Machine with automatic operating mode determination

• US 20090265047A1
• Filed: 04/18/2008
• Published: 10/22/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Huang, Qiaoyan, Mintah, Brian, Kuehn, Jeffrey Lee
• Granted Patent: US 8,285,458 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/1
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/435 for dipper-arms, backhoes or the like
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/2004 Control mechanisms, e.g. control levers control levers per se G05G
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/265 with follow-up actions (e.g. control signals sent to actuate the work tool)

Abstract

A method is provided for determining a current operating mode of a machine. The method includes receiving data relating to a plurality of machine parameters and performing initial comparisons between the received data and previously stored reference data for each machine parameter. The method also includes determining an operating mode indicated by each initial comparison. The method further includes selecting a current operating mode from the operating modes indicated by the initial comparisons.

Claims

1. A method for determining a current operating mode of a machine, comprising:

receiving data relating to a plurality of machine parameters;

performing initial comparisons between the received data and previously stored reference data for each machine parameter;

determining an operating mode indicated by each initial comparison; and

selecting a current operating mode from the operating modes indicated by the initial comparisons.

2. The method of claim 1, further including selecting an operating mode only when one operating mode has been indicated by more initial comparisons than any other operating mode.

3. The method of claim 2, further including omitting from the selection of the operating mode, any initial comparison that indicates more than one operating mode.

4. The method of claim 3, further including receiving supplemental data relating to one or more machine parameters and comparing the supplemental data to reference data when no operating mode is selected from the operating modes indicated by the initial comparisons.

5. The method of claim 4, omitting from the comparison of the supplemental data, any operating mode not indicated by any initial comparison.

6. The method of claim 5, further including selecting an operating mode only when one operating mode has been indicated by a majority of the initial comparisons.

7. The method of claim 6, further including determining the number of initial comparisons needed for a majority based on the number of initial comparisons remaining after initial comparisons have been omitted due to identifying more than one operating mode.

17. The method of claim 6, further including determining the number of initial comparisons needed for a majority based on the number of initial comparisons remaining after initial comparisons have been omitted due to identifying more than one operating mode.

8. A method for determining a current operating mode of a machine, comprising:

creating and storing reference data for each of a plurality of machine parameters, the reference data for each machine parameter having unique reference signatures for each of a plurality of operating modes;

receiving current data relating to the plurality of machine parameters, the current data relating to each machine parameter having a unique parameter signature;

performing initial comparisons between the parameter signature and the reference signatures for each machine parameter;

determining an operating mode indicated by each initial comparison; and

selecting a current operating mode from the operating modes indicated by the initial comparisons.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein creating and storing the reference data includes operating the machine in all available operating modes, the machine being operated in each operating mode for a predetermined period of time.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the predetermined period of time in which the machine operates in a particular operating mode varies from operating mode to operating mode.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein creating and storing the reference data further includes refraining from storing data for a predetermined period of time when transitioning between operating modes.

12. The method of claim 11, further including selecting an operating mode only when one operating mode has been indicated by more initial comparisons than any other operating mode.

13. The method of claim 12, further including omitting from the selection of the operating mode, any initial comparison that indicates more than one operating mode.

14. The method of claim 13, further including receiving supplemental data relating to one or more machine parameters and comparing the supplemental data to reference data when no operating mode is selected from the operating modes indicated by the initial comparisons.

15. The method of claim 14, omitting from the comparisons of the supplemental data, any operating mode not indicated by any initial comparison.

16. The method of claim 15, further including selecting an operating mode only when one operating mode has been indicated by a majority of the initial comparisons.

18. An operating mode determination system for a machine, including:

one or more operator input devices;

one or more sensors; and

a processing device configured to;

receive data from the one or more operator input devices and the one or more sensors, the data being related to a plurality of machine parameters;

perform initial comparisons between the received data and the reference data for each machine parameter;

determine an operating mode indicated by each initial comparison; and

select a current operating mode from the operating modes indicated by the initial comparisons.

19. The operating mode determination system of claim 18, wherein the processing device is configured to select an operating mode only when one operating mode has been indicated by more initial comparisons than any other operating mode.

20. The operating mode determination system of claim 19, wherein the processing device is configured to receive supplemental data from the one or more sensors and/or one or more operator input devices and compare the supplemental data to reference data when no operating mode is selected from the operating modes indicated by the initial comparisons, the supplemental data being related to one or more machine parameters.