System for improving back end visibility and machine using same

• US 20080258896A1
• Filed: 04/17/2007
• Published: 10/23/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/17/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Richmond, Robert E., Opperud, Arve, Yuet, Fu, Akesson, E. Jorgen, Stoller, Jason J.
• Application Number:
  US11/787,639
• Publication Number:
  US 20080258896A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/459
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/26 to the rear of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/207 using multi-purpose displays, e.g. camera image and navigation or video on same display
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/802 for monitoring and displaying vehicle exterior blind spot views
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8026 in addition to a rear-view mirror system

Abstract

A machine includes a back end vision improvement system comprising a camera mounted for viewing an area behind a back end of the machine and a monitor mounted in an operator control station. The monitor includes a display having an initial display layout. The machine also includes an electronic control module (ECM) configured to sense a reverse position of a directional controller of the machine and change the display in response to the reverse position. The machine may also include a wiper system including a front wiper and a rear wiper. The ECM may be further configured to sense an activation of the front wiper and activate the rear wiper in response to the reverse position and the activation of the front wiper.

Claims

1. A machine, comprising:

a back end vision improvement system comprising a camera mounted for viewing an area behind a back end of the machine and a monitor mounted in an operator control station, wherein the monitor includes a display having an initial display layout; and

an electronic control module configured to sense a reverse position of a directional controller of the machine and change the display in response to the reverse position.

2. The machine of claim 1, further including:

a wiper system including a front wiper and a rear wiper; and

the electronic control module further configured to sense an activation of the front wiper and activate the rear wiper in response to the reverse position and the activation of the front wiper.

3. The machine of claim 1, wherein the initial display layout includes the camera view occupying a fractional portion of the display.

4. The machine of claim 1, wherein the monitor is configured to simultaneously display operational information and the camera view.

5. The machine of claim 4, wherein the electronic control module is further configured to alter a position of the operational information displayed on the monitor.

6. The machine of claim 1, wherein the electronic control module is further configured to enlarge the camera view displayed on the monitor.

7. The machine of claim 1, wherein the electronic control module is further configured to alter a position of the camera view displayed on the monitor.

8. The machine of claim 1, wherein the electronic control module is further configured to:

sense an imminent reverse position of the directional controller by evaluating at least one of a machine motion and a bucket configuration; and

change the display in response to the imminent reverse position.

9. The machine of claim 1, wherein the electronic control module is further configured to:

sense a forward or stationary position of the directional controller; and

return the display to the initial display layout in response to the forward or stationary position.

10. A method of operating a machine, comprising:

providing a monitor for displaying a back end view provided by a camera;

shifting a directional controller of the machine to a reverse position;

changing the display with regard to the camera view in response to the reverse position;

sensing an activation of a front wiper of the machine; and

activating a rear wiper of the machine in response to the reverse position and the activation of the front wiper.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the providing step further includes displaying the camera view on a fractional portion of the display.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the providing step further includes simultaneously displaying operational information and the camera view.

13. The method of claim 12, further including:

altering a position of the operational information displayed on the monitor in response to the reverse position.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the changing step includes:

enlarging the camera view displayed on the monitor.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the changing step includes:

altering a position of the camera view displayed on the monitor.

16. The method of claim 10, further including:

sensing an imminent reverse position of the directional controller by evaluating at least one of a machine motion and a bucket configuration;

changing the display in response to the imminent reverse position; and

activating the rear wiper in response to the imminent reverse position and the activation of the front wiper.

17. The method of claim 10, further including:

shifting a directional controller of the machine to a forward or stationary position;

changing the display with regard to the camera view in response to the forward or stationary position; and

deactivating the rear wiper in response to the forward or stationary position if a manual controller of the rear wiper is in an off position.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the changing step includes:

reducing the camera view displayed on the monitor.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the changing step includes:

altering a position of the camera view displayed on the monitor.

20. The method of claim 10, further including:

activating the rear wiper of the machine in response to an operator command.