U.S. patent application number 09/291080 was filed with the patent office on 2001-08-23 for vehicle function management system.
Invention is credited to FALCK, PETER LESLIE, GOODNIGHT, TRENT LYNN, KITTLE, CARL EDWIN, LANG, STEPHEN PAUL, NEWENDORP, BRUCE CRAIG, YOUNGBLOOD, MICHAEL OWEN.
Application Number | 20010016794 09/291080 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 23118732 |
Filed Date | 2001-08-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010016794 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
FALCK, PETER LESLIE ; et
al. |
August 23, 2001 |
VEHICLE FUNCTION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
Abstract
A tractor includes various actuators or functions, such as a
powershift transmission, a hitch and hitch control system, a PTO, a
plurality of selective control valves, etc., all controlled by one
or more control units in response to sensed parameters and operator
manipulated control devices, such as switches, knobs and levers. A
function management system includes a programmed control unit which
has a learn/save mode which is operable while the vehicle is
moving. During the learn/save mode the operator performs a sequence
of manual manipulations of the operator control devices, and the
control unit records and then stores information pertaining to the
sequence of operations, together with information pertaining to the
distances traveled by the tractor between operations. The control
unit also has an execute or replay mode, operable in response to an
operator command signal, wherein the control unit automatically
performs the stored sequence of operations so that the sequence of
operations is performed at the same distance intervals at which
they were learned, regardless of the speed of the vehicle.
Inventors: |
FALCK, PETER LESLIE;
(WATERLOO, IA) ; GOODNIGHT, TRENT LYNN; (WATERLOO,
IA) ; LANG, STEPHEN PAUL; (NEW HARTFORD, IA) ;
NEWENDORP, BRUCE CRAIG; (CEDAR FALLS, IA) ;
YOUNGBLOOD, MICHAEL OWEN; (CEDAR FALLS, IA) ; KITTLE,
CARL EDWIN; (CEDAR FALLS, IA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JOEL S CARTER
PATENT DEPARTMENT
DEERE AND COMPANY
JOHN DEERE ROAD
MOLINE
IL
612658098
|
Family ID: |
23118732 |
Appl. No.: |
09/291080 |
Filed: |
April 14, 1999 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
701/50 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01B 63/00 20130101;
A01B 63/1117 20130101; G05B 2219/2663 20130101; G05B 2219/23423
20130101; E02F 9/26 20130101; E02F 9/20 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
701/50 |
International
Class: |
G06F 019/00 |
Claims
1. In a vehicle having a function which performs certain operations
as the vehicle moves over terrain under the control of a control
unit in response to manipulation of an operator control, a function
management system comprising: a learn mode implemented by the
control unit, the learn mode being operable while the vehicle is
moving, and wherein, in response to a manual sequence of
manipulations of the operator control, the function performs a
sequence of operations, and wherein the control unit stores
information pertaining to the sequence of operations and stores
information pertaining to distance intervals between said
operations, with respect the movement of the vehicle during the
performance of said sequence of operations; and a replay mode
implemented by the control unit, wherein the control unit
automatically performs said sequence of operations and wherein the
operations of said sequence are performed with distances intervals
therebetween which are substantially the same as that which
occurred during operation of the learn mode, regardless of the
speed of the vehicle.
2. The function management system of claim 1, wherein: the function
management system is operable only when the vehicle is moving over
terrain.
3. The function management system of claim 1, wherein: the function
management system is operable only when the vehicle is moving over
terrain and a transmission of the vehicle is in a forward gear.
4. The function management system of claim 1, further comprising: a
manually operable sequence selection switch coupled to the control
unit, the control unit replaying a selected one of a plurality of
learned operational sequences depending upon the status of the
sequence selection switch.
5. The function management system of claim 1, further comprising:
an operator actuatable switch connected to the control unit; and
the control unit responding to actuation of said switch by
automatically performing said sequence of operations every time
said switch is actuated.
6. The function management system of claim 1, wherein: the control
unit includes a display for displaying information pertaining to
the stored sequence information.
7. The function management system of claim 6, wherein: the control
unit automatically displays stored sequence information when the
function management system is turned on.
8. The function management system of claim 1, further comprising:
an operator actuatable learn/save switch connected to the control
unit; the control unit, in response to a first actuation of the
learn/save switch, enabling a learn mode wherein the control unit
records information pertaining to the manually performed sequence
of operations; and the control unit, in response to a second
actuation of the learn/save switch after said sequence information
is recorded, enabling a save mode wherein the control unit stores
said information in permanent memory.
9. The function management system of claim 8, wherein: the control
unit erases a stored sequence from memory if the learn/save switch
is actuated twice with no operations manually performed between
said switch actuations.
10. The function management system of claim 1, further comprising:
an operator actuatable switch connected to the control unit; and
the control unit stopping storing sequence information in response
to an actuation of said switch.
11. The function management system of claim 10, wherein: the
operator actuatable switch is operatively coupled to a clutch pedal
of the vehicle.
12. The function management system of claim 1, further comprising:
an operator actuatable switch connected to the control unit; and
the control unit stopping automatic performance of a sequence in
response to an actuation of said switch.
13. The function management system of claim 12, wherein: the
operator actuatable switch is operatively coupled to a clutch pedal
of the vehicle.
14. The function management system of claim 1, further comprising:
an first operator actuatable switch connected to the control unit;
a second operator actuatable switch connected to the control unit;
and the control unit, in response to a first actuation of the first
switch, enabling a learn mode wherein the control unit records
information pertaining to the manually performed sequence of
operations, the control unit, in response to a second actuation of
the first switch after said sequence information is recorded,
enabling a save mode wherein the control unit stores said
information in permanent memory, and the control unit stopping
automatic performance of a sequence in response to an actuation of
the second switch.
15. The function management system of claim 14, wherein: the second
switch is operatively coupled to a clutch pedal of the vehicle.
16. In a vehicle having function which performs operations as the
vehicle moves over terrain under the control of a control unit in
response to manipulation of operator controls, a function
management system comprising: a learn mode implemented by the
control unit, the a learn mode being operable while the vehicle is
moving, and wherein, in response to a first manual sequence of
manipulations of the operator controls, the functions perform a
first sequence of operations, and wherein the control unit stores
information pertaining to the first sequence of operations and
stores information pertaining to distance intervals between said
operations, with respect the movement of the vehicle during the
performance of said first sequence of operations, and in response
to a second manual sequence of manipulations of the operator
controls, the functions perform a second sequence of operations,
and wherein the control unit stores information pertaining to the
second sequence of operations and stores information pertaining to
distance intervals between said operations, with respect the
movement of the vehicle during the performance of said second
sequence of operations; and a replay mode implemented by the
control unit, wherein the control unit automatically performs a
selected one of said sequences and wherein the operations of said
sequence are performed with distances intervals therebetween which
are substantially the same as that which occurred during operation
of the learn mode, regardless of the speed of the vehicle.
17. The function management system of claim 16, wherein: the
function management system is operable only when the vehicle is
moving over terrain and a transmission of the vehicle is in a
forward gear.
18. The function management system of claim 16, further comprising:
a manually operable sequence selection switch coupled to the
control unit, the control unit replaying a selected one of the
operational sequences depending upon the status of the sequence
selection switch.
19. The function management system of claim 18, wherein: the
control unit aborts execution of a learned sequence if the sequence
selection switch is toggled a non-selected sequence while a
selected sequence is being executed.
20. In a vehicle having a plurality of functions which performs
certain operations as the vehicle moves over terrain under the
control of a control unit in response to manipulation of a
corresponding plurality of operator controls, a function management
system comprising: a learn mode implemented by the control unit,
the learn mode being operable while the vehicle is moving, and
wherein, in response to a manual sequence of manipulations of the
operator controls, the functions perform a sequence of operations,
and wherein the control unit stores information pertaining to the
sequence of operations and stores information pertaining to
distance intervals between said operations, with respect the
movement of the vehicle during the performance of said sequence of
operations; and a replay mode implemented by the control unit,
wherein the control unit automatically performs said stored
sequence of operations and wherein said sequence of operations are
performed with distances intervals therebetween which are
substantially the same as that which occurred during operation of
the learn mode, regardless of the speed of the vehicle.
21. The function management system of claim 20, wherein: the
function management system is operable only when the vehicle is
moving over terrain.
22. The function management system of claim 20, wherein: the
function management system is operable only when the vehicle is
moving over terrain and a transmission of the vehicle is in a
forward gear.
23. The function management system of claim 20, further comprising:
a manually operable sequence selection switch coupled to the
control unit, the control unit replaying a selected one of a
plurality of learned operational sequences depending upon the
status of the sequence selection switch.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to a system for managing or
controlling functions as a vehicle moves over terrain, such as the
various functions which must be controlled as an agricultural
tractor moves through a field.
[0002] As an agricultural tractor moves through a field, the
operator will typically be required to perform many operations at
the start and at the end of a crop row in addition to simply
steering the tractor, such as raising or lowering the implement
hitch, shifting the transmission, engaging or disengaging the PTO
shaft, etc. The number and complexity of the tasks can cause
operator fatigue and can result in operational errors being
committed. A system which can simplify the operator's tasks is
desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Accordingly, an object of this invention is to provide a
function management system which can simplify the tasks of an
operator of a work vehicle, such as an agricultural tractor.
[0004] Another object of this invention is to provide a function
management system which can learn and store various sequences of
function operations, and execute or replay such learned sequences
upon command.
[0005] A further object of the invention is to provide such a
function management system wherein sequences of function operations
are learned in correspondence with the distances traveled by the
tractor between operations, so that the operational sequences can
be automatically replayed with the same distance relationships
therebetween as when they were learned.
[0006] These and other objects are achieved by the present
invention, wherein a tractor includes various functional systems,
such as a powershift transmission, a hitch and hitch control
system, a PTO, a plurality of selective control valves, etc., all
controlled by a control unit in response to sensed parameters and
operator manipulated control devices, such as switches and levers.
According to the present invention, the control unit has a Learn
Mode which is operable while the vehicle is moving. During the
learning mode the operator performs a sequence of manipulations of
the operator control devices, and the control unit stores
information pertaining to the sequence of operations, together with
information pertaining to the distances traveled by the tractor
between operations. The control unit also has an execute or replay
mode wherein the control unit automatically performs the stored
sequence of operations so that the sequence of operations is
performed at the same distance intervals at which they were
learned, regardless of the speed of the vehicle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle function
management system according to the present invention.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a view of the front panel or face of a vehicle
monitor/display unit of FIG. 1.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a simplified logic flow diagram illustrating the
operation of the learn/save mode of the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 4 is a simplified logic flow diagram illustrating the
operation of the execution mode of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0011] This application includes a microfiche appendix including
one microfiche and 52 frames. A portion of the disclosure of this
patent document contains material which is subject to a claim of
copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the
facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the
patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office
patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all other rights
whatsoever.
[0012] Referring to FIG. 1, a vehicle, such as a production John
Deere 8000 series tractor, includes an engine 10 which drives an
engine output shaft 11, which drives a power shift transmission
(PST) 12, which drives an output drive shaft 16 which is connected
to drive wheels 17. The PST 12 includes a transmission 18 which is
operated by a set of pressure operated control elements or clutches
20 which are controlled by a corresponding set of solenoid operated
proportional control valves 22. The PST may be a the PST available
on the production John Deere 8000 Series tractor, or any
electronically controlled transmission with similar operator
controls. The valves 22 may be electrohydraulic valves, such as are
also on the production John Deere 8000 Series tractor. The engine
10 also drives a conventional power take off (PTO) drive (not
shown) via a PTO clutch (not shown), and drives a hydraulic pump
(not shown) which supplies pressurized hydraulic fluid to selective
control valves (not shown), all also as available on the production
John Deere 8000 Series tractor. Such a tractor may also include a
differential lock, a mechanical front wheel drive and
electro-hydraulic depth control cylinders (not shown) may be part
of an implement (not shown) pulled by the tractor.
[0013] An implement hitch 30, such as a conventional 3-point hitch,
includes draft links 32 which are connected to lift arms 34 via
lift links 36. The lift arms 34 are connected to the rockshaft 28
to insure simultaneous and equal movement, and are raised and
lowered via a pair of parallel connected hydraulic lift or
rockshaft cylinders 38. The tractor portions and the hitch 30 are
merely exemplary and those skilled in the art will understand that
the invention can be applied to tractors and hitches of other
configurations. As is well known, various ground-engaging
implements (not shown), such as a moldboard plow or a chisel plow,
may be attached in a conventional manner to the hitch 30.
[0014] The PST 12, the hitch 30, a PTO drive (not shown), selective
control valves (not shown), a differential lock (not shown), a
mechanical front wheel drive (not shown) and electro-hydraulic
depth control cylinders (not shown) are examples of the various
types of functions or actuators which may operated in desired
sequences during operation of a tractor, such as at the start or
end of a crop row.
[0015] The communication of hydraulic fluid to and from the
cylinders 38 is controlled by a pair of solenoid-operated
electro-hydraulic flow control valves 40a and 40b which are
operated by drivers 42a and 42b which receive electrical control
signals generated by a vehicle control unit (VCU) 44. The VCU 44 is
preferably a microprocessor-based electronic control unit, such as
is used on the production John Deere 8000 Series tractor. The flow
control valves 40a and 40b and the drivers 42a and 42b could be
such as is available on the production John Deere 8000 Series
tractor. The VCU 44 also preferably controls a differential lock
(not shown), a mechanical front-wheel drive clutch (not shown), the
PTO (not shown), the SCVs (not shown), all such as is available on
the production John Deere 8000 Series tractor.
[0016] VCU 44 receives signals from a spring centered,
three-position rocker type hitch raise/lower switch 46, a vehicle
monitor/display unit 48, and a shift lever unit 50, all such as is
available on the production John Deere 8000 Series tractor. VCU 44
also receives signals from an engine speed sensor 52, preferably a
mag pick-up, and an axle speed sensor 54, preferably a Hall effect
sensor, which supplies an axle speed signal. Components 52 and 54
are preferably similar to their counterparts found on the
production John Deere 8000 series tractors, but similar
commercially available components could also suffice. VCU 44 also
receives signals from a self-centering Sequence 1/Sequence 2
(Sequence) switch 56, preferably, a commercially available
3-position (1, 2 and neutral) momentary rocker switch which is used
in connection with the present invention. The VCU 44, such as is
available on the production John Deere 8000 Series tractor,
includes input and output circuits, a programmed microprocessor and
memory (not shown). VCU 44 also receives signals from a clutch
switch 57 which is operatively connected to the clutch pedal
58.
[0017] Referring now to FIG. 2, the monitor/display unit 48 is
similar to the monitor/display unit which is provided with the
production John Deere 8000 series tractors, with some additions and
or changes as will be described herein. The left-hand third of the
monitor/display unit 48 includes a plurality of warning and status
lights 60 associated with various vehicle functions, but which do
not relate to the present invention. The upper portion of the
middle part of unit 48 includes a graphic/numeric display 62. The
lower portion of the middle part of unit 48 includes a plurality of
touch pad switches 64 (also not involved with the present
invention) which can be used to control what parameters are
displayed by the numeric display portion of display 62. The upper
and lower parts of the right-hand third of the monitor/display unit
48 includes touch pad switches (not shown) which do not relate to
the present invention. The unit 48 also includes a speaker (not
shown) which generates audible sounds in response to certain
conditions and operations.
[0018] The middle part of the right-hand third of the
monitor/display unit 48 includes touch pad On/Off switch 66 and a
Learn/Save touch pad switch 68, both of which are used in
connection with the function management system. The lower
right-hand part of the display 62 includes an IMS (Implement
Management System) display element 70 and a 1-2 sequence display
element 72, both of which are lit up as a function of the
operational status of the present invention, as will be described
in more detail hereinafter.
[0019] To implement the present invention, the VCU 44 executes the
program set forth in the attached microfiche appendix. Thus
programmed, the VCU 44 derives distance information from the speed
sensor 54, using well known integration techniques. The programmed
VCU 44 cooperates with the elements shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and
thereby implements the function management system invention.
[0020] Referring to FIG. 3, the Learn Mode operates as follows.
First, at step 100 the system is turned on by pressing the On/Off
switch 66, and the IMS display indicator 70 turns on. Pressing
Learn/Save switch 68 at step 102 activates the Learn/Save mode and
the IMS indicator 70 will begin to flash and a beep will occur
every 2 seconds. Step 104 allows the Learn/Save Mode to continue if
the tractor in forward gear of the transmission 18 and is moving
faster than a minimum speed, such as 0.5 km/h, for example. During
Learn/Save mode, if the operator shifts the transmission 18 out of
forward gear, the system will exit from and cancel the Learn/Save
mode and the sequence will be cleared. At step 106 the operator
momentarily toggles the Sequence switch 56 to its Sequence 1 or its
Sequence 2 position, and the corresponding Sequence number of
indicator 72 will begin to flash. Then as indicated at 108 the
operator can perform a sequence of up to a maximum number (such as
12) of manually performed function operations, such as shifting the
transmission 18 by manipulating the shift lever 50, or such as by
raising and/or lowering the hitch 30 by manipulating the hitch
raise/lower switch 46. As indicated at 110, the VCU 44 records (in
a temporary memory location) all the manually performed operations
together with the various distances traversed by the tractor
between the various manually performed operations. Distances are
calculated based on axle speed sensed by sensor 54 and are recorded
with a resolution in millimeters. Distance information is recorded
only when the tractor is in forward gear and is moving faster than
the minimum speed. At step 112 the Learn/Save switch 68 is pressed
again and as indicated by step 114, and the VCU stores in a
permanent memory the sequence of operations and corresponding
distances as either a sequence 1 or a sequence 2, depending on how
the switch 56 was previously toggled. The Learn/Save mode then ends
at 116 and the flashing sequence number 72 stops flashing and the
IMS indicator 70 alone remains lit.
[0021] After one or two sequences of operations and distances has
been learned and saved by the Learn/Save mode, the Execute Mode
illustrated by FIG. 4 can be performed. At 200 the On/Off switch 66
is pressed to turn on the system and the IMS status indicator 70
turns on. Step 202 allows the Execute Mode to be performed if the
tractor is in a forward gear of the transmission 18 and is moving
faster than a minimum speed. Then, at 204, when the tractor reaches
a location in a field at which the operator desires to execute a
stored sequence of operations, the operator momentarily toggles
Sequence switch 56 to its Sequence 1 or its Sequence 2 position to
select which stored sequence will be replayed, and the
corresponding "1" or "2" on display 72 is lit. The "1" or "2"
sequence indicator 72 will remain on at least 3 seconds, even if
the sequence being executed requires less than 3 seconds to be
executed. Then, as indicated at 206 the VCU 44 automatically
performs the selected sequence of stored operations, such as
automatically shifting the transmission 18 without the operator
manipulating the shift lever 50, or such as by automatically
raising and/or lowering the hitch 30 without the operator
manipulating the hitch raise/lower switch 46. These stored
operations will be replayed with the same relative distances
therebetween as when they were learned, regardless of whether or
not the tractor is travelling at the same, slower or faster speed.
At the completion of a sequence execution, the number 1 or 2 of
display 72 will be turned off. The Execute Mode then ends at
208.
[0022] With two learned sequences and the system turned on, (and as
long as the tractor is in a forward gear of the transmission 18 and
is moving faster than a minimum speed), the operator may cause the
first sequence to be automatically replayed by momentarily toggling
the sequence switch 56 to its "1" position, for example, at the end
of every crop row. Similarly, the operator may cause the second
sequence to be automatically replayed by momentarily toggling the
sequence switch 56 to its "2" position at the start of every crop
row.
[0023] Thus, the function management system described herein can be
used to automatically replay a sequence of operations at the start
of every crop row with a single momentary actuation of sequence
switch 56, and to automatically replay a different sequence of
operations at the end of every crop row with a different single
momentary actuation of switch 56. Because the function management
system operates on the basis of distances traveled by the tractor
(instead of on the basis of time intervals, the sequences can be
"learned" slowly as the tractor is moving slowly, then
automatically executed or replayed faster as the tractor moves at
normal operating speeds. This allows the operator plenty of time to
operate the "learn" mode and have the control unit 48 "learn" a
complex sequence of operations.
[0024] During the operations described above, the invention also
operates as follows. A beep will occur when the On/Off switch 66 is
pressed. When the system is turned on the contents of the stored
sequences will be displayed on the monitor/display 48. Each
sequence, starting with sequence 1, will display each event that
was learned and recorded every two seconds followed by the display
of "End" on display 62.
[0025] Learned sequences are retained indefinitely. A maximum
number, such as 12 operations can be recorded. The operator can
delete a learned sequence from memory. If the Learn/Save mode is
canceled during the learning process, i.e. the sequence was not
concluded normally, then the sequence is cleared from memory. A
saved sequence can be removed from memory by entering Learn/Save
mode normally, selecting a sequence, and then hitting the
Learn/Save switch 68 without operating any vehicle functions. This
causes the system to exit the Learn/Save mode and discontinue
flashing the sequence number indicator 72 while the "IMS" indicator
70 alone remains on.
[0026] Once the Learn/Save mode is completed, no operations can be
added to the sequence. Distance information will be accumulated
only while the tractor is in forward gear and above the minimum
speed.
[0027] The Learn/Save mode may also be cancelled by hitting the
On/Off switch 66 and, either a) not selecting a sequence with
sequence switch 56 within 30 seconds, b) not learning any
operations within 30 seconds of the time the sequence switch 56 is
toggled, c) not actuating the Learn/Save switch 68 within 30
seconds of the first operation learned, d) shifting the
transmission 18 out of a forward gear, or e) if the operator is not
present and the tractor is not moving for more than 5 seconds.
[0028] The "IMS" status indicator 70 in the display 62 lights up
when the system is on. If the On/Off switch 66 is pressed while
function management system is on, then the system shuts off the
function management system and turns off the IMS indicator 70. If
the On/Off switch 66 is pressed and the Sequence switch 56 is not
in the neutral position, then the function management system will
not be turned on. If the system is in its Learn/Save mode when the
function management system is turned off, then the Learn/Save mode
will be cancelled and no sequence of operations will be saved. If
the system is executing (replaying) a sequence when the function
management system is turned off, the execution of the sequence will
abort.
[0029] A beep will occur when the Learn/Save mode touch pad switch
68 is pressed. The "IMS" status indicator 70 on display 62 will
flash during Learn mode and every two seconds the VCU 44 will
generate a 16th of a second duration beep. If function management
system is not on, pressing the Learn/Save switch 68 shall have no
effect. If the Learn/Save switch 68 is pressed when the function
management system is on, then the system shall enter into the
Learn/Save mode.
[0030] If the function management system is off, pressing either
part of the Sequence switch 56 will have no effect. If the function
management system is on and the Sequence switch 56 transitions from
the neutral position to either the Sequence 1 position or the
Sequence 2 position, then the system will begin executing
(replaying) the sequence. If the Sequence switch 56 is pressed
while the Learn Mode is active, the system will begin learning
subsequently manually performed operations.
[0031] Execution of a sequence will always begin at the first
operation of the sequence, even if the sequence was previously
aborted. During execution mode, the system will always command the
learned operation for a function. If the function is already in the
state which would result from performance of the learned operation,
then the system will have no effect on that function. For example,
if the operation is a raise the hitch operation, but the hitch is
already fully raised, then execution merely passes along to the
next operation of the sequence. If a sequence is already in process
and then the sequence switch 56 is toggled for the corresponding
sequence again, then that toggling of switch 56 will be ignored and
the sequence execution will continue. If a sequence is already in
process and then the sequence switch 56 is toggled for the other
sequence, then the system will abort the execution of the sequence.
If a function is disabled at the time a sequence is commanded then
the system will not execute the sequence.
[0032] The operator can use the clutch pedal 58 to stop the system
accumulating distance during a Learn/Save mode, and to temporarily
pause the automatic performance of an operation during execution of
a saved sequence. Once 30 seconds has expired, the sequence will
abort regardless of whether the clutch is engaged or not. The
system will also prevent execution of a sequence if the
transmission gear is above a preselected maximum gear, such as 14
forward, unless the sequence was learned above that maximum
gear.
[0033] If the operator manually operates a function during
automatic sequence execution, then that manually operated function
(under this function management system) will be inhibited for the
remainder of the execution of the sequence. The other operations of
the sequence will be performed as learned, and the particular
manually operated operation will not be deleted from the learned
sequence.
[0034] Alarm messages pertaining to functions, which are not
included in the sequence being executed, shall not cause IMS to
abort sequence execution.
[0035] While the present invention has been described in
conjunction with a specific embodiment, it is understood that many
alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to
those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. For
example, the function management system described herein can also
be used to learn and replay operations involving the tractor
differential lock, the mechanical front wheel drive, the power
take-off (PTO), the selective control valves (SCVs) and any
electrohydraulic depth control cylinders, such as on a towed
implement and controlled by operator controls on the tractor.
Accordingly, this invention is intended to embrace all such
alternatives, modifications and variations which fall within the
spirit and scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *