Caterpillar Inc.

Suneel Venkata Kandula

Shane A May

Anthony Keith Nathan Nelson

Joseph Allen Thoreson

Arnab Khound

Ganesh Balaji Nagarajan

Rajasurendiran Muthu

Mihai Lazaroiu

Justin Peters

Brent Russell Harrison

Greg Scott Reiner

Garrett Frank McCowan

A method for remote operation of machines using a mobile device is disclosed. The mobile device may detect and display one or more machines. The mobile device may establish a wireless connection with a machine. The mobile device may retrieve and display machine related information including one or more machine parameters, one or more implements, and one or more controls of the machine. In addition, the mobile device may transmit input commands received from an operator via the controls to the machine. The machine may be configured to establish the wireless connection with the mobile device and broadcast machine related information to the mobile device. The machine may also execute the input commands received from the mobile device and perform one or more functions. The method includes steps performed by the mobile device and the machine for the remote operation respectively.

Method for remote operation of machines using a mobile device

Display panel with graphical user interface

A Machine Automation System (MAS) for a machine with an implement includes a plurality of Vehicle Electronic Control Modules (ECMs), a local transceiver, an Ethernet Local Area Network (LAN), a first Controller Area Network (CAN), an Autonomy Electronic Control Module (AECM), an environment monitoring system, and a Remote Shutdown Module (RSM). The AECM is configured to generate output control signals, and to transmit the output control signals to at least one ECM of the plurality of Vehicle ECMs, wherein the output control signals control an operation of the machine. The RSM is disposed on the machine and configured to receive a safety control signal from off-board the machine. The MAS is configured to operate advanced machine control features concurrently with execution of the input control signals received from off-board the machine.

Machine automation system with autonomy electronic control module

Display screen portion with graphical user interface

A remote operator station may include a seat. A first and a second input device may be disposed on the seat. An interface device may be discretely arranged with respect to the remote operator station and may include an interface processor in communication with a machine. The interface processor may be configured to remotely control non-movement features and function of the machine. An electronic control module may be in communication with, at least, the first and second input devices. The electronic control module may be configured to: receive input signals from one of the first and second input devices; process the input signals; and communicate wirelessly processed input signals to a machine for remote operation thereof.

Remote operator station for a machine

A MAS for a machine that includes an implement, and a related method of controlling such machine is provided. The MAS may comprise a plurality of Vehicle ECMs, a local transceiver, an Ethernet LAN, a first CAN, an AECM, an environment monitoring system and an RSM. The AECM is configured to generate output control signals based, at least in part, on input from the environment monitoring system, and to transmit the output control signals to at least one of the Vehicle ECMs, wherein the output control signals control an operation of the machine. The MAS is configured to execute semi-autonomous functions of the machine based on input from the environment monitoring system.

Command for underground

A control system and related method for controlling the machine in a mine. The control system may comprise a LADAR, an interface device, a processor and an AECM. The LADAR may be configured to capture scan data of physical mine walls. The interface device may be configured to display a mine map illustrating a section of the mine. The processor may be configured to add a virtual wall to the mine map in response to a first user input. The processor may be configured to add a temporary wall to the mine map in response to a second user input. The temporary wall may be based on scan data of a physical mine wall captured by the LADAR. The AECM is configured to control an operation of the machine, based on the mine map, to avoid collision of the machine with the virtual wall or the temporary wall.

Growing community of inventors

Melbourne, Australia

Suneel Venkata Kandula