WORK VEHICLE START SYSTEM AND METHOD WITH OPTICAL VERIFICATION FOR AUTHORIZING REMOTE START

• US 20180334136A1
• Filed: 05/17/2017
• Published: 11/22/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Deere & Company
• Original Assignee: Deere & Company
• Inventors: Chaston, Keith N., West, Sean P., Hendron, Scott S.
• Granted Patent: US 10,144,390 B1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/209 Remote starting of engine
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/241 whereby access privileges are related to the identifiers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/305 using a camera
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0038 by providing the operator with simple or augmented images from one or more cameras located onboard the vehicle, e.g. tele-operation images analyzed by a computer and used for automatic navigation G05D1/0246
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/56 exterior to a vehicle by using sensors mounted on the vehicle

Abstract

A remote start system for a work vehicle includes a communication unit configured to receive a remote start input signal; optical sensors providing a first image of the work vehicle or work vehicle environment; and a controller including at least a start module and a verification module. The start module is configured to generate a verification request in response to the remote start input signal. In response to the verification request, the verification module is configured to confirm that the first image satisfies a verification condition and to generate a verification confirmation when the first image satisfies the verification condition. The start module is configured to generate a start command in response to the verification confirmation. The remote start system further includes a starter device coupled to the controller and configured to energize a prime mover of the work vehicle upon receipt of the start command from the controller.

Claims

1. A remote start system for a work vehicle comprising:

a communication unit configured to receive a remote start input signal;

one or more optical sensors capturing at least a first image providing a complete overhead view, including one or more of the work vehicle and adjacent work vehicle environment;

a controller, with memory and processing architecture for executing vehicle control algorithms, coupled to the communication unit and the one or more optical sensors, the controller comprising at least a start module and a verification module, and

wherein the start module is configured to generate a verification request in response to the remote start input signal,

wherein, in response to the verification request, the verification module is configured to confirm that the first image satisfies a verification condition and to generate a verification confirmation when the first image satisfies the verification condition, and

wherein the start module is configured to generate a start command in response to the verification confirmation; and

a starter device coupled to the controller and configured to energize a prime mover of the work vehicle upon receipt of the start command from the controller.

2. The remote start system of claim 1, wherein the verification module is configured to confirm that the first image satisfies the verification condition by evaluating the first image with image recognition.

3. The remote start system of claim 1, wherein the verification module is configured to confirm that the first image satisfies the verification condition by comparing the first image to an acceptable image.

4. The remote start system of claim 1, wherein the verification module is configured to confirm that the first image satisfies the verification condition by evaluating the first image for environmental obstacles.

6. The remote start system of claim 1, wherein the verification module is configured to send the first image to a remote user via the communication unit as a verification status.

7. The remote start system of claim 6, wherein the communication unit is configured to receive a verification approval from the remote user, and wherein the verification module is configured to generate the verification confirmation upon receipt of the verification approval.

8. The remote start system of claim 6, wherein the verification module is configured to generate the verification status for rendering on a device of the remote user and to receive a verification approval from the device of the remote user upon approval of the verification status.

9. The remote start system of claim 1, wherein the verification module, upon receiving the verification request, is configured to activate an electrical system of the work vehicle to power the optical sensor and to initiate the capture of the first image by the one or more optical sensors.

10. The remote start system of claim 9, wherein the verification module is further configured to activate a lighting system to illuminate the portion of the work vehicle or the work vehicle environment.

12. The remote start system of claim 1, wherein the start module and the verification module are arranged on-board the work vehicle.

13. The remote start system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the start module or the verification module is remote relative to the work vehicle.

5. (canceled)

11. (canceled)

14. A remote start method for a work vehicle comprising the steps of:

receiving, by a communication unit, a remote start input signal;

capturing, by an optical sensor, an image that provides a complete overhead view, including one or more of the work vehicle and adjacent work vehicle environment;

confirming, by a controller, that the image satisfies a verification condition in response to the remote start input signal;

generating, by the controller, a start command when the image satisfies the verification condition; and

energizing, by a starter device, a prime mover of the work vehicle in response to the start command.

15. The remote start method of claim 14, wherein the confirming step includes evaluating the image with image recognition.

17. The remote start method of claim 14, wherein the confirming step includes sending the image to a remote user via the communication unit and receiving an image approval from the remote user to satisfy the verification condition.

18. The remote start method of claim 14, further comprising:

activating, by the controller upon receiving the remote start input signal, an electrical system of the work vehicle to power the optical sensor and to initiate the capturing of the image by the optical sensor.

19. The remote start method of claim 18, further comprising:

activating, by the controller upon receiving the remote start input signal, a lighting system to illuminate the portion of the work vehicle or work vehicle environment.

16. (canceled)

20. (canceled)