A crane system includes crane with a load hook that can be raised or lowered via movable crane elements, and moved within a crane working area by operating drive units associated with the crane elements. The crane system further includes a control unit and a mobile transponder that can be variably positioned in the crane working area, and one or more transmitting/receiving units communicatively coupled to the control unit and configured to receive signals transmitted by the mobile transponder. The control unit is configured to automatically determining the current position of the mobile transponder relative to the load hook and/or a crane element based on the signals received from the mobile transponder, and automatically control the drive units in such that the load hook is automatically moved to the mobile transponder.

A crane system includes crane with a load hook that can be raised or lowered via movable crane elements, and moved within a crane working area by operating drive units associated with the crane elements. The crane system further includes a control unit and a mobile transponder that can be variably positioned in the crane working area, and one or more transmitting/receiving units communicatively coupled to the control unit and configured to receive signals transmitted by the mobile transponder. The control unit is configured to automatically determining the current position of the mobile transponder relative to the load hook and/or a crane element based on the signals received from the mobile transponder, and automatically control the drive units in such that the load hook is automatically moved to the mobile transponder.

An apparatus for preventing a remote operation terminal from being mislaid, the remote operation terminal remotely operating a work machine driven via a PTO device in a vehicle, the apparatus being configured so as to have: a reception device for receiving a wireless signal transmitted by a transmission device provided to the remote operation terminal, the reception device being provided to the vehicle; a determination section that, when the PTO device is in an OFF state, determines whether or not the reception strength of the wireless signal received from the transmission device by the reception device is equal to or less than a prescribed threshold value; and a notification section for issuing a notification when the reception strength is equal to or less than the prescribed threshold value.

An apparatus for preventing a remote operation terminal from being mislaid, the remote operation terminal remotely operating a work machine driven via a PTO device in a vehicle, the apparatus being configured so as to have: a reception device for receiving a wireless signal transmitted by a transmission device provided to the remote operation terminal, the reception device being provided to the vehicle; a determination section that, when the PTO device is in an OFF state, determines whether or not the reception strength of the wireless signal received from the transmission device by the reception device is equal to or less than a prescribed threshold value; and a notification section for issuing a notification when the reception strength is equal to or less than the prescribed threshold value.

According to various aspects, exemplary embodiments are disclosed of devices, systems, and methods related to controlling machines using operator control units and programmable logic controllers (PLCs). In an exemplary embodiment, a machine control system includes a machine, a programmable logic controller coupled to the machine, and an operator control unit. The operator control unit includes a user interface configured to receive one or more commands from an operator for controlling the machine, and a wireless interface configured to transmit a message based on the one or more commands received via the user interface. The programmable logic controller is configured to, in response to receiving the message transmitted by the operator control unit, transmit one or more control signals to the machine to control operation of the machine. The system does not include any machine control unit (MCU) separate from the operator control unit and the programmable logic controller.

A crane includes an image acquisition system arranged to be raised and lowered by a lifting device for acquisition of a region of a crane environment. The image acquisition system is arranged on a jib that extends straight, of the lifting device. The image acquisition system is moveable upwardly by an extension of the jib from a lift column and is lowerable by retraction of the jib into the lift column into a transport position in which the jib is disposed substantially completely in the lift column and the image acquisition system is moved towards the lift column. The image acquisition system is arranged on a tip of the jib forming a highest point of the jib.

A crane includes an image acquisition system arranged to be raised and lowered by a lifting device for acquisition of a region of a crane environment. The image acquisition system is arranged on a jib that extends straight, of the lifting device. The image acquisition system is moveable upwardly by an extension of the jib from a lift column and is lowerable by retraction of the jib into the lift column into a transport position in which the jib is disposed substantially completely in the lift column and the image acquisition system is moved towards the lift column. The image acquisition system is arranged on a tip of the jib forming a highest point of the jib.

A working machines capable of securing safety while enabling remote operation is a working machine configured to be capable of communicating with a remote operation device (40), and includes a communication unit (70a) that receives a manipulate signal from the remote operation device (40), a control unit (70) that controls actuators (51 to 59) mounted in the working machine according to manipulate signals from main operation devices disposed in a cab of the working machine or the remote operation device (40). In a case where a state of the working machine does not fulfill a predetermined condition, the control unit (70) does not allow the remote operation of at least one of the actuators (51 to 59) by the remote operation device (40).

A working machines capable of securing safety while enabling remote operation is a working machine configured to be capable of communicating with a remote operation device (40), and includes a communication unit (70a) that receives a manipulate signal from the remote operation device (40), a control unit (70) that controls actuators (51 to 59) mounted in the working machine according to manipulate signals from main operation devices disposed in a cab of the working machine or the remote operation device (40). In a case where a state of the working machine does not fulfill a predetermined condition, the control unit (70) does not allow the remote operation of at least one of the actuators (51 to 59) by the remote operation device (40).

A crane load centering assembly includes a crane that has a boom, a sheave that is rotatably coupled to the boom and a load block. A transmitting unit is coupled to the sheave having the transmitting unit being directed downwardly from the sheave. The transmitting unit transmits an alignment signal along a line that is vertically oriented. In this way the alignment signal can travel in the direction of the force of gravity with respect to the boom. A plurality of sensors is provided and each of the sensors is coupled to the load block such that each of the sensors is positioned below and is aligned with the transmitting unit. One of the sensors receives the alignment signal when the crane lifts a load and the load deflects from beneath the sheave. A plurality of light emitters is provided and each of the light emitters is coupled to the load block. Each of the light emitters is in electrical communication with a respective one of the sensors and each of the light emitters has one of the sensors associated therewith. Each of the light emitters is turned on when the associated sensor receives the alignment signal to communicate a visual alert for the deflection of the load.