Construction Or Agricultural-type Vehicle (e.g., Crane, Forklift) Patents (Class 701/50)
  • Patent number: 10724206
    Abstract: A wheel loader includes a vehicular body, a work implement, a front wheel, and a control unit. The work implement is disposed in front of the vehicular body. The work implement has a boom. The front wheel has a tire made of an elastic material. The control unit starts to raise the boom while the tire compressed in a vertical direction rebounds and vertically stretches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventor: Hideki Tsuji
  • Patent number: 10721306
    Abstract: A control system for a first agricultural vehicle includes a first transceiver that communicatively couples to a second transceiver of a second agricultural vehicle via a communication network. The control system further includes a first controller communicatively coupled to the first transceiver, such that the first controller includes a processor and a memory device storing instructions thereon that when executed cause the processor to establish a first team that is accessible by the second agricultural vehicle, cause the second agricultural vehicle to join the first team upon receipt of a first signal from the second agricultural vehicle, such that the first signal is indicative of login credentials, and enable communication between the first agricultural vehicle and the second agricultural vehicle via the communication network to facilitate coordination between the first and second agricultural vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Brett Carson McClelland, Yaseen Suleman
  • Patent number: 10717631
    Abstract: A crane includes a carrier and a superstructure. A hoist is coupled to the superstructure and includes a hoist drum and a rope. The crane further includes an optical detection system. The optical detection system includes an image capture assembly having an image capture device configured to capture an image of the hoist, and an optical control system configured to detect an object in the captured image, the object selected from: the rope, the hoist drum, a wrap of rope on the hoist drum and a marker on the hoist. The optical control system is configured to analyze the detected objects and determine a condition of a crane component based on the analysis. A method of determining a condition of a crane component includes capturing an image, detecting the objects in the image, analyzing the detected objects and determining a condition of the crane component based on the analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: Manitowoc Crane Companies, LLC
    Inventors: John R. Rudy, Matthew Thoresen
  • Patent number: 10710587
    Abstract: An electrically-driven mining vehicle includes an obstacle detector, a speed detector, and an alarm. The alarm outputs a first warning, which urges an operator of the electrically-driven mining vehicle to operate a regenerative brake pedal that actuates only the regenerative brake device, and a second warning, which urges the operator to operate a cooperative brake pedal that uses the regenerative brake device and the mechanical brake device in combination. If the travel speed of the vehicle is included in a low speed range in which no difference can be considered to exist in distance between a first braking distance upon actuation of only the regenerative brake device and a second braking distance upon operation of a cooperative braking, a signal for performing the first warning is outputted earlier by at least a warning time interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Koei Takeda, Shinichi Uotsu
  • Patent number: 10711430
    Abstract: A control unit is provided for a working machine. The working machine includes an implement and a main body. The implement is movable relative to the main body. The working machine further includes a control entity adapted to be activated upon receipt of an action initiating signal. The control unit is adapted to identify that a human operator of the working machine actively operates the implement relative to the main body towards a reference surface until the implement contacts the reference surface, thereby identifying a human operator input signal, and upon identification of the operator input signal, issue the action initiating signal to the control entity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: CPAC SYSTEMS AB
    Inventor: Per Björe Dahl
  • Patent number: 10704223
    Abstract: Provided is a work vehicle which is capable of appropriately setting the height of a work tool as a control threshold value for a ride control device or an automatic transmission control device, and which is excellent in operability, travel stability, and work efficiency. A value detected by an angle sensor (39) when a signal import switch (46) is operated by an operator is stored in a height position storage unit (35b) of a main controller (35) as height position information about a bucket (13) for excavation work. In the height position storage unit (35b), the height position of the bucket (13) for hauling work and the height position of the bucket (13) for loading work are stored in advance as offset values from the height position information about the bucket (13) for excavation work. In this way, the ride control device or the automatic transmission control device can be appropriately controlled regardless of the preference or habit of the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Isamu Aoki, Koji Hyodo, Tetsuji Tanaka, Keigo Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 10701854
    Abstract: An agricultural implement includes: a center frame defining a travel axis; a tool bar connected to the center frame and extending transversely to the travel axis; a first row unit having a first parallel linkage defining a first linkage angle relative to the tool bar; a first angle sensor associated with the tool bar and the first parallel linkage and configured to output a first linkage angle signal corresponding to the first linkage angle; an actuator linked to the first row unit and configured to adjust the first linkage angle; and a controller operationally coupled to the first angle sensor and the actuator. The controller is configured to: determine the first linkage angle; compare the first linkage angle to a preset linkage angle; and activate the actuator to adjust the first linkage angle to the preset linkage angle if the first linkage angle deviates from the preset linkage angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: Brett Gutknecht
  • Patent number: 10703255
    Abstract: An industrial vehicle includes a vehicle body, a pair of right and left front pillars provided in the front portion of the vehicle body, and a headlight provided on the front pillar. The headlight is provided with a light and a bracket to which the light is attached. The bracket has an attachment plate and a protective frame formed in the front portion of the attachment plate. The protective frame has a vertical frame and a first horizontal frame and a second horizontal frame shorter than the vertical frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI LOGISNEXT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masahiro Yoshioka, Seiya Ito
  • Patent number: 10701926
    Abstract: A method for controlling unwanted organisms on a field includes providing an electronic map with expected locations of unwanted organisms in the field entered in georeferenced form and a machine with a supply of agent for treating the unwanted organisms and an output device for controllably applying the agent. The method further includes traversing the field with the machine for application of the agent for controlling the unwanted organisms from the output device, detecting organisms in the field by a sensor on the machine during the traversing step, using the map to controllably guide the machine along the field to the location of unwanted organisms, and controlling the output device to disperse the agent on the field when the sensor detects unwanted organisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Carsten Struve
  • Patent number: 10694668
    Abstract: A display controller controls a display device in a harvester to display an interface showing adjustments to combine harvester settings, received from a remote computing system, along with an adjustment actuator. A settings adjustment is made based on user actuation of the adjustment actuator input is received through the settings adjustment actuator on the displayed interface. A verification notification is sent to the remote computing system, showing the adjusted settings on the combine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Sebastian Blank, Bhanu Kiran Reddy Palla
  • Patent number: 10697952
    Abstract: Method, systems, and techniques for determining the age of an underground space are provided. In some embodiments, determining the age of an underground space comprises taking soil samples from a plurality of surface locations within a second underground space, analyzing the soil samples from the plurality of surface locations to determine an amount of a chemical compound for each soil sample, and determining an age of the second underground space using one or more relationships based on amounts of the chemical compound measured in a plurality of soil samples taken over a period of time in a first underground space and a baseline amount of the chemical compound at one or more locations remote from both the first underground space and the second underground space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: The MITRE Corporation
    Inventor: Robert Latham
  • Patent number: 10697152
    Abstract: An excavator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a lower traveling body, an upper turning body pivotably mounted on the lower traveling body, an operator's compartment provided to the upper turning body, an attachment attached to the upper turning body, a first display device installed in the operator's compartment, a second display device installed in the operator's compartment, and a controller configured to calculate a distance between a height of a working part of the attachment and a predetermined target height. The first display device is configured to display operation information of the excavator and working part guidance information based on the distance. The second display device is configured to display at least one of a target terrain image and an image representing the excavator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: SUMITOMO(S.H.I.) CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takeya Izumikawa
  • Patent number: 10681856
    Abstract: A method for automatically monitoring soil surface roughness as a ground-engaging operation is being performed within a field may include receiving pre-operation surface roughness data associated with a given portion of the field and receiving post-operation surface roughness data associated with the given portion of the field. In addition, the method may include analyzing the pre-operation and post-operation surface roughness data to determine a surface roughness differential associated with the performance of the ground-engaging operation and actively adjusting the operation of at least one of an associated work vehicle and/or implement when the surface roughness differential differs from a target set for the surface roughness differential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignees: CNH Industrial America LLC, Autonomous Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: John H. Posselius, Luca Ferrari, Taylor C. Bybee, Bret T. Turpin
  • Patent number: 10683633
    Abstract: A system for controlling the operation of an industrial machine during crowd runaway conditions. The system includes a controller that monitors and compares an actual crowd system state (e.g., an actual dipper position) with a requested crowd system state (e.g., a requested dipper position from the operator). If the controller determines that the crowd system is behaving contrary to requested crowd system behavior, the controller adjusts a crowd parameter, such as a crowd motor torque, to resolve the runaway condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: Joy Global Surface Mining Inc
    Inventors: Nicholas R. Voelz, Michael Linstroth
  • Patent number: 10674663
    Abstract: An agricultural harvesting system has an agricultural harvesting machine with at least one agricultural working unit that performs agricultural work, and an adjusting unit for adjusting the parameters of the particular working unit, a conveyor channel for a crop stream generated in a harvesting process by harvesting a field of crop, and an NIR sensor unit containing an NIR sensor which is configured for detecting constituents and/or properties of the crop stream. The crop stream in the conveyor channel can be guided past the NIR sensor. An on-line data processing unit controls the particular working unit, and generates control data on the basis of crop stream data which have been generated by the NIR sensor unit and correspond to the constituents and/or properties detected by the NIR sensor, and the adjusting unit carries out a parameter adjustment of the particular working unit on the basis of the control data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: CLAAS Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Kirchbeck, Stefan Sander
  • Patent number: 10676900
    Abstract: A region extraction unit extracts a region indicating distance distribution of an attachment from distance image data acquired by a distance sensor by using a posture detected by a posture detection unit. A feature amount extraction unit extracts a feature amount of the attachment from the region indicating the distance distribution of the attachment extracted by the region extraction unit. An attachment recognition unit compares the feature amount extracted by the feature amount extraction unit with a feature amount of one or more reference attachments stored in a database to recognize the attachment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignees: Kobe Steel, Ltd., KOBELCO CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takashi Hiekata
  • Patent number: 10676141
    Abstract: A method for making available a ballasting proposal for an agricultural tractor includes providing an implement for the tractor, calculating a target tractive power for the implement for each axle of the agricultural tractor, and deriving a target value for an axle load to be maintained on each axle based upon a function of the calculated target tractive power. The method further includes determining an actual axle load on each axle, comparing the target value to the actual axle load, calculating an axle ballasting value based on a result of the comparing step required to maintain the target valve, and outputting the ballasting value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Florian Schott, Florian Reinmuth
  • Patent number: 10672250
    Abstract: A method ascertains a state of a product in a plurality of time periods using a detection unit associated with the product. The method including the following for each of the time periods: setting a configuration of the detection unit at a beginning of the respective time period, the configuration different than a configuration available beforehand, and detecting at least one measured value using the detection unit in the respective time period on the basis of the set configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Rueppel, Adrien Mouaffo Tiadjio, Christoph Maier, Jochen Mueller, Patric Brand, Peter Rehbein, Roman Ritter, Sebastian Vornwald, Thomas Inderwies
  • Patent number: 10668919
    Abstract: An object detection apparatus acquires a lateral position which is a relative position of a target to the own vehicle, and determines that a first target is present, as the target, ahead of the own vehicle and that a second target is present between the first target and the own vehicle. The object detection apparatus determines, based on the lateral position of the first target and a limiting value which indicates a width in the lateral direction, whether the first target is present on a traveling course of the own vehicle. The object detection apparatus sets the limiting value such that when the second target is not present, sets as the limiting value, a predetermined reference value, and when the second target is present, sets as the limiting value, a value different from the reference value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignees: DENSO CORPORATION, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toru Takahashi, Yosuke Ito, Jun Tsuchida, Masayuki Shimizu
  • Patent number: 10669697
    Abstract: A machine having a ground-engaging work tool is disclosed includes a traction device configured to move the machine on a ground surface, a control system configured to determine a slip experienced by the machine as the machine moves on the ground surface, and a display device. The display device may be configured to pictorially display (a) the determined slip, and (b) one or more target ranges of slip, wherein the machine efficiency when slip has a value within a target range may be higher compared to the efficiency when slip is outside the target range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Katherine Miller, Joseph Faivre, Bradley Krone, Tony Metzger, Steve Ott
  • Patent number: 10668802
    Abstract: It becomes possible to prevent deterioration of an electric storage device due to overdischarge of the electric storage device and engine stalling due to insufficient assist or disabled assist when a charge amount of the electric storage device falls, ensure that work is continuously conducted, suppress an operator from feeling discomfort in operation, and ensure favorable operability. A pump target output power computing section (21) computes present pump demanded power on the basis of work related information, limits the present pump demanded power in response to a degree of reduction of a state of charge of an electric storage device (12a) when the state of charge is lower than a preset threshold, and computes the limited present pump demanded power as present pump target output power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinji Nishikawa, Shinya Imura, Masafumi Hita, Hiroaki Amano
  • Patent number: 10669699
    Abstract: A current terrain acquisition device acquires current terrain information. The current terrain information indicates the current terrain to be worked, and includes the height of the current terrain at a plurality of points. A controller is configured to decide the smoothed height for each of the plurality of points. The controller is configured to decide a smoothed current terrain that includes the smoothed height of the plurality of points. The controller is configured to decide a virtual design surface on the basis of the smoothed current terrain. The controller is configured to generate a command signal to a work implement of the work vehicle to move the work implement along the virtual design surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Hashimoto, Kenjiro Shimada, Kota Beppu, Masayuki Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 10664781
    Abstract: The invention pertains to a construction management system for the construction of a structure, comprising a plurality of sensor means adapted to detect events at a building site of the structure, a central computing unit providing a three-dimensional model of the building site, and at least one displaying device that is adapted to display the three-dimensional model to a user, wherein the sensor means is adapted for generating data comprising information about a detected event, the system comprises communication units adapted to transmit a message comprising the data and a location information to the central computing unit, assign coordinates in the three-dimensional model according to the location information, evaluate options for reacting on the event by analysing the data, assign evaluated options to the data, and display a note which is related to evaluated options to the user in real-time at the assigned coordinates in the three-dimensional model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: HEXAGON TECHNOLOGY CENTER GMBH
    Inventors: Bo Pettersson, Håkan Andersson, Jonas Wedin
  • Patent number: 10662621
    Abstract: A system for controllably moving a work implement of a work vehicle having a hydraulic fluid pump for providing fluid to the work implement, the system comprising: at least one operator command tool to produce an operator command signal to move the implement of the work vehicle; at least one sensor to sense a cylinder speed signal indicative of a speed of a hydraulic cylinder coupled to the implement; at least one valve to modulate the fluid flow of the hydraulic cylinder; and a controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Bryan Rausch, Todd F. Velde, Sean Mairet
  • Patent number: 10662618
    Abstract: To prevent increase/decrease in pump flow rate due to load variation with change in the posture of a work attachment and improve the operability in arm pushing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoaki Kaneta, Akihiro Narazaki, Katsuaki Kodaka
  • Patent number: 10645858
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a guided line acquisition system and method for generating a path of a vehicle from its current location to a final guidance line. This path is referred to hereinafter as an acquisition path. The generated acquisition path starts at the current vehicle position and ends co-linear to the final guidance path. The acquisition path is generated using one constraint and one objective parameter. More specifically, the acquisition path is constrained by the minimum turning radius of the vehicle and angle of approach criteria, (i.e., the maximum heading relative to the guidance line). It should be appreciated that while the guided line acquisition system attempts to find an acquisition path that meets the angle of approach criteria, the guidance acquisition system will allow this objective to be sacrificed when it is not possible due to the minimum turning radius of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Joshua T. Lawson
  • Patent number: 10641862
    Abstract: A ranging radio relative machine positioning system for a first mobile machine and a second mobile machine is provided. The first mobile machine includes a platform rotatable relative to ground-engaging elements of the first mobile machine. A first set of ranging radios and at least one sensor are configured for attachment to the first mobile machine, and a second set of ranging radios are configured for attachment to the second mobile machine. The system also includes a controller programmed to identify a ground spotting location relative to the first mobile machine, track movement of the first mobile machine relative to the ground spotting location using the sensor to arrive at an offset, and provide a location, or pose, of the second mobile machine relative to the ground spotting location using the first and second sets of ranging radios and the offset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Russell Friend
  • Patent number: 10643159
    Abstract: A system for mining site production planning includes a control system configured to specify a problem-solving technique and associated optimization problem for a mining site by setting production goals for each of loading tools, processors and production arcs of the mining site, sorting the production arcs in an order based on travel distances, and modifying the order of the sorted production arcs based on the production goals for each of the loading tools, processors and production arcs. In addition, target values are set for each of the loading tools, processors and production arcs according to the order of the sorted production arcs. The control system is further configured to solve the optimization problem to produce production values for each of the loading tools, processors and production arcs based on the target values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin Eugene Gates
  • Patent number: 10633830
    Abstract: A safety device for a construction machine includes a status information acquisition section that acquires status information pertaining to the status of the construction machine, a seat belt detection section that detects whether an operator is wearing a seat belt, and a control section that controls a warning section so that a warning is given on the basis of the status information when the operator is not wearing the seat belt, in which the status information includes information pertaining to the operation position of a gate lock lever that is manipulated to a lock position in which instructions from operating levers of the construction machine are disabled and a lock release position in which instructions from the operating levers are enabled, and the control section controls the warning section so that a warning is given when the gate lock lever operation position is at the lock release position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Shibamori, Hidenobu Tsukada, Keiichiro Nakamura
  • Patent number: 10635258
    Abstract: A user interface and an earth-moving machine are described. The user interface includes displaying means and a control unit (CU). The displaying means includes a transparent display unit for displaying virtual earth-moving images. The images are displayed at a virtual image distance from the displaying unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: NOVATRON OY
    Inventors: Visa Hokkanen, Mikko Vesanen
  • Patent number: 10633181
    Abstract: The invention provides a safety system for use with a refuse collection vehicle having a refuse storage body and a front cabin, the system operating to detect the presence of an object or person in the vicinity of the vehicle and communicate with a lifting operation system. The vehicle has a lifting mechanism for engagement with a refuse bin, the lifting operation system operable to move the lifting mechanism between a lowered position at which the bin is on the ground in front of the vehicle and a raised position for discharge of the bin contents into the interior of the refuse storage body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Bucher Municipal Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Edward Butcher, Steven Cataldo, Bradley Clarke
  • Patent number: 10625770
    Abstract: Automatic steering and four-wheel steering are configured on an agricultural machine so that when automatic steering is enabled, a control system selectively activates and deactivates four-wheel steering depending on sensed turning or non-turning states of the machine. When automatic steering is enabled, the machine can automatically steer, such as according to a prescription map. In straightaway paths, corresponding to non-turning states, the control system can activate two-wheel steering. However, in the headlands of fields, corresponding to turning states, the control system can activate four-wheel steering. Such turning states can be determined based on the machines location on the map. Alternatively, such turning states can be determined based on sensed turning of the wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Nathan P. Brooks, Roy A. Bittner
  • Patent number: 10619326
    Abstract: The invention provides a work machine that achieves high accuracy of forming a target construction surface and reduced fuel consumption. A trajectory corrective Pi pressure calculation section calculates a trajectory corrective pressure, which is a control signal for a boom cylinder, based on the distance from a front work device to a target construction surface such that the motion trajectory of the work device is maintained above the target construction surface. A power corrective Pi pressure calculation section calculates a power corrective pressure, which is a control signal for the boom cylinder, based on the bottom pressure of an arm cylinder when the difference between the target power and actual power of the arm cylinder is larger than a predetermined output power value. The boom cylinder is controlled based on the larger of the power corrective pressure and the trajectory corrective pressure while the arm cylinder is being operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masafumi Hita, Kouichi Shibata
  • Patent number: 10623466
    Abstract: A communications system provides access to services when direct Internet connectivity is not practical. The system includes a beam modem and a beam API server. The beam modem receives a web request from a client device through a short range interface, modifies the request, and transmits the modified web request to the beam API server via a cellular connection. The beam API server then extracts an endpoint address and request data from the web request and determines an external web service from the endpoint address. The server transmits the request data to the external web service and, after receiving a response to the request data, reduces the size of the response data and sends it back to the beam modem via the cellular connection. The beam modem converts the response data to client device readable form and transmits it to the client device via the short range interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Airbnb, Inc.
    Inventors: Sergey Philippov, Andrei Goverdovskii, Alexander Sadao Blackstock, Andrew Anthony Vilcsak
  • Patent number: 10609859
    Abstract: A seed depth device for an agricultural planter includes an electric motor, an actuator, a stop, a controller, and a seed depth auto-learn system. The actuator is driven by the electric motor, and is constructed and arranged to move between a home position and a full extension position. The stop is proximate to the actuator when in the home position. The controller includes a computing processor and a computer readable storage medium configured to control the electric motor. The seed depth auto-learn system is, at least in-part, stored and executed by the controller. The seed depth auto-learn system is configured to learn the home position based, at least in-part, on the actuator stalling upon the stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Addney T. Biery, II, Brian G. Maust, Timothy A. Rohn
  • Patent number: 10606279
    Abstract: A robotic work tool (100) comprising an altitude sensor (185) for providing a current altitude reading (HRL) and a controller (110) configured to receive the current altitude reading (HRL) from the altitude sensor (185); determine an altitude (H) based on the current altitude reading (HRL); determine a current position; and generating a map indicating elevations by including the determined altitude (H) for the current position in the map. A robotic work tool system (200) comprising a robotic work tool (100) and a reference altitude sensor (285) for providing a reference altitude reading (HCS), wherein the robotic work tool (100) is further configured to receive the reference altitude reading (HCS) from the reference altitude sensor (285); and determine the altitude (H) based on the current altitude reading (HRL) and the reference altitude reading (HCS).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: HUSQVARNA AB
    Inventors: Stefan Grufman, Björn Mannefred, Magnus Öhrlund
  • Patent number: 10595455
    Abstract: A planning system for an autonomous work vehicle system includes a controller configured to determine a plan for the autonomous work vehicle system by reducing a cost function, and to output one or more signals indicative of the plan and/or instructions to execute the plan. The plan includes a route of the autonomous work vehicle system through a field, and the cost function includes multiple costs associated with operation of the autonomous work vehicle system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignees: CNH Industrial America LLC, Autonomous Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Alan Foster, John Henry Posselius, Nathan Eric Bunderson, Taylor Chad Bybee, Daniel John Morwood, Bret Todd Turpin
  • Patent number: 10598511
    Abstract: The invention relates to a detector arrangement and method for determining a mutual position or a mutual state of motion of at least two structural parts of a mobile work machine. The arrangement comprises detectors configurable to determine at least in one direction of measurement at least two different measured variables in order to determine at least structural-part-specific position or state of motion information for each direction of measurement. The arrangement further comprises a data processing means for receiving measurement signals describing measured variables as well as for determining a mutual position or state of motion of the structural parts on the basis of the structural-part-specific position or state of motion information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: PONSSE OYJ
    Inventors: Juha Inberg, Aleksi Kivi
  • Patent number: 10591640
    Abstract: Described herein is a method of determining a mine worksite's terrain. The method may include determining positions of a surface of the worksite based on measurements relating to the worksite's terrain. At least some of the measurements may be received from a plurality of mobile machines on the worksite. The method may include transmitting a first subset of the determined positions to a first mobile machine on the worksite. A corresponding computing system and computer-readable medium for executing the method are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Caterpillar of Australia Pty, Ltd.
    Inventor: Darryl V. Collins
  • Patent number: 10590630
    Abstract: A work vehicle allows an operator to easily check the vertical position and the angle of bucket. The work vehicle includes a front loader with a bucket, and freely raises/lowers and rotates the bucket. The work vehicle comprises a display disposed near an operator seat. The display is configured to display vertical position information and angle information of the bucket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: YANMAR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takumi Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 10584466
    Abstract: A shovel includes a lower-part traveling body, an upper-part turning body, an attachment, and a controller. The upper-part turning body is turnably mounted on the lower-part traveling body. The attachment is mounted on the upper-part turning body, and has a consumable part attached to its leading edge. The controller is configured to obtain coordinates of the consumable part when the consumable part is caused to contact a predetermined feature, and to calculate the amount of wear of the consumable part based on at least two sets of the coordinates obtained under different conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: SUMITOMO (S.H.I.) CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takeya Izumikawa
  • Patent number: 10575460
    Abstract: An agricultural vehicle comprises a left frame and a right frame. A first leg extends upward from the left frame and a second leg extends upward from the right frame to connect the legs to the beam. One or more satellite navigation receivers are associated with beam to determine a position and an attitude of the beam. In on configuration, at least one row unit suspended from the beam, where each row unit has a respective planting device with an adjustable position in one or more dimensions with respect to the beam for precise application or variable application of seeds within the rows or field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Travis J. Davis, Joshua T. Lawson, Curtis A. Maeder, Jesse D. Haecker, Richard J. Connell, Shayne C. Rich, Anthony E. Eggers, Curtis D. Carlson
  • Patent number: 10567910
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a wireless communication system capable of receiving position information for a plurality of workers in a work zone and a position system capable of providing position information for a piece of movable equipment in the work zone. A processor is capable of receiving the position information for the plurality of workers and the position information for the movable equipment and is capable of determining the position of the workers relative to the position of the movable equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: M. Imran Hayee, Nazanin Abbaszadeh Banaeiyan, Attiq Uz Zaman
  • Patent number: 10563362
    Abstract: A method includes receiving information indicative of a cold planer travel path, the cold planer travel path extending substantially centrally through a cut area formed by a cold planer on a work surface. The method also includes determining a paving machine travel path within the cut area based at least in part on the information, and determining a screed portion setting based at least in part on the paving machine travel path. The method further includes controlling a paving machine to traverse the paving machine travel path, and controlling a screed portion of the paving machine to deposit paving material within the cut area, based at least in part on the screed portion setting, as the paving machine traverses at least a portion of the paving machine travel path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy M. O'Donnell, Eric S. Engelmann, John L. Marsolek
  • Patent number: 10557250
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing grade control on a motor grader without the use of masts attached to the blade. Embodiments include a body angle sensor configured to detect movement of a construction machine's body, a front 3D positioning device configured to detect a geospatial position of the construction machine's body within a world space, a drawbar angle sensor configured to detect movement of the construction machine's drawbar, and a blade angle sensor configured to detect movement of the construction machine's blade. Two positions on the blade may be calculated first within a machine space and subsequently within the world space. Movement of at least one articulating connection may be caused based on the blade positions within the world space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Caterpillar Trimble Control Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Nathan Ennis, Patrick Pecchio, Geoffrey Mills, Christopher Padilla, Yongliang Zhu, Jason Hill, Colin Daniell, Shawn Zeller
  • Patent number: 10559208
    Abstract: A method includes receiving first location information at a first reporting frequency, the first location information being generated by a location sensor and indicating a first location of a paving system component. The method also includes determining that a distance between a second location of the paving system component and a first geofence is less than or equal to a distance threshold. The method further includes controlling the location sensor to provide second location information at the first reporting frequency, and receiving third location information at the first reporting frequency. In such a method, the third location information indicates a third location of the paving system component. The method also includes determining that the third location is within the first geofence, and controlling the location sensor to provide fourth location information at a second reporting frequency greater than the first reporting frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc
    Inventors: Jacob J. McAlpine, Nicholas A. Oetken, Dann J. Rawls
  • Patent number: 10550543
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing grade control on a motor grader without the use of masts attached to the blade. Embodiments include a body angle sensor configured to detect movement of a construction machine's body, a front GNSS receiver configured to detect a geospatial position of the construction machine's body within a world space, a drawbar angle sensor configured to detect movement of the construction machine's drawbar, and a blade angle sensor configured to detect movement of the construction machine's blade. Two positions on the blade may be calculated first within a machine space and subsequently within the world space. Movement of at least one articulating connection may be caused based on the blade positions within the world space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Caterpillar Trimble Control Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Nathan Ennis, Patrick Pecchio, Geoffrey Mills, Christopher Padilla, Yongliang Zhu, Jason Hill, Colin Daniell
  • Patent number: 10554443
    Abstract: A passenger transport system includes a central control unit for controlling system functions, field devices spatially distributed within the system, and a bus system transmitting data between the unit and the devices. The unit and/or the devices detect a current data transmission and the conclusion of the data transmission, and output different types of data telegrams that differ according to urgency. The unit and/or the devices output data telegrams only when no current data transmission is occurring and after a waiting period has elapsed since the conclusion of a previous data transmission. Each type of data telegram is assigned an individual waiting period on the basis of the respective urgency. Thus, a simple transmission prioritization is implemented during the data transmission, wherein each device can transmit data telegrams with different urgency and data telegrams of higher urgency are effectively transmitted with higher priority than data telegrams of lesser urgency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: INVENTIO AG
    Inventors: Astrid Sonnenmoser, Ivo Lustenberger, Thomas Hartmann, Adrian Knecht, Kurt Heinz
  • Patent number: 10538199
    Abstract: A vehicle monitoring system includes an electronic controller and a wireless communicator. The electronic controller is configured to receive data representing points of interest on a vehicle and on a trailer towed by the vehicle, determine geometric relationships between the points of interest based on the data, and calculate an area surrounding the vehicle and the trailer based on the geometric relationships. The wireless communicator is operatively connected to the electronic controller and is configured to receive or transmit one of the data representing the points of interest, and the area based on the geometric relationships.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Gibson, Roy Goudy, Jeremy Chambers, Neal Probert
  • Patent number: 10524402
    Abstract: A method of real-time plant selection and removal from a plant field including capturing a first image of a first section of the plant field, segmenting the first image into regions indicative of individual plants within the first section, selecting the optimal plants for retention from the first image based on the first image and the previously thinned plant field sections, sending instructions to the plant removal mechanism for removal of the plants corresponding to the unselected regions of the first image from the second section before the machine passes the unselected regions, and repeating the aforementioned steps for a second section of the plant field adjacent the first section in the direction of machine travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: BLUE RIVER TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventor: Lee Redden