US5806016A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for determining the course of a machine
Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
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Filing: 1996-03-28
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Granted: 1998-09-08
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Expires: 2016-03-28
Abstract
Abstract A method for determining the heading of a machine with respect to the course of the machine is provided. The method includes the steps of determining an initial course of the earthmoving; determining an initial heading of the machine and responsively setting a direction status; and determining the current course of the earthmoving machine. The method further includes the steps of comparing the initial and current courses and responsively updating the direction status.
Inventors
- 👤 Daniel E. Henderson
- 👤 Karl W. Kleimenhagen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 00:14
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05D; G05D1/00; G05D1/02; G05D1/021; G05D1/0276; G05D1/0278; E; E02; E02F; E02F3/00; E02F3/04; E02F3/76; E02F3/80; E02F3/84; E02F3/841; E02F3/842; G01; G01C; G01C21/00; G01C21/20; G05D1/0231; G05D1/0238; G05D1/024; G05D1/0255
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
62 words
A method for determining the heading of a machine with respect to the course of the machine, comprising: determining an initial course of the machine; determining an initial heading of the machine and responsively setting a direction status; determining a current course of the machine; and, comparing said initial course and current course of the machine and responsively updating said direction status.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
62 words
A method for determining the heading of a machine with respect to the course of the machine, comprising: determining an initial course of the machine; determining an initial heading of the machine and responsively setting a direction status; determining a current course of the machine; and, comparing said initial course and current course of the machine and responsively updating said direction status.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said direction status of the machine has one of first and second values.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method, as set forth in claim 2, wherein said first value is indicative of the front of the machine facing in the direction of travel and said second value is indicative of the front of the machine facing opposite the direction of travel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the step of comparing the initial course and the current course includes the steps of: determining an initial course and a current course; and determining the change in direction between the initial and current courses.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method, as set forth in claim 4, wherein the step of comparing the initial course and the current course further includes the step of changing said direction status if said change in direction is greater than a predetermined maximum value.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method, as set forth in claim 1, including the steps of: determining an initial position of the machine; determining a current position of the machine; and wherein the current course of the machine is determined as a function of said initial and current positions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
66 words
A method, as set forth in claim 6, including the steps of: setting a previous position and previous course equal to said current position and current course, respectively; determining a new current position; determining a new current course based on said previous position and said new current position; and, comparing said previous course and new current course of the machine and responsively updating said direction status.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
138 words
A method for determining the heading of machine with respect to the course of the machine, comprising: determining an initial position of the machine; determining an initial course of the machine; determining an initial heading of the machine and responsively setting a direction status; determining a current position of the machine; determining a current course of the machine as a function of said initial and current positions; determining the change in direction between the initial and current courses and responsively updating said direction status; setting a previous position and previous course equal to said current position and current course, respectively; determining a new current position; determining a new current course based on said previous position and said new current position; and, comparing said previous course and new current course of the machine and responsively updating said direction status.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
138 words
A method for determining the heading of machine with respect to the course of the machine, comprising: determining an initial position of the machine; determining an initial course of the machine; determining an initial heading of the machine and responsively setting a direction status; determining a current position of the machine; determining a current course of the machine as a function of said initial and current positions; determining the change in direction between the initial and current courses and responsively updating said direction status; setting a previous position and previous course equal to said current position and current course, respectively; determining a new current position; determining a new current course based on said previous position and said new current position; and, comparing said previous course and new current course of the machine and responsively updating said direction status.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method, as set forth in claim 8, wherein said direction status of the machine has one of first and second values.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method, as set forth in claim 9, wherein said first value is indicative of the front of the machine facing in the direction of travel and said second value is indicative of the front of the machine facing opposite to the direction of travel.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method, as set forth in claim 10, wherein the step of comparing the initial course and the current course further includes the step of changing said direction status if said change in direction is greater than a predetermined maximum value.
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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) | 2001-09-07 | 2002-03-09 | 2002-09-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-09-07 | 2006-03-09 | 2006-09-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-09-07 | 2010-03-09 | 2010-09-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |