Remote Software Initialization for On-Demand Power Machine Features

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Solution Overview

Problem

Power machines often require software packages to enable specific functions, but they are typically delivered without initialized software, limiting their functionality until programmed, which can be inconvenient for users who need to activate or deactivate features remotely or in the field.

Innovation Solution

A system that allows remote activation and deactivation of software packages on power machines through a communication link between the machine controller and a remote system, enabling or disabling functions based on user requests, hardware availability, and time-dependent permissions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If software packages are pre-installed on power machines, then functionality is available immediately, but device complexity and storage requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimmediate functionalityVSAvoidsoftware package management

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by downloading and storing software packages in advance, but keeps them uninitialized. The software is prepared and available on the device, but activation occurs later through remote initialization, combining the benefits of having software ready while avoiding the complexity of managing multiple initialized packages.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the initialization step from the software installation process. Software packages are downloaded and stored separately from their activation state. The initialization indicator is stored independently and triggers software execution only when needed, separating the presence of software from its active state.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Productivity

If software packages are initialized locally, then activation is quick, but user mobility and remote management are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveactivation speedVSAvoidremote management capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary communication system that connects the power machine to remote locations. The initialization indicator is transmitted through this communication interface, allowing remote systems to activate software without requiring physical presence. The communication system acts as a mediator between the user and the machine controller.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple software packages are stored on the machine controller, then feature versatility increases, but storage requirements and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefeature availabilityVSAvoidsoftware package management

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically manages software packages by downloading them on-demand rather than pre-installing all possible packages. The machine controller adapts its software configuration based on actual usage needs, initializing packages only when the initialization indicator is received, making the system flexible and adaptable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Ease of operation

If software is activated remotely, then user convenience and mobility are improved, but communication system requirements and potential delays increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremote activation capabilityVSAvoidsoftware initialization delay

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11821174B2Remote feature activation in power machines

Publication Date: 2023.11.21 DOOSAN BOBCAT NORTH AMERICA INC

AI summary

Implementations of the present disclosure are generally directed to activating features in power machines. More particularly, implementations of the present disclosure are directed to remote activation of features in power machines. Implementations include, methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for transmitting a request for an initialization indicator for a software package from an initialization system of a power machine comprising hardware physically capable of executing at least one function, the request being transmitted, by a communication link of the initialization system, from a machine controller of the initialization system to a remote system, communicating, by the communication link, the initialization indicator from the remote system to the machine controller, and in response to receiving the initialization indicator: storing, by the machine controller, the initialization indicator, and executing, by the machine controller, the software package to control the at least one function.