System and method for adjusting machine parameters

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9299247-B2
Application number	US-878008-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 14, 2008
Priority date	Jan 14, 2008
Publication date	Mar 29, 2016
Grant date	Mar 29, 2016

Abstract

A system for adjusting machine parameters based on a skill level of an operator comprises a personal area network (PAN)-compatible electronic control module (ECM) located on a machine. The system also includes a PAN-compatible communication device associated with an operator of the machine. The PAN-compatible communication device is configured to receive information indicative of the skill level of the operator. The PAN-compatible communication device is also configured to establish a wireless communication link with the PAN-compatible ECM and transmit the information indicative of the skill level of the operator to the PAN-compatible ECM. The PAN-compatible ECM is configured to adjust an operational aspect of the machine based on the information indicative of the skill level of the operator of the machine.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method for adjusting machine parameters based on a skill level of an operator, comprising:
receiving, by a personal area network (PAN)-compatible communication device, information indicative of the skill level of the operator;
detecting a PAN-compatible electronic control module (ECM) proximate the PAN-compatible communication device; and
transmitting the information indicative of the skill level of the operator to the detected PAN-compatible ECM, wherein the PAN-compatible ECM is configured to adjust an operational aspect of the machine in response to the information indicative of the skill level of the operator, wherein adjusting the operational aspect of the machine includes automating a function of the machine and thereby, preventing the operator from manually controlling said function of the machine.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein transmitting the information indicative of the skill level of the operator includes:
establishing a wireless communication link between the PAN-compatible communication device and the detected PAN-compatible ECM;
determining whether the operator is authorized to operate a type of machine corresponding with the detected PAN-compatible ECM; and
uploading the information indicative of the skill level of the operator if the operator is authorized to operate the type of machine.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the PAN-compatible communication device and the PAN-compatible ECM are Bluetooth-compatible devices.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein adjusting the operational aspect of the machine further includes at least one of: establishing a payload limit for the machine, establishing a speed limit for the machine, disabling one or more functions of the machine, and disabling one or more gears associated with the machine.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein transmitting the information indicative of the skill level of the operator to the PAN-compatible ECM includes transmitting the information indicative of the skill level of the operator data via a text messaging feature associated with the PAN-compatible communication device.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the PAN-compatible communication device includes a GSM cellular communication device.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the PAN-compatible communication device includes a CDMA cellular communication device.

8. A system for adjusting machine parameters based on a skill level of an operator, comprising:
a personal area network (PAN)-compatible electronic control module (ECM) located on a machine;
a PAN-compatible communication device associated with the operator of the machine and configured to:
receive information indicative of the skill level of the operator;
establish a wireless communication link with the PAN-compatible ECM; and
transmit the information indicative of the skill level of the operator to the PAN-compatible ECM;

wherein the PAN-compatible ECM is configured to adjust an operational aspect of the machine based on the information indicative of the skill level of the operator of the machine, wherein adjusting the operational aspect of the machine includes automating a function of the machine and thereby preventing the operator from manually controlling said function of the machine when the information indicative of the skill level of the operator indicates the operator has not received training related to said function of the machine.

9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the PAN-compatible communication device is further configured to transmit the information indicative of the skill level of the operator to the PAN-compatible ECM via a text messaging feature associated with the PAN-compatible communication device.

10. The system of claim 8 , wherein the PAN-compatible communication device includes a GSM cellular communication device.

11. The system of claim 8 , wherein the PAN-compatible communication device includes a CDMA cellular communication device.

12. The system of claim 8 , wherein the PAN-compatible communication device and the PAN-compatible ECM are Bluetooth-compatible devices.

13. The system of claim 8 , wherein adjusting the operational aspect of the machine further includes at least one of: establishing a payload limit for the machine, establishing a speed limit for the machine, disabling one or more functions of the machine, and disabling one or more gears associated with the machine.

14. The system of claim 8 , wherein the information indicative of the skill level of the operator includes information indicative of a level of training that the operator has received related to said function of the machine.

15. The system of claim 8 , wherein the information indicative of the skill level of the operator includes information indicative of a level of experience of the operator.

16. The system of claim 8 , wherein the information indicative of the skill level of the operator includes information indicative of a safety record associated with the operator.

17. The system of claim 8 , wherein the information indicative of the skill level of the operator includes information indicative of a performance of the operator on a skills test.

18. A project environment, comprising:
at least one machine operating in the project environment;
a personal area network (PAN)-compatible electronic control module (ECM) located on the machine and configured to control at least one operational aspect of the machine;
a PAN-compatible communication device associated with an operator of the machine and configured to:
receive information indicative of the skill level of the operator;
establish a wireless communication link with the PAN-compatible ECM; and
transmit the information indicative of the skill level of the operator to the PAN-compatible ECM;

wherein the PAN-compatible ECM is configured to adjust the at least one operational aspect of the machine based on the information indicative of the skill level of the operator of the machine, wherein adjusting the at least one operational aspect of the machine includes automating a function of the machine and thereby preventing the operator from manually controlling said function of the machine.

19. The project environment of claim 18 , wherein adjusting the at least one operational aspect of the machine further includes at least one of: establishing a payload limit for the machine, establishing a speed limit for the machine, disabling one or more functions of the machine, and disabling one or more gears associated with the machine.

20. The project environment of claim 18 , wherein the information indicative of the skill level of the operator includes at least one of:
information indicative of a level of training that the operator has received related to said function of the machine, information indicative of a level of experience of the operator, information indicative of a safety record associated with the operator, and information indicative of the skill level of the operator includes information indicative of a performance of the operator on a skills test.

21. The project environment of claim 18 , wherein the PAN-compatible communication device includes a GSM cellular communication device.

22. The project environment of claim 18 , wherein the PAN-compatible communication device includes a CDMA cellular communication device.

23. The project environment of claim 18 , wherein the PAN-compatible communication device and the PAN-compatible ECM are Bluetooth-compatible devices.

Assignees

• O'Neal Steven Wayne
• Meiss Trent Ray
• Caterpillar Inc

Inventors

• O'Neal Steven Wayne
• Meiss Trent Ray

Classifications

• G08C2201/51

  Remote controlling of devices based on replies, status thereof · CPC title

• B60R25/00

  Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles (locks for vehicles E05B77/00-E05B85/00) · CPC title

• G08C17/00 Primary

  Arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless electrical link · CPC title

• B60R2325/10

  Communication protocols, communication systems of vehicle anti-theft devices · CPC title

• G06F21/35

  communicating wirelessly · CPC title