Autonomous agricultural system user interface interlock

{
  "publication_number": "US10572141B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Autonomous agricultural system user interface interlock",
  "abstract": "A control system for an autonomous agricultural system includes a display configured to display at least one control function associated with at least one operation. The display is configured to output a first signal indicative of a first input. The control system includes a controller comprising a processor and a memory. The controller is communicatively coupled to the display and configured to receive the first signal indicative of the first input and to send a second signal to the display indicative of instructions to display a second control in an unlocked state. The display is configured to output a third signal to the controller indicative of the second input. The controller is configured to receive the third signal and to output a fourth signal indicative of instructions to control the at least one operation of the autonomous agricultural system.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A control system for an autonomous agricultural system, comprising: a touchscreen display configured to display at least one control function associated with at least one operation of the autonomous agricultural system, wherein the touchscreen display is configured to receive a first input indicative of actuation of a first control of the at least one control function and to output a first signal indicative of the first input; and a controller comprising a processor and a memory, wherein the controller is communicatively coupled to the touchscreen display and configured to send a second signal to the touchscreen display indicative of instructions to display a second control of the at least one control function in an unlocked state upon receipt of the first signal, and wherein the first control is the second control in a locked state; wherein the touchscreen display is configured to receive a second input indicative of actuation of the second control while the second control is in the unlocked state and to output a third signal to the controller indicative of the second input, and the controller is configured to receive the third signal and to output a fourth signal indicative of instructions to control the at least one operation of the autonomous agricultural system based on the second input; and wherein the controller is configured to send a fifth signal to the touchscreen display indicative of instructions to display a change in a color, font, or both of the second control, text associated with the second control, or any combination thereof, upon the second control transitioning from the locked state to the unlocked state.",
    "2. The control system of claim 1, wherein the first input comprises a multipoint depression, a depression of a threshold pressure, a gesture, a depression of a threshold duration, or any combination thereof, of the first control.",
    "3. The control system of claim 1, wherein the second control comprises a slide bar.",
    "4. The control system of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to send a sixth signal to the touchscreen display indicative of instructions to display a login prompt a period of time after any input is received by the touchscreen display, wherein the at least one control function is disabled during display of the login prompt until login information is entered.",
    "5. The control system of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to output a seventh signal indicative of instructions to transition the second control to the locked state a period of time after the first input or the second input is received.",
    "6. The control system of claim 1, wherein the at least one control function comprises a plurality of control functions, and wherein the controller is configured to send the second signal to the touchscreen display indicative of instructions to display the plurality of control functions in an unlocked state upon receipt of the first signal.",
    "7. The control system of claim 1, wherein the at least one operation comprises control of a three-point hitch (3PH) of an implement of the autonomous agricultural system, control of a power take off (PTO) of a vehicle of the autonomous agricultural system, control of an electro-hydraulic valve (EHV) of the implement, or any combination thereof.",
    "8. A control system for an autonomous agricultural system, comprising: a touchscreen display configured to display at least one control function associated with at least one operation of the autonomous agricultural system, wherein the touchscreen display is configured to receive a first input indicative of actuation of a first control and to output a first signal indicative of the first input; and a controller comprising a processor and a memory, wherein the controller is communicatively coupled to the touchscreen display and configured to send a second signal to the touchscreen display indicative of instructions to display a second control of the at least one control function in an unlocked state upon receipt of the first signal; wherein the touchscreen display is configured to receive a second input indicative of actuation of the second control while the second control is in the unlocked state and to output a third signal to the controller indicative of the second input, and the controller is configured to receive the third signal and to output a fourth signal indicative of instructions to control the at least one operation of the autonomous agricultural system based on the second input; and wherein the at least one control function comprises a plurality of control functions, the touchscreen display is configured to display the plurality of control functions while the first control is displayed, and the controller is configured to send the second signal to the touchscreen display indicative of instructions to display the plurality of control functions in an unlocked state upon receipt of the first signal.",
    "9. The control system of claim 8, wherein the first input comprises a multipoint depression, a depression of a threshold pressure, a gesture, a depression of a threshold duration, or any combination thereof, of the first control.",
    "10. The control system of claim 8, wherein the controller is configured to send a fifth signal to the touchscreen display indicative of instructions to display a login prompt a period of time after any input is received by the touchscreen display, wherein the plurality of control functions are disabled during display of the login prompt until login information is entered.",
    "11. The control system of claim 8, wherein the at least one operation comprises control of a three-point hitch (3PH) of an implement of the autonomous agricultural system, control of a power take off (PTO) of a vehicle of the autonomous agricultural system, control of an electro-hydraulic valve (EHV) of the implement, or any combination thereof.",
    "12. A control system for an autonomous agricultural system, comprising: a touchscreen display configured to display at least one control function associated with at least one operation of the autonomous agricultural system, wherein the touchscreen display is configured to receive a first input indicative of actuation of a first control and to output a first signal indicative of the first input; and a controller comprising a processor and a memory, wherein the controller is communicatively coupled to the touchscreen display and configured to send a second signal to the touchscreen display indicative of instructions to display a second control of the at least one control function in an unlocked state upon receipt of the first signal; wherein the touchscreen display is configured to receive a second input indicative of actuation of the second control while the second control is in the unlocked state and to output a third signal to the controller indicative of the second input, and the controller is configured to receive the third signal and to output a fourth signal indicative of instructions to control the at least one operation of the autonomous agricultural system based on the second input; and wherein the controller is configured to output a fifth signal indicative of instructions to transition the second control to a locked state a period of time after the first input or the second input is received, and the controller is configured to send a sixth signal to the touchscreen display indicative of instructions to display a change in a color, font, or both of the second control, text associated with the second control, or any combination thereof, upon the second control transitioning from the locked state to the unlocked state.",
    "13. The control system of claim 12, wherein the first input comprises a multipoint depression, a depression of a threshold pressure, a gesture, a depression of a threshold duration, or any combination thereof, of the first control.",
    "14. The control system of claim 12, wherein the second control comprises a slide bar.",
    "15. The control system of claim 12, wherein the at least one control function comprises a plurality of control functions, and wherein the controller is configured to send the second signal to the touchscreen display indicative of instructions to display the plurality of control functions in an unlocked state upon receipt of the first signal.",
    "16. The control system of claim 12, wherein the at least one operation comprises control of a three-point hitch (3PH) of an implement of the autonomous agricultural system, control of a power take off (PTO) of a vehicle of the autonomous agricultural system, control of an electro-hydraulic valve (EHV) of the implement, or any combination thereof."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The subject matter of the disclosure relates generally to agricultural systems, and more specifically, to a user interface interlock for an autonomous agricultural system.\n\nVehicles, such as agricultural tractors, may be driven through a field of crops to perform various agricultural operations. In recent years, vehicles have been designed to operate at least partially without input from an onboard operator. For example, the vehicle may perform one or more operations by receiving one or more instructions remotely, thereby enabling the vehicle to operate in an autonomous or semi-autonomous manner (e.g., at least partially without input from an operator present within the vehicle). For example, a remote operator or an operator with the vehicle may activate the vehicle and initiate operations. Unfortunately, in certain systems, an operator may unintentionally initiate certain operations by inadvertently interacting with elements of the user interface, such as an interface on a touchscreen.\n\nA summary of certain embodiments disclosed herein is set forth below. It should be understood that these aspects are presented merely to provide the reader with a brief summary of these embodiments and that these aspects are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Indeed, this disclosure may encompass a variety of aspects that may not be set forth below.",
  "cpc": [
    "G06F 3/0488",
    "A01B 69/008",
    "G05D 1/0011",
    "G05D 1/0016",
    "G05D 1/0278",
    "G05D 2201/0201",
    "G06F 3/04847"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "G05D 1/00",
    "G05D 1/02",
    "G06F 3/0484",
    "G06F 3/0488"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "CNH Industrial America LLC",
    "Autonomous Solutions Inc"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Christopher Alan Foster",
    "John Henry POSSELIUS",
    "Bret Todd Turpin",
    "Daniel John Morwood",
    "Brandon Chamberlain Adams",
    "James Allen Bradford",
    "Kim Richardson Barker"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2016-06-10",
  "publication_date": "2020-02-25",
  "grant_date": "2020-02-25",
  "priority_date": "2016-06-10",
  "application_number": "US-201615179703-A",
  "family_id": "59093625",
  "cited_by_count": 3,
  "citations": [
    "US6356819B1",
    "US6112139A",
    "EP1004230A2",
    "US6131062A",
    "US6990399B2",
    "US20070150842A1",
    "US20090125850A1",
    "US20090321154A1",
    "US9086699B2",
    "US20130298024A1",
    "US20120215394A1",
    "US20150174766A1",
    "US9213331B2",
    "US9135813B2",
    "US20140324272A1",
    "EP2846209B1",
    "US20150068012A1",
    "US20150319913A1",
    "US20150366124A1",
    "US20170300219A1",
    "US10096216B1",
    "US20170017392A1"
  ]
}