US6101425A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multiple connection networked man-machine interfaces for computer numerical controls
Assignee: Allen Bradley Co LLC
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Filing: 1997-11-26
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Granted: 2000-08-08
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Expires: 2017-11-26
Abstract
Abstract A system combines multiple man-machine interfaces with multiple computer numerical controls over a network. Typically, each man-machine interface comprises a personal computer with a Windows-based operating system utilizing a standard process-to-process communication protocol, such as Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE). This type of system allows a wide variety of M-to-N topologies in CNC environments. Further, the use of standard personal computer operating systems and common process-to-process communication protocols permits the networking of other types of devices and the use of other third party applications.
Inventors
- 👤 Subbian Govindaraj
- 👤 George J. Sevcik
- 👤 Thomas J. Peshek
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 14:53
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F9/00; G06F9/06; G06F9/46; G06F9/54; G06F9/543; G05; G05B; G05B2219/00; G05B2219/30; G05B2219/31; G05B2219/31156; G05B2219/31205; G05B2219/31467; G05B2219/34; G05B2219/34262; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P90/00; Y02P90/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
105 words
A system for networking a plurality of man-machine interfaces with a plurality of computer numerical controls, comprising: a network; a plurality of computer, numerical controls linked to the network each computer numerical control having the capability of being linked to at least one machine, wherein each computer numerical control is able to control the motions of the machine to which it is linked; and a plurality of man-machine interfaces linked to the network, each man-machine interface comprising a personal computer having a Windows-based operating system, wherein each man-machine interface is configured to communicate with one or more of the computer numerical controls via the network.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
105 words
A system for networking a plurality of man-machine interfaces with a plurality of computer numerical controls, comprising: a network; a plurality of computer, numerical controls linked to the network each computer numerical control having the capability of being linked to at least one machine, wherein each computer numerical control is able to control the motions of the machine to which it is linked; and a plurality of man-machine interfaces linked to the network, each man-machine interface comprising a personal computer having a Windows-based operating system, wherein each man-machine interface is configured to communicate with one or more of the computer numerical controls via the network.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system as recited in claim 1, further comprising additional networked devices linked to the network, wherein one or more of the man-machine interfaces is able to communicate with the additional networked devices.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the network comprises a local area network.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the network comprises an Ethernet network.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system as recited in claim 1, wherein each computer numerical control may be coupled to one or more machine tools.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system as recited in claim 1, wherein each computer numerical control is configured to receive communications from at least three man-machine interfaces.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system as recited in claim 1, wherein each computer numerical control is configured to receive communications from at least four man-machine interfaces.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system as recited in claim 6, wherein only one of the man-machine interfaces serves as a controlling man-machine interface at any given time, further wherein the controlling man-machine interface controls communications sent to a designated computer numerical control until that control is relinquished.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the man-machine interface comprises an application program interface configured for use with the Windows-based operating system.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system as recited in claim 9, wherein the application program interface comprises Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE).
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system as recited in claim 10, wherein each man-machine interface comprises a data server configured to convert communications in DDE format to a format recognizable and usable by one or more of the plurality of computer numerical controls.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of non-networked front panels, each non-networked front panel being dedicated to one computer numerical control of the plurality of computer numerical controls.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
94 words
A system for networking man-machine interfaces and computer numerical controls, comprising: a plurality of man-machine interfaces, each utilizing a process-to-process communication protocol; at least one computer numerical control including a processor and a CNC executive capable of controlling machine motion; and an open network to which multiple types of devices may be linked, the plurality of man-machine interfaces and the at least one computer numerical control being linked to the network, wherein the plurality of man machine interfaces are configured to selectively communicate with the at least one computer numerical control via the network.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
94 words
A system for networking man-machine interfaces and computer numerical controls, comprising: a plurality of man-machine interfaces, each utilizing a process-to-process communication protocol; at least one computer numerical control including a processor and a CNC executive capable of controlling machine motion; and an open network to which multiple types of devices may be linked, the plurality of man-machine interfaces and the at least one computer numerical control being linked to the network, wherein the plurality of man machine interfaces are configured to selectively communicate with the at least one computer numerical control via the network.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system as recited in claim 13, wherein each man-machine interface comprises a Windows-based operating system for utilizing a Windows-based application.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system as recited in claim 14, wherein the man-machine interface is configured to convert communications from each Windows-based application into a protocol recognizable and usable by the at least one computer numerical control.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system as recited in claim 15, wherein the man-machine interface is configured to convert communications from the at least one computer numerical control into a protocol recognizable and usable by each Windows-based application.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system as recited in claim 16, wherein the at least one computer numerical control comprises a plurality of computer numerical controls.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
58 words
The system as recited in claim 17, wherein the plurality of computer numerical controls are configured to be coupled to a plurality of machines, each machine having movable components for conducting an operation on a workpiece, wherein the motion of the movable components of each machine may be controlled by one of the plurality of computer numerical controls.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
104 words
A method for implementing a computer network for use in a computer numerical control environment, comprising: linking at least one computer numerical control to a network capable of carrying packets of data; linking at least one personal computer, utilizing a Windows-based application, to the network; exchanging data related to machine control between the at least one computer numerical control and the at least one personal computer via the network; and converting the data into a format recognizable and usable by the computer numerical control and the Windows-based application depending on which of the computer numerical control or the Windows-based application is receiving the data.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
104 words
A method for implementing a computer network for use in a computer numerical control environment, comprising: linking at least one computer numerical control to a network capable of carrying packets of data; linking at least one personal computer, utilizing a Windows-based application, to the network; exchanging data related to machine control between the at least one computer numerical control and the at least one personal computer via the network; and converting the data into a format recognizable and usable by the computer numerical control and the Windows-based application depending on which of the computer numerical control or the Windows-based application is receiving the data.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method as recited in claim 19, wherein the step of linking at least one numerical control includes linking a plurality of computer numerical controls to the network.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method as recited in claim 20, wherein the step of linking at least one personal computer includes linking a plurality of personal computers to the network.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method as recited in claim 19, wherein the step of converting includes converting data from a DDE format to a computer numerical control compatible format and converting data from the computer numerical control compatible format to the DDE format.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method as recited in claim 22, further comprising linking additional devices to the network and exchanging data between the at least one personal computer and the additional devices.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method as recited in claim 19, further comprising utilizing third party applications on the personal computer.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-08-08 | 2004-02-07 | 2004-08-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-08-08 | 2008-02-07 | 2008-08-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-08-08 | 2012-02-07 | 2012-08-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |