Implement Emulation Interface for Mobile Machine Training
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural and construction machines lack an efficient method to emulate the operation of various implements without physically attaching them, limiting user experience and training opportunities.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a mobile machine, an adapter, and a hand-held electronic device that communicates via wired and wireless connections, allowing the device to emulate the operation of implements by interacting with the machine's electronic communication and control system, presenting a user interface similar to that of an attached implement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If implements are physically attached to the mobile machine for operation emulation, then the user interface can be operated in the same manner as the actual implement, but the system requires physical attachment which limits flexibility and training opportunities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the implement's user interface on a hand-held electronic device. The controller receives implement identifier data, selects corresponding user interface elements, and displays them on the hand-held device, allowing users to interact with a replicated interface without physically attaching the actual implement. This copying approach maintains operational familiarity while enabling flexible training and comparison scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter serves as an intermediary component between the mobile machine's communication system and the hand-held electronic device. It establishes both wired and wireless connections, enabling data transmission between the machine and the hand-held device without requiring physical implement attachment. This intermediary facilitates the emulation by bridging the communication gap while maintaining interface operational consistency.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple implements are physically attached and compared, then users can experience different operations, but physical attachment is required for each implement which is time-consuming and impractical
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-loads multiple implement identifier data sets into the controller's memory before operation. When a user wants to compare implements, they simply select from the pre-stored implement identifiers on the hand-held device, and the system immediately emulates the selected implement's interface. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for physical attachment and comparison time, allowing instant switching between different implement simulations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a hand-held electronic device is used to emulate implement operation, then flexibility and training opportunities increase, but a communication bridge between the device and machine is required
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter is designed with multi-functionality to handle both wired and wireless communication connections simultaneously. It can establish connections with different hand-held devices using multiple communication protocols, and interface with the mobile machine's existing communication system. This universal design approach enables flexible training and evaluation scenarios while managing communication complexity through a single multi-capable component rather than multiple specialized connections.
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a hand-held electronic device and an adapter mechanically connectable to a mobile machine. The adapter is configured to communicate with an electronic system of the mobile machine via a wired connection and to communicate with the hand-held electronic device via a wireless connection. The hand-held electronic device is configured to present to the user via a user interface a plurality of implement identifiers, receive from the user via the user interface a selection indicating one of the plurality of implement identifiers, and emulate operation of the implement corresponding to the selected implement identifier.