WO2016108155A1 - Indicator system for outdoor power equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

An indicator system for outdoor power equipment may include an indicator displayable on a display screen. The indicator may be configured to be displayed based on a predetermined efficiency condition occurring. The display screen may be configured to display more detail about the predetermined condition while the indicator is displayed.

Description

INDICATOR SYSTEM FOR OUTDOOR POWER EQUIPMENT

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to U.S. patent application number 62/098,764 filed December 31, 2014, which is expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Outdoor tasks, such as grooming and maintaining property, are commonly performed using various outdoor power equipment that is configured for the performance of corresponding specific tasks. For example, outdoor power equipment, such as a riding lawn mower, may used be for cutting grass or collecting leaves.

Outdoor power equipment is popular with many people due to the various features thereon, and the demand for such devices having improved functionality will likely grow.

However, current outdoor power equipment is unable to adequately notify or alert the operator of certain conditions due to various factors resulting from the use of outdoor power equipment. For example, the operator may not be able to adequately determine how efficiently the operator is operating the mower.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF SOME EXAMPLES

Accordingly, in order to improve operator satisfaction in connection with using outdoor power equipment (e.g., a mower), some example embodiments may provide a processor that determines how efficiently the operator is operating the mower. The mower could display an indicator (such as a "leaf" or other visual indicia) to indicate efficiency, earth-friendliness, and the like. These indicators may be used to earn credits at retailers, such as credits towards new blades or other parts related to the outdoor power equipment.

In one example embodiment, an indicator system for outdoor power equipment may include an indicator displayable on a display screen. The indicator may be configured to be displayed based on a predetermined efficiency condition occurring. The display screen may be configured to display more detail about the predetermined condition while the indicator is displayed.

In another example embodiment, a lawn mower may include a cutting system comprising at least one blade for cutting grass; a drive system comprising at least one wheel for propelling the lawn mower; an engine operably coupled to the cutting system and the drive system for powering the drive system and the cutting system; an operator station where an operator operates of the lawn mower; an operator control system operably coupled to the drive system and the cutting system; a computer system configured to determine an efficiency of operating the mower related to the operator or operation of the cutting system, drive system, or engine; and an indicator system positioned proximate to the operator station, the indicator system comprising a processor and a display screen. The processor is configured to activate an indicator being displayed on the screen based detecting the occurrence of a predetermined efficiency condition related to the operation of the cutting system, drive system, or engine.

In another example embodiment, an indicator system for outdoor power equipment, the indicator system may include a sensor system configured to determine an occurrence of a predefined efficiency condition; a display screen; an indicator corresponding to the display screen; and a processor. While an occurrence of a particular predefined efficiency condition is occurring, a display of the indicator is activated based on the particular predefined efficiency condition and display visual information about the particular predefined condition on the display screen while the indicator is active.

In another example embodiment, a method of alerting an operator of a lawn care vehicle of efficient operation of at least one component of the lawn care vehicle is provided. The method may include monitoring, using a sensor system, components or operation of the lawn care vehicle to determine if any predetermined triggering efficiency conditions have occurred, and detecting that a predetermined triggering efficiency condition has occurred. In response to the predetermined triggering efficiency condition having been detected as occurring, an efficiency indicator is displayed on the display screen, and text about the predetermined triggering efficiency condition is displayed on the display screen.

Some example embodiments may improve the ability of operators and/or fleet managers to monitor how efficient the user is using various triggers, events and/or conditions regarding the operation of a lawn care vehicle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1A illustrates a side view of a lawn care vehicle according to an example embodiment;

FIG. IB illustrates a perspective view of the lawn care vehicle according to an example embodiment; FIG. 2 illustrates portions of an indicator system of a power equipment device according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 3A illustrates a perspective view of a lawn care vehicle with the indicator system of FIG. 2 according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 3B illustrates a block diagram of a system of a lawn care vehicle with the indicator system according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of a lawn care vehicle with the indicator system mounted to the steering assembly according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of a lawn care vehicle with an indicator system according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 6 illustrates a back perspective view of a lawn care vehicle with an indicator system according to an example embodiment; and

FIG. 7 illustrates a block diagram of a method of operation of the indicator system of the lawn care vehicle according to an example embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Some example embodiments now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all example embodiments are shown. Indeed, the examples described and pictured herein should not be construed as being limiting as to the scope, applicability or configuration of the present disclosure. Rather, these example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. Furthermore, as used herein, the term "or" is to be interpreted as a logical operator that results in true whenever one or more of its operands are true. Additionally, the term "lawn care" is meant to relate to any yard maintenance activity and need not specifically apply to activities directly tied to grass, turf or sod care. As used herein, operable coupling should be understood to relate to direct or indirect connection that, in either case, enables functional interconnection of components that are operably coupled to each other.

In an example embodiment, an outdoor power equipment device, such as a riding lawn mower, includes an indicator system. The indicator system may include lights around the periphery of the display screen that light up different colors depending on different events, triggers or conditions of the outdoor power equipment device, such as the outdoor power equipment device being fuel efficient during use, if the outdoor power equipment device has other operational efficient conditions, or if the operator is operating and managing the outdoor power equipment device efficiently, or the like. The color light may direct the operator's attention to the display screen which provides more detail about the event or condition.

In another example embodiment, when the operator inserts the key into the ignition, the indicator turns a predetermined color, such as green, if the power equipment is ready to start, but turns a different predetermined color, such as red or yellow, if the power equipment can't or shouldn't be started. If the power equipment is ready to start, the display screen may read "OK to start" or "ready", but if the outdoor power equipment device is not ready to start, the display screen may instruct the operator to fix a certain condition.

It should be understood that the present disclosure is applicable to any outdoor power equipment, such as a lawn care vehicle, a chainsaw, a string trimmer, or any other power equipment. However, for ease of illustration and description, the figures and the related description of the present disclosure is described with respect to a lawn care vehicle according to some embodiments. Therefore, the present disclosure should not be limited to only a lawn care vehicle, and is also applicable to any other power equipment, including chainsaws, string trimmers, hedge trimmers, and any other power equipment.

FIG. 1, which includes FIGS. 1A and IB, illustrates an example of a lawn care vehicle 10. The lawn care vehicle 10 may include an information panel 14 displaying operational information regarding the lawn care vehicle 10. As shown and described herein, the lawn care vehicle 10 may be a riding lawn mower (e.g., a lawn tractor, front- mount riding lawn mower, zero-turn riding lawn mower, and/or the like). However, other example embodiments may be employed on lawn care vehicles that are configured or otherwise equipped to handle snow removal, brush cutting, tilling or other lawn care-related activities.

FIG. 1A illustrates a side view of the lawn care vehicle 10 and FIG. IB illustrates a perspective view of the lawn care vehicle 10. The lawn care vehicle may include a steering assembly 20 (e.g., including a steering wheel, handle bars, or other steering apparatus) functionally connected to wheels of the lawn care vehicle 10 to which steering inputs are provided (e.g., the front and/or rear wheels in various different embodiments) to allow the operator to steer the lawn care vehicle 10. In some embodiments, the lawn care vehicle 10 may include seat 30 that may be disposed at a center, rear or front portion of the lawn care vehicle 10. The operator may sit on the seat 30, which may be disposed to the rear of the steering assembly 20 to provide input for steering of the lawn care vehicle 10 via the steering assembly 20. A sensor may be included that detects whether or not an operator is currently sitting in the seat 30. The lawn care vehicle 10 may also include, or be configured to support attachment of, a cutting deck 40 having at least one cutting blade mounted therein. In some cases, a height of the at least one cutting blade may be adjustable by an operator of the lawn care vehicle 10. The cutting deck 40 may be a fixed or removable attachment in various different embodiments. Moreover, a location of the cutting deck 40 may vary in various alternative embodiments. For example, in some cases the cutting deck 40 may be positioned in front of the front wheels 42, behind the rear wheels 44, or in between the front and rear wheels 42 and 44 (as shown in FIG. 1) to enable the operator to cut grass using the at least one cutting blade when the at least one cutting blade is rotated below the cutting deck 40. In some embodiments, the front wheels 42 and/or the rear wheels 44 may have a shielding device positioned proximate thereto in order to prevent material picked up in the wheels from being ejected toward the operator. When operating to cut grass, the grass clippings may be captured by a collection system (e.g., bagging attachment 12), mulched, or expelled from the cutting deck 40 via either a side discharge or a rear discharge.

The lawn care vehicle 10 may also include additional control related components such as one or more speed controllers, cutting height adjusters and/or the like. Some of the controllers, such as the speed controllers, may be provided in the form of foot pedals that may sit proximate to a footrest 48 (which may include a portion on both sides of the lawn care vehicle 10) to enable the operator to rest his or her feet thereon while seated in the seat 20.

In the pictured example embodiment of FIG. 1, an engine 50 of the lawn care vehicle

10 is disposed substantially forward of a seated operator. However, in other example embodiments, the engine 50 could be in different positions such as below or behind the operator. In some embodiments, the engine 50 may be operably coupled to one or more of the wheels of the lawn care vehicle 10 in order to provide drive power for the lawn care vehicle 10. In some embodiments, the engine 50 may be capable of powering two wheels, while in others, the engine 50 may power all four wheels of the lawn care vehicle 10. Moreover, in some cases, the engine 50 may manually or automatically shift between powering either two wheels or all four wheels of the lawn care vehicle 10. The engine 50 may be housed within a cover that forms an engine compartment to protect engine 50 components and improve the aesthetic appeal of the lawn care vehicle 10.

In an example embodiment, the engine compartment may be positioned proximate to and/or mate with portions of a steering assembly housing 60. The steering assembly housing 60 may house components of the steering assembly 20 to protect such components and improve the aesthetic appeal of the lawn care vehicle 10. In some embodiments, a steering wheel 62 of the steering assembly 20 may extend from the steering assembly housing 60 and a steering column (not shown) may extend from the steering wheel 62 down through the steering assembly housing 60 to components that translate inputs at the steering wheel 62 to the wheels to which steering inputs are provided.

In some embodiments, the steering assembly housing 60, the steering wheel 62 and/or the fender 46 may include gauges, displays and/or other user interface components. As such, for example, user interface components may be provided to indicate or display information or notifications to the operator regarding operational parameters related to the operation of the lawn care vehicle 10, parameters related to predefined alerts or events, or any other trigger or condition where the operator should be alerted. For example, the information may relate to any of various aspects including parameters related to cutting deck operation, engine operation, run time, work time, etc.

In an example embodiment of FIG. 2, one or more these gauges displays and/or other user interface components may include on an indicator system 100 that is mounted to the lawn care vehicle 10. The indicator system 100, an example of which is shown in FIG. 2, may include one or more other indicators/buttons 125, 130, 135, an indicator light 105, and/or a display screen 110. The indicators/buttons 125, 130, 135 may simply be part of an existing display, may be an add-on to the display or even may be separate from the display. Components of the indicator system 100 may be housed together in housing 120 and may be connected with processing circuitry. In an example embodiment, the housing 120 may include contacts via which connection may be made to power systems of the lawn care vehicle 10 and/or via which connection may be made to a sensor network of the lawn care vehicle 10.

As mentioned above, the indicator system 100 may have various features and systems other than just an indicator. In one embodiment, the indicator light 105 may include a light source that surrounds a periphery of the display screen 110, as is illustrated in FIG. 2. In yet another embodiment, the indicator light 105 surrounds or is disposed about at least a portion of one or more indicators/buttons 125, 130 and/or the indicator 135. For example, in an embodiment, the indicator light 105 surrounds the indicators/buttons 125, 130, the indicator 135 and the display screen 110 as illustrated in FIG. 2. It should be understood that there may be multiple indicators included with the indicator system 100 and the present disclosure should not be limited to only having a single indicator. If multiple indicators are included, one or more of the plurality of indicators can operate independently from each other and can be disposed on the display screen 110 at various times. In some embodiments, the indicator light 105 may not surround any element, and in one embodiment could be a light of any shape proximate to one or more elements (e.g., buttons, display screen, etc.) or a stand-alone light placed on the lawn mower 10.

The light source of the indicator may be light emitting diodes ("LEDs"), a florescent light, an electro-luminescence (EL) light, backlighting systems, or any other means for providing light. In one embodiment, the indicator is only a light source, such as a series of LEDs positioned in a narrow strip that surrounds the display screen 110.

In one embodiment, the operator can preset what colors are associated with what alerts or notifications and can set the brightness of the indicator. Further, the operator may adjust the indicator brightness into a day mode where the indicator is brighter than a night mode where the indicator may be dimmer.

As will be discussed in more depth later with regard to FIG. 7, the indicator light 105 is shown on the display depending on a detection of efficient operation of the lawn care vehicle or other the type of efficient event, trigger or condition detected, such as if there is efficient operation of the blades, efficient use of fuel/brakes/wheels, earth-friendliness conditions are performed, other predefined trigger occurs, or the like. Further, when such event, trigger or condition is detected, the indicator can be displayed or activated as any one of a plurality of shapes, items, or colors or any combination thereof, and the display screen 110 may display some more detail or text about the particular efficient condition or operation. Each displayed color, shape, or item may be associated with a different event, trigger or condition. For example, the indicator may glow red whenever there's inefficient operation or green if there is efficient conditions detected, and the display screen 110 may present text about the efficient operations (e.g., "fuel use is efficient," "tractor riding at an optimal speed," "blades cutting at optimal speed," etc.).

In another example, the lawn mower 10 may be configured to communicate or pair with the operator's phone via a short range connection (e.g., Bluetooth®, NFC, etc.), and the indicator may be displayed as a particular item whenever the operator is receiving an incoming call on his cellular telecommunications device, and the display screen 110 may display the name or number of the person calling.

As mentioned above, various conditions, triggers or events could cause the indicator to be illuminated. Examples of predetermined events, triggers or conditions are general efficient performance notifications (e.g., efficient fuel usage, the blades are sharpened, efficient oil/oil pressure, efficient tire pressure, efficient engine temperature, efficient transmission usage, etc.), efficient operation conditions (e.g., grass pattern is optimal, not too steep of incline, etc.), etc. The events, triggers or conditions could be predetermined or predefined by the operator, the lawn care vehicle manufacturer or some other entity. Whenever an event, trigger or condition occurs, the indicator illuminates (displayed) in any one of a plurality of manners providing an alert or notification to the operator, as will be discussed in more depth later with respect to FIG. 7.

In one embodiment, the indicator is configured to display light to the operator according to varying brightness, patterns of illumination flashing (e.g., blinking light patterns), gradual illumination or dimming (rather than a simple on/off), any other way to present light to the operator, or any combination thereof. For example, an alert could be a green flashing leaf that is shown in the corner of the display to indicate that the fuel usage is optimal or efficient. As another example, an alert could be a gradual fading in and out of a light (or the same leaf) as the ground underneath the lawn care vehicle becomes gradually steeper. In other examples, the indicator may be a light that could be a slow flash for non- critical functions (e.g., efficient fuel) or a fast flashing for high efficiency use (e.g., blades cutting efficiently). There could also be a combination of colors or patterns used, such as an intermittently blinking alert, or that the left half of the indicator may glow green while the right half of the indicator may glow red which may indicate, for example, that a tire on the right half of the lawn care vehicle 10 is low on air pressure while the left tire is at proper tire pressure.

In another embodiment, the indicator may gradually illuminate from one color to another color indicating one state to another state, respectively. For example, at least a portion of the indicator may start out as dark green indicating that the fuel tank is full or fuel is being used slowly (i.e. low RPMs), and as the fuel tank gradually is consumed during operation of the lawn care vehicle 10, the illuminated color becomes closer to dark red. As such, when the fuel tank is half empty, the color of the indicator may be orange (i.e., half green-half red), and so the operator knows exactly how much fuel he/she is using in real-time based solely on the color of the indicator. The operator will know that the closer to the color red, the more empty the fuel tank is and the closer to the color green, the more fuel the tank may have.

It should be understood that the indicator system 100 and/or the indicator could also present sounds or any other way to gather the operator's attention according to some embodiments. In one embodiment, the indicator could present sounds instead of presenting an icon on the display to the operator.

The indicator shown in Figure 2 may be element 130 which is displayed as a green recycle icon. However, it should be understood that this may alternatively been a green leaf or other icon to indicate the presence of a predetermined efficiency operation occurring. However, the indicator system 100 may also include one or more additional efficiency indicators, such as an efficiency indicator 125 or one or more efficiency-related buttons such an efficiency mode select button 130, and/or any other type of button allowing for any other functionality. The efficiency indicator 125 may allow for efficiency notifications in addition to indicator 130 or for more information (e.g., text) to be presented by the indicator system 100. There may be only certain events or conditions for which the efficiency indicator 125 is allowed as compared with indicator 130. For example, the efficiency indicator 125 may only be allowed to provide performance efficiency notifications, such as fuel usage, efficient oil pressure, etc., indicator 130 may be related to efficient operations of the lawn care vehicle (such as efficient mowing pattern detection, level incline, etc.), or any other alerts or notifications as may be predefined from the manufacturer (or other entity).

Additionally, in one embodiment, the efficiency indicator 125 may present offers to the user based on the user's operation of the lawn care vehicle. As shown in Figure 2, the efficiency indicator 125 may be a symbol indicating that offers, such as coupons, service specials, parts offers at local retailers, operation tips/advice, alternate outdoor power equipment (e.g., mowers, etc.) that would be more efficient for the user, calculations of accumulated savings using an electric mower as compared with a gas mower, etc. The offer functionality of the efficiency indicator 125 is discussed more later with regard to the method 700 of FIG. 7.

The efficiency indicator 125 may also (or alternatively) have other functionality, such as functioning as a reset button or an "enter" button. The reset functionality allows for an operator to reset the indicator system 100. This may be useful in case the operator wants to reboot the indicator system 100 or if the operator would like to reset certain functions of the indicator system 100 or to turn off the efficiency indicator. The reset functionality may also be useful in a user interface to function as resetting certain values back to zero or some other number. For example, if the operator wants to reset the tripometer to zero, the operator would hold the reset button down for a predetermined time while in the trip mode and the tripometer would reset back to zero. The reset button could also be used in calibrations functions or other functions or features.

The "enter" functionality of the efficiency indicator 125 may be used as a selection operator in cooperation with a user interface that may be employed with the indicator system 100. For example, if the operator is scrolling through menus of a user interface of the indicator system 100, the operator can use the efficiency indicator 125 as the button to select which option the operator wishes to perform. The operator could also use the efficiency indicator 125 to acknowledge receipt of alerts. For example, if a message pops up on the display with an option to hit "OK," the operator can use the efficiency indicator 125 to select the "OK" button. Other operations of the enter functionality of the efficiency indicator 125 are also possible.

Referring now to the mode select button 130, the mode select button 130 allows for an operator to toggle what is displayed in the display screen 110. Various modes that are possible include, but are not limited to, performance efficiency mode, operations efficiency mode, dual performance/operation efficiency mode, etc. For performance mode, the display screen 110 could show the engine's revolutions per minute ("RPMs") of the lawn care vehicle when in efficient operation. Alternatively, the display screen 110 displays the current engine or transmission temperature received from a temperature sensor on the lawn care vehicle. The display screen 110 may also present how steep the current incline that the lawn care vehicle is on and the efficient operation based on such incline. Other modes are also possible and may be toggled to active using the mode select button 130.

Other buttons may also be employed on the indicator system 100. Additionally, there may be other indicators other than the indicator. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 2, an indicator element 135 may provide to the operator an indication of one or more features that are currently active. For example, according to one embodiment, the indicator element 135 could indicate that the lawn care vehicle 10 is currently in reverse mow mode. The indicator element 135 could also provide an indication of other active features, such as if the headlights are left on or if the engine is currently on. The indicator element 135 could further provide other information to the operator, such as if the lawn care vehicle is operating at an efficient rate, if a timer has expired, or any other preprogrammed information. In one embodiment, if the lawn care vehicle is operating at an optimum rate, indicator 105 glows a first color, such as green, and the harder the lawn care vehicle 10 must work (or the more inefficient the lawn care vehicle operates) the more indicator 105 glows a second color, such as red. Thus, if the lawn care vehicle 10 is operating at a medium efficiency, the indicator 105 would glow color that is a combination of 50% of the first color and 50% of the second color, such as orange.

The display screen 110 presents various textual information to the operator, such as efficient operational data (e.g., voltages, RPMs, trip timer, fuel usage, etc.), efficient performance, data etc. For example, if the indicator system 100 is in performance efficiency mode, the display screen 110 may present the current fuel usage per hour of the lawn care vehicle 10. Also, the display screen can present various status information of the indicator system 100, such as "EFFICIENT FUEL USAGE," "ENGINE BRAKE EFFICIENCY REACHED," "WHEEL AIR PRESSURE OPTIMAL LEVEL," or "BLADES SPEED PER VEHICLE SPEED OPTIMUM LEVEL."

The display screen 110 may be a liquid crystal display ("LCD"), a plasma display panel ("PDP"), an electroluminescence ("EL") display, a fluorescent display ("VFD"), light emitting diode ("LED") display, or any other display device. In one embodiment, the display screen 110 can be a touchscreen to allow an operator to operate the screen by the touch of the finger/stylus on the screen, and in such embodiment, any buttons can be buttons displayed by software and activated by touching the display screen 110. The display screen may be connected with circuitry with the indicator system 10 so that information discussed herein can be displayed on the display screen 110.

In one embodiment, the display screen 110 is mounted within the housing 120. It should be understood, however, that the display screen 110 need not be located within the housing 120 of the indicator system 100, and, as will be described later, one embodiment is directed to having a display screen located separate from the housing and remote from the indicator light 105. For example, the display screen 110 could be located on or adjacent to the operator's seat while the indicator light 105 may be located in the dash 140 of the lawn care vehicle 10. In another embodiment, the indicator system 100 may have two or more display screens - one within the housing 120 and at least another display located remotely from the housing 120, such as being located on the fender 46 of the lawn care vehicle 10. Embodiments of separate display are discussed in more depth below with regard to FIGS. 5-6 and 13-15.

FIGS. 3A and 4 illustrate an example embodiment of the lawn care vehicle 10 with the indicator system 100 installed on a portion of the steering assembly housing 60 that is forward of the steering wheel 62. FIG. 3 illustrates the riding lawn mower of FIG. 1 with the indicator system 100 located on the dash 140 and installed on the steering assembly housing 60. FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of the lawn care vehicle of FIG. 3. As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the lawn care vehicle 10 includes the indicator system 100 of FIG. 2 and the indicator system 100 is positioned forward of the steering wheel 62 to be in plain view of the operator while the operator is sitting in the seat 30.

While FIGS. 3A and 4 illustrate that the indicator system 100 is installed on the dash 140 of the steering assembly housing 60, it should be appreciated that the indicator system 100 could alternatively be positioned at any of a plurality of other locations on the lawn care vehicle 10.

According to other embodiments, the indicator system 100 may be disposed on other types of riding lawn mowers and/or at other positions. For example, FIG. 5 illustrates the indicator system 100 being disposed of a riding lawn mower 500 that does not have the engine disposed in front of the steering column. In such riding lawn mower, space to mount the indicator display may be more limited than the lawn care vehicle 10 of FIGS. 3 and 4. Nonetheless, the indicator system 100 can be disposed in various locations of the riding lawn mower 500 of FIG. 5. For example, FIG. 5 illustrates the indicator system 100 being disposed forward of the steering wheel 62 on a steering assembly housing 60 of a riding lawn mower 500. According to another example embodiment, the indicator system 100 could be positioned on the steering wheel 62 itself (e.g., at a center 502 portion of the steering wheel 62 or otherwise positioned to fit within the circumference of the steering wheel 62 as shown in FIG. 5). The indicator system 100 can be integrated into the steering wheel 62 or be removable from the steering wheel 62 according to some embodiments.

FIG. 3B illustrates a block diagram of a lawn care vehicle with an indicator system

100 having a wireless interface. The indicator system 100 may communicate with a computer system 310 that determines the alerts and/or other data to be presented by the indicator system 100.

According to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3B, the computer system 310 may be located on a portion of the chassis or frame such that the computer system 310 is not proximate to the indicator system 100 and in such embodiment, the computer system 310 would communicate wirelessly with the indicator system 100. The computer system 310 may receive data from various components 305 (e.g., engine, ignition, tires, fuel tank, oil, oil, an on-board accelerometer to determine incline levels, brakes, seat, cutting deck components, wireless transceiver 302 and/or other components) via sensors 320 or other devices. The computer system 310 includes a processor 312 and memory 314 which is configured to communicate with a module for monitoring triggers, conditions, or events 316 and a module for receiving data 318. The module for receiving data 318 may receive data from the sensors 320 or from a wireless transceiver 302, and, with such data, the module for monitoring triggers, conditions, or events 316 determines if an alert should be triggered based on predetermined thresholds. These modules are stored on any computer-readable medium, such as memory 714 or memory (not shown) of the indicator system 100. If an alert is generated and/or if data should be displayed, the computer system 310 may relay the alert information and/or data to the indicator system from a general wireless transceiver 302 to the indicator system's wireless transceiver 300. The indicator system's wireless transceiver 300 may then send such data to the indicator system's processor 301 which would, in turn, process the alert information and/or other data to various components of the indicator system 100, such as indicator 105, the display screen 110, or other components 303. It should be understood that the wireless transceiver 302 may be mounted at any location on the lawn care vehicle 10, such as in the steering assembly housing 60, on a portion of the frame of the lawn care vehicle 10, or any other location or component of the lawn care vehicle 10. Additionally, it should be noted that the wireless transceiver 302 may pair and communicate with an electronic communications device, such as a cellular phone, computer/laptop/tablet, or other device which has wireless communications capabilities, via a short range network (e.g., Bluetooth®). Moreover, the lawn care vehicle 10 may have other wireless transceiver, such as a short range transceiver 324, a GPS/internet/cellular transceiver 326, etc. The short range transceiver 324 communicates with devices over a short range network such as two way paging "walkie-talkie" type devices. The GPS/internet/cellular transceiver 326 may be a transceiver that communicates with a GPS satellite, an internet satellite or cellular towers to receive GPS data, internet information, or cellular data, respectively.

It should be understood that the indicator system may have a wired interface, as opposed to the wireless interface of FIG. 3B. In such case, the lawn care vehicle 10 would have wiring that connects the indicator system 100 with the computer system 310 and may also connect the wireless transceiver with the computer system 310. The wiring may be run along the chassis or frame from the computer system 310 through a hinge portion that allows the hood 52 to rotate relative to the chassis or frame. In such embodiment, the wiring may be connected on the bottom of the upper wall so as to be hidden from an operator. The wiring connects various components of the lawn care vehicle to a battery 301, the computer system 310 and/or other circuitry. As such the battery 301 may be connected to any element which may require electrical energy to operate. Additionally, the wiring 350 may connect any other components of the lawn care vehicle 10 and should not be limited to connecting the indicator system 100 with the computer system 310.

Additionally, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the indicator system 100 may further include a display screen 510 that is separate from the indicator light 105. The separate display screen 510 may be the only display screen of the indicator system 100 or be in addition to the previously-discussed display screen 110. The separate display screen 510 is illustrated in FIGS. 5 as mounted to the left and right fenders 46, respectively, of the lawn care vehicle 10. However, the separate display screen 510 can be located at any other location on the riding lawn mower 500, such as on the seat, on a portion of the foot rest, or any other location where an operator can view the display screen when seated.

The separate display screen 510 may be connected with circuitry (or via a wireless connection) that is also connected with the indicator such that when the indicator is providing an alert or notification to the operator, the operator may direct his attention to the separate display screen 510 which may provide more detail about the alert or notification. For example, when an efficiency fuel notification occurs, the indicator illuminates on the display 110 and the separate display screen 510 displays text indicating that that the vehicle has "Efficient Fuel Operation." It should be understood that this status information may also (or in lieu of) be displayed by the display screen 110 of the indicator system.

FIG. 6 illustrates a riding lawn mower with an indicator system 600 according to another embodiment. The indicator system 600 includes indicators 605 and a display screen 610. The indicators 605 light up dependent on the type of efficient condition occurring. In response to the indicators 605 being illuminated, the display screen 610 may provide more details about the current condition or event. This allows a riding lawn mower 600 with limited space around the steering controls to direct the user's attention to a display screen 610 mounted to another area of the riding lawn mower 600.

FIG. 7 is a block schematic diagram of a method 700 of operation of the indicator system 100 according to various embodiments. In block 702, an operator of a lawn care vehicle desires to start the engine a lawn care vehicle. The engine of the lawn care vehicle 10 may be started by using a key and an ignition. The ignition of the lawn care vehicle 10 may have certain positions that the key can be turned to once the key is inserted therein. For example, if the operator wants to power the headlights of the lawn care vehicle 10, the operator inserts the key into the ignition and turns the key to a certain amount until such position is reached. If the operator would continue to turn the key, the key would then be in the cranking position, whereby the engine would be cranked. Thus, the key can be turned to certain positions in the ignition to allow certain modes or functions, such as a "ready" mode for powering certain electrical components of the lawn care vehicle 10, a "cranking" mode for cranking the engine, and the like.

Referring back to block 702, the operator may begin the engine starting process the lawn care vehicle by first placing the lawn care vehicle into "ready" mode. This can be done buy the operator inserting the key into the ignition and turning key to an "on" or "ready" position. As briefly mentioned above, such an "on" or "ready" position may be a position that it does not crank the lawn care vehicle but may be to a point where electricity is supplied to certain parts of the lawn care vehicle and/or diagnostics are performed. In one embodiment, the key is turned such that electricity is supplied to a diagnostic system and other parts of the lawn care vehicle so that the diagnostic system can perform diagnostic tests on the lawn care vehicle to determine any efficient conditions. In yet another embodiment, other parts of the lawn care vehicle may also be powered, such as a wireless short range transceiver (e.g., a Bluetooth® transceiver), a GPS transceiver, any other transceivers, and/or any other element which works with the indicator system 100.

In block 704, the indictor indicates that no efficiency conditions are occurring since the lawn care vehicle has just been initialized.

In blocks 706-710, the method may monitor as to whether any predetermined efficiency conditions (e.g., efficient grass cutting pattern, efficient fuel/brake/wheel/oil/blade usage, other efficiency performance/operation conditions, etc.) have occurred. This is a determination that is made by various diagnostics using sensors via the diagnostic system, such as determining if the blades are operating efficiently relative to the speed of the mower, if the brakes are being efficiently used relative to the acceleration of the vehicle (e.g., if the brakes are being used at all, if the brakes are being used soon after accelerating, if the brakes are only being used around turns, etc.), or any other predetermined efficiency conditions that may be generated while the mower is in operation (e.g., mowing grass).

If predetermined efficiency conditions have been determined to have occurred, the method 700 may continue to block 712, where the indicator is displayed on the display (e.g., as an icon such as a leaf) indicating that the lawn care vehicle has at least one efficient condition. Such illumination may occur as a slow (e.g., 2 seconds) fade in of from off to on. Additionally, the display screen 110 may display text such as "EFFICIENT OPERATION" or "EFFIFIENT BLADE CUTTING SPEED" providing further confirmation that there are predetermined efficiency conditions occurring.

On the other hand, if no predetermined efficiency conditions have been determined to have occurred in block 710, the method 700 may proceed to block 704.

In block 714, a determination is made as to whether the predetermined efficiency conditions are ongoing to continuously monitor the efficiency operations and the method returns to block 708 to determine if additional predetermined efficiency conditions have been met.

In block 716, the system periodically checks to determine what offers to the user based on the user's operation of the lawn care vehicle. The offers may be coupons, service specials, parts offers at local retailers, operation tips/advice, alternate outdoor power equipment (e.g., mowers, etc.) that would be more efficient for the user, calculations of accumulated savings using an electric mower as compared with a gas mower, etc. For example, the system may calculate an ongoing accumulated monetary savings benefit of operating an electric battery powered mower as compared to a petrol mower. In effect, the user would get a display of a calculation of when the battery will "pay for itself based on how much money is being saved (e.g., fuel/oil cost of operating a petrol mower minus costs of electricity required to power the vehicle). When such accumulated saving reaches the difference in cost between the electric mower and the petrol mower, the system displays that the mower has "paid for itself."

Additionally, in block 716, the system may connect to databases associated with local retailers and based on the operation of the mower, the user may qualify for certain offers stored in the database. For example, if the mower is operating such that the blades appear to be wearing down, or the mower has logged a certain amount of hours, the user may qualify for an offer on new blades located a local retailer or new wheels at a local distributer.

Further, the user may accumulate a certain amount of points based on a certain amount of efficiency operations occurring or the time length of efficiency operation of the mower. In this regard, the user would then get rewards, credits or discount which the user could use to "cash" in at local retailers or at the manufacturer of the mower to receive discounted or free parts from these entities. This may encourage efficient use of the mower and also be an added feature of the mower. The rewards may be saved on the system and then communicated over a network that connects to the mower or a device that is connectable to the mower.

Moreover, the system may determine that the mower is not operating efficiently based on the needs of the user. In this regard, the mower may not be the right size, of the correct power, have the right features, not have enough features, etc. for the user. In this regard, the system would notify the manufacturer or other entity of the user's mower to provide the entity of the user's mowing specifications (e.g., yard size and shape, yard topography, obstacles in the yard and measurements thereof (e.g., gate size, etc.), how efficient the user mows the yard, how often the user uses the mower, features used on the mower, mower pattern, etc.). All of these specifications may then be entered into the entity's database to determine the mower which is the best fit (e.g. , best size and shape, best power, durability of the mower, mower features, mower blade size, blade speed, etc.) to determine alternate mowers for the user to use. The system would then display the offer as previously discussed as an indicator 125. Elements of embodiments of the present invention, such as method 700 of FIG 7, is embodied in hardware and/or software as a computer program code that may include firmware, resident software, microcode or the like. Additionally, elements of the invention take the form of a computer program product on a computer-usable or computer-readable storage medium having computer-usable or computer-readable program code embodied in a medium for use by or in connection with a system. Examples of such a medium are illustrated in Figure 3B in computer system 310 as a memory 314 of the indicator system 100. A computer-usable or readable medium is any medium that contains, stores, communicates or transports the program for use by or in connection with a system. The medium, for example, is an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared or semiconductor system or the like.

As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art, the methods of the present invention, such as method 700, may be embodied as a method (including, for example, a computer- implemented process, and/or any other process), apparatus (including, for example, a system, machine, device, computer program product, and/or the like), or a combination of the foregoing. Accordingly, embodiments of the methods of the present invention may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.), or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may generally be referred to herein as a "system." Furthermore, embodiments of the present invention may take the form of a computer program product on a computer-readable medium having computer-executable program code embodied in the medium.

Any suitable transitory or non-transitory computer readable medium may be utilized in method 700. The computer readable medium may be, for example but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device. More specific examples of the computer readable medium include, but are not limited to, the following: an electrical connection having one or more wires; a tangible storage medium such as a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), or other optical or magnetic storage device.

In the context of this document, a computer readable medium may be any medium that can contain, store, communicate, or transport the program for use by or in connection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. The computer usable program code may be transmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not limited to the Internet, wireline, optical fiber cable, radio frequency (RF) signals, or other mediums.

Computer-executable program code for carrying out operations of embodiments of the present invention may be written in an object oriented, scripted or unscripted programming language such as Java, Perl, Smalltalk, C++, or the like. However, the computer program code for carrying out operations of embodiments of the present invention may also be written in conventional procedural programming languages, such as the "C" programming language or similar programming languages.

Embodiments of the present invention are described above with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and/or combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer-executable program code portions. These computer- executable program code portions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a particular machine, such that the code portions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create mechanisms for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer-executable program code portions may also be stored in a computer- readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the code portions stored in the computer readable memory produce an article of manufacture including instruction mechanisms which implement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block(s).

The computer-executable program code may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer- implemented process such that the code portions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide steps for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block(s). Alternatively, computer program implemented steps or acts may be combined with operator or human implemented steps or acts in order to carry out an embodiment of the invention.

As the phrase is used herein, a processor may be "configured to" perform a certain function in a variety of ways, including, for example, by having one or more general-purpose circuits perform the function by executing particular computer-executable program code embodied in computer-readable medium, and/or by having one or more application-specific circuits perform the function.

Embodiments of the present invention are described above with reference to flowcharts and/or block diagrams. It will be understood that steps of the processes described herein may be performed in orders different than those illustrated in the flowcharts. In other words, the processes represented by the blocks of a flowchart may, in some embodiments, be in performed in an order other that the order illustrated, may be combined or divided, or may be performed simultaneously. It will also be understood that the blocks of the block diagrams illustrated, in some embodiments, merely conceptual delineations between systems and one or more of the systems illustrated by a block in the block diagrams may be combined or share hardware and/or software with another one or more of the systems illustrated by a block in the block diagrams. Likewise, a device, system, apparatus, and/or the like may be made up of one or more devices, systems, apparatuses, and/or the like. For example, where a processor is illustrated or described herein, the processor may be made up of a plurality of microprocessors or other processing devices which may or may not be coupled to one another. Likewise, where a memory is illustrated or described herein, the memory may be made up of a plurality of memory devices which may or may not be coupled to one another.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, although the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings describe exemplary embodiments in the context of certain exemplary combinations of elements and/or functions, it should be appreciated that different combinations of elements and/or functions may be provided by alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In this regard, for example, different combinations of elements and/or functions than those explicitly described above are also contemplated as may be set forth in some of the appended claims. In cases where advantages, benefits or solutions to problems are described herein, it should be appreciated that such advantages, benefits and/or solutions may be applicable to some example embodiments, but not necessarily all example embodiments. Thus, any advantages, benefits or solutions described herein should not be thought of as being critical, required or essential to all embodiments or to that which is claimed herein. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims

THAT WHICH IS CLAIMED:

1. A lawn mower comprising:

a cutting system comprising at least one blade for cutting grass;

a drive system comprising at least one wheel for propelling the lawn mower;

an engine operably coupled to the cutting system and the drive system for powering the drive system and the cutting system;

an operator station where an operator operates of the lawn mower;

an operator control system operably coupled to the drive system and the cutting system;

a computer system configured to determine an efficiency of operating the mower related to the operator or operation of the cutting system, drive system, or engine; and

an indicator system positioned proximate to the operator station, the indicator system comprising a processor and a display screen,

wherein the processor is configured to activate an indicator being displayed on the screen based detecting the occurrence of a predetermined efficiency condition related to the operation of the cutting system, drive system, or engine.

2. The indicator system of claim 1, wherein the indicator is capable of lighting in a plurality of different colors, each color being associated with a different predetermined condition.

3. The indicator system of claim 1, wherein the outdoor power equipment device comprises a lawn care vehicle, the indicator system being disposed on a steering assembly of the lawn care vehicle.

4. The indicator system of claim 1, wherein only while the predetermined efficiency condition is ongoing, the indicator on the display screen is displayed.

5. The indicator system of claim 0, wherein the predetermined efficiency condition comprises at least one of:

detecting if the lawn mower engine is consuming less than a predefined amount of fuel; detecting if friction in the lawn mower engine is lubricated below a predefined threshold;

detecting a first cutting path of the lawn mower has been cut and detecting that the lawn mower cutting deck overlaps with the first cutting path less than a predetermined threshold;

detecting the speed of blades of the lawn mower cutting deck being greater than a predetermined speed;

detecting a ratio of the speed of the lawn mower cutting deck relative to the speed of the lawn mower being above a first predetermined threshold but below a second

predetermined threshold.

6. The indicator system of claim 0, wherein only a symbol is displayed on the display screen as the indicator in response to the predetermined efficiency condition occurring.

7. The indicator system of claim 1, wherein the indicator comprises an audio signal perceivable by the user of the mower.

8. An indicator system for outdoor power equipment, the indicator system comprising:

a sensor system configured to determine an occurrence of a predefined efficiency condition;

a display screen;

an indicator corresponding to the display screen; and

a processor configured to, while an occurrence of a particular predefined efficiency condition is occurring, activate display of the indicator based on the particular predefined efficiency condition and display visual information about the particular predefined condition on the display screen while the indicator is active.

9. The indicator system of claim 8, wherein the particular predefined efficiency condition comprises at least one of:

detecting if blades of a cutting deck of the lawn care vehicle are operating below a predetermined threshold;

detecting fuel consumption below a predetermined threshold.

10. A method of alerting an operator of a lawn care vehicle of efficient operation of at least one component of the lawn care vehicle, the method comprising:

monitoring, using a sensor system, components or operation of the lawn care vehicle to determine if any predetermined triggering efficiency conditions have occurred;

detecting that a predetermined triggering efficiency condition has occurred;

in response to the predetermined triggering efficiency condition having been detected as occurring, displaying an efficiency indicator on a display screen of the lawn care vehicle; and

displaying text about the predetermined triggering efficiency condition on the display screen.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising presenting on the display screen an offer to the operator based on one or more parameters of the predetermined triggering efficiency condition.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein displaying the efficiency indicator comprises lighting an indicator in a selected one of a plurality of different colors, each color being associated with a different predetermined condition.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein displaying the efficiency indicator comprises displaying the efficiency indicator on the display screen provided at a steering assembly of the lawn care vehicle.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein displaying the efficiency indicator comprises displaying the efficiency indicator on the display screen only while the predetermined triggering efficiency condition is ongoing.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the predetermined triggering efficiency condition comprises at least one of:

detecting if an engine of the lawn care vehicle is consuming less than a predefined amount of fuel;

detecting if friction in the engine is lubricated below a predefined threshold; detecting a first cutting path of the lawn mower has been cut and detecting that the lawn mower cutting deck overlaps with the first cutting path less than a predetermined threshold;

detecting the speed of blades of a cutting deck of the lawn care vehicle being greater than a predetermined speed;

detecting a ratio of the speed of the cutting deck of the lawn care vehicle relative to the speed of the lawn care vehicle being above a first predetermined threshold but below a second predetermined threshold.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein only a symbol is displayed on the display screen as the efficiency indicator in response to the predetermined triggering efficiency condition occurring.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein the efficiency indicator comprises an audio signal perceivable by the operator of the lawn care vehicle.