Remote control system
First Claim
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1. A remote control system, comprising:
- a control unit configured to send a control signal to a machine to be controlled from a position remote from the machine, the machine being located at a machine position;
a sensor system operatively linked with the control unit, the sensor system being configured for registering a presence of an operator within a predetermined proximity of a predetermined operator position that is separate and remote from the machine position;
wherein if the sensor system registers the presence of the operator within the predetermined proximity of the predetermined operator position, sending the control signal from the control unit to the machine is fully enabled;
wherein if the sensor system does not register the presence of the operator within the predetermined proximity of the predetermined operator position, sending the control signal from the control unit to the machine is limited;
wherein the sensor system includes a pressure sensor located at the predetermined operator position, the pressure sensor being configured for registering the presence of the operator thereon;
wherein the pressure sensor is one of separately and integrally associated with a seat of a vehicle located at the predetermined operator position; and
wherein the pressure sensor is connected to the control unit with a wire of a predetermined length to verify that the operator is within the predetermined length of the predetermined operator position.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A remote control system includes a control unit configured to send a control signal to a machine to be controlled from a position remote from the machine. A sensor system is operatively linked with the control unit, and is configured for registering a presence of an operator in a predetermined proximity to a predetermined location. Operation of the machine to be controlled is responsive to the sensor system.
51 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A remote control system, comprising:
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a control unit configured to send a control signal to a machine to be controlled from a position remote from the machine, the machine being located at a machine position; a sensor system operatively linked with the control unit, the sensor system being configured for registering a presence of an operator within a predetermined proximity of a predetermined operator position that is separate and remote from the machine position; wherein if the sensor system registers the presence of the operator within the predetermined proximity of the predetermined operator position, sending the control signal from the control unit to the machine is fully enabled; wherein if the sensor system does not register the presence of the operator within the predetermined proximity of the predetermined operator position, sending the control signal from the control unit to the machine is limited; wherein the sensor system includes a pressure sensor located at the predetermined operator position, the pressure sensor being configured for registering the presence of the operator thereon; wherein the pressure sensor is one of separately and integrally associated with a seat of a vehicle located at the predetermined operator position; and wherein the pressure sensor is connected to the control unit with a wire of a predetermined length to verify that the operator is within the predetermined length of the predetermined operator position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A remote control system, comprising:
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a control unit configured to send a control signal to a machine to be controlled from a position remote from the machine, the machine being located at a machine position; an enclosure located at a predetermined operator position that is separate and remote from the machine position; a sensor system operatively linked with the control unit, the sensor system being configured for registering a presence of at least one of an operator and the control unit within the enclosure, wherein operation of the machine by the control unit is limited in response to the sensor system; wherein the sensor system includes a pressure sensor located at the predetermined operator position, the pressure sensor being configured for registering the presence of the operator thereon; wherein the pressure sensor is one of separately and integrally associated with a seat of a vehicle located at the predetermined operator position; and wherein the pressure sensor is connected to the control unit with a wire of a predetermined length to verify that the operator is within the predetermined length of the predetermined operator position. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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17. A method of remotely operating a machine located at a machine position, comprising:
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identifying a predetermined operator position that is separate and remote from the machine position; sensing the presence of a control unit at the predetermined operator position; sensing the presence of an operator within a predetermined proximity of the predetermined operator position; and
based thereon;
enabling a control unit to send a control signal to the machine in response to registering the presence of the operator within the predetermined proximity of the predetermined operator position; anddisabling the control unit from sending the control signal to the machine in response to not registering the presence of the operator within the predetermined proximity of the predetermined operator position; wherein a sensor system to sense the presence of the operator includes a pressure sensor located at the predetermined operator position, the pressure sensor being configured for registering the presence of the operator thereon; wherein the pressure sensor is one of separately and integrally associated with a seat of a vehicle located at the predetermined operator position; and wherein the pressure sensor is connected to the control unit with a wire of a predetermined length to verify that the operator is within the predetermined length of the predetermined operator position.
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Specification