Editing/modifying Patents (Class 700/87)
  • Patent number: 7577492
    Abstract: A machining unit corresponding to a cursor position in an editor section and in a synthetic model of a product model and a work model displayed in a model display section is highlight-displayed, and at the time of editing a created NC creation program, it is clearly determined to which machining unit on the model the cursor position in the editor section corresponds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Kamiya, Hiroshi Katano, Kenji Iriguchi, Susumu Matsubara
  • Publication number: 20090204240
    Abstract: A CNC controller for a machine tool has a read/write device for use with an interchangeable memory unit for storing and loading machine data, it being possible to act on the read/write device using an interchangeable memory unit, and the CNC controller being set up to transfer machine data to an interchangeable memory unit which is connected to the read/write device, or from an interchangeable memory unit which is connected to the read/write device, and a method provides transferring data between a CNC controller for a machine tool and an interchangeable memory unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2009
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Inventor: Abderrahim Ait Yacine
  • Publication number: 20090192651
    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: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: John B. Amundson, Heidi J. Finch, Brent D. Vick
  • Patent number: 7561930
    Abstract: Dynamic modifier function blocks for use in a process control system are disclosed. In accordance with one aspect, an example function block is stored on a machine readable medium for use in a process control system. The example function block includes a base function block that causes a machine to perform an algorithm associated with the process control system and at least one attribute located within the base function block that causes the machine to delete or instantiate at least one dynamic modifier function block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Marina Sokolova, Marty James Lewis, Larry Oscar Jundt
  • Patent number: 7548789
    Abstract: An editor in an industrial automation environment comprises an input component that receives modification data relating to at least one of lifecycle and deployment of an object, the object is associated with a programmable logic controller and configured in accordance with a hierarchically structured data model. An implementation component can implement the modification data with respect to the object. The editor can further comprise a security component that determines that an entity providing the data to the input component is authorized to implement the modification data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    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: 7543276
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method for testing and/or debugging runtime systems, particularly runtime systems used for solving MES (manufacturing execution system) problems. According to the invention, a user uses an editor to link graphic elements to an activity diagram that can be visually depicted on a display device. Communication relationships can be established between the activity diagrams by using appropriate means. In addition, the operation of an asynchronously cooperating state machine is described by an activity diagram.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Gotthard Pfander, Elmar Thurnet
  • Publication number: 20090125130
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for configuring process, environmental, industrial and other control systems generate and/or utilize models representing configurations of control systems and/or the systems controlled by them. Records of changes to the models or the configurations represented by them are maintained, thereby, for example, providing bases for determining current states, prior states and histories of changes. Objects in the model have characteristics, such as an object type characteristic and an area characteristic. Users can have corresponding permissions. A security mechanism apparatus controls access by users to the objects. Composite objects are defined by definition objects and are displayed in encapsulated or expanded formats. Objects can include an edit control type identifier that determines how they are presented for editing. Functionality responds to user commands by transferring characteristics of a first object depicted by the graphical user interface to a second object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: INVENSYS SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Keith Eldridge, Paul Meskonis, Robert Hall, Kenneth A. Burke, Scott Volk, Mark Johnson, Brian MacKay, Steven Dardinski
  • Publication number: 20090125131
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for configuring process, environmental, industrial and other control systems generate and/or utilize models representing configurations of control systems and/or the systems controlled by them. Records of changes to the models or the configurations represented by them are maintained, thereby, for example, providing bases for determining current states, prior states and histories of changes. Objects in the model have characteristics, such as an object type characteristic and an area characteristic. Users can have corresponding permissions. A security mechanism apparatus controls access by users to the objects. Composite objects are defined by definition objects and are displayed in encapsulated or expanded formats. Objects can include an edit control type identifier that determines how they are presented for editing. Functionality responds to user commands by transferring characteristics of a first object depicted by the graphical user interface to a second object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: INVENSYS SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Keith Eldridge, Paul Meskonis, Robert Hall, Kenneth A. Burke, Scott Volk, Mark Johnson, Brian Mackay, Steven Dardinski
  • Patent number: 7516265
    Abstract: A system for providing an application with a plurality of methods for accessing memory of a programmable logic controller includes an application, an interface for establishing communication between the application and a programmable logic controller, and a shared memory area initiated by the application or the programmable logic controller. The shared memory area includes an input memory and an output memory. The application is enabled by the interface to write to the input memory and to read from the output memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: David Martin, C. Eric Gibson
  • Patent number: 7512322
    Abstract: A recording medium, method, and apparatus for reproducing text subtitle streams are disclosed. A microcomputer initially reads a set of PlayItems and a SubPlayItem included in a PlayList which is recorded on a recording medium, and it further reads synchronization information included in the SubPlayItem. Each PlayItem is configured to reproduce at least one main AV stream, and the SubPlayItem is configured to reproduce a text subtitle stream. The synchronization information indicates a presentation start time of the SubPlayItem on a global time axis of the PlayList. When the PlayList is randomly accessed at a random access time on the global time axis, the microcomputer calculates a corresponding access time on a time axis of the SubPlayItem. Then a text subtitle decoder decodes for presentation a dialog presentation segment with the closest dialog start time after the corresponding access time on the axis of the SubPlayItem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Kang Soo Seo, Byung Jin Kim, Jea Yong Yoo
  • Publication number: 20090043408
    Abstract: A programming tool provides an interface between an industrial controller and a motor drive that allows the logic development tool used to program the industrial controller to be used to configure the motor drive and its supported components directly. This allows a programmer to configure the topology for the motor drive and provide configuration data that can be verified directly from within the controller programming software rather than requiring separate programming and diagnostic tools.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2007
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Inventor: Michael R. Keller
  • Patent number: 7487316
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and methodology to mitigate memory current requirements in an industrial controller and to facilitate efficient on-line editing, storage and retrieval of user programs and data. A segmented memory architecture is provided, wherein a first memory segment is loaded with programmed instructions and other data that is relatively static in nature. A second memory segment is provided for storage of dynamic information such as controller data table variables that change frequently and/or rapidly during program execution of the controller. An execution memory is concurrently loaded with the user program to facilitate high performance program execution and to enable on-line edits of the user program during operation of the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenwood Henry Hall, Ronald E. Schultz, Charles M. Rischar
  • Patent number: 7483757
    Abstract: A migration system for distributed control system migration uses a parser that parses system configuration information for a source control system into an intermediate language. A block equivalence module then finds destination system control blocks that are equivalent to source system control blocks and builds logical control loops using the destination system control blocks. In one embodiment, some source system control block may be migrated to two destination system control blocks. Selected source system control blocks may have integrated alarms. Such control blocks may be migrated to control blocks with separate alarms blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventors: Ravindra Kishore, Mahesh K. Joshi
  • Patent number: 7480709
    Abstract: An automation device interactive user interface and method of using the interface is provided herein. The interface is network based in that it employs a browser enhanced by an interactive program embedded therein and an execution engine to execute the program. The interface can be proximate to an associated automated device(s) or remotely connected thereto using a local area network (LAN) and/or a wide area network (WAN) such as the Internet. To facilitate ease of use, the embedded interactive program presents information in an appealing multimedia fashion such that interface appears live and changing. Furthermore, data associated with automation devices can be monitored, extracted, transmitted or otherwise manipulated in real time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: David M. Callaghan
  • Publication number: 20090007000
    Abstract: A sequence program editing apparatus that automatically performs editing of function block instances in a sequence program when a definition of a function block is modified. When a function block definition defining the number of parameters or attributes of parameters is modified, the sequence program is searched to find a function block instance using the function block of which definition is modified. The found function block instance is altered so that the number of parameters or attributes of parameters conform with the modified definition of the function block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: FANUC LTD
    Inventors: Satoshi HASEGAWA, Mitsuru Mochizuki, Junichi Yamaki
  • Publication number: 20090005883
    Abstract: A system and method for providing device independent control and modification is provided, where the system contains a supervisory controller and a first level controller in communication with the supervisory controller. The first level controller contains software therein, wherein the software is the intersection of program code and objects, and wherein objects of the software include at least one device object summarizing properties of the first level controller and limits of the first level controller, and at least one logical element object defining functionality to be performed by the first level controller. Functionality of the first level controller can be changed by changing values of the objects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: Teletrol Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew H. McMillan, Kurt Kavanaugh, Paul Smola
  • Patent number: 7460918
    Abstract: A device may be configured for updating the programming of a control system of an electric rotary machine, the device having no screen. The device may include an electrical or optical connector element for connection to the control system, enabling data to be transferred between the device and the control system and a memory for containing data to be transferred into the control system and/or for loading data from the control system. The device may include a control member, with data being exchanged between the device and the control system in response to an action exerted manually on the control member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Moteurs Leroy-Somer
    Inventors: Regis Giraud, Thierry Crespo, Jean-Marc Petillon
  • Patent number: 7444259
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a parser, a semantic checker, a data manager and an equation processor. The parser receives a first equation for manipulating data acquired by an instrument and detects an operand in the first equation, the instrument having a set of data acquisition capabilities. The semantic checker recognizes that the first operand refers to first data that can be acquired by the instrument using a first capability from the set of data acquisition capabilities. The data manager configures the instrument automatically to acquire the first data using the first capability after recognizing that the first operand corresponds to the first data. The equation processor computes a result of the first equation using the acquired first data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald W. Stark
  • Patent number: 7435581
    Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically controlling conditions of a process are disclosed. In one example, a controller is programmed with a sequence of steps and parameters required to carry out a bioreactor process. The controller receives information related to a condition of the process over a first communication network, determines a control signal based on the received information and the programmed process, and sends the control signal over a second communication network to a benchtop utility tower. In one example, the utility tower can include transmitters for temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen that send information related to a condition of the process to the controller over the first communication network, and an agitation system, a gas control system, a temperature control system and a pump control system that perform a control action based on the control signal affecting the process condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Broadley-James Corporation
    Inventor: Larry Eugene West
  • Publication number: 20080231503
    Abstract: A computer system for compressing synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images includes a database for storing SAR images to be compressed, and a processor for compressing a SAR image from the database. The compressing includes applying an anisotropic diffusion algorithm to the SAR image, and compressing the SAR image after applying the anisotropic diffusion algorithm thereto. Applying the anisotropic diffusion algorithm includes determining noise in the SAR, selecting a noise threshold for the SAR image based on the determined noise, and mathematically adjusting the anisotropic diffusion algorithm based on the selected noise threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: Josef Allen, Emile Ganthier, Mark Rahmes, Matthew Winter
  • Patent number: 7428474
    Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) includes a micro control unit (MCU), a one-time programmable (OTP) memory directly connected with the MCU, an electrical charge pump having an output port and an enable port connected to the MCU, and a switching circuit having a control port connected to the MCU, a first input port connected to the output port of the electrical charge pump, a second input port connected to a power source of the MCU, and an output port connected to the OTP memory to provide an operating voltage and a recording voltage for the OTP memory. Because the OTP memory can choose the operating voltage or the recording voltage, a measuring apparatus using this IC doesn't need an external power source to provide a VDD voltage being 5.8 volts. Therefore, a power consuming of the IC can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: Fortune Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Po-Yin Chao, Kuo-Yuan Yuan, Hsiang-Min Lin
  • Patent number: 7409251
    Abstract: The invention describes a method and an arrangement for writing to NV memories in a controller architecture, together with a corresponding computer program product and a corresponding computer-readable storage medium, which may be used in particular to speed up writing or programming processes in NV code memories of microcontrollers, such as for example smart card controllers. The method consists in extending the instruction set of the controller by so-called MOVCWR (move code write) instructions, which make it possible to write a defined data word (byte) to a defined destination address within an NV code memory. The data word (byte) is here written to the correct position of the cache page register of the respective NV memory and the page address pointer register of the memory is updated with the associated page address. If an MMU (memory management unit) is present, this MOVCWR writing to the cache page register takes place, like MOVC reading or code fetch, under the control of this MMU.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Inventors: Wolfgang Buhr, Detlef Mueller
  • Publication number: 20080177401
    Abstract: A method for operation of an automation system is specified, with programming elements for integration into a control program provided for the control and/or monitoring of a technical process being transferred or being able to be transferred from a programming device included at least part of the time in the automation system to at least one automation device included in the automation system, with a program element being assigned a first state which identifies this element as available for the control program or a second state which identifies the program element as integrated into the control program, in which there is provision for each program element to be assigned or be able to be assigned at least one further state, so that this state, especially for program modifications, when program elements have been deleted for example, enables the option of testing (debugging) the control program at any time to be maintained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2008
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Inventor: Rudolf Pohlan
  • Publication number: 20080140230
    Abstract: A system that facilitates generation of code from a HMI representation of objects in an industrial automation environment. A component analyzes the HMI representation of objects, and a code generation component generates code based at least upon the analyzed HMI object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2008
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: ROCKWELL AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Clifton Harold Bromley
  • Publication number: 20080106893
    Abstract: An Edison-style light bulb (40) which supports a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) (50) and an illumination source (54). First and second electrical circuits (56) and (58) are mounted in the bulb to supply electrical power to the illumination source and to the LEDs. A switch circuit (60) is connected to control the supply of electrical power to the first and second electrical circuits (56) and (58) to adjust and coordinate the light output from the LEDs (50) and from the illumination source (54).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2007
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Applicant: S. C. JOHNSON & SON, INC.
    Inventors: H. Fisk Johnson, Jose Porchia, Barry T. Calpino, Jeffrey J. Wolf
  • Patent number: 7369917
    Abstract: System and method for utilizing a drawing specification for motion control. A plurality of elements in a drawing specification may be automatically identified. The elements may include one or more lines, polygons, arcs, splines, alphanumeric characters, and/or ellipses. Additionally, the drawing specification may be a drawing or digital drafting file, e.g., an AutoCAD file, among others. An order of the plurality of elements may be automatically determined according to a sorting algorithm. The sorting algorithm may include a geometric and/or radial sorting algorithm. The radial sorting algorithm may specify the order of the elements according to nesting, e.g., nesting order and depth, and/or distance from the center of the drawing specification. Code may be automatically generated for implementing motion control based on the identified elements and the determined order. The generated code may include inserted operations such as raise, lower, and move operations, among others.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: National Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Sushrutha Ravish, Praveen Shivananda, Sundeep Chandhoke, Mahesh Ramchandani
  • Publication number: 20080097716
    Abstract: An instrument having a set of data acquisition capabilities recognizes an operand in an equation as a data reference when the operand refers to data which the instrument is capable of acquiring. The instrument automatically configures itself to acquire the data to which the operand refers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Inventor: Donald W. Stark
  • Patent number: 7343209
    Abstract: Managing attribute information to provide output for other applications (e.g., applications for generating manufacturing instructions) may involve identifying attribute information associated with instances of a selected item type (e.g., parts fasteners). For example, in the case of fasteners, each of the instances of the selected item type is associated with a common part or product. The instances of the selected item type may then be sorted into initial groups based on grouping criteria such as part ID number, etc. Proximity rules may then be applied to the sorted instances. Applying proximity rules to the sorted instances may include grouping the instances into groups depending on whether or not have common relationships with other items. For example, in the case of fasteners, the proximity rules may involve determining whether each fastener passes through the same set of solids and/or shares common attributes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Joseph Anelle
  • Publication number: 20080058969
    Abstract: A method and system of editing a graphical programming language object for designing a process control entity within an off-line database. The method and system enables a user to select one or more programming language object fragments from a library of programming language object fragments, and displays the selected programming language object fragments within a graphical programming language object phase display. The programming language object fragrance are programming logic routine story process control entity, such as steps, transitions and actions. Using the selected programming language object fragments, the user is enabled to configure a graphical programming language object for a process control entity within a graphical programming language object or phase display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2006
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Applicant: FISHER-ROSEMOUNT SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Mark J. Nixon, Ling Zhou, Brian Crandall, Larry O. Jundt
  • Patent number: 7324856
    Abstract: A system that facilitates generation of code from a HMI representation of objects in an industrial automation environment. A component analyzes the HMI representation of objects, and a code generation component generates code based at least upon the analyzed HMI object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Clifton Harold Bromley
  • Patent number: 7317959
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system and a method for modelling and executing business processes in MES systems (manufacturing execution systems) or manufacturing control systems by means of a plurality of independently operating processes which are modelled by automatic state or execution machines and interconnected asynchronous connections. Said processes can be independently distributed to a plurality of computers (deployment) and communicate with each other in an asynchronous manner. The modelling of said automatic execution machines is carried out by means of activity and data flow diagrams according to UML representation. An advantage of the inventive system or method is that said processes can be immediately executed and tested. External software systems can be integrated by means of wrappers or adapters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Gotthard Pfander, Elmar Thurner
  • Publication number: 20070270985
    Abstract: A method of displaying (100, 200) items from a collection (1200) of items including a first item (204) is provided. The method determines (400) a first sort order (901) of the collection, and at least one alternate sort order (902) of the collection. At least items adjacent to the first item in the first sort order, and in the alternate sort order, are then compared (505). The method then displays a portion (103-107,208,209) of the items associated with the first item in each of the first sort order (103-107) and in the alternate sort order (208,209) based on the comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Publication date: November 22, 2007
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Andrew John SHELLSHEAR
  • Patent number: 7299110
    Abstract: Systems and methods are presented that enable logical reasoning even in the presence of noisy (inconsistent) data. The knowledge base is processed in order to make it consistent and is also compiled. This processing includes checking and correcting spelling, removing stopwords, performing, grouping words of similar and related meaning, and compacting the knowledge base. A robot can use the processed knowledge base to perform many different types of tasks, such as answering a query, determining a course of action that is designed to achieve a particular goal, and determining its own location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Rakesh Gupta, Mykel J. Kochenderfer
  • Patent number: 7286886
    Abstract: The invention relates to a safety controller and to a method for loading a new operating program onto such a safety controller. The safety controller has an input module for automatically reading process signals, a failsafe signal processing module for automatically processing the process signals, and a failsafe output module which produces control signals as a function of the signal processing module. The signal processing module comprises at least one programmable processor and at least one read only memory. A current operating program for the processor is stored in a non-volatile form in the read only memory. A download device for transferring a new operating program is provided in the safety controller, with the download device enabling or inhibiting the transfer of a new operating program in a failsafe manner as a function of enabling information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Pilz GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Johannes Klopfer, Klaus Wohnhaas
  • Patent number: 7272458
    Abstract: A control system with a plurality of devices connected through a network may be started up by connecting a control system setting device including a computer accessible to profile data which describe characteristics of these devices and to program parts for programs executed by these devices. The profile data are prepared individually for the devices, and at least some of them include program part data that specify program parts for at least some of the devices. A memory device stores a control system setting program for creating programs executable by at least some of the devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuaki Tomita
  • Publication number: 20070208440
    Abstract: The claimed subject matter provides a system and/or method for employment in an industrial automation environment that facilitates utilizing data within a programmable logic controller. An interface component can facilitate receipt of a portion of data related to a programmable logic controller. An access component integrated within a programmable logic controller (PLC) and communicatively coupled to the interface component can employ programmatic access to the name and respective data space during runtime.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Applicant: ROCKWELL AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Ronald E. Bliss, Jeffery W. Brooks
  • Patent number: 7249356
    Abstract: A batch event historian gathers, stores and presents data regarding a batch process where relationships among the various elements of data are automatically derived by an executive program. A persistent store includes structure corresponding to the relationships defined among procedural elements and equipment in accordance with batch processing industry S88.01 standards. The executive program gathers event information generated by the batch process and derives the relationships among the events in accordance with these industry standard models. Storage and corresponding retrieval and presentation of such historical data is thereby simplified for a user because the user need not manually configure the historian programs to derive the relationships. Association of any continuous data log with event information is automated thereby obviating the need for manual configuration by a user to establish such associations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Grant Wilson, David L. Dietz, Marc Webb, Roy Faltesek, Muwaffa Lahham, John Yiu-Chung Wong, Jake Phong Doan, Robert B. Havekost
  • Patent number: 7233831
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is directed to a control system. The control system may be adapted to control one or more lighting systems (e.g. stand-alone or networked lighting systems). The control system may also have a user interface (e.g. dial or button) such that a user can make a program selection and/or alter a lighting control feature. The control system may also include an enablement system. In an embodiment, the enablement system may be arranged to provide a user and/or installer with the ability to enable a program, program setting or the like. For example, the control system may be programmed with three lighting control programs and the user may only want to select from two of the three programs once the control system is installed. The user may make a selection on the enablement system such that only the two desired programs are available from through the user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Color Kinetics Incorporated
    Inventor: Michael K. Blackwell
  • Patent number: 7221984
    Abstract: An automation system for programming appliances having programmable controllers, programmable devices and trigger devices that communicate over a communication link. The user programs the programmable devices by placing the programmable controller in its training mode, activating the trigger device to generate a trigger signed and places select programmable devices in their programmed state. After all of the desired programmable devices have been put in then programmed states, the user takes the programmable controller out of its training mode. When the programmable controller is out of its training mode, it monitors the communication link for the trigger event. Upon detecting the trigger event, the programmable controller sends messages to the selected programmable devices instructing them to go to their programmed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Ameritech Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Raymond W. Bennett
  • Patent number: 7216514
    Abstract: The invention provides a cloth washer, a dish washer-dryer and a control system associated therewith, which facilitate establishing of a special operating program. The cloth washer comprises selector means for selecting one of a plurality of basic operating programs, which are individually preprogrammed with specifications of washing operation, rinsing operation and spin-dry operation, special operating program setting means for establishing a special operating program by correcting at least one of the specifications of the washing operation, the rinsing operation and the spin-dry operation preprogrammed for the one selected by the selector means among the plurality of basic operating programs, and control means for controlling the washing operation, the rinsing operation and the spin-dry operation according to the special operating program set by the special operating program setting means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Sakita, Shoichi Matsui
  • Patent number: 7209794
    Abstract: A controller with attachments for controlling specific electronic circuits is disclosed. Each attachment has a connector connectable to the electronic circuit to be controlled, and a memory accessible by the controller that contains configuration data for accessing the electronic circuit, and operational software for operating the electronic circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles M. Duppong
  • Patent number: 7197365
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to realize an in-home network system that is capable of smoothly controlling an appliance even when a new kind of appliance that has not been obtained conventionally is connected to an in-home network or even when an unusual, special use form is set in a network. A controller of the present invention compares a device type of an appliance connected to an in-home network with a skeleton stored in a skeleton DB. When a skeleton rule in accordance with the appliance type is not stored in the skeleton DB, a request for acquisition of the skeleton rule of the appliance is transmitted to a service agent. In addition, when the location of an appliance is moved, the controller sends a request for transmission of a new rule format to be added due to the movement to the service agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Hori, Kazuya Ogawa, Etsuko Sugimoto, Hiroshi Takemura, Yoshinori Hatayama
  • Patent number: 7167762
    Abstract: An apparatus, system and process is provided for communicating safety-related data, over an open system, from a sender to a receiver. Safety-related components, including function blocks, flexible function blocks, resource blocks and transducer blocks, as well as, safety-related objects are provided. Also, an extended safety-related protocol provides for authenticating communications between safety-related components over an existing black channel, such as one using a fieldbus Architecture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Fieldbus Foundation
    Inventors: David A. Glanzer, Joseph D. Duffy, Stephen B. Mitschke, John Carl Gabler, L Jonas F. Berge, Ram Ramachandran
  • Patent number: 7165226
    Abstract: Multiple Views of an Industrial Plant are graphically displayed and viewed. A graphical user interface displays the views in corresponding panes or windows of the graphical user interface. The views, being graphical representations of systems of the Industrial Plant, are coupled by a coupler according to a predetermined relationship between the underlying systems of the Industrial Plant represented by the coupled views. The coupler automatically refocuses the panes to display different views of the Industrial Plant based on a selection of an object in any of the panes or on a manual refocus of one view and on the predetermined relationship for coupling the views. The Coupled views represent different domains of the Industrial Plant or Industrial Network e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Elmar Thurner, Stefan Doblmayr
  • Patent number: 7155298
    Abstract: In a device and a method for generating and/or editing NC programs, where in a programming mode, input fields for machining data and selection lists belonging to the input fields and including permissible machining data are displayed on a display unit. In a configuration mode, the contents of a selection list for an input field is configured via an assigned configuration datum, the configuration datum including at least one executable selection instruction. In the programming mode, the selection instruction is executed such that the result is the selection list is filled with the selected data, and the configured selection list is displayed on the display unit, in that, via the selection instruction, a selective access is made to at least one database having available machining data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Dr. Johannes Heidenhain GmbH
    Inventor: Christian Rutkowski
  • Patent number: 7146229
    Abstract: A built-in analyzer controller including: a device controlling circuit for controlling the hardware of an analyzer; a network interface circuit for connecting the analyzer to a network; and built-in programs including a server program for performing a communication through the network interface using a predetermined communication protocol between the analyzer and an external terminal. The server program performs the processes of: sending information of the operating status of the analyzer to the external terminal on receiving a request for the same from the external terminal; and setting a control parameter of the analyzer using the device controlling circuit on receiving a request for setting the control parameter from the external terminal. Using the analyzer controller, the user can monitor and control an analyzer or analyzers connected to a LAN from a remote place, without requiring special programs, and at low cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventors: Naoki Osaka, Tsuyoshi Morikawa, Nobuyuki Tatsumi
  • Patent number: 7139843
    Abstract: A control software system for generating and distributing motion media for operating a target motion device. The control software system generates the motion media based on a motion program generated at a content server. The control software system distributes the motion media to a client browser associated with the target motion device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Roy-G-Biv Corporation
    Inventors: David W. Brown, Jay S. Clark
  • Patent number: 7139617
    Abstract: The systems and methods described herein relate in part to intuitive methods for creation and design of lighting sequences, e.g., for theatrical, entertainment, or advertising purposes, using a software interface. Additionally, the lighting sequences can be coordinated with control of additional devices. Also described herein is a controller capable of executing programs for lighting sequences and modifying the output and/or execution of the program based on external signals. In this way, the final output can be made responsive to external stimuli, or even interactive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Color Kinetics Incorporated
    Inventors: Frederick M. Morgan, Michael K. Blackwell, Kevin J. Dowling, Ihor A. Lys
  • Patent number: 7137071
    Abstract: A system and method for enabling a graphical programming development environment to provide suggested graphical programming operations, such as suggested nodes or icons to include in a graphical program. User input specifying one or more nodes to include in the graphical program may be received. The one or more specified nodes may then be included in the graphical program. One or more suggested nodes to include in the graphical program may be then be automatically displayed or otherwise suggested to the user. The one or more suggested nodes may be based on the nodes already included in the graphical program. In various embodiments, the one or more suggested nodes may be displayed or otherwise suggested in various ways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: National Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: David Fuller, Sundeep Chandhoke, Nicolas Vazquez, Christopher Cifra
  • Patent number: RE39716
    Abstract: A system and method for creating a controlling device. In response to a user specifying one or more operating criteria for the controlling device, the system selects executable instructions from a library of executable instructions and command code sets from a library of command code sets that are to be stored in the memory of the controlling device. In addition, the system uses the criteria to suggest command key/command code mappings for use within the controlling device. The user may interact with the system to modify the selected executable instructions, command code sets, and command key/command code mappings. When stored in the memory of the controlling device, the executable instructions are to be used to perform various operations and functions within the controlling device and the command codes are to be transmitted from the controlling device to command the operation of controllable devices in response to activation of one or more of the command keys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Lan-Ping Huang, Kim-Thoa Thi Nguyen, Han-Sheng Yuh, JianJun Cao, My Thien Do