Patent · US11678148B2 · B2 · US

Equipment visual status indicator system and method

(11) Publication number

US11678148B2

(21) Application number

17/576,717

(22) Filing date

2022-01-14

(30) Priority date

2021-01-15

(43) Publication date

2023-06-13

(45) Date of grant

2023-06-13

(51) IPC

B66F 11/04; B66F 9/075; B66F 9/12; G05B 19/4155; G05D 1/00; G06F 16/93; G06F 3/0482; G06F 3/0484; G06F 3/0488; G06Q 10/20; G06Q 30/0601; G07C 5/00; G07C 5/08; G08B 21/18; G08B 3/00; G08B 5/36; G08B 7/06; H04L 67/52; H04L 67/63; H04W 4/029; H04W 4/08; H04W 4/30; H04W 4/35; H04W 4/40; H04W 4/80; H04W 48/16; H04W 76/14; H04W 76/15; H04W 76/23; H04W 84/12; H04W 84/18; H04W 88/08

(52) CPC

H04W Wireless communication networks: 4/08, 4/021, 4/029, 4/30, 4/35, 4/38, 4/40, 4/44, 4/46, 4/70, 4/80, 48/16, 76/14, 76/15, 76/23, 8/005, 84/12, 84/18, 88/08, 88/085
B66F Hoisting, lifting, hauling or pushing, not otherwise provided for, e.g. devices which apply a lifting or pushing force directly to the surface of a load: 11/04, 11/046, 17/006, 9/06, 9/0755, 9/07581, 9/12, 9/24
G05B Control or regulating systems in general; functional elements of such systems; monitoring or testing arrangements for such systems or elements: 19/4155, 2219/45049
G05D Systems for controlling or regulating non-electric variables: 1/0022, 1/0027, 1/0044, 1/005, 1/224, 1/2246, 1/225, 1/226, 1/692, 1/86, 2201/0216
G06F Electric digital data processing: 16/93, 3/0482, 3/0484, 3/0488
G06Q Information and communication technology [ICT] specially adapted for administrative, commercial, financial, managerial or supervisory purposes; systems or methods specially adapted for administrative, commercial, financial, managerial or supervisory purposes, not otherwise provided for: 10/06, 10/20, 30/0251, 30/0611, 30/0631, 30/0641
G07C Time or attendance registers; registering or indicating the working of machines; generating random numbers; voting or lottery apparatus; arrangements, systems or apparatus for checking not provided for elsewhere: 5/006, 5/0825
G08B Signalling systems, e.g. personal calling systems; order telegraphs; alarm systems: 21/18, 3/00, 5/36, 7/06
H04L Transmission of digital information, e.g. telegraphic communication: 67/12, 67/125, 67/52, 67/56, 67/63

(73) Assignee

Oshkosh Corp

(72) Inventors

Korry D. Kobel; Fredric L. Yutzy; Dan Adamson; Stefan Eshleman; Greg Pray

(54) Title

Equipment visual status indicator system and method

(57) Abstract

A lift device having an implement, a prime mover configured to drive the implement, and a connectivity module communicably coupled with the lift device. The connectivity module is configured to receive an input relating to a status of the lift device, and provide an indication representing the status of the lift device.

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Claims (19)

A lift device, comprising: an implement; a prime mover configured to drive the implement; and a connectivity module communicably coupled with the lift device, wherein the connectivity module is configured to: receive, via a user application and from a user device, an input parameter set relating to the lift device, wherein the input parameter set includes an attribute of a component of the lift device, a threshold measure associated with the attribute, and an indicator characteristic; receive, via the user application and from the user device, a request to provide a current status of the component of the lift device; receive, via at least one sensor of the lift device, a current measure associated with the attribute of the component of the lift device; compare, via the connectivity module, the received current measure and the threshold measure associated with the attribute of the component of the lift device; and provide, via the connectivity module and based on the comparison, an indication in accordance with the indication characteristic representing the current status of the component of the lift device.
The lift device of claim 1, further comprising an indicator communicably coupled to the connectivity module, wherein the indicator is configured to provide the indication representing the current status of the component of the lift device to an observer.
The lift device of claim 2, wherein the indicator is a lighting device and the indication is at least one of the lighting device in a solid on state, a solid off state, a flashing state, and a strobe state.
The lift device of claim 3, wherein the lighting device in the solid on state indicates the current status of a battery of the lift device is fully charged.
The lift device of claim 3, wherein the lighting device in the flashing state indicates the current status of a battery of the lift device is charging.
The lift device of claim 3, wherein the indication further includes an audible signal.
The lift device of claim 2, wherein the current status of the component of the lift device is at least one of a fuel level of the lift device, a battery power level of the lift device, an ignition status of the lift device, and an operational status of the lift device.
The lift device of claim 1, wherein the connectivity module is further configured to operate in a first mode and a second mode, wherein: the connectivity module is configured to operate in the first mode when the lift device is powered on, and in the first mode the connectivity module is configured to communicate with the user application via a long range radio frequency networking communication; and the connectivity module is configured to operate in the second mode when the lift device is powered off, and in the second mode the connectivity module is configured to communicate with the user application via a short range radio frequency networking communication.
A fleet connectivity system, comprising: a user device; and a lift device comprising: an implement a prime mover configured to drive the implement; and a connectivity module communicably coupled with the lift device, wherein the connectivity module is configured to: receive, via a user application and from the user device, an input parameter set relating to the lift device, wherein the input parameter set includes an attribute of a component of the lift device, a threshold measure associated with the attribute, and an indicator characteristic; receive, via the user application and from the user device, a request to provide a current status of the component of the lift device; receive, via at least one sensor of the lift device, a current measure associated with the attribute of the component of the lift device; compare, via the connectivity module, the received current measure and the threshold measure associated with the attribute of the component of the lift device; and provide, via the connectivity module and based on the comparison, an indication in accordance with the indication characteristic representing the current status of the component of the lift device, wherein a user is configured to provide the input parameter set to the user device, and the user device is configured to communicate the input parameter set to the connectivity module.
The fleet connectivity system of claim 9, wherein the lift device further comprises an indicator communicably coupled to the connectivity module, and wherein the indicator is configured to provide the indication representing the current status of the component of the lift device to the user.
The fleet connectivity system of claim 10, wherein the indicator is a lighting device and the indication is at least one of the lighting device in a solid on state, a solid off state, a flashing state, and a strobe state.
The fleet connectivity system of claim 11, wherein the indication further includes an audible signal.
The fleet connectivity system of claim 10, wherein the connectivity module is configured to provide the indication to the user device, and wherein the indication is a graphical user interface status icon that the user device displays to the user.
The fleet connectivity system of claim 9, wherein the connectivity module is further configured to operate in a first mode and a second mode, wherein: the connectivity module is configured to operate in the first mode when the lift device is powered on, and in the first mode the connectivity module is configured to communicate with the user application via a long range radio frequency networking communication; and the connectivity module is configured to operate in the second mode when the lift device is powered off, and in the second mode the connectivity module is configured to communicate with the user application via a short range radio frequency networking communication.
A method for providing a status of a lift device, comprising: receiving, via a user application and from a user device, an input parameter set relating to the lift device, wherein the input parameter set includes an attribute of a component of the lift device, a threshold measure associated with the attribute, and an indicator characteristic; receiving, via the user application and from the user device, a request to provide a current status of the component of the lift device; receiving, via at least one sensor of the lift device, a current measure associated with the attribute of the component of the lift device; comparing, via a connectivity module, the received current measure and the threshold measure associated with the attribute of the component of the lift device; and providing, via an indicator and based on the comparison, an indication in accordance with the indication characteristic representing the current status of the component of the lift device to an observer.
The method of claim 15, wherein the indicator is a lighting device, and wherein providing the indication representing the current status of the component of the lift device includes providing at least one of the lighting device in a solid on state, a solid off state, a flashing state, and a strobe state.
The method of claim 16, wherein providing the lighting device in the solid on state indicates the current status of a battery of the lift device is fully charged.
The method of claim 15, wherein comparing the current measure and the threshold measure associated with the attribute of the component of the lift device includes determining at least one of a fuel level of the lift device, a battery power level of the lift device, an ignition status of the lift device, and an operation status of the lift device.
The method of claim 15, wherein the connectivity module is further configured to operate in a first mode and a second mode, wherein: the connectivity module is configured to operate in the first mode when the lift device is powered on, and in the first mode the connectivity module is configured to communicate with the user application via a long range radio frequency networking communication; and the connectivity module is configured to operate in the second mode when the lift device is powered off, and in the second mode the connectivity module is configured to communicate with the user application via a short range radio frequency networking communication.

Description

Work equipment such as lift devices and telehandlers sometimes require tracking, tasking, monitoring, and servicing at a work site. Managers and operators of working machines typically rely on discrete systems, applications, and methods to perform these functions for each piece of equipment. Often, physical inspection of a machine is necessary to determine a state, status, or condition of the machine. Additionally, on work sites encompassing a large area or involving many pieces of equipment, it is often time consuming for equipment operators or service technicians to determine the statuses for a large number of machines prior to assigning a machine to a task.

One exemplary implementation of the present disclosure relates to a lift device. The lift device includes an implement, a prime mover configured to drive the implement, and a connectivity module communicably coupled with the lift device. The connectivity module is configured to receive an input relating to a status of the lift device, and provide an indication representing the status of the lift device.

Another exemplary implementation of the present disclosure relates to a fleet connectivity system. The fleet connectivity system includes a user device and a lift device. The lift device comprises an implement, a prime mover configured to drive the implement, and a connectivity module communicably coupled with the lift device. The connectivity module is configured to receive an input relating to a status of the lift device, and provide an indication representing the status of the lift device.

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Record as JSON

{
  "publication_number": "US11678148B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Equipment visual status indicator system and method",
  "abstract": "A lift device having an implement, a prime mover configured to drive the implement, and a connectivity module communicably coupled with the lift device. The connectivity module is configured to receive an input relating to a status of the lift device, and provide an indication representing the status of the lift device.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A lift device, comprising: an implement; a prime mover configured to drive the implement; and a connectivity module communicably coupled with the lift device, wherein the connectivity module is configured to: receive, via a user application and from a user device, an input parameter set relating to the lift device, wherein the input parameter set includes an attribute of a component of the lift device, a threshold measure associated with the attribute, and an indicator characteristic; receive, via the user application and from the user device, a request to provide a current status of the component of the lift device; receive, via at least one sensor of the lift device, a current measure associated with the attribute of the component of the lift device; compare, via the connectivity module, the received current measure and the threshold measure associated with the attribute of the component of the lift device; and provide, via the connectivity module and based on the comparison, an indication in accordance with the indication characteristic representing the current status of the component of the lift device.",
    "2. The lift device of claim 1, further comprising an indicator communicably coupled to the connectivity module, wherein the indicator is configured to provide the indication representing the current status of the component of the lift device to an observer.",
    "3. The lift device of claim 2, wherein the indicator is a lighting device and the indication is at least one of the lighting device in a solid on state, a solid off state, a flashing state, and a strobe state.",
    "4. The lift device of claim 3, wherein the lighting device in the solid on state indicates the current status of a battery of the lift device is fully charged.",
    "5. The lift device of claim 3, wherein the lighting device in the flashing state indicates the current status of a battery of the lift device is charging.",
    "6. The lift device of claim 3, wherein the indication further includes an audible signal.",
    "7. The lift device of claim 2, wherein the current status of the component of the lift device is at least one of a fuel level of the lift device, a battery power level of the lift device, an ignition status of the lift device, and an operational status of the lift device.",
    "8. The lift device of claim 1, wherein the connectivity module is further configured to operate in a first mode and a second mode, wherein: the connectivity module is configured to operate in the first mode when the lift device is powered on, and in the first mode the connectivity module is configured to communicate with the user application via a long range radio frequency networking communication; and the connectivity module is configured to operate in the second mode when the lift device is powered off, and in the second mode the connectivity module is configured to communicate with the user application via a short range radio frequency networking communication.",
    "9. A fleet connectivity system, comprising: a user device; and a lift device comprising: an implement a prime mover configured to drive the implement; and a connectivity module communicably coupled with the lift device, wherein the connectivity module is configured to: receive, via a user application and from the user device, an input parameter set relating to the lift device, wherein the input parameter set includes an attribute of a component of the lift device, a threshold measure associated with the attribute, and an indicator characteristic; receive, via the user application and from the user device, a request to provide a current status of the component of the lift device; receive, via at least one sensor of the lift device, a current measure associated with the attribute of the component of the lift device; compare, via the connectivity module, the received current measure and the threshold measure associated with the attribute of the component of the lift device; and provide, via the connectivity module and based on the comparison, an indication in accordance with the indication characteristic representing the current status of the component of the lift device, wherein a user is configured to provide the input parameter set to the user device, and the user device is configured to communicate the input parameter set to the connectivity module.",
    "10. The fleet connectivity system of claim 9, wherein the lift device further comprises an indicator communicably coupled to the connectivity module, and wherein the indicator is configured to provide the indication representing the current status of the component of the lift device to the user.",
    "11. The fleet connectivity system of claim 10, wherein the indicator is a lighting device and the indication is at least one of the lighting device in a solid on state, a solid off state, a flashing state, and a strobe state.",
    "12. The fleet connectivity system of claim 11, wherein the indication further includes an audible signal.",
    "13. The fleet connectivity system of claim 10, wherein the connectivity module is configured to provide the indication to the user device, and wherein the indication is a graphical user interface status icon that the user device displays to the user.",
    "14. The fleet connectivity system of claim 9, wherein the connectivity module is further configured to operate in a first mode and a second mode, wherein: the connectivity module is configured to operate in the first mode when the lift device is powered on, and in the first mode the connectivity module is configured to communicate with the user application via a long range radio frequency networking communication; and the connectivity module is configured to operate in the second mode when the lift device is powered off, and in the second mode the connectivity module is configured to communicate with the user application via a short range radio frequency networking communication.",
    "15. A method for providing a status of a lift device, comprising: receiving, via a user application and from a user device, an input parameter set relating to the lift device, wherein the input parameter set includes an attribute of a component of the lift device, a threshold measure associated with the attribute, and an indicator characteristic; receiving, via the user application and from the user device, a request to provide a current status of the component of the lift device; receiving, via at least one sensor of the lift device, a current measure associated with the attribute of the component of the lift device; comparing, via a connectivity module, the received current measure and the threshold measure associated with the attribute of the component of the lift device; and providing, via an indicator and based on the comparison, an indication in accordance with the indication characteristic representing the current status of the component of the lift device to an observer.",
    "16. The method of claim 15, wherein the indicator is a lighting device, and wherein providing the indication representing the current status of the component of the lift device includes providing at least one of the lighting device in a solid on state, a solid off state, a flashing state, and a strobe state.",
    "17. The method of claim 16, wherein providing the lighting device in the solid on state indicates the current status of a battery of the lift device is fully charged.",
    "18. The method of claim 15, wherein comparing the current measure and the threshold measure associated with the attribute of the component of the lift device includes determining at least one of a fuel level of the lift device, a battery power level of the lift device, an ignition status of the lift device, and an operation status of the lift device.",
    "19. The method of claim 15, wherein the connectivity module is further configured to operate in a first mode and a second mode, wherein: the connectivity module is configured to operate in the first mode when the lift device is powered on, and in the first mode the connectivity module is configured to communicate with the user application via a long range radio frequency networking communication; and the connectivity module is configured to operate in the second mode when the lift device is powered off, and in the second mode the connectivity module is configured to communicate with the user application via a short range radio frequency networking communication."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "Work equipment such as lift devices and telehandlers sometimes require tracking, tasking, monitoring, and servicing at a work site. Managers and operators of working machines typically rely on discrete systems, applications, and methods to perform these functions for each piece of equipment. Often, physical inspection of a machine is necessary to determine a state, status, or condition of the machine. Additionally, on work sites encompassing a large area or involving many pieces of equipment, it is often time consuming for equipment operators or service technicians to determine the statuses for a large number of machines prior to assigning a machine to a task.\n\nOne exemplary implementation of the present disclosure relates to a lift device. The lift device includes an implement, a prime mover configured to drive the implement, and a connectivity module communicably coupled with the lift device. The connectivity module is configured to receive an input relating to a status of the lift device, and provide an indication representing the status of the lift device.\n\nAnother exemplary implementation of the present disclosure relates to a fleet connectivity system. The fleet connectivity system includes a user device and a lift device. The lift device comprises an implement, a prime mover configured to drive the implement, and a connectivity module communicably coupled with the lift device. The connectivity module is configured to receive an input relating to a status of the lift device, and provide an indication representing the status of the lift device.",
  "cpc": [
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  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Oshkosh Corp"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Korry D. Kobel",
    "Fredric L. Yutzy",
    "Dan Adamson",
    "Stefan Eshleman",
    "Greg Pray"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2022-01-14",
  "publication_date": "2023-06-13",
  "grant_date": "2023-06-13",
  "priority_date": "2021-01-15",
  "application_number": "US-202217576717-A",
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