Data processing: vehicles – navigation – and relative location – Vehicle control – guidance – operation – or indication – Construction or agricultural-type vehicle
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-14
2001-09-18
Louis-Jacques, Jacques H. (Department: 3661)
Data processing: vehicles, navigation, and relative location
Vehicle control, guidance, operation, or indication
Construction or agricultural-type vehicle
C701S023000, C701S025000, C172S002000, C172S009000, C037S414000, C056S01020A, C056S01020D, C056S01020F, C700S087000, C700S088000, C434S064000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06292729
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a system for managing or controlling functions as a vehicle moves over terrain, such as the various functions which must be controlled as an agricultural tractor moves through a field.
As an agricultural tractor moves through a field, the operator will typically be required to perform many operations at the start and at the end of a crop row in addition to simply steering the tractor, such as raising or lowering the implement hitch, shifting the transmission, engaging or disengaging the PTO shaft, etc. The number and complexity of the tasks can cause operator fatigue and can result in operational errors being committed. A system which can simplify the operator's tasks is desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, an object of this invention is to provide a function management system which can simplify the tasks of an operator of a work vehicle, such as an agricultural tractor.
Another object of this invention is to provide a function management system which can learn and store various sequences of function operations, and execute or replay such learned sequences upon command.
A further object of the invention is to provide such a function management system wherein sequences of function operations are learned in correspondence with the distances traveled by the tractor between operations, so that the operational sequences can be automatically replayed with the same distance relationships therebetween as when they were learned.
These and other objects are achieved by the present invention, wherein a tractor includes various functional systems, such as a powershift transmission, a hitch and hitch control system, a PTO, a plurality of selective control valves, etc., all controlled by a control unit in response to sensed parameters and operator manipulated control devices, such as switches and levers. According to the present invention, the control unit has a Learn Mode which is operable while the vehicle is moving. During the learning mode the operator performs a sequence of manipulations of the operator control devices, and the control unit stores information pertaining to the sequence of operations, together with information pertaining to the distances traveled by the tractor between operations. The control unit also has an execute or replay mode wherein the control unit automatically performs the stored sequence of operations so that the sequence of operations is performed at the same distance intervals at which they were learned, regardless of the speed of the vehicle.
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Falck Peter Leslie
Goodnight Trent Lynn
Kittle Carl Edwin
Lang Stephen Paul
Newendorp Bruce Craig
Deere & Company
Louis-Jacques Jacques H.
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