Caterpillar Inc.

David James Edwards

Ramkumar Subramanian

Robert Martin Coats

David Pavlik

Michael K Hatfield

Kenneth Lee Stratton

Michael Sean McDaniel

John M Hadank

James Robert Bernhagen

Robert Quincy Elliott

Ryan Howell

Gregory Mark Wood

Nigel Graham Smith

Gregory Davis

Scott Andrew Kirkman

Elisa Beth Begner

Andrew Thiel

A method includes determining, based at least in part on sensor data about a worksite, first and second conditions associated with a location at the worksite. The method also includes determining, based at least in part on the first condition and the second condition, a first risk factor associated with a first portion of the worksite, the first portion including the location and area proximate the location and determining a second risk factor associated with a second portion of the worksite adjacent the first portion. The method may also include generating a graphical user interface comprising a graphical representation of the first portion of the worksite and the second portion of the worksite and visual indications of the risk factors. Further aspects may include controlling machines and/or electronic devices at the worksite when a value associated with the risk factors is greater than a threshold value.

System and method for automatically triggering incident intervention

Systems and methods for connecting an operator at a worksite are disclosed. One method includes receiving telematics data relating to a machine operating at a worksite using a data standard, receiving operator condition data relating to an operator of the machine using the data standard, wherein the operator condition data comprises one or more of nutritional data, health data, activity data, and sleep data, determining an operation state based at least on the telematics data and the operator condition data, and generating a response based at least on the determined operation state, wherein the response is configured to be transmitted used the data standard.

System and method for connecting an operator with worksite operations

A method includes determining a first task requiring one of a plurality of machines to traverse along a first route and determining a second task requiring the one of the plurality of machines to traverse along a second route. The method also includes determining a first route score for the first route, the first route score being at least in part indicative of a difficulty of traversing along the first route, and determining a second route score for the second route, the second route score being at least in part indicative of a difficulty of traversing along the second route. The method may also include receiving sensor data generated by a sensor associated with a first machine of the plurality of machines and determining, based at least in part on the sensor data, an alertness metric associated with an operator of the first machine. Based at least in part on the alertness metric being equal to or greater than a threshold alertness metric, the method may also include determining the first task for completion by the first machine or determining the second task for completion by the first machine. The method may also include sending, to an electronic device associated with the operator of the first machine, information about the first route or the second route; and receiving confirmation information indicative of the first machine traversing along the first route or of the first machine traversing along the second route.

System and method for controlling machines using operator alertness metrics

A method for collision avoidance for a machine is disclosed. The method includes detecting an obstacle with an obstacle detection system and generating a corresponding signal. The obstacle detection system includes an operator input device. The method also includes providing an obstacle detection warning in response to the signal. The method further includes determining with a controller whether the operator input device has been activated in response to the obstacle detection warning.

Vehicle collision avoidance system

A collision avoidance system for a machine is disclosed. The collision avoidance system has a first obstacle detection system. The first obstacle detection system is configured to detect a first obstacle and generate a corresponding first signal. Additionally, the collision avoidance system has an operator interface. The operator interface has a display configured to communicate visual information to an operator. The operator interface also has an input device configured to receive selections from the operator and generate a corresponding second signal. In addition, the collision avoidance system has a controller. The controller is in communication with the first obstacle detection system and the operator interface. The controller is configured to control the display to provide a first dangerous obstacle warning to the operator, based on the first signal. The controller is also configured to control the display to provide a second dangerous obstacle warning to the operator, based on the first and second signals.

An operator restraint system is provided. The operator restraint system includes a seatbelt payout sensor and a seatbelt buckle assembly. The seatbelt buckle assembly includes a housing and an alarm assembly. The alarm assembly includes at least one of a light source configured to generate a visible signal and an annunciator configured to generate an audible signal. A controller is associated with at least one of the seatbelt payout sensor and the alarm assembly. The controller is configured to receive from the seatbelt payout sensor a signal indicative of a length of a seatbelt that has been withdrawn, determine whether the length of the seatbelt that has been withdrawn is within a predetermined range, and control the alarm assembly to selectively generate at least one of the visible signal and the audible signal to remind an operator regarding employment of the seatbelt based on the determination.

Operator restraint system

A collision avoidance system for a machine is disclosed. The collision avoidance system has a first obstacle detection system. The first obstacle detection system is configured to detect a first obstacle and generate a corresponding first signal. Additionally, the collision avoidance system has an operator interface. The operator interface has a display configured to communicate visual information to an operator. In addition, the collision avoidance system has an interface module configured to detect a status of the machine and generate a corresponding second signal. The collision avoidance system also has a controller. The controller is in communication with the first obstacle detection system, the operator interface, and the interface module. The controller is configured to control the display to indicate a dangerous obstacle detection to the operator, based on the first and second signals. Additionally, the controller is configured to control the display to provide a dangerous obstacle warning to the operator, based on the first and second signals.

A guidance system for a mobile machine is disclosed. The guidance system may have a scanning device configured to generate a signal indicative of a lateral distance from the machine to a roadway marker, a locating device configured to determine a geographical location of the machine, and a controller in communication with the scanning device and the locating device. The controller may be configured to receive a desired lateral distance from the machine to the roadway marker, and to compare the desired lateral distance to the actual lateral distance. The controller may further be configured to implement a response to the comparison based on the geographical location.

Growing community of inventors

Dunlap, IL, United States of America

David James Edwards