Process management system for work machine environments

• US 20070142928A1
• Filed: 12/16/2005
• Published: 06/21/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Moughler, Eric, Doherty, Thomas
• Application Number:
  US11/304,617
• Publication Number:
  US 20070142928A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/12
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 23/0283 Predictive maintenance, e.g. involving the monitoring of a system and, based on the monitoring results, taking decisions on the maintenance schedule of the monitored system; Estimating remaining useful life [RUL] preventive maintenance, i.e. planning maintenance according to the available resources without monitoring the system G06Q10/06

Abstract

Systems and methods are disclosed for process management in a work machine environment. According to one embodiment, an exemplary disclosed process management system for a work machine environment is disclosed. The system includes a database configured to store information associated with a work machine environment. The system also includes a processor coupled to the database. The processor is configured to receive operation data from a work machine operating in the work machine environment. The processor is also configured to establish an operational change based on the received operation data. The processor is further configured to select, from a list of eligible operators stored in the database, an operator for operating the work machine. The processor is also configured to determine an operational change location based on the received operation data. The processor is further configured to schedule transportation for the operator to the operational change location.

Claims

1. A process management system for a work machine environment, comprising:

a database configured to store information associated with the work machine environment; and

a processor coupled to the database and configured to;

receive operation data from a work machine operating in the work machine environment;

establish an operational change for the work machine based on the received operation data;

select, from a list of eligible operators stored in the database, a future operator for operating the work machine; and

determine an operational change location based on the received operation data.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the process management system is further configured to schedule transportation for the future operator to the operational change location.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the process management system is further configured to provide operational change data to the work machine based on the received operation data, wherein the operational change data includes the operational change location.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the operation data includes operator data corresponding to an ID key assigned to a current operator of the work machine.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the process management system is further configured to select the work machine from among a plurality of work machines to participate in the operational change based on the received operation data.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the received operation data includes data reflecting a location of the work machine.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the process management system is further configured to determine the operational change location based on the location of the work machine.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the received operation data includes one or more parameters associated with the work machine.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the one or more parameters includes at least one of a fuel level, a component status, and a fluid level.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the process management system is further configured to select the work machine from a plurality of work machines to participate in the operational change based on the one or more parameters associated with the work machine.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the process management system is further configured to generate a safety checklist for the work machine based on the received operation data.

12. A method for managing a work machine environment, comprising:

receiving, in a process management system, operation data from a work machine operating in the work machine environment;

establishing an operational change for the work machine based on the received operation data;

selecting, from a list of eligible equipment operators, a future operator for operating the work machine;

determining, based on the received operation data, an operational change location; and

scheduling transportation for the future operator to the operational change location.

13. The method of claim 12, further including providing operational change data including the operational change location to the work machine.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the operation data includes operator data gathered from the work machine corresponding to an ID key assigned to a current operator of the work machine.

15. The method of claim 12, further including selecting the work machine from among a plurality of work machines to participate in the operational change based on the received operation data.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the received operation data includes data reflecting a location of each of the plurality of work machines.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein determining the operational change location includes determining the operational change location based on the location of the work machine.

18. The method of claim 12, further including generating a safety checklist for the work machine based on the received operation data.

19. The system of claim 12, further including providing a work assignment to the operator prior to the operational change.

20. A method for scheduling operational change processes for a work machine environment comprising:

receiving operation data from a work machine operating in a work machine environment;

determining, based on at least one of the received operation data and a predetermined maintenance schedule for the work machine, the eligibility of the work machine for an operational change;

selecting, from a list of eligible operators, a future operator for the work machine; and

determining an operational change time and an operational change location based on at least one of the operation data and the predetermined maintenance schedule.

21. The method of claim 20, further including scheduling transportation for current and future operators between the operational change location and a predetermined pick-up location.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein determining that the work machine is eligible for the operational change includes determining that the work machine requires maintenance based on the received operation data.

23. The method of claim 22, further including:

determining a maintenance period based on the received operation data received from the work machine;

modifying the operational change data based on the maintenance period; and

providing the modified operational change data to the future operator of the work machine.

24. The method of claim 20, wherein determining that the work machine is eligible for the operational change includes determining that the current operator of the work machine has completed a predetermined task using the work machine.

25. The method of claim 20, wherein determining that the work machine is eligible for the operational change includes receiving an operational change request from the current operator of the work machine.

26. The method of claim 20, further including generating a safety checklist to be completed by the future operator prior to operating the work machine.