Vehicle Automation API for Dissimilar Fleet Coordination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automated machine combinations are limited in their ability to operate collaboratively with dissimilar machines within a fleet, requiring significant redesign and modification due to unique communication systems and tailored messaging, which hinders efficient and safe multi-machine operations.
Innovation Solution
An automation system utilizing an application programming interface (API) and protocol that facilitates communication between machines, independent of manufacturer-specific systems, enabling machines to share machine characteristics and develop precise mission plans through short- and long-range communication channels, allowing for collaborative operations among dissimilar machines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If machines use manufacturer-specific communication systems and tailored messaging, then collaborative operation between paired machines is achieved, but compatibility with dissimilar machines is lost and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal communication protocol that enables machines from different manufacturers to interact collaboratively. The system defines standardized message formats and communication interfaces that work across dissimilar machine types, allowing a single communication framework to serve multiple machine combinations rather than requiring specialized systems for each pairing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a message broker or intermediary communication layer that translates between different machine communication styles and the standardized protocol. This mediator enables seamless interaction between dissimilar machines without requiring each machine to implement multiple specialized communication systems, thereby improving compatibility while maintaining reliable collaborative operation.
2Ease of operation
If specialized communication systems are implemented for specific machine pairs, then direct interaction is enabled, but device complexity and modification requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes a single universal communication protocol that handles direct interaction between any machine pairs without requiring specialized communication hardware or software modifications. This standardized approach enables direct machine interaction while avoiding the complexity of implementing multiple tailored communication systems for different machine combinations.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If machines operate autonomously in specified zones, then collision prevention is achieved, but collaborative efficiency with multiple machines is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where machines continuously exchange status, position, and operational state information through the standardized communication protocol. This real-time feedback enables machines to coordinate their movements and operations dynamically, maintaining safety by detecting potential collisions while simultaneously improving collaborative efficiency by optimizing task execution across the machine fleet.
Data Source
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AI summary
A cross-platform automated vehicle communication and operational control system. The communication system may use a dual communication system that facilitates spaced vehicle operations that transition into interactive machine activities. This communication system uses remote communications to coordinate multiple vehicles, establish missions, conduct remote oversight and track a vehicle fleet. The system's dual communication also includes direct vehicle-to-vehicle communications to manage direct interactions without delay. The operational control system establishes a machine profile and mission planning system for multi-machine project control across platforms.