Machine Safety Dome

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016001701-A1
Application number	US-201514789467-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jul 1, 2015
Priority date	Jul 3, 2014
Publication date	Jan 7, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A site-aware controller and various sensors determine if objects are located within a safety dome surrounding a machine such as a construction vehicle. The site-aware controller compares data from the various sensors to determine if the machine or independently moveable implements located on the machine are capable of impacting objects within the safety dome and/or travel of the machine into restricted areas. Detection of objects within the safety dome can trigger alerts (e.g., visual and/or audible) to an operator of the machine of a particular situation. Detection of objects within the safety dome can also prevent further movement of the machine or independently moveable implements located on the machine to prevent impacting the objects. The system can also prevent movement of the machine into restricted areas.

First claim

1 . A method comprising:
determining a volume surrounding a machine based on the machine and an independently movable implement attached to the machine; determining whether an obstacle is located within the volume; generating an indication based on the obstacle being located within the volume; and outputting the indication to a user.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the determining a volume surrounding a machine further comprises:
determining a velocity of the machine, wherein the volume surrounding the machine is further based on the velocity of the machine.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the determining a volume surrounding a machine further comprises:
determining a velocity of the independently movable implement attached to the machine, wherein the volume surrounding the machine is further based on the velocity of the independently movable implement attached to the machine.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the obstacle is one of a fixed obstruction, a moveable obstruction, a person, or an area to be avoided.

5 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
determining that an interaction with the obstacle will occur based on one of a current velocity of the machine and a current velocity of the independently movable implement attached to the machine; and generating a control signal to prevent the interaction with the obstacle in response to the determining that the interaction with the obstacle will occur.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the determining whether an obstacle is located within the volume is based on data pertaining to a site in which the machine is located.

7 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the data pertaining to the site in which the machine is located identifies areas of the site to be avoided.

8 . An apparatus comprising:
a processor; and a memory to store computer program instructions, the computer program instructions when executed on the processor cause the processor to perform operations comprising:
determining a volume surrounding a machine based on the machine and an independently movable implement attached to the machine;
determining whether an obstacle is located within the volume;
generating an indication based on the obstacle being located within the volume; and
outputting the indication to a user.

9 . The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the determining a volume surrounding a machine further comprises:
determining a velocity of the machine, wherein the volume surrounding the machine is further based on the velocity of the machine.

10 . The apparatus of 8 , wherein the determining a volume surrounding a machine further comprises:
determining a velocity of the independently movable implement attached to the machine, wherein the volume surrounding the machine is further based on the velocity of the independently movable implement attached to the machine.

11 . The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the obstacle is one of a fixed obstruction, a moveable obstruction, a person, or an area to be avoided.

12 . The apparatus of claim 8 , the operations further comprising:
determining that an interaction with the obstacle will occur based on one of a current velocity of the machine and a current velocity of the independently movable implement attached to the machine; and generating a control signal to prevent the interaction with the obstacle in response to the determining that the interaction with the obstacle will occur.

13 . The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the determining whether an obstacle is located within the volume is based on data pertaining to a site in which the machine is located.

14 . The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the data pertaining to the site in which the machine is located identifies areas of the site to be avoided.

15 . A computer readable medium storing computer program instructions, which, when executed on a processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:
determining a volume surrounding a machine based on the machine and an independently movable implement attached to the machine; determining whether an obstacle is located within the volume; generating an indication based on the obstacle being located within the volume; and outputting the indication to a user.

16 . The computer readable medium of claim 15 , wherein the determining a volume surrounding a machine further comprises:
determining a velocity of the machine, wherein the volume surrounding the machine is further based on the velocity of the machine.

17 . The computer readable medium of claim 15 , wherein the determining a volume surrounding a machine further comprises:
determining a velocity of the independently movable implement attached to the machine, wherein the volume surrounding the machine is further based on the velocity of the independently movable implement attached to the machine.

18 . The computer readable medium of claim 15 , wherein the obstacle is one of a fixed obstruction, a moveable obstruction, a person, or an area to be avoided.

19 . The computer readable medium of claim 15 , the operations further comprising:
determining that an interaction with the obstacle will occur based on one of a current velocity of the machine and a current velocity of the independently movable implement attached to the machine; and generating a control signal to prevent the interaction with the obstacle in response to the determining that the interaction with the obstacle will occur.

20 . The computer readable medium of claim 15 , wherein the determining a volume surrounding a machine further comprises:
determining a velocity of the independently moveable implement attached to the machine, wherein the volume surrounding the machine is further based on the velocity of the independently movable implement attached to the machine.

Assignees

• Topcon Positioning Systems Inc
• Tierra S P A
• Infomobility S R L

Inventors

• Pagliani Daniele
• Finardi Nicola
• Longhi Aldo
• Di Federico Ivan

Classifications

• G05B19/4061

  Avoiding collision or forbidden zones · CPC title

• G01S13/867

  Combination of radar systems with cameras · CPC title

• G05B2219/49138

  Adapt working envelop, limit, allowed zone to speed of tool · CPC title

• E02F9/2033

  Limiting the movement of frames or implements, e.g. to avoid collision between implements and the cabin (sub-groups of E02F3/431 of E02F3/435 take precedence; for turntables E02F9/123) · CPC title

• B60W30/09

  Taking automatic action to avoid collision, e.g. braking and steering · CPC title