Machine operator interface having linked help feature

• US 7,937,162 B2
• Filed: 10/31/2006
• Issued: 05/03/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Silvers, Timothy J., Redden, Mark C., Thomson, Norval P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bahta; Kidest
• Assistant Examiner(s): RAO, SHEELA S
• Application Number:
  US11/589,958
• Publication Number:
  US 20080188954A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,645 Days
• Field of Search: 700/17, 700/83, 700/264, 701/50, 701/211, 701/29, 701/30, 701/70, 701/76, 701/107, 701/110, 701/112, 701/116, 715/703, 715/705, 715/716, 702/184, 340/425.5, 340/426.15, 340/426.22, 340/426.3, 340/426.32, 340/438, 340/459, 340/460, 340/461, 340/463, 340/500, 340/516, 340/679, 340/686.1, 280/5.501
• US Class Current: 700/17
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/161 Explanation of functions, e.g. instructions
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/28 characterised by the type of the output information, e.g. video entertainment or vehicle dynamics information; characterised by the purpose of the output information, e.g. for attracting the attention of the driver
• 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 2219/2663 Tractor
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/36133 MMI, HMI: man machine interface, communication
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/45017 Agriculture machine, tractor
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/453 Help systems

Abstract

An operator interface for a machine is disclosed. The operator interface may have an operator interface device for receiving operator input corresponding to a requested machine function, wherein a machine function signal is generated in response to the received operator input. The operator interface may also have a help request device configured to receive an operator'"'"'s request for information and generate a help signal. The operator interface may further have a controller in communication with the operator interface device and the help request device. The controller may be configured to provide information to the operator in response to receiving the help signal and the machine function signal. The information may relate to the requested machine function.

Claims

1. An operator interface for a machine, comprising:

a display device;

an operator interface device for receiving input from an operator corresponding to a requested machine function and for generating a machine function signal in response to the received operator input;

a help request device configured to receive a request from the operator for information and to generate a help signal in response to the request; and

a controller in communication with the display device, the operator interface device, and the help request device, the controller being configured to display on the display device information about the requested machine function to the operator in response to receiving the help signal and the machine function signal, the displayed information including;

a name or description of the requested machine function;

an indication of whether the requested machine function is currently enabled on the machine;

an indication of a current mode of operation for the requested machine function; and

a link to content regarding the requested machine function.

2. The operator interface of claim 1, wherein the operator interface device includes a plurality of buttons, each button corresponding to a different requested machine function, wherein the controller is further configured to provide information relating to each of the requested machine functions.

3. The operator interface of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to only provide the information to the operator when receipt of the help signal is followed by receipt of the machine function signal.

4. The operator interface of claim 1, further including a speaker in communication with the controller, wherein the controller is further configured to provide at least some of the information audibly via the speaker.

5. The operator interface of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to prevent actuation of the requested machine function in response to receiving the help signal.

6. The operator interface of claim 5, wherein the actuation is prevented for a period of time after receipt of the help signal.

7. The operator interface of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to confirm receipt of the help signal to the operator.

8. The operator interface of claim 7, wherein the confirmation is audible.

9. The operator interface of claim 7, wherein the confirmation is visual.

10. The operator interface of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to receive a selection by the operator of a language in which the information about the requested machine function is provided.

11. The operator interface of claim 1, wherein, if the requested machine function is being performed when the help signal is received, the controller is further configured to provide the information about the requested machine function only after the requested machine function has been completed.

12. The operator interface of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to determine if the request for information is received during machine travel, and to provide the requested information only after machine travel has stopped.

13. The operator interface of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to:

determine whether a machine function is currently being performed; and

if it is determined that a machine function is currently being performed, recommend to the operator that the information about the requested machine function be provided only after performance of the machine function has been completed.

14. An operator interface for a machine, comprising:

an operator interface device including;

at least one machine function device for receiving a request from an operator to actuate a machine function for at least one of a power source of the machine, a traction device of the machine, and a work implement of the machine, and for generating an actuation request signal in response to the received request to actuate the machine function; and

a help request device configured to receive an operator'"'"'s request for information and to generate a help signal in response to the request for information;

a display device; and

a controller in communication with the operator interface device, and the display device, the controller being configured to display, via the display device, information about the requested machine function, the displayed information including;

a name of the requested machine function;

a description of the requested machine function;

an indication of whether the requested machine function is currently enabled on the machine;

an indication of a current mode of operation for the requested machine function; and

a link to content regarding the requested machine function.

15. A method of providing information relating to operation of a machine, comprising:

receiving a request for information;

receiving a request for actuation of a machine function;

determining, in response to the request for information and the request for actuation, whether the machine is at a complete stop;

if it is determined that the machine is not a complete stop, visually or audibly indicating to an operator of a machine that information about the requested machine function can only be provided when the machine is at a complete stop; and

displaying, on a display device associated with the machine, information about the requested machine function to the operator of the machine only when it is determined that the machine is at a complete stop, the displayed information including;

a name of the requested machine function;

a description of the requested machine function;

an indication of whether the requested machine function is currently enabled on the machine;

an indication of a current mode of operation for the requested machine function; and

a link to access content regarding the requested machine function.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the information is displayed only when the request for information is followed by the request for actuation.

17. The method of claim 16, further including:

preventing actuation of the requested machine function when the request for actuation is proceeded by the request for information; and

displaying the information about the requested machine function only after completion of a machine function currently being performed.

18. The method of claim 15, further including visually or audibly confirming the request for information.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the information is displayed to the operator in a language selected by the operator.