REMOTE CONTROL SYSTEM

• US 20150035656A1
• Filed: 08/01/2014
• Published: 02/05/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/02/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing Company
• Original Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing Company
• Inventors: Hartwick, Ty, Franz, Robert, Stringer, Matthew, Haley, Thomas
• Granted Patent: US 9,911,320 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/12.5
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 19/00 Electric signal transmission systems G08C17/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/30 User interface
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/91 Remote control based on location and proximity
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 23/04 using light waves, e.g. infrared

Abstract

A remote control system includes a control unit configured to send a control signal to a machine to be controlled from a position remote from the machine. A sensor system is operatively linked with the control unit, and is configured for registering a presence of an operator in a predetermined proximity to a predetermined location. Operation of the machine to be controlled is responsive to the sensor system.

Claims

1. A remote control system, comprising:

a control unit configured to send a control signal to a machine to be controlled from a position remote from the machine;

a sensor system operatively linked with the control unit, the sensor system being configured for registering a presence of an operator in a predetermined proximity to a predetermined location.

2. The remote control system of claim 1, wherein the sensor system is configured for registering a presence of an operator in a predetermined proximity to the control unit.

3. The remote control system of claim 1, wherein the sensor system is configured to register the presence of the operator in the predetermined location.

4. The remote control system of claim 1, wherein the machine includes an implement, and wherein the registered presence of the operator in the predetermined proximity to predetermined location is required for the control unit to be able to be used to operate the implement at a predetermined level of operation.

5. The remote control system of claim 1, wherein operation of the machine is limited in response to the sensor system failing to register the presence of the operator in the predetermined proximity to the predetermined location.

6. The remote control system of claim 1, wherein the sensor system includes a pressure sensor configured for registering the presence of the operator thereon.

7. The remote control system of claim 6, wherein the pressure sensor is one of separately and integrally associated with a seat of a vehicle.

8. The remote control system of claim 7, wherein the pressure sensor is connected to the control unit with a wire of a predetermined length to verify that the operator is within the predetermined length of the remote control.

9. The remote-control system of claim 6, wherein the pressure sensor is located within a portable seat cushion.

10. The remote control system of claim 1, wherein the sensor system includes a power cord having a plug end configured for electrical connection with a power port, wherein the sensor system is configured for registering a presence of the control unit in the predetermined location in response to the plug end being connected to a power port at the predetermined location.

11. The remote control system of claim 1, wherein the predetermined location includes an enclosure, and wherein the sensor system is configured to register the presence of at least one of the operator and the control unit within the enclosure.

12. The remote control system of claim 11, wherein the enclosure includes a vehicle.

13. The remote control system of claim 1, wherein the machine includes an implement powered by the machine, and wherein the control unit is configured to send a control signal to implement from a position remote from the machine in response to the sensor system.

14. The remote control system of claim 1, wherein the sensor system is configured to register the presence of the operator in the predetermined proximity to the predetermined location by receiving a periodic input of the operator.

15. The remote control system of claim 14, wherein the control unit is configured so as to auto-shutdown the machine after a predefined distance of travel of the machine without the control unit receiving the periodic input of the operator.

16. The remote control system of claim 15, wherein the predefined distance of travel is approximately six meters.

17. The remote control system of claim 1, wherein the sensor system includes a camera and image analysis to evaluate an image to verify that the operator is in the predetermined proximity to the predetermined location.

18. A remote control system, comprising:

a control unit configured to send a control signal to a machine to be controlled from a position remote from the machine;

a sensor system operatively linked with the control unit, the sensor system being configured for registering a presence of at least one of an operator and the control unit in a predetermined location, wherein operation of the machine by the control unit is limited in response to the sensor system.

19. The remote control system of claim 18, wherein the sensor system is configured for registering a presence of the operator within a predetermined proximity to the control unit.

20. A method of remotely operating a machine, comprising:

sensing the presence of a control unit at predetermined location remote from the machine;

sensing the presence of an operator in a predetermined proximity to the predetermined location; and

sending a control signal to the machine in response to registering the presence of the operator in the predetermined proximity to the predetermined location.