System and method for adjusting machine parameters

• US 9,299,247 B2
• Filed: 01/14/2008
• Issued: 03/29/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 01/14/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: O'Neal, Steven Wayne, Meiss, Trent Ray
• Primary Examiner(s): Black, Thomas G
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nolan, Peter D
• Application Number:
  US12/008,780
• Publication Number:
  US 20090182460A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,997 Days
• Field of Search: 701/2, 701/45, 701/50, 180/271, 180/272, 180/287, 702/56, 200/43.01, 200/43.03, 340/426.1, 340/426.13, 340/426.16, 340/426.17, 340/426.35, 455/410, 455/411
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/10 Communication protocols, communication systems of vehicle anti-theft devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/00 Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles locks for vehicles E05B77/00-E05B85/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/35 communicating wirelessly
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/00 Arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless electrical link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/50 Receiving or transmitting feedback, e.g. replies, status updates, acknowledgements, from the controlled devices
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/51 Remote controlling of devices based on replies, status thereof

Abstract

A system for adjusting machine parameters based on a skill level of an operator comprises a personal area network (PAN)-compatible electronic control module (ECM) located on a machine. The system also includes a PAN-compatible communication device associated with an operator of the machine. The PAN-compatible communication device is configured to receive information indicative of the skill level of the operator. The PAN-compatible communication device is also configured to establish a wireless communication link with the PAN-compatible ECM and transmit the information indicative of the skill level of the operator to the PAN-compatible ECM. The PAN-compatible ECM is configured to adjust an operational aspect of the machine based on the information indicative of the skill level of the operator of the machine.

Claims

1. A method for adjusting machine parameters based on a skill level of an operator, comprising:

receiving, by a personal area network (PAN)-compatible communication device, information indicative of the skill level of the operator;

detecting a PAN-compatible electronic control module (ECM) proximate the PAN-compatible communication device; and

transmitting the information indicative of the skill level of the operator to the detected PAN-compatible ECM, wherein the PAN-compatible ECM is configured to adjust an operational aspect of the machine in response to the information indicative of the skill level of the operator, wherein adjusting the operational aspect of the machine includes automating a function of the machine and thereby, preventing the operator from manually controlling said function of the machine.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting the information indicative of the skill level of the operator includes:

establishing a wireless communication link between the PAN-compatible communication device and the detected PAN-compatible ECM;

determining whether the operator is authorized to operate a type of machine corresponding with the detected PAN-compatible ECM; and

uploading the information indicative of the skill level of the operator if the operator is authorized to operate the type of machine.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the PAN-compatible communication device and the PAN-compatible ECM are Bluetooth-compatible devices.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein adjusting the operational aspect of the machine further includes at least one of:

establishing a payload limit for the machine, establishing a speed limit for the machine, disabling one or more functions of the machine, and disabling one or more gears associated with the machine.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting the information indicative of the skill level of the operator to the PAN-compatible ECM includes transmitting the information indicative of the skill level of the operator data via a text messaging feature associated with the PAN-compatible communication device.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the PAN-compatible communication device includes a GSM cellular communication device.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the PAN-compatible communication device includes a CDMA cellular communication device.

8. A system for adjusting machine parameters based on a skill level of an operator, comprising:

a personal area network (PAN)-compatible electronic control module (ECM) located on a machine;

a PAN-compatible communication device associated with the operator of the machine and configured to;

receive information indicative of the skill level of the operator;

establish a wireless communication link with the PAN-compatible ECM; and

transmit the information indicative of the skill level of the operator to the PAN-compatible ECM;

wherein the PAN-compatible ECM is configured to adjust an operational aspect of the machine based on the information indicative of the skill level of the operator of the machine, wherein adjusting the operational aspect of the machine includes automating a function of the machine and thereby preventing the operator from manually controlling said function of the machine when the information indicative of the skill level of the operator indicates the operator has not received training related to said function of the machine.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the PAN-compatible communication device is further configured to transmit the information indicative of the skill level of the operator to the PAN-compatible ECM via a text messaging feature associated with the PAN-compatible communication device.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the PAN-compatible communication device includes a GSM cellular communication device.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the PAN-compatible communication device includes a CDMA cellular communication device.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein the PAN-compatible communication device and the PAN-compatible ECM are Bluetooth-compatible devices.

13. The system of claim 8, wherein adjusting the operational aspect of the machine further includes at least one of:

establishing a payload limit for the machine, establishing a speed limit for the machine, disabling one or more functions of the machine, and disabling one or more gears associated with the machine.

14. The system of claim 8, wherein the information indicative of the skill level of the operator includes information indicative of a level of training that the operator has received related to said function of the machine.

15. The system of claim 8, wherein the information indicative of the skill level of the operator includes information indicative of a level of experience of the operator.

16. The system of claim 8, wherein the information indicative of the skill level of the operator includes information indicative of a safety record associated with the operator.

17. The system of claim 8, wherein the information indicative of the skill level of the operator includes information indicative of a performance of the operator on a skills test.

18. A project environment, comprising:

at least one machine operating in the project environment;

a personal area network (PAN)-compatible electronic control module (ECM) located on the machine and configured to control at least one operational aspect of the machine;

a PAN-compatible communication device associated with an operator of the machine and configured to;

receive information indicative of the skill level of the operator;

establish a wireless communication link with the PAN-compatible ECM; and

transmit the information indicative of the skill level of the operator to the PAN-compatible ECM;

wherein the PAN-compatible ECM is configured to adjust the at least one operational aspect of the machine based on the information indicative of the skill level of the operator of the machine, wherein adjusting the at least one operational aspect of the machine includes automating a function of the machine and thereby preventing the operator from manually controlling said function of the machine.

19. The project environment of claim 18, wherein adjusting the at least one operational aspect of the machine further includes at least one of:

establishing a payload limit for the machine, establishing a speed limit for the machine, disabling one or more functions of the machine, and disabling one or more gears associated with the machine.

20. The project environment of claim 18, wherein the information indicative of the skill level of the operator includes at least one of:

information indicative of a level of training that the operator has received related to said function of the machine, information indicative of a level of experience of the operator, information indicative of a safety record associated with the operator, and information indicative of the skill level of the operator includes information indicative of a performance of the operator on a skills test.

21. The project environment of claim 18, wherein the PAN-compatible communication device includes a GSM cellular communication device.

22. The project environment of claim 18, wherein the PAN-compatible communication device includes a CDMA cellular communication device.

23. The project environment of claim 18, wherein the PAN-compatible communication device and the PAN-compatible ECM are Bluetooth-compatible devices.