Mobile on-board computer system with operation units for machines

• US 5,889,671 A
• Filed: 06/17/1997
• Issued: 03/30/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: CLAAS KGaA mbH
• Inventors: Oetzel, Kai, Klasbrummel, Klaudia, Wippersteg, Hans-Herrmann, Schligten, Ernst Josef, Steckel, Thilo, Autermann, Ludger, Kollmeier, Klaus, Bottinger, Stefan
• Primary Examiner(s): Gordon, Paul P.
• Application Number:
  US08/877,043
• Time in Patent Office: 651 Days
• Field of Search: 364/188, 364/708.1, 701/50, 361/724, 361/728, 361/729, 361/730, 248/917, 248/919
• US Class Current: 700/83
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 79/005 Precision agriculture
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/02 electric constitutive elements
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0426 Programming the control sequence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/409 characterised by using manual data input [MDI] or by using control panel, e.g. controlling functions with the panel; characterised by control panel details or by setting parameters G05B19/408, G05B19/4093 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23414 Pc as detachable program, debug, monitor device for control system
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/36159 Detachable or portable programming unit, display, pc, pda
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations

Abstract

An on-board computer system for machines has comprising a computer unit, a plurality of operation units for the machines such that the machines are adjustable, controllable and regulatable through the computer unit by adjusting values stored or inputted in the computer unit, inputting means for completing and changing data stored in said computer unit, an exchangeable operator plate having indicating and inputting means, and a mobile case accommodating the computer unit and formed so that the mobile sleeve is releasably connectable with the working machine and mountable on different working machines.

Claims

1. An on-board computer system for machines, comprising a computer unit operative for adjustment, control and regulation;

a plurality of operation units for the machines such that the machines are adjustable, controllable and regulatable through said computer unit by adjusting values stored or inputted in said computer unit;

inputting means for completing and changing data stored in said computer unit;

an exchangeable operator plate having indicating and inputting means;

a mobile case accommodating said computer unit and formed so that said mobile case is releasably connectable with the working machine and mountable on different working machines for providing the adjustment, control and regulation of the different working machines.

2. An on-board computer system as defined in claim 1;

and further comprising a flat image screen forming said indicating means.

3. An on-board computer system as defined in claim 1, wherein said computer unit has an operator and indicator part accommodated in said mobile case.

4. An on-board computer system as defined in claim 3, wherein said computer unit is also provided with at least one communication unit, navigation unit, position means unit and data storage unit all accommodated in said mobile case.

5. An on-board computer system as defined in claim 1, wherein said computer unit is provided with at least one navigation unit also accommodated in said mobile case.

6. An on-board computer system as defined in claim 1, wherein said computer unit is provided with at least one positioning means unit also accommodated in said mobile case.

7. An on-board computer system as defined in claim 1, wherein said computer unit is provided with at least one data storage unit also accommodated in said mobile case.

8. An on-board computer system as defined in claim 1, wherein said computer unit is provided additionally with at least one communication unit also accommodated in said mobile case.

9. An on-board computer system as defined in claim 1;

and further comprising at least one external operation unit connected with said computer unit.

10. An on-board computer system as defined in claim 1, wherein said mobile case is formed so that additional units are modularly insertable into said mobile case.

11. An on-board computer system as defined in claim 1, wherein said mobile case is formed so that additional units are modularly mounted on said mobile case.

12. An on-board computer system as defined in claim 1, wherein said mobile case is formed so that additional units are modularly dismounted from said mobile case.

13. An on-board computer system as defined in claim 1;

and further comprising a docking station fixedly connectable with the machine, said computer unit and said mobile case being mountable on said docking station.

14. An on-board computer system as defined in claim 1;

and further comprising an insertion compartment provided on the working machine and formed so that said mobile case is insertable into said insertion unit.

15. An on-board computer system as defined in claim 1;

and further comprising a setting-in compartment provided on the working machine and formed so that said mobile case is settable in said setting-in compartment.

16. An on-board computer system as defined in claim 1;

and further comprising plug means including a first plug element arranged on said mobile case and a second plug element associated with the machine and connectable with said first plug element.

17. An on-board computer system as defined in claim 16;

and further comprising a docking station provided on the machine, said second plug element being arranged on said docking station so that by placing said mobile case in a working position said first plug element is connected with said second plug element on said docking station.

18. An on-board computer system as defined in claim 16;

and further comprising a insertion compartment provided on the machine, said second plug element being arranged on said insertion compartment so that by placing said mobile sleeve in a working position said first plug element is connected with said second plug element on said insertion compartment.

19. An on-board computer system as defined in claim 1, wherein said mobile case with said computer means is formed so that said mobile case is connectable with a standard interface and a connection plug to a further device.

20. An on-board computer system for machines, comprising a computer unit;

a plurality of operation units for the machines such that the machines are adjustable, controllable and regulatable through said computer unit by adjusting values stored or inputted in said computer unit;

inputting means for completing and changing data stored in said computer unit;

an exchangeable operator plate having indicating and inputting means;

a mobile case accommodating said computer unit and formed so that said mobile case is releasably connectable with the working machine and mountable on different working machines;

a docking station fixedly connectable with the machine, said computer unit and said mobile case being mountable on said docking station; and

an additional holder through which said docking station is fixedly connectable with the machine.

21. An on-board computer system for machines, comprising a computer unit;

a plurality of operation units for the machines such that the machines are adjustable, controllable and regulatable through said computer unit by adjusting values stored or inputted in said computer unit;

inputting means for completing and changing data stored in said computer unit;

an exchangeable operator plate having indicating and inputting means;

a mobile case accommodating said computer unit and formed so that said mobile case is releasably connectable with the working machine and mountable on different working machines, said mobile case being formed so that additional units are modularly dismounted from said mobile case, said docking station being available through a memory whose content is made ready at least partially for transmission to said computer unit after mounting of said mobile case.

22. An on-board computer system as defined in claim 21, wherein said docking station detects and evaluates electrical signals.

23. An on-board computer system for machines, comprising a computer unit;

a plurality of operation units for the machines such that the machines are adjustable, controllable and regulatable through said computer unit by adjusting values stored or inputted in said computer unit;

inputting means for completing and changing data stored in said computer unit;

an exchangeable operator plate having indicating and inputting means;

a mobile case accommodating said computer unit and formed so that said mobile case is releasably connectable with the working machine and mountable on different working machines, said indicating means including at least one indicating device having at least partially an indication image which contains specific elements of a corresponding machine with which computer unit is connected.

24. An on-board computer system as defined in claim 23, wherein said indicating device graphically illustrates operational conditions of the machine to be controlled by said computer unit so that a condition selected from the group consisting of an operation condition or switching condition is optically recognizable.

25. An on-board computer system as defined in claim 23, wherein the operation conditions are illustrated graphically as a whole.

26. An on-board computer system as defined in claim 23, wherein the operation conditions are illustrated as graphically structural groups.

27. An on-board computer system as defined in claim 23;

and further comprising a terminal in which the indicating images of said indicating device are stored;

an electrical means associated with the working machine and selecting the indicating images through intermediate means.

28. An on-board computer system as defined in claim 27, wherein said intermediate means is an indicating menu.

29. An on-board computer system as defined in claim 27, wherein said intermediate means is a communication of said indicating device with said computer unit.

30. An on-board computer system as defined in claim 27, wherein said electronic means is provided in the machine.

31. An on-board computer system as defined in claim 27;

and further comprising a docking station associated with the working machine and provided with said electronic means.

32. An on-board computer system for machines, comprising a computer unit;

a plurality of operation units for the machines such that the machines are adjustable, controllable and regulatable through said computer unit by adjusting values stored or inputted in said computer unit;

inputting means for completing and changing data stored in said computer unit;

an exchangeable operator plate having indicating and inputting means;

a mobile case accommodating said computer unit and formed so that said mobile case is releasably connectable with the working machine and mountable on different working machines;

means for storing at least one indicating image of said indicating means; and

an operation memory in which said at lest one indicating image is loaded through intermediate means after docking, so that said at least one indicating image is loaded in said operation storage through said communication with said docking station.

33. An on-board computer system as defined in claim 32;

and further comprising a docking station provided on the machine and forming said storing means, said intermediate means being means for communication of said computer unit with said docking station so that at least one indicating image is loaded through said electronic elements of the machine in the operation memory.

34. An on-board computer system as defined in claim 32, wherein said storing means is means at a location of the machine, said intermediate means being electronic elements provided on the machine.

35. An on-board computer system for machines, comprising a computer unit;

a plurality of operation units for the machines such that the machines are adjustable, controllable and regulatable through said computer unit by adjusting values stored or inputted in said computer unit;

inputting means for completing and changing data stored in said computer unit;

an exchangeable operator plate having indicating and inputting means;

a mobile case accommodating said computer unit and formed so that said mobile case is releasably connectable with the working machine and mountable on different working machines;

a data bus system through which said computer unit compares a statement value of at least one indicating image of said indicating means with an actual condition of an indicating function of the machine; and

means for correcting the statement value of the indicating image in the event of a deviation between the statement value of the at least one indicating image and the actual condition of the indicated function.

36. A machine system, comprising a working machine for performing machine functions;

and an on-board computer system for said machine system and including a computer unit;

a plurality of operation units for the machine such that the machine is adjustable, controllable and regulatable through said computer unit by adjusting values stored or inputted in said computer unit;

inputting means for completing and changing data stored in said computer unit;

an exchangeable operator plate having indicating and inputting means;

a mobile case accommodating said computer unit and formed so that said mobile case is releasably connectable with the working machine and mountable on different working machines for providing the adjustment, control and regulation of the different working machines.