Steven E Nichols

US Patent:

6353775, Mar 5, 2002

Filed:

Jul 28, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/123651

Inventors:

Steven C. Nichols - Maple Grove MN

Assignee:

Honeywell International Inc. - Morristown NJ

International Classification:

G05B 1500

US Classification:

700276, 710 11

Abstract:

A method of communicating between a plurality of devices in a controller area network is disclosed. The method includes authorizing a first device to transmit messages with a first identifier over the network, the first device transmitting a first message with the first identifier and a first value, and the devices which receive the first message assuming the first value as their respective values. The method may be used with a number of devices and a listening device in a system. At startup of the system, any device which saved its value in a non-volatile memory will become the master of the identifier and transmit a message with the value over the network. Devices which did not save their values in non-volatile memories will transmit requests for the data value. If they do not receive any response, they will become the master and transmit messages with their data. Devices which receive the message will assume the value as theirs.

US Patent:

6373376, Apr 16, 2002

Filed:

Sep 11, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/658794

Inventors:

John T. Adams - Minneapolis MN
Steven C. Nichols - Maple Grove MN
Edward L. Schwarz - Minneapolis MN

Assignee:

Honeywell International Inc. - Morristown NJ

International Classification:

H04M 1104

US Classification:

34031001, 34031004, 34031005, 370333, 370400, 370522, 710 9

Abstract:

A controller area network (CAN) has a plurality of nodes connected to transmit and receive data over a serial data line. An AC power source is also connected to each node. Each node senses the AC power waveform and synchronizes bit transmission and bit detection with the waveform. In a preferred embodiment, each node includes a circuit that detects zero crossings by the AC waveform, providing two accurately synchronized bit intervals per complete AC cycle. A preferred version of the invention includes hardware and software that detects miswires of the node to the data and power lines.

US Patent:

6448901, Sep 10, 2002

Filed:

Sep 11, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/659153

Inventors:

John T. Adams - Minneapolis MN
Steven C. Nichols - Maple Grove MN

Assignee:

Honeywell International Inc - Morristown NJ

International Classification:

G07B 536

US Classification:

34081545, 34082525, 34082551, 340 21, 340 354, 340 38, 34031006, 34031003, 34031008

Abstract:

A controller area network (CAN) has a plurality of nodes connected to transmit and receive data over a serial data line using an interface circuit to connect the node to the data line. Each interface circuit includes an isolation element, typically a diode, to connect the interface circuit to the data line. An indicator element in the interface circuit is powered when the node is transmitting. The isolation element in each node prevents other nodes while transmitting, from powering the indicator element in its node.

US Patent:

7012927, Mar 14, 2006

Filed:

Feb 6, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/777632

Inventors:

Steven C. Nichols - Maple Grove MN, US

Assignee:

Honeywell International Inc. - Morristown NJ

International Classification:

H04L 12/413

US Classification:

370447, 370462, 3408255

Abstract:

A system has a plurality of nodes communicating with each other on a serial data path using dominant and recessive signal levels. A dominant signal level sent on the data path by any of the nodes creates a dominant signal level on the data path irrespective of the number of recessive signal levels sent by other nodes. The dominant and recessive signal levels form a series of bits organized into messages by the nodes. Each sending node senses the signal level on the data path bit by bit, and if different from that sent by that sending node, halts further sending of signal levels by that sending node. A priority value generator in each node provides a priority signal encoding a value whose magnitude indicates a relative priority. A message priority module in each node receives the priority signal, and stores the priority value in predetermined leading bits of the message to be sent.

US Patent:

7320362, Jan 22, 2008

Filed:

Jun 28, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/878791

Inventors:

Steven C. Nichols - Maple Grove MN, US

Assignee:

Honeywell International Inc. - Morristown NJ

International Classification:

F24F 3/00

US Classification:

165205, 62186

Abstract:

Flow is managed within a fluid delivery system. One illustrative fluid delivery system is a zoned HVAC system. In one illustrative embodiment, a method is provided for controlling the airflow and thus the heat or cool delivery rate to a room serviced by the zoned HVAC system. The zoned HVAC system includes a duct system that is in fluid communication with various rooms through zone dampers. An open/closed state of the zone dampers is determined, and an open time for at least selected zone dampers are adjusted based on the state of the dampers.

US Patent:

7333504, Feb 19, 2008

Filed:

Mar 8, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/802254

Inventors:

Steven C. Nichols - Maple Grove MN, US

Assignee:

Honeywell International Inc. - Morristown NJ

International Classification:

H04L 12/403

US Classification:

370447, 370476, 370503

Abstract:

A communication system has a number of nodes connected to a serial data bus. Nodes communicate with each other by transmitting dominant and recessive bits during bit intervals as taught by the CAN (controller area network) arbitration protocol. According to the CAN arbitration protocol, any dominant bit transmitted during a bit interval causes the bit value received to be a dominant bit regardless of the number of recessive bits being sent. The system is arranged so that two or more nodes each respond to a report query message sent by one of the nodes, with a report message sent simultaneously by each of the nodes. The headers (leading bits) of each of the report messages sent by nodes responding to a report query message are the same, allowing arbitration on a trailing node data field. This results in the message having the numerically largest (or smallest) node data field value to survive arbitration. Thus a number of nodes can be polled with a report query message and will respond by simultaneously sending each node's numerical data value with the largest or smallest of these data values received by the system's nodes.

US Patent:

7664133, Feb 16, 2010

Filed:

Dec 22, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/316122

Inventors:

Steven C. Nichols - Maple Grove MN, US

Assignee:

Honeywell International Inc. - Morristown NJ

International Classification:

H04L 12/413
H04J 3/02
H04J 3/16

US Classification:

370447, 370462, 370465

Abstract:

A system has a plurality of nodes communicating with each other on a serial data path using dominant and recessive signal levels. A dominant signal level sent on the data path by any of the nodes creates a dominant signal level on the data path irrespective of the number of recessive signal levels sent by other nodes. The dominant and recessive signal levels form a series of bits organized into messages by the nodes. Each sending node senses the signal level on the data path bit by bit, and if different from that sent by that sending node, halts further sending of signal levels by that sending node. A priority value generator in each node provides a priority signal encoding a value whose magnitude indicates a relative priority. A message priority module in each node receives the priority signal, and stores the priority value in predetermined leading bits of the message to be sent.

US Patent:

7680144, Mar 16, 2010

Filed:

Sep 12, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/519622

Inventors:

Steven C. Nichols - Maple Grove MN, US

Assignee:

Honeywell International Inc. - Morristown NJ

International Classification:

H04L 12/54

US Classification:

370451, 370447, 370462

Abstract:

First and second serial data busses are arranged so that simultaneous transmission on the respective bus of a dominant state by one node and a recessive state by other nodes results in the dominant state being detectable on the respective bus. Transitions from a first state to a second state signal the start of a bit on the first bus. Dominant and recessive states are detected on the first and second busses at first and second predetermined times after each transition. The states represent respective dominant and recessive bits of attempted messages transmitted by nodes of the first and second busses. The dominant state is transmitted on both busses after the first and second predetermined times if the dominant state was detected on one of the first and the second busses at the first and second predetermined times.