Patent Application
20240344278
This disclosure relates to a work machine. More specifically, this disclosure relates to an automatic liquid spray system for dust mitigation.
Asphalt, concrete, or cement-surfaced roadways are built to facilitate vehicular travel. Depending upon usage density, base conditions, temperature variation, moisture variation, and/or physical age, the surface of the roadways eventually becomes misshapen, non-planar, unable to support wheel loads, or otherwise unsuitable for vehicular traffic. In order to rehabilitate the roadways for continued vehicular use, spent asphalt, concrete, or cement is removed in preparation for resurfacing.
Cold planers, sometimes referred to as road mills, scarifiers, or profiling machines, typically include a frame propelled by tracked drive units. The frame supports an engine, an operator's station, and a milling rotor. The milling rotor, fitted with cutting tools, is rotated through a suitable interface by the engine to break up the surface of the roadway. The broken-up roadway material is deposited by the milling rotor onto a conveyor, or series of conveyors, that transport the material away from the machine and to a nearby haul vehicle for transportation away from the job site.
Dust is an unpleasant result of many roadwork constructions. For example, during the milling of a road, much dust and smoke is generated and can create an unpleasant environment for the operation of the milling work machine and around the work machine. The dust can make components (e.g., conveyor belts, milling bits, or other mechanical or electrical components of the work machines) wear more quickly. Moreover, the dust and smoke can cause air quality issues for those working on or around the work machine.
U.S. Pat. No. 9,371,618 to Caterpillar Paving Products, Inc., discusses a system and method for operating a cold planer. The method includes “a signal indicative of an operating state is used to determine an operating condition, which is a basis for deciding which spray banks from a plurality of spray banks should be activated. Thereafter, a water flow required to operate the spray banks is estimated and a pump command signal is determined. The pump is operated and a water pressure in a main manifold is monitored such that the pump is controlled using a closed-loop control scheme that receives the water pressure as feedback to maintain a desired water pressure within the main manifold.”
In an example, a work machine for roadwork can include a frame, a power source, a milling rotor, a sensor, and a controller. The milling rotor can be operatively connected to the power source and the frame. The sensor can be configured to detect dust. The control can be configured to, in response to a signal received from the sensor, activate a dust mitigation system to send a control signal to a control valve to supply liquid to the dust mitigation system and to control an amount of the liquid supplied to the dust mitigation system based on the signal from the sensor.
In another example, a system for automatic dust mitigation on a work machine can include a sensor, and a controller. The sensor can be configured to detect dust. The controller can be configured to, in response to a signal received from the sensor, activate a dust mitigation system. The dust mitigation system can send a signal to a control valve to supply a liquid to the dust mitigation system. The dust mitigation system can also control an amount of the liquid supplied to the dust mitigation system based on the signal from the sensor.
In yet another example, a method for operating an automatic liquid system for dust mitigation on a work machine can include receiving, with a controller, a first signal from a sensor attached to the work machine. The first signal can be of dust around the work machine. The controller can include a location of the sensor on the frame. The method can also include sending a second signal to a dust mitigation system. The second signal can be indicative of dust around the location of the sensor. The second signal can open a control valve of the dust mitigation system to fluidically connect a liquid control manifold and a tank to supply water to the dust mitigation system. The method can also include sending a third signal to the dust mitigation system to open a dust mitigation valve. The dust mitigation valve at the location of the sensor on the frame to provide liquid at the location of the sensor.
In the drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, like numerals may describe similar components in different views. Like numerals having different letter suffixes may represent different instances of similar components. The drawings illustrate generally, by way of example, but not by way of limitation, various embodiments discussed in the present document.
The frame 102 can longitudinally extend between a first end 102A and a second end 102B. The power source 104 can be provided in any number of different forms including, but not limited to, internal combustion engines, electric motors, hybrid engines, or any power source used to power construction equipment. Power from the power source 104 can be transmitted to various components and systems of the work machine 100, such as the ground-engaging units 106 or a milling assembly 110.
The frame 102 can be supported by the ground-engaging units 106 via the vertically-movable legs 108. The ground-engaging units 106 can be any kind of ground-engaging device that allows the work machine 100 to move over a ground surface such as a paved road or a ground already processed by the work machine 100. For example, as shown in
The ground-engaging units 106 can be configured to move the work machine 100 in forward and backward directions along the ground surface. The vertically-movable legs 108 can be configured to raise and lower the frame 102 relative to the ground-engaging units 106 and the ground. One or more of the vertically-movable legs 108 can be configured to rotate about their central axis to provide steering for the work machine 100.
The work machine 100 can include multiple ground-engaging units 106, for example, four: a front left ground-engaging unit, a front right ground-engaging unit, a rear left ground-engaging unit, and a rear right ground-engaging unit, each of which can be connected to vertically-movable legs 108, respectively. As shown in
The vertically-movable legs 108 can be provided to raise and lower the frame 102 to, for example, control a cutting depth of a milling rotor 112 and to accommodate the work machine 100 engaging obstacles on the ground.
The work machine 100 can include the milling assembly 110 connected to the frame 102. The milling assembly 110 can include a cylindrical milling rotor 112. The milling rotor 112 can be operatively connected to the power source 104. The milling rotor 112 can include a plurality of cutting tools (not shown in FIGS.) such as chisels, or milling bits disposed thereon the periphery of the milling rotor 112. The milling rotor 112 can be rotated about its center axis. As the milling rotor 112 rotates, the cutting tools can engage a work surface 114. The work surface 114 can be asphalt, concrete, or any other material used to make existing roadways, bridges, parking lots, or any other concrete, cement, asphalt, mining materials like gold, boxite, salt, or the like, dirt, or any combination thereof. Moreover, as the milling rotor 112 engages the work surface 114, the cutting tools can remove layers of materials forming the work surface 114, such as hardened dirt, rock, or pavement. The spinning action of the milling rotor 112 and the cutting tools can transfer the material of the work surface 114 onto a conveyor system 116. The conveyor system 116 can remove the material from near the milling rotor 112 and carries the material away from the milling rotor 112 to be deposited in a receptacle. For example, the receptacle can be a box of a dump truck.
The work machine 100 can also include a pair of side plates (hereinafter referred to as “side plates 118”), only one of which is shown, the other being disposed further into the plane of
The work machine 100 can further include an operator station or a platform 120 including a control panel or a human-machine interface (hereinafter referred to as “control panel 122”) for inputting commands to the control system 200 for controlling the work machine 100, and for outputting information related to an operation of the work machine 100. As such, an operator of the work machine 100 can perform control and monitoring functions of the work machine 100 from the platform 120, such as by observing various data output by various sensors located on the work machine 100. Furthermore, the control panel 122 can include controls for operating the ground-engaging units 106 and the vertically-movable legs 108.
The work machine 100 can include sensors that communicate to a control system 200 (
In another example, the sensor 130 can be attached to the frame 102 such that the sensor 130 can detect dust on the conveyor system 116. Here, the sensor 130 can detect dust escaping from the conveyor system 116 before the dust obstructs the operator's field of view and interferes with the operator's operation of the work machine 100. Moreover, the sensor 130 can detect dust before it spreads to other areas of the work machine 100 and to areas outside of the work machine 100.
In the example shown in
The work machine 100 can also include a dust mitigation valve 132 through which a liquid can flow. In examples, the dust mitigation valve 132 can be configured to supply a liquid to an area of the work machine 100 to mitigate dust from the debris generated by the work machine 100. For example, the dust mitigation valve 132 can be attached to the frame 102 such that the dust mitigation valve 132 can supply a liquid within the milling chamber 124 to attenuate or decrease the dust within the milling chamber 124. Here, the dust mitigation valve 132 can supply the liquid to the milling rotor 112, the cutting tools, the work surface 114, or any combination thereof. Decreasing the dust within the milling chamber 124 can help prevent dust from escaping the milling chamber 124 and interfering with the operation of the work machine 100.
In examples, the conveyor system 116 can include a first segment 116A and a second segment 116B. In examples, the first segment 116A can be between the milling chamber 124 and the second segment 116B.
In another example, the dust mitigation valve 132 can be attached to the frame 102 near the first segment 116A of the conveyor system 116. Here, the dust mitigation valve 132 can be positioned such that the dust mitigation valve 132 can supply the liquid to the conveyor system 116 or the debris on the conveyor system 116 to mitigate dust around the conveyor system 116. Decreasing the dust near the conveyor system 116 can prevent dust from accumulating near the first segment 116A of the conveyor system 116 and escaping the work machine 100 and interfering with the operation of the work machine 100.
In yet another example, the dust mitigation valve 132 can be attached to the frame 102 near the first end 102A. Here, the dust mitigation valve 132 can be positioned such that the dust mitigation valve 132 can supply liquid to the second segment 116B of the conveyor system 116, the debris exiting the conveyor system 116 or a combination thereof. Decreasing dust near the first end 102A can prevent dust from accumulating near the second segment 116B of the conveyor system 116 and escaping the work machine 100 and interfering with the operation of the work machine 100. In another example, the dust mitigation valves 132 can be located at a common manifold to control the flow of liquid throughout the dust mitigation system.
As shown in
The work machine 100 can also include a liquid storage tank 134. The liquid storage tank 134 can be configured to supply liquid to each dust mitigation valve 132. For example, the liquid storage tank 134 can be fluidically connected to each dust mitigation valve 132. In some examples, the work machine 100 may be a milling machine or a reclamation machine. In other examples, the work machine 100 may be any other work machine that generates dust while interacting with the work surface 114.
The controller 202 can be configured to operate according to a predetermined algorithm or set of instructions for controlling the work machine 100 based on various operating conditions of the work machine 100, such as can be determined from output of any of the various sensors. Such an algorithm or set of instructions can be stored in a database 204, can be read into an on-board memory of the controller 202, or preprogrammed onto a storage medium or memory accessible by the controller 202, for example, in the form of a floppy disk, hard drive, optical medium, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), or any other suitable computer-readable storage medium commonly used in the art (each referred to as a “database”), which can be in the form of a physical, non-transitory storage medium.
The controller 202 can be in electrical communication with or connected to a drive assembly 206, or the like, and various other components, systems or sub-systems of the work machine 100. The drive assembly 206 can comprise an engine, a hydraulic motor, a hydraulic system including various pumps, reservoirs, actuators, or combinations thereof, among other elements (such as the power source 104 of
The controller 202, including a human-machine interface or an operator interface (hereinafter referred to as ‘operator interface 208″), can include various output devices, such as screens, video displays, monitors and the like that can be used to display information, warnings, data, such as text, numbers, graphics, icons, and the like, regarding the status of the work machine 100. The controller 202, including the operator interface 208, can additionally include a plurality of input interfaces for receiving information and command signals from various switches and sensors associated with the work machine 100 and a plurality of output interfaces for sending control signals to various actuators associated with the work machine 100. Suitably programmed, the controller 202 can serve many additional similar or wholly disparate functions as is well-known in the art.
With regard to input, the controller 202 can receive signals or data from the operator interface 208 (such as at the control panel 122 of
The controller 202 can also receive data from one or more of the sensors 130 attached to the frame 102 (
In other examples, such information can be provided by the dust mitigation system 220, a hydraulic system controller or the like, to the controller 202. The operation status received can include whether the work machine 100 is in non-milling operational status or milling operational status (e.g., the milling rotor 112 is not spinning or the milling rotor 112 is spinning, respectively). Moreover, the operation status can include whether the dust mitigation system 220 is in operation or if the dust mitigation system 220 is in standby mode. Further, the operation status can include operational information about the dust mitigation system 220, more specifically, the dust mitigation system 220 can provide information as to the status of each dust mitigation valve 132, the pressure of the liquid within the dust mitigation system 220, the level of the liquid within the liquid storage tank 134, or the like.
In examples, the dust mitigation system 220 can receive and process data from the operator interface 208 related to the operator's desired dust mitigation levels, valve control, water pressure, and the like. The dust mitigation system 220 can receive a signal from one or more of the sensors 130. In examples, as discussed above, the sensor 130 can be connected to the frame 102 in various locations around the work machine 100. The dust mitigation system 220 can also receive dust mitigation parameters, for example, volume of liquid being dispensed, status of each of the dust mitigation valve 132, liquid level in the liquid storage tank 134. or any other parameter used in milling operations.
In examples, the dust mitigation system 220 can use the dust mitigation parameters, and the signals received from various other sensors (e.g., the sensor 130, or the like), to maintain a dust mitigation level received from the operator interface 208. The dust mitigation system 220 can maintain the dust mitigation level received from the operator interface 208, giving the operator of the work machine 100 one less system to control while operating the work machine 100. Using a closed loop control algorithm, the dust mitigation system 220 can adjust its operation automatically to maintain an acceptable level of measured air quality or dust level without using an excessive quantity of water. The acceptable level of measured air quality or dust level could be changed by the operator for different applications, regions, or individual job requirements.
The controller 302 can be a controller located on a work machine (e.g., the frame 102 on the work machine 100). In another example, the controller 302 can be a standalone controller used to control the dust mitigation system. In yet another example, the controller 302 can control the dust mitigation system and a ventilation system on the work machine. The controller 302 can be in communication with the liquid storage tank 304, the dust mitigation module 308, the signal processor 310, and the user interface 320.
The liquid storage tank 304 (e.g., the liquid storage tank 134 from
The liquid storage tank 304 can include a level sensor 306. The level sensor 306 can be configured to detect the level of liquid within the liquid storage tank 304. The level sensor 306 can be a sonar, infrared, or any other kind of level sensor used for measuring the storage of liquids in a tank. In examples, the level sensor 306 can send a signal to the controller 302 indicative of the level of liquid within the liquid storage tank 304.
The dust mitigation module 308 can be configured to control dust around the work machine (e.g., the work machine 100). The dust mitigation module 308 can be in communication with the controller 302, a first sensor 312, a second sensor 314, a third sensor 316, and a liquid control manifold 318. In examples, the dust mitigation module 308 can turn on the first sensor 312, the second sensor 314, and the third sensor 316. In another example, the dust mitigation module 308 can send a controlling signal to the liquid control manifold 318 to control the liquid control manifold 318.
The first sensor 312, the second sensor 314, and the third sensor 316 can each be a sensor for detecting dust (e.g., the sensors 130 from
The signal processor 310 can be configured to receive a signal from the first sensor 312, the second sensor 314, or the third sensor 316 and compile the sensed data. In examples, the dust mitigation module 308 can compare the signals received from the first sensor 312, the second sensor 314, or the third sensor 316. In response to the signals from the sensors, the signal processor 310 can send a signal to the controller 302 indicative of an amount of dust present at each of the first sensor 312, the second sensor 314, or the second sensor 314. In examples, the signal processor 310 can be integral to the dust mitigation module 308 or the controller 302.
In examples, the controller 302 can receive additional information from the signal processor 310. The signal processor 310 can be electronically connected to the one or more sensors (e.g., the first sensor 312, the second sensor 314, or the third sensor 316). As discussed above, the one or more sensors can be configured to detect dust around the work machine. The signal processor 310 can be configured to receive the one or more signals from any of the sensors and analyze the signals to determine an amount of dust present around the sensor based on the signal received from the sensor. For example, the signal processor 310 can compare the signals from the sensors to predetermined threshold values. Here, the signal processor 310 can have different thresholds for each of the sensors (e.g., the first sensor 312, the second sensor 314, or the third sensor 316) to determine an amount of dust present around the work machine. Here, the threshold values can be input into the user interface 320 by the operator of the work machine. In another example, the threshold values can be programmed into the signal processor 310 based on collected data known to help attenuate dust around the work machine.
In some examples, the signal processor 310 can compare the one or more signals from the sensors to one or more reference signals stored on a database (e.g., the database 204 from
In response to receiving a signal from the sensors that is indicative of dust being present near the sensor, the signal processor 310 can send a signal to the controller 302. In examples, the pre-determined threshold values can be programed into the controller 302 and the signal processor 310. In another example, the operator can set the pre-determined threshold value on the user interface 320 of the work machine.
During the operation of the work machine (e.g., cold planer, or a roadway milling machine), automatic dust mitigation can be controlled by the dust mitigation module 308. In one example, the operator can turn the dust mitigation module 308 on by activating the dust mitigation module 308 on the user interface 320. In another example, the dust mitigation module 308 can turn on whenever a ventilation system of the work machine is activated. In yet another example, the controller 302 can prevent the ventilation system of the work machine from being turned on without first turning on the dust mitigation module 308.
In examples, the controller 302 can send a signal to the dust mitigation module 308 based on receiving a signal from the signal processor 310 that is indicative of dust being present at any of the sensors around the work machine. In response to receiving the signal from the controller 302, the dust mitigation module 308 can send a signal to a control valve 317 of the liquid control manifold 318.
In an example, the controller 302 can send a signal to the dust mitigation module 308 that is indicative of dust around the work machine 100 (
The liquid control manifold 318 can include dust mitigation valves (e.g., a first dust mitigation valve 322, a second dust mitigation valve 324, and a third dust mitigation valve 326, each of which can control a liquid flow out of the liquid control manifold 318 and to one or more spray bar or nozzle around the work machine 100.
The liquid control manifold 318 can be configured to fill with fluid to provide fluid to a first dust mitigation valve 322, a second dust mitigation valve 324, or a third dust mitigation valve 326 based on the signal from the dust mitigation module 308. For example, when the liquid control manifold 318 can be fluidically connected to the liquid storage tank 304, the liquid control manifold 318 can fill with fluid to provide fluid to each of the first dust mitigation valve 322, the second dust mitigation valve 324, and the third dust mitigation valve 326. In examples, the liquid control manifold 318 can pressure the fluid that is provided to the first dust mitigation valve 322, the second dust mitigation valve 324, and the third dust mitigation valve 326 when the control valve 317 is open and the fluid is being pumped into the liquid control manifold 318 at a rate that is greater than a rate that the fluid is leaving the liquid control manifold 318 via the first dust mitigation valve 322, the second dust mitigation valve 324, or the third dust mitigation valve 326. The dust mitigation module 308 can send a signal to any of the first dust mitigation valve 322, the second dust mitigation valve 324 or the third dust mitigation valve 326 to open the valve, or valves, that are most likely to affect an area around the sensor associated with the signal received by the dust mitigation module 308. Similarly, the dust mitigation module 308 can also send a signal to close any of the first dust mitigation valve 322, the second dust mitigation valve 324, or the third dust mitigation valve 326.
In the example shown in
In another example, the dust mitigation valves (e.g., the first dust mitigation valve 322, the second dust mitigation valve 324, and the third dust mitigation valve 326) can be controlled by the controller 302 directly. Here, the controller 302 can send a signal to the dust mitigation valves to open or close the dust mitigation valves. For example, the controller 302 can send a signal to the first dust mitigation valve 322 to open the first dust mitigation valve 322. In another example, the controller 302 can send a signal to the second dust mitigation valve 324 to open the second dust mitigation valve 324. In another example, the controller 302 can send a signal to the third dust mitigation valve 326 to open the third dust mitigation valve 326. In yet another example, the controller 302 can send a signal to any combination of the first dust mitigation valve 322, the second dust mitigation valve 324, or the third dust mitigation valve 326 to open any of the first dust mitigation valve 322, the second dust mitigation valve 324, or the third dust mitigation valve 326.
In an operable example of the dust mitigation system, a method 400 can include various operations to mitigate dust around a work machine.
At operation 405, the method 400 can include receiving, with a controller (e.g., the controller 202 of
At operation 410, the method 400 can include sending a signal to a dust mitigation system (e.g., the dust mitigation system 220 of
At operation 415, the method 400 can include opening, with the dust mitigation system (or any other controller) the dust mitigation valve (e.g., the first dust mitigation valve 322, the second dust mitigation valve 324, or the third dust mitigation valve 326) around the sensor to provide liquid around the location of the sensor. In examples, the liquid can help reduce and mitigate the dust forming around the sensor to help prevent the dust from accumulating on the work machine or dispersing to the operators around the work machine.
In alternative embodiments, the machine 500 may operate as a standalone device or may be connected (e.g., networked) to other machines. In a networked deployment, the machine 500 may operate in the capacity of a server machine, a client machine, or both in server-client network environments. In an example, the machine 500 may act as a peer machine in peer-to-peer (P2P) (or other distributed) network environment. The machine 500 may be a personal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a set-top box (STB), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile telephone, a web appliance, a network router, switch or bridge, or any machine capable of executing instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. Further, while only a single machine is illustrated, the term “machine” shall also be taken to include any collection of machines that individually or jointly execute a set (or multiple sets) of instructions to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein, such as cloud computing, software as a service (SaaS), other computer cluster configurations.
The machine (e.g., computer system) 500 may include a hardware processor 502 (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a hardware processor core, or any combination thereof), a main memory 504, a static memory (e.g., memory or storage for firmware, microcode, a basic-input-output (BIOS), unified extensible firmware interface (UEFI), etc.) 506, and mass storage 508 (e.g., hard drives, tape drives, flash storage, or other block devices) some or all of which may communicate with each other via an interlink (e.g., bus) 530. The machine 500 may further include a display unit 510, an alphanumeric input device 512 (e.g., a keyboard), and a user interface (UI) navigation device 514 (e.g., a mouse). In an example, the display unit 510, input device 512 and UI navigation device 514 may be a touch screen display. The machine 500 may additionally include a storage device (e.g., drive unit) 508, a signal generation device 518 (e.g., a speaker), a network interface device 520, and one or more sensors 516, such as a global positioning system (GPS) sensor, compass, accelerometer, or other sensor. The machine 500 may include an output controller 528, such as a serial (e.g., universal serial bus (USB), parallel, or other wired or wireless (e.g., infrared (IR), near field communication (NFC), etc.) connection to communicate or control one or more peripheral devices (e.g., a printer, card reader, etc.).
Registers of the processor 502, the main memory 504, the static memory 506, or the mass storage 508 may be, or include, a machine readable medium 522 on which is stored one or more sets of data structures or instructions 524 (e.g., software) embodying or utilized by any one or more of the techniques or functions described herein. The instructions 524 may also reside, completely or at least partially, within any of registers of the processor 502, the main memory 504, the static memory 506, or the mass storage 508 during execution thereof by the machine 500. In an example, one or any combination of the hardware processor 502, the main memory 504, the static memory 506, or the mass storage 508 may constitute the machine readable media 522. While the machine readable medium 522 is illustrated as a single medium, the term “machine readable medium” may include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) configured to store the one or more instructions 524.
The term “machine readable medium” may include any medium that is capable of storing, encoding, or carrying instructions for execution by the machine 500 and that cause the machine 500 to perform any one or more of the techniques of the present disclosure, or that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying data structures used by or associated with such instructions. Non-limiting machine readable medium examples may include solid-state memories, optical media, magnetic media, and signals (e.g., radio frequency signals, other photon based signals, sound signals, etc.). In an example, a non-transitory machine readable medium comprises a machine readable medium with a plurality of particles having invariant (e.g., rest) mass, and thus are compositions of matter. Accordingly, non-transitory machine-readable media are machine readable media that do not include transitory propagating signals. Specific examples of non-transitory machine readable media may include: non-volatile memory, such as semiconductor memory devices (e.g., Electrically Programmable Read-Only Memory (EPROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM)) and flash memory devices; magnetic disks, such as internal hard disks and removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and CD-ROM and DVD-ROM disks.
In an example, information stored or otherwise provided on the machine readable medium 522 may be representative of the instructions 524, such as instructions 524 themselves or a format from which the instructions 524 may be derived. This format from which the instructions 524 may be derived may include source code, encoded instructions (e.g., in compressed or encrypted form), packaged instructions (e.g., split into multiple packages), or the like. The information representative of the instructions 524 in the machine readable medium 522 may be processed by processing circuitry into the instructions to implement any of the operations discussed herein. For example, deriving the instructions 524 from the information (e.g., processing by the processing circuitry) may include: compiling (e.g., from source code, object code, etc.), interpreting, loading, organizing (e.g., dynamically or statically linking), encoding, decoding, encrypting, unencrypting, packaging, unpackaging, or otherwise manipulating the information into the instructions 524.
In an example, the derivation of the instructions 524 may include assembly, compilation, or interpretation of the information (e.g., by the processing circuitry) to create the instructions 524 from some intermediate or preprocessed format provided by the machine readable medium 522. The information, when provided in multiple parts, may be combined, unpacked, and modified to create the instructions 524. For example, the information may be in multiple compressed source code packages (or object code, or binary executable code, etc.) on one or several remote servers. The source code packages may be encrypted when in transit over a network and decrypted, uncompressed, assembled (e.g., linked) if necessary, and compiled or interpreted (e.g., into a library, stand-alone executable etc.) at a local machine, and executed by the local machine.
The instructions 524 may be further transmitted or received over a communications network 526 using a transmission medium via the network interface device 520 utilizing any one of a number of transfer protocols (e.g., frame relay, internet protocol (IP), transmission control protocol (TCP), user datagram protocol (UDP), hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP), etc.). Example communication networks may include a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a packet data network (e.g., the Internet), LoRa/LoRaWAN, or satellite communication networks, mobile telephone networks (e.g., cellular networks such as those complying with 3G, 4G LTE/LTE-A, or 5G standards), Plain Old Telephone (POTS) networks, and wireless data networks (e.g., Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 502.11 family of standards known as Wi-Fi®, IEEE 502.15.4 family of standards, peer-to-peer (P2P) networks, among others. In an example, the network interface device 520 may include one or more physical jacks (e.g., Ethernet, coaxial, or phone jacks) or one or more antennas to connect to the communications network 526. In an example, the network interface device 520 may include a plurality of antennas to wirelessly communicate using at least one of single-input multiple-output (SIMO), multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO), or multiple-input single-output (MISO) techniques. The term “transmission medium” shall be taken to include any intangible medium that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying instructions for execution by the machine 500, and includes digital or analog communications signals or other intangible medium to facilitate communication of such software. A transmission medium is a machine readable medium.
