Patents by Inventor Craig L. Koehrsen
Craig L. Koehrsen 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).
-
Patent number: 11868114Abstract: A controller may configure the machine to operate in a plurality of modes including a manned control mode, a remote control mode, and an autonomous control mode. The controller may receive a request to cause the machine to perform an action; and determine a requested mode of operation of the machine associated with the request. The requested mode of operation may be one of the plurality of modes. The controller may selectively deny the request or enable the machine to perform the action based on a priority assigned to a current mode of operation of the machine and a priority assigned to the requested mode of operation.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2022Date of Patent: January 9, 2024Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Robert Jason McGee, Craig L. Koehrsen, Paul D Lenzen, Clarence Matthew Glover, Kyle Hendricks, Joshua Struble, Justin Peters, Sangameshwar Sonth
-
Publication number: 20230244246Abstract: Systems and methods can implement collaborative path planning of mobile machines in an unstructured area. The systems and methods can involve receiving, at an area controller at a worksite, a list of mobile machines that are in the unstructured area, responsive to identification of the mobile machine entering (including just about to enter) the unstructured area from a structured area. The systems and methods can also involve receiving, at the area controller, location information including a location at which the mobile machine is to perform a task, when the mobile machine enters the unstructured area; and coordinating, via the area controller, with the mobile machines on the list of mobile machines, for the one mobile machine to traverse a locally determined path to the location at which the mobile machine is to perform the task without interfering with locally determined paths of the other mobile machines in the unstructured area.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2022Publication date: August 3, 2023Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: Craig L. KOEHRSEN
-
Publication number: 20230092561Abstract: A controller may configure the machine to operate in a plurality of modes including a manned control mode, a remote control mode, and an autonomous control mode. The controller may receive a request to cause the machine to perform an action; and determine a requested mode of operation of the machine associated with the request. The requested mode of operation may be one of the plurality of modes. The controller may selectively deny the request or enable the machine to perform the action based on a priority assigned to a current mode of operation of the machine and a priority assigned to the requested mode of operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2022Publication date: March 23, 2023Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Robert Jason MCGEE, Craig L. KOEHRSEN, Paul D LENZEN, Clarence Matthew GLOVER, Kyle HENDRICKS, Joshua STRUBLE, Justin PETERS, Sangameshwar SONTH
-
Patent number: 11513498Abstract: A controller may configure the machine to operate in a plurality of modes including a manned control mode, a remote control mode, and an autonomous control mode. The controller may receive a request to cause the machine to perform an action; and determine a requested mode of operation of the machine associated with the request. The requested mode of operation may be one of the plurality of modes. The controller may selectively deny the request or enable the machine to perform the action based on a priority assigned to a current mode of operation of the machine and a priority assigned to the requested mode of operation.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2020Date of Patent: November 29, 2022Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Robert Jason McGee, Craig L. Koehrsen, Paul D. Lenzen, Clarence Matthew Glover, Kyle Hendricks, Joshua Struble, Justin Peters, Sangameshwar Sonth
-
Publication number: 20220035337Abstract: A controller may configure the machine to operate in a plurality of modes including a manned control mode, a remote control mode, and an autonomous control mode. The controller may receive a request to cause the machine to perform an action; and determine a requested mode of operation of the machine associated with the request. The requested mode of operation may be one of the plurality of modes. The controller may selectively deny the request or enable the machine to perform the action based on a priority assigned to a current mode of operation of the machine and a priority assigned to the requested mode of operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2020Publication date: February 3, 2022Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Robert Jason MCGEE, Craig L. KOEHRSEN, Paul D. LENZEN, Clarence Matthew GLOVER, Kyle HENDRICKS, Joshua STRUBLE, Justin PETERS, Sangameshwar SONTH
-
Patent number: 11226627Abstract: A system for moving material from a first location to a second location includes a planning system to identify an initial spot location. A perception sensor is configured to generate perception signals indicative of whether an obstacle is in the path between a material carrying machine and the initial spot location. An alternate spot location is determined if an obstacle is in the path and a propulsion command is generated to move the material carrying machine from the current pose to the alternate spot location.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2019Date of Patent: January 18, 2022Assignee: Caterpillar Global Mining LLCInventors: Andrew J. Vitale, Bryan J. Everett, Mark H. Banham, Craig L. Koehrsen
-
Publication number: 20200401141Abstract: A system for moving material from a first location to a second location includes a planning system to identify an initial spot location. A perception sensor is configured to generate perception signals indicative of whether an obstacle is in the path between a material carrying machine and the initial spot location. An alternate spot location is determined if an obstacle is in the path and a propulsion command is generated to move the material carrying machine from the current pose to the alternate spot location.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2019Publication date: December 24, 2020Applicant: Caterpillar Global Mining LLCInventors: Andrew J. Vitale, Bryan J. Everett, Mark H. Banham, Craig L. Koehrsen
-
Patent number: 9805317Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling fluid delivery on a site using at least one fluid delivery machine are disclosed. An exemplary such method includes identifying at least one path on the site based on map information associated with the site, calculating a fluid delivery requirement of the at least one path based on environmental information associated with the site, and dispatching a fluid delivery machine on a mission to treat the at least one path with fluid based on the fluid delivery requirement.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2010Date of Patent: October 31, 2017Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Adam J. Gudat, James D. Humphrey, Peter W. Anderton, David C. Orr, Kenneth L. Stratton, Craig L. Koehrsen, Claude W. Keefer, Michael D. Braunstein
-
Patent number: 9560692Abstract: A system for controlling a machine may include a remote control (RC) input device configured to remotely initiate a RC enabled mode on the machine. The RC input device may subsequently establish a communication link with the machine when no other RC input device currently has a communication link with the machine. The RC input device may transition the machine to a RC reserved mode in which the machine is reserved for control by the RC input device, and transition a mode of control for the machine to a RC active mode from the RC reserved mode. The RC input device may selectively control the machine when in the RC active mode. The RC input device may also transition the mode of control for the machine to an autonomous mode from the RC active mode.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2014Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Robert Jason McGee, Jean-Jacques Clar, Craig L. Koehrsen, Brian Gerard Funke, Brett Andrew Eisenmenger, Deepa Jeyamani, Kent James Chesko, Clarence Matthew Glover, Shahul Hameed Mohammed
-
Patent number: 9298188Abstract: A control system is disclosed for use with a machine. The control system may have a communicating device, a locating device configured to generate a first signal indicative of a location of the machine, a sensor configured to generate a second signal indicative of contact of the machine with a berm, and an onboard controller. The control system may also have an offboard controller configured to generate a first set of coordinates of a dump target, and to assign the first set of coordinates to the onboard controller for use in controlling the machine. The offboard controller may also be configured to detect contact of the machine with the berm based on the second signal during reverse travel toward the dump target, and to generate a second set of coordinates of the dump target to correspond with a location of the machine at a time of contact detection.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2013Date of Patent: March 29, 2016Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Ananth P. Kini, Joshua C. Struble, Andrew J. Vitale, Craig L. Koehrsen, Bryan J. Everett, Mark H. C. Banham, Dean G. Povey, Matthew A. Holmes
-
Patent number: 9244464Abstract: A control system is disclosed for use with a machine at a worksite. The control system may have an offboard controller. The offboard controller may be configured to receive information regarding a berm at the worksite, determine starting and ending points spaced apart along an edge of the berm based on the information, and determine a maximum orthogonal distance from a virtual line extending between the starting and ending points to the edge of the berm. The offboard controller may be further configured to selectively validate the starting and ending points based on the maximum orthogonal distance, and to designate a center of the virtual line between validated starting and ending points as a dump target.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2013Date of Patent: January 26, 2016Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Ananth P. Kini, Joshua C. Struble, Andrew J. Vitale, Craig L. Koehrsen, Bryan J. Everett, Mark H. C. Banham, Dean G. Povey, Matthew A. Holmes
-
Patent number: 9134721Abstract: A worksite system is disclosed. The worksite system may have an input module configured to receive at least one of a boundary and a characteristic of an awareness zone at a worksite, and at least one locating device configured to determine a position of a mobile machine and another mobile entity at the worksite. The worksite system may also have a controller in communication with the input module and the at least one locating device. The controller may be configured to track movement of the mobile machine, and to make a determination of a presence of the other mobile entity. The controller may also be configured to initiate a collision avoidance strategy in response to at least one of the mobile machine nearing or entering the awareness zone when the other mobile entity is in the awareness zone.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2011Date of Patent: September 15, 2015Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Craig L. Koehrsen, Thomas F. Doherty
-
Patent number: 9097520Abstract: A system includes a position sensing system for determining a position of a machine and a work implement configured to engage material to form a raised contour. A controller determines a plurality of positions of the machine as the machine moves about the work site and the work implement forms the raised contour, determines a plurality of reference positions along an edge of the raised contour as the work implement forms the raised contour, and generates a map of the edge of the raised contour based upon the plurality of reference positions.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2013Date of Patent: August 4, 2015Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Kenneth L. Stratton, Andrew J. Vitale, Craig L. Koehrsen
-
Publication number: 20150198936Abstract: A system for controlling a machine may include a remote control (RC) input device configured to remotely initiate a RC enabled mode on the machine. The RC input device may subsequently establish a communication link with the machine when no other RC input device currently has a communication link with the machine. The RC input device may transition the machine to a RC reserved mode in which the machine is reserved for control by the RC input device, and transition a mode of control for the machine to a RC active mode from the RC reserved mode. The RC input device may selectively control the machine when in the RC active mode. The RC input device may also transition the mode of control for the machine to an autonomous mode from the RC active mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2014Publication date: July 16, 2015Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.Inventors: Robert Jason McGEE, Jean-Jacques CLAR, Craig L. KOEHRSEN, Brian Gerard FUNKE, Brett Andrew EISENMENGER, Deepa JEYAMANI, Kent James CHESKO, Clarence Matthew GLOVER, Shahul Hameed MOHAMMED
-
Patent number: 8983707Abstract: A control system for use at a dump location having a plurality of dump sites is disclosed. The control system may have a control module associated with a mobile machine and a worksite controller. The worksite controller may be configured to receive a signal from the control module indicative of the mobile machine crossing a boundary at a dump location, and assign a travel route for the mobile machine based on the signal. The travel route may include a travel segment on a common entrance row, a first single-use path from the common entrance row to a particular one of the plurality of dump sites, a second single-use path from the particular one of the plurality of dump sites to a common exit row, and a travel segment on the common exit row. The worksite controller may be further configured to communicate the travel route to the control module as the mobile machine moves toward the dump location.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2011Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Bryan J. Everett, Craig L. Koehrsen, Eric A. Moughler, Mark H. Banham
-
Patent number: 8930043Abstract: A control system is disclosed for use with a plurality of mobile machines operating at a worksite having a resource. The control system may have a worksite controller configured to divide a common travel path into a plurality of segments, including at least a spot segment at the resource and a stage segment. The worksite control may further be configured to receive a first input indicative of a desire for a first of the plurality of mobile machines to leave the spot segment, and to direct the first of the plurality of mobile machines out of the spot segment based on the first input. The worksite controller may be further configured to receive first location information for the first of the plurality of mobile machines, and to direct the second of the plurality of mobile machines from the stage segment into the spot segment based on the first location information.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2011Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Bryan J. Everett, Michael Siemer, Craig L. Koehrsen, Andrew J. Vitale, John R. Ellwood
-
Publication number: 20140371947Abstract: A system includes a position sensing system for determining a position of a machine and a work implement configured to engage material to form a raised contour. A controller determines a plurality of positions of the machine as the machine moves about the work site and the work implement forms the raised contour, determines a plurality of reference positions along an edge of the raised contour as the work implement forms the raised contour, and generates a map of the edge of the raised contour based upon the plurality of reference positions.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2013Publication date: December 18, 2014Inventors: Kenneth L. Stratton, Andrew J. Vitale, Craig L. Koehrsen
-
Patent number: 8880334Abstract: A control system is disclosed for use with a plurality of machines operating at a worksite. The control system may have a plurality of communicating devices, and a plurality of onboard controllers, each mountable to the plurality of machines. The control system may also have an offboard controller in communication with the plurality of onboard controllers via the plurality of communicating devices. The offboard controller may be configured to selectively assign each of a plurality of sequentially arranged dump targets for use by each of the plurality of machines based on an order in which the plurality of machines arrive at a dump location. The offboard controller may be further configured to make a determination that lanes extending to two dump targets of the plurality of sequentially arranged dump targets overlap, and selectively skip assignment of one of the two dump targets based on the determination.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2013Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Anath P. Kini, Joshua C. Struble, Andrew J. Vitale, Craig L. Koehrsen, Bryan J. Everett, Mark H. C. Banham, Dean G. Povey, Matthew A. Holmes
-
Patent number: 8868302Abstract: A control system is disclosed for use with a mobile loading machine operating at a first location and a plurality of mobile haul machines configured to move material received at the first location to a second location. The control system may have a plurality of control modules, each associated with one of the mobile loading machine and the plurality of mobile haul machines, and a worksite controller. The worksite controller may be configured to make a determination that a position of the mobile loading machine has changed, and to generate a new travel path for the plurality of mobile haul machines based on the determination. The worksite controller may also be configured to selectively communicate the new travel path to each of the plurality of control modules. The new travel path between the first and second locations may be automatically determined in accordance with at least one user-selected goal.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2011Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Bryan J. Everett, Andrew J. Vitale, Craig L. Koehrsen, James D. Humphrey
-
Publication number: 20140214237Abstract: A control system is disclosed for use with a machine. The control system may have a communicating device, a locating device configured to generate a first signal indicative of a location of the machine, a sensor configured to generate a second signal indicative of contact of the machine with a berm, and an onboard controller. The control system may also have an offboard controller configured to generate a first set of coordinates of a dump target, and to assign the first set of coordinates to the onboard controller for use in controlling the machine. The offboard controller may also be configured to detect contact of the machine with the berm based on the second signal during reverse travel toward the dump target, and to generate a second set of coordinates of the dump target to correspond with a location of the machine at a time of contact detection.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2013Publication date: July 31, 2014Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Ananth P. KINI, Joshua C. STRUBLE, Andrew J. VITALE, Craig L. KOEHRSEN, Bryan J. EVERETT, Mark H. C. BANHAM, Dean G. POVEY, Matthew A. HOLMES