METHOD FOR CONTROLLING AN IMPLEMENT ASSOCIATED WITH A VEHICLE
First Claim
1. A system for controlling a vehicle, the system comprising:
- a switch;
a mode controller for entering a programming mode or a guidance mode based on user input to the switch;
a programming module for managing a programming mode in which the user enters a guidance program in accordance with a predetermined sequence of inputs of the switch by the user, where readiness for each successive input is indicated by a light source or an audible indicator;
a guidance module for managing a guidance mode for controlling an implement height of a vehicle in accordance with the entered guidance program;
a data processor executing software instructions associated with the mode controller, the programming module, and the guidance module;
a data storage device for storing the software instructions;
a lift actuator associated with an implement of the vehicle;
a height sensor for sensing the observed implement height of the implement;
a controller associated with the lift actuator for controlling the observed implement height in accordance with the guidance program if the system or the data processor is operating in a guidance mode.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method or system for controlling a vehicle comprises entering a programming mode or a guidance mode based on user input to a switch. The user can enter a guidance program in accordance with a predetermined sequence of inputs of the switch by the user, where readiness for each successive input is indicated by a light source. A guidance mode is managed for controlling an implement height in accordance with the entered guidance program. A height sensor can sense an observed height or elevation of an implement of the vehicle (e.g., relative to the absolute target height of the implement above the ground). The observed height is controlled in accordance with the guidance program (e.g., the target height) if the system or the data processor is operating in a guidance mode.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A system for controlling a vehicle, the system comprising:
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a switch; a mode controller for entering a programming mode or a guidance mode based on user input to the switch; a programming module for managing a programming mode in which the user enters a guidance program in accordance with a predetermined sequence of inputs of the switch by the user, where readiness for each successive input is indicated by a light source or an audible indicator; a guidance module for managing a guidance mode for controlling an implement height of a vehicle in accordance with the entered guidance program; a data processor executing software instructions associated with the mode controller, the programming module, and the guidance module; a data storage device for storing the software instructions; a lift actuator associated with an implement of the vehicle; a height sensor for sensing the observed implement height of the implement; a controller associated with the lift actuator for controlling the observed implement height in accordance with the guidance program if the system or the data processor is operating in a guidance mode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for controlling a vehicle, the method comprising:
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entering a programming mode or a guidance mode based on user input to a switch; managing a programming mode in which the user enters a guidance program in accordance with a predetermined sequence of inputs of the switch by the user, where readiness for each successive input is indicated by a light source or audible indicator; managing a guidance mode for guiding a vehicle in accordance with the entered guidance program having a target implement height that remains constant to form a work area of ground or terrain with a more planar surface, a substantially constant resultant ground elevation or a resultant ground elevation that varies in accordance with a generally linear grade; sensing an observed implement height of an implement associated with the vehicle; and controlling the implement height in accordance with the guidance program if the system or the data processor is operating in a guidance mode. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification