Real-Time Determination of Machine Performance for Fleet Management

• US 20120253743A1
• Filed: 12/30/2011
• Published: 10/04/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: AGCO Corporation
• Original Assignee: AGCO Corporation
• Inventors: Schmidt, Lee A.
• Application Number:
  US13/341,450
• Publication Number:
  US 20120253743A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/182
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 21/00 Measuring or testing not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 7/02 Indicating value of two or more variables simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/3065 Monitoring arrangements determined by the means or processing involved in reporting the monitored data error or fault reporting or logging G06F11/0766
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 17/40 Data acquisition and logging for input to computer G06F3/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/085 using electronic data carriers
• CPC Class Codes: G16Z 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass

Abstract

A real-time performance determination system is configured to determine machine performance over a predetermined time interval. An automatic data unit onboard a machine can provide apparatus data to a Fleet Operations System (FOS) of a Fleet Management System. Apparatus data can be used to determine a machine status such as Parked, Idle, Working, Travel or Turning. A performance determination module of the FOS can determine the amount of time a machine spent in a particular status. A performance report can include a graphical indicator in a visual display that can convey the percentage of time spent in each status. A report can include performance determinations for a plurality of machines, each represented by performance indicator that allows easy comparison of machines. A performance report can be provided to a fleet manager for fleet management purposes such as scheduling and allocation of resources, as well as performing machine maintenance and adjustments.

Claims

1. A system for real-time determination of machine performance, comprising:

an apparatus data unit (ADU) configured to receive and transmit apparatus data associated with an agricultural machine; and

a fleet operations system configured to receive said apparatus data and determine said machine performance based on said apparatus data.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said fleet operations system comprises:

a status determination module (SDM) configured to receive said apparatus data and determine a status for said machine therefrom; and

a performance determination module (PDM) configured to use said machine status to determine machine performance over a predetermined time interval.

3. The system of claim 2, further comprising a report generation module (RGM) configured to generate a report of said machine performance.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one sensor disposed at a machine apparatus and configured to provide said apparatus data.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said FOS is at a remote location from said machine, and said ADU is configured to communicate with said FOS over a communications network.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein said communications network comprises a wireless network.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said FOS is configured to generate a report of said machine performance.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein said report is in the form of a visual display.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein said FOS is configured to receive apparatus data from a plurality of said machines, and conduct said performance determinations for said plurality of said machines.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein said FOS is configured to generate a performance report that conveys said performance determinations for said plurality of said machines.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein said performance report includes a performance indicator for each of said machines.

12. A method for real-time determination of machine performance, comprising:

determining the amount of time at least one machine spent in a particular status over a predetermined time interval; and

determining a percentage of said time interval said at least one machine spent in said particular status.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising receiving apparatus data from said at least one machine.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising determining a status for said at least one machine from said received apparatus data.

15. The method of claim 12, further comprising generating a performance report that conveys for said at least one machine said percentage of said time interval said at least one machine spent in said particular status.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein said predetermined time interval comprises the most recent 24 hours for which apparatus data has been received from said at least one machine.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein said performance report comprises a performance indicator configured to convey said percentage of time said at least one machine spent in said particular status over said predetermined time interval.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein said performance indicator comprises a graphic for a visual display.

19. The method of claim 12, further comprising providing a performance report to a user over a communications network.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein said communications network comprises a wireless network.

21. The method of claim 12, wherein said determining the amount of time said at least one machine spent in a particular status is performed in response to satisfaction of a triggering condition.