Patents by Inventor Brian G. Funke
Brian G. Funke has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 10794039Abstract: A system for automated control of a machine along a first slot in a work surface includes a machine position sensor and a controller. The controller is configured to determine an elevation difference between each pair of laterally aligned positions of the first slot and a second adjacent slot, generate a first propulsion command to operate the machine according to a first propulsion mode while the machine is disposed along the first slot adjacent each pair of laterally aligned positions at which the elevation difference is less than a slot elevation difference threshold, and generate a second propulsion command to operate the machine according to a second propulsion mode while the machine is disposed along the first slot adjacent each pair of laterally aligned positions at which the elevation difference is greater than the slot elevation difference threshold.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2018Date of Patent: October 6, 2020Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Mo Wei, Brian G. Funke, Paul Lenzen
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Publication number: 20200048862Abstract: A system for automated control of a machine along a first slot in a work surface includes a machine position sensor and a controller. The controller is configured to determine an elevation difference between each pair of laterally aligned positions of the first slot and a second adjacent slot, generate a first propulsion command to operate the machine according to a first propulsion mode while the machine is disposed along the first slot adjacent each pair of laterally aligned positions at which the elevation difference is less than a slot elevation difference threshold, and generate a second propulsion command to operate the machine according to a second propulsion mode while the machine is disposed along the first slot adjacent each pair of laterally aligned positions at which the elevation difference is greater than the slot elevation difference threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2018Publication date: February 13, 2020Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Mo Wei, Brian G. Funke, Paul Lenzen
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Patent number: 10407872Abstract: A control system for controlling an earthmoving machine operating at a worksite is disclosed. The control system includes a receiving unit to receive a first input indicative of a terrain profile of the worksite, a second input indicative of a target terrain profile for the worksite, and a third input indicative of machine characteristics. The control system also includes a mission planning controller to generate an excavation plan based on the first input, the second input, and the third input. The controller controls operation of the machine, based on the generated excavation plan, to obtain an excavated terrain profile. Further, the controller determines whether the excavated terrain profile matches with the target terrain profile, and operates the machine based on inputs indicative of the excavated terrain profile, the second input, the third input, and an extent of match between the excavated terrain profile and the target terrain profile.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2017Date of Patent: September 10, 2019Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Mo Wei, Mikael Holmqvist, Michael A. Taylor, Kyle A. Edwards, Brian G. Funke, Seth J. Redenbo
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Publication number: 20190055715Abstract: A control system for controlling an earthmoving machine operating at a worksite is disclosed. The control system includes a receiving unit to receive a first input indicative of a terrain profile of the worksite, a second input indicative of a target terrain profile for the worksite, and a third input indicative of machine characteristics. The control system also includes a mission planning controller to generate an excavation plan based on the first input, the second input, and the third input. The controller controls operation of the machine, based on the generated excavation plan, to obtain an excavated terrain profile. Further, the controller determines whether the excavated terrain profile matches with the target terrain profile, and operates the machine based on inputs indicative of the excavated terrain profile, the second input, the third input, and an extent of match between the excavated terrain profile and the target terrain profile.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2017Publication date: February 21, 2019Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Mo Wei, Mikael Holmqvist, Michael A. Taylor, Kyle A. Edwards, Brian G. Funke, Seth J. Redenbo
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Patent number: 9340214Abstract: A system for remotely controlling a machine includes a remote input device, a transmitter remote from the machine, and a receiver at the machine. A controller is configured to store a desired communications threshold, receive input commands from the remote input device, generate a plurality of remote control input signals based upon the input commands, and transmit the plurality of remote control input signals at a location remote from the machine. The controller is further configured to receive at least some of the plurality of remote control input signals at the machine, determine a communications parameter based upon at least one of the plurality of remote control input signals, compare the communications parameter to the desired communications threshold, and generate a command to stop the machine if the communications parameter is outside the desired communications threshold.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2014Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Brian G. Funke, Daniel Stanek, Troy K. Becicka, Seth J. Redenbo, Paul Friend, Daniel K. Dunn, Kenneth L. Stratton
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Patent number: 9228321Abstract: A system for remotely operating a machine includes a plurality of remote control input devices including a propulsion input device. A controller generates an operator generated propulsion command to propel the machine and generates continued propulsion commands to continue to propel the machine without additional propulsion signals from a propulsion input device. The controller determines an interval since the generation of a previous remote input signal at the remote control unit and generates a change in operation command signal if the interval since the generation of the previous remote input signal exceeds an input signal absence threshold.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2014Date of Patent: January 5, 2016Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Kenneth L. Stratton, Daniel K. Dunn, Brian G. Funke, Seth J. Redenbo
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Publication number: 20150291180Abstract: A system for remotely controlling a machine includes a remote input device, a transmitter remote from the machine, and a receiver at the machine. A controller is configured to store a desired communications threshold, receive input commands from the remote input device, generate a plurality of remote control input signals based upon the input commands, and transmit the plurality of remote control input signals at a location remote from the machine. The controller is further configured to receive at least some of the plurality of remote control input signals at the machine, determine a communications parameter based upon at least one of the plurality of remote control input signals, compare the communications parameter to the desired communications threshold, and generate a command to stop the machine if the communications parameter is outside the desired communications threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2014Publication date: October 15, 2015Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Brian G. Funke, Daniel Stanek, Troy K. Becicka, Seth J. Redenbo, Paul Friend, Daniel K. Dunn, Kenneth L. Stratton
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Patent number: 9110468Abstract: A remote operator station for controlling an operation of a machine is disclosed. The remote operator station comprises a display device, a plurality of control devices, and a controller communicably coupled to the display device and the control devices. The controller is configured to display a list of types of machines capable of being operated remotely. The controller receives an input indicative of a machine selected from the list. The controller determines a plurality of functionalities associated with the operation of the selected machine. The controller maps the determined functionalities to the plurality of control devices and further displays the mapped functionalities associated with the control devices.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2013Date of Patent: August 18, 2015Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Brian G. Funke, Seth J. Redenbo
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Patent number: 9098087Abstract: A system for controlling movement of a machine includes a drive system, a position sensor, and a communications system. A controller is configured to determine the position of the machine and determine a signal transmission threshold based at least in part upon the position of the machine. The controller may stop movement of the machine upon an interruption in signal transmission from a remote system exceeding the signal transmission threshold.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2013Date of Patent: August 4, 2015Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Paul Friend, Jean-Jacques Clar, Brian G. Funke, Troy K. Becicka
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Patent number: 9014925Abstract: A system for determining a ripping path includes a position sensing system, a work implement, and a controller. The controller is configured to determine a plurality of positions of the machine as the machine moves along an operating path and the work implement moves a volume of material and sense the material characteristics of at each of the plurality of positions along the operating path. The controller is further configured to determine the ripping path based upon the material characteristics sensed at the plurality of positions and store the ripping path.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Jean-Jacques Clar, Seth J. Redenbo, Brian G. Funke
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Patent number: 9002593Abstract: A system for re-orienting a machine during a ripping operation includes a position sensing system, a ripper, and a controller. The system stores a ripping path, determines the position of the machine, and compares the position of the machine to the ripping path. A drawbar pull of the machine is determined, compared to a maximum steering drawbar pull, and the ripper is raised if the machine is positioned greater than a predetermined distance from the ripping path and the drawbar pull exceeds the maximum steering drawbar pull. The machine is re-oriented and the ripper lowered relative to the work surface.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2013Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Jean-Jacques Clar, Daniel Stanek, Lance Cowper, Troy K. Becicka, Brian G. Funke, Thandava K. Edara, Kyle Edwards
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Publication number: 20140336881Abstract: A system for re-orienting a machine during a ripping operation includes a position sensing system, a ripper, and a controller. The system stores a ripping path, determines the position of the machine, and compares the position of the machine to the ripping path. A drawbar pull of the machine is determined, compared to a maximum steering drawbar pull, and the ripper is raised if the machine is positioned greater than a predetermined distance from the ripping path and the drawbar pull exceeds the maximum steering drawbar pull. The machine is re-oriented and the ripper lowered relative to the work surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2013Publication date: November 13, 2014Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Jean-Jacques Clar, Daniel Stanek, Lance Cowper, Troy K. Becicka, Brian G. Funke, Thandava K. Edara, Kyle Edwards
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Patent number: 8874326Abstract: A system for assisting in docking of a machine at a loading location is provided. The system includes a first controller and a second controller. The first controller is configured to generate a signal indicative of one or more loading locations associated with a loading machine. The second controller is communicably coupled to the first controller, a position detection module, a sensor and a display unit. Based on the signals received from the first controller, the position detection module and the sensor, the second controller compares the received signals and selects an exact loading location of the one or more loading locations. The second controller then determines when the current position of the machine crosses a predefined threshold distance and displays, on the display unit, a zoomed-in top view of the machine on the worksite and the exact loading location, based on the determination.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2013Date of Patent: October 28, 2014Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Hong Liu, Brian G. Funke, Mathew Chacko
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Patent number: 8847788Abstract: Methods and systems for traffic management are disclosed. Location information and a vehicle identifier for a vehicle are received. A current status of the vehicle is determined. Further, it is determined whether the vehicle is located within a defined distance from a lane intersection. A traffic indicator is generated when the vehicle is located within the pre-defined distance from the lane intersection. The traffic indicator is one of a Right of Way (ROW), Stop, Yield or Null. The generated traffic signal is transmitted back to the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2012Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Brad K. Borland, Brian G. Funke, Mathew Chacko
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Publication number: 20140277957Abstract: A system for determining a ripping path includes a position sensing system, a work implement, and a controller. The controller is configured to determine a plurality of positions of the machine as the machine moves along an operating path and the work implement moves a volume of material and sense the material characteristics of at each of the plurality of positions along the operating path. The controller is further configured to determine the ripping path based upon the material characteristics sensed at the plurality of positions and store the ripping path.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Jean-Jacques Clar, Seth J. Redenbo, Brian G. Funke
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Publication number: 20140257626Abstract: A system for assisting in docking of a machine at a loading location is provided. The system includes a first controller and a second controller. The first controller is configured to generate a signal indicative of one or more loading locations associated with a loading machine. The second controller is communicably coupled to the first controller, a position detection module, a sensor and a display unit. Based on the signals received from the first controller, the position detection module and the sensor, the second controller compares the received signals and selects an exact loading location of the one or more loading locations. The second controller then determines when the current position of the machine crosses a predefined threshold distance and displays, on the display unit, a zoomed-in top view of the machine on the worksite and the exact loading location, based on the determination.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2013Publication date: September 11, 2014Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Hong Liu, Brian G. Funke, Mathew Chacko
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Publication number: 20140240506Abstract: A display system for presenting information relating to the remote monitoring and operation of machines is provided. The display includes a display screen configured to include a main section adapted to display video image data relating to a selected monitored machine. A first side section is arranged along a first edge of the display screen and adapted to display respective video image data associated with each of a plurality of monitored machines. A second side section is arranged along a second edge of the display screen and adapted to display video image data relating to a worksite.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2013Publication date: August 28, 2014Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.Inventors: Clarence Glover, Daniel Uphoff, Kent J. Chesko, Robert McGee, Brian G. Funke, Daniel K. Dunn, Steven A. McKown, Seth J. Redenbo
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Patent number: 8812198Abstract: A system for assisting in docking of a machine at a loading location is provided. The system includes a first controller and a second controller. The first controller is configured to generate a list of loading locations associated with one or more loading machines. The second controller is communicably coupled to the first controller, a position detection unit and a display unit. The second controller is configured to receive the list of loading locations, receive a signal indicative of a current position of the machine, display a subset of the list of loading locations, select a target loading location from the subset of the list of loading locations based on a relative distance between the current position of the machine and each of the loading locations and display a zoomed in top view of the current position of the machine and the target loading location, based on the selection.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2013Date of Patent: August 19, 2014Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Hong Liu, Brian G. Funke, Mathew Chacko
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Publication number: 20140222247Abstract: A system for controlling movement of a machine includes a drive system, a position sensor, and a communications system. A controller is configured to determine the position of the machine and determine a signal transmission threshold based at least in part upon the position of the machine. The controller may stop movement of the machine upon an interruption in signal transmission from a remote system exceeding the signal transmission threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2013Publication date: August 7, 2014Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.Inventors: Paul Friend, Jean-Jacques Clar, Brian G. Funke, Troy K. Becicka
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Publication number: 20140214240Abstract: A remote operator station for controlling an operation of a machine is disclosed. The remote operator station comprises a display device, a plurality of control devices, and a controller communicably coupled to the display device and the control devices. The controller is configured to display a list of types of machines capable of being operated remotely. The controller receives an input indicative of a machine selected from the list. The controller determines a plurality of functionalities associated with the operation of the selected machine. The controller maps the determined functionalities to the plurality of control devices and further displays the mapped functionalities associated with the control devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2013Publication date: July 31, 2014Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Brian G. Funke, Seth J. Redenbo