System for machine control
AssigneeCaterpillar Trimble Control Technologies LLC
InventorBruce Wayne Enix
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A control system for controlling the movement of a machine element of a construction machine may include a camera support, a plurality of video cameras, a processor responsive to the cameras, and a control for providing control signals. The camera support is adapted for attachment to a movable construction machine. The plurality of video cameras are mounted in a row on the camera support, with the cameras being directed downward to define overlapping fields of view beneath the row. The processor determines the relative position of a point of interest on a surface in the overlapping fields of view of at least two adjacent cameras. The control provides control signals for controlling the movement of the construction machine in dependence upon the relative position of the point of interest.
Claims22
A system for scanning a surface adjacent the path of a construction machine, comprising:
- a camera support adapted for attachment to a movable construction machine;
- a plurality of video cameras, said cameras being mounted in a row on said camera support with the cameras being directed downward to define overlapping fields of view beneath said row;
- and
- a processor, responsive to said plurality of cameras, for determining the relative position of a point of interest on a surface in the overlapping fields of view of at least two adjacent cameras.
A control system for controlling the movement of a machine element of a construction machine, comprising:
- a camera support adapted for attachment to a movable construction machine;
- a plurality of video cameras, said cameras being mounted in a row on said camera support, with the cameras being directed downward to define overlapping fields of view beneath said row;
- a processor, responsive to said plurality of cameras, for determining the relative position of a point of interest on a surface in the overlapping fields of view of at least two adjacent cameras;
- and
- a control for providing control signals for controlling the movement of said construction machine in dependence upon the relative position of said point of interest.
A construction machine control system, comprising:
- a camera support attached to the construction machine,
- a plurality of video cameras, said cameras being directed downward to define overlapping fields of view beneath said row;
- a processor, responsive to said plurality of cameras, for determining the relative position of a point of interest on a surface, said point of interest appearing in the overlapping fields of view of at least two adjacent cameras;
- and
- a control, responsive to said processor, for providing control signals for controlling the movement of said construction machine in dependence upon the relative position of said point of interest.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.