Method for operating a remote control system and remote control system of this type

• US 9,418,542 B2
• Filed: 09/11/2013
• Issued: 08/16/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tadano Demag GmbH (Tadano Limited)
• Original Assignee: Terex Cranes Germany GmbH (Tadano Limited)
• Inventors: Beckmann, Axel
• Primary Examiner(s): ODOM, CURTIS B
• Application Number:
  US14/428,739
• Publication Number:
  US 20150228185A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,070 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/20 Binding and programming of remote control devices
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/30 User interface
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/70 Device selection

Abstract

A method for operating a remote control system includes the method steps of providing a remote control system with an operating unit having a display and at least one operating element and with a communication unit having a communication connection to the operating unit, providing a control unit, which has a communication connection to the communication unit, of a work machine, detecting an operating unit actual configuration with a plurality of operating and selection menus by using the operating unit, transmitting the operating unit actual configuration from the operating unit to the control unit, detecting a work machine actual configuration by using the control unit, selecting at least one of the operating and selection menus depending on the work machine actual configuration, transmitting the at least one operating and selection menu to the operating unit and displaying the at least one operating and selection menu on the display.

Claims

1. A method for operating a remote control system comprising the method steps

providing a remote control system with an operating unit having a display and at least one operating element and with a communication unit having a communication connection to the operating unit,

providing a control unit, which has a communication connection to the communication unit, of a work machine,

detecting an operating unit actual configuration with a plurality of operating and selection menus by using the operating unit,

transmitting the operating unit actual configuration from the operating unit to the control unit,

detecting a work machine actual configuration by using the control unit,

selecting at least one of the operating and selection menus depending on the work machine actual configuration,

transmitting the at least one operating and selection menu to the operating unit, and

displaying the at least one operating and selection menu on the display.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the operating unit actual configuration comprises a content of the display and a state of at least one operating element.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the selection takes place automatically.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the selection takes place by using the control unit.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the selection is a reduction from available operating and selection menus.

6. A method according to claim 5, wherein the selection takes place using predefined selection criteria.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein only one operating and selection menu is made available by the selection.

8. A method according to claim 1, comprising a flexible use of the remote control system.

9. A method according to claim 8, wherein the use of the remote control system is work machine independent.

10. A method according to claim 1, wherein the work machine actual configuration comprises an operating state of the work machine.

11. A method according to claim 10, wherein the operating state of the work machine comprises at least one of the following criteria:

type of work machine,

setup state of the work machine,

operating type of the work machine,

detected machine data, or

type of activation of the remote control system.

12. A method according to claim 1, comprising one of a repeated and a continuous detection of the work machine actual configuration and automatic adaptation of the at least one operating and selection menu to be displayed.

13. A method according to claim 12, wherein the repeated detection of the work machine actual configuration takes place at regular time intervals.

14. A remote control system for the remote-controlled operation of a work machine comprising:

a. an operating unit with a display and at least one operating element, and

b. a communication unit, which has a communication connection to the operating unit and has an interface for connection to a control unit of the work machine, wherein the interface is a standard interface,

wherein said control unit of the work machine is configured and operable to perform the method steps;

detecting an operating unit actual configuration with a plurality of operating and selection menus by using the operating unit,

transmitting the operating unit actual configuration from the operating unit to the control unit,

detecting a work machine actual configuration by using the control unit,

selecting at least one of the operating and selection menus depending on the work machine actual configuration,

transmitting the at least one operating and selection menu to the operating unit, and

displaying the at least one operating and selection menu on the display.

15. A remote control system according to claim 14, wherein the at least one operating element is integrated in the display of the operating unit.

16. A remote control system according to claim 15, wherein the display is configured as a touch screen.

17. A remote control system according to claim 14, wherein the communication unit is integrated in the control unit.