Abstract: The present invention is configured to determine the weight of a payload of a mobile machine. When the machine is in motion, a force characteristic of the machine is compared with a force characteristic threshold, or range. The payload determination is based upon the force characteristic comparison, and the pressures sensed in at least one of the struts.

Abstract: The present invention is configured to determine the weight of a payload of a mobile machine. When the machine is in motion, a force characteristic of the machine is compared with a force characteristic threshold, or range. The payload determination is based upon the force characteristic comparison, and the pressures sensed in at least one of the struts.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling the navigation of surface based vehicle uses a route that is obtained by manually driving the vehicle over the route to collect data defining the absolute position of the vehicle at various positions along the route. The collected data is smoothed to provide a consistent route to be followed. The smoothed data is subsequently used to automatically guide the vehicle over the route.

Abstract: A system and method for managing access of at least one mobile machine to a load resource having a loading machine including a queue manager adapted to deliver a queue position request signal, a resource manager adapted to control access to the load resource, and a load manager adapted to determine a load point for a mobile machine.

Abstract: A system (400) for positioning and navigating an autonomous vehicle (310) allows the vehicle (310) to travel between locations. Position information (432) is derived from global positioning system satellites (200, 202, 204, and 206) or other sources (624) when the satellites (200, 202, 204, and 206) are not in the view of the vehicle (310). Navigation of the vehicle (310) is obtained using the position information (432), route information (414), obstacle detection and avoidance data (416), and on board vehicle data (908 and 910).

Abstract: A system and method for enabling an autonomous vehicle to track a desired path plans a continuous path to return to the desired path when the vehicle deviates from the desired path. The continuous path is determined based on the vehicle's position, the desired path, and a lookahead distance. The lookahead distance is the distance on the desired path within which the continuous path and the desired path converge. The lookahead distance may vary as a function of vehicle speed. In one embodiment of the present invention, the continuous path is determined as a quintic polynomial.

Abstract: A system for generating a path allows a vehicle to traverse a predetermined route. The system stores route data for the predetermined route. The route data identifies a series of contiguous path segments that form the predetermined route. The route data also identifies a series of nodes located at the beginning and the end of the predetermined route and between adjacent path segments. Each path segment represents a series of postures along the predetermined route. Each posture identifies a position, a heading, and a curvature for the vehicle at a particular point along the predetermined route. The system stores the path segments and nodes as compressed path data. In one embodiment, the compressed path data is a function that is continuous in posture, i.e., continuous in position, heading and curvature. The system retrieves the compressed path data and generates a series of postures from the retrieved compressed path data to allow the vehicle to traverse the predetermined route.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling a surface-based vehicle provides three operational modes: a manual operation, a tele-operation, and an autonomous operation. In manual operation, an operator directly manipulates vehicle controls on the vehicle. In tele-operation, the operator controls the vehicle from a remote position. In autonomous operation, the vehicle controls itself based on its position and a predetermined path. The apparatus and method of the present invention provides an orderly transition between manual operation, tele-operation, and autonomous operation of the vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling an autonomously navigated vehicle uses a vehicle manager to control vehicle subsystems and to respond to commands from either a vehicle navigation system or a remote control panel. The vehicle manager controls vehicle subsystems including a speed control subsystem, a steering control subsystem, an auxiliary control subsystem, and a monitor subsystem. The speed control subsystem controls the speed of the vehicle in response to a speed command from the vehicle manager. The steering control subsystem controls the steering angle of the vehicle in response to a steering command from the vehicle manager. The auxiliary control subsystem controls auxiliary functions of the vehicle in response to an auxiliary command from the vehicle manager. The monitor subsystem monitors the status of each of the other subsystems and provides the status to the vehicle manager.

Abstract: A system (400) for positioning and navigating an autonomous vehicle (310) allows the vehicle (310) to travel between locations. Position information (432) is derived from global positioning system satellites (200, 202, 204, and 206) or other sources (624) when the satellites (200, 202, 204, and 206) are not in the view of the vehicle (310). Navigation of the vehicle (310) is obtained using the position information (432), route information (414), obstacle detection and avoidance data (416), and on board vehicle data (908 and 910).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for navigating a vehicle along a predetermined route use route data and path data to define the predetermined route. The route data represents one or more contiguous path segments between adjacent nodes along the predetermined route. The path data includes postures of the vehicle along each of the path segments. The postures define the desired position, heading, curvature and speed of vehicle at various locations along the path segments. The apparatus and method use the posture information to generate and track a path thereby allowing the vehicle to navigate along the predetermined route.

Abstract: A system (400) for positioning and navigating an autonomous vehicle (310) allows the vehicle (310) to travel between locations. Position information (432) is derived from global positioning system satellites (200, 202, 204, and 206) or other sources (624) when the satellites (200, 202, 204, and 206) are not in the view of the vehicle (310). Navigation of the vehicle (310) is obtained using the position information (432), route information (414), obstacle detection and avoidance data (416), and on board vehicle data (908 and 910).

Abstract: The invention is a system and method for managing a resource shared by a plurality of autonomous vehicles. Each vehicle includes a navigator for causing the vehicle to travel a specified route to the resource and for generating a queue position request upon approach to the resource. A queue or fleet manager establishes a queue to control access to the resource. The queue manager generates a queue position in response to receipt of the queue position request from an approaching vehicle. Under control of the queue manager, autonomous vehicles are passed through the queue and allowed to access the resource in a first-in, first-out manner.

Abstract: A system (400) for positioning and navigating an autonomous vehicle (310) allows the vehicle (310) to travel between locations. Position information (432) is derived from global positioning system satellites (200, 202, 204, and 206) or other sources (624) when the satellites (200, 202, 204, and 206) are not in the view of the vehicle (310). Navigation of the vehicle (310) is obtained using the position information (432), route information (414), obstacle detection and avoidance data (416), and on board vehicle data (908 and 910).

Abstract: A steering control system for an autonomous machine has a manual steering control valve for directing fluid from a pump to either a head end chamber or a rod end chamber of a hydraulic steering actuator. In one embodiment, an electrically actuated steering valve device is disposed in series flow relationship between the pump and the manual steering control valve and is operative to direct fluid from the pump to the head end and rod end chambers. In another embodiment, a electrically actuated device mechanically actuates the manual steering control valve for steering the machine.

Abstract: Vehicle navigation systems typically include devices for determining the location of the vehicle. In many situations it is advantageous to improve the resolution of such devices or to provide a back-up system for determining vehicle location. Simple and efficient systems are also desirable when used as the primary positioning systems. The subject invention provides a simple and efficient system for determining the location of a vehicle in a base reference frame. One or more targets are located at predefined positions with respect to the base reference frame. A target sensing device determines a position of one of the one or more targets with respect to the vehicle. A device determines an estimated vehicle position. A vehicle locating device determines the location of the vehicle with respect to the base reference frame in response to the position of the target with respect to the vehicle and the estimated vehicle position.

Abstract: A system for controlling autonomous operation of a vehicle in response to speed and steering angle request signals from a navigator allows manual operation of the vehicle. The system includes a machine control module, an engine control module, and a transmission control module. An auto/manual select signal indicates to the machine control module whether operation should be in a fully autonomous mode or a manual mode. In the autonomous mode, a navigator produces a speed request signal and a steering angle request signal for the vehicle. The machine control module receives the speed and steering angle request signals from the navigator. From these inputs, the machine control module produces an engine RPM (revolutions per minute) control signal for the engine control module, a transmission control signal for the transmission control module, a brake control signal, and a steering angle control signal. In the manual mode, the machine control module will not interfere with normal, manual (i.e.

Abstract: A system and method for remotely controlling an autonomous vehicle uses a tele-panel to interrupt autonomous operation. Radio communications established between the tele-panel and the vehicle ceases autonomous operation of the vehicle and places the vehicle in a tele-ready mode in which the vehicle will not respond to commands from other tele-panels. Upon communication of a tele-operation request signal to the vehicle, the vehicle enters tele-operation mode. In this mode, the vehicle is responsive only to speed and steering angle requests from the transmitting tele-panel. A unique tele-panel identifier transmitted to the vehicle prevents other tele-panels from gaining control of the vehicle. If communications between the vehicle and the tele-panel identified by the tele-panel identifier are interrupted while the vehicle is in tele-operation mode, the vehicle is locked and will not respond to commands from other tele-panels and will not enter autonomous operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting an antenna assembly to an elevationally movable portion of a vehicle dump bed includes a mountable support member having first and second end portions. The first end portion is fixed to the vehicle bed. The antenna assembly has an active element connected to a first end of a mounting element and a counterweight element connected to a second end of a mounting element. An intermediate portion of the mounting element is connected to the second end portion of the mountable support member. The antenna assembly is therefore free to rotate about at least one axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the elevationally movable dump bed.