Navigational off- line and off-heading indication system and method

• US 6,553,311 B2
• Filed: 12/08/2000
• Issued: 04/22/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited (Trimble Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited (Trimble Inc.)
• Inventors: Ahearn, John, Crozier, Scott, Lange, Arthur
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuchlinski, Jr., William A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Marc-Coleman, Marthe Y.
• Application Number:
  US09/733,862
• Publication Number:
  US 20020072851A1
• Time in Patent Office: 865 Days
• Field of Search: 701/213, 701/50, 701/23, 340/815.45, 340/937, 340/901, 340/436, 340/903, 340/905, 340/525, 342/357.13, 342/357.17, 342/357.08, 342/357.02
• US Class Current: 701/213
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 69/007 Steering or guiding of agricultural vehicles, e.g. steering of the tractor to keep the plough in the furrow
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/20 Instruments for performing navigational calculations G01C21/24, G01C21/26 take precedence

Abstract

A system and method that provides off-line and off-heading correction information in a convenient format that is easy for an operator to comprehend. A dual mode indication system provides two different types of navigation information in a single device presentation configuration that is efficient and effective. The dual mode indication system presents information in a manner that is intuitive with minimal sensory resource commitment. Providing the off line and off heading in simplified and effective formats assists a vehicle operator to keep a vehicle on a desired line and moving in a correct direction with minimal operator effort expended observing, interpreting and analyzing the navigation information.

Claims

1. A dual mode indication system for providing two different types of navigation information, comprising;

a dual mode indicator that simultaneously provides off line and off heading information in a convenient and easy to comprehend presentation;

a controller coupled to said dual mode indicator, said controller controls said dual mode indicator; and

a communication bus coupled to said dual mode indicator, said communication bus communicates information from said controller to said dual mode indicator.

2. The dual mode indication system of claim 1 wherein said dual mode indicator comprises an off line indicator that presents off line information relative to a desired guidance pattern.

3. The dual mode indication system of claim 1 wherein said dual mode indicator comprises a light emitting diode (LED) light bar off line indicator that presents off line information.

4. The dual mode indication system of claim 3 wherein said light emitting diode (LED) light bar off line indicator comprises a plurality of LEDs some of which are selectively lighted to provide an indication of an actual line of travel relative to a desired line of travel.

5. The dual mode indication system of claim 3 wherein said light emitting diode (LED) light bar off line indicator is configured as a semicircular pattern in the middle to provide the impression of a spirit level.

6. The dual mode indication system of claim 3 wherein said light emitting diode (LED) light bar off line indicator is configured is a semicircular pattern in the middle to assist a vehicle operator to decide on an appropriate course of action at the beginning and at point during a swath.

7. The dual mode indication system of claim 3 wherein said light emitting diode (LED) light bar off line indicator comprises:

a semicircular configuration section that provides an indication an operator should continue guidance on the desired track and make corrections; and

a horizontal configuration section coupled to said semicircular configuration section, said horizontal configuration section that provides an indication an operator should start the desired track again.

8. The dual mode indication system of claim 1 wherein said dual mode indicator comprises an off heading indicator that presents an indication in a convenient and easy to comprehend format of an appropriate heading adjustment for bringing a vehicle back on a desired line of travel.

9. The dual mode indication system of claim 8 wherein said off heading indicator provides a look forward indication for following a curve.

10. The dual mode indication system of claim 1 wherein said dual mode indicator comprises an analog needle.

11. The dual mode indication system of claim 10 wherein said analog needle rotates to provide an indication of an appropriate heading for a vehicle.

12. The dual mode indication system of claim 1 wherein said dual mode indicator comprises a lighted light emitting diode (LED) pattern.

13. The dual mode indication system of claim 12 wherein said lighted LED pattern comprises a circular configuration of rectangular light emitting diode (LED )hash marks.

14. The dual mode indication system of claim 1 wherein said controller includes a global positioning system (GPS) receiver that receives and processes vehicle positioning information.

15. The dual mode indication system of claim 14 wherein said GPS receiver provides a computer system platform for executing software routines which assist implement the functionality of performing off line indication and off heading indication.

16. The dual mode indication system of claim 15 wherein said GPS receiver comprises:

an antenna that receives global positioning system (GPS) signals;

a down converter coupled to said antenna, said down converted down converts said GPS signals;

a digital signal processor coupled to said down converter, said digital signal processor de-spreads and demodulates said GPS signals;

an internal embedded computer coupled to said digital signal processor, said internal embedded computer computes the correct pseudo ranges and determine the GPS-based position and velocity; and

a communications port coupled to said internal embedded computer, said communications port provides a communication path for navigation information.

17. A dual mode indication method for providing off line and off heading information comprising the steps of:

processing navigation information;

determining vehicle off line information and off heading information; and

providing an easy to comprehend dual mode simultaneous presentation of said off line information and said off heading information.

18. A dual mode indication method of claim 17 wherein said navigation information includes GPS information.

19. A dual mode indication method of claim 17 further comprising the steps of:

receiving satellite orbital data;

utilizing said satellite orbital data to determine the time between transmission by a satellite and reception by a receiver;

using said time between transmission by said satellite and reception by said receiver to determine a pseudo-range measurement of four or more satellites; and

calculating a precise vehicle location in three dimensions, vehicle velocity, and a time offset.

20. A dual mode indication method of claim 17 further comprising the step of comparing desired guidance path lines with actual lines of travel to ascertain actual line off line information associated with the actual position of a vehicle relative to a desired line.

21. A dual mode indication method of claim 17 further comprising the step of calculating information indicating a heading a vehicle should take to get back on a desired line.

22. A dual mode indication method of claim 17 further comprising the step of utilizing a look ahead feature to ascertain appropriate heading adjustments for curve following.

23. A dual mode indication method of claim 17 further comprising the step of utilizing an LED light bar to provide off line information by changing the pattern of lighted LEDs to the left or right in accordance with an off line calculation.

24. A dual mode indication method of claim 17 further comprising the step of using an analog needle to provide off-heading information by rotating said analog needle to point out off heading correction information to the vehicle operator.