Patent Publication Number: US-2016237642-A1

Title: System and method for controlling position of machine implement

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The current disclosure relates to an implement of a machine, and more particularly to a system and a method for controlling a position of an implement of the machine. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In general, machines such as a motor grader may be used to perform earth moving operations such as, levelling a surface of the ground. The machine may typically employ an implement such as a blade to perform one or more earth moving operations. A position of the implement may be controlled either manually or using one or more actuators such as hydraulic cylinders. The actuators may control the position of the implement based on a target position indicated by an operator. 
     Conventionally, the operator may set a target position for the implement by increasing or decreasing a starting position value. In some cases, the starting position value may change during an operation of the machine or other applications. As such, an operator may not be able to set a desired target position value for the implement. In such cases, the position of the implement may have to be changed manually to reset the starting position value. However, manual operations may be prone to errors and are less efficient. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,766,600 (the &#39;600 patent) relates to a display unit for a construction machine. The display unit of &#39;600 patent allows for an operator to easily set a target plane or area in works to be performed under automatic control. The display unit of &#39;600 patent also allows for an operator to freely change the contents to be displayed regardless of whether the machine is under the automatic control, so that information which the operator wants to see can be promptly displayed. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     In one aspect of the current disclosure, a method of controlling a position of an implement of a machine relative to a frame of the machine is provided. The method includes receiving a target position value for the implement and determining if the target position value falls within a set of whole numbers. The method also includes receiving, via a control element of a user interface, an instruction to reset the target position value to a nearest whole number. The method further includes moving the implement to reset the target position value to the nearest whole number based on the instruction. 
     In another aspect of the current disclosure, a system for controlling a position of an implement of a machine relative to a frame of the machine is provided. The system includes an actuating system configured to move the implement relative to the frame of the machine. The system also includes a user interface comprising a control element. The system further includes a controller communicably coupled to the actuating member and the user interface. The controller is configured to receive a target position value for the implement and determine if the target position value falls within a set of whole numbers. The controller is also configured to receive an instruction, via the control element, to reset the target position value to a nearest whole number. The controller is further configured to communicate with the actuating system to move the implement to a position corresponding to the target position value that is reset to the nearest whole number based on the instruction. 
     In yet another aspect of the current disclosure, a machine is provided. The machine includes a frame and an implement operatively coupled to the frame. The machine also includes an actuating system configured to move the implement relative to the frame of the machine. The machine includes a user interface comprising a control element. The machine further includes a controller communicably coupled to the actuating member and the user interface. The controller is configured to receive a target position value for the implement and determine if the target position value falls within a set of whole numbers. The controller is also configured to receive an instruction, via the control element, to reset the target position value to a nearest whole number. The controller is further configured to communicate with the actuating system to move the implement to a position corresponding to the target position value that is reset to the nearest whole number based on the instruction. 
     Other features and aspects of this disclosure will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a top view of a machine showing an implement, according to an exemplary embodiment of the current disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram of a system for controlling a position of the implement, according to an embodiment of the current disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is a partial front view of the machine showing a first input device and a second input device of a user interface of the machine, according to an embodiment of the current disclosure; 
         FIG. 4A  is a schematic illustration of the first input device showing a control element of the user interface, according to an embodiment of the current disclosure; 
         FIG. 4B  is a schematic illustration of the second input device showing the control element, according to an embodiment of the current disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic illustration of a display screen of the user interface showing an output, according to an embodiment of the current disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  is a flowchart of a method of controlling a position of the implement, according to an embodiment of the current disclosure; and 
         FIG. 7  is a control diagram for a process of controlling a position of the implement showing an output of the display screen as affected by corresponding inputs received via the control element, according to an embodiment of the current disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to specific aspects or features, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, corresponding or similar reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or corresponding parts. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a top view of a machine  100 , according to an exemplary embodiment of the current disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, the machine  100  is a motor grader. The machine  100  may be configured to perform some type of operation associated with an industry such as mining, construction, farming, transportation, or any other industry known in the art. In an example, the machine  100  may be used to alter a surface of a terrain or ground to a final arrangement or contour. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the machine  100  includes a front frame  102  and a rear frame  104 . The front frame  102  may be movably coupled with the rear frame  104  such that the front frame  102  may rotate relative to the rear frame  104 . In an example, an articulation joint, and/or a pivotal connection may be used to couple the front frame  102  to the rear frame  104 . Alternatively, the machine  100  may include a single frame. 
     The front frame  102  and the rear frame  104  may be supported on a set of ground engaging members  106 . The set of ground engaging members  106  may be adapted for steering and maneuvering the machine  100 , and for propelling the machine  100  in forward and reverse directions. In the illustrated embodiment, the set of ground engaging members  106  includes a pair of front wheels and two pairs of rear wheels. However, it may be noted that the machine  100  may include any number of wheels. Alternatively, the set of ground engaging members  106  may be tracks. 
     The machine  100  further includes an implement  108  for performing various earth moving operations, such as ground levelling. The implement  108  may be disposed on the front frame  102 . In the illustrated embodiment, the implement  108  is a blade that may be movably mounted to the front frame  102 . The machine  100  may further include an operator station or cab  110  containing controls or input devices for operating the machine  100 . In the illustrated embodiment, the cab  110  is mounted on the front frame  102 . 
     The machine  100  may further include a power source (not shown) to supply power to various components including, but not limited to, the set of ground engaging members  106  and the implement  108 . In an example, the power source may be an engine. The engine may embody, for example, a diesel engine, a gasoline engine, a gaseous fuel-powered engine, or any other type of combustion engine known in the art. The engine may be mounted on the rear frame  104 . It is contemplated that the power source may alternatively embody a non-combustion source of power (not shown) such as, for example, a fuel cell, a power storage device, or another suitable source of power. The engine may drive the set of ground engaging members  106  via a transmission (not shown). The transmission may produce multiple output speed ratios or a continuously variable speed ratio between the engine and the set of ground engaging members  106 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the machine  100  further includes a system  200  for controlling a position of the implement  108  relative to a frame of the machine  100 . The system  200  includes an actuating system  202  configured to move the implement  108  relative to the front frame  102  of the machine  100 . The actuating system  202  may be operatively coupled to the implement  108 . The actuating system  202  may embody any devices and/or mechanisms known in the art that are configured to move the implement  108  relative to the frame of the machine  100 . 
     In an example, the actuating system  202  may include a drawbar/moldboard/circle (DMC) assembly (not shown), which includes a drawbar, a moldboard, and a circle. Each of the drawbar, the moldboard and the circle may be coupled to the implement  108  to permit movement of the implement  108  in different degrees of freedom. Further, the actuating system  202  may also include one or more actuators that are connected between the front frame  102  and the implement  108 . The actuators may be configured to control a movement and/or position of the implement  108  in or more degrees of freedom relative to the front frame  102  of the machine  100 . The actuators may be hydraulic motors, lift cylinders, shift cylinders or a combination thereof. 
     The actuating system  202  may also be configured to rotate the implement  108 , which may result in a change in a rotation angle of the implement  108  relative to a direction of travel of the machine  100 . In addition to the rotating movement, the actuating system  202  may also be configured to tilt the implement  108  in forward and backward directions. In an example, the implement  108  may be hingedly coupled to the circle, which allows the implement  108  to be moveable forward and backward. 
     Further, the implement  108  may be slidably coupled to the circle to permit movement of the implement  108  from side to side relative to the circle. Such a side movement may be controlled by a side shift cylinder of the actuating system  202 . The implement  108  may be raised or lowered to adjust a height of the implement  108  relative to the surface of the ground. In an example, the height of the implement  108  may be controlled by lift cylinders. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the system  200  includes a controller  212  communicably coupled to the actuating system  202 . The controller  212  may be configured to communicate with the actuating system  202  to move the implement  108  to a desired position. The controller  212  may be mounted at any convenient location interior or exterior to the machine  100 . 
     The controller  212  may be an electronic controller that operates in a logical fashion to perform operations, execute control algorithms, store and retrieve data and other desired operations. The controller  212  may include or access memory, secondary storage devices, processors, and any other components for running an application. The memory and secondary storage devices may be in the form of read-only memory (ROM) or random access memory (RAM) or integrated circuitry that is accessible by the controller  212 . Various other circuits may be associated with the controller  212  such as power supply circuitry, signal conditioning circuitry, driver circuitry, and other types of circuitry. 
     The controller  212  may be a single controller or may include more than one controller disposed to control various functions and/or features of the machine  100 . The term “controller  212 ” is meant to be used in its broadest sense to include one or more controllers and/or microprocessors that may be associated with the machine  100  and that may cooperate in controlling various functions and operations of the machine  100 . The functionality of the controller  212  may be implemented in hardware and/or software without regard to the functionality employed. The controller  212  may also use one or more data maps relating to the operating conditions of the machine  100  that may be stored in the memory of the controller  212 . The system  200  may also include one or more sensors (not shown) to provide data and other input signals representative of various operating parameters of the machine  100 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the system  200  also includes a user interface  204 . The user interface  204  may be disposed in the cab  110  of the machine  100 . The user interface  204  may include various operator controls, along with displays or indicators and one or more input devices that are used to drive the machine  100  and convey information to an operator. Further, various inputs may be provided by an operator that are indicative of a desired movement of the implement  108  and/or the machine  100  via the user interface  204 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the user interface  204  includes a left input device  206  and a right input device  208  for controlling a movement of the implement  108 . The left and right input devices  206 ,  208  are embodied as joysticks. A movement of the implement  108 , and/or the machine  100  may be controlled using the left and right input devices  206 ,  208 . For example, a forward movement of the left and right input devices  206 ,  208  may cause respective actuators to lower or lift the implement  108  based on the configuration. The left and right input devices  206 ,  208  may also include one or more control elements associated with functions related to movement of the implement  108 , the machine  100  or the like. 
     In an embodiment, the user interface  204  may include a display screen  210  configured to display one or more inputs provided via the user interface  204 . The display screen  210  may be associated with various control elements such as, decision buttons, value entry buttons, selection buttons, menu buttons for providing various to the display screen  210  and the like. Alternatively, the display screen  210  may be a touch-sensitive screen wherein inputs to the display screen  210  may be provided by touching on the display screen  210 . 
     The controller  212  is communicably coupled to the user interface  204 . The controller  212  may receive operator input command signals via the user interface  204  to control the operation of the actuating system  202  that moves the implement  108 . Further, the controller  212  may also be configured to update various outputs displayed on the display screen  210  of the user interface  204 . 
     The controller  212  is configured to receive a target position value ‘Pt’ of the implement  108 . In one embodiment, the controller  212  may receive the target position value ‘Pt’ via the user interface  204 . Referring to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , the user interface  204  may include a first control element  214  that may allow a user to input the target position value ‘Pt’. The first control element  214  may be a button. Upon activating the first control element  214 , the controller  212  may receive the target position value ‘Pt’ that is stored in the memory associated with the controller  212 . For example, the target position value ‘Pt’ may be stored as a favorite by an operator. 
     In another embodiment, an operator may set the target position value ‘Pt’ by moving the implement  108  to a desired orientation and subsequently engaging an input device of the user interface  204  such as by pressing a button (not shown). In yet another embodiment, an operator may select the target position value ‘Pt’ from a set of target position values via the user interface  204 . Alternatively, the controller  212  may receive the current position value of the implement  108  as the target position value ‘Pt’. 
     In one embodiment of the current disclosure, the target position value ‘Pt’ is a cross-slope angle of the implement  108 . Specifically, the target position value ‘Pt’ may be expressed as a percentage of cross-slope angle for the implement  108 . The cross-slope angle may be determined with respect to a horizontal axis of the surface of ground. In general, the target position value ‘Pt’ may be determined by the equation (1): 
       Target position value ‘ Pt ’ (%)=(Rise/Run)*100  (1)
 
     In various other embodiments, the target position value ‘Pt’ may be indicative of other representations for the position of the implement  108  relative to the surface of ground. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the controller  212  may also be configured to display an output  215  including the received target position value ‘Pt’ on the display screen  210 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , the user interface  204  may include a second control element  216  configured to allow a user to provide an instruction indicative of modifying the target position value ‘Pt’ by an offset adjust value ‘O’. The modifying of the target position value ‘Pt’ by the offset adjust value ‘O’ is hereinafter referred to as the first action. The first action may be one of increasing or decreasing the target position value ‘Pt’ by the offset adjust value ‘O’. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the second control element  216  is a switch. Moreover, the user interface  204  may include two second control elements  216 A,  216 B (also collectively referred to as “the second control element  216 ”). As shown, the second control elements  216 A,  216 B may be disposed on the left input device  206  and the right input device  208  respectively. The second control elements  216 A,  216 B may be configured to be activated to a first control position and a second control position. 
     The second control elements  216 A,  216 B may be configured to allow a user to provide the instruction indicative of increasing the target position value ‘Pt’ by the offset adjust value ‘O’ when activated to the second control position. The second control elements  216 A,  216 B may be further configured to allow a user to provide the instruction indicative of decreasing the target position value ‘Pt’ by the offset adjust value ‘O’ when activated to the second control position. 
     In another embodiment, the user interface  204  may include two pairs of the second control elements  216  disposed on each of the left and right input devices  206 ,  208 . As such, one pair of second control elements  216  may provide a functionality similar to the second control element  216  that is actuated to the first control position whereas another pair of second control elements  216  may provide a functionality similar to the second control element  216  that is actuated to the second control position operate. For example, each of pair of second control elements  216  may be buttons. In such a case, when one pair of second control elements  216  are actuated, a corresponding instruction to either decrease or increase the target position value ‘Pt’ by the offset adjust value ‘O’ may be received. 
     The user interface  204  may also include one or more control elements configured to allow a user to input the offset adjust value ‘O’. Referring to  FIG. 5 , the user interface  204  may include a menu button  218 , a selection button  220  and a decision button  222 . Upon actuating the menu button  218 , a list of menu items including the offset adjust values ‘O’ may be displayed on the display screen  210 . Further, the offset adjust value ‘O’ that is to be input may be selected using the selection and decision buttons  222 . Further, the selection button  220  may include up and down keys that may allow a user to adjust the offset adjust value ‘O’ by increasing or decreasing a default value. In another example, the user interface  204  may allows a user to enter the offset adjust value ‘O’ to an input box. In various other examples, the user interface  204  may include other types of control elements known in the art that may allow a user to input the offset adjust value ‘O’. Alternatively, the offset adjust value ‘O’ may be predetermined for the machine  100  or the system  200 . 
     The controller  212  is also configured to determine if the received target position value ‘Pt’ falls within a set of whole numbers. The controller  212  is further configured to receive an instruction, via a control element of the user interface  204 , to reset the target position value ‘Pt’ to a nearest whole number. The resetting of the target position value ‘Pt’ to the nearest whole number is also referred to as a second action hereinafter. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the second control element  216  is configured to allow a user to provide an instruction to reset the target position value ‘Pt’ to the nearest whole number. The second control elements  216 A,  216 B may be configured to allow a user to provide an instruction indicative of the second action when each of the second control elements  216 A,  216 B are retained in the first or second control positions for at least a predetermined duration ‘T 0 ’. In an example, the predetermined duration ‘T 0 ’ may be two seconds. 
     Further, the controller  212  may receive the instruction to perform the second action if the second control element  216  is retained in the first or second control positions for at least the predetermined duration ‘T 0 ’. The controller  212  may be configured to receive the instruction to reset the target position to the nearest whole number that is greater than the target position value ‘Pt’ if the second control element  216  is retained in the first control positions for at least the predetermined duration ‘T 0 ’. The controller  212  may also be configured to receive the instruction to reset the target position to the nearest whole number that is less than the target position value ‘Pt’ if the second control element  216  is retained in the second control positions for at least the predetermined duration ‘T 0 ’. 
     In various other embodiments, the second control element  216  may be a lever, a graphic control element controlled by a mouse, a pointer or a user touch and the like. For example, the second control elements  216  may be provided on a touch sensitive screen and configured with long press functionality. Further, it may be noted that the first control position and the second position as illustrated is exemplary in nature and hence non-limiting of this disclosure. Moreover, the first and second control positions may embody any of the control positions so as to provide different functionalities relative to each other based on the type of the second control element  216 . 
     Alternatively, the control element configured to allow the user to provide the instruction to perform the second action may be different from the second control element  216 . 
     In an embodiment, the controller  212  may be configured to automatically move the implement  108  to a position corresponding to the target position value ‘Pt’ that is reset to the nearest whole number based on the instruction received via the second control element  216 . The controller  212  may communicate with the actuating system  202  to move the implement  108  to a position indicative of the reset target position value ‘Pt’. Further, the controller  212  may be configured to update the target position value ‘Pt’ on the display screen  210  for display to the user. 
     In another embodiment, the controller  212  may determine the nearest whole number for the target position value ‘Pt’ upon receiving the instruction via the second control element  216  and subsequently update the target position value ‘Pt’ on the display screen  210 . Subsequently, the controller  212  may communicate with the actuating system  202  to move the implement  108  to a position corresponding to the reset target position value ‘Pt’ upon receiving an instruction via the user interface  204 . In an embodiment, the instruction to move may be provided by changing a mode of operation of the machine  100  for example to an automatic mode. For example, the user interface  204  may include a third control element  224  that may allow a user to change a mode of the machine  100  between an automatic mode and a manual mode. In an example, the third control element  224  may be a button. Further, upon enabling the automatic mode for the machine  100 , the controller  212  may move the implement  108  to a position indicative of the target position value ‘Pt’ displayed on the display screen  210 . 
     Additionally, the controller  212  may be configured to further modify the target position value ‘Pt’ if the corresponding instruction is received via the second control element  216 . In such a case, the controller  212  may modify the reset target position value ‘Pt’ based on the offset adjust value ‘O’ as described above. Subsequently, the controller  212  may communicate with the actuating system  202  to move the implement  108  to a position indicative of the modified target position value ‘Pt’. The controller  212  may also be configured to update the target position value ‘Pt’ on the display screen  210  at each stage. As such, the controller  212  may move the implement  108  to a position based on the target position value ‘Pt’ displayed on the display screen  210 . 
     Although, various control elements and input devices of the user interface  204  are described as hardware elements, it may be contemplated that the control elements capable of touch-screen actuation may be provided on a touch sensitive screen. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , a flowchart for a method  600  of controlling a position of the implement  108  of a machine relative to a frame of the machine is illustrated. The method  600  will be explained in conjunction with the machine  100  of  FIG. 1 . In an embodiment, one or more steps of the method  600  may be implemented using the system  200 . 
     At step  602 , the method  600  includes receiving the target position value ‘Pt’ for the implement  108 . The controller  212  may be configured to receive the target position value ‘Pt’ for the implement  108  as described above. For example, the target position value ‘Pt’ may be received via the first control element  214  of the user interface  204 . Further, the controller  212  may be configured to display the received target position value ‘Pt’ on the display screen  210 . At step  604 , the method  600  includes determining if the target position value ‘Pt’ falls within a set of whole numbers. 
     At step  606 , the method  600  includes receiving, via a control element of the user interface  204 , an instruction to reset the target position value ‘Pt’ to the nearest whole number. In an embodiment, the controller  212  may be configured to receive the instruction to perform the second action via the second control element  216 . Specifically, a retention of the second control element  216  in the first or the second control position for at least the predetermined duration ‘T 0 ’ is indicative of the instruction to reset the target position value ‘Pt’. 
     At step  606 , the method  600  further includes resetting the target position value ‘Pt’ to the nearest whole number. In one case, the controller  212  may reset the target position value ‘Pt’ to the nearest whole number that is greater than the target position value ‘Pt’ if the instruction is indicated by retention of the second control element  216  in the first control position. In another case, the controller  212  may reset the target position value ‘Pt’ to the nearest whole number that is less than the target position value ‘Pt’ if the instruction is indicated by retention of the second control element  216  in the second control position. 
     In at least one of steps,  602 ,  604 , and  606 , the method  600  may further include receiving, via the user interface  204 , the input indicative of the offset adjust value ‘O’. The controller  212  may be configured to receive the offset adjust value ‘O’ via one or more control elements of the user interface  204 . In an example, the offset adjust value ‘O’ may be set using the menu button  218 , the selection button  220  and the decision button  222  as described above. 
     At step  606 , the method  600  may further include receiving, via the user interface  204 , the instruction to modify the target position value ‘Pt’ based on the offset adjust value ‘O’. The modification may be one of increasing or decreasing the target position value ‘Pt’ by the offset adjust value ‘O’. In an embodiment, the controller  212  may be configured to receive the instruction via the second control element  216 . A retention of the second control element  216  in the first control position or the second control position for less than the predetermined duration ‘T 0 ’ may be indicative of the instruction to modify the target position value ‘Pt’ based on the offset adjust value ‘O’. In one case, the controller  212  may increase the target position value ‘Pt’ by the offset adjust value ‘O’ if the instruction is indicated by the second control element  216  in the first control position for less than the predetermined duration ‘T 0 ’. In another case, the controller  212  may decrease the target position value ‘Pt’ by the offset adjust value ‘O’ if the instruction is indicated by the second control element  216  in the second control position for less than the predetermined duration ‘T 0 ’. 
     At step  608 , the method  600  includes moving the implement  108  to reset the target position value ‘Pt’ to the nearest whole number based on the instruction. The controller  212  may be configured to communicate with the actuating system  202  to move the implement  108  to reset the target position value ‘Pt’ to the nearest whole number. In an alternative embodiment, at step  608 , the method  600  may include moving the implement  108  to a position indicative of the modified target position value ‘Pt’. In such a case, the controller  212  may communicate with the actuating system  202  to move the implement  108  to a position corresponding to the modified target position value ‘Pt’ upon receiving an instruction via the user interface  204 . In an example, the controller  212  may move the implement  108  upon receiving changing a mode of operation via the third control element  224 . 
     INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
     The current disclosure relates to the system  200  and the method  600  for controlling a position of the implement  108  of the machine  100  relative to the front frame  102 . Referring to  FIG. 7 , an exemplary process  700  of operating the system  200  to control a position of the implement  108  is illustrated. In  FIG. 7 , the output  215  on the display screen  210  as affected by the inputs received via the second control element  216  of the user interface  204  is illustrated. As shown, the output  215  may correspond to an exemplary target position values ‘Pt’ and offset adjust value ‘O’ for the implement  108 . 
     At step  702 , the exemplary output  215  of the display screen  210  shows the offset adjust value ‘O’ as 0.2% and the target position value ‘Pt’ as 0.9%. The controller  212  may receive the offset adjust value ‘O’ and the target position value ‘Pt’ and displays the output  215  on the display screen  210 . At step  702 , an operator may provide an instruction to reset the target position value ‘Pt’ to a whole number via the second control element  216 . Specifically, the operator may retain both the second control elements  216 A,  216 B in the first or second control positions (first control position shown in  FIG. 7 ) for at least the predetermined duration ‘T 0 ’. The controller  212  may receive the instruction via the second control element  216  to reset the target position value ‘Pt’ to the nearest whole number. 
     Further, at step  704 , the controller  212  may reset the target position value ‘Pt’ to the nearest whole number. Additionally or optionally, the controller  212  may communicate with the actuating system  202  to move the implement  108  to a position corresponding to the reset target position value ‘Pt’. In the illustrated example, the instruction is provided by retaining the second control element  216  in the first control position for at least the predetermined duration ‘T 0 ’. As such, the controller  212  may reset the target position value ‘Pt’ to the nearest whole number that is greater than the target position value. Further, the controller  212  may update the output  215  on the display screen  210  with the reset target position value ‘Pt’. As shown, the display screen  210  shows the target position value ‘Pt’ as 1.0%. 
     At step  706 , an operator may provide an instruction, via the second control element  216 , to increase the target position value ‘Pt’ by the offset adjust value ‘O’. In the illustrated example, the instruction is provided by activating the second control element  216  to the first control position and released within a time less than the predetermined duration ‘T 0 ’. The controller  212  may receive the instruction, via the second control element  216  and consequently increases the target position value ‘Pt’. Further, the controller  212  may update the output  215  on the display screen  210  with the increased target position value ‘Pt’. As shown, the display screen  210  shows the target position value ‘Pt’ as 1.2%. 
     Moreover, the step  706  may be performed multiple times as needed to obtain the desired target position value ‘Pt’. For example, the desired target position value ‘Pt’ is set to be as 1.8%. At step  708 , the controller  212  may receive the target position value ‘Pt’ and communicate with the actuating system  202  to move the implement  108  to a position indicative of the target position value ‘Pt’. Similarly, an operator may also implement the steps of process  700  for decreasing the target position value ‘Pt’ as needed to set a desired target position value ‘Pt’. 
     With such an implementation, an operator may easily set the target position value ‘Pt’ for the implement  108  to any value. Moreover, by providing a whole number feature to reset the target value ‘Pt’ to the nearest whole number, an operator may choose a higher offset adjust value ‘O’ by which target position value ‘Pt’ may be increased or decreased. As such, a number of iteration required to set the target position value ‘Pt’ may be reduced. 
     Further, the instruction to reset the target value ‘Pt’ to the nearest whole number may be provided via the second control element  216  that is also used to increase or decrease the target position value ‘Pt’. Such a configuration of the system  200  provides a convenient way to implement the method  600  or the process  700 . Moreover, the functionality of the second control element  216  may also be easily configured in existing controllers associated with machines. 
     While aspects of the present disclosure have been particularly shown and described with reference to the embodiments above, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various additional embodiments may be contemplated by the modification of the disclosed machines, systems and methods without departing from the spirit and scope of what is disclosed. Such embodiments should be understood to fall within the scope of the present disclosure as determined based upon the claims and any equivalents thereof.