Supervisory Control Patents (Class 700/9)
  • Publication number: 20140371876
    Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein provides methods for controlling loads in an IP network that is divided into one or more zones and/or subzones. In one aspect, there is provided a method that can associate a plurality of controllers with one of a plurality of zones. Each controller can be connected to one or more loads. The method can associate each controller with an address. The address can include a network address and a host identifier. The network address for each controller in a first zone can be the same. The method can transmit over a network a control message to each controller in the first zone. The control message can cause one or more operational parameters of the loads connected to each controller in the first zone to change. Related apparatus, computer program products, systems, techniques, and articles are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventor: Chris A. Isaacson
  • Publication number: 20140371877
    Abstract: An input module for an industrial controller is configurable to simplify setup and commissioning. The input module includes input terminals configurable, for example, as a counter input. Still other input terminals may be configured to trigger events as a function of the input signals present at the terminals. Time signals corresponding to transitions in state of the input terminals, triggering of events, or operation of the counters may be recorded. The input module is further configurable to transmit data back to the processor or to transmit data directly to another module in the industrial control network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Bret S. Hildebran, Eric D. Decker, DuWayne D. Mulhall, Peter M. Delic, Robert J. Kretschmann, Kenwood H. Hall, Harsh Shah, Andreas P. Frischknecht, Scott A. Pierce, Terence S. Tenorio
  • Publication number: 20140371875
    Abstract: The invention proposes a system comprising: a plurality of pieces of equipment, each of them being able to receive a group of participants, each piece of equipment defining a position for a participant and each piece of equipment being provided with a digital processing unit, a central server, network communications means between the central server and the plurality of pieces of equipment, a plurality of participants' terminals capable of network communications with the central server and of interacting with the processing unit of the piece of equipment, means for managing sessions on the piece of equipment, implemented by cooperation between the central server and the processing units of the pieces of equipment via the communications means, and control and identification means implemented by cooperation between the central server, the processing units of the pieces of equipment and the terminals and allowing, on the one hand, the access to sessions on the equipment by a group of participants and their ide
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Applicant: TECBAK
    Inventors: Jerome BOYE, Regis WEILL, Lucas FERNANDEZ, Yvan FREDRIC
  • Patent number: 8909761
    Abstract: Provided are methods and computer program products for monitoring the performance of network applications executing within operating-system-level virtualization containers. Methods may include enumerating operating-system-level virtualization containers on a networked device; creating a named pipe accessible by at least one application running in each operating-system-level virtualization container; retrieving, via the named pipe, performance data gathered by the at least one application, including an identification of each operating-system-level virtualization container; generating metrics based on the retrieved performance data; and generating an event incorporating the metrics, including operating-system-level virtualization container identifiers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: BlueStripe Software, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick A. Reynolds, Glenn T. Nethercutt, John B. Bley, Nathaniel C. Williams
  • Patent number: 8909380
    Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatuses for controlling and managing a plurality of luminaires are disclosed. One method includes sensing, by a sensor of each of the plurality of luminaires, light received by the sensor, communicating, by a device, with the plurality of luminaires by a device through light pulses, commissioning and calibrating, by the device, the plurality of luminaires using the communication, and placing, by the device, at least one of the plurality of luminaires on a floor plan through the communication with light pulses, wherein the at least one of the plurality of luminaires identifies itself over a network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: enLighted, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Golding, Ajit Sanzgiri
  • Patent number: 8897898
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a command generation portion that generates the command signal, and a first monitoring portion that monitors an abnormality relating to actuation of the actuator control apparatus. The actuator control apparatus includes a control portion and a second monitoring portion. The control portion generates a control signal for controlling operation of the actuator in accordance with the above-described command signal. The second monitoring portion monitors an abnormality that relates to actuation of the actuator control apparatus and that is different in type from an abnormality monitored by the first monitoring portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: NABTESCO Corporation
    Inventors: Shingo Nakagawa, Satoru Kojima
  • Patent number: 8892220
    Abstract: A system for controlling a plurality of wearable wireless light-bearing units is disclosed. The light-bearing units may comprise lighting elements coupled to garments such as those used in the performing arts and entertainment. The system comprises a control unit wirelessly communicating with light-bearing units. The light-bearing units comprise a control box coupled to a plurality of lights. Operators can control one or more of the light-bearing units in synchrony with each other and with other audio-visual elements using standard protocols. The device also provides a library of preprogrammed effects and can perform self-diagnostic functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Iluminate LLC
    Inventors: Miral Kotb, Alan Grow
  • Patent number: 8890652
    Abstract: In a method for the access control to an automation unit (01), access rights predetermined by the access control are dependant on the operating state of the automation unit (01), wherein at least during an emergency, expanded access rights in relation to normal operation are granted independently of the access rights during normal operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Rainer Falk, Florian Kohlmayer, Andreas Köpf
  • Publication number: 20140330395
    Abstract: According to various embodiments, an interdependency modeling method for controlling a batch process with an industrial automation system includes evaluating an input parameter expression residing in a level of a supervisory system of the industrial automation system to determine a value, transferring the value of the input parameter expression to a level of an equipment control system of the industrial automation system, transferring data from the level of the equipment control system to the level of the supervisory system, and evaluating an output parameter expression residing in the level of the supervisory system based on the data from the level of the equipment control system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Inventors: Gretchen L. Krehbiel, Paul R. D'Mura, Andrew J. Keizer, Gigi Dewey, Robert C. Kline, William E. Godsil, Clark L. Case
  • Patent number: 8880197
    Abstract: A field device for connection to a fieldbus, wherein the field device is designed to exchange via the fieldbus a data transmission object with a host computer or with an additional field device, wherein the data transmission object has a plurality of freely loadable, transmission berths, and wherein the field device includes a data mapping structure, which establishes an association between variables to be transmitted and transmission berths of the data transmission object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Marco Colucci, Dion Bouwer, Jochen Stinus
  • Patent number: 8880198
    Abstract: A system for automatically monitoring and controlling an infrastructure or process includes a plurality of remote clients installed along various portions of an industrial infrastructure or an infrastructure performing a process. Each of the remote clients collects data. A plurality of server replicas is in communication with the plurality of remote clients. The server replicas receive the collected data from the remote clients and process the received data. The plurality of remote clients and the plurality of server replicas communicate across an electronic network. The plurality of server replicas includes a state machine replication system that is tolerant of a failure of one or more of the server replicas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stuart Goose, Jonathan Kirsch
  • Publication number: 20140316535
    Abstract: An ECU monitoring system includes: an ECU that includes an input interface unit, a computer unit, and an output interface unit; a storage unit that stores a normal input signal and a normal output signal; a comparing unit that calculates a compared difference by comparing the current input signal with a previous input signal stored in the storage unit, and outputs an alarming signal showing the current input signal is abnormal, when the compared difference is out of a predetermined range; and a circulator that receives the output signal, provides the output signal when the output signal is a normal output signal, and provides a normal output signal to the output interface unit, instead of the output signal outputted from the computer in response to the abnormal input signal, when receiving the alarming signal from the comparing unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: Korea Electronics Technology Institute
    Inventors: Chul Dong Lee, Jae Jin Ko, Sang Hyun Park, Hyo Sub Choi
  • Patent number: 8868251
    Abstract: A hot water supply system including a water heater that includes a storage unit storing at least device information of another water heater, and performs hot water supply control by which the water heater cooperates with the other water heater, these water heaters being able to supply hot water according to a hot water supply request; one or a plurality of the other water heater that is connected to the water heater in parallel, and supplies hot water according to the hot water supply control by the water heater; communication connection means that communicably connects the water heater and the other water heater; water supply means that supplies water to the water heater and the other water heater; and hot water supply means that supplies hot water heated by the water heater and the other water heater to a hot water supply destination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Purpose Company Limited
    Inventors: Yasutaka Hatada, Kazuhiko Nakagawa, Katumi Naitoh
  • Publication number: 20140303752
    Abstract: A method and system is provided that includes a setpoint monitor in communication with a controller that operates equipment according to setpoint values, each setpoint value having an associated benchmark value. The setpoint monitor receives setpoint modifications based on communication with the controller, each setpoint modification corresponding to a modification of a setpoint value to a modified value different from the associated benchmark value. A terminal in communication with the setpoint monitor displays the setpoint modifications and receives input to revert a setpoint modification from the modified value back to the associated benchmark value. The setpoint monitor communicates with the controller to revert the setpoint value associated with the setpoint modification from the modified value back to the associated benchmark value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Inventors: E. Todd Clark, James R. Mitchell
  • Publication number: 20140303751
    Abstract: Methods and systems for infrastructure-monitoring control are provided. An example method for providing a visual representation of system events occurring in a system monitored by an infrastructure-monitoring control system includes the infrastructure-monitoring control system providing, in substantially real-time, a visual representation of at least one system event occurring in the system, wherein the visual representation comprises a color-coded visual representation depicting the at least one system event throughout the system. The method further includes the infrastructure-monitoring control system storing the visual representation. Still further, the method includes the infrastructure-monitoring control system then providing the visual representation after a given amount of time since the at least one system event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: ASCO POWER TECHNOLOGIES, L.P.
    Inventors: Mario Ibrahim, Dan Sylvester
  • Publication number: 20140288671
    Abstract: The microprocessor core 414d is dedicated to perform the judgment processing to judge whether or not the sampling cycle has been reached on the basis of the time measured by the timer 411a; and if the microprocessor core 414d judges that the sampling cycle has been reached, the microprocessor cores 414a to 414c store the process data, which are stored in the first storage unit 411b, into the second storage unit 412.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: TOSHIBA MITSUBISHI-ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Akira Nojima
  • Publication number: 20140277592
    Abstract: Different devices or subsystems, including programmable industrial controllers, are connected to a common network. Each connected device has the capability for autonomous or quasi-autonomous action based on a common pool of information accessible on the network. For example, all or a subset of devices connected to the network may periodically broadcast status data over the shared network medium; status data may include the current state of the controller and/or environmental conditions that the controller monitors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Kenneth C. Crater, Thomas N. Schermerhorn
  • Patent number: 8838280
    Abstract: A spa node comprising a spa controller, a power sense adapter configured to compute power being drawn by selected spa components; a spa network adapter, and a home network adapter, each of the three adapters including a wireless transceiver wherein the spa network adapter is configured to receive power data transmitted over a wireless link by the power sense adapter and to further receive status/performance data from the spa controller. The home network adapter is configured to receive power and status data transmitted by the spa network adapter over a wireless link and to convert that data to a form suitable for transmission to an Internet access point. The home network adapter is further linkable over the Internet to a central server, a dealer computer and a spa owner or user computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Watkins Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen S. Macey
  • Patent number: 8831752
    Abstract: The disclosed exemplary embodiments relates to a control system and a control method for identifying corresponding position. The control system includes a plurality of electronic control modules, each electronic control module having a microcontroller electrically coupled to at least one joint, and the joint is configured for connecting to a joint of neighboring electronic control module. The electronic control modules include a main-control-terminal electronic control module, an assembling electronic control module and at least one detecting electronic control module. The main-control-terminal electronic control module is configured for assigning one of the electronic control modules to be the assembling electronic control module, and assigning the rest of the electronic control modules to be the detecting electronic control module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Yung-Ching Huang, Yu-Wei Hung
  • Patent number: 8831784
    Abstract: An automated building monitoring system for monitoring a plurality of apparatuses in a building, includes: a plurality of controllers for controlling the plurality of apparatuses; a controlling platform for providing control-setting information; and a controlling server connected to the controllers and the controlling platform for receiving and storing the control-setting information provided by the controlling platform, and obtaining real-time data of the controllers or real-time data of the apparatuses via the controllers, the controlling server controlling the controllers to control the apparatuses based on the control-setting information and the real-time data of the controllers or the apparatuses. When the controlling platform is abnormal or is abnormally connected to the controlling server, the controlling server continuously monitors the apparatuses in the building based on the stored real-time data of the controllers or the apparatuses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Chunghwa Telecom Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: I-Yu Wang, Ming-Hsien Pan, Chin-Hsuan Chang
  • Patent number: 8812163
    Abstract: A controllable multiple-channel chemical transport bus routes and transports fluids, gasses, aerosols, slurries and the like within a larger system. The system and methods are applicable for use in Lab-on-a-Chip (LoC) technology, and can be useful in the implementation of reconfigurable LoC devices. Routes through the bus are determined by control signals and/or sequences of control signals issued under algorithmic control. Several independent flows may occur simultaneously. Adaptations of Clos, Banyan, and other related multi-stage switching architectures in the flow topology can be supported. Sensors are placed at various locations along bus path segments. Information gathered by the sensors can be used for one or more of controlling measured flows, clearing operations, cleaning operations, and control of the timing flow transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Inventor: Lester F. Ludwig
  • Publication number: 20140228976
    Abstract: A method for user management and a power plant control system for a power plant system are disclosed. The power plant control system has a central server communicatively coupled for managing a plurality of local servers that further manage one or more entities of the power plant system. The central server has user roles. One or more roles are assigned to a user to enable the user to perform one or more tasks defined in the respective user roles on the one or more entities. A list of user roles assigned to the user is provided to a specific local server for enabling the authentication of the user for performing the tasks defined in the user roles on the specific local server.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Inventors: Nagaraja K. S., Henrik Thejl
  • Patent number: 8797178
    Abstract: The claimed subject matter provides systems and/or techniques that facilitate and/or effectuate efficient stream sharing for multi-user sensor data collection. The system includes mechanisms that locate within a query a specification that includes spatial regions over which data is required, based on the spatial regions the mechanism determines which sensors are situated within the region or ascertains which of the sensors in the region is actively streaming data and/or has persisted data in order to fulfill the query, constructs or utilizes a directed acyclic graph to obviate redundancy in a functional requirement included in the specification and imposed by the query, and formulates a result in fulfillment of the query that is delivered to an application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Aman Kansal, Arsalan Tavakoli-Shiraji, Suman Nath, Feng Zhao
  • Publication number: 20140214179
    Abstract: A method of operating an automation system cyclically communicating with a central unit in accordance with a send clock and a predetermined reduction ratio using a first cycle time, wherein the central unit uses a send clock SCC for its communication, and communicates with the automation device taking into account the send clock and a reduction ratio of the automation device, and wherein the send clock for the automation device is divided by the send clock of the central unit, the largest power-of-2 value smaller than the division result is selected and multiplied with the reduction ratio of the automation device resulting in a reduction ratio of the central unit for communicating with the automation device, and the reduction ratio of the automation device is used to step down the send clock of the central unit for cyclically communicating with the automation device using a second cycle time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Inventor: Georg BIEHLER
  • Publication number: 20140214178
    Abstract: This control device is provided for an automation system comprising members to be controlled (42, 43, 44) connected to said control device via various connections of the BUS type (50, 51) by the intermediary of interface circuits (55, 56, 57). This control device depends on a PC and is constituted using a command environment, operating using an interpreted language. It is formed of a development portion in order to determine the management of the various members to be controlled and an operational portion in order to act on said members to be controlled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Inventor: Jean-luc Bettiol
  • Patent number: 8788094
    Abstract: Provided is a cooperative control device capable of advanced cooperative control. The cooperative control device for cooperatively controlling a plurality of control objects is provided with a pair of output control systems, a pair of crossing circuits, and transfer function units. The pair of output control systems is provided for a pair of control objects having respective control circuits. The pair of crossing circuits is provided from a first input side to a second output side and from a second input side to a first output side of the control circuit of the output control systems. The transfer function unit is provided in each pair of crossing circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: BI2-Vision Co.
    Inventor: Xiaolin Zhang
  • Patent number: 8788067
    Abstract: According to various embodiments, an interdependency modeling method for controlling a batch process with an industrial automation system includes evaluating an input parameter expression residing in a level of a supervisory system of the industrial automation system to determine a value, transferring the value of the input parameter expression to a level of an equipment control system of the industrial automation system, transferring data from the level of the equipment control system to the level of the supervisory system, and evaluating an output parameter expression residing in the level of the supervisory system based on the data from the level of the equipment control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gretchen L. Krehbiel, Paul R. D'Mura, Andrew J. Keizer, Gigi Dewey, Robert C. Kline, William E. Godsil, Clark L. Case
  • Patent number: 8788100
    Abstract: The disclosure provides an HVAC data processing and communication network and a method of manufacturing the same. In an embodiment, the HVAC data processing and communication network includes at least one environmental sensor, at least one subnet and a subnet controller. The subnet controller is configured to discover the at least one environmental sensor, the at least one subnet and at least one damper controller. The subnet controller is further configured to set up the network for zoned operation in the event that at least two of the at least one environmental sensor are discovered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Wojciech Grohman, Amanda Filbeck
  • Patent number: 8768531
    Abstract: A centralized-monitoring apparatus, which centralized monitors a device including a storage, a temperature sensor to detect a temperature therein, and a temperature-variable device to cool or heat inside the storage such that the temperature reaches a set object-preservation temperature, comprises: an input device to be input with first information indicative of a time zone in which the temperature-variable device performing power-saving operation and second information indicative of a set temperature of the time zone; a storage device to store the first-and-second information from the input device; a timing device to measure a current time; and a control device to control the temperature-variable device, based on the first-and-second information and current time, so as to start operation of turning the temperature to the set temperature when the current time reaches a starting time of the time zone, and terminate the operation when the current time reaches an ending time thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Healthcare Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuaki Sonoda, Masanaga Tanaka, Ikue Nono, Shigeyuki Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8761951
    Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for allowing hotels (or any other organizations having one or more physical locations requiring various resources) to (1) measure their energy, water, waste and carbon emissions, (2) manage and control the elements of the hotel that impact the environment the most, and (3) report on the progress of the measurement, management and control, to the hotel owners, franchisors, franchisees and guests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Six Continents Hotels, Inc.
    Inventor: David Michael Jerome
  • Patent number: 8761910
    Abstract: A method to monitor a status from a secondary location of a plurality of equipment on a drilling site, while simultaneously enabling preventive maintenance is described herein. A user can view at least one cycle, at least one control state, and at least one pressure. The user can also view equipment information, equipment repair history, and other information necessary to ensure that a piece of equipment has minimal down time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Ashford Technical Software, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Marion Chapman, Jr., Ronald Lyle Brown
  • Patent number: 8761912
    Abstract: A system for monitoring the status of a plurality of tensioner assemblies and rig motion assemblies from a secondary location. The system not only monitors a status of a tensioner from a secondary location but simultaneously enables preventive maintenance to be ascertained remotely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Ashford Technical Software, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Marion Chapman, Jr., Ronald Lyle Brown
  • Patent number: 8761906
    Abstract: A system and method of managing therapy provided to patients in an institution. The system monitors all aspects of the medication delivery to a patient, as well as other information related to the patient, such as values of vital signs, laboratory results and patient factors such as history, diagnosis, allergies and the like. The system includes one or more databases of information, including institutionally developed rules, guidelines and protocol representing the best medical practices of the institution. The system provides alerts and/or recommendations based on the application of the rules to the information being monitored, and alerts care givers accordingly, providing for dynamic adjustment of the patient's therapy. The system also monitors the status of the alerts, and if no action is taken in a selected period of time, may escalate the priority of the alert and/or halt the delivery of medication to the patient until the alert is resolved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: CareFusion 303, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Condurso, Cynthia Yamaga, Robert Butterfield, Simon Morling, Clifton Pait, Patricia West, Timothy W. Vanderveen, Richard Crass
  • Patent number: 8761911
    Abstract: A system to monitor a status from a secondary location of a plurality of equipment on a drilling site, while simultaneously enabling preventive maintenance is described herein. A user can view at least one cycle, at least one control state, and at least one pressure. The user can also view equipment information, equipment repair history, and other information necessary to ensure that a piece of equipment has minimal down time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Ashford Technical Software, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Marion Chapman, Ronald Lyle Brown
  • Patent number: 8755941
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling a temperature of an exhaust gas being introduced to a catalyst is provided. Using an adjustable flow controller, an adjustable amount of tempering fluid is provided to the exhaust gas prior to the exhaust gas proceeding to the catalyst. A sensor senses a parameter indicative of a temperature of the exhaust gas being introduced to the catalyst. A computer processor uses a relationship to relate the parameter to an adjustment of the adjustable flow controller that will adjust the amount of tempering fluid provided to the exhaust gas and change the temperature of the exhaust gas being introduced to the catalyst toward a target temperature. Adjustment of the adjustable flow controller is initiated by the computer processor to change the flow of the tempering fluid, and the relationship between the parameter and the adjustment of the adjustable flow controller is updated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Larry William Swanson, Douglas Frank Beadie, Neil Colin Widmer, Hua Zhang, Gilbert Otto Kraemer
  • Patent number: 8753871
    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. A sensor system interacts with the bioreactor to receive information related to a condition of the bioreactor and/or receive a sample from the bioreactor, which it analyzes. The sensor system sends data signals related to the information and/or the sample to a controller, which determines a control signal based on the received information. The controller sends the control signal to the sensor system which, based on the control signal, performs an action that affects a condition of the bioreactor or affects the sensor system itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Broadley-James Corporation
    Inventor: Larry Eugene West
  • Publication number: 20140163699
    Abstract: A system is provided herein for remotely monitoring machinery, the machinery having a control network for control thereof, one or more switches coupled to the control network for controlling the machinery via the control network. The system includes a controller hardwired coupled to the control network of the machinery. The controller is configured to monitor operation of the machinery. In addition, the system includes an arrangement for receiving signals for controlling the controller from a remote location and an arrangement for transmitting, to a remote location, information collected by the controller resulting from the controller monitoring operation of the machinery. Advantageously, with the subject invention, the system can monitor machinery from remote locations directly. In the event of faults or failures, corrective action may be taken using the subject invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2014
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Inventors: Robert Joseph Berry, JR., Robert Joseph Berry, SR.
  • Publication number: 20140148921
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for processing data in a supervisory control apparatus. A data processing method in a supervisory control apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include acquiring state data from at least one control and instrumentation target apparatus; checking the acquired state data; reading a prestored library corresponding to the state data; decoding the state data with reference to the read library; and outputting the decoded state data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: LSIS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jong Kab KWAK
  • Publication number: 20140148922
    Abstract: A control system including at least two controllers configured to serve as initiators to control a control target device. The control system includes a confirmation unit configured to operate one of the two controllers as an initiator and the other controller as a target to confirm statuses of the two controllers, and a validation unit configured to operate an abnormal controller which is confirmed by the confirmation unit as a target and a normal controller as an initiator and performs a data access process on the target to validate a function of the abnormal controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi NAKAGAMI
  • Patent number: 8738159
    Abstract: A system for providing programmable logic data on demand includes a portion for receiving a plurality of data requests at the programmable logic controller and a portion for processing the plurality of data requests asynchronously. An interface enables asynchronous processing to enhance and extend capabilities of the programmable logic controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventor: David Martin
  • Publication number: 20140114440
    Abstract: An approach for control of users relative to access to controllers of a site in a hierarchy of controllers and building equipment. When a user of a customer has established a read write connection to a site controller, the customer does not necessarily want any subsequent user to establish a read write connection to the site controller or another controller within the same site and also make changes, for example, to settings of building equipment. Thus, a subsequent user may be allowed a read only connection and just be able to view building equipment information. When the first user has disconnected either intentionally or by inactivity, the site controller may be cleared allowing a subsequent user to obtain a read write connection. If the first user is inactive but fails to disconnect from the controller, an auto log-off provision may disconnect the user after a specified period of inactivity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Jerry Marti, Sadiq Basha, Ajay N. Nair
  • Patent number: 8706814
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention is a method and apparatus for layering agents in a distributed computing system. In one embodiment, a system for monitoring and controlling a distributed computer network including a plurality of components (e.g., devices) includes a plurality of cells, each of the cells being deployed to directly monitor and control one of the components of the network. The system also includes at least one federation, where the federation is made up of cells that cooperate to solve common problems, and at least one supercell, where the supercell provides supplemental decision making capabilities to the cells and federations. In this manner, problems detected by a cell that cannot be resolved by the cell may be forwarded to the cell's associated federations or supercells for resolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
    Inventor: James Pelletier
  • Patent number: 8706310
    Abstract: A goal-based control system may be provided that controls lighting based on high-level management goals for the operation of a lighting system. The system may include a lighting system model. The system may convert the high-level management goals into low-level device control parameters that include a power level for each respective one of the light fixtures, where the system determines that a modeled operation of each respective one the light fixtures at the power level meets the management goals based on the lighting system model. The system may cause each respective one of the light fixtures to operate at the power level. The system may determine a likelihood of satisfying the management goals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Redwood Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Jonathan M. Barrilleaux
  • Publication number: 20140107809
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method of online and dynamic schedule configuration of control applications in a Distributed Control System (DCS). The disclosure considers having a DCS with a plurality of controllers, where controllers include one or more of source controllers and one or more of destination controllers. The method of the disclosure can includes the steps of: a) selecting one or more blocks of control applications; b) identifying one or more potential slots for executing blocks in one or more destination controllers; c) publishing the information pertaining to one or more of the identified potential slots to a central management entity or to source controllers; d) determining the one or more potential slots and corresponding block by the central management entity or source controller; e) proposing a schedule configuration of control applications; and f) performing schedulability analysis for each block or logical combination thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: ABB TECHNOLOGY LTD
    Inventors: Sanjay GHOSH, Atul Kumar D, Michael WAHLER, Srini RAMASWAMY, Rakesh REDDY
  • Publication number: 20140107808
    Abstract: A process control system for controlling an industrial process implemented at a plant, may include: a network provided in the plant; a network device comprising at least one of a first detector, which is configured to detect a connection state of the network device with the network, and a second detector, which is configured to detect a state of the network device, the network device being configured to output at least one of connection information, which indicates a first detection result detected by the first detector, and device state information, which indicates a second detection result detected by the second detector, to the network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: YOKOGAWA ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Yamamoto, Kimikazu Takahashi, Hiroyuki Takizawa, Ryuu-ichirou Hoshina
  • Patent number: 8688241
    Abstract: Provided is a control system capable of reducing cost while securing reliability of original processing of a microcomputer. An engine control device and a meter control device each store a control amount calculating procedure for calculating a control amount regarding a significant control to be performed on the control target of the engine control device. The engine control device compares a control amount regarding the significant control calculated by the engine control device, and a control amount regarding the significant control calculated by the meter control device, to thereby control the control target of the engine control device based on a result of the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Toshinori Matsui, Kiyohiro Morita, Madoka Baba, Toru Morita
  • Patent number: 8688405
    Abstract: A system for monitoring an industrial process, comprising one or more sensors connected to one or more operating components of the industrial process; a remote monitoring station, comprising a computer and a database; and a connection between the one or more sensors and the remote monitoring station, wherein the remote monitoring station is at least about 100-2500 miles away from the industrial process, for example 500-1000 miles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Michael Edward Cottrell, Chester Bing Dang, Rong Pieter Gul, Wilhelmus Antonius Hardeveld, Brett Richard Alexander Harnish, Kenneth John Innes, James Po Kong, Mark Theodoor Van Latum, Kwi-Cheng Lee, Charles Anthony Lickteig, Robert Frank Parchewsky, Matthew Charles Polley, Wilhelmus Ravesloot, Steven Michael Schultheis, Daniel Dazhang Ying, George Mark Zolkiewski
  • Patent number: 8688280
    Abstract: A spa node comprising a spa controller, a power sense adapter configured to compute power being drawn by selected spa components; a spa network adapter, and a home network adapter, each of the three adapters including a wireless transceiver wherein the spa network adapter is configured to receive power data transmitted over a wireless link by the power sense adapter and to further receive status/performance data from the spa controller. The home network adapter is configured to receive power and status data transmitted by the spa network adapter over a wireless link and to convert that data to a form suitable for transmission to an Internet access point. The home network adapter is further linkable over the Internet to a central server, a dealer computer and a spa owner or user computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Watkins Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen S. Macey
  • Patent number: 8676233
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses that support multiple positioning protocol versions within wireless communication networks are disclosed. In a particular embodiment, a method includes determining, at a first device, a first set of versions of a positioning protocol supported by the first device. An indication signal is transmitted from the first device to a second device. The indication signal includes a set of position determination data messages (PDDMs). Each particular PPDM of the set of PDDMs has a corresponding particular version of the first set of versions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Sven Fischer, Kirk Allen Burroughs, Ie-Hong Lin, Grant Alexander Marshall, Stephen W. Edge
  • Patent number: 8676545
    Abstract: Example methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to determine pliable air duct configurations are disclosed. A disclosed example method involves determining a first quantity of adjustable air outlet duct sections to configure an air delivery duct system when an operating mode identifier is received. The operating mode identifier is associated with an amount of air delivered by the air delivery duct system into targeted areas. The first quantity of adjustable air outlet duct sections is based on an airflow rate value and the operating mode identifier. The airflow rate value is indicative of airflow through an air delivery duct system. Each adjustable air outlet duct section includes at least one adjustable air outlet having at least one size-adjustable orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Rite-Hite Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Nicholas L. Kaufmann, Brenda L. Ritt, Cary Pinkalla, Kevin J. Gebke, Frank Heim, William A. Niehaus, Matthew Lux