US5657224A — Turf maintenance vehicle diagnostics and paramete…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 258 words

A diagnostics device for a turf maintenance vehicle, of the type having an engine, a transmission, a cutting unit, and a plurality of operating parameters, comprising: a. a first processor for actively controlling the operation of the turf maintenance vehicle, wherein said first processor monitors a plurality of predetermined operating parameters of the turf maintenance vehicle, each of said operating parameters having a status and wherein said operating parameters include an operator presence signal, a transmission status signal, and a cutting unit status signal, and wherein said first processor enables the operation of the engine and cutting unit of the turf maintenance vehicle based upon the status of the operating parameters by generating and outputting control signals to the engine and cutting unit; b. status signal generation means for generating a signal which includes components which are indicative of the status of each of said operating parameters; c. a second processor for receiving said generated signal, and memory array means, cooperatively connected to said second processor, for storing said generated signal in a memory location in a manner which preserves the real time sequence and relationship of the status of the parameters, wherein subsequent analysis of the status of the parameters is facilitated and wherein each of said operating parameters received by said second processor is monitored by said first processor; and d. diagnostic tool means, cooperatively connected to said memory array means and said second processor, for visually displaying said generated signal, and wherein said diagnostic tool means displays the actual status of each of the parameters.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 258 words

A diagnostics device for a turf maintenance vehicle, of the type having an engine, a transmission, a cutting unit, and a plurality of operating parameters, comprising: a. a first processor for actively controlling the operation of the turf maintenance vehicle, wherein said first processor monitors a plurality of predetermined operating parameters of the turf maintenance vehicle, each of said operating parameters having a status and wherein said operating parameters include an operator presence signal, a transmission status signal, and a cutting unit status signal, and wherein said first processor enables the operation of the engine and cutting unit of the turf maintenance vehicle based upon the status of the operating parameters by generating and outputting control signals to the engine and cutting unit; b. status signal generation means for generating a signal which includes components which are indicative of the status of each of said operating parameters; c. a second processor for receiving said generated signal, and memory array means, cooperatively connected to said second processor, for storing said generated signal in a memory location in a manner which preserves the real time sequence and relationship of the status of the parameters, wherein subsequent analysis of the status of the parameters is facilitated and wherein each of said operating parameters received by said second processor is monitored by said first processor; and d. diagnostic tool means, cooperatively connected to said memory array means and said second processor, for visually displaying said generated signal, and wherein said diagnostic tool means displays the actual status of each of the parameters.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 15 words

The diagnostics device of claim 1, wherein said diagnostic tool means is a remote computer.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 39 words

The diagnostics device of claim 2, wherein said remote computer includes means for reviewing the status of the monitored parameters in a manner which provides for recreating the time sequence and relationship of the status of the monitored parameters.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 72 words

The diagnostics device of claim 1, wherein said diagnostics tool means is a handheld device comprising: a. decoder means for decoding said generated signal in real time into said components corresponding to the parameters which are monitored; and b. indicator means, connected to said decoder means, for applying said decoded components to an indicator which is visually perceivable, wherein the status of each of the monitored parameters is discernable in real time.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 52 words

The diagnostics device of claim 1, wherein said generated signal is a digital signal comprised of one or more segments, wherein each segment includes a plurality of discrete bits of information, and wherein each bit of information provides an indication of the status of one of the parameters on a one-to-one basis.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 66 words

The diagnostics device of claim 5, wherein said diagnostics tool means is a handheld device comprising: a. decoder means for decoding said segments and multiple bits into said components corresponding to the status of the monitored parameters; and b. indicator means, connected to said decoder means, for applying said decoded components to an indicator, wherein the actual status of the monitored parameters may be visually discerned.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 49 words

The diagnostics device of claim 1, wherein said memory array means includes a micro-controller having a communications port for receiving said generated signal, a memory storage device for storing said signal, and a microprocessor for controlling receipt of said signal and storing said signal in said memory storage device.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 154 words

A diagnostics system for determining fault conditions by collecting the status of parameters monitored by an active control device on-board a turf maintenance vehicle, of the type wherein the control device produces control signals based on the status of the parameters and outputs the control signals to devices on the turf maintenance vehicle for allowing and disallowing operating functions of the turf maintenance vehicle, comprising: a. parameter status means for generating a signal indicative of the logical operation of predetermined parameters monitored by the active control device located on-board the vehicle, wherein said parameters include cutting unit functions, engine and transmission status and operator presence, and wherein said generated signal contains the actual status of each of said parameters; and b. display means for receiving said generated signal and visually displaying said parameter status, wherein a fault condition is directly determinable from said display means, wherein presupposition of all possible errors is not required.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 154 words

A diagnostics system for determining fault conditions by collecting the status of parameters monitored by an active control device on-board a turf maintenance vehicle, of the type wherein the control device produces control signals based on the status of the parameters and outputs the control signals to devices on the turf maintenance vehicle for allowing and disallowing operating functions of the turf maintenance vehicle, comprising: a. parameter status means for generating a signal indicative of the logical operation of predetermined parameters monitored by the active control device located on-board the vehicle, wherein said parameters include cutting unit functions, engine and transmission status and operator presence, and wherein said generated signal contains the actual status of each of said parameters; and b. display means for receiving said generated signal and visually displaying said parameter status, wherein a fault condition is directly determinable from said display means, wherein presupposition of all possible errors is not required.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 43 words

The diagnostic system of claim 8, wherein said display means receives and displays said signal in real time, and wherein said display means is comprised of at least one of a remote computer and a logical decoder means including a plurality of LEDs.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 26 words

The diagnostic system of claim 9, wherein said remote computer decodes said generated signal and displays the status of each monitored parameter on a visual display.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 55 words

The diagnostic system of claim 8, wherein said signal is stored in a memory array in manner which preserves the real time sequence relationship of the said parameters in order to enable recreation of the real time operation of the monitored parameters, and wherein said visual display means includes means to retrieve said stored signal.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 19 words

The diagnostic system of claim 8, wherein said parameter status means generate said signal when a parameter changes condition.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 40 words

The diagnostic system of claim 8, wherein said generated signal is a digital signal which includes a timing character and a plurality of discrete bits, wherein the status of each bit corresponds to the status of an individual monitored parameter.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 71 words

The diagnostic system of claim 8, wherein said display means further comprises a hand held device including: a. decoder means for decoding said generated signal into said components corresponding to the status of the monitored parameters; and b. indicator means, connected to said decoder means, for applying said decoded components to indicator which is visually perceivable, wherein the status of each of the monitored parameters may be reviewed by a user.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 80 words

The diagnostic system of claim 8, wherein said signal is stored in a memory array in a predetermined manner to enable recreation of the real time operation of the monitored parameters, wherein said visual display means includes means to retrieve said stored signal, said signal is generated when a parameter changes condition, and said signal includes a timing character and a plurality of discrete bits, wherein the status of each bit corresponds to the status of an individual monitored parameter.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 45 words

The diagnostic system of claim 15, wherein said memory array comprises a microprocessor which is arranged and configured for storing said signal in a predetermined area in a memory storage device and for responding to requests from said visual display means to transmit said signal.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 14 words

The diagnostic system of claim 8, wherein said parameters includes inputs and computed outputs.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 102 words

An electronic controller device for a turf maintenance vehicle, comprising: a. a plurality of sensors to monitor a plurality of statuses of predetermined operative condition parameters of the vehicle and to generate first signals indicative of said condition wherein said first signals comprise a logical condition of said statuses relative to one another; and b. a microprocessor for monitoring said first signals and comparing the logical condition of said first signals to a look-up table prior to allowing subsequent operation of the vehicle, wherein said microprocessor actively generates and outputs at least one signal to a device on the turf maintenance vehicle.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 102 words

An electronic controller device for a turf maintenance vehicle, comprising: a. a plurality of sensors to monitor a plurality of statuses of predetermined operative condition parameters of the vehicle and to generate first signals indicative of said condition wherein said first signals comprise a logical condition of said statuses relative to one another; and b. a microprocessor for monitoring said first signals and comparing the logical condition of said first signals to a look-up table prior to allowing subsequent operation of the vehicle, wherein said microprocessor actively generates and outputs at least one signal to a device on the turf maintenance vehicle.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 47 words

The controller device of claim 18, wherein said microprocessor generates a second signal indicative of said statuses, wherein said second signal is a digital signal, and wherein said second signal can be analyzed upon the occurrence of a fault to determine which parameter exhibited the fault condition.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 39 words

The controller device of claim 19, further comprising memory array means, cooperatively connected to said microprocessor, for receiving said second signal and for storing said second signal, wherein subsequent analysis of said statuses for a fault condition is facilitated.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 43 words

The controller device of claim 20, further comprising communication port means, cooperatively connected to said memory array means, for transmitting said generated signal in a manner suitable for receipt by a diagnostic tool in order to display the actual parameter status over time.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 45 words

The controller device of claim 21, wherein said second signal is generated when a parameter changes condition, and said signal includes a timing character and a plurality of discrete bits, wherein the status of each bit corresponds to the status of an individual monitored parameter.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 25 words

The controller device of claim 21, wherein said communication port means and said memory array means are fabricated in a single micro-controller integrated circuit chip.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2000-08-11	2001-02-10	2001-08-12	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2004-08-11	2005-02-10	2005-08-12	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2008-08-11	2009-02-10	2009-08-12	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Turf maintenance vehicle diagnostics and parameter condition logger

Abstract

Inventors

Bibliographic Details

Claims Analysis

References Cited (Backward Citations)

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Assigned Categories & Tags

Assign Category Tag