US 7987002

US Patent 7987002, titled "Arrangement for distributed measurement system for measurement and simulation in distributed control systems," was invented by Lars-Berno Fredriksson. The patent was filed on May 26, 2006, and issued on July 26, 2011. Its original assignee was Xinshu Management LLC, and the current assignee is Longhorn Automotive Group LLC.

The abstract describes an arrangement featuring a first unit (200, 303, 304) that processes analog and digital signals related to one or more physical measurement objects (200′, 305, 307) and their associated functions or detectors/control devices. This first unit is connected to a distributed control system (206) that operates using a first protocol (218). The first unit, compatible with the first protocol, exchanges messages with the control system and processes physical measurement/control signals. It is linked to a second connection (209) that uses a second protocol (418), forming part of a tool arrangement. The first unit communicates with a second unit (450 and/or 201, 221) via this second connection, and can be configured through connections using the first or second protocols (or their variants), allowing for separation and distribution of complex and simpler tasks across different equipment and personnel.

Here's a plain-language overview of each independent claim:

• Claim 1 (Apparatus): This claim describes a device that includes a processor communicating with an interface unit using a "first protocol." The interface unit, in turn, communicates with a distributed control system using a "second protocol." The processor's role is to create simulated measurement signals (to stand in for real sensor data) and control signals (to replace outputs from actual control devices). These simulated signals are then sent from the processor, through the interface unit, to the distributed control system, using the "second protocol" for communication with the control system and the "first protocol" for communication with the interface unit.

• Claim 15 (Monitoring System): This claim outlines a monitoring system comprising several monitoring units, categorized as "complex" and "basic." These units communicate with at least one interface unit via a "first protocol." The interface unit is connected to a distributed control system and receives data from it using a "second protocol." The complex monitoring unit receives data from the interface unit and generates programming instructions for the basic monitoring units. In response, a basic monitoring unit receives these instructions and proceeds to collect a specific part of the data from the interface unit using the "first protocol."

• Claim 25 (Method): This claim describes a method that begins with a "complex monitoring unit" receiving data from a "first distributed control system" through an interface unit. The complex unit connects to the interface unit using a "first protocol," while the interface unit connects to the control system using a "second protocol." The complex unit then analyzes the received data to identify a specific subset of data values. Based on this analysis, the complex unit generates programming instructions. These instructions are designed to enable a "basic monitoring unit" to collect a corresponding subset of data when it is connected to a "second distributed control system" that has a similar architectural setup.

A search of the CAFC 2026 dockets for patent number US7987002 did not return any results as of April 26, 2026. Therefore, no active cases related to this specific patent were found in the Federal Circuit dockets for 2026.US Patent 7987002, titled "Arrangement for distributed measurement system for measurement and simulation in distributed control systems," was invented by Lars-Berno Fredriksson. The patent was filed on May 26, 2006, and issued on July 26, 2011. Its original assignee was Xinshu Management LLC, and the current assignee is Longhorn Automotive Group LLC.

The abstract describes an arrangement featuring a first unit (200, 303, 304) that processes analog and digital signals related to one or more physical measurement objects (200′, 305, 307) and their associated functions or detectors/control devices. This first unit is connected to a distributed control system (206) that operates using a first protocol (218). The first unit, compatible with the first protocol, exchanges messages with the control system and processes physical measurement/control signals. It is linked to a second connection (209) that uses a second protocol (418), forming part of a tool arrangement. The first unit communicates with a second unit (450 and/or 201, 221) via this second connection, and can be configured through connections using the first or second protocols (or their variants), allowing for separation and distribution of complex and simpler tasks across different equipment and personnel.

Here's a plain-language overview of each independent claim:

• Claim 1 (Apparatus): This claim describes a device that includes a processor communicating with an interface unit through a data connection using a "first protocol." The interface unit, in turn, communicates with a distributed control system using a "second protocol." The processor is configured to provide simulated measurement signals (intended to replace real sensor input) and control signals (intended to replace signals from actual control devices). These simulated measurement signals and control signals are sent from the processor to the distributed control system via the interface unit, utilizing the "second protocol" for communication with the control system and the "first protocol" for communication with the interface unit.

• Claim 15 (Monitoring System): This claim outlines a monitoring system comprising a plurality of monitoring units, which include at least one complex monitoring unit and at least one basic monitoring unit. These units communicate with at least one interface unit using a "first protocol." The interface unit is connected to a distributed control system and is configured to receive data values from it using a "second protocol." The complex monitoring unit receives data from the interface unit using the "first protocol" and generates programmatic instructions for the basic monitoring unit. The basic monitoring unit then receives these instructions and, in response, collects a subset of the data values from the interface unit using the "first protocol".

• Claim 25 (Method): This claim describes a method that begins with a "complex monitoring unit" receiving data values from a "first distributed control system." This is achieved by connecting the complex monitoring unit via a "first data connection" using a "first protocol" to an interface unit, which itself is connected to the first distributed control system and communicates with it using a "second protocol" through a "second data connection." The complex monitoring unit then analyzes the received data values to identify a specific subset of these values. Finally, the complex monitoring unit generates programmatic instructions designed to cause a "basic monitoring unit" (when running these instructions) to collect a corresponding subset of data values after connecting to a "second distributed control system" with similar architecture.

A search of the CAFC 2026 dockets for patent number US7987002 did not return any results as of April 26, 2026. Therefore, no active cases related to this specific patent were found in the Federal Circuit dockets for 2026.