Patents by Inventor Michael G. Kean

Michael G. Kean 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: 10689831
    Abstract: A computing system includes actuator control logic configured to generate and send control signals to an actuator of a mobile machine configured to drive direction and speed movement of a linkage on the mobile machine. The computing system also includes a control map generator system configured to receive sensor signals indicative of the direction and speed movement of the linkage on the mobile machine, and, based on the received sensor signals, generate a control mapping that maps the control signals to the direction and speed movement of the linkage of the mobile machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Michael G. Kean, Scott S. Hendron
  • Patent number: 10684137
    Abstract: A work site monitoring system includes a communication component receiving image data representing at least one image of a work site captured by an imaging apparatus of an unmanned aerial device. The system further includes a controller, with memory and processing architecture for executing instructions stored in the memory, coupled to the communication component. The controller includes a scene module, an object module, and a map module. The scene module is configured to evaluate the image data and generate a scene image of the work site based on at least the image data. The object module is configured to identify at least a first object in the image and to abstract the first object as object symbology. The map module is configured to generate a work site map with the object symbology layered onto the scene image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventor: Michael G. Kean
  • Patent number: 10621982
    Abstract: A mobile construction machine detects a speech processing trigger. It then performs speech processing (such as speech recognition and natural language understanding, speech synthesis, etc.) based on the detected speech processing trigger, to generate a speech processing result. A control signal generator generates control signals based on the speech processing result. The control signals can be used to control the mobile construction machine, to control another mobile construction machine, to provide information to a remote server location, or to aggregate information from multiple remote server locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Mark J. Cherney, Keith N. Chaston, Michael G. Kean, Douglas K. Wink, Sean P. West, John M. Hageman, Scott S. Hendron
  • Publication number: 20200087888
    Abstract: A motor grader including a main frame, an operational frame movable relative to the main frame about a primary joint, and a plurality of hydraulic cylinders configured to adjust a position of the operational frame relative to the main frame, where each cylinder of the plurality of cylinders is movable between an extended position and a retracted position to adjust the length thereof. The motor grader further includes a processor configured to receive a signal indicating a desired cross slope of the operational frame, receive a signal identifying one of the plurality of cylinders as a lead cylinder, determine a desired position of the operational frame that achieves the desired cross slope of the operational frame, estimate a current position of the operational frame by monitoring a length of the lead cylinder, and adjust the position of the operational frame by controlling a follower cylinder of the plurality of cylinders to create the desired cross slope.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2018
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Inventors: Michael G. Kean, Michael D. Peat, Todd F. Velde
  • Publication number: 20200087887
    Abstract: A motor grader including a main frame, an operational frame movable relative to the main frame in three directions, and a linkage system coupling the operational frame to the main frame. The linkage system includes a plurality of hydraulic cylinders each movable between an extended position and a retracted position to adjust the length thereof. The plurality of cylinders is operationally connected such that movement of one cylinder of the plurality of cylinders causes movement of at least another cylinder of the plurality of cylinders. A processor is configured to receive a signal related to the length of at least one cylinder of the plurality of cylinders, and estimate, based in part on the signal, a position of the operational frame relative to the main frame in the three directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2018
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Inventors: Michael G. Kean, Michael D. Peat, Todd F. Velde
  • Publication number: 20200071908
    Abstract: A stability control system identifies an actionable condition, such as instability, in an off-road mobile machine, based upon an in-rubber tire sensor. A remedial action is identified, and a control signal is generated to control the mobile machine to take the remedial action.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2018
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Inventors: Mark J. CHERNEY, Michael G. Kean
  • Publication number: 20200032488
    Abstract: A mobile work machine includes a frame, a set of ground engaging elements movably supported by the frame and driven to drive movement of the mobile work machine, a movable element movably supported by the frame to move relative to the frame, and an actuator coupled to the movable element to controllably drive movement of the movable element. The mobile work machine also includes a control system that generates an actuator control signal, indicative of a commanded movement of the actuator, and provides the actuator control signal to the actuator to control the actuator to perform the commanded movement. Further, the mobile work machine includes a stability system, coupled to the control system, that determines whether the commanded movement will result in an unstable state of the mobile work machine and, if so, generates a restriction signal, restricting the commanded movement to avoid the unstable state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Inventors: Michael G. KEAN, Mark J. CHERNEY
  • Patent number: 10532741
    Abstract: A work machine includes a vehicular controller, an IMU, an IMU controller, a hydrostatic transmission, and an operator control. The machine can move a commanded machine motion that includes movement of the machine from a first position to a second position or movement of a linkage relative to a chassis. The vehicular controller predicts an acceleration based on the commanded machine motion and communicates the predicted acceleration from the vehicular controller to the IMU controller. The IMU measures a current acceleration and the IMU controller determines an adjusted acceleration from the combination of the predicted acceleration and the current acceleration. The adjusted acceleration is communicated from the IMU controller to the vehicular controller for use by the vehicular controller. The two-way communication between the IMU controller and the vehicular controller continues while the machine is in motion for a more accurate determination of the acceleration and location of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael G. Kean, Craig Christofferson
  • Patent number: 10526766
    Abstract: Work machines and methods and systems to control and determine a position of an associated implement are disclosed. An example work machine including a first vehicle component movable relative to a second vehicle component; and a processor to: cause the first vehicle component to move toward a commanded position; predict a first position of the first vehicle component of the work machine using first processes; determine a second position of the first vehicle component using second processes; and in response to a difference between the first position and the second position, to cause the first vehicle component to move further toward the commanded position to correct for the difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: John M. Hageman, Mark J. Cherney, Michael G. Kean, Mark E. Breutzman, Tarik Loukili, Michael D. Peat
  • Publication number: 20190387359
    Abstract: A method and system of position determination of an implement on a work vehicle. The method includes determining a position of a first radio frequency (RF) device relative to a local reference frame using ultra-wideband ranging between the first RF device and at least one additional RF device. The first RF device is coupled to a fixed location on the implement, and the additional RF device is mounted at a fixed location relative to the local reference frame. The implement is controllably movable relative to the local reference frame. A position and orientated of the implement is determined relative to the local reference frame based at least in part on the determined position of the first RF device relative to the local reference frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventors: Michael G. Kean, Mark J. Cherney
  • Publication number: 20190387360
    Abstract: A method and system of position determination of an implement on a work vehicle. The method includes determining a position of a first radio frequency (RF) device relative to a local reference frame using ultra-wideband ranging between the first RF device and at least one additional RF device. The first RF device is coupled to a fixed location on the implement, and the additional RF device is mounted at a fixed location relative to the local reference frame. The implement is controllably movable relative to the local reference frame. A position and orientated of the implement is determined relative to the local reference frame based at least in part on the determined position of the first RF device relative to the local reference frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventors: Michael G. Kean, Mark J. Cherney
  • Publication number: 20190351910
    Abstract: A method of determining wheel slippage condition in a work vehicle includes moving the work vehicle from a first position to a second position, determining a drivetrain ground speed of the work vehicle using a drivetrain component, determining a predicted ground speed of the work vehicle using a sensor, detecting a wheel slippage condition by comparing the drivetrain ground speed to the predicted ground speed, and generating a driveline modification command to adjust propulsion power of the drivetrain component until the wheel slippage condition reaches a specified target. A method of adjusting acceleration for a work vehicle includes measuring a drivetrain acceleration, measuring an absolute acceleration, using the absolute acceleration to predict a ground speed, determining a steady state condition based on the commanded machine motion, the drivetrain speed, and the absolute acceleration, and modifying the predicted ground speed based on determination of the steady state condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2018
    Publication date: November 21, 2019
    Inventors: Daniel M. Kassen, Michael G. Kean
  • Patent number: 10469988
    Abstract: A method and system of position determination of an implement on a work vehicle. The method includes determining a position of a first radio frequency (RF) device relative to a local reference frame using ultra-wideband ranging between the first RF device and at least one additional RF device. The first RF device is coupled to a fixed location on the implement, and the additional RF device is mounted at a fixed location relative to the local reference frame. The implement is controllably movable relative to the local reference frame. A position and orientated of the implement is determined relative to the local reference frame based at least in part on the determined position of the first RF device relative to the local reference frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael G. Kean, Mark J. Cherney
  • Publication number: 20190330823
    Abstract: A control system and a method of synchronously operating a plurality of actuators of a work vehicle in a coordinated operation to move an implement. The method includes determining an acceleration parameter for the actuators based at least partly on a control effort associated with the control commands sent to the actuators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2018
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Inventor: Michael G. Kean
  • Publication number: 20190302794
    Abstract: A targeted loading assistance system includes a work machine having a load carrying mechanism. The system includes a sensor that detects a location of the target loading zone relative to the work machine and generates a location signal indicative of the location of the work machine. The system also includes a path calculation component that receives the location signal and calculates a control path for the work machine to reach the target loading zone. The system also includes a control component that generates a control signal to guide the work machine along the control path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2018
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Inventors: Michael G. KEAN, Mark J. CHERNEY
  • Publication number: 20190301144
    Abstract: A computing system includes actuator control logic configured to generate and send control signals to an actuator of a mobile machine configured to drive direction and speed movement of a linkage on the mobile machine. The computing system also includes a control map generator system configured to receive sensor signals indicative of the direction and speed movement of the linkage on the mobile machine, and, based on the received sensor signals, generate a control mapping that maps the control signals to the direction and speed movement of the linkage of the mobile machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2018
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Inventors: Michael G. Kean, Scott S. Hendron
  • Publication number: 20190301131
    Abstract: A robotic machine includes at least one sensor coupled to the robotic machine configured to generate a signal indicative of a worksurface for which a worksurface operation is to be conducted. The robotic machine also includes a machine and robotic control system configured to receive the signal indicative of the worksurface, identify the worksurface operation to be conducted, and generate control signals for an end effector of the robotic machine to carry out the identified worksurface operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2018
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Inventors: Scott S. Hendron, Mark J. Cherney, Michael G. Kean, John J. O'Brien
  • Publication number: 20190198015
    Abstract: A mobile construction machine detects a speech processing trigger. It then performs speech processing (such as speech recognition and natural language understanding, speech synthesis, etc.) based on the detected speech processing trigger, to generate a speech processing result. A control signal generator generates control signals based on the speech processing result. The control signals can be used to control the mobile construction machine, to control another mobile construction machine, to provide information to a remote server location, or to aggregate information from multiple remote server locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Publication date: June 27, 2019
    Inventors: Mark J. Cherney, Keith N. Chaston, Michael G. Kean, Douglas K. Wink, Sean P. West, John M. Hageman, Scott S. Hendron
  • Publication number: 20190198017
    Abstract: A mobile construction machine detects a speech processing trigger. It then performs speech processing (such as speech recognition and natural language understanding, speech synthesis, etc.) based on the detected speech processing trigger, to generate a speech processing result. A control signal generator generates control signals based on the speech processing result. The control signals can be used to control the mobile construction machine, to control another mobile construction machine, to provide information to a remote server location, or to aggregate information from multiple remote server locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2018
    Publication date: June 27, 2019
    Inventors: Mark J. Cherney, Keith N. Chaston, Michael G. Kean, Douglas K. Wink, Sean P. West, John M. Hageman, Scott S. Hendron
  • Publication number: 20190162551
    Abstract: A work site monitoring system includes a communication component receiving image data representing at least one image of a work site captured by an imaging apparatus of an unmanned aerial device. The system further includes a controller, with memory and processing architecture for executing instructions stored in the memory, coupled to the communication component. The controller includes a scene module, an object module, and a map module. The scene module is configured to evaluate the image data and generate a scene image of the work site based on at least the image data. The object module is configured to identify at least a first object in the image and to abstract the first object as object symbology. The map module is configured to generate a work site map with the object symbology layered onto the scene image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Publication date: May 30, 2019
    Inventor: Michael G. Kean