Method and system for preventing automatic re-engagement of automatic vehicle control

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention recite a method and system for implementing automatic vehicle control with parameter-driven disengagement. In one embodiment, a course for a vehicle is determined along which the vehicle is to be automatically guided. An indication is received that a pre-defined parameter has been exceeded. In response to receiving the indication, the generation of steering commands is then suspended. Furthermore, the generation of steering commands is suspended until an engagement signal is received.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present invention benefits from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 000,738 filed Nov. 30, 2004 titled “A Method and System for Implementing Automatic Vehicle Control with Parameter-Driven Disengagement,” by Mark Gibson, Charles Manning, and Arthur Lange, assigned to the assignee of the present invention, and which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] Embodiments of the present invention are directed to controlling a mobile machine. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention relate to a method and system for preventing automatic re-engagement of an automatic vehicle control system. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Operating agricultural vehicles such as tractors and harvesters often requires highly repetitive operations. For example, when plowing or planting a field, an operator must make repeated passes across a field. Due to the repetitive nature of the work and irregularities in the...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a method and system for controlling an automatic vehicle without needing to physically disengage the steering control system from the vehicle. The system uses a guidance system and a steering control apparatus to determine the vehicle's path and automatically control its movement. The method includes determining the vehicle's course and monitoring certain parameters, such as speed or distance from the vehicle's previous position. When a certain parameter is exceeded, the system will suspend the generation of steering commands until an engagement signal is received. This allows for smoother and more efficient automatic guidance without discomforting the driver.

Problems solved by technology

Operating agricultural vehicles such as tractors and harvesters often requires highly repetitive operations.

Due to the repetitive nature of the work and irregularities in the terrain, gaps and overlaps in the rows of crops can occur.

This can result in damaged crops, overplanting, or reduced yield per acre.

Additionally, many of these systems require factory installation and are too expensive or inconvenient to facilitate after market installation.

Prior art guidance systems are problematic in that there typically is no provision made for logically disengaging the guidance system.

This can be unsafe for the operator, or others in the vicinity, and may result in damage to the vehicle, or injury to the operator.

Additionally, prior art guidance systems are problematic because there is typically no provision for preventing them from automatically re-engaging.

Again, this can be unsafe for the operator, or others in the vicinity, and may result in damage to the vehicle, or injury to the operator.

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