Patents by Inventor Paul Friend
Paul Friend 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).
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Publication number: 20170073935Abstract: A system for evaluating a position of a target zone relative to a path of a material engaging work implement includes a rotatable implement system, an implement system pose sensor, and a target pose sensor. A controller determines a current pose of a portion of the implement system, determines a first pose of the target zone, determines a plurality of potential paths for moving the work implement to the first pose, and generates an alert command if a kinematic model and desired operating characteristics do not permit movement of the work implement to the first pose.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2015Publication date: March 16, 2017Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.Inventors: Paul Friend, Michael Brandt, Robert Hamann, Paul E. Rybski, Mark M. Smith
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Publication number: 20170009471Abstract: A control system for an additive construction implement of a machine is disclosed. The control system may include a relative positioning system for providing relative positioning signals, where the relative positioning signals are representative of a position of the implement relative to a worksite. The control system may receive a three-dimensional structure design file. The control system may further include a controller for determining an implement control plan, where the implement control plan is based on, at least, the relative positioning signals and includes coarse control signals and fine control signals. The control system may further include a coarse control system and a fine control system that controls fine movements of the implement based on the fine control signals. The fine movements may have a fine range of motion, the fine range of motion being less than the coarse range of motion.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2016Publication date: January 12, 2017Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: Paul Friend
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Patent number: 9541420Abstract: A system for determining an error in a sensed position of a machine includes a position sensing system, a dead reckoning system, and a controller. The controller is configured to determine a difference between a sensed position and a calculated position determined by dead reckoning. The difference is compared to an error threshold defining a maximum acceptable distance between the sensed position of the machine and the calculated position of the machine and an error signal generated if the difference exceeds the error threshold. A pair of offset dead reckoning processes may be used.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2013Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: Paul Friend
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Patent number: 9519288Abstract: A system having a controller is provided. The controller receives a signal indicative of an actual position and an actual orientation of a machine on a worksite, from a position detection module. The controller determines a first view of the machine on the worksite. The first view shows the actual position of the machine and a target position of the machine. The target position is located on a bucket circle. The controller determines a second view of the machine on the worksite. The second view has a first and a second indicator. The first indicator is indicative of the actual position and the actual orientation of the machine. The second indicator is indicative of the target position and a target orientation of the machine and includes a target circle. The controller displays any one of the first view and the second view based, at least in part, on the actual position of the machine relative to the target position on a display unit.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2014Date of Patent: December 13, 2016Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: Paul Friend
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Patent number: 9464405Abstract: A control system for an implement of a machine is disclosed. The control system may include a relative positioning system for providing relative positioning signals, where the relative positioning signals are representative of a position of the implement relative to a worksite. The control system may further include a controller for determining an implement control plan, where the implement control plan is based on, at least, the relative positioning signals and includes coarse control signals and fine control signals. The control system may further include a coarse control system and a fine control system that controls fine movements of the implement based on the fine control signals. The fine movements may have a fine range of motion, the fine range of motion being less than the coarse range of motion.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2015Date of Patent: October 11, 2016Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: Paul Friend
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Patent number: 9454147Abstract: A system for setting a dump height of a material engaging work implement above a dump body includes a rotatable implement system, an implement system pose sensor, and a bed height sensor. A controller determines an initial bed height, determines an initial dump height, generates a command based upon the pose of the work implement, and determines a subsequent dump height higher than the initial dump height. The controller is further configured to position the work implement at the subsequent dump height, determine a further subsequent dump height higher than the subsequent dump height, and position the work implement at the further subsequent dump height over the dump body.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2015Date of Patent: September 27, 2016Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Paul Friend, Michael Brandt, Robert Hamann, Paul E. Rybski, Mark M. Smith
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Publication number: 20160222630Abstract: A control system for an implement of a machine is disclosed. The control system may include a relative positioning system for providing relative positioning signals, where the relative positioning signals are representative of a position of the implement relative to a worksite. The control system may further include a controller for determining an implement control plan, where the implement control plan is based on, at least, the relative positioning signals and includes coarse control signals and fine control signals. The control system may further include a coarse control system and a fine control system that controls fine movements of the implement based on the fine control signals. The fine movements may have a fine range of motion, the fine range of motion being less than the coarse range of motion.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2015Publication date: August 4, 2016Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: Paul Friend
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Patent number: 9340214Abstract: A system for remotely controlling a machine includes a remote input device, a transmitter remote from the machine, and a receiver at the machine. A controller is configured to store a desired communications threshold, receive input commands from the remote input device, generate a plurality of remote control input signals based upon the input commands, and transmit the plurality of remote control input signals at a location remote from the machine. The controller is further configured to receive at least some of the plurality of remote control input signals at the machine, determine a communications parameter based upon at least one of the plurality of remote control input signals, compare the communications parameter to the desired communications threshold, and generate a command to stop the machine if the communications parameter is outside the desired communications threshold.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2014Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Brian G. Funke, Daniel Stanek, Troy K. Becicka, Seth J. Redenbo, Paul Friend, Daniel K. Dunn, Kenneth L. Stratton
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Publication number: 20150291180Abstract: A system for remotely controlling a machine includes a remote input device, a transmitter remote from the machine, and a receiver at the machine. A controller is configured to store a desired communications threshold, receive input commands from the remote input device, generate a plurality of remote control input signals based upon the input commands, and transmit the plurality of remote control input signals at a location remote from the machine. The controller is further configured to receive at least some of the plurality of remote control input signals at the machine, determine a communications parameter based upon at least one of the plurality of remote control input signals, compare the communications parameter to the desired communications threshold, and generate a command to stop the machine if the communications parameter is outside the desired communications threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2014Publication date: October 15, 2015Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Brian G. Funke, Daniel Stanek, Troy K. Becicka, Seth J. Redenbo, Paul Friend, Daniel K. Dunn, Kenneth L. Stratton
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Patent number: 9098087Abstract: A system for controlling movement of a machine includes a drive system, a position sensor, and a communications system. A controller is configured to determine the position of the machine and determine a signal transmission threshold based at least in part upon the position of the machine. The controller may stop movement of the machine upon an interruption in signal transmission from a remote system exceeding the signal transmission threshold.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2013Date of Patent: August 4, 2015Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Paul Friend, Jean-Jacques Clar, Brian G. Funke, Troy K. Becicka
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Patent number: 8918246Abstract: The disclosed strategy and method assists in controlling a machine equipped with a work implement for performing work at a worksite. The work implement can be positioned around the worksite such that the implement is obstructed from view through an operator display device through which the worksite is visible. A controller or the like determines the position of the work implement and generates an augmented overlay. The augmented overlay is displayed on the operator display device superimposed over the worksite indicating the position of the work implement.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2012Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: Paul Friend
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Publication number: 20140303923Abstract: A system for determining an error in a sensed position of a machine includes a position sensing system, a dead reckoning system, and a controller. The controller is configured to determine a difference between a sensed position and a calculated position determined by dead reckoning. The difference is compared to an error threshold defining a maximum acceptable distance between the sensed position of the machine and the calculated position of the machine and an error signal generated if the difference exceeds the error threshold. A pair of offset dead reckoning processes may be used.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2013Publication date: October 9, 2014Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: Paul Friend
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Publication number: 20140225755Abstract: A system having a controller is provided. The controller receives a signal indicative of an actual position and an actual orientation of a machine on a worksite, from a position detection module. The controller determines a first view of the machine on the worksite. The first view shows the actual position of the machine and a target position of the machine. The target position is located on a bucket circle. The controller determines a second view of the machine on the worksite. The second view has a first and a second indicator. The first indicator is indicative of the actual position and the actual orientation of the machine. The second indicator is indicative of the target position and a target orientation of the machine and includes a target circle. The controller displays any one of the first view and the second view based, at least in part, on the actual position of the machine relative to the target position on a display unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2014Publication date: August 14, 2014Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: Paul Friend
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Publication number: 20140222247Abstract: A system for controlling movement of a machine includes a drive system, a position sensor, and a communications system. A controller is configured to determine the position of the machine and determine a signal transmission threshold based at least in part upon the position of the machine. The controller may stop movement of the machine upon an interruption in signal transmission from a remote system exceeding the signal transmission threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2013Publication date: August 7, 2014Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.Inventors: Paul Friend, Jean-Jacques Clar, Brian G. Funke, Troy K. Becicka
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Publication number: 20140184643Abstract: A system and method for coordinating machines and personnel about a physical worksite maintains worksite information associated with the physical worksite in a database. A position of an operator display device in the physical worksite is determined and augmentation content is generated from the stored worksite information associated with the determined position. The augmentation content can be displayed on an operator display device through which the physical worksite is also visible. The operator display device may be a heads-up display, a head mounted display or, in some embodiments, an off-board display device.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2012Publication date: July 3, 2014Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.Inventor: Paul Friend
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Publication number: 20140188333Abstract: The disclosed strategy and method assists in controlling a machine equipped with a work implement for performing work at a worksite. The work implement can be positioned around the worksite such that the implement is obstructed from view through an operator display device through which the worksite is visible. A controller or the like determines the position of the work implement and generates an augmented overlay. The augmented overlay is displayed on the operator display device superimposed over the worksite indicating the position of the work implement.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2012Publication date: July 3, 2014Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: Paul Friend