Patent ID: 6167337
Filing Date: 2000-12-26
Classification: E02F,G05B

Abstract:
A reconfigurable control unit for selectively providing an operator interface for a first and a second work vehicle, the first and the second work vehicles adapted to perform a first and a second type of work as controlled by a first and a second work controller, respectively, each type of work being different, each work controller configured to send a unique configuration message on a data bus supported by the respective work vehicle, the reconfigurable control unit comprising:a data bus interface removably couplable to the data bus on each of the first and the second work vehicle;a memory for storing a first and a second application program suitable for use with the first and the second work controller, respectively;a processor coupled to the data bus interface and the memory, wherein the processor is configured to receive the unique configuration message from the data bus, determine whether the control unit is mounted on the first or the second work vehicle based upon the received configuration message, and select the first or the second application program based upon the determined work vehicle; andan operator interface coupled to the processor and including at least one actuatable input device for generating input signals and at least one display device for generating a visual display, wherein the input signals and the visual display are defined at least in part by the selected application program.