Apparatus and method of providing configuration information to an operator of a work machine

• US 6,366,821 B1
• Filed: 09/23/1998
• Issued: 04/02/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Carew, Kevin J., Krieg, Randal K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Grant, William
• Assistant Examiner(s): PATEL, RAMESH B
• Application Number:
  US09/159,070
• Time in Patent Office: 1,287 Days
• Field of Search: 340/958, 340/959, 340/517, 340/901, 700/1, 700/2-15, 700/19, 700/20, 700/26, 700/28, 700/83-84, 700/86, 345/266, 345/684, 345/754, 701/50, 172/2, 172/4.5, 172/7, 172/85, 702/183, 702/184, 702/185, 180/22, 713/23, 713/9
• US Class Current: 700/17
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/4063 Monitoring general control system G05B19/4062 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/35312 Display working state, process

Abstract

An apparatus and method of providing configuration information to an operator of a work machine adapted to be configured for performing a plurality of work functions. Whether the work machine control system is in power up mode is determined. Configuration parameters are read from memory and provided to the operator.

Claims

1. A work machine adapted to be controlled by an operator and configured for performing a plurality of work functions, comprising:

a frame;

a plurality of ground engaging devices supporting the frame;

an operator compartment supported by the ground engaging devices;

an engine operably coupled to the ground engaging devices;

a work machine control system having a configuration system, including;

a memory adapted to store at least one configuration parameter;

an operator interface adapted to display the at least one configuration parameter to the operator in the operator compartment; and

a controller associated with the memory and adapted to receive the at least one configuration parameter, determine whether the work machine control system is in power up mode and responsively display the at least one configuration parameter to the operator interface.

2. The work machine of claim 1, wherein the operator interface is adapted to provide the at least one configuration parameter to the operator in the operator compartment as a scrolling text message.

3. A method of providing configuration information to an operator of a work machine adapted to be configured for performing a plurality of work functions, comprising the steps of:

determining whether a control system included on the work machine is in power up mode;

reading at least one configuration parameter from a memory in response to said step of determining;

providing the at least one configuration parameter to the operator, including providing a text message to the operator from a user interface, and including a step of scrolling the text message across the user interface.

4. A method of providing configuration information to an operator of a work machine adapted to be configured for performing a plurality of work functions, comprising the steps of:

determining whether a control system of the work machine is in power up mode;

reading at least one configuration parameter from a memory; and

providing the at least one configuration parameter to the operator in a scrolling text message across a user interface in response to the control system of the work machine being in power up mode.