Remote Control Module With Protocol Translation for Multi-Machine Operation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing remote control systems for self-propelled working devices, such as vibratory plates and excavators, are typically dedicated to specific machine types and lack compatibility with different terminal types, limiting their universal usability and requiring significant hardware changes for adapting operating concepts or user interfaces.

Innovation Solution

A remote control module with a processing unit that translates data protocols between mobile terminals and self-propelled working devices, allowing for universal remote control across various device and terminal types, using a terminal data interface and a working device data interface, and enabling gesture control and pose data offset for intuitive operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a dedicated remote control apparatus is assigned to each machine type, then the remote control can be precisely adapted to the specific machine, but the remote control is not compatible with other machine types and cannot be universally used

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemachine compatibilityVSAvoidremote control system

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The remote control apparatus is designed with a processor unit that can execute different operating concepts and a user interface that can be configured for different machine types. This allows a single remote control device to universally control multiple different self-propelled working devices by loading appropriate operating concepts and configuring the user interface accordingly, eliminating the need for dedicated remote controls for each machine type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The remote control apparatus uses software-based operating concepts that can be dynamically loaded and switched based on the target machine type. The processor unit can adapt its behavior and the user interface can be reconfigured through software rather than requiring physical hardware changes, enabling flexible adaptation to different machines.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the remote control apparatus is based on analog circuits without a processor unit, then the hardware structure is simple, but it is not possible to change the operating concept or user interface without adapting the hardware

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperating concept adaptabilityVSAvoidhardware modification effort

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces analog circuitry with a digital processor unit that executes software-based operating concepts. This substitution allows the operating concept and user interface to be changed through software loading rather than hardware modification, significantly reducing the effort and cost required to adapt to different machine types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If hardware adaptation is required for each machine type, then the remote control can be precisely tailored to the machine, but significant costs and effort are required for hardware adaptation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemachine-specific customizationVSAvoidadaptation cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Adaptability or versatility

If a single mobile terminal is used to control multiple working device types, then universal usability is achieved, but the user interface must be adaptable to different operating concepts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveterminal compatibilityVSAvoiduser interface complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20230127762A1Remote Control for Self-Propelled Working Device

Publication Date: 2023.04.27 WACKER NEUSON PRODUKTION GMBH & CO KG

AI summary

A remote control module for a self-propelled working device has a terminal data interface for interchanging data with a mobile terminal using a terminal data protocol specific to the terminal type, and a working device data interface for interchanging data with the working device using a working device data protocol specific to the working device type. A processing unit is adapted, when the mobile terminal is coupled to the self-propelled working device, to determine the identity and the type of the terminal and the identity and the type of the working device via the respective data interface or to retrieve them from a data memory, to reciprocally translate the respective data protocols when interchanging data between the terminal and the working device, and to transmit machine control data (MCD) from the terminal to the working device and to transmit machine status data (MSD) from the working device to the terminal.