Grade indicator for excavation operations
First Claim
1. A grade indicator for use in earth grading operations using earth moving equipment comprising:
- a scrolling graphical scale;
a first indicator on said scrolling graphical scale indicating a desired grade range, said first indicator comprising an area of color different from a color outside the area, said area bounded between two points on said scrolling graphical scale, one point being an upper-bound of the desired grade range and one point being a lower-bound of the desired grade range;
a second indicator for providing an indication on said scrolling graphical scale of a position of a cutting blade on an earth moving machine; and
a third indicator for providing an indication that said cutting blade is not within said desired grade range.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A graphical grade indicator for use in earth moving operations has an improved, variable resolution and a substantially unlimited range. This grade indicator results in a more accurate indication of the position of a cutting blade relative to the desired grade and, as a result, allows a machine operator to more accurately control grading operations. In one embodiment, a graphical grade indicator has a graphical scale with a substantially unlimited range and various indications indicating a desired grade level and at least a first undesirable grade level. When the cutting blade deviates from the desired grade level, a first indication is provided indicating, illustratively, the direction and magnitude of movement of the cutting blade repositioning necessary to achieve the desired grade. The resolution of the graphical scale can be changed in order to provide a desired degree of accuracy in grading operations.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A grade indicator for use in earth grading operations using earth moving equipment comprising:
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a scrolling graphical scale; a first indicator on said scrolling graphical scale indicating a desired grade range, said first indicator comprising an area of color different from a color outside the area, said area bounded between two points on said scrolling graphical scale, one point being an upper-bound of the desired grade range and one point being a lower-bound of the desired grade range; a second indicator for providing an indication on said scrolling graphical scale of a position of a cutting blade on an earth moving machine; and a third indicator for providing an indication that said cutting blade is not within said desired grade range. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for displaying a graphical indicator for use in grade operations with an earthmoving machine, said method comprising:
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generating a display of a scrolling graphical scale; generating a first indicator on said scrolling graphical scale indicating a desired grade range, said first indicator comprising an area of color on said scrolling graphical scale different from a color outside the area, said area bounded between two points on said display of a scrolling graphical scale, one point being an upper-bound of the desired grade range and one point being a lower-bound of the desired grade range; generating a second indicator, said second indicator representing a position of a cutting blade on an earth moving machine; determining whether said position of said cutting blade is within said desired grade range; and if said cutting blade is not within said desired grade range, generating a third indicator indicating that said cutting blade is not within said desired grade range. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. An apparatus for use in displaying a graphical indicator used in grade operations with an earthmoving machine, said apparatus comprising:
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means for generating a display of a scrolling graphical scale; means for generating a first indicator on said scrolling graphical scale indicating a desired grade range, said first indicator comprising an area of color different from a color outside the area, said area bounded between two points on said scrolling graphical scale, one point being an upper-bound of the desired grade range and one point being a lower-bound of the desired grade range; means for generating a second indicator, said second indicator representing a position of a cutting blade on an earth moving machine; means for determining whether said position of said cutting blade is within said desired grade range; and means for generating a third indicator indicating that said cutting blade is not within said desired grade range. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification