Method and apparatus for controlling the updating of a machine database
AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.
InventorClaude W. Keefer
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for updating a machine database. The database includes data representing the desired and actual terrain of a work site. Additional data represents portions of the work site which have been further worked. An indicator detects the machine's current work function and updates the data in the database based on the current work function.
Claims23
A method for updating a dynamic site database based upon a current work function of a mobile machine, the machine having at least one work function, comprising the steps of:
- determining the current work function of the machine;
- and
- updating data related to the current work function in the dynamic site database.
An apparatus for updating a dynamic site database based upon a current work function of a mobile machine, the machine having at least one work function, comprising:
- an indicator for providing an indication of the current work function of the machine;
- and
- a controller for receiving the indication, said controller updating data in the dynamic site database, said data associated with the current work function.
An apparatus for displaying information to an operator of a mobile machine, comprising:
- a receiver for providing position coordinate data corresponding to a position of at least a portion of the machine;
- an indicator for providing an indication of a current work function of the machine;
- a memory storing a model of a desired site and a model of the actual site;
- a controller for receiving said position coordinate data and said indication and selectively updating said memory based on the current work function, said memory updated with data determined from said position coordinate data;
- and
- a display for displaying at least one of a difference between the desired and actual site models and an area of the site worked by one or more of the work functions.
A method for displaying information to an operator of a mobile machine, comprising the steps of:
- providing position coordinate data corresponding to a position of at least a portion of the machine;
- determining a current work function of the machine;
- selectively updating a dynamic site model based upon the current work function;
- and
- displaying at least one of a representation of a difference between the dynamic site model and a desired site model and an area of the site worked by one or more of the work functions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.