Patent ID: 8594895
Filing Date: 2013-11-26
Classification: E02F,G05B

Abstract:
1. A method of operating an apparatus which has at least two alternative operational modes, the method comprising providing the apparatus with a plurality of controllable operating devices, each controllable operating device having alternative operating states and being operable by the operator, each of the controllable operating devices having an expected operating state appropriate for one of the two alternative operational modes, and providing the apparatus with a controller comprising at least one processor to which demand signals to operate the controllable operating devices are input by the operator from a main operating control structure, and from which command signals are issued to the controllable operating devices, to change the operating states of the devices, providing the apparatus with an advisory device, and providing the apparatus with an auxiliary control structure for the operator to input an auxiliary signal to the controller, the auxiliary control structure being operationally separate from the main operating control structure and arranged to change the operating state of each of a plurality of operating devices as prompted by the advisory device, each of the controllable operating devices having an expected operating state appropriate for one of the two alternative operational modes, wherein the method further comprises determining with the controller the operational mode in which the apparatus is being operated or is about to be operated, determining with the controller the operating state of at least one of the plurality of operating devices, the controller comparing the determined operating state with the expected operating state, and where the determined operating state is not the expected operating state, the controller providing an indication to the operator by the advisory device, and the controller permitting the operator to change the operating state of the at least one operating device to the expected operating state using the auxiliary control structure when the determined operating state is not the expected operating state.