Method and apparatus for using a control system of an earthworking machine as a training system

Abstract

The present invention is a method and apparatus for training an operator of an earthworking machine having an implement control system. The method and apparatus includes switching from control by the implement control system to control by the operator, monitoring operator control commands, and comparing the operator control commands to control commands of the implement control system. The method and apparatus also includes communicating the comparison to the operator.

I claim: 
     
       1. A method for training an operator of an earthworking machine having an implement control system, including the steps of: switching from control by the implement control system to control by the operator;   monitoring operator control commands by the implement control system;   comparing the operator control commands to control commands of the implement control system; and   communicating the comparison to at least one of the operator and a trainer.   
     
     
       2. A method, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the control commands of the implement control system are determined as a function of a plurality of earthworking machine parameters. 
     
     
       3. A method, as set forth in claim 2, wherein at least one of the plurality of earthworking machine parameters is sensed. 
     
     
       4. A method, as set forth in claim 2, wherein at least one of the plurality of earthworking machine parameters is determined. 
     
     
       5. A method, as set forth in claim 2, wherein at least one of the plurality of earthworking machine parameters is sensed and at least one other of the plurality of earthworking machine parameters is determined. 
     
     
       6. A method, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the comparison is the difference between the operator control commands and the control commands of the implement control system, the control commands of the implement control system being determined to optimize the operation of the earthworking machine. 
     
     
       7. A method, as set forth in claim 6, wherein communicating the comparison includes the step of displaying the difference to at least one of the operator and the trainer. 
     
     
       8. A method, as set forth in claim 6, wherein communicating the comparison includes the step of storing the difference in a memory for communicating to at least one of the operator and the trainer at a desired time. 
     
     
       9. An apparatus for training an operator of an earthworking machine having an implement control system, comprising: a switch for switching from control by the implement control system to control by the operator; wherein the implement control system is adapted to monitor operator control commands, compare the operator control commands to control commands of the implement control system, and communicate the comparison to at least one of the operator and a trainer.   
     
     
       10. An apparatus, as set forth in claim 9, further including a display for displaying the comparison to at least one of the operator and the trainer. 
     
     
       11. An apparatus, as set forth in claim 9, further including a memory for storing the comparison. 
     
     
       12. An apparatus for training an operator of an earthworking machine having an implement control system, comprising: means for switching from control by the implement control system to control by the operator;   means for monitoring operator control commands by the implement control system;   means for comparing the operator control commands to control commands of the implement control system; and   means for communicating the comparison to at least one of the operator and a trainer.   
     
     
       13. An apparatus, as set forth in claim 12, further including means for displaying the comparison to at least one of the operator and the trainer. 
     
     
       14. An apparatus, as set forth in claim 12, further including means for storing the comparison in a memory. 
     
     
       15. An apparatus for training an operator of an earthworking machine having an implement control system, comprising: a switch for switching from control by the implement control system to control by the operator; wherein the implement control system is adapted to monitor operator control commands, compare the operator control commands to control commands of the implement control system, and communicate the comparison to at least one of the operator and a trainer;   a display for displaying the comparison to at least one of the operator and the trainer; and   a memory for storing the comparison.