display screen, and initial movement information and information on the destination of movement of the cursor are linked and stored, via the pointing device when the cursor begins to move, said initial movement information relevant to the initial movement is retrieved to obtain the linked information on the destination of movement and the cursor is moved to the destination of movement indicated in the obtained information on the destination of movement. Due to this, just by slightly moving the cursor, the cursor jumps to the desired destination of movement, therefore, it becomes possible to omit an operation of the pointing device in between.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiva, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Jun Kawakami, Kenichi Niwa, Maki Minakuchi, Takashi Kondo, Takashi Masuzawa
  • Patent number: 8185220
    Abstract: The claimed subject matter provides a system and/or method that facilitates utilizing a human machine interface (HMI). An interface component can facilitate receipt of data. A human machine interface (HMI) component communicatively coupled to the interface component can include a device with a pre-programmed primitive; the device employs a user-defined functionality via the received data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert F. Lloyd
  • Patent number: 8185219
    Abstract: Smart graphic elements are provided for use as portions or components of one or more graphic displays, which may be executed in a process plant to display information to users about the process plant environment, such as the current state of devices within the process plant. Each of the graphic elements is an executable object that includes a property or a variable that may be bound to an associated process entity, like a field device, and that includes multiple visualizations, each of which may be used to graphically depict the associated process entity on a user interface when the graphic element is executed as part of the graphic display. Any of the graphic element visualizations may be used in any particular graphic display and the same graphic display may use different ones of the visualizations at different times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Gilbert, Ken J. Beoughter, John Michael Lucas, Tennyson Hao, Mark J. Nixon
  • Patent number: 8185362
    Abstract: A configuration operation set for configuring a system element is tested by simulating execution of the control operation set with simulation sample test data. The configuration operation set is received via a configuration user interface in a configuration view. Simulation sample test data is received via a simulation user interface in a simulation view. The configuration view and the simulation view may be simultaneously viewed on a display. In a single session, a control operation set may be received, simulation sample test data may be received, a simulation may be run, and the results of the simulation may be viewed. If the results of the simulation agree with expected results, the control operation set may be saved, and executed in the system element of interest. If the results of the simulation do not agree with the expected results, the control operation set may be cancelled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Corporation
    Inventors: Gilberto Augusto Matos, Bradley Wehrwein, Rajanikanth Tanikella, Franz Spanfelner
  • Publication number: 20120123565
    Abstract: A method for operating machinery uses a control unit and a display device for displaying a first user interface of a first application program and at least one second user interface of a second application program. The first user interface and the second user interface form a common display window on the display device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: HEIDELBERGER DRUCKMASCHINEN AG
    Inventors: MATTHIAS BUCKENMAIER, WERNER HAMMANN, ACHIM SCHEURER
  • Patent number: 8180467
    Abstract: A household appliance functions according to multiple operating cycles, wherein each operating cycle comprises at least one step characterized by a parameter having a factory-set default value. A user can access a controller of the household appliance through a user interface to simultaneously set new default values for a parameter common to at least two of the multiple operating cycles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher John Woerdehoff, Joshua Paul Carroll, Andrew Charles Reck, David John Kmet
  • Patent number: 8180498
    Abstract: A system and method for operating a plurality of wind turbines includes a supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system and a display for depicting a graphical output of information from the SCADA system. The SCADA system analyzes the information and transmits a signal to the display to visually depict the information in a dynamic manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Wei Zhu, Vasant Raj
  • Publication number: 20120116547
    Abstract: A remote control system comprises a machine tool controller and an operation terminal apparatus remotely located from the machine tool and connected via a network to the machine tool controller. The operation terminal apparatus comprises a registered name input section and an authorization level database that matches a registered name to an authorization level, and the operation terminal transmits the authorization level corresponding to the registered name to the machine tool controller. The machine tool controller comprises a restricted function database that matches an authorization level to operation-allowed or operation-forbidden function, and the machine tool controller specifies the operation-allowed or operation-forbidden function corresponding to the authorization level, and restricts function of the machine tool controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2009
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventor: Mikio Shigehara
  • Patent number: 8174378
    Abstract: Provided is a human guard enhancing multiple site security system comprising one or more human guards, peripheral equipment positioned at one or more sites, said peripheral equipment comprising one or more of a plurality of sensors, video cameras, positioning systems, and mobile communication and data processing equipment, said peripheral equipment being further capable of collecting and transmitting event-related and environmental data, one or more checkpoint systems capable of receiving, processing into a standardized protocol, and further relaying the data received from said peripheral equipment, and of providing said one or more guards with information based on the data, and one or more stations capable of logging, processing, and reporting the data relayed from said one or more checkpoint systems to provide a security system status and to facilitate human supervision, situation analysis, decision making, and intervention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Richman Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence Richman, Anca Vacaru, Olga A. Zatusevschi
  • Publication number: 20120109342
    Abstract: A user interface operable to connect to a device within an industrial control system includes a memory and a processing unit. The memory is operable to store a plurality of software applications for interfacing with the device and a configuration mask including access rights for at least a subset of the software applications. The processing unit is operable to establish a first connection with the device and disable selected software applications based on the configuration mask.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventors: Scott D. Braun, Christine E. Weingarth, Elena N. Pokatayev
  • Publication number: 20120109343
    Abstract: An automation controller that includes a central processing unit configured to communicate via an input/output module with automation devices of a process controlled by the automation controller. The automation controller also includes a retention feature configured to toollessly couple with a detachable display and memory module. Further, the automation controller includes a controller connector configured to communicatively couple with a display connector of the detachable display and memory module such that the automation controller and the detachable display and memory module are communicatively coupled, wherein the central processing unit is configured to transmit data for presentation on a display of the detachable display and memory module and configured to receive data from a memory and/or a data entry feature of the detachable display and memory module when the detachable display and memory module is communicatively coupled to the automation controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Rajesh Ramesh Shah
  • Patent number: 8170720
    Abstract: Controllers and methods are disclosed for aiding a user in programming a schedule of a programmable controller. In an illustrative embodiment, a guided programming routine can be activated by a user, which then guides a user through two or more screens that are designed to collect sufficient information from the user to generate and/or update at least some of the schedule parameters of the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: John B. Amundson, Heidi J. Finch, Brent D. Vick
  • Patent number: 8166335
    Abstract: A specific-equipment management system is equipped with a question generator, a display unit and an input unit and manages a water heater. The water heater is equipment that requires human operation in the vicinity when used. The question generator generates question information. The question information is information regarding a question for specifying a specific-error. The “specific-error” is an error regarding the water heater and includes an error regarding the human operation. The display unit displays the question information. Response information is then inputted to the input unit by the user based on the question information displayed at the display unit. The response information is information regarding the state of the water heater or the state of the human operation. The question generator generates next question information based on the response information. The display unit then displays the next question information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuhei Kawamura, Masaya Nishimura, Ryozo Inada
  • Publication number: 20120095575
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for controlling industrial equipment in the performance of various industrial activities based on the detected body movement of a user in an industrial automation environment. The method includes employing a time-of-flight sensor to detect movement of a body part of the user, ascertaining whether or not the movement of the body part conforms to a recognized movement of the body part, interpreting the recognized movement of the body part as a performable action, and thereafter actuating industrial machinery to perform the performable action.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicants: Cedes Safety & Automation AG, Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl Meinherz, Craig Martin Brockman, Elik I. Fooks, Manfred Norbert Stein, Martin Hardegger, Wei Jie Chen, Reto Berner, Richard Galera, Robert M. Black, Roger Merz, Suresh Nair, Steven A. Eisenbrown
  • Patent number: 8160726
    Abstract: There are provided systems and methods for reading identification information and storing identification information in a medical device. More specifically, in one embodiment, there is provided a method for accessing a medical device, the method including reading identification information from an identification tag and storing identification information in the medical device as patient information of a patient identification system. Medical devices having a reader and patient identification system are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Nellcor Puritan Bennett LLC
    Inventors: Doug Music, Darius D. Eghbal, Steve Vargas
  • Patent number: 8156232
    Abstract: An industrial automation device comprises a reception component that receives a request for data resident within the industrial automation device. An encoding component communicatively coupled to the reception component that receives a binary bit stream associated with the request and encodes a payload of the bit stream as XML data, the encoding component further communicates the encoded payload by way of an industrial automation protocol. Furthermore, the industrial automation device can include a compression component that compresses the XML data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Callaghan, Scot A. Tutkovics
  • Patent number: 8155781
    Abstract: In order to improve movement control in an automation system for movement control, profiles for movement control are freely defined via functions. Polynomial interpolations or spline interpolations are used for the defined functions, the interpolations being of a higher degree. The profile for movement control has a command variable and a secondary variable, at least one of which is time-based or position-related.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Johannes Birzer, Tino Heber, Raimund Kram
  • Patent number: 8155767
    Abstract: A method includes receiving at a first computer at least one interpreted program over the Internet using a web-browser. The method further includes executing at the first computer at least one interpreted software program to display at least a first graphical element, each graphical element having characteristics dependent upon a status of a corresponding building control system device in a remote location. The method also includes transmitting to the first computer first information regarding a change in status of at least one building control system device, and then transmitting to the first computer second information regarding a subsequent change in status of at least one building control system device. The transmission of second information is provided in the absence of a request transmitted by the first computer for updated information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventors: Emad ElMankabady, Karen Lontka
  • Patent number: 8155768
    Abstract: A projector that projects images includes a projection display module by which the projector projects the images, a network interface by which the projector can communicate with a network, and a web server module coupled to the network interface and to the projection display module. The web server module, in response to a request to provide a working status of the projection display module received through the network interface from a client over the network, sends working status information representing the working status through the network interface to the client over the network. The web server module also, in response to control information received through the network interface from the client over the network in response to the sent working status information, controls the working status by sending a control signal to the projection display module based on the control information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Shoichi Akaiwa, Tomohiro Nomizo, Miki Nagano, Masaru Kono
  • Patent number: 8155761
    Abstract: Methods and systems for integrating external and/or enterprise data into a process control system are disclosed. A user interface may be provided to enable browsing and selection of a data item from an external and/or enterprise data source. The selected data item may be associated with a process control entity. At run time, independent of a configuration of the process control entity, an external data integration server or instance of an external data integration service at a process control computing device may periodically communicate with the data source to obtain an updated current value and updated current status for the selected data item for use by the process control entity. The external data integration server and/or external data integration service may consolidate access of external/enterprise data across process control entities, optimize communications with various data sources, and maintain a status of communication with each various data source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Felts, Mark J. Nixon, Neil J. Peterson, Cindy A. Scott, Terrence L. Blevins, Trevor D. Schleiss
  • Publication number: 20120083906
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided that dynamically render permissive status information on a human-machine interface (HMI) to inform an operator of conditions that are preventing an issued control command from executing. A status display generator deployed on the HMI can be associated with a control action to be initiated in a control program via the HMI. The control action can have one or more programmed conditions or permissives that must be satisfied before the control action can be initiated. Operators wishing to review the states of the various conditions can invoke the status display generator, which reads the conditions and their respective statuses from the control program and generates a permissive summary display listing the conditions together with their respective “ready” or “not ready” states.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: ROCKWELL AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Norman A. Weatherhead, Mark K. Matheson, Hui Xu
  • Patent number: 8150462
    Abstract: Field devices for measuring a pressure or a fill level are connected, by way of a cable connection or a radio connection, to stationary evaluation- and display devices. To provide flexible parameterization or flexible measured-value inquiry, a connection box for the wireless transmission of signals between the field device and the control device is stated, which connection box comprises an interface connection and a radio interface. For the purpose of transmitting the signals, the interface connection and the radio interface are coupled to each other so as to be able to communicate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: VEGA Grieshaber KG
    Inventors: Klaus Guenter, Thomas Deck, Josef Fehrenbach
  • Publication number: 20120065749
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a signal indicating a detection of a detected event at an origination device. The signal is automatically received based on the detection by the origination device. A rule associated with the event is determined where the rule defines contextual information to determine for the event. The contextual information defined by the rule is then determined. The method then analyzes a context for devices in a set of devices to determine a group of devices in the set of devices based on the contextual information. Each device in the set of devices is classified with a context. The group of devices is sent to a destination device for automatic display of the group of devices to allow control of the group of devices from the destination device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: Motorola Mobility, Inc.
    Inventor: Jim Hunter
  • Patent number: 8136039
    Abstract: An appliance includes one or more control boards having control software to control a cycle of operation, access to memory, a graphical user interface in communication with the control boards for allowing a user to observe and interact with the appliance regarding the cycle of operation, and a software framework in communication with the graphical user interface and the memory access. The software framework has animation definitions and access to builder content containing instance information with which it can create at least one instance of a user interface control and can associate one or more animation definitions with memory information associated with at least two locations in the memory. With this structure, the software framework dynamically renders animation in the graphical user interface at runtime using the animation definitions, and the rendering of the graphical user interface is dynamically affected by association of the animation definitions and the memory information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew P. Ebrom, Mark E. Glotzbach, Richard A. McCoy, Brian N. Radford
  • Patent number: 8132720
    Abstract: A financial management system includes a client terminal having a financial management application and a graphical user interface. The graphical user interface is configured to display transaction data, enable user modification of the transaction data, and transmit modified transaction data to the financial management application. The financial management system additionally includes a commercial web server capable of conducting online financial transactions. The financial management application receives transaction data regarding an online financial transaction upon completion of the financial transaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Inventor: Elizabeth R. Dyor
  • Patent number: 8136046
    Abstract: A display system for an appliance incorporates an electronic interface screen, such as an LCD touch screen, through which a wide range of information concerning operational, diagnostic and other data concerning the appliance can be displayed. The screen is divided into a number of panels for displaying different sets of information. Selecting one of the panels results in the panel becoming enlarged so as to fill the entire LCD screen while, at the same time, displaying an additional layer of detailed information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: John F. Broker, Douglas W. Gardner, Alan V. Neubauer, Brian L. Ness, Kim L. Wright
  • Patent number: 8132127
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and methodology providing adaptive user interface capabilities in an industrial control environment. A user interface is provided that can operate across various software and/or hardware platforms. The platforms can be adapted with smart devices and/or wearable devices to facilitate access to a control system and can be adapted as a remote web service and/or adapted to interact with the service. The user interface can be tuned or adjusted in accordance with device capabilities operating the interface and can be adjusted or modified according to various operator or administrative preferences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John Joseph Baier, Douglas R. Wylie, David A. Vasko, David Michael Callaghan