Abstract: A mounting system for a work machine includes a first member extending along a vertical axis of the mounting system, and a second member extending along the vertical axis and spaced apart from the first member along a lateral axis of the mounting system. The mounting system also includes a bracket assembly extending between the first member and the second member. The bracket assembly is disposable at a location along the vertical axis based on a removable coupling of the bracket assembly with each of the first member and the second member. The mounting system further includes an imaging device coupled with the bracket assembly. A position of the imaging device is adjustable with respect to the lateral axis of the mounting system and the vertical axis, such that a portion of a work implement of the work machine lies in a field of view of the imaging device.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for operating a machine. The method includes (1) receiving image data of a component of the machine by a camera module of the machine, the camera module having multiple camera components; (2) detecting an incident associated with the camera module; (3) in response to the incident, instructing the camera module to collect image data from a subset of the multiple camera components; and (4) generating a status image of the component based on the collected image data from the subset of the multiple camera components.

Abstract: Methods and means for evaluating and summarizing physical quality metrics associated with stretch films and other plastics are provided. According to one aspect of the invention, a processor- or computer-enabled business method such as a software program or mobile application capable of calculating and comparing stretch film data and conveying easily understood summaries of film characteristics and cost impacts associated therewith is provided. According to a second aspect, the system and method provides a vast plurality of film performance metrics, costs factor, environmental impacts, and so, calculated and presented in a dashboard-type user interface.

Abstract: Method and apparatus to detect a change in a work tool with an engaging portion. A control system senses a change in the relationship between the engaging portion of the work tool and at least one of the work tool and another engaging portion of the work tool. If the change is greater than a predetermined value, the control system produces an error signal.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a system to organize and coordinate components associated with earthmoving machinery capable of performing excavating and loading tasks autonomously is disclosed. The system comprises an earthmoving machine equipped with a scanning sensor system operable to provide data regarding regions within an earthmoving environment including an excavation region and a loading region and a planning and control module operable to receive data from the scanning sensor system to plan a task associated with the control of the earthmoving machine while concurrently performing another task associated with control of the earthmoving machine. Any number and type of sensor systems, such as a laser rangefinder or a radar rangefinder, may be incorporated in the system depending on requirements and the capabilities of the system.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for determining the location, orientation, and dimensions of an object using range data from a scanning sensor based on data for a relatively small portion of the object. The present recognition method uses characteristics of a scanning sensor along with the geometrical characteristics of objects that typically receive loads in an earthmoving environment, such as dump trucks. The data from a single scanline provided by a scanning sensor system is processed to determine if there are discontinuities in the scanline. In the present invention, discontinuities in adjacent scanlines are assumed to be in close proximity to each other and to correspond to dominant linear features in a model of the object. The top and bottom edges of an object, such as a dump truck bed, can be located as discontinuities in a single scanline. These discontinuities are used to form possible interpretations of the object's position and orientation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for displaying a location of an object at an earthworking site. The method and apparatus includes determining a location in geographical coordinates of an earthworking implement at the earthworking site, determining a location in geographical coordinates of the object, displaying the earthworking implement and the object on a display having a top view and a side profile view of the earthworking site, selecting a perimeter of interest in the top view with respect to the earthworking implement, determining the coordinates of a portion of the object bounded by the perimeter of interest, and displaying a three-dimensional image of the portion of the object in the side profile view as a function of the perimeter of interest.

Abstract: A communications system and method for fleets of earthworking machines. The system and method includes a global communications level for communicating over long range distances, at least one site communications level for communicating over medium range distances, and at least one theater communications level for communicating over short range distances. The system and method also includes at least one local communications level for communicating between earthworking machines, and a fleet manager for coordinating communications of the earthworking machines as a function of at least one of the global communications level, the site communications level, the theater communications level, and the local communications level.

Abstract: A system and method of tracking objects first receives returns from objects in the field of view of a detector. The sensor generates a current frame of datapoints, where an object in the field of view can be represented by multiple datapoints. The datapoints are converted into global coordinates and mapped into a next frame of datapoints and generated at a next sample time to create a new current frame of datapoints. This new current frame of datapoints is processed to form a list of objects with location and power information that includes information from one or more previous frames. This mapping and processing to form the list of objects allows the system to detect weak signal targets in a ground cluttered environment and minimizes the occurrence of false alarms.

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.