Controlling a machine in remote or autonomous mode
First Claim
1. A system for controlling a machine, the system comprising:
- a plurality of remote control (RC) devices comprising at least a first RC device and a second RC device, the first RC input device configured to;
remotely initiate a RC enabled mode on the machine;
subsequently establish a communication link with the machine when no other RC input device currently has a communication link with the machine;
transition the machine to a RC reserved mode in which the machine is reserved for control by the RC input device;
transition a mode of control for the machine to a RC active mode from the RC reserved mode, the RC input device selectively controlling the machine when in the RC active mode; and
transition the mode of control for the machine to an autonomous mode from the RC active mode;
a remote control module (RCM) on-board the machine, the RCM being configured to be allocated to only one of the RC input devices at a time when the machine is in the RC enabled mode; and
a central site command server, the central site command server being configured to allocate the RCM to one RC input device of the plurality of RC input devices at a time by providing identifying information for the one RC input device to the RCM in response to receiving a signal from the RCM.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for controlling a machine may include a remote control (RC) input device configured to remotely initiate a RC enabled mode on the machine. The RC input device may subsequently establish a communication link with the machine when no other RC input device currently has a communication link with the machine. The RC input device may transition the machine to a RC reserved mode in which the machine is reserved for control by the RC input device, and transition a mode of control for the machine to a RC active mode from the RC reserved mode. The RC input device may selectively control the machine when in the RC active mode. The RC input device may also transition the mode of control for the machine to an autonomous mode from the RC active mode.
12 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A system for controlling a machine, the system comprising:
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a plurality of remote control (RC) devices comprising at least a first RC device and a second RC device, the first RC input device configured to; remotely initiate a RC enabled mode on the machine; subsequently establish a communication link with the machine when no other RC input device currently has a communication link with the machine; transition the machine to a RC reserved mode in which the machine is reserved for control by the RC input device; transition a mode of control for the machine to a RC active mode from the RC reserved mode, the RC input device selectively controlling the machine when in the RC active mode; and transition the mode of control for the machine to an autonomous mode from the RC active mode; a remote control module (RCM) on-board the machine, the RCM being configured to be allocated to only one of the RC input devices at a time when the machine is in the RC enabled mode; and a central site command server, the central site command server being configured to allocate the RCM to one RC input device of the plurality of RC input devices at a time by providing identifying information for the one RC input device to the RCM in response to receiving a signal from the RCM. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for controlling a machine;
- comprising;
transitioning a mode of control for the machine using a processor to a remote control (RC) enabled mode from a manual mode; establishing a communication link between a first RC input device of a plurality of RC input devices and the machine; changing the mode of control for the machine, using a processor, from the RC enabled mode to a RC reserved mode in which other RC input devices are no longer permitted to establish a communication link with the machine; transitioning the mode of control for the machine, using a processor, from the RC reserved mode to a RC active mode in which the machine is being operated by signals received from the first RC input device; selectively transitioning the mode of control for the machine, using a processor, to an autonomous active mode in which the machine is being operated by signals including signals indicative of an overall mission plan for the machine received from a central site command server; and allocating a remote control module (RCM) on-board the machine to one RC input device at a time when the mode of control for the machine is the RC enabled mode by; transmitting a machine available signal to the central site command server, and providing identifying information for the one RC input device from the central site command server to the RCM. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
- comprising;
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15. A machine configured to operate in a plurality of modes, the machine comprising:
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a remote control (RC) input device; a controller, the controller configured to; place the machine in a selected mode of operation based on an input received from the RC input device, the selected mode of operation being one of a manual mode, a RC enabled mode, a RC reserved mode, a RC active mode, and an autonomous active mode; and transition the machine to the autonomous active mode only from the RC active mode; and a remote control module (RCM) on-board the machine, the RCM being configured to; arbitrate between a plurality of RC input devices attempting to establish communication links with the machine; and reserve the machine for control by a first RC input device to establish a communication link with the machine.
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Specification