Automatic Detection of Machine Status for Fleet Management

• US 20120253709A1
• Filed: 12/30/2011
• Published: 10/04/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: AGCO Corporation
• Original Assignee: AGCO Corporation
• Inventors: Schmidt, Lee A., Riegger, Lorenz
• Application Number:
  US13/341,500
• Publication Number:
  US 20120253709A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/60
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 21/00 Measuring or testing not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 7/02 Indicating value of two or more variables simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/3065 Monitoring arrangements determined by the means or processing involved in reporting the monitored data error or fault reporting or logging G06F11/0766
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 17/40 Data acquisition and logging for input to computer G06F3/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/085 using electronic data carriers
• CPC Class Codes: G16Z 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass

Abstract

An automatic machine status detection system uses apparatus data from one or more sensors or machine components to determine a status for an agricultural machine. An automatic data unit onboard a machine can receive apparatus data and communicate it to a central management system. In an exemplary embodiment, a status determination module can receive the apparatus data, use the to make one or more state determinations, and based on the results of those determinations, determine an activity status for a machine. Engine state, motion state, heading state, implement state and PTO state can be used to determine that a machine has a status identified as “Off”, “Idle”, “Traveling”, “Turning” or “Working”. Machine status information can be provided to a user to improve operations efficiency and facilitate billing and administrative services.

Claims

1. A system for automatic detection of machine status, comprising:

an apparatus data unit (ADU) configured to receive and transmit apparatus data associated with an agricultural machine;

a status determination module (SDM) configured to receive said apparatus data and determine a status for said machine therefrom.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said SDM comprises software executed at a remote computing device.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one sensor disposed at a machine apparatus and configured to provide said apparatus data.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said SDM is configured to compile a record of machine status.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a data acquisition module (DAM) configured to control acquisition and transmission of said apparatus data.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said ADU is configured to receive said apparatus data from a sensor.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said ADU is configured to receive said apparatus data from an implement.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein said ADU is configured to communicate with said SDM over a wireless communications network.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein said apparatus data comprises state data for an implement attached to said agricultural machine.

10. A method for automatic detection of machine status, comprising:

receiving apparatus data associated with an agricultural machine; and

determining a status for said machine using said apparatus data.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said receiving apparatus data comprises receiving state data for an apparatus of said machine.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein said receiving apparatus data comprises receiving machine identification data.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein said receiving apparatus data comprises receiving heading data.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein said receiving apparatus data comprises receiving speed data.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein said determining a status comprises designating said status as one of the group consisting of “

Idle”

, “

Off”

, “

Traveling”

, “

Turning” and

“

Working”

.

16. The method of claim 10, further comprising compiling a record of said machine status.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising providing said record to a user.

18. The method of claim 10, further comprising downloading a data acquisition module to said machine over a communications network.

19. A method for automatic detection of machine status, comprising:

detecting a machine apparatus state; and

providing said apparatus state to a status determination module (SDM) as apparatus data.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein said detecting a machine apparatus state comprises detecting said machine engine state.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein said detecting a machine apparatus state comprises detecting machine motion.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein said detecting a machine apparatus state comprises detecting a PTO state.

23. The method of claim 19, wherein said detecting a machine apparatus state comprises detecting presence of an implement.

24. The method of claim 19, wherein said detecting a machine apparatus state comprises detecting an implement state.

25. The method of claim 19, wherein said detecting a machine apparatus state comprises detecting said machine heading.

26. The method of claim 19, wherein said providing said apparatus state to an SDM comprises transmitting said apparatus data over a wireless network.

27. A method of automatic detection of machine status, comprising:

determining at least one machine apparatus state; and

designating a machine status based on at least one said determination.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein said determining at least one machine apparatus state comprises determining said machine engine state.

29. The method of claim 27, wherein said determining at least one machine apparatus state comprises determining said machine motion.

30. The method of claim 27, wherein said determining at least one machine apparatus state comprises determining a rate of said machine heading change.

31. The method of claim 27, wherein said determining at least one machine apparatus state comprises determining whether an implement is present at said machine.

32. The method of claim 27, wherein said determining at least one machine apparatus state comprises determining the state of said machine implement.

33. The method of claim 27, wherein said determining at least one machine apparatus state comprises determining the state of a power take-off (PTO) at said machine.

34. The method of claim 27, further comprising compiling a record of said machine status.

35. The method of claim 27, further comprising providing said machine status to a user.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein said providing said machine status comprises communicating said machine status over a communications network.

37. The method of claim 35, wherein said providing said machine status comprises providing a visual display of said status.

38. The method of claim 27, further comprising providing a report of said machine status.