Unloading systems

A controller for an unloading system, the unloading system comprising an unloading vehicle having an unloading apparatus and a collection vehicle having a container, wherein the unloading apparatus is configured to direct material to the container driven in the vicinity of the unloading vehicle, the controller is configured to:

• receive image data representative of at least a portion of the container;
• receive a path information signal representative of a path that is to be followed by the unloading vehicle or the collection vehicle;
• set an attribute of at least one the unloading apparatus, the unloading vehicle, and the collection vehicle in accordance with the image data and the path information signal in order to direct the material from the unloading apparatus to the container;
• wherein the path information signal is further representative of the amount of material per unit area that is to be collected;
• increase a speed of the container or set the attribute of the unloading apparatus in order to direct the material from the unloading apparatus to a region of the container that is further forward, if the path information signal is indicative of a reducing amount of material that is to be collected, and
• decrease the speed of the container or set the attribute of the unloading apparatus in order to direct the material from the unloading apparatus to a region of the container that is further backwards, if the path information signal is indicative of an increasing amount of material that is to be collected.

An unloading system comprising:

• an unloading apparatus for directing material toward a collection vehicle having a container;
• a material amount sensor configured to detect an amount of material that is to be collected;
• a controller operatively connected to the unloading apparatus, the controller configured to:
• receive image data representative of at least a portion of the container;
• receive a path information signal representative of a path that is to be followed by the unloading vehicle or the collection vehicle and the amount of material that is to be collected on the path;
• and
• set an attribute of at least one of the unloading apparatus, the unloading vehicle, and the collection vehicle in accordance with the image data and the path information signal in order to direct the material from the unloading apparatus to the container such that the material is directed to a region of the container that is one of further forwards and further backwards;
• process the path information signal in order to determine a relative positioning characteristic representative of how the unloading apparatus is expected to move relative to the container as the unloading vehicle or the collection vehicle follows the path;
• and
• set an attribute of at least one of the unloading apparatus and the collection vehicle in accordance with the image data and the determined relative positioning characteristic.

A method of controlling an unloading system, the unloading system comprising an unloading vehicle having an unloading apparatus and a collection vehicle having a container, wherein the container is driven in the vicinity of the unloading vehicle, the method comprising steps of:

• receiving image data representative of at least a portion of the container;
• receiving a path information signal representative of a path that is to be followed by the unloading vehicle or the collection vehicle;
• and
• setting an attribute of at least one of the unloading apparatus, the unloading vehicle, and the collection vehicle in accordance with the image data and the path information signal;
• increasing a speed of the container or setting the attribute of the unloading apparatus in order to direct the material from the unloading apparatus to a region of the container that is further forwards, if the path information signal is indicative of a reducing amount of material that is to be collected, and
• decreasing the speed of the container or setting the attribute of the unloading apparatus in order to direct the material from the unloading apparatus to a region of the container that is further backwards, if the path information signal is indicative of an increasing amount of material that is to be collected.

A computer program stored on a non transitory computer-readable medium, the computer program, when executed by a computer, is configured to cause the computer to perform steps of:

• receiving image data representative of at least a portion of the container;
• receiving a path information signal representative of a path that is to be followed by the unloading vehicle or the collection vehicle;
• and
• setting an attribute of the unloading apparatus, the unloading vehicle, or the collection vehicle in accordance with the image data and the path information signal;
• wherein the computer program, when executed by the computer, is further configured to cause the computer to perform steps of:
• increasing a speed of the container or setting the attribute of the unloading apparatus in order to direct the material from the unloading apparatus to a region of the container that is further forwards, if the path information signal is indicative of a reducing amount of material that is to be collected, and
• decreasing the speed of the container or setting the attribute of the unloading apparatus in order to direct the material from the unloading apparatus to a region of the container that is further backwards, if the path information signal is indicative of an increasing amount of material that is to be collected.