Patents by Inventor Eric Moughler

Eric Moughler 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: 8983707
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan J. Everett, Craig L. Koehrsen, Eric A. Moughler, Mark H. Banham
  • Patent number: 8942863
    Abstract: A position control system for use with a mobile machine at a worksite is disclosed. The control system may have a location receiver configured to generate a location signal indicative of an actual location of a base station, a communication device configured to wirelessly communicate with the mobile machine, and a controller in communication with the location receiver and the communication device. The controller may be configured to store an assumed location of the base station in memory, make a comparison of the location signal with the assumed location, and selectively generate a control instruction for the mobile machine based on the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Bibhradjit Halder, Andrew Thomas Whitten, Aaron Michael Donnelli, Eric Moughler
  • Patent number: 8756331
    Abstract: A system to provide reliable and secure communication between a work machine and one or more remote entities using a communication network may include a work machine controller configured to control at least one operation of a work machine. The system may also include a gateway device operably connected to the work machine controller and a communication network, the gateway device being configured to receive data from the work machine controller. The gateway device may also be configured to add quality of service information to the received data. The gateway device may also be configured to transmit, based on the added quality of service information, the received data with the added quality of service information to the communication network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Eric A. Moughler, Keith A. Turcot
  • Publication number: 20140136020
    Abstract: A position control system for use with a mobile machine at a worksite is disclosed. The control system may have a location receiver configured to generate a location signal indicative of an actual location of a base station, a communication device configured to wirelessly communicate with the mobile machine, and a controller in communication with the location receiver and the communication device. The controller may be configured to store an assumed location of the base station in memory, make a comparison of the location signal with the assumed location, and selectively generate a control instruction for the mobile machine based on the comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Bibhradjit Halder, Andrew Thomas Whitten, Aaron Michael Donnelli, Eric Moughler
  • Publication number: 20120136523
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Inventors: Bryan J. EVERETT, Craig L. Koehrsen, Eric A. Moughler, Mark H. Banham
  • Publication number: 20070192173
    Abstract: An operator training system for a machine is disclosed. The operator training system comprises an interface in communication with a machine and a processor communicatively coupled to the interface. The processor is configured to receive, via the interface, operation data associated with operation of the machine. The processor is further configured to determine an operator performance value for an operator of the machine based on the received operation data. The processor is also configured to compare the operator performance value with a benchmark value. The processor is further configured to provide one or more training tools to the operator if the operator performance value is less than the benchmark value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2006
    Publication date: August 16, 2007
    Inventors: Eric Moughler, Jay Dawson
  • Publication number: 20070179640
    Abstract: Systems and methods for managing a machine environment based on environmental conditions associated with a machine are disclosed. According to one embodiment, the method may include receiving one or more of environmental data and operation data associated with at least one machine operating at a job site associated with a machine environment. An aspect may also include determining one or more environmental conditions associated with the job site based on at least one of the environmental data and the operation data. An aspect may further include updating a project schedule based on the determined environmental conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Publication date: August 2, 2007
    Inventor: Eric Moughler
  • Publication number: 20070142928
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for process management in a work machine environment. According to one embodiment, an exemplary disclosed process management system for a work machine environment is disclosed. The system includes a database configured to store information associated with a work machine environment. The system also includes a processor coupled to the database. The processor is configured to receive operation data from a work machine operating in the work machine environment. The processor is also configured to establish an operational change based on the received operation data. The processor is further configured to select, from a list of eligible operators stored in the database, an operator for operating the work machine. The processor is also configured to determine an operational change location based on the received operation data. The processor is further configured to schedule transportation for the operator to the operational change location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Publication date: June 21, 2007
    Inventors: Eric Moughler, Thomas Doherty
  • Publication number: 20070142990
    Abstract: A system to provide reliable and secure communication between a work machine and one or more remote entities using a communication network may include a work machine controller configured to control at least one operation of a work machine. The system may also include a gateway device operably connected to the work machine controller and a communication network, the gateway device being configured to receive data from the work machine controller. The gateway device may also be configured to add quality of service information to the received data. The gateway device may also be configured to transmit, based on the added quality of service information, the received data with the added quality of service information to the communication network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Publication date: June 21, 2007
    Inventors: Eric Moughler, Keith Turcot
  • Publication number: 20070124000
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for project-oriented job-site management. According to one embodiment, a system is disclosed for managing a project environment including a work machine performing operations associated with a project included in the project environment. The system may include a project management system configured to store a first set of project specifications for the project in a storage device, receive operation data from the work machine reflecting the operations of the work machine, analyze the operation data to determine the status of the work machine, and generate a second set of project specifications based on the status of the work machine. The system may also include a project subscriber configured to receive the second set of project specifications from the project management system and determine an action to be taken with the work machine based on the status of the work machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Publication date: May 31, 2007
    Inventors: Eric Moughler, Keith Turcot, Bhavin Vyas
  • Publication number: 20070093925
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for improving production of a work machine. According to one embodiment, a system for improving the production of a work machine is disclosed. The system includes a data collector disposed within the work machine and configured to collect operation data associated with the work machine and transmit the collected data over a communication network. The system also includes a production management system, coupled to the communication network and configured to receive the operation data from the data collector, analyze the received operation data based on one or more predefined specifications, and adjust a production aspect of the work machine if the received operation data does not conform to the one or more predefined specifications. The system further includes a production entity, associated with the work machine and in communication with the production management system, configured to receive the analyzed operation data from the production management system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2005
    Publication date: April 26, 2007
    Inventor: Eric Moughler
  • Publication number: 20060152352
    Abstract: A method of managing at least one vehicle includes sensing a tire operating characteristic of the at least one vehicle, sensing a vehicle operating characteristic of the at least one vehicle, and providing an output. The output is indicative of an expected tire life, and is based on the tire operating characteristic and the vehicle operating characteristic of the at least one vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2004
    Publication date: July 13, 2006
    Inventor: Eric Moughler