Simulation system implementing historical machine data

• US 20070282577A1
• Filed: 05/31/2006
• Published: 12/06/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Lind, Jeffery D.
• Granted Patent: US 8,485,822 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 703/6
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 30/15 Vehicle, aircraft or watercraft design
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 30/20 Design optimisation, verification or simulation optimisation, verification or simulation of circuit designs G06F30/30

Abstract

A simulation system for a machine is disclosed. The simulation system has a user interface configured to display a simulated environment, and a controller in communication with the user interface. The controller is configured to receive historical information related to performance of a machine, and recreate a past operation of the machine from the received historical information. The controller is also configured to provide to the user interface the recreated past operation for display in the simulated environment.

Claims

1. A machine simulation system, comprising:

a user interface configured to display a simulated environment; and

a controller in communication with the user interface, the controller being configured to;

receive historical information related to performance of a machine;

recreate a past operation of the machine from the received historical information; and

provide to the user interface the recreated past operation for display in the simulated environment.

2. The machine simulation system of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to analyze the recreated past operation and recognize a need for operator improvement based on the analysis.

3. The machine simulation system of claim 2, wherein the analysis is based on an efficiency of the recreated past operation.

4. The machine simulation system of claim 2, wherein the controller is further configured to recommend a training simulation for the operator based on the recognized need for operator improvement.

5. The machine simulation system of claim 4, wherein the controller is further configured to provide the user interface with the training simulation for display in the simulated environment.

6. The machine simulation system of claim 1, wherein the user interface is located onboard the machine.

7. The machine simulation system of claim 1, wherein the simulated environment includes a plurality of selectable reference viewpoints.

8. The machine simulation system of claim 7, wherein a first of the plurality of selectable reference viewpoints is from inside of an operator cabin of the machine looking toward a machine tool.

9. The machine simulation system of claim 8, wherein a second of the plurality of selectable reference viewpoints is from inside of the operator cabin looking toward one or more operator controls of the machine.

10. The machine simulation system of claim 9, wherein a third of the plurality of selectable reference viewpoints is from a predetermined distance outside of the operator cabin looking toward the machine.

11. The machine simulation system of claim 1, further including a machine data module located on the machine and configured to collect the historical information and communicate the collected historical information to the controller.

12. The machine simulation system of claim 11, wherein the machine data module includes a plurality of sensing elements disposed on the machine, each of the plurality of sensing elements configured to produce one or more signals indicative of a performance of the machine.

13. A method of improving machine operation, the method comprising:

receiving historical information related to performance of the machine;

recreating a past operation of the machine from the received historical information; and

displaying the recreated past operation in a simulated environment.

14. The method of claim 13, further including:

analyzing the recreated past operation for efficiency;

recognizing a need for operator improvement based on the analysis; and

recommending a training simulation for the operator based on the recognized need for operator improvement.

15. The method of claim 14, further including providing the recommended training simulation.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein providing the recommended training simulation includes displaying onboard the machine a model operation of the machine that corresponds with the recreated past operation.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein providing the recommended training simulation includes displaying offboard the machine a model operation of the machine that corresponds with the recreated past operation.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein displaying offboard the machine includes displaying the model operation of the machine from a plurality of selectable reference viewpoints.

19. The method of claim 13, further including collecting the historical information from the machine during operation of the machine.

20. A machine, comprising:

a plurality of sensing elements disposed on the machine to produce one or more signals indicative of a performance of the machine;

a machine data module located on the machine to collect the one or more signals;

a user interface configured to display a simulated environment; and

a controller in communication with the machine data module and the user interface, the controller being configured to;

receive the historical information;

recreate a past operation of the machine from the received historical information;

analyze the recreated past operation for efficiency and recognize a need for operator improvement based on the analysis;

recommend a training simulation for the operator based on the recognized need for operator improvement; and

provide to the user interface the recreated past operation and the recommended training simulation for display in the simulated environment.