Patents by Inventor Mathew Chacko

Mathew Chacko 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: 9208691
    Abstract: An overtaking control system is disclosed for use with a plurality of machines operating at a common worksite. The overtaking control system may have an input device that is configured to receive an input from an operator of the first machine of the plurality of machines indicative of a desire to overtake a second machine of the plurality of machines. The overtaking control system may also have a location device configured to generate a location signal indicative of a location of the first machine at the common worksite. The overtaking control system may further have at least one controller configured to make a comparison of a projected path of the first machine with a map of the common worksite based on the location signal, and selectively activate the input device only when the comparison indicates that the projected path of the first machine does not overlap with a no-overtaking zone at the common worksite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Brad Kenneth Borland, Mathew Chacko
  • Patent number: 9200904
    Abstract: A system and method of analyzing traffic in a vicinity of a first machine is disclosed. The method may include determining, by one or more computer processors, a projected position of the first machine based on a yaw rate and velocity of the first machine. The method may further include determining, by the one or more computer processors, a predicted zone in the vicinity of the first machine based on the projected position of the first machine. The method may further include determining whether a second machine is present in the predicted zone. In response to determining that the second machine is present in the predicted zone, the method may further include determining whether an unsafe condition exists between the first machine and the second machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar
    Inventors: Brad Kenneth Borland, Paul Russell Friend, Mathew Chacko
  • Publication number: 20150232125
    Abstract: A system for assisting an operator to maneuver a first machine relative to a second machine on a worksite is provided. The system includes a display device and a controller located onboard the first machine. The display device is configured to display an image feed associated with the first machine. The controller is configured to superimpose on the image feed a first line indicative of an axis associated with the first machine when a reverse gear of the first machine is engaged. The controller is configured to determine an angle of a reference point associated with the second machine and to determine a position of the second machine with respect to the first machine. The controller is configured to superimpose on the image feed a second line indicative of an axis associated with the reference point of the second machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2014
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Bradley S. Kriel, MATHEW CHACKO, HONG LIU, RICHARD L. HUNZIKER, II, MATTHEW A. CSENCSITS, JAMES M. HANNER, PETER R. LAWTON
  • Patent number: 9000954
    Abstract: A lane keeping system is disclosed for use with a mobile machine. The lane keeping system may have a locating device positioned onboard the mobile machine that is configured to generate a location signal indicative of a location of the mobile machine at a worksite. The lane keeping system may also have an alarm positioned onboard the mobile machine, and a controller in communication with the locating device and the alarm. The controller may be configured to determine locations of multiple distal points of the mobile machine based on the location signal, and to make a comparison of the locations with boundaries of at least one established lane at the worksite. The controller may also be configured to selectively activate the alarm based on the comparison when the multiple distal points straddle at least one of the boundaries of the at least one established lane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Brad Kenneth Borland, Mathew Chacko, Brian Gerard Funke
  • Patent number: 8874326
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Hong Liu, Brian G. Funke, Mathew Chacko
  • Publication number: 20140292544
    Abstract: A lane keeping system is disclosed for use with a mobile machine. The lane keeping system may have a locating device positioned onboard the mobile machine that is configured to generate a location signal indicative of a location of the mobile machine at a worksite. The lane keeping system may also have an alarm positioned onboard the mobile machine, and a controller in communication with the locating device and the alarm. The controller may be configured to determine locations of multiple distal points of the mobile machine based on the location signal, and to make a comparison of the locations with boundaries of at least one established lane at the worksite. The controller may also be configured to selectively activate the alarm based on the comparison when the multiple distal points straddle at least one of the boundaries of the at least one established lane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2013
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Brad Kenneth BORLAND, Mathew CHACKO, Brian Gerard FUNKE
  • Publication number: 20140297103
    Abstract: An overtaking control system is disclosed for use with a plurality of machines operating at a common worksite. The overtaking control system may have an input device that is configured to receive an input from an operator of the first machine of the plurality of machines indicative of a desire to overtake a second machine of the plurality of machines. The overtaking control system may also have a location device configured to generate a location signal indicative of a location of the first machine at the common worksite. The overtaking control system may further have at least one controller configured to make a comparison of a projected path of the first machine with a map of the common worksite based on the location signal, and selectively activate the input device only when the comparison indicates that the projected path of the first machine does not overlap with a no-overtaking zone at the common worksite.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Brad Kenneth BORLAND, Mathew CHACKO
  • Patent number: 8847788
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Brad K. Borland, Brian G. Funke, Mathew Chacko
  • Publication number: 20140278043
    Abstract: A system and method of analyzing traffic in a vicinity of a first machine is disclosed. The method may include determining, by one or more computer processors, a projected position of the first machine based on a yaw rate and velocity of the first machine. The method may further include determining, by the one or more computer processors, a predicted zone in the vicinity of the first machine based on the projected position of the first machine. The method may further include determining whether a second machine is present in the predicted zone. In response to determining that the second machine is present in the predicted zone, the method may further include determining whether an unsafe condition exists between the first machine and the second machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Brad Kenneth BORLAND, Paul Russell FRIEND, Mathew CHACKO
  • Publication number: 20140257626
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Hong Liu, Brian G. Funke, Mathew Chacko
  • Patent number: 8812198
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Hong Liu, Brian G. Funke, Mathew Chacko
  • Publication number: 20140132422
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Brad K. Borland, Brian G. Funke, Mathew Chacko
  • Publication number: 20130248276
    Abstract: Resistance feedback is provided to a machine operator via a joystick configured to steer the machine. An electrically actuated magnetic feedback brake unit is associated with the joystick for selectively resisting movement of the joystick. Haptic feedback is provided by determining a machine speed at which the machine is travelling, mapping the determined machine speed to a corresponding joystick resistance value, and mapping the corresponding joystick resistance value to an actuation current. The electrically actuated magnetic feedback brake unit is then actuated at a current substantially exceeding the actuation current until a predetermined level of actuation is reached. Once the predetermined level of actuation is reached, the electrically actuated magnetic feedback brake unit is driven at the actuation current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR, INC.
    Inventors: Mathew Chacko, Douglas Husted, David Ober, Todd Smith, Lonny Johnson, Sabri Cetinkunt, Shawn Cullen, Wendell Stahl