Charles Combs

US Patent:

20120290126, Nov 15, 2012

Filed:

May 9, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/103705

Inventors:

Charles R. Combs - Burlington KY, US
James P. Knaple - Ft. Thomas KY, US
Dimitar ivanov Petrov - Sofia, BG
Timothy A. Barnes - Burlington KY, US
David W. Sellers - Erlanger KY, US

Assignee:

INSIGHT AUTOMATION, INC. - Erlanger KY

International Classification:

G06F 17/00

US Classification:

700230

Abstract:

Various methods, apparatuses, and program products that are used to control at least a portion of a conveyor, determine information about an article conveyed by the conveyor, or otherwise operate a conveyor are provided. One method includes detecting whether a second conveyor controller is connected to the first conveyor controller and, in response to detecting that there is a second conveyor controller connected to the first conveyor controller, identifying whether the second conveyor controller is connected to a predetermined network interface of the first conveyor controller. The method further includes configuring the first conveyor controller to rotate a motorized roller in a first predetermined direction if a second conveyor controller is connected to the predetermined network interface and configuring the first conveyor controller to rotate the motorized roller in a second predetermined direction if a second conveyor controller is not connected to the predetermined network interface.