OPERATOR ASSISTANCE SYSTEM

• US 20160311465A1
• Filed: 07/06/2016
• Published: 10/27/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Friend, Paul R., Chen, Qi
• Granted Patent: US 10,228,232 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 15/029 Steering assistants using warnings or proposing actions to the driver without influencing the steering system
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 7/30 for measuring angles or tapers; for testing the alignment of axes
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/20 Instruments for performing navigational calculations G01C21/24, G01C21/26 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0225 involving docking at a fixed facility, e.g. base station or loading bay parking aids B62D15/027

Abstract

A system having a controller is provided. The controller receives a signal indicative of an actual position and an actual orientation of a machine on a worksite, from a position detection module. The controller determines a first view of the machine on the worksite. The first view shows the actual position of the machine and a target position of the machine. A path is determined between the first and the second indicator. The controller determines a view of the machine on the worksite. The view has a first and a second indicator. The first indicator is indicative of the actual position and the actual orientation of the machine. The second indicator is indicative of the target position and a target orientation of the machine and includes a target circle. The controller displays the view based, at least in part, on the actual position of the machine relative to the target position on a display unit.

Claims

1. A system for assisting an operator to maneuver a machine on a worksite, the system comprising:

a position detection module configured to generate a signal indicative of an actual position and an actual orientation of the machine;

a display unit; and

a controller communicably coupled to the position detection module and the display unit, the controller configured to;

receive the signal, indicative of the actual position and the actual orientation of the machine;

determine a view of the machine on the worksite, the view having a first and a second indicator and a path between the first and second indicator, wherein the first indicator is indicative of the actual position and the actual orientation of the machine and the second indicator is indicative of the target position and a target orientation of the machine; and

display the view based, at least in part, on the actual position of the machine relative to the target position.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising an image capturing device communicably coupled to the controller, the image capturing device configured to capture a view rearwardly of the machine.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the controller is further configured determine a keep-out zone, and the path is determined such that the path does not intersect the keep-out zone.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the view further includes a pair boundary lines, each of which is spaced from the path by one half of the width of the machine.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the controller is further configured determine a keep-out zone, and the path is determined such that the boundary lines do not intersect the keep-out zone.

6. The system of claim 1 further comprising a steering angle sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a steering angle of the machine and wherein the controller is further configured to determine the actual orientation of the machine based on the steering angle of the machine.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the view further comprises distance information based on a distance between the actual position of the machine and the target position of the machine.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the maximum curvature of the path does not exceed the minimum steering radius of the machine 100.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the view further includes a first target circle centered on the second indicator, such that the area defined by the first target circle corresponds to a good spot.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the view further includes a second target concentric with the first target circle, such that the area defined by the second target circle, yet outside the area defined by the first target circle, corresponds to a poor spot.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the first indicator and the second indicator include a “

T”

shaped configuration.

13. A method for assisting an operator to maneuver a machine on a worksite, the method comprising:

receiving a signal indicative of an actual position and an actual orientation of the machine;

determining a view of the machine on the worksite, the second view having a first and a second indicator and a path between the first and second indicator, wherein the first indicator is indicative of the actual position and the actual orientation of the machine and the second indicator is indicative of the target position and a target orientation of the machine; and

displaying the view based, at least in part, on the actual position of the machine relative to the target position.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising receiving a view captured rearwardly of the machine and displaying the determined view imposed on the view captured rearwardly of the machine.

15. The method of claim 13 further comprising determining a keep-out zone, and the path is determined such that the path does not intersect the keep-out zone.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the view further includes a pair boundary lines, each of which is spaced from the path by one half of the width of the machine.

17. The method of claim 16, further determining a keep-out zone, and the path is determined such that the boundary lines do not intersect the keep-out zone.

18. The method of claim 13 wherein the view further includes a first target circle centered on the second indicator, such that the area defined by the first target circle corresponds to a good spot.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the view further includes a second target concentric with the first target circle, such that the area defined by the second target circle, yet outside the area defined by the first target circle, corresponds to a poor spot.

20. A machine operating on a worksite, the machine comprising:

a power source;

a frame;

a position detection module configured to generate a signal indicative of an actual position and an actual orientation of the machine;

a display unit; and

a controller communicably coupled to the position detection module and the display unit, the controller configured to;

receive the signal indicative of the actual position and the actual orientation of the machine;

determine a view of the machine on the worksite, the view having a first and a second indicator and a path between the first and second indicator, wherein the first indicator is indicative of the actual position and the actual orientation of the machine and the second indicator is indicative of the target position and a target orientation of the machine; and

display view based, at least in part, on the actual position of the machine relative to the target position.