Method and Apparatus for Implementing Operational Practices for Construction Machines

• US 20150376868A1
• Filed: 06/23/2015
• Published: 12/31/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Topcon Positioning Systems Incorporated (Topcon Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Topcon Positioning Systems Incorporated (Topcon Corporation)
• Inventors: Jackson, Richard
• Granted Patent: US 9,752,303 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/43 Control of dipper or bucket position; Control of sequence of drive operations
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 5/145 control and indicating devices
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/2025 Particular purposes of control systems not otherwise provided for E02F3/16, E02F3/26, sub-groups of E02F3/43, E02F3/651, sub-groups of E02F3/84, E02F3/907, E02F5/145 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/2029 Controlling the position of implements in function of its load, e.g. modifying the attitude of implements in accordance to vehicle speed control for hydraulic or pneumatic drives E02F9/2203, E02F9/2221 and E02F9/2253 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/26 Indicating devices E02F5/145 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/265 with follow-up actions (e.g. control signals sent to actuate the work tool)
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/268 with failure correction follow-up actions
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 23/0294 Optimizing process, e.g. process efficiency, product quality
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/20 Administration of product repair or maintenance
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/08 Construction

Abstract

A system and method for providing guidance to a user of a construction machine include computing kinematic behavior of a construction machine based on data received from the construction machine while performing a task. The kinematic behavior is compared with a model for operating the construction machine for performing the task. Feedback data is sent to the construction machine based on the comparing to provide guidance to the user of the construction machine for performing the task.

Claims

1. A method for providing guidance to a user of a construction machine, comprising:

computing kinematic behavior of a construction machine based on data received from the construction machine while performing a task;

comparing the kinematic behavior with a model for operating the construction machine for performing the task; and

sending feedback data to the construction machine based on the comparing to provide guidance to the user of the construction machine for performing the task.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein comparing the kinematic behavior with a model for operating the construction machine for performing the task comprises:

selecting the model for operating the construction machine as a specific model for a particular model of the construction machine.

3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein comparing the kinematic behavior with a model for operating the construction machine for performing the task comprises:

selecting the model for operating the construction machine as a general model for a type of the construction machine.

4. The method as recited in claim 3, wherein selecting the model for operating the construction machine as a general model for a type of the construction machine comprises:

selecting the model for operating the construction machine as the general model for the type of the construction machine when a specific model for a particular model of the construction machine is unavailable.

5. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein sending feedback data to the construction machine based on the comparing to provide guidance to the user of the construction machine for performing the task comprises:

converting results of the comparing into instructions for providing guidance to the user of the construction machine for performing the task.

6. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein sending feedback data to the construction machine based on the comparing to provide guidance to the user of the construction machine for performing the task comprises:

sending display data for displaying the feedback data to the construction machine.

7. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the model for operating the construction machine defines parameters for performing the task comprising at least one of geometrical constraints, target engine loads, and speed limits.

8. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the model for operating the construction machine is defined based on specifications from a manufacturer of the construction machine.

9. An apparatus for providing guidance to a user of a construction machine, comprising:

a processor; and

a memory to store computer program instructions, the computer program instructions when executed on the processor cause the processor to perform operations comprising;

computing kinematic behavior of a construction machine based on data received from the construction machine while performing a task;

comparing the kinematic behavior with a model for operating the construction machine for performing the task; and

sending feedback data to the construction machine based on the comparing to provide guidance to the user of the construction machine for performing the task.

10. The apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein comparing the kinematic behavior with a model for operating the construction machine for performing the task comprises:

selecting the model for operating the construction machine as a specific model for a particular model of the construction machine.

11. The apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein comparing the kinematic behavior with a model for operating the construction machine for performing the task comprises:

selecting the model for operating the construction machine as a general model for a type of the construction machine.

12. The apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein selecting the model for operating the construction machine as a general model for a type of the construction machine comprises:

selecting the model for operating the construction machine as the general model for the type of the construction machine when a specific model for a particular model of the construction machine is unavailable.

13. The apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein sending feedback data to the construction machine based on the comparing to provide guidance to the user of the construction machine for performing the task comprises:

converting results of the comparing into instructions for providing guidance to the user of the construction machine for performing the task.

14. The apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein sending feedback data to the construction machine based on the comparing to provide guidance to the user of the construction machine for performing the task comprises:

sending display data for displaying the feedback data to the construction machine.

15. The apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein the model for operating the construction machine defines parameters for performing the task comprising at least one of geometrical constraints, target engine loads, and speed limits.

16. The apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein the model for operating the construction machine is defined based on specifications from a manufacturer of the construction machine.

17. A computer readable medium storing computer program instructions for providing guidance to a user of a construction machine, which, when executed on a processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:

computing kinematic behavior of a construction machine based on data received from the construction machine while performing a task;

comparing the kinematic behavior with a model for operating the construction machine for performing the task; and

sending feedback data to the construction machine based on the comparing to provide guidance to the user of the construction machine for performing the task.

18. The computer readable medium as recited in claim 17, wherein comparing the kinematic behavior with a model for operating the construction machine for performing the task comprises:

selecting the model for operating the construction machine as a specific model for a particular model of the construction machine.

19. The computer readable medium as recited in claim 17, wherein comparing the kinematic behavior with a model for operating the construction machine for performing the task comprises:

selecting the model for operating the construction machine as a general model for a type of the construction machine.

20. The computer readable medium as recited in claim 19, wherein selecting the model for operating the construction machine as a general model for a type of the construction machine comprises:

selecting the model for operating the construction machine as the general model for the type of the construction machine when a specific model for a particular model of the construction machine is unavailable.