Method for controlling an implement associated with a vehicle

摘要

A method or system for controlling a vehicle comprises entering a programming mode or a guidance mode based on user input to a switch. The user can enter a guidance program in accordance with a predetermined sequence of inputs of the switch by the user, where readiness for each successive input is indicated by a light source. A guidance mode is managed for controlling an implement height in accordance with the entered guidance program. A height sensor can sense an observed height or elevation of an implement of the vehicle (e.g., relative to the absolute target height of the implement above the ground). The observed height is controlled in accordance with the guidance program (e.g., the target height) if the system or the data processor is operating in a guidance mode.

主权项

1. A system for controlling a vehicle, the system comprising:
a single switch; a mode controller for entering a programming mode or a guidance mode based on user input to the single switch; a programming module for managing a programming mode in which the user enters or establishes a guidance program in accordance with a predetermined sequence of inputs of the single switch by the user without any electronic display, where readiness for each successive input to the single switch is indicated by a light source or an audible indicator; a guidance module for managing a guidance mode for controlling each implement height of a vehicle in accordance with the guidance program having a target implement height that remains constant to form a work area of ground or terrain with a substantially constant resultant ground elevation between a first point and at a second point or a resultant ground elevation that varies in accordance with a generally linear grade between the first point and at the second point, where the implement is configured to remove or add material to a ground profile, contour or base level in accordance with the guidance program; a location-determining receiver for determining three-dimensional geographic coordinates for the first point and the second point where the first point and the second point are interconnected by a planned path for the vehicle; a data processor executing software instructions associated with the mode controller, the programming module, and the guidance module; a data storage device for storing the software instructions; a lift actuator associated with an implement of the vehicle; a height sensor for sensing the observed implement height of the implement; a controller associated with the lift actuator for controlling the observed implement height in accordance with the guidance program if the system or the data processor is operating in a guidance mode.