Simulation system implementing real-time machine data

Abstract

A simulation and control system for a machine is disclosed. The simulation and control system may have a user interface configured to display a simulated environment. The machine simulation and control system may also have a controller in communication with the user interface and a remotely located machine. The controller may be configured to receive from the machine real-time information related to operation of the machine at a worksite. The controller may also be configured to simulate the worksite, operation of the machine, and movement of a machine tool based on the received information. The controller may further be configured to provide to the user interface the simulated worksite, operation, and movement in the simulated environment.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A system for remotely controlling a machine on a site, the system comprising:
 an operator interface;   a communication device; and   a control unit configured to:
 identify one or more sites at which one or more machines are available for remote control; 
 allow an operator, via the operator interface, to select one of the sites at which one or more machines are available for remote control, and to select one of the available machines at the selected site; 
 receive, via the communication device, real-time information related to operation of the selected machine at the selected site; 
 simulate operation of the selected machine at the selected site based on the received real-time information and on an electronic map associated with the selected site; 
 provide the simulation via the operator interface; and 
 receive, via the operator interface, machine control commands from the operator; and 
 communicate the received machine control commands to the selected machine via the communication device. 
   
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the control unit is further configured to:
 allow the operator, via the operator interface, to select a view reference perspective of the selected machine from one or more view references perspectives; and   provide the simulation according to the selected view reference perspective of the selected machine.   
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the view reference perspectives include a first-person view from the selected machine and a third-person view of the selected machine. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the real-time information related to operation of the selected machine includes positioning information, and the control unit is further configured to indicate, in the simulation, a positioning of the machine at the selected site based on the positioning information. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the real-time information related to operation of the selected machine includes speed information, and the control unit is further configured to indicate, in the simulation, a speed of the selected machine based on the speed information. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the real-time information related to operation of the selected machine includes steering information, and the control unit is further configured to indicate, in the simulation, a steering magnitude of the machine based on the steering information. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the real-time information related to operation of the selected machine includes roll and pitch information, and the control unit is further configured to indicate, in the simulation, a roll and pitch of the selected machine based on the roll and pitch information. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 21 , further comprising data storage storing electronic maps associated with respective sites, wherein the control unit is configured to access the electronic map associated with selected site from the data storage. 
     
     
         29 . A computer-assisted method for remotely controlling a machine on a site, the method comprising:
 identify one or more sites one at which one or more machines are available for remote control;   allowing an operator, via an operator interface, to select one of the sites at which one or more machines are available for remote control, and to select one of the available machines at the selected site;   receiving real-time information related to operation of the selected machine at the selected site;   simulating operation of the selected machine at the selected site based on the received real-time information and on an electronic map associated with the selected site;   providing the simulation via the operator interface; and   receiving, via the operator interface, machine control commands from the operator; and   communicating the received machine control commands to the selected machine.   
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , further comprising:
 allowing the operator, via the operator interface, to select a view reference perspective of the selected machine from one or more view references perspectives; and   providing the simulation according to the selected view reference perspective of the selected machine.   
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the view reference perspectives include a first-person view from the selected machine and a third-person view of the selected machine. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the real-time information related to operation of the selected machine includes positioning information, and the method further includes indicating, in the simulation, a positioning of the machine at the selected site based on the positioning information. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the real-time information related to operation of the selected machine includes speed information, and the method further includes indicating, in the simulation, a speed of the selected machine based on the speed information. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the real-time information related to operation of the selected machine includes steering information, and the method further includes indicating, in the simulation, a steering magnitude of the machine based on the steering information. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the real-time information related to operation of the selected machine includes roll and pitch information, and the method further includes indicating, in the simulation, a roll and pitch of the selected machine based on the roll and pitch information. 
     
     
         36 . A computer-assisted method for remotely controlling a machine on a site, the method comprising:
 identify one or more machines at a site that are available for remote control;   allowing an operator, via an operator interface, to select one of the available machines for remote control;   receiving real-time information related to operation of the selected machine;   simulating operation of the selected machine at the site based on the received real-time information and on an electronic map associated with the site;   providing the simulation via the operator interface; and   receiving, via the operator interface, machine control commands from the operator; and   communicating the received machine control commands to the selected machine.   
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein identifying one or more machines includes:
 identifying one or more sites one at which one or more machines are available for remote control;   allowing an operator, via an operator interface, to select one of the sites at which one or more machines are available for remote control; and   identifying one or more machines at the selected site that are available for remote control.   
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 36 , further including:
 allowing the operator, via the operator interface, to select a view reference perspective of the selected machine from one or more view references perspectives; and   providing the simulation according to the selected view reference perspective of the selected machine.   
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the view reference perspectives include a first-person view from the selected machine and a third-person view of the selected machine. 
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 36 , wherein the real-time information related to operation of the selected machine includes positioning information, and the control unit is further configured to indicate, in the simulation, a positioning of the machine at the selected site based on the positioning information.