Camera Based Scene Recreator for Operator Coaching

• US 20150004566A1
• Filed: 06/26/2013
• Published: 01/01/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/2013
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Bomer, Bradley K., Braunstein, Michael, Van De Veer, Brad, Cai, Zhijun
• Application Number:
  US13/927,296
• Publication Number:
  US 20150004566A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 434/62
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/167 Control of land vehicles

Abstract

A method for coaching an operator of a machine is disclosed. The method includes the controller collecting actual data related to an operation of the machine performed by the operator. The controller determines a type of operation being performed based on the actual data. The controller compares the actual data to expected data for the type of operation. The controller flags a coaching point based on the comparison of actual data to expected data, and the controller provides an image of the machine relating to the coaching point.

Claims

1. A method for coaching an operator of a machine having a controller, the method comprising:

the controller collecting actual data related to an operation of the machine performed by the operator;

the controller determining a type of operation being performed based on the actual data;

the controller comparing the actual data to expected data for the type of operation being performed;

the controller flagging a coaching point based on the comparison of actual data to expected data; and

the controller providing an image of the machine relating to the coaching point.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the controller displaying the coaching point together with an expected action in accordance with the expected data.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising the controller displaying the coaching point side by side and synchronized to the expected action.

4. The method of claim 2, further comprising the controller displaying the expected action overlaid on the coaching point.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising the controller displaying at least one of a view of the machine relative to a worksite during the coaching point and a view of operator controls during the coaching point.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the controller using computer graphics to simulate the coaching point based on sensor data and operator input.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising the controller controlling a camera to capture the coaching point and provide a video of the coaching point.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising the controller obtaining time data indicative of when the coaching point occurred.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising the controller determining a view of the machine to display based upon the coaching point flagged.

10. A system for coaching an operator of a machine, comprising:

a controller configured to;

collect actual data during an operation of the machine performed by the operator,

determine a type of operation being performed based on the actual data;

compare the actual data to expected data for the type of operation being performed,

detect a coachable action if the actual data is outside of the expected data, and

provide an image of the coachable action; and

a display module in communication with the controller, the display module configured to display the image of the coachable action on an output device.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the controller and display module are further configured to display on the output device at least one of a view of the machine relative to a worksite during the coachable action and a view of operator controls during the coachable action.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the controller and display module are further configured to annotate the image of the coachable action, and provide an audio description of the coachable action.

13. The system of claim 10, further comprising a plurality of sensors in communication with the controller, the plurality of sensors configured to detect at least one of implement position, load pressure, pin angle, actuator displacement, machine speed, engine speed, transmission gear, steering angle and articulation angle.

14. The system of claim 13, further comprising an input device in communication with the controller, the input device configured to receive input from the operator for operating the machine.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the controller is configured to compare data received from the plurality of sensors and the input device with the expected data in order to detect the coachable action.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the display module is further configured to:

simulate with computer graphics the coachable action and an expected action in accordance with the expected data, and

display on the output device the coachable action together with the expected action.

17. The system of claim 15, further comprising a camera in communication with the controller and the display module, the camera configured to capture the coachable action and provide a video of the action;

and wherein the display module is further configured to display on the output device the video of the action captured by the camera together with a video of an expected action in accordance with the expected data.

18. A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon computer-executable instructions which when executed by a computer coaches an operator of a machine, the thereon computer-executable instructions comprising instructions for:

collecting actual data during an operation of the machine performed by the operator;

determining a type of operation being performed based on the actual data;

comparing actual data to expected data for the type of operation being performed;

detecting a coaching point based on the comparison of actual data to expected data;

storing data related to the coaching point; and

displaying an image of the coaching point using the stored data.

19. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 18, further comprising instructions for generating a simulation of the coaching point and an expected action using computer graphics, and instructions for displaying the simulation of the coaching point together with the expected action.

20. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 18, further comprising instructions for recording a video of the coaching point using a camera, and instructions for displaying the video of the coaching point together with a video of an action in accordance with the expected data.