Machine with automatic operating mode determination

• US 8,285,458 B2
• Filed: 04/18/2008
• Issued: 10/09/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Mintah, Brian, Kuehn, Jeffrey Lee, Huang, Qiaoyan
• Primary Examiner(s): Will, Thomas B
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mitchell, Joel F.
• Application Number:
  US12/081,646
• Publication Number:
  US 20090265047A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,635 Days
• Field of Search: 701/50
• US Class Current: 701/50
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/435 for dipper-arms, backhoes or the like
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/2004 Control mechanisms, e.g. control levers control levers per se G05G
• 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 determining a current operating mode of a machine. The method includes receiving data relating to a plurality of machine parameters and performing initial comparisons between the received data and previously stored reference data for each machine parameter. The method also includes determining an operating mode indicated by each initial comparison. The method further includes selecting a current operating mode from the operating modes indicated by the initial comparisons.

Claims

1. A method for determining a current operating mode of a machine, comprising:

receiving data relating to a plurality of machine parameters;

performing initial comparisons between the received data and previously stored reference data for each machine parameter;

determining an operating mode indicated by each initial comparison; and

selecting a current operating mode from the operating modes indicated by the initial comparisons, wherein any initial comparison that indicates more than one operating mode is disregarded during the selection.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein selecting the current operating mode further includes selecting the current operating mode only when one operating mode has been indicated by more initial comparisons than any other operating mode.

3. The method of claim 1, further including receiving supplemental data relating to one or more machine parameters and using the supplemental data in the selection of the current operating mode.

4. 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.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein selecting the current operating mode further includes selecting the current operating mode only when one operating mode has been indicated by a majority of the initial comparisons.

6. The method of claim 5, further including determining the number of initial comparisons needed for a majority based on the number of initial comparisons remaining after initial comparisons have been disregarded due to identifying more than one operating mode.

7. A method for determining a current operating mode of a machine, comprising:

creating and storing reference data for each of a plurality of machine parameters, the reference data for each machine parameter having unique reference signatures for each of a plurality of operating modes, wherein creating and storing the reference data includes operating the machine in all available operating modes, the machine being operated in each operating mode for a predetermined period of time;

receiving current data relating to the plurality of machine parameters, the current data relating to each machine parameter having a unique parameter signature;

performing initial comparisons between the parameter signature and the reference signatures for each machine parameter;

determining an operating mode indicated by each initial comparison; and

selecting a current operating mode from the operating modes indicated by the initial comparisons, wherein any initial comparison that indicates more than one operating mode is omitted from being selected as the current operating mode.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the predetermined period of time in which the machine operates in a particular operating mode varies from operating mode to operating mode.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein creating and storing the reference data further includes refraining from storing data for a period of time when transitioning between operating modes.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein selecting the current operating mode further includes selecting the current operating mode only when one operating mode has been indicated by more initial comparisons than any other operating mode.

11. The method of claim 9, further including receiving supplemental data relating to one or more machine parameters and using the supplemental data in the selection of the current operating mode.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein selecting the current operating mode further includes selecting the current operating mode only when one operating mode has been indicated by a majority of the initial comparisons.

13. The method of claim 12, further including determining the number of initial comparisons needed for a majority based on the number of initial comparisons remaining after initial comparisons have been disregarded due to identifying more than one operating mode.

14. The method of claim 11, 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.

15. An operating mode determination system for a machine, including:

one or more operator input devices;

one or more sensors; and

a processing device configured to;

receive data from the one or more operator input devices and the one or more sensors, the data being related to a plurality of machine parameters;

perform initial comparisons between the received data and the reference data for each machine parameter;

determine an operating mode indicated by each initial comparison; and

select a current operating mode from the operating modes indicated by the initial comparisons, wherein any initial comparison that indicates more than one operating mode is disregarded during the selection.

16. The operating mode determination system of claim 15, wherein the processing device is configured to select the current operating mode only when one operating mode has been indicated by more initial comparisons than any other operating mode.

17. The operating mode determination system of claim 16, wherein the processing device is configured to receive supplemental data from the one or more sensors or one or more operator input devices, and the supplemental data is used in the selection of the current operating mode.