Information system for a working machine

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11874659-B2
Application number	US-201716620145-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 9, 2017
Priority date	Jun 9, 2017
Publication date	Jan 16, 2024
Grant date	Jan 16, 2024

Abstract

The present disclosure generally relates to an information system for a working machine, specifically adapted for projecting an image onto an area externally of the working machine based on construction data relating to a surrounding of the working machine. The present disclosure also relates to a corresponding method and computer program for such a working machine.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An information system for a working machine, the working machine comprising a user operable implement, the information system comprising:
an illumination arrangement arranged to project an image onto a physical ground surface located within an area externally of the working machine, and
a control unit adapted to control the illumination arrangement, wherein the control unit is adapted to:
receive construction data of a portion of a surrounding of the working machine including the area externally of the working machine,
form the image to be projected based on the construction data, the construction data comprising information indicative of a construction situation below the ground surface,
receive information of a present location and orientation of the working machine, and
project the image onto the surface based on the present location and orientation of the working machine using the illumination arrangement to assist the user in operating the implement relative to the construction situation below the ground surface, wherein the illumination arrangement comprises an image projector,
wherein the control unit is further adapted to control an orientation of the illumination arrangement in relation to the working machine and the ground surface, whereby the projected image at the ground surface is made independent on a present location and orientation of the working machine.

2. The information system according to claim 1 , wherein the construction data comprises information indicative of tubes and/or cables arranged below the ground surface.

3. The information system according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit is further adapted to receive geographical data relating to a surrounding of the working machine.

4. The information system according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit is further adapted to receive sensor data relating to a surrounding of the working machine.

5. The information system according to claim 4 , wherein the sensor data is received from at least one of a camera, a laser scanner, a radar arrangement and a Lidar arrangement.

6. The information system according to claim 3 , wherein the control unit is further adapted to adjust the formation of the image based on the received data relating to the surrounding of the working machine.

7. The information system according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit is further adapted to adjust the formation of the image based on a present position of an operator of the working machine.

8. The information system according to claim 6 , wherein the control unit is further adapted to receive information of the present position of the operator.

9. The information system according to claim 1 , wherein the information of the present location of the working machine is received from a geolocation arrangement comprised with the working machine.

10. The information system according to claim 1 , wherein the construction data is stored with a database arranged in communication with the control unit.

11. A working machine comprising an information system according to claim 1 .

12. The working machine according to claim 11 , wherein the working machine is at least one of an excavator, a wheel loader, an articulated hauler, a dozer, a grader and a backhoe loader.

13. A method for assisting an operator of a working machine using an information system, the working machine comprising a user operable implement, the information system comprising an illumination arrangement arranged to project an image onto a physical ground surface located within an area externally of the working machine and a control unit adapted to control the illumination arrangement, wherein the method comprises:
receiving, at the control unit, construction data of a portion of a surrounding of the working machine including the area externally of the working machine,
forming, by the control unit, the image to be projected based on the construction data, the construction data comprising information indicative of a construction situation below the ground surface,
receiving, at the control unit, information of a present location and orientation of the working machine, and
projecting, using the illumination arrangement, the image onto the surface based on the present location and orientation of the working machine using the illumination arrangement to assist the user in operating the implement relative to the construction situation below the ground surface, wherein the illumination arrangement comprises an image projector,
wherein the control unit is further adapted to control an orientation of the illumination arrangement in relation to the working machine and the ground surface, whereby the projected image at the ground surface is made independent on a present location and orientation of the working machine.

14. The method according to claim 13 , further comprising:
receiving, at the control unit, geographical data of a surrounding of the working machine, and
adjusting the formation of the image based on the geographical data of the surrounding of the working machine.

15. The method according to claim 13 , further comprising:
receiving, at the control unit, information of the present position of the operator, and
adjusting the formation of the image based on the present position of an operator of the working machine.

16. A non-transitory computer readable medium carrying a computer program comprising program means for the method according to claim 13 when said program means is run on a computer.

Assignees

• Volvo Constr Equip Ab

Inventors

• Jarlengrip Johan

Classifications

• B60K35/28

  characterised by the type of the output information, e.g. video entertainment or vehicle dynamics information; characterised by the purpose of the output information, e.g. for attracting the attention of the driver · CPC title

• B60K35/80

  Arrangements for controlling instruments · CPC title

• B60K35/60

  Instruments characterised by their location or relative disposition in or on vehicles (arrangements of lighting devices on dashboards B60Q3/10) · CPC title

• B60K35/26

  using acoustic output · CPC title

• G05D1/0055 Primary

  with safety arrangements · CPC title