Worksite classification system and method

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11501619-B2
Application number	US-201916691988-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 22, 2019
Priority date	Nov 22, 2019
Publication date	Nov 15, 2022
Grant date	Nov 15, 2022

Abstract

A worksite classification system and method for classifying persons at a worksite is disclosed. The worksite classification system can include a sensor system configured to capture images of persons located at the worksite. An electronic data processor communicatively coupled to the sensor system and comprising a computer readable storage medium having machine readable instructions that, when executed by the electronic data processor, cause the processor to: determine an identity of the persons based on one or more identifying characteristics associated with the persons; determine if the persons have authorization access to enter to one or more operational zones at the worksite based on the identity of the persons and an associated access level; and generate an alert notifying an operator when persons without authorization access enters the one or more operational zones.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A worksite classification system for a work vehicle for classifying persons at a worksite, the worksite classification system comprising:
a sensor system configured to capture images of persons located at the worksite;
an electronic data processor communicatively coupled to the sensor system, the electronic data processor comprising a non-transitory computer readable storage medium having machine readable instructions that, when executed by the electronic data processor, cause the electronic data processor to:
determine an identity of the persons based on one or more identifying characteristics associated with the persons;
determine if the persons have authorization access to enter to one or more operational zones at the worksite based on the identity of the persons and an associated access level; and
generate an alert notifying an operator when persons without authorization access enters the one or more operational zones;

wherein the electronic data processor is further configured to generate a control signal to modify a vehicle parameter of the work vehicle or an implement coupled to the work vehicle when persons without authorization access enters the one or more operational zones.

2. The worksite classification system of claim 1 , wherein the sensor system comprises a plurality of imaging devices operably coupled to the work vehicle, wherein the plurality of imaging devices are configured to capture stereographic images or videos of persons located at the worksite.

3. The worksite classification system of claim 2 , wherein the plurality of imaging devices are configured to provide security surveillance of the work vehicle surroundings when the work vehicle is in an off mode.

4. The worksite classification system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more operational zones comprise a first zone, a second zone, and a third zone, and wherein the authorization access for each of the first zone, the second zone, and the third zone is determined based on the identity of the persons and an associated job task.

5. The worksite classification system of claim 1 , wherein determining the identity of the persons comprises determining if the persons are pedestrians or site personnel including at least one of a laborer, a spotter, or a site manager.

6. The worksite classification system of claim 1 , further comprising a user interface, wherein the associated access level is selected by an operator via the user interface based on an assigned job task.

7. The worksite classification system of claim 1 , wherein the identifying characteristics comprises at least one of apparel, wearable devices, facial recognition characteristics, or combinations thereof.

8. The worksite classification system of claim 1 , wherein generating the plurality of alerts comprises generating at least one of audible alerts, visual alerts, haptic alerts, tactile alerts, or combinations thereof.

9. The worksite classification system of claim 8 , wherein generating visual and audible alerts comprises activating a strobe light on the work vehicle or triggering a sound file to notify a vehicle operator when a pedestrian is located within at least one of the operational zones.

10. The worksite classification system of claim 1 , wherein generating an alert comprises deploying a drone to generate an audible alert when persons without authorization access enters the one or more operational zones.

11. The worksite classification system of claim 1 , further comprising a reporting system configured to generate trend data based on the plurality of alerts for display on a user interface, wherein the trend data includes information such as near misses or the number of unauthorized zone entries per day, per week, per work vehicle, or combinations thereof.

12. The worksite classification system of claim 1 , wherein modifying a work function of the work vehicle comprises reducing a speed or an acceleration of the work vehicle or the implement, rate limiting the acceleration up to a maximum speed, disabling operations of the implement, or stopping movement of the work vehicle.

13. A method, the method comprising:
capturing images of persons located in one or more operational zones at a worksite;
determining an identity of the persons captured in the image based on one or more
identifying characteristics associated with the persons;
determining, based on the identity of the persons and an associated access level, if the persons have authorization access to enter the one or more operational zones;
generating an alert to notify an operator when persons without authorization access enters the one or more operational zones; and
modifying a vehicle parameter of the work vehicle when the presence of the persons is detected within a first zone of the one or more operational zones, and wherein modifying a vehicle parameter of the work vehicle comprises reducing a speed or an acceleration of the work vehicle or the implement, rate limiting the acceleration up to a maximum speed, disabling operations of the implement, or stopping movement of the work vehicle.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein capturing images of persons comprises capturing stereographic images or videos of persons by a plurality of imaging devices.

15. The method of claim 13 , wherein the identifying characteristics comprises at least one of apparel, wearable devices, facial recognition characteristics, or combinations thereof.

16. The method of claim 13 , wherein generating an alert comprises activating a strobe light on the work vehicle or triggering a sound file to notify a vehicle operator when a pedestrian is located within at least one of the operational zones.

17. The method of claim 13 , wherein generating an alert comprises deploying a drone to generate an audible alert when persons without authorization access enters the one or more operational zones.

Assignees

• Deere & Co

Inventors

• Cherney Mark J
• Kerns Luke M

Classifications

• H04N23/90

  Arrangement of cameras or camera modules, e.g. multiple cameras in TV studios or sports stadiums · CPC title

• E02F9/262

  with follow-up actions to control the work tool, e.g. controller · CPC title

• B60Q7/00

  Arrangement or adaptation of portable emergency signal devices on vehicles · CPC title

• B60R11/04

  Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle · CPC title

• G08B21/02

  Alarms for ensuring the safety of persons · CPC title