System and method for indicating to a remote location operation of an auger or the like

Abstract

The systems and methods of the present invention employ either a sensor in communication with the auger or a sensor in the form of a switch operated by the user of the auger. When the sensor detects that the auger is operating or the switch is operated by the auger operator, an indication of auger operation is published to a remote location. The indication may be in the form of an aural or visual indication or in the form of a wireless transmission.

1 . A harvesting combine comprising: 
 an auger for dispensing grain from a container associated with the combine;    a sensor for detecting when the auger is in operation; and    an indicator in communication with said sensor, for providing an indication when the auger is in operation,    wherein said indicator is positioned on an exterior surface of the body of the harvesting combine in a location such that said indicator is either visible to or audible at a location that is remote from the combine.    
   
   
       2 . A harvesting combine according to  claim 1 , wherein said indicator is a light.  
   
   
       3 . A harvesting combine according to  claim 1 , wherein said indicator is a speaker.  
   
   
       4 . A harvesting combine according to  claim 1  further comprising a controller connected between said sensor and said indicator for controlling said indicator based on output from said sensor.  
   
   
       5 . A harvesting combine according to  claim 1 , wherein said sensor is a switch.  
   
   
       6 . A harvesting combine according to  claim 1 , wherein said sensor senses operation of the auger by sensing rotation of a shaft of the auger.  
   
   
       7 . A harvesting combine according to  claim 1 , wherein said sensor is connected to a drive mechanism for driving the auger.  
   
   
       8 - 14 . (canceled)  
   
   
       15 . A system for providing an indication to a remote location relating to operation of auger associated with a harvesting combine comprising: 
 a first device associate with the auger of the harvesting combine comprising: 
 a sensor for detecting when the auger is in operation; and  
 a transmitter in communication with said sensor, for transmitting a signal remotely when the sensor indicates that the auger is in operation; and  
   a second device positioned at a location that is remote from the harvesting combine comprising: 
 a receiver in communication with said transmitter of said first device for receiving the signal transmitted by said transmitter; and  
 an indicator in communication with said receiver, for providing an indication when the auger is in operation.  
   
   
   
       16 . A system according to  claim 15 , wherein said sensor senses operation of the auger by sensing rotation of a shaft of the auger.  
   
   
       17 . A system according to  claim 15 , wherein said sensor is connected to a drive mechanism for driving the auger.  
   
   
       18 . A system according to  claim 16  further comprising a controller connected between said sensor and said indicator, wherein said controller controls operation of said indicator based on the speed of rotation of the shaft of the auger.  
   
   
       19 . A system according to  claim 18 , wherein said indicator is a light and said controller controls the light to blink at a cycle speed corresponding to the speed of the shaft of the auger.  
   
   
       20 . A system according to  claim 18 , wherein said indicator is a speaker and said controller controls the speaker to output an intermittent audible sound where the intermittence of the sound corresponds to the speed of the shaft of the auger.  
   
   
       21 . A system according to  claim 16 , wherein 
 the auger comprises an auger drive mechanism comprising a belt and a pulley used to rotate the shaft of the auger, wherein the pulley is connected to a stationary pivot point via a pivot arm, wherein the pivot arm is operated to selectively engage and disengage the auger, such that in an extended position, the pivot arm rotates the pulley into contact with the belt to drive the shaft of the auger and in a retracted position, the pivot arm rotates the pulley away from contact with the belt,    wherein said sensor is in communication with said pivot arm and senses the position of the pivot arm to determine whether the augur is operating.    
   
   
       22 . A harvesting combine according to  claim 6  further comprising a controller connected between said sensor and said indicator, wherein said controller controls operation of said indicator based on the speed of rotation of the shaft of the auger.  
   
   
       23 . A harvesting combine according to  claim 22 , wherein said indicator is a light and said controller controls the light to blink at a cycle speed corresponding to the speed of the shaft of the auger.  
   
   
       24 . A harvesting combine according to  claim 22 , wherein said indicator is a speaker and said controller controls the speaker to output an intermittent audible sound where the intermittence of the sound corresponds to the speed of the shaft of the auger.  
   
   
       25 . A harvesting combine according to  claim 1 , wherein 
 said auger comprises an auger drive mechanism comprising a belt and a pulley used to rotate the shaft of the auger, wherein the pulley is connected to a stationary pivot point via a pivot arm, wherein the pivot arm is operated to selectively engage and disengage the auger, such that in an extended position, the pivot arm rotates the pulley into contact with the belt to drive the shaft of the auger and in a retracted position, the pivot arm rotates the pulley away from contact with the belt,    wherein said sensor is in communication with said pivot arm and senses the position of the pivot arm to determine whether the augur is operating.