Fluid level monitoring system and method
First Claim
1. A fluid level monitoring system for a machine having an onboard information system (OIS) configured to monitor a fluid level status for each of a plurality of fluids used in the operation of the machine, wherein the OIS stores a fluid level status value for each of the monitored fluids, the fluid level monitoring system comprising:
- a control panel comprising;
a plurality of input devices, with each input device corresponding to one of the monitored fluids of the machine,a plurality of indicators, with each indicator corresponding to one of the input devices, wherein the input devices and indicators are operatively connected to the OIS, and wherein the indicators are configured to provide a visual display of a fluid level status for each of the monitored fluids; and
a message display device comprising;
a display screen, anda processor operatively connected to the display screen and to the OIS, the processor being programmed to cause the display screen to display a fluid level status message for one of the monitored fluids, wherein the monitored fluid for which the fluid level status message is displayed is determined based on the actuation of the corresponding input device of the control panel; and
at least one fill port corresponding to one of the monitored fluids, wherein each fill port is in fluid communication with a corresponding reservoir for the monitored fluid on the machine, and wherein the at least one fill port is disposed on the machine proximate the control panel and the message display device.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A fluid level monitoring system may include a control panel having a plurality of input devices, each corresponding to a monitored fluid of a machine, and a plurality of indicators, each corresponding to one of the input devices. The indicators may provide visual displays of fluid level statuses for the monitored fluids. The fluid level monitoring system may further include a message display device that may display a fluid level status message for one of the monitored fluids based on the actuation of the corresponding input device of the control panel.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A fluid level monitoring system for a machine having an onboard information system (OIS) configured to monitor a fluid level status for each of a plurality of fluids used in the operation of the machine, wherein the OIS stores a fluid level status value for each of the monitored fluids, the fluid level monitoring system comprising:
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a control panel comprising; a plurality of input devices, with each input device corresponding to one of the monitored fluids of the machine, a plurality of indicators, with each indicator corresponding to one of the input devices, wherein the input devices and indicators are operatively connected to the OIS, and wherein the indicators are configured to provide a visual display of a fluid level status for each of the monitored fluids; and a message display device comprising; a display screen, and a processor operatively connected to the display screen and to the OIS, the processor being programmed to cause the display screen to display a fluid level status message for one of the monitored fluids, wherein the monitored fluid for which the fluid level status message is displayed is determined based on the actuation of the corresponding input device of the control panel; and at least one fill port corresponding to one of the monitored fluids, wherein each fill port is in fluid communication with a corresponding reservoir for the monitored fluid on the machine, and wherein the at least one fill port is disposed on the machine proximate the control panel and the message display device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A machine having reservoirs for storing a plurality of fluids used in the operation of the machine, the machine comprising:
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an onboard information system (OIS) comprising; a plurality of fluid level sensors, each sensor being disposed at a reservoir for one of the fluids of the machine, a memory device configured to store a fluid level status for each of the fluids, and an OIS processor operatively connected to the memory device and the fluid level sensors, wherein the OIS processor is configured to receive signals from the fluid level sensors, to determine fluid level statuses for the fluids based on the signals received from the corresponding fluid level sensors, and to cause the memory device to store the fluid level statuses; a control panel mounted on an exterior of the machine, the control panel comprising; a plurality of input devices, with each input device corresponding to one of the fluids of the machine, and a plurality of indicators, with each indicator corresponding to one of the input devices, wherein the input devices and indicators are operatively connected to the OIS processor, and wherein OIS processor actuates the indicators to provide a visual display of the fluid level status for each of the fluids; and a message display device comprising; a display screen, a message display device processor operatively connected to the display screen and to the OIS processor, the message display device processor being programmed to cause the display screen to display a fluid level status message for one of the monitored fluids, wherein the monitored fluid for which the fluid level status message is displayed is determined based on the actuation of the corresponding input device of the control panel; and at least one fill port corresponding to one of the fluids of the machine, wherein each fill port is in fluid communication with the corresponding reservoir for the fluid of the machine, and wherein the at least one fill port is disposed on the machine proximate the control panel and the message display device. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for providing a fluid monitoring display at a fluid level monitoring system of a machine, comprising:
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determining a fluid level status for each of a plurality of fluids used in the operation of the machine, wherein each fluid is contained within a corresponding reservoir of the machine having a corresponding fill port; for each fluid, actuating at least one indicator of the fluid level monitoring system to provide a visual display corresponding to the fluid level status of the fluid, wherein the fill port for each fluid is disposed on the machine proximate the visual display; detecting actuation of an input device of the fluid level monitoring system corresponding to one of the fluids; and causing a fluid level status message for the fluid to be displayed at a display screen of the fluid level monitoring system in response to the actuation of the input device corresponding to the fluid, wherein the fluid level status message corresponds to the fluid level status of the fluid, wherein the fill port for each fluid is disposed on the machine proximate the display screen. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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Specification