PROGRAMMABLE USER INTERFACE FOR A MACHINE

• US 20140277614A1
• Filed: 03/15/2013
• Published: 09/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Larimer, David C.
• Application Number:
  US13/836,012
• Publication Number:
  US 20140277614A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/83
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/111 for controlling multiple devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/122 Instrument input devices with reconfigurable control functions, e.g. reconfigurable menus
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/151 Instrument output devices for configurable output
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/61 Specially adapted for utility vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/10 Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/20 Output arrangements, i.e. from vehicle to user, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0423 Input/output

Abstract

An operator station for a machine is provided. The operator station includes a display device, an operator input device and a programmable user interface. The programmable user interface is configured to provide an array of feedback options. Further, the programmable user interface is configured to receive an input indicative of a selected customized feedback option from the array of feedback options. Furthermore, the programmable user interface is configured to provide a feedback associated with an operational state of the machine on at least one of the display device and the operational input device. The feedback associated with the operational state of the machine is based on the selected customized feedback option.

Claims

1. An operator station for a machine, the operator station comprising:

a display device;

an operator input device; and

a programmable user interface configured to;

provide an array of feedback options;

receive an input indicative of a selected customized feedback option from the array of feedback options; and

provide a feedback associated with an operational state of the machine on at least one of the display device and the operator input device based on the selected customized feedback option.

2. The operator station of claim 1, wherein the programmable user interface is configured to operatively communicate with a machine engine control module to provide the feedback associated with the operational state of the machine on the display device and the operator input device.

3. The operator station of claim 1, wherein the array of feedback options includes a tactile feedback configured to be provided on the operator input device, the tactile feedback is customized based on a selection of at least one of a low intensity tactile feedback and a high intensity tactile feedback using the programmable user interface.

4. The operator station of claim 1, wherein the array of feedback options includes an audio feedback configured to be provided on an audio device, the audio feedback is customized using the programmable user interface based on a selection of at least one of:

a ringtone feedback;

a voice message feedback; and

an adjustable volume, pitch and frequency associated with the audio feedback.

5. The operator station of claim 1, wherein the array of feedback options includes a visual feedback configured to be provided on the display device, the visual feedback is customized based on a selection of at least one of a bar chart, a pie chart and an animation of the machine using the programmable user interface.

6. The operator station of claim 1, wherein the programmable user interface is further configured to store the selected customized feedback option.

7. A programmable user interface within an operator station of a machine, the programmable user interface configured to:

provide an array of feedback options;

receive an input indicative of a selected customized feedback option from the array of feedback options; and

provide a feedback associated with an operational state of the machine on at least one of a display device and an operator input device based on the selected customized feedback option.

8. The programmable user interface of claim 7 is further configured to operatively communicate with a machine engine control module to provide the feedback associated with the operational state of the machine on the display device and the operator input device.

9. The programmable user interface of claim 7 is further configured to provide at least one of a tactile feedback on the operator input device, an audio feedback on an audio device and a visual feedback on the display device

10. The programmable user interface of claim 9, wherein the tactile feedback is configured to be customized based on a selection of at least one of a low intensity tactile feedback and a high intensity tactile feedback.

11. The programmable user interface of claim 9, wherein the audio feedback is configured to be customized based on a selection of at least one of:

a ringtone feedback;

a voice message feedback; and

an adjustable volume, pitch and frequency associated with the audio feedback.

12. The programmable user interface of claim 9, wherein the visual feedback is configured to be customized based on a selection of at least one of a bar chart, a pie chart and an animation of the machine.

13. The programmable user interface of claim 7 is further configured to store the selected customized feedback option.

14. A method for providing a feedback associated with an operational state of a machine, the method comprising:

providing an array of feedback options using a programmable user interface;

receiving an input indicative of a selected customized feedback option from the array of feedback options; and

providing the feedback associated with the operational state of the machine on at least one of a display device and an operator input device based on the selected customized feedback option.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprises communicating with a machine engine control module to provide the feedback associated with the operational state of the machine on the display device and the operator input device.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein providing the feedback further comprises providing at least one of a tactile feedback on the operator input device, an audio feedback on an audio device and a visual feedback on the display device.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein receiving the input further comprises customizing a tactile feedback based on a selection of at least one of a low intensity tactile feedback and a high intensity tactile feedback.

18. The method of claim 14 wherein receiving the input further comprises:

customizing an audio feedback based on a selection of at least one of a ringtone feedback and a voice message feedback; and

adjusting at least one of volume, pitch and frequency associated with the audio feedback.

19. The method of claim 14 wherein receiving the input further comprises customizing a visual feedback based on a selection of at least one of a bar chart, a pie chart and an animation of the machine.

20. The method of claim 14 further comprises storing the selected customized feedback option.