The present disclosure generally relates to agricultural implements and, more particularly, to systems and methods for monitoring plugging of rolling basket assemblies of an agricultural implement.
It is well known that, to attain the best agricultural performance from a field, a farmer must cultivate the soil, typically through a tillage operation. Modern farmers perform tillage operations by pulling a tillage implement behind an agricultural work vehicle, such as a tractor. Tillage implements typically include one or more ground engaging tools configured to engage the soil as the implement is moved across the field. For example, in certain configurations, the implement may include one or more harrow disks, leveling disks, rolling baskets, shanks, tines, and/or the like. Such ground engaging tool(s) loosen, agitate, and/or otherwise work the soil to prepare the field for subsequent planting operations.
During tillage operations, field materials, such as residue, soil, rocks, mud, and/or the like, may become trapped or otherwise accumulate on and/or within ground engaging tools or between adjacent ground engaging tools. For instance, material accumulation will often occur around the exterior of a basket assembly (e.g., on the blades or bars of the basket assembly) and/or within the interior of the basket assembly. Such accumulation of field materials or “plugging” of the basket assembly may prevent the basket assembly from performing in a desired manner during the performance of a tillage operation. In such instances, it is often necessary for the operator to take certain corrective actions to remove the material accumulation. However, it is typically difficult for the operator to detect or determine a plugged condition of a basket assembly when viewing the tools from the operator's cab.
Accordingly, an improved system and method for monitoring plugging of basket assemblies of an agricultural implement would be welcomed in the technology.
Aspects and advantages of the technology will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of the technology.
In one aspect, the present subject matter is directed to a system for monitoring basket plugging for agricultural implements. The system includes a basket assembly configured to be supported by an agricultural implement, where the basket assembly defines a lateral width between opposed lateral ends of the basket assembly. The system further includes a plugging sensor positioned relative to the basket assembly such that the plugging sensor is configured to transmit detection signals across a field of detection towards an interior of the basket assembly and receive return signals based on reflection of the detection signals off at least one surface. The field of detection extends laterally across at least a portion of the lateral width of the basket assembly such that the plugging sensor transmits the detection signals towards multiple locations defined along the at least a portion of the lateral width of the basket assembly. The system also includes a controller communicatively coupled to the plugging sensor. The controller is configured to analyze data received from the plugging sensor as the basket assembly rotates relative to the plugging sensor to determine when the basket assembly is experiencing a plugged condition.
In another aspect, the present subject matter is directed to an agricultural implement that includes a frame, a basket assembly configured to be supported by the frame, and a plugging sensor supported relative to the basket assembly such that the plugging sensor has a field of detection directed towards an interior of the basket assembly. The basket assembly defines a lateral width between opposed lateral ends of the basket assembly. The plugging sensor is configured to generate data associated with a distance between the plugging sensor and at least one surface aligned with the field of detection as the basket assembly is rotated relative to the plugging sensor. The field of detection extends laterally across at least a portion of the lateral width of the basket assembly such that the data generated by the plugging sensor is associated with multiple locations defined along the at least a portion of the lateral width of the basket assembly. The implement further includes a controller communicatively coupled to the plugging sensor. The controller is configured to analyze the data received from the plugging sensor to determine when the basket assembly is experiencing a plugged condition.
In a further aspect, the present subject matter is directed to a method for monitoring plugging of basket assemblies of agricultural implements. The method includes transmitting, with a plugging sensor, detection signals towards an interior of a basket assembly of an agricultural implement and across a field of detection of the plugging sensor extending along at least a portion of a lateral width of the basket assembly as the basket assembly is rotating. The method further includes receiving return signals from multiple locations defined across at least one surface positioned within the field of detection of the plugging sensor based on reflection of the detection signals off the at least one surface. In addition, the method includes analyzing, with a computing device, data associated at least in part with the return signals to determine when the basket assembly is experiencing a plugged condition.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present technology will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the technology and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the technology.
A full and enabling disclosure of the present technology, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures, in which:
Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features or elements of the present technology.
Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
In general, the present subject matter is directed to systems and methods for monitoring plugging of one or more basket assemblies of an agricultural implement. Specifically, in several embodiments, the disclosed system may include one or more plugging sensors supported relative to a given basket assembly such that each plugging sensor is configured to transmit detection signals towards an interior of the basket assembly. In addition, each plugging sensor may be configured to detect return signals corresponding to the detection signals as reflected off a detected surface(s). By analyzing the return signals received by each plugging sensor and/or any data associated with the signals, a controller or computing device of the system may infer or determine that the corresponding basket assembly is currently plugged or experiencing a plugged condition. For instance, in one embodiment, the controller may be configured to assess the data trace or profile of the sensor data received from each plugging sensor to identify the existence of material accumulation on and/or within the basket assembly. Once it is determined that the basket assembly is experiencing a plugged condition, an appropriate control action may then be executed, such as by notifying the operator of the plugged condition or by performing an automated control action.
In accordance with aspects of the present subject matter, each plugging sensor may be capable of transmitting multiple detection signals and detecting multiple return signals across a given lateral width of the basket. For instance, each plugging sensor may be configured as an array or multi-point sensor (e.g., a LIDAR device or multi-ray LED sensor) that has a field of detection extending across a two-dimensional plane, thereby allowing the sensor to generate plugging-related data associated with multiple different locations across such two-dimensional plane. As such, a single plugging sensor may monitor plugging across all or a significant portion of the basket width, which may reduce the costs and the complexity associated with detecting plugging of basket assemblies.
Referring now to the drawings,
In general, the implement 10 may be configured to be towed across a field in a direction of travel (e.g., as indicated by arrow 14 in
As shown in
As shown in
In several embodiments, the frame 28 may be configured to support various ground engaging tools. For instance, the frame 28 may support one or more gangs or sets 44 of disk blades 46. Each disk blade 46 may be configured to penetrate into or otherwise engage the soil as the implement 10 is being pulled through the field. In this regard, the various disk gangs 44 may be oriented at an angle relative to the direction of travel 14 to promote more effective tilling of the soil. In the embodiment shown in
Additionally, as shown, in one embodiment, the implement frame 28 may be configured to support other ground engaging tools. For instance, in the illustrated embodiment, the frame 28 is configured to support a plurality of shanks 50 configured to rip or otherwise till the soil as the implement 10 is towed across the field. Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the frame 28 is also configured to support one or more finishing tools, such as a plurality of leveling blades 52 and/or rolling (or crumbler) basket assemblies 54. However, in other embodiments, any other suitable ground-engaging tools may be coupled to and supported by the implement frame 28, such as a plurality of closing disks, spikes, tines, and/or the like.
It should be appreciated that the configuration of the work vehicle 12 and the implement 10 described above and shown in
Referring now to
In several embodiments, each basket assembly 54 includes a plurality of support plates 70, 72, 74 configured to support a plurality of blades or bars 76 (hereinafter referred to simply as “bars 76” for the sake of simplicity and without intent to limit) spaced circumferentially about the outer perimeter of the basket. For instance, as shown in
Moreover, in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter,
As shown in
For instance, the return signals received by each plugging sensor 102 may be indicative of the distance defined between the sensor 102 and the corresponding reflection surface. In this regard, as the basket assembly 54 is rotated relative to its respective plugging sensor 102, the detection signals transmitted from such plugging sensor 102 at any given point in time will either be directed towards one of the bars 76 surrounding the interior of the basket assembly 54 or the open space defined between adjacent bars 76, depending on the rotational orientation of the basket assembly 54 relative to the plugging sensor 102 at such point in time. As a result, when the adjacent basket assembly 54 is in a normal, un-plugged state (e.g., the interior of the basket assembly 54 is not occupied by field materials), the distance-related data associated with the return signals received by each plugging sensor 102 will generally correspond to return signals being reflected off of the spaced apart bars 76 and return signals being reflected off of a bottom of the basket assembly 54 or the ground surface below a center of the basket assembly 54. However, as field materials accumulate within the interior of the basket assembly 54, the detection signals directed from each plugging sensor 102 towards the open areas defined between adjacent bars 76 will bounce or reflect off the accumulated materials, thereby altering the data trace or profile of the distance-related data associated with the return signals received by the plugging sensor 102. Similarly, as field materials accumulate around the outer perimeter of the basket assembly 54 (e.g. on the bars 76), the detection signals directed from each plugging sensor 102 will bounce or reflect off the accumulated materials as opposed to reflecting off the bars 76 or being transmitted into the interior of the basket assembly 54, thereby altering the data profile of the distance-related data associated with the return signals received by the plugging sensor 102. Accordingly, by recognizing variations in the data profile (particularly variations indicative of a reduction in the distance detected between the sensor 102 and an associated reflection surface), the controller 106 may infer or estimate that the basket assembly 54 is experiencing a plugged condition. Once a plugged condition is detected, an appropriate control action may then be executed, such as by notifying the operator of the plugged condition or by performing an automated control action.
In general, the plugging sensors 102 may correspond to any suitable distance sensors, proximity sensors, and/or the like that are configured to collect data indicative of a distance or range defined between such sensors 102 and a given object/surface across a field of view extending across multiple points or locations (e.g., within a two-dimensional plane), such as at different points along a lateral width of a basket assembly. For instance, in one embodiment, each plugging sensor 102 may correspond to an optical distance sensor, such as a LIDAR sensor. In another embodiment, each plugging sensor 102 may correspond to a multi-ray LED sensor. LIDAR distance sensors suitable for use within the disclosed system 100 are commercially available from various sources, including, for example, from SICK AG of Waldkirch, Germany, and multi-ray LED distance sensors suitable for use within the disclosed system 100 are commercially available from various sources, including, for example, from Pepperl & Fuchs of Mannheim, Germany. In other embodiments, each plugging sensor 102 may correspond to any other suitable distance or proximity sensor or sensing device having field of views capable of sensing plugging at multiple locations along a given detection plane or lateral width of a basket assembly, such as a radar-based distance sensor, an inductance-based distance sensor, an infrared-based distance sensor, ultrasound-based distance sensor, and/or the like.
As shown in
Referring now to
As shown in
As particularly shown in
In contrast, in the subsequent snapshot shown in
As the basket assembly 54 is further rotated in the rotational direction 107 from the position shown in
It should be appreciated that, while the plugging sensor 102 has a detection range described and illustrated herein corresponding to the distance defined between the sensor 102 and the ground (or the opposed side of the basket assembly 54 in contact with the ground during a tillage operation), the plugging sensor 102 may have any other suitable detection range. For instance, in another embodiment, the detection range may be selected to correspond to the distance defined between the sensor 102 and the basket center 105. In general, plugging can be inferred when material accumulation is detected much closer than the an inner surface of a bar 76 at an opposite side of the basket assembly 54 from the plugging sensor 102, such as when material accumulation occurs above the basket center 105, when material accumulation is built up on the blades, but not past the center, etc. As such, when the field of view 104 for the plugging sensor 102 is aligned with the open space between adjacent bars 76 (e.g., as shown in
When the basket assembly 54 is experiencing a plugged condition, the same alternating pattern will be repeated as the basket assembly 54 rotates relative to the plugging sensor 102 during operation of the agricultural implement, with the field of view 104 alternating between being aligned with one of the bars 76 of the basket assembly 54 and being aligned with the open space defined between adjacent bars 76. For instance, the field of view 104 of the plugging sensor 102 is aligned with one of the bars 76 of the basket assembly 54 in the snapshot shown in
It should be appreciated that, although not shown, the basket assembly 54 may also experience an external plugging condition in which field materials accumulate along the outer perimeter of the basket assembly 54, such as on or between the bars 76. In such instance, the plugging sensor 102 may detect the material accumulation in a manner similar to that described. For instance, material accumulation on the bars 76 will result in a reduction in the distance detected between the sensor and the expected location of the bars 76. Similarly, material accumulation directly between the bars 76 will prevent the detection signals 108 from being transmitted through the interior of the basket assembly 54, which may be detected by the plugging sensor 102 via the associated return signals 109 reflecting off the accumulated materials.
It should be appreciated that the cross-sectional configuration of the bars 76 of the basket assembly 54 described above and shown in
Referring now to
It should be appreciated that the data collected from the plugging sensor 102 is generally indicative of the distance defined between the sensor 102 and the detected surface(s). However, for purposes of illustration, the sensor data has been plotted as a function of the distance of the detected surface from the center 105 of the basket assembly 54. Such center-referenced data may be obtained via a linear transformation. In doing so, any sensor measurements that extend beyond the center 105 of the basket assembly 54 may be presented as negative values relative to the basket center 105.
When the field of view 104 of the plugging sensor 102 is aligned with the open spaces defined between adjacent bars 76, the plugging sensor 102 may detect surfaces past the bars 76, particularly the bottom of the basket assembly 54 or the ground surface. As particularly shown in
In contrast, across the respective operational time period shown in
Referring now to
As indicated above, in several embodiments, the system 100 may include one or more plugging sensors 102 installed relative to a basket assembly 54 such that each plugging sensor(s) 102 is configured to provide data indicative of a plugged condition of the basket assembly 54. Additionally, as indicated above, the system 100 may also include a controller 106 communicatively coupled to the plugging sensor(s) 102. As will be described in greater detail below, the controller 106 may be configured to analyze the return signals received by the plugging sensor(s) 102 and/or related data associated with such signals to infer or estimate the existence of material accumulation on and/or within the associated basket assembly 54. Additionally, the controller 106 may also be configured to execute one or more control actions in response to the determination that the basket assembly 54 is likely plugged or in the process of becoming plugged. For instance, in one embodiment, the controller 106 may notify the operator that the basket assembly 54 is plugged or is likely to become plugged in the near future. In addition to notifying the operator (or as an alternative thereto), the controller 106 may be configured to execute one or more automated control actions adapted to de-plug the basket assembly 54 or otherwise reduce the amount of material accumulation on and/or within the basket assembly 54, such as by automatically adjusting the speed of the implement 10 and/or the down force applied to the basket assembly 54 and/or by automatically raising and lowering the basket assembly 54 relative to the ground.
In general, the controller 106 may correspond to any suitable processor-based device(s), such as a computing device or any combination of computing devices. Thus, as shown in
In several embodiments, the data 114 may be stored in one or more databases. For example, the memory 112 may include a signal database 118 for storing the return signals received by the plugging sensor(s) 102 and/or data associated with the received signals. For instance, in addition to the return signals received by the plugging sensor(s) 102, data may be stored within the signal database 118 associated with the distance defined between the sensor(s) 102 and the detected surface. Moreover, when desired, the signal database 118 may also be used to store any modified or transformed sensor data, such as when it is desired to transform the distance data from being referenced relative to the sensor location to being referenced relative to the center 105 of the basket assembly 54 or any other suitable reference location.
Additionally, as shown in
It should be appreciated that the soil condition data may be correspond to pre-existing or predetermined soil condition data stored within the field parameter database 120 or the soil condition data may correspond to sensor data that is being actively collected or generated during the performance of the associated agricultural operation. For instance, in one embodiment, the controller 106 may be provided with soil moisture data (e.g., in the form of a soil moisture map) that was collected during a previous agricultural operation or that was generated based on previously known data associated with the field conditions. Alternatively, a soil moisture sensor may be provided in operative association with the implement 10 or the towing vehicle 12 to allow the soil moisture to be actively monitored during the performance of the associated agricultural operation.
Referring still to
The analysis module 122 may be configured to analyze the distance data associated with the return signals received by the plugging sensor(s) 102 by calculating a detection range metric for the associated plugging sensor 102. In one embodiment, the detection range metric may be indicative of a percentage of the detection signals transmitted from a given plugging sensor 102 that reach a given location within the interior of the basket assembly 54 (or that are within a given range of locations defined relative to such location within the interior of the basket assembly 54). In another embodiment, the detection range metric may be indicative of a corrected distance that the detection signals reach within the interior of the basket assembly 54 relative to a location within the interior of the basket assembly 54. The analysis module 122 may then be configured to determine when the basket assembly 54 is experiencing a plugged condition based at least in part on the detection range metric. For instance, the analysis module 122 may be configured to compare the calculated detection range metric to a predetermined threshold. In such an embodiment, it may be inferred or estimated that the basket assembly 54 is experiencing a plugged condition when the detection range metric crosses such predetermined threshold (e.g., by exceeding the threshold).
In a particular embodiment of the present subject matter, the detection range metric may be indicative of a percentage of detection signals over a given period of time that do not reach a given a location within the interior of the basket assembly 54. For instance, the analysis module 122 may be configured to calculate a plugging metric indicative of the percentage of detection signals that do not reach the basket center 105 within a lateral section 78 across a given time period (e.g., a time period of 1 second, 2 seconds, 3 seconds, and/or the like). In one embodiment, the plugging metric (PM) may be calculated using the following formula (Equation 1):
wherein, PM corresponds to the percentage of the detection signals that do not reach the basket center 105 within a lateral section 78 over a given sampling period, n corresponds to the total number of samples within the lateral section 78 collected by the plugging sensor 105 over the sampling period given the sensor's sampling rate, and P corresponds to an intermediate variable that is assigned a value of one (1) if the detection signal transmitted at such instance does not reach the basket center 105 and is assigned a value of zero (0) if the detection signal transmitted at such instance reaches or exceeds the distance to the basket center 105 within such predetermined radius (e.g., due to the signal being reflected off the basket bars 76 or accumulated material).
By utilizing the above-described metric, a higher PM percentage value indicates that a significant amount of the detection signals transmitted by the plugging sensor 102 are not able to reach the basket center 105, or a location within a given distance to the basket center, thereby indicating that the basket assembly 54 is likely in a plugged state. In contrast, a lower PM percentage value indicates that a smaller amount of the detection signals transmitted by the plugging sensor 102 were not able to reach the basket center, or a location within a given distance to the basket center, thereby indicating that the basket assembly 54 is likely in a non-plugged condition. In one embodiment, to assess the current PM percentage value calculated for a given plugging sensor 102, such value may be compared to a predetermined PM threshold indicative of the plugging condition. For instance, the PM threshold may be set to a given percentage value, such as a percentage ranging from about 60% to about 100%, or from about 70% to about 100%, or from about 80% to about 95%, or from about 85% to about 90%, and/or any other subranges therebetween. In such an embodiment, when the current PM percentage value calculated for a given plugging sensor 102 crosses or exceeds the predetermined PM threshold, it may be inferred or estimated that the basket assembly 54 is experiencing a plugged condition at the location along the basket assembly 54 for which the PM was determined. For instance, if the PM threshold is set as 90%, any PM percentage value above such threshold indicates that more than 90% of the detection signals transmitted from the associated plugging sensor 102 are currently not reaching the basket center 105 and that a plugging condition is very likely.
In another embodiment, the detection range metric may be indicative of a distance that the detection signals reach within the interior of the basket assembly 54 relative to a location within the interior of the basket assembly 54 over a given period of time. For instance, the analysis module 122 may be configured to calculate a standard deviation metric indicative of an adjusted distance or position that detection signals reach relative to the basket center 105 within a lateral section 78 across a given time period (e.g., a time period of 1 second, 2 seconds, 3 seconds, and/or the like). For example, the analysis module 122 may determine an average of the distances of the signals from the basket center 105 for a given lateral section 78 across a given time period or number of samples, with negative distances representing signals that reached below the basket center 105 and positive distances representing signals that did not reach the basket center 105. The analysis module 122 may further determine a standard deviation of such distances of the signals from the basket center 105 for the given lateral section 78 across the given time period or number of samples. The analysis module 122 may then subtract the standard deviation of such distances from the average of such distances to determine a standard deviation metric (SDM) for the given lateral section 78, which is equal to an adjusted distance from the basket center 105 within the given lateral section 78. In one embodiment, the standard deviation metric (SDM) may be calculated using the following formula (Equation 2):
wherein, SDM corresponds to the adjusted distance of the detection signals relative to the basket center 105 within a lateral section 78 over a given sampling period, D corresponds to each distance of the sampled detection signals relative to the basket center 105 within the lateral section 78 collected by the plugging sensor 105 over the sampling period, and SD(D1, D2, . . . D3) corresponds to a statistical measure, such as a standard deviation, of the distance samples within the lateral section 78 collected by the plugging sensor 105 over the sampling period.
By utilizing the above-described metric, a positive SDM value indicates that a significant amount of the detection signals transmitted by the plugging sensor 102 only reach above the basket center 105, with higher positive SDM values indicating a further distance from the basket center, thereby indicating that the basket assembly 54 is likely in a plugged state. In contrast, a negative SDM value indicates that more of the detection signals transmitted by the plugging sensor 102 reach below the basket center, with larger negative SDM values indicating that the detection signals reach closer to the bottom of the basket assembly 54, thereby indicating that the basket assembly 54 is likely in a non-plugged condition. In one embodiment, to assess the current SDM value calculated for a given plugging sensor 102, such value may be compared to a predetermined SDM threshold indicative of the plugging condition. For instance, the SDM threshold may be set to a given value, such as a value ranging from about 40 millimeters (mm) to about 100 mm, or from about 60 mm to about 100 mm, or from about 80 mm to about 95 mm, or from about 85 mm to about 90 mm, and/or any other subranges therebetween. In such an embodiment, when the current SDM value calculated for a given plugging sensor 102 crosses or exceeds the predetermined SDM threshold, it may be inferred or estimated that the basket assembly 54 is experiencing a plugged condition at the location along the basket assembly 54 for which the SDM was determined. For instance, if the SDM threshold is set as 80 mm, any SDM value above such threshold indicates that the detection signals transmitted from the associated plugging sensor 102 are being reflected at an adjusted distance of 80 mm or more from the basket center 105 and that a plugging condition is very likely.
Additionally or alternatively, the plugging metric may be indicative of or include a level of confidence in the determination of the plugging condition. For instance, a standard deviation of the data points may be used to determine whether the data collected is reliable (i.e., within an allowable tolerance threshold).
It should be appreciated that other analysis methods may be used to determine a plugging condition of the basket assembly 54. For instance, other percentages, moving averages, multi-variable statistical methods (e.g., analysis of variances (ANOVAs), etc.), and/or the like may be used in addition to or alternative to the methods described above.
As indicated above, in one embodiment, the system 10 may include a plurality of plugging sensors 102, with at least one plugging sensor 102 being aligned with each basket assembly 54 to allow material accumulation to be detected across basket assembly 54. In such an embodiment, the analysis module 122 may be configured to analyze the return signals and/or associated signal data received by each plugging sensor 102 on a section-by-section basis across the field of view 104 to determine whether a plugged condition exists within the localized areas or lateral sections 78 being detected by each plugging sensor 102.
Referring still to
In other embodiments, the control module 124 may be configured to execute an automated control action designed to adjust the operation of the implement 10. For instance, in one embodiment, the controller 106 may be configured to increase or decrease the operational or ground speed of the implement 10 in an attempt to reduce the amount of material accumulation and/or to limit further material accumulation. For instance, as shown in
In addition to the adjusting the ground speed of the vehicle/implement 12, 10 (or as an alternative thereto), the controller 106 may also be configured to adjust an operating parameter associated with the ground-engaging tools of the implement 10. For instance, as shown in
Moreover, as shown in
Referring now to
As shown in
Additionally, at (204), the method 200 may include receiving return signals from multiple locations defined across at least one surface positioned within the field of detection of the plugging sensor based on reflection of the detection signals off the at least one surface. Specifically, as indicated above, the detection signals 108 transmitted from the plugging sensor 102 may reflect off multiple locations across a given surface (e.g., the outer surface of the bars 76 of the associated basket assembly 54 and/or the surface(s) of the accumulated field materials) positioned within the field of view 104 of the plugging sensor 102 and be subsequently detected as return signals 109 associated with the multiple locations by the plugging sensor 102.
Moreover, as shown in
It is to be understood that the steps of the method 200 are performed by the controller 106 upon loading and executing software code or instructions which are tangibly stored on a tangible computer readable medium, such as on a magnetic medium, e.g., a computer hard drive, an optical medium, e.g., an optical disc, solid-state memory, e.g., flash memory, or other storage media known in the art. Thus, any of the functionality performed by the controller 106 described herein, such as the method 200, is implemented in software code or instructions which are tangibly stored on a tangible computer readable medium. The controller 106 loads the software code or instructions via a direct interface with the computer readable medium or via a wired and/or wireless network. Upon loading and executing such software code or instructions by the controller 106, the controller 106 may perform any of the functionality of the controller 106 described herein, including any steps of the method 200 described herein.
The term “software code” or “code” used herein refers to any instructions or set of instructions that influence the operation of a computer or controller. They may exist in a computer-executable form, such as machine code, which is the set of instructions and data directly executed by a computer's central processing unit or by a controller, a human-understandable form, such as source code, which may be compiled in order to be executed by a computer's central processing unit or by a controller, or an intermediate form, such as object code, which is produced by a compiler. As used herein, the term “software code” or “code” also includes any human-understandable computer instructions or set of instructions, e.g., a script, that may be executed on the fly with the aid of an interpreter executed by a computer's central processing unit or by a controller.
This written description uses examples to disclose the technology, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the technology, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the technology is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.