Mobile Machine User Interface for Dynamic Operator Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile machines, such as those in agriculture and construction, face challenges in coordinating operations and avoiding collisions due to their increasing complexity and the need for intuitive user interfaces that adapt to dynamic environments.
Innovation Solution
A user interface system for mobile machines that automatically detects the operating environment and optimizes the user interface in real-time, using sensors and a communications and control system to present relevant information and enable hands-free control through gesture and sound recognition, reducing the need for physical controls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple machines work cooperatively within a small geographic area to increase productivity, then productivity is improved, but coordination complexity and collision risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple machines into a coordinated fleet managed by a central cloud-based platform. The system combines GPS tracking, cellular communication, and centralized control to manage multiple machines working together, reducing coordination complexity while maintaining high productivity through unified oversight and real-time data sharing among all machines in the fleet.
2Adaptability or versatility
If machines are equipped with multiple auxiliary functions and controls to enhance operational capability, then adaptability is improved, but operator interface complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal remote interface system that can control multiple different machine functions through a single unified platform. The cloud-based system provides multi-functional access to GPS tracking, communication, monitoring, and control capabilities across various machine types, reducing interface complexity while maintaining operational versatility through a standardized control paradigm.
3Ease of operation
If traditional physical controls and displays are used in the operator cabin, then ease of operation is maintained, but cabin clutter and operator distraction increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical controls and physical displays with a touchscreen interface and mobile device integration. The system substitutes physical switches, knobs, and dashboard displays with digital interfaces that can be controlled through touchscreens and smartphone applications, reducing cabin clutter while maintaining ease of operation through intuitive graphical interfaces and touch-based controls.
4Loss of information
If comprehensive information is displayed to the operator through traditional interfaces, then information availability is improved, but operator distraction and attention demands increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves information display from the traditional two-dimensional dashboard to the three-dimensional space of mobile devices and cloud platforms. By projecting comprehensive machine data, GPS information, and operational status onto external screens and mobile interfaces rather than cluttering the operator's immediate field of view, the system provides full information availability while reducing distraction through spatial separation of information and operator.
Data Source
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AI summary
A mobile machine includes an operator cabin, a seat in the operator cabin and one or more computing devices. The one or more computing devices are configured to determine a location of an item of interest external to the operator cabin, select one of a plurality of display locations inside the operator cabin, and present a user interface element at the selected one of the plurality of display locations, the user interface element being associated with the item of interest. The selected one of the plurality of display locations may be between the seat and the location of the item of interest.