Abstract: A clock synchronized control system includes a controller configured to control at least one function of a work machine. The controller may also be configured to select a clock source from among a plurality of external clock sources based on a predetermined order. The controller may be further configured to obtain information from the selected clock source. The controller may also be configured to use the obtained information to affect the at least one function of the work machine.

Abstract: A method and system for determining one or more desired communication services for an application. The method and system includes determining at least one application operating parameter, at least one communication operating parameter, at least one cost factor, and at least one value factor. The method and system further includes assigning a priority level to each application operating parameter, communication operating parameter, cost factor, and value factor. Additionally, the method and system includes comparing the priority levels to each other, and determining a desired communication service based on the compared priority levels.

Abstract: Methods and systems of the present invention are provided for performing proxy control functions in an environment including one or more work machines. Such methods and systems may leverage one or more gateways to serve as a proxy for one or more distinct modules. A gateway, located in a work machine, may be programmed with proxy logic that performs functions associated with certain modules used in a work machine environment. The gateway may monitor a data link and retrieve broadcasted messages. The broadcasted messages may include source and/or destination module address identifiers. The gateway may retrieve messages from the data link based on a determination that the message is destined for a module for which the gateway serves as a proxy. The gateway may route a retrieved message, using a mapping structure, to the appropriate proxy logic that performs functions associated with the destination module.

Abstract: A data system for work machines is disclosed. The data system has a first communication device associated with a first work machine, and a second communication device associated with a second work machine. The data system also has an offboard system in communication with the first and second communication devices. The offboard system is configured to request a first data transmission from the first work machine in response to a second data transmission being received from the second work machine.

Abstract: A method and system are provided to perform a process of wirelessly providing software updates to a target module located in a work machine. In one embodiment, the process includes determining whether a software update condition exists for software stored in the target module and when such a condition does exist, delivering software update data from a remote off-board system to the work machine. Further, the work machine may determine a location of the target module and whether an update delay condition exists. Also, the process may include delivering the software update to the target module if no update delay condition exists, and delaying the delivery of the software update data to the target module if an update delay condition does exist.

Abstract: A control system for a machine has an input device operable to receive an input indicative of an operator profile and to generate a signal related to the operator profile. The control system also has a controller in communication with the machine and the input device. The controller is configured to receive the signal and to change at least one operating parameter of the machine in response to the signal.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for performing protocol conversions in an environment including a work machine having one or more modules coupled to one or more data links. Such methods and systems may leverage one or more gateways to perform tunneling, translating, and bridging operations. Tunneling processes may include receiving a message from a source module in a first protocol, encapsulating the message within transmission units of a second protocol, and transmitting the encapsulated message via the second protocol. Translating processes may include receiving, by the gateway, a message in a first data link protocol including a parameter identifier. The gateway may match the parameter identifier with a parameter identifier included in a translation table and scale associated parameter data using a scale factor corresponding to a second data link protocol. The gateway may then provide the scaled parameter data to a module using the second data link protocol.

Abstract: A method and system are provided to perform a process of managing communications in an environment including a mobile work machine having one or more on-board data links connected to one or more on-board modules and a gateway and including one or more off-board data links connected to one or more off-board systems and the gateway. The process is performed by the gateway and includes receiving a request generated by a source device and transmitted on a first data link. In one embodiment, the first data link may be either one of the on-board data links and one of the off-board data links. Based on the request, the gateway selectively executes a server application that performs a server process. Further, the gateway identifies a destination device associated with the request, configures the request to a format compatible with the destination device, and provides the formatted request to the destination device.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for installing data stored on electronic control modules on a remotely-located machine. The control modules installed on the machine store information regarding the data which should be stored on the other installed control modules. A processor may poll the control modules to determine if a control module is missing or blank and, if so, determine which data is missing from the machine based upon the information stored on the other control modules. The processor may communicate with an off board system to identify the appropriate software for the blank control module. The software is downloaded and flashed into the blank control module.

Abstract: A control system to dynamically control the operation of a work machine using information obtained from a remote entity includes a controller configured to determine a position of the work machine. The controller may also be configured to query a remote entity for information related to the position of the work machine. In addition, the controller may be configured to obtain the information in response to the query. The controller may also be configured to control at least one operation of the work machine based on the information received from the remote entity.

Abstract: A method and system (100) for determining one or more desired communication services for an application (200). The method and system (100) includes determining at least one application operating parameter (302), at least one communication operating parameter (304), at least one cost factor (306), and at least one value factor (308). The method and system (100) further includes assigning a priority level (310,312,314,316) to each application operating parameter (302), communication operating parameter (304), cost factor (306), and value factor (308). Additionally, the method and system (100) includes comparing the priority levels (310,312,314,316) to each other, and determining a desired communication service based on the compared priority levels (310,312,314,316).

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for intelligently establishing a communication session between a machine and off-board system. In one implementation, a system for intelligently establishes a communication session. The system includes a machine communicating with a network and an off-board system that transmits a request for data from the machine over the network. The system also includes a communication server in communication with the machine and the off-board system via the network. The communication server determines whether hardware and a network connection to transmit the requested data and are available on-board the machine and determines whether the off-board system has authority to receive the requested data.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring various conditions of a machine which may be remotely located. The parameters available in the machine's monitoring system are synchronized in machine and remote systems. A diagnostic system comprised of a prognostics engine or an interface reviews data stored in the remote system and determines the parameters to be monitored and the allowable tolerances, which are relayed to the machine system. The monitoring system monitors the condition of the machine based upon the diagnostic system's directions, and the machine system reports when the parameters vary from the defined tolerances.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring various conditions of a machine which may be remotely located. The parameters available in the machine's monitoring system are synchronized in machine and remote systems. A diagnostic system comprised of a prognostics engine or an interface reviews data stored in the remote system and determines the parameters to be monitored and the allowable tolerances, which are relayed to the machine system. The monitoring system monitors the condition of the machine based upon the diagnostic system's directions, and the machine system reports when the parameters vary from the defined tolerances.

Abstract: A system and method for updating software stored in control modules on a remotely-located machine. The current machine configuration is stored in a machine and a remote system, and the configuration in the remote system is monitored to determine if an update, such as an enhancement, “bug” fix, or new version, is available. If so, the owner of the machine is remotely notified and offered the update. If the owner accepts, the update is relayed to the machine system and flashed into the appropriate control module.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for installing data stored on electronic control modules on a remotely-located machine. The control modules installed on the machine store information regarding the data which should be stored on the other installed control modules. A processor may poll the control modules to determine if a control module is missing or blank and, if so, determine which data is missing from the machine based upon the information stored on the other control modules. The processor may communicate with an off board system to identify the appropriate software for the blank control module. The software is downloaded and flashed into the blank control module.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for detecting a status of a valve, the valve being connected to a fluid circuit. The method includes the steps of establishing an expected value of a characteristic of the fluid of the fluid circuit, determining an actual value of the fluid characteristic of the fluid circuit, and determining a valve status in response to the actual value, and the expected value.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for detecting a status of a valve, the valve being connected to a fluid circuit. The method includes the steps of establishing an expected value of a characteristic of the fluid of the fluid circuit, determining an actual value of the fluid characteristic of the fluid circuit, and determining a valve status in response to the actual value, and the expected value.

Abstract: A controllable mechanical brake release system for controllably releasing a mechanical brake included in a hydrostatic machine is disclosed. In the preferred embodiment the hydrostatic machine is located on an incline. The mechanical brake is included in a mechanical braking system. The hydrostatic machine has the braking system, a hydrostatic propulsion system and a controller. A determined hydraulic pressure associated with the hydrostatic propulsion system is compared with an established trip indicator. A release mechanical brake signal is produced in response to the comparison.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for controlling the propulsion and steering of a machine. The machine includes a hydrostatic system that drives a pair of ground engaging traction devices. An electronic controller receives operator signals indicative of a desired travel speed and direction, and determines a desired rotational speed of the ground engaging traction devices. The electronic controller produces command signals indicative of the determined speeds to regulate the speed of the ground engaging traction devices to the desired speed.