Kyle Lee Stotz

US Patent:

7903596, Mar 8, 2011

Filed:

Jan 11, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/652399

Inventors:

Patrick M. Dobrowski - Burnsville MN, US
Eric R. Lovegren - Big Lake MN, US
Kelly M. Orth - Apple Valley MN, US
Kyle L. Stotz - Plymouth MN, US

International Classification:

G08C 17/00

US Classification:

370311, 4553432, 4553433, 4553434, 340 732, 340 733

Abstract:

A wireless mesh network routes messages between a host computer and a plurality of field devices. The mesh network is synchronized to a global regular active schedule that defines active periods when messages can be transmitted or received by nodes of the network, and inactive periods when messages cannot be transmitted or received. Based upon messages to be sent by the host computer to selected field devices, the network is controlled to selectively maintain active those nodes required to route messages to the selected field devices. Those required nodes are maintained in an active state as long as communication with the selected field devices continues, while other nodes are allowed to return to a low power inactive state. When communication between the host computer and the selected field devices is no longer required, the entire network is allowed to enter the low power inactive state.

US Patent:

7924774, Apr 12, 2011

Filed:

Jan 11, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/652392

Inventors:

Patrick M. Dobrowski - Burnsville MN, US
Eric R. Lovegren - Big Lake MN, US
Kelly M. Orth - Apple Valley MN, US
Kyle L. Stotz - Plymouth MN, US

Assignee:

Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc. - Austin TX

International Classification:

H04W 4/00

US Classification:

370328, 455423, 709224, 710 18

Abstract:

A host computer communicates with field devices by sending control messages and receiving response messages over a wireless network. When the host computer sends a control message to the wireless network, the host computer is provided with a predictive response time within which the field device receiving the message will respond. The wireless network cycles between a sleep state and an active state based upon a wireless network power cycle. The predicted response time is based upon the current state of the wireless network, the power cycle, and the time required for the field device to turn on, take an action (such as measuring a parameter), and generating a response message.

US Patent:

7986657, Jul 26, 2011

Filed:

Jan 11, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/652395

Inventors:

Patrick M. Dobrowski - Burnsville MN, US
Eric R. Lovegren - Big Lake MN, US
Kelly M. Orth - Apple Valley MN, US
Kyle L. Stotz - Plymouth MN, US

Assignee:

Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc. - Austin TX

International Classification:

H04W 4/00

US Classification:

370328, 370341, 4554141

Abstract:

A control system uses a wireless network to provided communication between a host computer and field devices. The field devices are normally maintained in a lower power or sleep state. Only field devices that will be involved in a communication with the host computer are turned On and maintained On until communication between the field devices and the host computer is completed.

US Patent:

7986968, Jul 26, 2011

Filed:

Jan 11, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/652393

Inventors:

Patrick M. Dobrowski - Burnsville MN, US
Eric R. Lovegren - Big Lake MN, US
Kelly M. Orth - Apple Valley MN, US
Kyle L. Stotz - Plymouth MN, US
Robert Karschnia - Chaska MN, US

Assignee:

Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc. - Austin TX

International Classification:

H04B 1/38

US Classification:

455557, 370392, 455410

Abstract:

A control system uses a wireless network to provide communication between a host computer and field devices. The host and the field devices communicate with one another using control messages and response messages based upon a known control system protocol. The control and response messages are embedded as a payload within a wireless message that is transmitted over the wireless network. When the wireless message is received at its ultimate destination, the control or response message is separated from the wireless message and is delivered to the intended recipient (either a field device or the host computer).

US Patent:

20070160000, Jul 12, 2007

Filed:

Jan 11, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/652400

Inventors:

Patrick Dobrowski - Burnsville MN, US
Eric Lovegren - Big Lake MN, US
Kelly Orth - Apple Valley MN, US
Kyle Stotz - Plymouth MN, US

Assignee:

Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc. - Austin TX

International Classification:

H04Q 7/00

US Classification:

370328000

Abstract:

A host computer communicates with field devices over a wireless network that includes a gateway and a plurality of wireless nodes. At least one of the field devices is associated with each wireless node, and each field device has a unique field device address. The host computer sends control messages to field devices using their field device addresses. The gateway translates the field device address of a control message to a wireless address of the wireless node with which the field device is associated. The gateway sends a wireless message over the network to the wireless node at the wireless address. The message contains the field device address so that, when the wireless message is received and opened, the control message from the host computer can be routed to the intended field device based upon the field device address.

US Patent:

20070161371, Jul 12, 2007

Filed:

Jan 11, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/652398

Inventors:

Patrick Dobrowski - Burnsville MN, US
Eric Lovegren - Big Lake MN, US
Kelly Orth - Apple Valley MN, US
Kyle Stotz - Plymouth MN, US

Assignee:

Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc. - Austin TX

International Classification:

H04Q 7/20

US Classification:

455423000, 455456300

Abstract:

A control system uses a wireless mesh network to provide communication between a host computer and field devices. Performance of the wireless mesh network is monitored by collecting network performance data from each node, such as the nodes with which it is communicating, received signal strengths over links to different nodes, the number of errors occurring on each link, and how frequently communication is occurring with each of the other nodes. A visual network map is generated using performance statistics based on the data gathered from the nodes of the wireless mesh network. The visual network map allows a user to determine the routes that messages take through the wireless mesh network, diagnose potential problems, and make adjustments to improve network performance.