The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 18, 2004
Filed:
Dec. 16, 2002
Darin S. Motz, Earlville, IL (US);
Andrew L. Saxsma, Morton, IL (US);
Michael D. Staub, Peoria, IL (US);
Caterpillar Inc, Peoria, IL (US);
Abstract
A system and method for initiating autoguidance on a mobile machine when turning the machine at the end of a path. When an operator moves a steering mechanism of a mobile machine away from a straight travel position, the autoguidance typically deactivates so that the operator can control the machine through the turn. When the operator attempts to activate autoguidance as the turn is completed, the position of the steering mechanism is monitored for a predetermined time interval. If the position of the steering mechanism falls within a predetermined position zone, autoguidance remains activated; otherwise, autoguidance is deactivated. In addition, during the predetermined time interval, the direction of motion of the steering mechanism is monitored; if the direction is, at any time, away from the predetermined position zone, autoguidance is deactivated.