Common interface architecture for horizontal directional drilling machines and walk-over guidance systems
First Claim
1. A system for interfacing an earth moving machine with a plurality of disparate components adapted for use with the earth moving machine, comprising:
- an interface controller;
a plurality of component controllers associated with the plurality of disparate components adapted for use with the earth moving machine;
a network communicatively coupling the interface controller and at least some of the plurality of component controllers using a first communication protocol, at least a particular component controller of the plurality of component controllers configured to effect communications using a second communication protocol differing from the first communication protocol; and
a protocol module coupled to the interface controller and configured to effect protocol conversion between the first and second communication protocols, the protocol module implementing protocol conversion to facilitate communication between the interface controller and the particular component controller.
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Abstract
A system and method of interfacing a drilling machine with one of a number of different walk-over guidance systems involves receiving an ID signal from a particular walk-over guidance system selected for use with the drilling machine. A protocol library associated with the particular walk-over guidance system is accessed in response to the ID signal. The protocol library is used to effect communication between the particular walk-over guidance system and a control system of the drilling machine during cooperative use of the particular walk-over guidance system and drilling machine. Using the protocol library involves converting, as prescribed by the protocol library, locator signals received from the particular walk-over guidance system from a locator protocol to a common protocol used by the control system of the drilling machine. Locator and drilling machine data of various types can be presented to a drilling machine operator via an on-board display.
56 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for interfacing an earth moving machine with a plurality of disparate components adapted for use with the earth moving machine, comprising:
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an interface controller; a plurality of component controllers associated with the plurality of disparate components adapted for use with the earth moving machine; a network communicatively coupling the interface controller and at least some of the plurality of component controllers using a first communication protocol, at least a particular component controller of the plurality of component controllers configured to effect communications using a second communication protocol differing from the first communication protocol; and a protocol module coupled to the interface controller and configured to effect protocol conversion between the first and second communication protocols, the protocol module implementing protocol conversion to facilitate communication between the interface controller and the particular component controller. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for interfacing an earth moving machine with a plurality of disparate components adapted for use with the earth moving machine, comprising:
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providing a plurality of component controllers associated with the plurality of disparate components; effecting communication between each of the plurality of component controllers and an interface controller of the earth moving machine via a network, at least some of the plurality of component controllers using a first communication protocol to effect communications with the interface controller via the network and at least a particular component controller of the plurality of component controllers configured to effect communications via the network using a second communication protocol differing from the first communication protocol; and performing protocol conversion between the first and second communication protocols to facilitate communication between the interface controller and the particular component controller. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification