Machine with customized implement control

• US 8,190,336 B2
• Filed: 07/17/2008
• Issued: 05/29/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/17/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Verkuilen, Michael Todd, Kuehn, Jeffrey Lee, Mintah, Brian, Yoo, Benjamin
• Primary Examiner(s): Carone, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): Abdosh, Samir
• Application Number:
  US12/219,178
• Publication Number:
  US 20100017074A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,412 Days
• Field of Search: 701/50, 373/48
• US Class Current: 701/50
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/265 with follow-up actions (e.g. control signals sent to actuate the work tool)

Abstract

A method is provided for operating a machine. The method includes receiving data relating to a current state of multiple parameters. The method also includes determining a parameter signature for each parameter of the multiple parameters based on the received data. In addition, the method includes comparing each parameter signature to reference data to determine which operating modes of the machine are indicated by each parameter signature. The method further includes adjusting one or more components of an implement control system according to the operating mode indicated by a threshold number of parameter signatures.

Claims

1. A method for operating a machine, comprising:

receiving data relating to a current state of multiple parameters;

determining a parameter signature for each parameter of the multiple parameters based on the received data;

comparing each parameter signature to reference data to determine which operating modes of the machine are indicated by each parameter signature;

determining that less than a threshold number of parameter signals are indicated for each of the operating modes so that a single operating mode of the machine cannot be determined;

receiving supplemental data relating to one or more parameters not associated with any of the determined parameter signatures;

comparing the supplemental data to stored data; and

adjusting one or more components of an implement control system according to an operating mode indicated by the comparison of the supplemental data.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein comparing the supplemental data includes omitting from the comparison of the supplemental data any operating mode not indicated by any of the parameter signatures indicating a single operating mode.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the threshold number of parameter signatures is a majority of the parameter signatures.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the supplemental data is related to at least one of an engine load, manipulation of an input device, a pressure within a hydraulic circuit, or a position of a tool.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the operating modes include at least one of loading a truck, trenching, finishing a slope of a surface, tamping, boom up stick relief, stick shake, or stick directional change.

3. A method for operating a machine, comprising:

receiving data relating to a current state of multiple parameters;

determining a parameter signature for each parameter of the multiple parameters based on the received data;

comparing each parameter signature to reference data to determine which operating modes of the machine are indicated by each parameter signature;

determining that less than a threshold number of parameter signals are indicated for each of the operating modes so that a single operating mode of the machine cannot be determined;

determining a current state of one or more factors that affect the operation of the machine, the factors being different from the parameters associated with the parameter signatures;

receiving supplemental data relating to one or more parameters not associated with any of the determined parameter signatures;

comparing the supplemental data to stored data; and

adjusting one or more components of an implement control system according to the current state of the one or more factors and an operating mode indicated by the comparison of the supplemental data.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein comparing the supplemental data further includes omitting from the comparison of the supplemental data any operating mode not indicated by any of the parameter signatures indicating a single operating mode.

5. The method of claim 4, further including assigning a priority to each machine operating mode and each of the one or more factors.

6. The method of claim 5, further including implementing further adjustments based on the current state of the one or more factors or the current machine operating mode having the higher priority.

7. The method of claim 4, further including manually further adjusting the one or more components of the implement control system.

9. The method of claim 3, wherein the factors include at least one of a geographic location of the machine, a type of tool used with the machine, and properties of material being handled by the machine.

10. The method of claim 3, wherein the threshold number of parameter signatures is a majority of the parameter signatures.

13. The method of claim 3, wherein the supplemental data is related to at least one of an engine load, manipulation of an input device, a pressure within a hydraulic circuit, or a position of a tool.

14. The method of claim 3, wherein the operating modes include at least one of loading a truck, trenching, finishing a slope of a surface, tamping, boom up stick relief, stick shake, or stick directional change.