The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 25, 2006
Filed:
Jan. 26, 2004
Keith W. Anderson, Wayland, MI (US);
Wynn M. Pelak, Rockford, MI (US);
Le Roy Lubbers, Grand Rapids, MI (US);
Artemio Affaticati, Cadeo, IT;
Frank-peter Schaum, Grand Rapids, MI (US);
David M. Lafleur, Grandville, MI (US);
Keith W. Anderson, Wayland, MI (US);
Wynn M. Pelak, Rockford, MI (US);
Le Roy Lubbers, Grand Rapids, MI (US);
Artemio Affaticati, Cadeo, IT;
Frank-Peter Schaum, Grand Rapids, MI (US);
David M. LaFleur, Grandville, MI (US);
Rapistan Systems Advertising Corp., Grand Rapids, MI (US);
Abstract
A conveyor system, and method of controlling the conveyor system, includes providing a conveying surface, at least one motor propelling the conveying surface and a plurality of lower-level controllers. At least one of the lower-level controllers adapted to control the at least one motor. An upper-level controller is provided in communication with the plurality of lower-level controllers. The upper-level controller is adapted to send communications to the lower-level controllers for controlling the at least one motor. A communications bus is provided that carries the communications between the upper-level controller and the lower-level controllers. The upper-level controller is adapted to automatically assign each lower-level controller a unique communications address. The unique communications address enables the upper-level controller to send messages over the communications bus to individual ones of the lower-level controllers.