Worksite proximity warning and collision avoidance system
First Claim
1. A proximity warning and collision avoidance system, comprising:
- an established safe zone within a work environment within which a machine is safe to work;
an established hazard zone within the work environment within which the machine is restricted;
an operator interface comprising a first group of visual indicators including a low level indicator and a high level indicator, a second group of visual indicators including a low level indicator and a high level indicator, an audio indicator operable at a first volume and at a second volume, and operator inputs configured to receive selections from an operator;
a controller in communication with said operator interface, and configured to control the operator interface to illuminate said low level indicator of said first group of visual indicators and to operate said audio indicator at said first volume when a hazard approaches within a predetermined distance from a perimeter of said established safe zone;
said controller further configured to control the operator interface to illuminate said high level indicator of said first group of visual indicators and to operate said audio indicator at said second volume when the hazard enters within said perimeter of said established safe zone;
said controller further configured to control the operator interface to illuminate said low level indicator of said second group of indicators and to operate said audio indicator at said first volume when the machine approaches within a predetermined distance from a perimeter of said established hazard zone; and
said controller further configured to control the operator interface to illuminate said high level indicator of said second group of indicators and to operate said audio indicator at said second volume when the machine enters within said perimeter of said established hazard zone.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A proximity warning and collision avoidance for a machine on a worksite operating near obstacles is disclosed. The proximity warning system includes an operator interface including first group of visual indicators including a low level indicator and a high level indicator, a second group of visual indicators including a low level indicator and a high level indicator, an audio indicator operable at a first volume and at a second volume, and operator inputs configured to receive selections from an operator. The proximity warning system is configured to provide both low level and high level alarms to an operator when an obstacle approaches or enters a safe zone, and when the machine approaches and enters a hazard zone.
41 Citations
7 Claims
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1. A proximity warning and collision avoidance system, comprising:
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an established safe zone within a work environment within which a machine is safe to work; an established hazard zone within the work environment within which the machine is restricted; an operator interface comprising a first group of visual indicators including a low level indicator and a high level indicator, a second group of visual indicators including a low level indicator and a high level indicator, an audio indicator operable at a first volume and at a second volume, and operator inputs configured to receive selections from an operator; a controller in communication with said operator interface, and configured to control the operator interface to illuminate said low level indicator of said first group of visual indicators and to operate said audio indicator at said first volume when a hazard approaches within a predetermined distance from a perimeter of said established safe zone; said controller further configured to control the operator interface to illuminate said high level indicator of said first group of visual indicators and to operate said audio indicator at said second volume when the hazard enters within said perimeter of said established safe zone; said controller further configured to control the operator interface to illuminate said low level indicator of said second group of indicators and to operate said audio indicator at said first volume when the machine approaches within a predetermined distance from a perimeter of said established hazard zone; and said controller further configured to control the operator interface to illuminate said high level indicator of said second group of indicators and to operate said audio indicator at said second volume when the machine enters within said perimeter of said established hazard zone. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A method of warning a machine operator the proximity of obstacles relative to a machine, comprising:
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establishing a safe zone within a work environment within which the machine is safe to work; establishing at least one hazard zone within a work environment within which the machine is restricted; providing a low level alarm to an operator when a hazard approaches within a predetermined distance from a perimeter of said safe zone; providing a high level alarm to an operator when the hazard enters within said perimeter of said safe zone; providing a low level alarm to an operator when the machine approaches within a predetermined distance from a perimeter of said hazard zone; and providing a high level alarm to an operator when the machine enters within said perimeter of said hazard zone. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7)
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5. A machine, comprising:
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an operator cab; a proximity warning system including; an established safe zone within a work environment within which a machine is safe to work; an established hazard zone within the work environment within which the machine is restricted; an operator interface comprising a first group of visual indicators including a low level indicator and a high level indicator, a second group of visual indicators including a low level indicator and a high level indicator, an audio indicator operable at a first volume and at a second volume, and operator inputs configured to receive selections from an operator; a controller in communication with said operator interface, and configured to control the operator interface to illuminate said low level indicator of said first group of visual indicators and to operate said audio indicator at said first volume when a hazard approaches within a predetermined distance from a perimeter of said established safe zone; said controller further configured to control the operator interface to illuminate said high level indicator of said first group of visual indicators and to operate said audio indicator at said second volume when the hazard enters within said perimeter of said established safe zone; said controller further configured to control the operator interface to illuminate said low level indicator of said second group of indicators and to operate said audio indicator at said first volume when the machine approaches within a predetermined distance from a perimeter of said established hazard zone; and said controller further configured to control the operator interface to illuminate said high level indicator of said second group of indicators and to operate said audio indicator at said second volume when the machine enters within said perimeter of said established hazard zone.
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Specification