111 results about "Operator control unit" patented technology

A system for controlling more than one remote vehicle. The system comprises an operator control unit allowing an operator to receive information from the remote vehicles and send commands to the remote vehicles via a touch-screen interface, the remote vehicles being capable of performing autonomous behaviors using information received from at least one sensor on each remote vehicle. The operator control unit sends commands to the remote vehicles to perform autonomous behaviors in a cooperative effort, such that high-level mission commands entered by the operator cause the remote vehicles to perform more than one autonomous behavior sequentially or concurrently. The system may perform a method for generating obstacle detection information from image data received from one of a time-of-flight sensor and a stereo vision camera sensor.

A method for enhancing operational efficiency of a remote vehicle using a diagnostic behavior. The method comprises inputting and analyzing data received from a plurality of sensors to determine the existence of deviations from normal operation of the remote vehicle, updating parameters in a reference mobility model based on deviations from normal operation, and revising strategies to achieve an operational goal of the remote vehicle to accommodate deviations from normal operation. An embedded simulation and training system for a remote vehicle. The system comprises a software architecture installed on the operator control unit and including software routines and drivers capable of carrying out mission simulations and training.

A method for enhancing operational efficiency of a remote vehicle using a diagnostic behavior. The method comprises inputting and analyzing data received from a plurality of sensors to determine the existence of deviations from normal operation of the remote vehicle, updating parameters in a reference mobility model based on deviations from normal operation, and revising strategies to achieve an operational goal of the remote vehicle to accommodate deviations from normal operation. An embedded simulation and training system for a remote vehicle. The system comprises a software architecture installed on the operator control unit and including software routines and drivers capable of carrying out mission simulations and training.

A system for controlling more than one remote vehicle. The system comprises an operator control unit allowing an operator to receive information from the remote vehicles and send commands to the remote vehicles via a touch-screen interface, the remote vehicles being capable of performing autonomous behaviors using information received from at least one sensor on each remote vehicle. The operator control unit sends commands to the remote vehicles to perform autonomous behaviors in a cooperative effort, such that high-level mission commands entered by the operator cause the remote vehicles to perform more than one autonomous behavior sequentially or concurrently. The system may perform a method for generating obstacle detection information from image data received from one of a time-of-flight sensor and a stereo vision camera sensor.

Remote control of an operating table which can be motor-adjusted by means of a drive device is provided for. Command signals for controlling the drive device are wirelessly transmitted to the operating table from an operator control unit. A unique association between the operator control unit and an operating table is ensured before command signals are sent by emitting an infrared control signal to the operating table by the operator control unit and then confirming the reception of the control signal from the operator control unit by radio signal from the operating table.

A mobile, remotely controlled robot includes a turret subsystem, a robot controller subsystem configured to control the robot, control the turret, and fire the weapon, a robot navigation subsystem configured to determine the position of the robot, a turret orientation determination subsystem, and a robot communications subsystem for receiving commands and for transmitting robot position data and turret orientation data. An operator control unit includes a user interface for commanding the robot, the turret, and the weapon. An operator control unit communications subsystem transmits commands to the robot and receives robot position data and turret orientation data from the robot. An operator control unit navigation subsystem is configured to determine the position of the operator control unit. An operator control unit controller subsystem is responsive to the robot position data, the turret orientation data, and the operator control unit position and is configured to determine if the weapon is aimed at the operator control unit within a predetermined fan angle.

A system (10) for generating a rail yard switch list (e.g., 30) of switch positioning activities for efficient movement of a railyard operator (12). The system includes a first operator control unit (14) (OCU) having a locator (16) for determining a location of the OCU and an associated operator using the OCU during rail yard switching activities. The system also includes a first processor (28) for correlating the rail yard switching activities with a respective location of the OCU in the rail yard to establish a knowledge base of respective preferred locations in the rail yard, and a memory (e.g. 26) for storing the knowledge base of preferred locations in the railyard. The system further includes a second processor (27) for receiving a request (32) for a switch list, accessing the memory, and processing the request based on the knowledge base to generate a switch list.

A wireless control system for ground-mobile robotic systems in which communication between the operator control unit and the unmanned ground vehicle is transmitted via a plurality of spectrally efficient simplex communication links.

A system increases an operator's situational awareness while the operator controls a remote vehicle. The system comprises an operator control unit having a point-and-click interface configured to allow the operator to view an environment surrounding the remote vehicle and control the remote vehicle, and a payload attached to the remote vehicle and in communication with at least one of the remote vehicle and the operator control unit. The payload comprises an integrated sensor suite including GPS, an inertial measurement unit, a stereo vision camera, and a range sensor, and a computational module receiving data from the GPS, the inertial measurement unit, the stereo vision camera, and the range sensor and providing data to a CPU including at least one of an autonomous behavior and a semi-autonomous behavior that utilize data from the integrated sensor suite.

A method comprising running a persistent self-righting behavior comprising sensing an orientation of the remote vehicle and performing a progression of flipper movements until the remote vehicle is righted, and performing a retrotraverse behavior comprising: generating a list of time stamped waypoints separated by at least a minimum difference in time and distance; storing the list of time stamped waypoints in the memory; and generating, using a control system, a current return path interconnecting previously-traversed waypoints in reverse order of timestamps upon losing communication with the operator control unit or upon receiving a command from the operator control unit.

A system (10) for generating a rail yard switch list (e.g., 30) of switch positioning activities for efficient movement of a railyard operator (12). The system includes a first operator control unit (14) (OCU) having a locator (16) for determining a location of the OCU and an associated operator using the OCU during rail yard switching activities. The system also includes a first processor (28) for correlating the rail yard switching activities with a respective location of the OCU in the rail yard to establish a knowledge base of respective preferred locations in the rail yard, and a memory (e.g. 26) for storing the knowledge base of preferred locations in the railyard. The system further includes a second processor (27) for receiving a request (32) for a switch list, accessing the memory, and processing the request based on the knowledge base to generate a switch list.

An operable fenestration operating system for a structure including a window or skylight having a frame, an operable sash and presenting a resistance force opposing opening and closing of the sash. A motorized operator is coupled with the frame and the sash to selectively open and close the sash. The invention includes an operator control unit communicatively connected to the motorized operator. The operator control unit includes a processor, a sensor for sensing the magnitude of the resistance force, a pulse width modulation circuit for supplying electrical power to the motorized operator. The processor varies the torque output of the motorized operator using the pulse width modulation circuit in response to the sensed parameter.

An apparatus equipped with an electronic camera, lensed optics, and a visual display in communication with the optics. An analog or digital video signal is conveyed to an operator of the apparatus through the visual display. The apparatus includes an embedded processor to track the orientation and position of the apparatus. Orientation and position information of the apparatus is used to dynamically recalculate display information. In addition, the apparatus may be in communication with a remote device having digital camera optics. Orientation and position information of the apparatus may be conveyed to the remote device to alter the orientation and position of the associated electronic camera optics. Accordingly, data conveyed to the operator of the apparatus is in relation to the orientation and position of the apparatus and / or the associated orientation and position of the remote device.

A method for enhancing operational efficiency of a remote vehicle using a diagnostic behavior. The method comprises inputting and analyzing data received from a plurality of sensors to determine the existence of deviations from normal operation of the remote vehicle, updating parameters in a reference mobility model based on deviations from normal operation, and revising strategies to achieve an operational goal of the remote vehicle to accommodate deviations from normal operation. An embedded simulation and training system for a remote vehicle. The system comprises a software architecture installed on the operator control unit and including software routines and drivers capable of carrying out mission simulations and training.

A system for illuminating an object of interest includes a platform and a gimbaled sensor associated with an illuminator. The gimbaled sensor provides sensor data corresponding to a sensed condition associated with an area. The gimbaled sensor is configured to be articulated with respect to the platform. A first transceiver transceives communications to and from a ground control system. The ground system includes an operator control unit allowing a user to select and transmit to the first transceiver at least one image feature corresponding to the object of interest. An optical transmitter is configured to emit a signal operable to illuminate a portion of the sensed area proximal to the object of interest. A correction subsystem is configured to determine an illuminated-portion-to-object-of-interest error and, in response to the error determination, cause the signal to illuminate the object of interest.

The present invention is directed to the remote control of locomotives, and more particularly to various methods and apparatus employed in implementing systems for such remote control. Contemplated in the present invention are systems and methods for not only reliable remote-control communications, but also the use of repeaters and communications servers to assure reliable, centralized communication between locomotives and operator control units. In another embodiment, there is described a reliable distributed communication mode using an uncorrelated time sequence that does not interfere with a time division multiple access network. Differentiation between the centralized mode and the distributed mode is accomplished by assessing whether a locomotive and control unit is within a rail yard's infrastructure. Moreover, reliability is assured using a coordination server that dynamically routes packets between multiple satellite RCL repeaters based on received signal strength. Lastly, the present invention further contemplates the use of an out-of-band transmission to upgrade and test operator control units, thereby allowing for field maintenance and software upgrades.

This subject invention features a robot deployed weapon system. A remotely controlled mobile robot has a weapon mounted to the robot. There is a firing circuit for the weapon and a weapon interrupt module on board the robot. An operator control unit is for remotely operating the robot and the weapon. The operating control unit preferably includes a stop switch. Also, a separate operator module is in communication with the weapon interrupt module. Preferably, the operator module includes a kill switch. There are two communication links. The first communication link is between the operator control unit and the robot. This communication link is configured to safe the weapon if the stop switch is activated and / or the first communication link degrades. The second communication link is between the operator module and the weapon interrupt module. The communication link is configured to safe the weapon if the kill switch is activated and / or the second communication link degrades.

In a networked printing environment having at least a number of workstations of users, a management unit maintains logic storage spaces in a memory, each allocated to a respective user. Digital data files sent from a user's workstation for printing contain an identification of the relevant user and are either of a first type or of a second type. The first type is formed by files which must be printed automatically, and the second type is formed by files which must be stored in the logic storage space of the user in the memory and may be printed only on a command from the operator control unit, which command identifies the relevant file. When handling a print job, the management unit checks, whether the job can be performed completely. If this appears not to be the case, the management unit converts the file into a file of the second type and, if necessary, creates a logic storage space for the relevant user and stores the file in the logic storage space of the relevant user. The same techniques are also used for scan and copy jobs. As a result, the file is not lost but remains available. On a command from the apparatus operator control panel, it can be retrieved and the job resumed.

A method for adapting use of a wireless link, such as a radio link, between a remotely controlled device and an operator control unit, and a remotely controlled device configured to perform the method, the method aimed at providing for more advantageous use of the wireless link in providing video to the operator control unit. In case of a radio link, a video-transmitting radio unit of the remotely controlled device provides a digital video feed over the radio link to a video-receiving radio unit of the operator control unit, and in so doing the remotely controlled device adapts the resolution and / or frames per unit time of the video feed based solely on measurements made by the remotely controlled device, measurements indicative of the quality of the radio link.

A method for providing wireless communications between a locomotive control unit (LCU) (14) on board a locomotive (16) and a portable operator control unit (OCU) (12) for use in controlling operation of the locomotive from an off-board location includes calculating a transmit bit error check value for a wireless message. The wireless message includes an explicit sequence number assigned to the message so that the explicit sequence number is implicitly encoded in the transmit bit error check value. The method also includes transmitting an encoded message between the OCU and the LCU with the transmit bit error check value and without the explicit sequence number effective to reduce a total amount information needed to be transmitted compared to a message including the explicit sequence number.

UMAPS is a multifaceted system that can be robot-mounted, human-worn, or canine carried. UMAPS produces real-time, 3D mapping and localization for the user as they move throughout a GPS-denied environment (e.g. buildings, caves, or tunnels). An Operator Control Unit (OCU) displays information collected by UMAPS; 2D floorplans; 3D textured-enriched surfaces of the structure's interior; and the location of the users within that structure. UMAPS has an open architecture that allows it to function with any OCU. UMAPS has three distinct subsystems: obstacle maps for robot mobility, mapping, and positioning

A system is provided for projecting images of operator data from an operator control unit. The system includes an imaging device configured to collect and transmit one or more visual images of a portion of a locomotive (or other vehicle) or an area surrounding the locomotive. In addition, the system includes an off-board operator control unit configured to receive the one or more visible images from the imaging device and comprising a projector configured to project the received one or more images onto a substrate. Additionally, a method for projecting images of operator data from an operator control unit is provided.

A system for remotely monitoring an environment and selectively deploying munitions is provided. The system is comprised of sensors to monitor one or more select environments, one or more munitions deployment devices disposed in the selected environment, and an operator control unit (OCU) operable to communicate with the munitions deployment device(s) and sensors. Sensor data is communicated to the system, enabling a user to selectively deploy munitions disposed in or in communication with the munitions deployment device(s), based on the threat detected by the sensors. Deployable munitions include both lethal and non-lethal munitions. The munitions deployment devices may be deployed in a stationary location, or in mobile applications, such as on a robotic vehicle, and accommodate removably, electrically initiated munitions cartridges. Further, the deployment devices may be in wired or wireless communication with the system, allowing virtually unlimited scalability.

The invention relates to a system for a motor vehicle having a monitoring unit which monitors a fault-free functionality of at least one operator control unit of the motor vehicle and generates warning signals in the case of limit-value functions of the at least one operator control unit. The monitoring unit generates tactile signals as warning signals so that degradation of performance of the at least one operator control unit can be communicated haptically to a driver of the motor vehicle.

A control system for rail vehicles includes an operator control unit in communication with an on-board transceiver housed in a rail vehicle. The operator control unit includes a selector manually movable to a plurality of pre-determined positions each position corresponding to one of at least the following modes of operation: FORWARD, REVERSE, and COAST, such that for each pre-determined position of the selector, the operator control unit sets the off-board control unit to the corresponding mode of operation.

A system that controls a back reaming operation of a drilling rig is provided that includes a hoisting system that moves a drill pipe during a back reaming operation at a hoisting speed and a hoisting torque. The hoisting system comprises at least one back reaming parameter sensor for measuring a corresponding at least one back reaming parameter. An operator control unit allows an operator to input a predetermined value of the at least one back reaming parameter therein. A back reaming parameter sensor obtains the measured value of the at least one back reaming parameter. A control system monitors the at least one back reaming parameter. A braking assembly resists the hoisting torque of the drawworks system when the measured value of the at least one back reaming parameter equals the predetermined value of the at least one back reaming parameter.

A control system for integrated human-trained animal-robot interaction comprising: an operator control unit linked to receive trained animal detection information representative of locations of detected IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices), the operator control unit further linked to one or more unmanned robotic vehicles for providing control information to a selected robotic vehicle, the control information including an optimal path leading the selected robotic vehicle to a detected IED in order for the selected robotic vehicle to neutralize the detected IED.