SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR THE AUTONOMOUS CONTROL, AUTOMATED GUIDANCE, AND GLOBAL COORDINATION OF MOVING PROCESS MACHINERY
First Claim
1. A control system for controlling and coordinating a plurality of moving machines, the system comprising:
- a global coordinator; and
a plurality of subsystems controlled by the global coordinator, respective subsystems including;
an intelligent real-time task planner including a job planner and job optimizer;
intelligent communications hardware configured to allow communications between the subsystem and the global coordinator or another subsystem;
an application intelligence system configured to control functions related to a specific task a machine has been given; and
a local intelligence system coupled to sensors and actuators of one of the machines and configured to control automated functions for the machine.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A control system for controlling and coordinating a plurality of moving machines includes a global coordinator; a first subsystem controlled by the global coordinator, the first subsystem including a plurality of automated moving machines, the machines including sensors and actuators, including actuators for automated guidance and movement; and a local control system, under guidance of the global coordinator coupled to the sensors and actuators of one of the machines and configured to control automated functions for the machine, including automated guidance and movement; and an intelligent communications system configured to allow communications between the first subsystem and the global coordinator or a second subsystem.
84 Citations
42 Claims
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1. A control system for controlling and coordinating a plurality of moving machines, the system comprising:
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a global coordinator; and a plurality of subsystems controlled by the global coordinator, respective subsystems including; an intelligent real-time task planner including a job planner and job optimizer; intelligent communications hardware configured to allow communications between the subsystem and the global coordinator or another subsystem; an application intelligence system configured to control functions related to a specific task a machine has been given; and a local intelligence system coupled to sensors and actuators of one of the machines and configured to control automated functions for the machine. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of controlling and coordinating a plurality of moving machines, the method comprising:
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providing a global coordinator; controlling a plurality of subsystems using the global coordinator; and
for at least one of subsystems;planning and optimizing jobs; communicating between the subsystem and the global coordinator or another subsystem; controlling functions related to a specific task a machine in the subsystem has been given; and controlling automated functions for the machine. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A control system for controlling and coordinating a plurality of moving machines, the system comprising:
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a global coordinator; a first subsystem controlled by the global coordinator, the first subsystem including; a plurality of automated moving machines, the machines including sensors and actuators, including actuators for automated guidance and movement; and a local control system, under guidance of the global coordinator coupled to the sensors and actuators of one of the machines and configured to control automated functions for the machine, including automated guidance and movement; a second subsystem controlled by the global coordinator, the second subsystem including; a plurality of automated moving machines, the machines of the second subsystem including sensors and actuators, including actuators for automated guidance and movement; and a second local control system, under guidance of the global coordinator coupled to the sensors and actuators of one of the machines of the second subsystem and configured to control automated functions for the machine, including automated guidance and movement; and an intelligent communications system configured to allow communications between the first subsystem and the global coordinator or the second subsystem. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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Specification