Caterpillar Inc.

Daniel Craig Wood

Alan Lewis Ferguson

Trent Ray Meiss

Brian Lane Jenkins

Steven Wayne O'Neal

Paul William Bierdeman

Thomas J Kelly

Andrew J Swanson

Rodney W Demay

Randall M Mitchell

John W Crayton

Steven C Bray

Aaron Michael Donnelli

Donna J Murr

Anthony Dean McNealy

James Ivan Portscheller

David B Vernon

Robert W Atkinson

William H Lueckenbach

James R Menne

Daniel S Koch

A method is performed to collect information in a machine including an on-board data link connecting a wireless device and at least one on-board module. The process includes providing a first operational mode for the wireless device that allows the wireless device to perform a first set of operations on data associated with the at least one on-board module and providing a second operational mode for the wireless device that allows the wireless device to perform a second set of operations on the data associated with the at least one on-board module, wherein the second set of operations is a subset of the first set of operations. The process also determines an operational mode for the wireless device based on predetermined criteria and configures the wireless device based on the determined operational mode. Further, the process includes operating the wireless device in either the first or second operational mode based on the configuring.

Method for automatic radio operational mode selection

A method and system for determining one or more desired communication services for an application. The method and system includes determining at least one application operating parameter, at least one communication operating parameter, at least one cost factor, and at least one value factor. The method and system further includes assigning a priority level to each application operating parameter, communication operating parameter, cost factor, and value factor. Additionally, the method and system includes comparing the priority levels to each other, and determining a desired communication service based on the compared priority levels.

Method and system for choosing communication services

Methods and systems of the present invention are provided for performing proxy control functions in an environment including one or more work machines. Such methods and systems may leverage one or more gateways to serve as a proxy for one or more distinct modules. A gateway, located in a work machine, may be programmed with proxy logic that performs functions associated with certain modules used in a work machine environment. The gateway may monitor a data link and retrieve broadcasted messages. The broadcasted messages may include source and/or destination module address identifiers. The gateway may retrieve messages from the data link based on a determination that the message is destined for a module for which the gateway serves as a proxy. The gateway may route a retrieved message, using a mapping structure, to the appropriate proxy logic that performs functions associated with the destination module.

Systems and methods for providing proxy control functions in a work machine

A data system for work machines is disclosed. The data system has a first communication device associated with a first work machine, and a second communication device associated with a second work machine. The data system also has an offboard system in communication with the first and second communication devices. The offboard system is configured to request a first data transmission from the first work machine in response to a second data transmission being received from the second work machine.

Machine operational data collection and reporting system

A method and system are provided to perform a process of wirelessly providing software updates to a target module located in a work machine. In one embodiment, the process includes determining whether a software update condition exists for software stored in the target module and when such a condition does exist, delivering software update data from a remote off-board system to the work machine. Further, the work machine may determine a location of the target module and whether an update delay condition exists. Also, the process may include delivering the software update to the target module if no update delay condition exists, and delaying the delivery of the software update data to the target module if an update delay condition does exist.

Systems and method for remotely modifying software on a work machine

Methods and systems are provided for performing protocol conversions in an environment including a work machine having one or more modules coupled to one or more data links. Such methods and systems may leverage one or more gateways to perform tunneling, translating, and bridging operations. Tunneling processes may include receiving a message from a source module in a first protocol, encapsulating the message within transmission units of a second protocol, and transmitting the encapsulated message via the second protocol. Translating processes may include receiving, by the gateway, a message in a first data link protocol including a parameter identifier. The gateway may match the parameter identifier with a parameter identifier included in a translation table and scale associated parameter data using a scale factor corresponding to a second data link protocol. The gateway may then provide the scaled parameter data to a module using the second data link protocol.

Systems and methods for performing protocol conversions in a machine

A method and system are provided to perform a process of managing communications in an environment including a mobile work machine having one or more on-board data links connected to one or more on-board modules and a gateway and including one or more off-board data links connected to one or more off-board systems and the gateway. The process is performed by the gateway and includes receiving a request generated by a source device and transmitted on a first data link. In one embodiment, the first data link may be either one of the on-board data links and one of the off-board data links. Based on the request, the gateway selectively executes a server application that performs a server process. Further, the gateway identifies a destination device associated with the request, configures the request to a format compatible with the destination device, and provides the formatted request to the destination device. Additionally, the gateway receives a response to the formatted request generated by the destination device, configures the response to a format compatible with the first data link, and sends the response to a target device over the first data link.

Systems and methods for providing server operations in a work machine

Method and apparatus for installing data stored on electronic control modules on a remotely-located machine. The control modules installed on the machine store information regarding the data which should be stored on the other installed control modules. A processor may poll the control modules to determine if a control module is missing or blank and, if so, determine which data is missing from the machine based upon the information stored on the other control modules. The processor may communicate with an off board system to identify the appropriate software for the blank control module. The software is downloaded and flashed into the blank control module.

Method and apparatus for installing data in a memory on a work machine

Systems and methods are disclosed that enable one or more work machines to control operations of one or more remote work machines. In one embodiment, the systems and methods perform a process including determining a first type of first work machine performing first operations in a work environment and determining a second type of second work machine performing second operations in the work environment. Based on the first and second type of the first and second work machines, a selected second operation that the first work machine can control is determined. Subsequently, the first work machine may adjust the selected second operation while the first work machine performs the first operations.

System and method for remotely controlling machine operations using mapping information

Systems and methods are provided for utilizing a work machine having a radio frequency device. The system includes a radio frequency reader that transmits a radio frequency signal over a first communication channel to the radio frequency device when the work machine travels within range of the radio frequency reader. The radio frequency device generates a trigger signal in response to the radio frequency signal, and an interface control system receives the trigger signal from the radio frequency device and performs a predetermined programmed function associated with the work machine based on information included in the trigger signal.

Systems and methods for radio frequency trigger

Systems and methods are disclosed that process service requests associated with one or more work machines. In one embodiment, a process is disclosed that includes receiving status information associated with operations of the first work machine and analyzing a first work machine flow sequence associated with the first work machine based on the status information. Based on the analysis, a service request is generated. To fulfill the service request, the process may include modifying a second work machine flow sequence associated with a second work machine.

Systems and methods for self-service dispatch

A system and method for providing indexed work machine utilization data. The system implementing the method includes an operator identification device for identifying an operator of a work machine based on operator identification data and a work data collection device for collecting work data related to the work machine. A first processing device indexes the collected work data to the operator identification data and a communication device transmits the indexed work data and operator identification data to a second processing device. The second processing device receives the indexed work data and the operator identification data and provides operator utilization metrics based on the indexed work data that reflect a quantitative performance value associated with at least one of the work machine and operator.

System for providing indexed machine utilization metrics

A system and method for monitoring various conditions of a machine which may be remotely located. The parameters available in the machine's monitoring system are synchronized in machine and remote systems. A diagnostic system comprised of a prognostics engine or an interface reviews data stored in the remote system and determines the parameters to be monitored and the allowable tolerances, which are relayed to the machine system. The monitoring system monitors the condition of the machine based upon the diagnostic system's directions, and the machine system reports when the parameters vary from the defined tolerances.

System and method for remotely monitoring the condition of machine

The present invention includes a method and apparatus to secure a machine having a machine security system. The machine security system includes a primary controller, and a key switch associated with the primary controller and adapted to receive a key, the key switch being configurable to a plurality of positions. The method includes the steps of delivering power to the primary controller in response to the key switch being configured in a predetermined position, activating the security system in response to the power delivery, determining a first operating characteristic of the machine, determining whether to maintain activation of the security system in response to the first operating characteristic, receiving an identification code from the key, and determining whether to enable machine operation in response to the received key code.

Method and apparatus for securing an earth moving machine

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for conserving power on a machine having a mobile communicator. The method includes the steps of determining a current status of the machine, determining a duration since entering the current status, and determining one of a plurality of power conservation modes in response to the current status, and the status duration.

Growing community of inventors

East Peoria, IL, United States of America

Daniel Craig Wood