Apparatus and method of providing diagnostic information to an operator

• US 6,212,483 B1
• Filed: 09/23/1998
• Issued: 04/03/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Sychra, Robert R., Carew, Kevin J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hoff, Marc S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): VO, HIEN XUAN
• Application Number:
  US09/159,248
• Time in Patent Office: 923 Days
• Field of Search: 702/183, 702/184, 702/185, 701/29-31, 701/34-35, 701/50
• US Class Current: 702/183
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/042 using digital processors G05B19/05 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/183 Internal mounting support structures, e.g. for printed circuit boards, internal connecting means for buses G06F13/409
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/327 Alarm or error message display

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method of providing diagnostic information to an operator of a work machine. Whether the work machine control system is in diagnostic messaging mode is determined. At least one diagnostic fault parameter descriptive message is read from a memory. The diagnostic fault parameter descriptive message is provided to the operator. Preferably, diagnostic messaging mode is determined by whether the work machine control system is in service mode and whether the diagnostic text function is selected. Advantageously, a component identification number descriptive message is provided in a first character display and a failure mode indicating number descriptive message is provided in a second character display of an operator interface.

Claims

1. A work machine adapted to be controlled by an operator, comprising:

a frame;

a plurality of ground engaging devices supporting the frame;

an operator compartment supported by the ground engaging devices;

an engine operably coupled to the ground engaging devices; and

a work machine control system having a diagnostic display system, including;

a memory adapted to store at least one diagnostic fault parameter descriptive message;

a controller associated with the memory and adapted to receive the at least one diagnostic fault parameter descriptive message, determine whether the work machine control system is in diagnostic messaging mode, and responsively provide the at least one diagnostic fault parameter descriptive message; and

an operator interface adapted to receive the at least one diagnostic fault parameter descriptive message and provide the at least one diagnostic fault parameter descriptive message to the operator in the operator compartment, said operator interface including a first display and a second display, said descriptive message being displayed as a scrolling text message on one of said first and second displays.

2. The work machine of claim 1, wherein the operator interface is adapted to provide the descriptive message to the operator in the operator compartment as a scrolling text message.

3. A method of providing diagnostic information to an operator of a work machine, the work machine including a first and second display, comprising the steps of:

determining whether the work machine control system is in diagnostic messaging mode;

reading at least one diagnostic fault parameter descriptive message from a memory; and

providing the at least one diagnostic fault parameter descriptive message to the operator, wherein said message is displayed as a scrolling text message on one of the first and second displays.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the step of providing the at least one diagnostic fault parameter descriptive message to the operator includes providing an audible message to the operator from a user interface.

5. The method of claim 3, including the step of providing at least one additional diagnostic fault parameter descriptive message to the operator in response to an operator input, said additional message being displayed on the other of said first and second displays.

6. A method of providing diagnostic information to an operator of a work machine, the work machine including a first display and a second display, comprising the steps of:

determining whether the work machine control system is in service mode;

determining whether diagnostic text is selected;

determining whether the work machine control system is in diagnostic messaging mode in response to the steps of determining whether the work machine control system is in service mode and determining whether diagnostic text is selected;

determining whether there are any diagnostic fault parameters stored in memory;

reading at least one diagnostic fault parameter descriptive message from a memory; and

providing the at least one diagnostic fault parameter descriptive message to the operator in a scrolling text message on one of the first display and second display of the user interface while the work machine control system is in diagnostic messaging mode.