US5646843A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method for surface based vehicle control system
Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
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Filing: 1995-05-01
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Granted: 1997-07-08
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Expires: 2015-05-01
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and method for controlling a surface-based vehicle provides three operational modes: a manual operation, a tele-operation, and an autonomous operation. In manual operation, an operator directly manipulates vehicle controls on the vehicle. In tele-operation, the operator controls the vehicle from a remote position. In autonomous operation, the vehicle controls itself based on its position and a predetermined path. The apparatus and method of the present invention provides an orderly transition between manual operation, tele-operation, and autonomous operation of the vehicle.
Inventors
- 👤 Adam J. Gudat
- 👤 Karl W. Kleimenhagen
- 👤 Dana A. Christensen
- 👤 Carl A. Kemner
- 👤 Walter J. Bradbury
- 👤 Craig L. Koehrsen
- 👤 Christos T. Kyrtsos
- 👤 Norman K. Lay
- 👤 Joel L. Peterson
- 👤 Larry E. Schmidt
- 👤 Darrell E. Stafford
- 👤 Louis J. Weinbeck
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 18:01
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05D; G05D1/00; G05D1/02; G05D1/021; G05D1/0268; G05D1/027; B; B60; B60K; B60K31/00; B60K31/0008; B60K31/02; B60K31/04; B62; B62D; B62D1/00; B62D1/24; B62D1/28; G01; G01S; G01S19/00; G01S19/01; G01S19/03; G01S19/10; G01S19/11; G01S19/38; G01S19/39; G01S19/42; G01S19/45; G01S19/46; G01S19/47; G05D1/0011; G05D1/0231; G05D1/0238; G05D1/024; G05D1/0242; G05D1/0272; G05D1/0276; G05D1/0278; G05D1/0287; G05D1/0291; G05D1/0297; G08; G08G; G08G1/00; G08G1/20; G08G1/202; G01S17/00; G01S17/02; G01S17/06; G01S17/42; G01S17/86; G01S17/88; G01S17/93; G01S17/931; G01S19/13; G01S19/24; G01S19/27; G01S19/40; G01S19/41; G01S19/52; G01S5/00; G01S5/0009; G01S5/009; G01S7/00; G01S7/48; G01S7/481; G01S7/4811
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
85 words
A surface based vehicle control system comprising: (1) means for providing for manual operation of a vehicle, wherein an operator directly manipulates vehicle controls on the vehicle; (2) means for providing for tele-operation of said vehicle, wherein the operator directly controls operation of said vehicle, including speed and steering, from a position remote from said vehicle; (3) means for providing for autonomous operation of said vehicle; and (4) means for providing for an orderly transition between manual operation, tele-operation, and autonomous operation of said vehicle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
85 words
A surface based vehicle control system comprising: (1) means for providing for manual operation of a vehicle, wherein an operator directly manipulates vehicle controls on the vehicle; (2) means for providing for tele-operation of said vehicle, wherein the operator directly controls operation of said vehicle, including speed and steering, from a position remote from said vehicle; (3) means for providing for autonomous operation of said vehicle; and (4) means for providing for an orderly transition between manual operation, tele-operation, and autonomous operation of said vehicle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
80 words
A surface based vehicle control method comprising the steps of: (1) providing for manual operation of a vehicle, wherein an operator directly manipulates vehicle controls on the vehicle; (2) providing for tele-operation of said vehicle, wherein the operator directly controls operation of said vehicle, including speed and steering, from a position remote from said vehicle; (3) providing for autonomous operation of said vehicle; and (4) providing for an orderly transition between manual operation, tele-operation, and autonomous operation of said vehicle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
80 words
A surface based vehicle control method comprising the steps of: (1) providing for manual operation of a vehicle, wherein an operator directly manipulates vehicle controls on the vehicle; (2) providing for tele-operation of said vehicle, wherein the operator directly controls operation of said vehicle, including speed and steering, from a position remote from said vehicle; (3) providing for autonomous operation of said vehicle; and (4) providing for an orderly transition between manual operation, tele-operation, and autonomous operation of said vehicle.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-07-07 | 2001-01-06 | 2001-07-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-07-07 | 2005-01-06 | 2005-07-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-07-07 | 2009-01-06 | 2009-07-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |