IP Library Granted Patent US 9,976,284
Granted Patent B2
US 9,976,284 · App. 15/212,730 · Granted May 22, 2018

Control system for headlights of a machine

Inventors: Ronald W. Hartman (Peoria, IL); David C. Atkinson (Dunlap, IL)
Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
E02F9/261B60Q1/085B60Q1/18B60Q1/24H05B33/0842H05B37/0227B60Q2300/32B60Q2300/324
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,976,284
App. No.
15/212,730
Granted
May 22, 2018
Kind
B2
Abstract

The disclosure relates to a control system for a machine. The control system includes an input unit for obtaining terrain information pertaining to a worksite. The control system further includes a plurality of illumination devices mounted on the machine. The control system further includes a controller in communication with the input unit and the plurality of illumination devices. The controller is configured to receive the terrain information from the input unit. The controller further determines grade pertaining to a work area of the worksite based on the terrain information. The controller is further configured to operate the plurality of illumination devices, based on the grade, to selectively illuminate the work area of the work site.

Claims (43)

1. A control system for a machine, the control system comprising:

an input unit for obtaining terrain information pertaining to a worksite;

a plurality of illumination devices mounted on the machine;

a storage unit configured to store information identifying each grade of a plurality of grades based on different terrain information and information identifying an illumination pattern corresponding to each grade of the plurality of grades; and

a controller in communication with the input unit and the plurality of illumination devices, the controller being configured to:

receive the terrain information from the input unit;

determine a grade pertaining to a work area of the worksite based on the terrain information and the information identifying each grade of the plurality of grades; and

operate the plurality of illumination devices, based on the grade and the information identifying the illumination pattern corresponding to each grade of the plurality of grades, to selectively illuminate the work area of the work site.

2. The control system of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to operate the illumination devices to selectively illuminate in one of a plurality of illumination patterns.

3. The control system of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to:

identify a location of the machine within the worksite; and

identify the work area based on the location of the machine,

the work area being proximate to the location of the machine.

4. The control system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of grades includes an uphill surface, a downhill surface, a flat horizontal surface, and an uneven surface.

5. The control system of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to operate the plurality of illumination devices to cause the plurality of illumination devices to selectively illuminate the work area in one of a plurality of illumination patterns based on a particular road condition associated with the work area.

6. A machine comprising:

a power source for supplying power to the machine;

a control system for controlling operations of the machine, the control system includes:

an input unit for obtaining terrain information pertaining to a worksite;

a plurality of illumination devices mounted on the machine;

a storage unit configured to store information identifying each grade of a plurality of grades based on different terrain information and information identifying an illumination pattern corresponding to each grade of the plurality of grades; and

a controller in communication with the input unit and the plurality of illumination devices, the controller being configured to:

receive the terrain information from the input unit;

determine a grade pertaining to a work area of the worksite based on the terrain information and the information identifying each grade of the plurality of grades; and

operate the plurality of illumination devices, based on the grade and the information identifying the illumination pattern corresponding to each grade, to selectively illuminate the work area of the work site.

7. The machine of claim 6 , wherein the controller is configured to operate the illumination devices to selectively illuminate in one of a plurality of illumination patterns.

8. The machine of claim 6 , wherein the controller is configured to:

identify a location of the machine within the worksite; and

identify the work area based on the location of the machine,

the work area being proximate to the location of the machine.

9. The machine of claim 6 , wherein the plurality of grades includes an uphill surface, a downhill surface, a flat horizontal surface, and an uneven surface.

10. The machine of claim 6 , wherein the controller is configured to operate the plurality of illumination devices to cause the plurality of illumination devices to illuminate the work area in one of the plurality of illumination patterns based on a particular road condition associated with the work area.

11. A method of operating a plurality of illumination devices, the method comprising:

receiving, by a controller, terrain information from an input unit pertaining to a worksite;

determining, by the controller and based on the terrain information, a grade pertaining to a work area of the worksite; and

operating, by the controller, a plurality of illumination devices based on the grade, to selectively illuminate the work area of the work site,

wherein operating the plurality of illumination devices includes: operating the plurality of illumination devices to selectively illuminate in one of a plurality of illumination patterns based on the grade and information identifying an illumination pattern, of the plurality of illumination patterns, corresponding to each grade of a plurality of different grades.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising operating the illumination devices to selectively illuminate in one of a plurality of illumination patterns.

13. The method of claim 11 further comprising identifying a location of the machine within the worksite and identifying the work area based on the location of the machine, the work area being proximate to the location of the machine.

14. The method of claim 11 further comprising identifying the grade from the plurality of grades based on the terrain information.

15. The method of claim 11 further comprising operating the plurality of illumination devices to cause the plurality of illumination devices to illuminate the work area in one of the plurality of illumination patterns corresponding to one of a plurality of road conditions.

16. The method of claim 11 further comprising a storage unit adapted to store information identifying each grade of the plurality of grades based on different terrain information and information identifying an illumination pattern corresponding to each grade of the plurality of grades.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the plurality of grades including an uphill surface, a downhill surface, a flat horizontal surface, and an uneven surface.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 5, 2018
From: AMANOR, DERRICK
To: CATERPILLAR INC.
Reel/Frame 047676/0081 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 18, 2016
From: HARTMAN, RONALD W.; ATKINSON, DAVID C.
To: CATERPILLAR INC.
Reel/Frame 039179/0254 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20160326724A1 · Nov 10, 2016