Truck position control system for milling operations

Abstract

A control system is disclosed for a mobile machine configured to transfer material into a receptacle. The control system may include a first sensor configured to generate a first signal indicative of one of a speed of the mobile machine and a distance between the mobile machine and the receptacle, a display system having at least one display device configured to show information relating to one or more of the mobile machine and the receptacle to an operator of the receptacle, and a controller electronically connected to the first sensor and the display system. The controller may be configured to determine a relative speed of the receptacle with respect to the mobile machine based at least in part on the first signal and generate on the at least one display device a first visual indicator indicative of the relative speed of the receptacle with respect to the mobile machine.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A control system for a mobile machine configured to transfer material into a receptacle, the control system comprising:
 a first sensor configured to generate a first signal indicative of one of a speed of the mobile machine and a distance between the mobile machine and the receptacle;   a display system having at least one display device configured to show information relating to one or more of the mobile machine and the receptacle to an operator of the receptacle; and   a controller electronically connected to the first sensor and the display system and configured to:
 determine a relative speed of the receptacle with respect to the mobile machine based at least in part on the first signal; and 
 generate on the at least one display device a first visual indicator indicative of the relative speed of the receptacle with respect to the mobile machine, 
   
     
     
         2 . The control system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first signal is indicative of the distance between the mobile machine and the receptacle;   the first sensor is one of an ultrasonic sensor, an optical sensor, and a laser sensor; and   the controller is configured to determine the relative speed of the receptacle with respect to the mobile machine based on a comparison of successive iterations of the first signal.   
     
     
         3 . The control system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first sensor is indicative of the speed of the mobile machine; and   the control system includes a communication device electronically connected to the controller, wherein the controller is configured to:
 receive via the communication device a second signal indicative of a speed of the receptacle; and 
 determine the relative speed of the receptacle with respect to the mobile machine based on a comparison of the speed of the mobile machine and the speed of the receptacle. 
   
     
     
         4 . The control system of  claim 3 , wherein the second signal is generated by a second sensor associated with the receptacle or an off-board computer. 
     
     
         5 . The control system of  claim 4 , wherein the first visual indicator is a qualitative indicator indicative of OM or more of a degree to which the receptacle is traveling faster than the mobile machine, a degree to which the receptacle is travelling slower than the mobile machine, or when the speed of the receptacle relative to the mobile machine is within a threshold range. 
     
     
         6 . The control system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to generate on the at least one display device at least a second visual indicator indicative of a reference point location with respect to the receptacle. 
     
     
         7 . The control system of  claim 6 , wherein the reference point location is one of a point location of material being transferred into the receptacle from the mobile machine, a calibration set point location, and a location of a component of the mobile machine. 
     
     
         8 . The control system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to generate on the at least one display device at least a second visual indicator indicative of a distribution of time or a distribution of transferred material along at least one dimension of the receptacle. 
     
     
         9 . The control system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one display device is located on one or more of a mirror assembly of the mobile machine and a conveyor assembly of the mobile machine. 
     
     
         10 . The control system of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one display device is pivotally connected to the conveyor assembly and movable from one side of the conveyor assembly to another side of the conveyor assembly. 
     
     
         11 . The control system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one display device includes a plurality of display devices connected to the mobile machine. 
     
     
         12 . A method, comprising:
 transferring material from a mobile machine into a receptacle;   receiving a first signal indicative of one of a speed of the mobile machine and a distance between the mobile machine and the receptacle;   determining a relative speed of the receptacle with respect to the mobile machine based at least on part on the first signal; and   displaying on at least one display device a first visual indicator indicative of the relative speed of the receptacle with respect to the mobile machine.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein:
 the first signal is indicative of the distance between the mobile machine and the receptacle; and   the method further includes:
 receiving successive iterations of the first signal; and 
 determining the relative speed of the receptacle with respect to the mobile machine based on a comparison of successive iterations of the first signal. 
   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , Wherein:
 the first signal is indicative of the speed of the mobile machine; and   the method further includes:
 receiving a second signal indicative of a speed of the receptacle; and 
 determining the relative speed of the receptacle with respect to the mobile machine based on a comparison of the speed of the mobile machine and the speed of the receptacle. 
   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the second signal is generated by a second sensor associated with the receptacle or an off-board computer. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the first visual indicator is a qualitative indicator of the relative speed of the receptacle with respect to the mobile machine and is indicative of one or more of a degree to which the receptacle is traveling faster than the mobile machine, a degree to which the receptacle is travelling slower than the mobile machine, or when the relative speed of the receptacle with respect to the mobile machine is within a threshold range. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , further including generating on the at least one display device at least a second visual indicator indicative of a reference point location with respect to the receptacle. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the reference point location is one of a point location of material being transferred into the receptacle from the mobile machine, a calibration set point location, and a location of a component of the mobile machine. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12 , further including generating on the at least one display device at least a second visual indicator indicative of a distribution of time or a distribution of transferred material along at least one dimension of the receptacle. 
     
     
         20 . A mobile machine configured to transfer material into a receptacle, comprising:
 a cutting system;   a conveyor assembly configured to transfer material into the receptacle;   a control system associated with the mobile machine and including:
 a first sensor configured to generate a first signal indicative of one of a speed of the mobile machine and a distance between the mobile machine and the receptacle; 
 a display system having at least one display device configured to show information relating to one or more of the mobile machine and the receptacle to an operator of the receptacle; and 
 a controller electronically connected to the first sensor and the display system and configured to:
 determine a relative speed of the receptacle with respect to the mobile machine based at least in part on the first signal; and 
 generate on the at least one display device a first visual indicator indicative of one or more of a degree to which the receptacle is traveling faster than the mobile machine, a degree to which the receptacle is travelling slower than the mobile machine, or when the relative speed of the receptacle with respect to the mobile machine is within a threshold range.