Machine operator interface having linked help feature

• US 20080188954A1
• Filed: 10/31/2006
• Published: 08/07/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Silvers, Timothy J., Redden, Mark C., Thomson, Norval P.
• Granted Patent: US 7,937,162 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/17
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/161 Explanation of functions, e.g. instructions
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/28 characterised by the type of the output information, e.g. video entertainment or vehicle dynamics information; characterised by the purpose of the output information, e.g. for attracting the attention of the driver
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/409 characterised by using manual data input [MDI] or by using control panel, e.g. controlling functions with the panel; characterised by control panel details or by setting parameters G05B19/408, G05B19/4093 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2663 Tractor
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/36133 MMI, HMI: man machine interface, communication
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/45017 Agriculture machine, tractor
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/453 Help systems

Abstract

An operator interface for a machine is disclosed. The operator interface may have an operator interface device for receiving operator input corresponding to a requested machine function, wherein a machine function signal is generated in response to the received operator input. The operator interface may also have a help request device configured to receive an operator'"'"'s request for information and generate a help signal. The operator interface may further have a controller in communication with the operator interface device and the help request device. The controller may be configured to provide information to the operator in response to receiving the help signal and the machine function signal. The information may relate to the requested machine function.

Claims

1. An operator interface for a machine, comprising:

an operator interface device for receiving operator input corresponding to a requested machine function, wherein a machine function signal is generated in response to the received operator input;

a help request device configured to receive an operator'"'"'s request for information and generate a help signal; and

a controller in communication with the operator interface device and the help request device, the controller being configured to provide information to the operator in response to receiving the help signal and the machine function signal, wherein the information relates to the requested machine function.

2. The operator interface of claim 1, wherein the operator interface device includes a plurality of buttons, each button corresponding to a different requested machine function, wherein the controller is configured to provide information relating to each of the requested machine functions.

3. The operator interface of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to only provide information to the operator when receipt of the help signal is followed by receipt of the machine function signal.

4. The operator interface of claim 1, further including a monitor configured to display the provided information.

5. The operator interface of claim 1, wherein the information is provided audibly.

6. The operator interface of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to prevent actuation of the requested machine function in response to receiving the help signal.

7. The operator interface of claim 6, wherein the actuation is prevented for a predetermined period of time.

8. The operator interface of claim 1, wherein the controller confirms receipt of the help signal to the operator.

9. The operator interface of claim 8, wherein the confirmation is audible.

10. The operator interface of claim 8, wherein the confirmation is visual.

11. The operator interface of claim 1, wherein the language in which the information is provided to the operator is selectable by the operator.

12. The operator interface of claim 1, wherein, if the requested machine function is being performed when the help signal is received, the controller is configured to provide the information only after the requested machine function has been completed.

13. The operator interface of claim 1, wherein, if a request for information is received during machine travel, the controller is configured to provide the requested information only after machine travel has stopped.

14. The operator interface of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to recommend to the operator that the requested information should be provided only after the requested machine function has been completed.

15. A mobile machine, including:

a power source configured to generate a power output;

a traction device driven by the power output to propel the mobile machine;

a work implement driven by the power output;

an operator interface device for receiving operator input associated with a requested actuation of at least one of the power source, the traction device, and the work implement, wherein a machine function signal is generated in response to the received operator input;

a help request device configured to receive an operator'"'"'s request for information and generate a help signal;

a monitor configured to receive and display information; and

a controller in communication with the operator interface device, the help request device, and the monitor, the controller being configured to display information on the monitor in response to receiving the help signal and the machine function signal, wherein the information relates to the requested actuation.

16. A method of providing information relating to operation of a machine, comprising:

receiving a request for information;

receiving a request for actuation of a machine function; and

providing information to an operator of the machine in response to the request for information and the request for actuation, wherein the information is related to the machine function.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the information is only provided when the request for information is followed by the request for actuation.

18. The method of claim 17, further including:

preventing the requested actuation when the request for actuation is proceeded by the request for information; and

providing the requested information only after completion of a current machine function.

19. The method of claim 16, further including confirming the request for information.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the information is provided to the operator in a language selected by the operator.