| Method and system for preventing automatic re-engagement of automatic vehicle control -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
  Method and system for preventing automatic re-engagement of automatic vehicle controlUSPTO Application #: 20060195238Title: Method and system for preventing automatic re-engagement of automatic vehicle control Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention recite a method and system for implementing automatic vehicle control with parameter-driven disengagement. In one embodiment, a course for a vehicle is determined along which the vehicle is to be automatically guided. An indication is received that a pre-defined parameter has been exceeded. In response to receiving the indication, the generation of steering commands is then suspended. Furthermore, the generation of steering commands is suspended until an engagement signal is received. (end of abstract) Agent: Wagner, Murabito & Hao, LLP - San Jose, CA, US Inventors: Mark Gibson, Charles Manning, Arthur F. Lange USPTO Applicaton #: 20060195238 - Class: 701023000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Data Processing: Vehicles, Navigation, And Relative Location, Vehicle Control, Guidance, Operation, Or Indication, Automatic Route Guidance Vehicle The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060195238. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present invention benefits from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/000,738 filed Nov. 30, 2004 titled "A Method and System for Implementing Automatic Vehicle Control with Parameter-Driven Disengagement," by Mark Gibson, Charles Manning, and Arthur Lange, assigned to the assignee of the present invention, and which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] Embodiments of the present invention are directed to controlling a mobile machine. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention relate to a method and system for preventing automatic re-engagement of an automatic vehicle control system. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Operating agricultural vehicles such as tractors and harvesters often requires highly repetitive operations. For example, when plowing or planting a field, an operator must make repeated passes across a field. Due to the repetitive nature of the work and irregularities in the terrain, gaps and overlaps in the rows of crops can occur. This can result in damaged crops, overplanting, or reduced yield per acre. As the size of agricultural vehicles and farming implements continues to increase, precisely controlling their motion becomes more important. [0004] Guidance systems are increasingly used for controlling agricultural and environmental management equipment and operations such as road side spraying, road salting, and snow plowing where following a previously defined route is desirable. This allows more precise control of the vehicles than is typically realized than if the vehicle is steered by a human. Many agricultural vehicles rely upon furrow followers which mechanically detect whether the vehicle is moving parallel to a previously plowed plant furrow. However, these guidance systems are most effective in flat terrain and when detecting furrows plowed in a straight line. Additionally, many of these systems require factory installation and are too expensive or inconvenient to facilitate after market installation. [0005] A component for controlling the steering mechanism of the vehicle is used to control the movement of the vehicle in a desired direction. Thus, the guidance system generates a steering command which is implemented by the component which controls the steering mechanism. Often, the controlling component is directly coupled with and manipulates hydraulic pumps which comprise the power steering system of the vehicle. Other controlling components manipulate the steering wheel of the vehicle. [0006] Prior art guidance systems are problematic in that there typically is no provision made for logically disengaging the guidance system. Thus, if a vehicle operator attempts to manually steer the vehicle (e.g., to pass to the side of a rock) the guidance system will continue trying to steer the vehicle in the original direction. This can be unsafe for the operator, or others in the vicinity, and may result in damage to the vehicle, or injury to the operator. [0007] Additionally, prior art guidance systems are problematic because there is typically no provision for preventing them from automatically re-engaging. Thus, even if the guidance system is logically disengaged, it may automatically re-engage if one or more parameters for engagement is met. Again, this can be unsafe for the operator, or others in the vicinity, and may result in damage to the vehicle, or injury to the operator. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008] Accordingly, a need exists for a method and system for implementing automatic vehicle control which facilitates logically disengaging the guidance system from a steering control apparatus without requiring that the steering control apparatus be physically disengaged from the steering mechanism of the vehicle. [0009] Embodiments of the present invention recite a method and system for implementing automatic vehicle control with parameter-driven disengagement. In one embodiment, a course for a vehicle is determined along which the vehicle is to be automatically guided. An indication is received that a pre-defined parameter has been exceeded. In response to receiving the indication, the generation of steering commands is then suspended. Furthermore, the generation of steering commands is suspended until an engagement signal is received. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0010] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. Unless specifically noted, the drawings referred to in this description should be understood as not being drawn to scale. [0011] FIGS. 1A and 1B show an exemplary system for controlling a mobile machine with parameter-driven disengagement in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. [0012] FIG. 2 shows an exemplary system architecture in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. [0013] FIGS. 3A and 3B show side and axial views respectively of a system for controlling a mobile machine with parameter-driven disengagement in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. [0014] FIGS. 4A and 4B show side and axial views respectively of a system for controlling a mobile machine with parameter-driven disengagement in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. [0015] FIGS. 5A and 5B show side and axial views respectively of a system for controlling a mobile machine with parameter-driven disengagement in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. [0016] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a method for implementing automatic vehicle control with parameter-driven disengagement in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. [0017] FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D, and 7E are a flowchart of a method for implementing automatic vehicle control with parameter-driven disengagement in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. [0018] FIG. 8 shows a vehicle implementing automatic vehicle control with parameter-driven disengagement in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. [0019] FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an exemplary vehicle guidance system used in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. Continue reading... Full patent description for Method and system for preventing automatic re-engagement of automatic vehicle control Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Method and system for preventing automatic re-engagement of automatic vehicle control patent application. Patent Applications in related categories: 20080109126 - Lawn care robot - A robot lawnmower includes a body and a drive system carried by the body and configured to maneuver the robot across a lawn. The robot also includes a grass cutter and a swath edge detector, both carried by the body. The swath edge detector is configured to detect a swath ... ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Method and system for preventing automatic re-engagement of automatic vehicle control or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Arrangement in connection with unmanned mine vehicle Next Patent Application: System for limiting received audio Industry Class: Data processing: vehicles, navigation, and relative location ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Method and system for preventing automatic re-engagement of automatic vehicle control patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 4.19521 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Tyco , Unilever , Warner-lambert , 3m |
||
