System and Method for Measuring Productivity of a Machine

• US 20100312599A1
• Filed: 06/08/2009
• Published: 12/09/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Durst, Gregory P.
• Application Number:
  US12/480,216
• Publication Number:
  US 20100312599A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/8
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0637 Strategic management or analysis, e.g. setting a goal or target of an organisation; Planning actions based on goals; Analysis or evaluation of effectiveness of goals
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/02 Agriculture; Fishing; Forestry; Mining

Abstract

A system and method for measuring the productivity of a machine is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: obtaining a digital map of a worksite, indicating a geo-fence on the digital map, where the geo-fence defines a portion of the digital map. The method further includes the steps of associating a task to be completed by the machine within the geo-fence, associating a productivity measure with the task; and measuring a machine parameter associated with performance of the task. The method also includes the step of calculating the productivity measure based on the measurement of the machine parameter.

Claims

1. A method for measuring the productivity of a machine, comprising:

obtaining a digital map of a worksite;

indicating a geo-fence on the digital map, the geo-fence defining a portion of the digital map;

associating a task to be completed by the machine with the geo-fence;

associating a productivity measure with the task;

measuring a machine parameter associated with performance of the task; and

calculating the productivity measure based on the measurement of the machine parameter.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the productivity measure is at least one of:

cost, fuel consumption, or average material moved.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of calculating the productivity measure based on the measurement of the machine parameter includes calculating the amount of time that the machine was within the geo-fence.

4. The method of claim 1, including the step of using the productivity measure at least in part to estimate a cost of the task.

5. The method of claim 4, including the step of calculating progress to completion of the task based at least in part on the machine parameter.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of calculating the productivity measure based on the measurement of the machine parameter includes determining whether the measured machine parameter occurred within the geo-fence.

7. The method of claim 1, including the step of associating a task with a pay item.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein a plurality of tasks are associated with a single pay item, and including the step of separately storing data relating to the productivity of each task.

9. A system to measure the productivity of a machine at a worksite, the system comprising:

a digital map of a worksite;

a geo-fence defining a portion of the digital map; and

a control system configured to;

associate a task to be completed by the machine with the geo-fence;

associate a productivity measure with the task;

measure a machine parameter associated with performance of the task; and

calculate the productivity measure based on the measurement of the machine parameter.

10. The system of claim 9, including a user interface for displaying the productivity measure.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the control system is further configured to use the productivity measure to estimate the cost of a task.

12. The system of claim 9, including the step of calculating progress to completion of the task based at least in part on the measured machine parameter.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein the at least one machine parameter includes one of:

engine speed, engine rpm, position of a hydraulic cylinder.

14. The system of claim 9, wherein the productivity measure is one of:

cost, fuel consumption, average material moved.

15. The system of claim 9, wherein the control system is further configured to associate a plurality of tasks with a pay item.

16. The system of claim 15, including the step of measuring the progress to completion of the pay item based on the combination of productivity measures associated with the plurality of tasks associated with the pay item.

17. The system of claim 9, wherein the step of calculating the productivity measure based on the measurement of the machine parameter includes determining whether the machine parameter occurred in geo-fence.

18. A system to measure the productivity of an earthmoving task at a worksite, the system comprising:

a digital map of a worksite;

a geo-fence defining a portion of the digital map; and

a control system configured to;

associate an earthmoving task to be completed by the machine with the geo-fence;

associate a productivity measure with the earthmoving task;

measure a machine parameter associated with performance of the earthmoving task; and

calculate the productivity measure based on the measurement of the machine parameter.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the control system is further configured to associate a plurality of earthmoving tasks with a single pay item.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the control system is further configured to separately store data associated with the plurality of earthmoving tasks.