US6771609B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for dynamically updating representation of a work site and a propagation model
Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
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Filing: 1999-11-30
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Granted: 2004-08-03
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Expires: 2019-11-30
Abstract
Abstract The present invention includes a method for dynamically updating a propagation model of communication signals in an area being subjected to earthworking operations which alter the topology of the terrain in which the method comprises the steps of dynamically updating a terrain map of the area as a function of the earthworking operations and dynamically updating the propagation model in response to updating the terrain map. An apparatus for dynamically updating a propagation model of communication signals in an area being subjected to a mobile geography-altering machine capable of altering the topology of the terrain, the apparatus comprises circuitry for storing a terrain map representative of the terrain prior to the terrain being subjected to alteration by the mobile geography-altering machine, circuitry for dynamically updating the terrain map as the terrain is being subjected to alteration by the mobile geography-altering machine, and circuitry for dynamically updating the propagation model in response to updating the terrain map.
Inventors
- 👤 Adam J. Gudat
- 👤 Bernard J. Bennington
- 👤 Daniel D. Stancil
- 👤 David B. Johnson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 12:26
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04W; H04W16/00; H04W16/18; H04B; H04B17/00; H04B17/30; H04B17/373; H04B17/391; H04B17/3912
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
A method for dynamically updating a propagation model of communication signals in an area being subjected to earthworking operations by an earthworking machine which alter a topology of a terrain, the method comprising the steps of: storing a terrain map representative of the terrain prior to the terrain being subjected to alteration by the earthworking machine; dynamically updating the terrain map of the area as a function of the earthworking operations in real time with a computer; dynamically updating the propagation model in response to updating the terrain map in real time with the computer; and predicting the quality of communication signals at a location at a future time based on the propagation model.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
114 words
A method for dynamically updating a propagation model of communication signals in an area being subjected to earthworking operations by an earthworking machine which alter a topology of a terrain, the method comprising the steps of: storing a terrain map representative of the terrain prior to the terrain being subjected to alteration by the earthworking machine; dynamically updating the terrain map of the area as a function of the earthworking operations in real time with a computer; dynamically updating the propagation model in response to updating the terrain map in real time with the computer; and predicting the quality of communication signals at a location at a future time based on the propagation model.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of dynamically updating an environmental map of the area, the environmental map including at least one structure in the area.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the structure is a stationary structure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the structure is a moving struck.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 2 further comprising the step of dynamically updating the terrain map in response to the updating of the environmental map.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of providing an operator display of the terrain map.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 6 further comprising the step of displaying the terrain map on the operator display.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
125 words
An apparatus for dynamically updating a propagation model of communication signals in an area being subjected to a mobile geography-altering machine capable of altering a topology of a terrain, the apparatus comprising: means for storing a terrain map representative of the terrain prior to the terrain being subjected to alteration by the mobile geography-altering machine; means for dynamically updating the terrain map as the terrain is being subjected to alteration by the mobile geography-altering machine in real time with a computer, means for dynamically updating the propagation model in response to updating the terrain map in real time with the computer; and means for predicting the quality of communication signals at a location at a future time based on the updating of the propagation model.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
125 words
An apparatus for dynamically updating a propagation model of communication signals in an area being subjected to a mobile geography-altering machine capable of altering a topology of a terrain, the apparatus comprising: means for storing a terrain map representative of the terrain prior to the terrain being subjected to alteration by the mobile geography-altering machine; means for dynamically updating the terrain map as the terrain is being subjected to alteration by the mobile geography-altering machine in real time with a computer, means for dynamically updating the propagation model in response to updating the terrain map in real time with the computer; and means for predicting the quality of communication signals at a location at a future time based on the updating of the propagation model.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the storing means is located remotely from the mobile geography-altering machine.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the storing means is located on the mobile geography-altering machine.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the mobile geography-altering machine comprises a display, which is capable of displaying the updated terrain map.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising a second geography-altering machine and the apparatus further comprises means for dynamically updating the terrain map as the terrain is being subjected to alteration by the second mobile geography-altering machine.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 12 further comprising means for dynamically updating the propagation model in response to updating the terrain map as the terrain map is being subjected to alteration by the second mobile geography-altering machine.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
127 words
An apparatus for dynamically updating a propagation model of communication signals in an area being subjected to a mobile geography-altering machine capable of altering a topology of a terrain, the apparatus comprising: means for storing a terrain map representative of the terrain prior to the terrain being subjected to alteration by the mobile geography-altering machine; means for dynamically updating the terrain map as the terrain is being subjected to alteration by the mobile geography-altering machine; means for dynamically updating the propagation model in response to updating the terrain map; and means for predicting the quality of communication signals at a future time based on a predicted location of the mobile geography-altering machine as a function of the speed and direction of travel of the mobile geography-altering machine.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
127 words
An apparatus for dynamically updating a propagation model of communication signals in an area being subjected to a mobile geography-altering machine capable of altering a topology of a terrain, the apparatus comprising: means for storing a terrain map representative of the terrain prior to the terrain being subjected to alteration by the mobile geography-altering machine; means for dynamically updating the terrain map as the terrain is being subjected to alteration by the mobile geography-altering machine; means for dynamically updating the propagation model in response to updating the terrain map; and means for predicting the quality of communication signals at a future time based on a predicted location of the mobile geography-altering machine as a function of the speed and direction of travel of the mobile geography-altering machine.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
122 words
An apparatus for dynamically updating a propagation model of communication signals in an area being subjected to a mobile geography-altering machine capable of altering a topology of a terrain, the apparatus comprising: means for storing a terrain map representative of the terrain prior to the terrain being subjected to alteration by the mobile geography-altering machine; means for dynamically updating the terrain map as the terrain is being subjected to alteration by the mobile geography-altering machine; means for dynamically updating the propagation model in response to updating the terrain map; and means for predicting the quality of communication signals at a location at a future time based on the previous quality of communication signals at a predicted location of the mobile geography-altering machine.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
122 words
An apparatus for dynamically updating a propagation model of communication signals in an area being subjected to a mobile geography-altering machine capable of altering a topology of a terrain, the apparatus comprising: means for storing a terrain map representative of the terrain prior to the terrain being subjected to alteration by the mobile geography-altering machine; means for dynamically updating the terrain map as the terrain is being subjected to alteration by the mobile geography-altering machine; means for dynamically updating the propagation model in response to updating the terrain map; and means for predicting the quality of communication signals at a location at a future time based on the previous quality of communication signals at a predicted location of the mobile geography-altering machine.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
127 words
A method for dynamically updating a propagation model of communication signals in an area being subjected to a first and a second earthworking machine which alter a topology of a terrain, the method comprising the steps of: storing a terrain map representative of the terrain prior to the terrain being subjected to alteration by the first and the second earthworking, machines; dynamically updating the terrain map of the area as a function of the first and the second earthworking machines in real time with at least one computer; dynamically updating the propagation model in response to updating the terrain map in real time with the at least one computer; and predicting the quality of communication at a location at a future time based on the propagation model.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
127 words
A method for dynamically updating a propagation model of communication signals in an area being subjected to a first and a second earthworking machine which alter a topology of a terrain, the method comprising the steps of: storing a terrain map representative of the terrain prior to the terrain being subjected to alteration by the first and the second earthworking, machines; dynamically updating the terrain map of the area as a function of the first and the second earthworking machines in real time with at least one computer; dynamically updating the propagation model in response to updating the terrain map in real time with the at least one computer; and predicting the quality of communication at a location at a future time based on the propagation model.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 16 further comprising the step of dynamically updating an environmental map of the area, the environmental map including structures in the area.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 17 wherein the structures are stationary structures.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 17 wherein the structures are moving structures.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of dynamically updating the terrain map in response to the updating of the environmental map.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 16 further comprising the step of providing an operator display of the terrain map on the first and the second earthworking machines.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 21 further comprising the step of displaying the terrain map on the operator displays.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 22 further comprising the step of dynamically updating the terrain map on the operator displays.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
119 words
An apparatus for dynamically updating a propagation model of communication signals in an area being subjected to a first and a second earthworking machine which alter a topology of a terrain, the apparatus comprising: a means for storing a terrain map representative of the terrain prior to the terrain being subjected to alteration by the first and the second earthworking machines; a means for dynamically updating the terrain map of the area as a function of the first and the second earthworking machines; a means for dynamically updating the propagation model in response to updating the terrain map; and a means for predicting the quality of communication at a location at a future time based on the propagation model.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
119 words
An apparatus for dynamically updating a propagation model of communication signals in an area being subjected to a first and a second earthworking machine which alter a topology of a terrain, the apparatus comprising: a means for storing a terrain map representative of the terrain prior to the terrain being subjected to alteration by the first and the second earthworking machines; a means for dynamically updating the terrain map of the area as a function of the first and the second earthworking machines; a means for dynamically updating the propagation model in response to updating the terrain map; and a means for predicting the quality of communication at a location at a future time based on the propagation model.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the first and the second earthmoving machines each comprise an operator display for displaying the terrain map.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 25 wherein the terrain map is dynamically updated on each of the operator displays.
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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) | 2007-08-03 | 2008-02-02 | 2008-08-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-08-03 | 2012-02-02 | 2012-08-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-08-03 | 2016-02-02 | 2016-08-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |