Inertial sensor tracking system

• US 20090002186A1
• Filed: 07/10/2008
• Published: 01/01/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: InSeT Systems LLC
• Original Assignee: InSeT Systems LLC
• Inventors: Breeding, Russell M.
• Application Number:
  US12/218,014
• Publication Number:
  US 20090002186A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/670
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 19/66 Ring laser gyrometers
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/28 the pass enabling tracking or indicating presence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/02 Alarms for ensuring the safety of persons

Abstract

A tracking system allows for the tracking of underground mine equipment and personnel and is particularly useful in locating miners under emergency circumstances in order to expedite their rescue. The system includes an inertial sensor which is suitably sized to be carried by an individual or mounted on mine equipment. Velocity data signals are transmitted from the inertial sensor so that equipment and miners may be tracked at a remote location with the use of a computer. Typically, a transmitter sends wireless signals from the inertial sensor to the computer via several underground transceivers. An underground charging and reset station is provided for charging a battery used with the inertial sensor and for setting alignment of the inertial sensor to a home position. A pair of underground geodetic survey monuments typically facilitate alignment of the inertial sensor to the home position.

Claims

1. A tracking system comprising:

an inertial sensor for producing velocity data in response to its movement; and

a pair of underground geodetic survey monuments to facilitate alignment of the inertial sensor to a home position.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a battery mounted on the inertial sensor;

and an underground charging and reset station at which the inertial sensor is positionable for charging the battery and resetting alignment of the inertial sensor to a home position.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the battery is operatively connected to the inertial sensor for powering the inertial sensor.

4. The system of claim 2 further comprising a wireless transmitter in communication with the inertial sensor for transmitting the velocity data via a wireless signal;

and wherein the battery is operatively connected to the transmitter for powering the transmitter.

5. The system of claim 1 further comprising software for translating the velocity data into location data indicative of a location of the inertial sensor.

6. The system of claim 5 further comprising a computer for running the software.

7. The system of claim 1 further comprising a computer in communication with the inertial sensor and programmed to translate the velocity data into location data indicative of a location of the inertial sensor.

8. The system of claim 1 further comprising a wireless transmitter in communication with the inertial sensor for transmitting the velocity data via a wireless signal.

9. The system of claim 8 further comprising a plurality of transceivers for relaying the velocity data signal from the transmitter.

10. The system of claim 9 further comprising a computer in wireless communication with the transceivers and programmed to translate the velocity data into location data indicative of a location of the inertial sensor.

11. The system of claim 1 further comprising an underground reset station at which the inertial sensor is positionable for setting alignment of the inertial sensor to a home position.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the survey monuments and reset station are orthogonally oriented.

13. The system of claim 1 further comprising an underground mirror;

wherein the survey monuments and mirror are orthogonally oriented.

14. A tracking system comprising:

an inertial sensor for producing velocity data in response to its movement;

a battery mounted on the inertial sensor; and

an underground charging and reset station at which the inertial sensor is positionable for charging the battery and resetting alignment of the inertial sensor to a home position.

15. The system of claim 14 further comprising software for translating the velocity data into location data indicative of a location of the inertial sensor.

16. The system of claim 15 further comprising a computer for running the software.

17. The system of claim 14 further comprising a wireless transmitter in communication with the inertial sensor for transmitting the velocity data via a wireless signal.

18. The system of claim 17 further comprising a plurality of transceivers for relaying the velocity data signal from the transmitter.

19. The system of claim 14 further comprising a computer in wireless communication with the transmitter and programmed to translate the velocity data into location data indicative of a location of the inertial sensor.

20. A method comprising the steps of:

installing a pair of survey monuments in an underground area; and

determining the location of each of the underground monuments by performing a geodetic survey so that the survey monuments are suitable for use in the alignment of an inertial sensor to a home position.